Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ada Budrick Child Care and Learning Center, a pre-school in Boonton, New Jersey, an exceptional organization I am proud to represent! On August 28, 2008 Ada Budrick celebrated 40 years of educating young children from low- income families.

Ada Budrick is a non-profit early childhood education center, accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children.

Ada Budrick provides an opportunity for children of low-income families to enter school on an equal footing with their peers. Its primary goals are to provide a secure, stimulating and loving atmosphere for self-discovery, and to develop feelings of self-worth and accomplishment by stressing cooperation and involvement through interactive learning.

Ada Budrick Child Care and Learning Center was founded in 1968 in the Town of Boonton by Ada Budrick, a local welfare leader. The program primarily serves low-income and single parent families of multi- cultural and multi-lingual backgrounds in Morris County, New Jersey. It has grown and changed over the years to meet the needs of this community.

Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the dedicated and talented trustees and staff of Ada Budrick Child Care and Learning Center on the celebration of 40 years of providing critical educational services to the Boonton community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join with me in paying tribute to 9th Annual Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation's Walk-a-thon, which would not be possible without the hard work of Gail MacNeil, a wonderful woman who truly made her mark as a dynamic advocate on behalf of ovarian cancer. On Sunday, September 14, 2008, the good citizens of Morris County will take part in the Kaleidoscope of Hope's 9th Annual Walk-a-thon at Loantaka Brook Reservation.

Gail was diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer over Christmas 1997. Sadly, her cancer recurred in 2002 and from then on she was on non-stop chemotherapy until she ultimately lost her brave battle on June 21, 2008. She was an amazing life force who continued to work full time as a realtor at Coldwell Banker as well as actively lead many initiatives at Kaleidoscope of Hope. She was an inspiration to all that knew and worked with her, her family and especially to all the cancer survivors and other families whose lives she so passionately touched over the past ten years. ``

In 2000, Gail co-founded the Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation along with two other ovarian cancer survivors, Lois Myers and Patricia Stewart-Busso. The mission of Kaleidoscope of Hope was to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. Gail, Patty and Lois realized that there was a critical and urgent need for more awareness and research to find an early detection test for ovarian cancer, especially in New Jersey, which has the third highest incidence of ovarian cancer in the nation.

In her role as a co-founder, Gail helped enhance research programs and supported the state's first four year Gynecology Oncology Fellow, based at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Last year, Gail initiated the successful ``Turn The Towns Teal'' campaign which was the first major awareness effort for KOH. At first, this started as a grass-roots teal ribbon tying event in Morris County, New Jersey, however, word quickly spread and people throughout the state joined in and turned their towns teal. Gail also shared her story as part of the Survivors Teaching Students program through the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.

Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the citizens of the 11th Congressional District of New Jersey and the Kaleidoscope of Hope's Walk-a-thon participants for their efforts to raise awareness for ovarian cancer, and in so doing, celebrating the life of a fine woman and leader.

Madam Speaker, in compliance with new ``earmark'' disclosure procedures adopted by the House Republican Conference, I hereby provide the following information regarding a request for funding I made of the House Appropriations Committee for inclusion in H.R. 6599, the Military Construction--VA Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2009.

Specifically, the project will be included in Title 1, Military Construction--Army.

H.R. 6599 includes $9.9 million for Phase 1 of the Ballistic Evaluation Facility (66725) in the Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Act. The entity to receive the funding for this project is the United States Army, specifically the Armament Research Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) located at Picatinny Arsenal, Picatinny, New Jersey, 07806-5000.

The actual design and construction will be executed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The funding will be used for planning, design and construction of a state-of-the-art Ballistic Experimentation Facility (BEF) for Large Caliber Armaments at Picatinny Arsenal. This process will produce a one-of-kind research and testing facility which will reduce Army's operational overhead and maintenance costs and improve safety for Army employees. The use of U.S. taxpayer funding is justified because this construction will provide near-term and long-range benefits to the joint warfighter--Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force.

As this funding will be provided to the United States Army, the requirement of matching funds is not applicable.

Madam Speaker, rise today to honor the Evangelical Mission and Seminary International in the Towaco portion of the Township of Montville, Morris County, New Jersey, a vibrant community I am proud to represent! On August 8 and 10, 2008, the good citizens of Montville will celebrate the Evangelical Mission and Seminary International's 40th anniversary.

Evangelical Mission and Seminary International, EMSI, was established in 1968 by the Reverend Moses Yang. The mission has branches in four continents: Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa, and is made up of several organizations, including Evangelical Bible Institute, Christian Evangelical Mission, and Christian Evangelical Overseas Outreach. Reverend Yang started the personal ministry in 1968. He opened his house and targeted different groups for Bible study, including the College Bible Study group, youth and junior high school students and the Children's Sunday School. When Bible study groups continued to grow, a church was established. The Evangelical Mission and Seminary International was established in Towaco, New Jersey in 1982. In the past 40 years, 1968-2008, the ministry had expanded to include seminaries, churches, mission, literature, and broadcasting.

The Evangelical Bible Institute, also located in Towaco, was founded in 1979 and occupies over 19 acres. Campus facilities include the Educational Building, a church, and Chinese/English library, which houses in excess of 14,000 books. The Christian Evangelical Mission was established in West Orange, New Jersey, in 1975. EMSI established the Christian Evangelical Overseas Mission in 1995

with the purpose of developing the overseas mission work.

Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Evangelical Mission and Seminary International, as well as the Reverend Moses Yang, on the celebration of 40 years serving Morris County and people around the world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Morristown National Historic Park, county of Morris, New Jersey, as we commemorate its 75th anniversary.

During two critical winters of the Revolutionary War, 1777 and 1779- 80, the countryside in and around Morristown, New Jersey, sheltered the main encampments of the American Continental Army and served as the headquarters of its Commander-in-Chief, General George Washington. The winter of 1779-1780 is largely agreed upon by weather historians to be the worst winter of the 18th century, even worse than the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge, But, due to better construction standards, proper sanitation, and better training, the winter of 1779-1780 turned out to be much more successful than prior winter at Valley Forge.

General Washington twice chose Morristown due to its strategic location, including proximity to New York City, defensible terrain, important communication routes, access to critical resources, and a supportive community. Morristown's location put it at the crossroads between supply lines connecting Philadelphia, and New England. And the town was close enough to New York to keep a watchful eye over the British encampment on Manhattan Island. This central location allowed Washington to move his army quickly to either New York or Philadelphia if need be. The park encompasses ground occupied by the army during the 1779-80 encampment, and the site of the fortification from the 1777 encampment.

The National Park consists of four noncontiguous units: Washington's Headquarters with the Ford mansion and headquarters museum, the Fort Nonsense Unit, the Jockey Hollow Unit, and the New Jersey Brigade Area. The Ford mansion, where Washington made his headquarters, is an important feature of the Park and recalls civilian contributions to the winning of our independence.

The Ford mansion has a very interesting history. It was built between 1772 and 1774 and was initially the home of COL Jacob Ford, Jr. Ford was a landowner, iron manufacturer, dedicated patriot, and colonel of the Eastern Battalion of New Jersey's militia. Through his command, Ford had participated in the first battle of Springfield. But, tragedy befell Ford shortly after the battle, when he was stricken with pneumonia. He died on January 10, 1777, After Jacob Ford's death, his widow Theodosia offered the mansion to General Washington to use as his winter quarters.

General Washington and his aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton, would use the mansion to formulate strategy for many of the revolution's greatest campaigns. Washington also used the house to write some of the most important letters of the revolution. The Ford mansion housed some of the most important figures of the revolution including the Marquis de Lafayette, General Schuyler, General Nathaniel Greene, General Henry Knox, and the infamous general, turned traitor, Benedict Arnold. It has been said that the Ford mansion has housed more prominent figures known to the military history of our revolution than any other residence in America. It is because of this rich history, that Morristown has been cited as the military capital of the revolution.

On March 2, 1933, President Herbert Hoover signed Morristown National Historic Park into existence. It is the first National Historic Park in the United States. The park's mission is to interpret the extraordinary fortitude of the officers and enlisted men under Washington's leadership and the important subsequent commemoration of these crucial events of the American Revolution. The National Park Service and the Washington Association of New Jersey, a not-for-profit organization formed over 130 years ago to preserve Morristown's Revolutionary War landmarks, especially the Ford mansion, work to protect the landscape and historic resources of the Continental Army's winter encampments and other nearby Revolutionary War military and civilian sites for the benefit and inspiration of all. The Washington Association is the original keeper of the Ford mansion, also known as Washington's Headquarters, and continues to raise private funds for its renovations, and that of the museum, and its educational programs and remarkable archives.

The Washington Association of New Jersey was founded in Morristown in June 1873. On March 20, 1874, the New Jersey State Legislature chartered the Washington Association as a stock-granting corporation in New Jersey. The association would be responsible for preserving the mansion until 1933 when it was donated to the Federal Government, and designated the first National Historic Park.

The park's mission is to interpret the extraordinary fortitude of the officers and enlisted men under Washington's leadership and the important subsequent commemoration of these crucial events of the American Revolution.

Madam Speaker, for the past 75 years, the Morristown National Historic Park has been an educational and heartfelt piece of history in this district. I ask you, Madam Speaker, and my colleagues to honor the Morristown National Historic Park, its dedicated employees and its many volunteer supporters as our Nation's first historic park celebrates a very special 75th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, America expects that when the United States sends our brave men and women into combat, we provide them with the resources to protect themselves and to accomplish their mission.

Finally today--after much delay--this Congress appears to be on the verge of providing our troops the funds they need to continue their courageous efforts in the Iraq and Afghanistan--both humanitarian for the Iraqi and Afghan people and military against those who would promote terror and chaos.

There's no doubt that this proposal is a clear victory for our troops and their families.

Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Obey and Mr. Murtha, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Young, this package ensures that our young; warfighters--all volunteers (Active, Guard and Reserve)--have the resources they need to protect themselves and do the job they've been sent to do.

But the bill also supports the troops and their families by bringing the Montgomery GI

Bill into the 21st Century. The legislation updates the GI Bill of Rights to recognize today's higher costs of higher education. And it also recognizes the new role of the Reserves and the National Guard-- 3,200 from New Jersey will deploy this summer to Iraq with our 50th Brigade Combat Team.

But Mr. Speaker, this measure also includes a new, permanent provision that allows current soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines to transfer their educational benefits to a spouse or a child.

Mr. Speaker, this is a huge improvement. Too often our personnel and forced to leave the military service they love in order to pay for their children's college education. This bill allows experienced Marines, soldiers, airmen and sailors to transfer their benefits to a dependant without separating from the service.

This reform is good for the servicemember, good for the families and good for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.

My colleagues, the supplemental we vote on today is far from perfect. However, it represents a clear victory for our troops and their families.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Mount Kemble Home, of Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey. On June 22, 2008, the residents and staff at the Mount Kemble Home will be celebrating its 125th anniversary.

The Mount Kemble Home was founded in 1883 by a group of parishioners from the Morristown Presbyterian Church as a refuge for women in need of a home. The Mount Kemble Home has been assisting women in the lower income bracket for over 125 years.

The Mount Kemble Home provides each resident with a quality one-room apartment, complete with cooking facilities. There are two living rooms with comfortable chairs for reading, watching television, or playing the piano. The front and back porches further enhance the Home with wonderful views of the surrounding neighborhood.

The Mount Kemble Home relies on donations from the community and volunteer work to keep the Home open, as the rent charged is only 25 percent of the residents' income.

For 125 years the Mount Kemble Home has been providing women in Morris County the opportunity to afford quality housing in a comfortable and safe environment. Its staff, volunteers, and charitable donors are to be commended for their hard work.

Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Mount Kemble Home on the celebration of 125 years of serving Morris County's women, in one of New Jersey's finest municipalities.

Madam Speaker, on the legislative day of June 17, 2008, I was unavoidably detained in returning to Washington, DC. As a result, I did not cast votes on rollcalls 414, 415, 416.

Had I been here, I would have voted:

``Yea'' on rollcall 414, a motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2964, the Captive Primate Safety Act;

``Yea'' on rollcall 415, a motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3702, the Montana Cemetery Act;

``Yea'' on rollcall 416, a motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 1275, honoring the life of Timothy John Russert, Jr., public servant, political analyst, and author.

Madam Speaker, once again, I come to the floor to recognize the great success of strong local schools working with dedicated parents and teachers. I rise today to congratulate and honor a number of outstanding high school artists from the 11th Congressional District of New Jersey. Each of these talented students is participating in the 2008 Congressional Arts competition, ``An Artistic Discovery.'' Their works of art are exceptional.

We have 46 students participating. That is a wonderful response, and I would very much like to build on that participation for future competitions.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the three winners of our art competition. First Place was awarded to Jessica Pester of Millburn High School for her work ``Waiting.'' Second Place was awarded to Rebecca Bailey from West Morris Mendham High School for her work ``Mark.'' Third Place was awarded to Kristen Capote from Parsippany Christian School for her work ``Digital Camera.''

I would like to recognize each artist for their participation by indicating their high school, their name, and the title of their contest entry for the official record.

Boonton High School: Cathy Yang's ``Self Portrait'' (Honorable Mention); Elyssa Hunziker's ``When I was Seventeen''; Jennifer Vasta's ``The Gift''; Steve McKeown's ``Self Portrait.''

Chatham High School: Anna Zamecka's ``Charcoal Still Life''; Grace Oakley's. ``Global Fabric''; Michelle Mruk's ``Miniature Eggplants and Egg.''

Livingston High School: Jordana Geller's ``Timelessness''; Kelly Keltos ``Carnival''; Victor Xia's ``Steel''; Wei Li Cheng's ``Vanilla.''

Madison High School: Alexandra Coultas ``The Luke Miller House''; Frank Wulff, III's ``Valor'';

Frederick Greis ``Elaine''; Kimberly Smith's ``He loves me, He loves me not.''

Millburn High School: Kelly Blumenthal's ``Venetian Landscape''; Jessica Pester's ``Waiting'' (First Place); Jacqueline San Fillipo's ``Riding Shadows.''

Montville High School: Christine Riccio's ``Summer''; Grace Lee's ``Spring Flowers''; Jennifer Eishingrelo's ``Montville Farmer''; Michael Johnston's ``Book Smart.''

Morris Knolls High School: Elizabeth Westerman's ``Toy Trains''; Liana Kelly's ``A Brighter Life''; Jennifer Engleson's ``Sunburnt Lawn''; Amanda Wilson's ``Inside My Head.''

Mount Olive High School: Kristen Cignavitch's ``Puzzle Portrait''; Laura Smith's ``The Approach''; Olga Kazakova's ``Belarus in America''; Rachel Tenenbaum's ``Photography.''

Parsippany Christian School: Austin Dimare's ``Austin Splender''; Kristen Capote's ``Digital Camera'' (Third Place); Samantha Dahl's ``Go Fish.''

Ridge High School: Christina Stillwaggon's ``P.M.S.''; Frankie Cocuzza's ``Untitled #3''; Lara Charavantes' ``Purificacao'' (Honorable Mention); Sojin Ouh's ``Leftovers.''

Roxbury High School: Christian Peslak's ``Conscious Man''; Sam Knopka's ``Self Portrait''; Bret Koblyka's ``Self Portrait'' (Honorable Mention); Jacob Mandel's ``The Artist's Mindset.''

Watchung Hills High School: Kim Delli Paoli's ``My Vacation.''

West Morris Mendham High School: Caitlin Aromando's ``Intensity''; Elisa Cecere's ``Elephant Eye'';

Olivia Sebesky's ``Jon''; Rebecca Bailey's ``Mark'' (Second Place).

Each year the winner of the competition has their art work displayed with other winners from across the country in a special corridor here at the U.S. Capitol. Thousands of fellow Americans walk through that corridor and are reminded of the vast talents of our young men and women. Indeed, all of these young artists are winners, and we should be proud of their achievements so early in life.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating these talented young people from New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Alward and Henry Meeker Post 2833 and the Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Kenvil, Township of Roxbury, County of Morris, New Jersey, as we commemorate the Post's 75th Anniversary.

VFW Post 2833 was formed during the winter months of 1932 and 1933 in a road stand which is now the office of the Kingtown Mountain Motel. Twenty-one other charter members were recruited by Frank Van Houten, a Spanish American War veteran, after his move from Paterson, New Jersey to Netcong. Mr. Van Houten was previously a member of the Alexander Hamilton VFW Post 139, Paterson. Netcong had already formed a post a year earlier, but Mr. Van Houten and his recruits from the Netcong/ Succasunna area sought to establish their own Post.

The Post was named in remembrance of two brothers, Private Alward Wilson Meeker and Private Henry Fordham Meeker Jr., who both died during World War I. The brothers were sons of Henry F. and Charlotte H. Meeker, who operated a general store on Main Street in Kenvil. On Flag Day, June 14, 1933, the A & H Meeker VFW Post officially was chartered with Frank Van Houten as its first Commander. The Ladies Auxiliary was chartered on October 13, 1933. Ruth Hart was its first President.

On January 12, 1935, Post charter member John Kasweck and Auxiliary charter member Margaret Kasweck deeded land for the new Post home. The members signed for a bank loan to cover the cost of building materials and held fundraisers and dances to pay off the debt. The loan was repaid by the early 1940s, so by the end of World War II, returning veterans had an established post to join.

In the late 1960's a merger took place between Alward & Henry Meeker 2833 and Roxbury Memorial Post 10135, including the Ladies Auxiliaries. The Post retained its name.

During 1988 additions were completed for the Post building, and land was purchased for a parking lot. The flag pole was moved to its present position at the Post building. Sidewalks and wheelchair access were also added, but funds fell short, and loans were once again given by members. In the 1990's the Post and Auxiliary joined forces, sponsoring spaghetti dinners to meet the obligation of these loans.

Today, the Post celebrates its 75th anniversary. The members take pride in all the service they have provided to our veterans and the community of Roxbury Township over many years.

Madam Speaker, I am privileged to honor the Alward and Henry Meeker Post 2833 and the Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars. I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the members of this valuable, dedicated organization for their seventy-five years of service!

Madam Speaker, in compliance with new ``earmark'' disclosure procedures adopted by the House Republican Conference, I hereby provide the following information regarding a request for funding I

made of the House Armed Services Committee for inclusion in H.R. 5658, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009.

Specifically, the project will be included in Title 1, Military Construction--Army.

H.R. 5658 includes $10,791 million for Phase 1 of the Ballistic Evaluation Facility (66725) in the Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Act. The entity to receive the funding for this project is the United States Army, specifically the Armament Research Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) located at Picatinny Arsenal, Picatinny, New Jersey, 07806-5000.

The actual design and construction will be executed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The funding will be used for planning, design and construction of a state-of-the-art Ballistic Experimentation Facility (BEF) for Large Caliber Armaments at Picatinny Arsenal. This process will produce a one-of-kind research and testing facility which will reduce Army's operational overhead and maintenance costs and improve safety for Army employees. The use of U.S. taxpayer funding is justified because this construction will provide near-term and long-range benefits to the joint warfighter--Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force.

As this funding will be provided to the United States Army, the requirement of matching funds is not applicable.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I come to the floor to recognize the great success of strong local schools working with dedicated parents and teachers. I rise today to congratulate and honor a number of outstanding high school artists from the 11th Congressional District of New Jersey. Each of these talented students is participating in the 2008 Congressional Arts competition, ``An Artistic Discovery.'' Their works of art are exceptional!

We have 46 students participating. That is a wonderful response, and I would very much like to build on that participation for future competitions.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the three winners of our art competition. First Place was awarded to Jessica Pester of Millburn High School for her work ``Waiting.'' Second Place was awarded to Rebecca Bailey from West Morris Mendham High School for her work ``Mark.'' Third Place was awarded to Kristen Capote from Parsippany Christian School for her work ``Digital Camera.''

I would like to recognize each artist for their participation by indicating their high school, their name, and the title of their contest entry for the official record.

Boonton High School: Cathy Yang's ``Self Portrait'' (Honorable Mention); Elyssa Hunziker's ``When I Was Seventeen;'' Jennifer Vasta's ``The Gift;'' Steve McKeown's ``Self Portrait''.

Chatham High School: Anna Zamecka's ``Charcoal Still Life;'' Grace Oakley's ``Global Fabric;'' Michelle Mruk's ``Miniature Eggplants and Egg''.

Livingston High School: Jordana Geller's ``Timelessness;'' Kelly Keltos' ``Carnival;'' Victor Xia's ``Steel;'' Wei Li Cheng's ``Vanilla''.

Madison High School: Alexandra Coultas' ``The Luke Miller House;'' Frank Wulff, III's ``Valor;'' Frederick Greis' ``Elaine;'' Kimberly Smith's ``He loves me, He loves me not''.

Millburn High School: Kelly Blumenthal's ``Venetian Landscape;'' Jessica Pester's ``Waiting'' (First Place); Jacqueline San Fillipo's ``Riding Shadows''.

Montville High School: Christine Riccio's ``Summer;'' Grace Lee's ``Spring Flowers;'' Jennifer Eishingrelo's ``Montville Farmer;'' Michael Johnston's ``Book Smart''.

Morris Knolls High School: Elizabeth Westerman's Toy Trains;'' Liana Kelly's ``A Brighter Life;'' Jennifer Engleson's ``Sunburnt Lawn''.

Mount Olive High School: Kristen Cignavitch's ``Puzzle Portrait;'' Laura Smith's ``The Approach;'' Olga Kazakova's ``Belarus in America;'' Rachel Tenenbaum's ``Photography''.

Parsippany Christian School: Austin Dimare's ``Austin Splender;'' Kristen Capote's ``Digital Camera'' (Third Place); Samantha Dahl's ``Go Fish''.

Ridge High School: Christina Stillwaggon's ``P.M.S.;'' Frankie Cocuzza's ``Untitled #3;'' Lara Charavantes' ``Purificacao'' (Honorable Mention); Sojin Ouh's ``Leftovers''.

Roxbury High School: Christian Peslak's ``Conscious Man;'' Sam Knopka's ``Self Portrait;'' Bret Koblyka's ``Self Portrait'' (Honorable Mention); Jacob Mandel's ``The Artist's Mindset''.

Watchung Hills High School: Kim Delli Paoli's ``My Vacation''.

West Morris Mendham High School: Caitlin Aromando's ``Intensity;'' Elisa Cecere's ``Elephant Eye;'' Olivia Sebesky's ``Jon;'' Rebecca Bailey's ``Mark'' (Second Place).

Each year the winner of the competition has their art work displayed with other winners from across the country in a special corridor here at the U.S. Capitol. Thousands of fellow Americans walk through that corridor and are reminded of the vast talents of our young men and women. Indeed, all of these young artists are winners, and we should be proud of their achievements so early in life.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating these talented young people from New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this legislation, and I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I oppose this legislation on two distinct grounds. On process, the American people should expect more from this Congress. They should expect that when the United States sends our brave men and women into combat, we provide them with the resources to protect themselves and to accomplish their mission, both military and humanitarian, and we do it expeditiously.

In this context, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, the Nation's top military officer, has warned all of us and our congressional leaders, and I quote: ``The Pentagon is dangerously close to running out of money. We need the supplemental appropriations very badly before the Memorial Day recess. We stop paying soldiers on the 15th of June, and we have precious little flexibility with respect to that.''

Should it be a surprise to the majority leadership? Absolutely not. Our troops have been waiting nearly 450 days since the President delivered his request for emergency funds to Congress. Our soldiers need this funding to continue their efforts in the global war on terror.

Yet this is a process that amounts to deliberate brinksmanship. You have waited until the 11th hour before bringing the bill to the floor in an effort to force the President and the Congress to endorse and accept billions of dollars of nonwar, nonemergency spending.

Having said that, Mr. Speaker, on substance, on the funding for Iraq and Afghanistan, this is a solid package and I commend the gentleman, Chairman Murtha, and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) for their work. However, my colleagues, once again we are being asked to endorse a policy that amounts to retreat from our battles with terrorists in Iraq.

But this bill in the end should not be about binding or nonbinding deadlines for withdraw or how to conduct this war. The critical mass of this bill is about supporting our troops and making sure that all of these volunteers get what they need.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that

a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.