Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to control the balance of the time of the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers).

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Occam's Engineers Robotics Team from West Morris Mendham High School in New Jersey, a team that I am proud to represent! They are celebrating their recent attainment of first place in the FIRST Vex Challenge World Championship.

Occam's team was founded by Joshua Kaplan and Michael Medford, who also serve as co-captains. The other members include Adam Brozynski, Joshua Franklin, Julianna Brown, Thomas Cioppettini and Chase Tralka. The team was established at the beginning of the school year and began preparing for the competition in January. After placing last in the FIRST Vex New Jersey Tournament, they completely redesigned their robot, basing their new design on simplicity.

For the FIRST Vex Challenge World Championship in April, the team had to build a robot no larger than 18 inches that was pre-programmed and controlled by remotes to pick up softballs and deposit them into differing receptacles from a set list of parts and guidelines. The team spent endless hours building and practicing leading up to the competition.

They competed against over 10,000 students from over 23 countries. The judged award is based on the team that performs well in all categories, gaining votes from opposing teams based on performance as well as cooperation with others. Occam won not only the FIRST Vex Challenge Winning Alliance Award but also the FIRST Vex Challenge Inspire Award!

Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Occam Engineers Robotics Team and all its members on all of their past, present and future achievements!

Madam Speaker, once again, I come to the floor to recognize the great success of strong local schools working with dedicated parents and teachers to raise young men and women. I rise today to congratulate and honor 37 outstanding high school artists from the 11th Congressional District of New Jersey. Each of these talented students is participating in the 2007 Congressional Arts competition, ``An Artistic Discovery.'' Their works of art are exceptional!

We have 37 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 Leigh Cignavitch from Mount Olive High School for her work entitled ``Core and Rind.'' Second place was awarded to Lauren Novotny from Montville High School for her work entitled ``Lauren in Fauuist Forest.'' Third place was awarded to Jeff Koroski from Roxbury High School for his work entitled ``The Time, The Tremulant, The Torrent.''

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.

Home schooled: Phyllis Schlafly's ``Roses in the Mirror.''

Boonton High School: Loryn Britton's ``Untitled;'' Sarah LaPlaca's ``Portrait of Brendon'' (honorable mention), Jennifer Hitching's ``Self in still-life'' (honorable mention), Caitlyn Harvey's ``Self Portrait'' (honorable mention).

Bridgewater-Raritan High School: Allison Boucher's ``Lady of the Flies'' (honorable mention).

Dover High School: Matthew Burbridge's ``Hurd Park.''

Livingston High School: Ellina Ryzhik's ``My Bike;'' Arielle Rothbard's ``Untitled;'' Linda Innemee's ``The Dragon Flies.''

Madison High School: Samantha Sweet's ``My fundamentals;'' Kayleigh Martin's ``Warmth;'' Marissa Rich's ``AVERY'' (honorable mention), Sharela Banfield's ``Hands, Feet, & Polish'' (honorable mention).

Millburn High School: Jessica Pester's ``Easy Chair;'' Jacqueline San Fillipo's ``Blue Chair;'' Ann Trocchia's ``Cala Lily.''

Montville High School: Jennifer Eishingdrelo's ``Monday Morning;'' Stefani Colonnelli's ``Untitled;'' John Lake, Jr.'s ``Self Deception.''

Morris Knolls High School: Maxine Kramer's ``MONEY;'' Davendra Sukha's ``Assorted Nuts;'' Charles Doomany's ``An Uncertain Future;'' Stephanie Grawehr's ``reading by candlelight.''

Mount Olive High School: Rebecca Weiss's ``A Memoir to Gettysburg.''

Pequannock High School: Joel Lumpkin's ``Headless Self Portrait;'' Lauren Porochniak's ``Spring Leaves.''

Ridge High School: Lindsay Abken's ``An Icon;'' Rebecca Goldberg's ``L'Orange Blue;'' Angela Singer's ``Garden Still life;'' Christina Roros' ``Knobby Knees & Dollish Dimples.''

Roxbury High School: Lauren Poggi's ``SUBURBIA;'' Julia Biczak's ``Self Portrait;'' Chelsea Austin's ``JUDE ARCHER.''

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. Every time a vote is called, I walk through that corridor and am 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 rule and to this conference report.

Fundamentally, this bill is about providing funding for our troops, making sure that men and women who are on the front lines as we speak, have the resources they need to stay safe and do their military and humanitarian missions in Iraq.

It is clear that our troops have the support of this House and the American people. Surely, no one wants to see our soldiers defeated in Iraq. We all want their mission in Iraq to be as short as possible. We want the war to end. We want our young soldiers, all volunteers, to return home.

But this conference report before us today prejudges the effectiveness of our young warfighters as they seek to secure Baghdad under a new plan, under new military leadership.

This proposal starts withdrawal of our forces from Iraq on October 1, irrespective of the judgment of our military commanders on the ground.

My colleagues, the reinforcement of the Army in Baghdad and the Marines in Anbar, designed and executed by General David Petraeus, is underway. It won't be complete for weeks.

And yet, there are some signs of progress. The plan must be given time to work. Make no mistake about it. There will be wide and dangerous consequences if we abandon the Iraqi people and their government, now just 1 year old, before it is capable of governing and protecting its own people. First, for our own soldiers there are consequences. And secondly, we could have an explosion of sectarian violence, killing and bloodshed on a larger, more barbaric scale than we have now.

Mr. Speaker, we are a Nation at war and the stakes are extremely high for America. Our troops need this money now. They deserved it yesterday.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join together to honor the service of our young men and women and to work with the President, our Commander in Chief, to have some measure of success in Iraq. I urge a ``no'' vote on the rule and the conference report.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Library of the Chathams serving Chatham Borough and Chatham Township, Morris County, New Jersey, vibrant communities that I am proud to represent! On June 9, 2007, the good citizens of the township and borough will celebrate their library's 100th Anniversary with an old fashioned ice cream social.

On June 1, 1907, the Chatham Public Library opened in the new Borough Hall and Fire House at 10 Fairmount Avenue and the first library card was issued. In 1920, the library moved to the corner of Fairmount Avenue and Main Street because there was a trolley stop there and display windows for books. The library moved again in 1924, this time to the Fairview Hotel site, where it remains today.

By 1932, there were 2,415 registered borrowers, more than 50 percent of the population. In 1957, the library held 27,500 books, 100 periodicals, foreign language records, musical and dramatic recordings, art reproductions, a Great Books Club, Horne Reader service, Storyhour, Storytime, and a playpen.

Two wings were added to the original 1924 building in the early sixties, the first was the west wing to house the Children's collection and the second was the east wing to house the Adult and Young Adult collections.

A major change took place in 1975. After several years of discussions, meetings and presentations, a referendum was placed on the November, 1975 ballot, asking for approval of jointure--to form a library serving both towns. It passed and on January 1, 1975, the Chatham Public Library became the Joint Free Public Library of the Chathams. All residents and those working in the Chathams are entitled to free borrowing privileges. The Library is tax supported on a per capita basis by both municipalities, and administered by six jointly appointed trustees with five year terms, a representative of the school system and both mayors or their representative.

1985 saw the Library become fully automated in MAIN (Morris Automated Information Network) which joins all Morris County libraries by computer database. Renovations and additions have occurred on a regular basis, the last being one for more than $4 million, which opened to the public on January 11, 2004. Today approximately 182,000 items are circulated annually, and 9,668 cards are in existence!

Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Library of the Chathams on the celebration of its 100th Anniversary!

Mr. Speaker, 1 month ago, we gathered in this Chamber to debate what was called a symbolic resolution on the war in Iraq. I never subscribed to the notion it was symbolic because I believe any official act of this body has consequences. When Members speak, the world listens, friends and enemies alike.

Two weeks ago after that vote, I traveled again to Iraq and Afghanistan to observe conditions in these two fronts on the global war on terror and to meet again with our soldiers. I was the only Republican on the trip, but I view opportunities like these to travel to war zones with colleagues from the other side of the aisle as invaluable.

We all saw that the plans to stabilize Baghdad by reinforcing U.S. troops and integrating them with larger Iraqi units around the city are already under way. Our military commanders in Iraq are already executing their plans to clear, hold, and build; and early reports point towards some progress.

And yet tomorrow, in fact, we vote on a bill, portions of which could potentially affect the safety of our brave young soldiers in Iraq, the lives of millions of Iraqis, and damage our national interest in the Middle East and elsewhere. That is why I oppose this bill in its current form.

Every Member of this House, Republican and Democrat alike, should be working together to achieve some level of success in Iraq and to give our soldiers the dollars they need. We should not be tying the hands of our battlefield commanders, nor undercutting our brave soldiers and marines as they work to secure the peace as we debate here this afternoon and tomorrow.

Make no mistake about it, withdrawal from Iraq before that peace is better secured will have wide and important ramifications. We could potentially have an explosion of sectarian violence in Iraq, killing and bloodshed on a larger, more barbaric scale. Al Qaeda and other jihadists could get a new and more dangerous base of operations. The influence of Iran would grow. The Saudis and moderate Arab states themselves could be threatened. Turkey, a strong NATO ally, could be drawn into the war. And Iraq's neighbors could see even more waves of refugees.

Mr. Speaker, we are a Nation at war, and the stakes are extremely high for America. Our troops need this money now. They deserved it yesterday. But the Congress has decided to make them compete with nonmilitary, nonemergency, politically motivated spending.

We must give our commanders on the battlefield, and our brave young war fighters, the resources they need to protect themselves and fight the enemy.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join together to honor the service of these young men and women and to find a way forward in Iraq that protects our Nation and results in a stable Iraq that can govern and protect itself.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Chester Township Police Department in the Township of Chester, Morris County, New Jersey, a vibrant community I am proud to represent! The good citizens of Chester Township are celebrating their Police Department's 50th Anniversary.

The Chester Township Police Department was formally organized in 1957 with the hiring of Edward M. Strait. As the first full time police officer, he set out to organize a well-trained and regulated association of part time volunteer officers to assist him in his duties. Patrolman Strait was named the department's first Chief of Police in early 1958 and was joined by additional full time officers in the mid 1960s.

Chief Strait and his department achieved public acclaim as being both efficient and progressive. Special and Reserve Officers served their community with countless hours of volunteer time, sharing the same risks facing the full time officers. One hundred and five officers served with the reserve as members of the Chester Police Association through 1984 when the association was disbanded.

The Chester Township Police Department currently consists of 14 officers under the command of Chief Adam Schuler. The department provides both patrol and emergency response services. Education and training have always been and remain a hallmark of the Chester Township Police Department. Three officers have attended and graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Three officers have completed the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and command and three are graduates of the West Point Command and Leadership Program. Four officers have been trained by Northwestern University in traffic accident reconstruction, four are certified D.A.R.E. instructors and other officers have been trained in important police procedures.

In addition to routine responsibilities, the Chester Township Police Department offers special programs for Chester Township residents. These include: firearms safety training; personal photo identification cards for residents who require them; a program for the recovery of missing persons, particularly those with memory loss; a telephone call- in welfare check and a house check service for residents who are away on vacation.

Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Police Department of the Township of Chester on the 50th Anniversary of protecting one of New Jersey's finest municipalities!

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the township of Millburn, Essex County, NJ, a vibrant community I am proud to represent. All through 2007 the good citizens of Millburn township will be celebrating the township's 150th anniversary with special events including a sesquicentennial parade in June and an anniversary ball in October.

Millburn began as a colonial settlement with agricultural origins, followed by a 19th century mill/factory economy and eventually became a Victorian--and later--residential community. There are many examples of this rich history still present in the township, from the Hessian House, the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, and the Paper Mill Playhouse to the historic districts, Short Hills Park and Wyoming.

Millburn township was once part of Elizabethtown and Newark settlements in New Jersey, created by a grant from Charles II to his brother James in 1664. In 1793, Springfield township was created including Millburn. In 1857, Springfield became part of the new Union County and Millburn became a separate township within Essex County.

After the Revolution, the Rahway River was dammed in five places to form mill ponds. Samuel Campbell built the first paper mill in 1790 and manufactured banknotes. Most of the early mills were paper mills, among them the Diamond Mill, now the site of the Paper Mill Playhouse, but hat mills eventually became dominant. In 1835, the Morris and Essex Railroad was finally completed, linking Millburn to the big cities in the East and the coal regions in the northwest.

Millburn has had many names, from Rum Brook, Vauxhall, Milltown, and Millville. In 1857, Millburn was decided upon, partly because many of the town's residents were from Scotland and the mill burn--Scot word for river or stream--reminded them of home. Later there were disputes over the spelling of Millburn, but the double-L advocates won.

In 1872, the Wyoming Land and Improvement Company purchased 100 acres of land and the first speculative real estate development was started and named Wyoming. Stewart Hartshorn acquired 1,552 acres to build his ideal village called Short Hills, the first planned commuter suburb in America.

Today, Millburn township has a population of approximately 19,735 and is comprised of Millburn, including the historic Wyoming district, South Mountain and Millburn Center areas, and Short Hills which includes the sections of Knollwood, Glenwood, Brookhaven, Country Club, Merrywood, Deerfield-Crossroads, Mountaintop, White Oak Ridge and Old Short Hills Estates.

Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the residents of Millburn township on the celebration of 150 years of rich history of one of New Jersey's finest municipalities.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department in the borough of Riverdale, Morris County, New Jersey, a vibrant community I am proud to represent. On February 25, 2007, the good citizens of Riverdale will celebrate the Fire Department's 100th anniversary.

The Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department officially began as the Pompton Volunteer Fire Department on February 25, 1907. Twenty-three men from the village of Pompton, New Jersey, and vicinity met at Post's Mercantile Shop on the Hamburg-Paterson Turnpike on January 2, 1907, to begin organizing a local fire department. By the end of February, officers had been elected and the name Pompton Fire Department had been selected.

The Apparatus Committee first purchased three dozen pails and painted them red. Later in 1907, the department approved ``no more than $10'' to build a two-wheeled truck to carry ladders. Located on the Hamburg- Paterson Turnpike, the first firehouse was on land now occupied by the Hale-DuBow Agency building. The village of Pompton became the borough of Riverdale in 1923, but the fire department retained its original name until 1958, when it was changed to the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department. In the early 1960's the department united with most other borough organizations and moved to the town municipal building. The fire department moved to Post Lane in 1980 and has remained at that site.

The borough of Riverdale joined with nine other Morris County towns in September 1993 to form the Northeastern Morris Mutual Aid Association, NEMMA. NEMMA meets monthly to discuss firematic issues, trade information, and conduct training sessions. Every year one of the towns hosts a large-scale simulated disaster drill.

The borough of Riverdale has grown over the years and since 2000 has seen new multistory condominiums, senior housing, and the completion of a large retail complex, all of which has strained the volunteer fire department. In addition to building and vehicle fires, the firefighters respond to medivac landings, flood evacuations, motor vehicle extrications, and hazmat incidents. Town government and citizen support has enabled the fire department to make necessary equipment purchases, complete additions and renovations to the firehouse, and development a length of service program to help recruit and retain members. For the first time in decades, membership is over 30 firefighters.

Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the borough of Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department and all its firefighters, past and present, on the 100th anniversary of protecting one of New Jersey's finest municipalities.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, today tens of thousands of our young men and women are serving in uniform heading for Iraq. More are headed there as we speak. They will do what American soldiers do. They will serve our Nation with courage and pride, and for that they deserve our deep gratitude.

Today in the House we are engaging in a debate on a resolution that declares their military and humanitarian missions failed. I have seen this resolution described in the press as symbolic, toothless and meaningless. I couldn't disagree more. Our consideration of this resolution, the words spoken on this floor, carry great meaning and weight.

The actions of this body have consequences. When Members speak, the world listens: our friends, our allies, our rivals, our enemies and future enemies alike. What are they hearing?

I remember just 2 weeks ago, during the Super Bowl, seeing the video of our troops in Baghdad watching the game. Our soldiers watched that game. Every Member on this floor should know with certainty that our soldiers surely are watching this debate, and so are their families, and so are our enemies and so are the loved ones of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our Nation.

Instead of showcasing the best partisan rhetoric and working for political advantage, we should be working together with our Commander in Chief to honor their service and commitment, to find a way forward in Iraq that protects our Nation and results in a stable Iraq that can govern and protect itself.

I know that none of us are happy with the progress of the war. I know that the American people are struggling with this war. I struggle too. I am reminded that we have been sent here by our constituents to exercise our best judgment and to bring our experience to bear on the most pressing issue facing our Nation, the global threat of a radical Islamic fundamentalism.

Last week in the House Appropriations Committee on Defense, on which I serve, I asked the chiefs of staff of the Army about the consequences of failure in Iraq. I was reprimanded for getting off topic. But that is the topic. That is the point. Withdrawal from Iraq will have consequences, both immediate and in the seeds of future conflicts.

What will Congress do if we leave Iraq to flounder and descend into chaos, and how will we handle the next challenge laid before us, for there will be others. Do any of us doubt the determination of forces who are counting on our failure, on our resolve? This is the most fundamental question that confronts us, not solely the question of troop reinforcement that is already under way. Our answer to this question will be the legacy, not just of this President, but of all of us in this Chamber.

Over 35 years ago I served with the Army in Vietnam. While I never much advertised this fact, I was proud to serve, even as my father, then a Member of Congress himself, was subject to many personal attacks on the home front from those who opposed the Vietnam War.

Like many soldiers then, I wanted to do my time and come back safely. I promised myself one day that if I had the chance, I would be a better person, a better elected official, for that military experience. I promised myself that I would never let our soldiers down wherever they might be.

Madam Speaker, we are Americans first, and as Republicans and Democrats, we need to come together to work on solutions in Iraq and the Middle East. We are a Nation at war, lives are on the line, and we could do much better than this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Roxbury Township Historical Society in the Township of Roxbury, Morris County, New Jersey, a vibrant community I am proud to represent. On February 10, 2007, the good citizens will celebrate the Roxbury Township Historical Society's 45th Anniversary.

In the early 1960's Roxbury citizens were cataloguing historic sites and structures in preparation for participation in the State of New Jersey's Three Hundredth Anniversary when several active participants determined the need for a town historical society. The Roxbury Township Historical Society was formed on February 12, 1962 to research, preserve and promote the township's heritage, one of the four original townships designated by the County of Morris in 1740.

One home in the inventory, in the Ledgewood section of Roxbury Township, with a sloping rear roof-line reminiscent of early salt containers, was threatened by demolition. The rescue of this pre- Revolutionary dwelling became the Society's first major project. With great effort that included having the intact structure moved to its present site; fundraising; help from various sectors of the community; and the guidance of architectural historian, John Dodd, the Society transformed the Silas Riggs Saltbox House from a forlorn old building into a warm and welcoming living history museum. The house now hosts a variety of events that provide a glimpse into the past for those who step inside. It also serves as the Society's meeting place and repository of historical data.

By 1976, our nation's bicentennial's year, the house was completely restored and the Society held a dedication ceremony in honor of its restoration. During the Bicentennial, the Society spear-headed a variety of township-wide activities, and did so again in 1990 when Roxbury Township celebrated its 250th anniversary.

Over the years, Society members collectively and individually have provided numerous services to the community. Society accomplishments include the publication of three volumes of township history and lore; the sponsoring of house tours; tours of the township and activities at the Saltbox House for lower grade school children over a fourteen year period ftom 1975 through 1989. The Society members have hosted living history days for the interpretation of early skills and crafts and scouting activities that encourage community participation on the part of our young people. They reach out to other historically and preservation minded organizations; and have achieved State and National Historic Register status for the Saltbox House, as well as for other historical structures in the township, including the Theodore King Canal Store and King Homestead. Society members provide programs to civic groups and schools not only in the township, but also to neighboring communities.

Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Roxbury Township Historical Society on the celebration of its 45th Anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Township of Millburn, Essex County, New Jersey, a vibrant community I am proud to represent. On February 18, 2007, its good parishioners will celebrate the Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church's 105th Anniversary.

The Mount Zion AME Church was organized in the Spring of 1888 by former members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Springfield, New Jersey, in order to give African American domestic workers a place of their own to gather and worship on Sunday mornings. Mr. Henry Chambers, Mrs. Willhelmina Veals and Ms. Ella Taylor began the church with a Sunday School in a florist shop on Taylor Street in Millburn. A short while later the church moved to the Old Mountain House on Church Street, where it remained until 1902.

In 1889, Reverend Chase was appointed as pastor of the Mount Zion AME Church and served for 4 years. The Reverend John Roberts succeeded Reverend Chase in 1893 and served until 1895. Reverend Pendleton served as pastor in 1895, followed by Reverend Johnson in 1896.

The Reverend Adolfus Willis became pastor in 1897 and served until 1909. On August 20, 1902, Reverend Willis was instrumental in the church's purchase of the building located at 56 Church Street. The Mount Zion AME Church remains at this location today.

A total of twenty pastors led the church from between 1909 and 2003, when the Reverend Cecil Bonds was appointed pastor. Reverend Bonds continues as pastor of the Mount Zion AME Church today.

Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Mount Zion AME Church of Millburn, New Jersey on the celebration of its 105th anniversary.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, this joint resolution includes important increases above the fiscal year 2006 level for programs that are truly necessary in our Commerce Justice Appropriations Subcommittee. I appreciate the inclusion of increased funding for FBI counterterrorism and intelligence and for the cost of conducting a timely and accurate focus on our next census.

Also included are important increases for basic scientific research, an additional $335 million for the National Science Foundation research, which will set the groundwork for new technologies that will spark innovation and ensure our competitiveness.

Mr. Speaker, I am very concerned, however, about funding for drug enforcement. Funding is included in this resolution to maintain the current rate of operations for every Department of Justice entity except the Drug Enforcement Agency. The funding for the DEA will result in a loss of over 160 agents and deep cuts to the Mobile Enforcement Team program, the DEA's primary tool to fight meth and violent drug crime at the State and municipal levels.

With violent crime on the rise and many communities dealing with methamphetamine, that crisis, this is the wrong time to retreat on funding for the DEA. For this and many other reasons I rise to oppose this resolution.

Madam Speaker, every year, more high school seniors from the 11th Congressional District trade in varsity jackets for Navy pea coats, Air Force flight suits, and Army brass buckles than most other districts in the country. But this is nothing new--our area has repeatedly sent an above average portion of its sons and daughters to the nation's military academies for decades.

This fact should not come as a surprise. The educational excellence of area schools is well known and has long been a magnet for families looking for the best environment in which to raise their children. Our graduates are skilled not only in mathematics, science, and social studies, but also have solid backgrounds in sports, debate teams, and other extracurricular activities. This diverse upbringing makes military academy recruiters sit up and take note--indeed, many recruiters know our towns and schools by name.

Since the 1830's, Members of Congress have enjoyed meeting, talking with, and nominating these superb young people to our military academies. But how did this process evolve? In 1843, when West Point was the sole academy, Congress ratified the nominating process and became directly involved in the makeup of our military's leadership. This was not an act of an imperial Congress bent on controlling every aspect of Government. Rather, the procedure still used today was, and is, a further check and balance in our democracy. It was originally designed to weaken and divide political coloration in the officer corps, provide geographical balance to our armed services, and to make the officer corps more resilient to unfettered nepotism and handicapped European armies.

In 1854, Representative Gerritt Smith of New York added a new component to the academy nomination process--the academy review board. This was the first time a Member of Congress appointed prominent citizens from his district to screen applicants and assist with the serious duty of nominating candidates for academy admission. Today, I am honored to continue this wise tradition in my service to the 11th Congressional District.

The Academy Review Board is composed of six local citizens, several of whom are distinguished veterans, who have shown exemplary service to New Jersey, to their communities, and to the continued excellence of education in our area. Though from diverse backgrounds and professions, they all share a common dedication that the best qualified and motivated graduates attend our academies. And, as true for most volunteer groups, their service goes largely unnoticed.

I would like to take a moment to recognize these men and women and thank them publicly for participating in this important panel. Being on the Board requires hard work and an objective mind. Members have the responsibility of interviewing upwards of 50 outstanding high school seniors every year in the academy review process.

The nomination process follows a general timetable. High school seniors mail personal information directly to the Military Academy, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy once they become interested in attending. Information includes academic achievement, college entry test scores, and other activities. At this time, they also inform my office of their desire to be nominated.

The academies then assess the applicants, rank them based on the data supplied, and return the files to my office with their notations. In late November, our Academy Review Board interviews all of the applicants over the course of two days. They assess a student's qualifications and analyze character, desire to serve, and other talents that may be hidden on paper.

This year the board interviewed 38 applicants. Nominations included 19 to the Naval Academy, 9 to the Military Academy and 5 to the Air Force Academy--the Coast Guard Academy does not use the Congressional nomination process. The recommendations are then forwarded to the academies by January 31, where admissions staff reviewed files

and notified applicants and my office of their final decision on admittance.

As these highly motivated and talented young men and women go through the nominating process, never let us forget the sacrifice they are preparing to make: to defend our country and protect our citizens. This holds especially true at a time when our Nation is fighting the war against terrorism. Whether it is in Afghanistan, Iraq, or other hot spots around the world, no doubt we are constantly reminded that wars are fought by the young. And, while our military missions are both important and sometimes dangerous, it is reassuring to know that we continue to put America's best and brightest in command.

Academy Nominees for 2007--11th Congressional District, New Jersey

Air Force Academy: Greg W. Bukata, Chatham, H.S. of the

Chathams; David Lam, Lake Hopatcong, Jefferson H.S.; Melissa

L. Marcial, Parsippany, Parsippany H.S.; Scott Pierson,

Parsippany, Parsippany Hills H.S.; and Samantha J. Stibick,

Somerville, Somerville H.S.

Military Academy: Brian C. Asman, Livingston, Livingston

H.S.; Alexander Boroff, Chatham, H.S. of the Chathams; Hadley

A. Johnson, Randolph, Pingry School; Vincent J. Lally,

Sparta, Sparta H.S.; Dario Marcelli, III, East Hanover,

Hanover Park H.S.; Alexander Z. Pytlar, Califon, West Morris

Central H.S.; Jason S. Rothamel, Basking Ridge, Ridge H.S.;

Quentin Sica, Stanhope, Lenape Valley H.S.; and Marianne R.

Slotten, Mendham, West Morris Mendham H.S.

Naval Academy: Kelsey L. Bergh, Morristown, Academy of St.

Elizabeth; Jeffrey R. Bland, Basking Ridge, Immaculata H.S.;

David P. Bobo, Florham Park, Seton Hall Preparatory School;

Jacob O. Bridge, Stirling, Watchung Hills H.S.; Jesse S.

Cohen, Mountain Lakes, Mountain Lakes H.S.; Kevin A. Gaines,

Wharton, Morris Hills H.S.; Peter S. Garber, Short Hills,

Millburn H.S.; Matthew R. Gregory, Long Valley, Davidson

College; Ralph N. Grossmann, IV, Green Pond, Morris Knolls

H.S.; Andrew P. Hanko, Montville, Trinity Christian School;

Steven R. Kline, Chatham, H.S. of the Chathams; Andrew M.

Kramer, Oak Ridge, Jefferson H.S.; William J. Ludlow, Basking

Ridge, Ridge H.S.; Jason Mariscal, Fairfield, West Essex

H.S.; Nicholas A. Mikula, North Caldwell, Seton Hall

Preparatory School; Steven B. Monin, North Caldwell, West

Essex H.S.; Joseph P. Palamara, Denville, Morris Knolls H.S.;

Christopher K. Schneider, Mendham, Seton Hall Preparatory

School; and David R. Weller, Bridgewater, Bridgewater-Raritan

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this legislation which I would suggest is simply a politically motivated attempt by some to punish a vital, particularly American industry.

I come from a State that celebrates thousands of discoveries by pharmaceutical researchers for treatments and cures for debilitating illnesses such as heart disease, juvenile and adult diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and HIV that really affects the lives of millions of men, women and children. I am very supportive of an industry that directly employs over 70,000 of our State's residents and nearly half a million Americans nationwide. They don't need to be punished nor have their lives, their livelihoods controlled by Big Brother.

This proposal will drive jobs out of my State and our Nation to Europe, the Pacific Rim, to China and India. Instead of protecting American ingenuity, this proposal will stifle innovation and be a death knell for profound medical research advances that were unthinkable a decade ago and which we now stand on the threshold of achieving.

Mr. Speaker, what is more important, the Medicare drug benefit is working. The best way to foster innovation, keep prices low and, most importantly, ensure seniors have access and choices for their medicines is through competition. Competition works.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this legislation, which I would suggest, is simply a politically motivated effort by the Some to punish a vital, particularly American industry.

Coming from a State that celebrates thousands of discoveries by pharmaceutical researchers for treatments and cures for debilitating illnesses such as heart disease, juvenile and adult diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and HIV that really affect the lives of millions of men, women, and children, I am very supportive of an industry that directly employs over 70,000 of our State's residents and nearly half a million Americans nationwide.

This legislation makes not only drug manufacturers, but also may I add, our local pharmacists and their drug dispensing fees, subject to government price controls, endangering the very research and development that makes my State the ``Medicine Chest'' of the world.

This proposal will drive jobs out of my State and our Nation to Europe, the Pacific Rim to India and China. Instead of protecting American ingenuity, this proposal will stifle innovation and be a death knell for profound medical research advances that were unthinkable a decade ago and which we now stand on threshold of achieving.

And, what is far more important, my colleagues, the Medicare Drug benefit is working. Nearly 20 million seniors who previously had no coverage at all now have access to comprehensive prescription drug coverage. The average senior is saving $1,200 a year on their prescriptions and 9 milion low-income seniors pay nothing for drug coverage. Half a million seniors who never had coverage in New Jersey now have it.

For the past year, we have heard politically inspired promises from my Democratic colleagues that they would introduce legislation to close the Medicare ``donut hole'' for the few seniors who fall into it. To achieve this goal I have heard over and over again from my colleagues on the other side that the Veterans Administration system should serve as a national model for lowering prices. However, as most know, the VA decides which drugs patients receive. Patients do not have a choice and neither do their physicians.

I would then ask my colleagues to point to the provision in this legislation that sets aside funds to fill the donut hole for those seniors. However, no one can show me this provision because no such provision exists. Filling the donut hole carries a price tag of at least $450 billion and this bill will not produce anywhere close to that kind of savings.

Actuarial experts from both the Congressional Budget Office and outside, independent groups have stated that there is no ability to negotiate lower prices without the government approving and rejecting which drugs a physician can prescribe a patient.

Like Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, the new majority heads in the direction of nationalizing drug companies, establishing price controls, devaluing patents, and disemboweling critical research and development.

Mr. Speaker, the best way to foster innovation, keep prices low and ensure seniors have access and choices for their medicines is through competition. Competition works.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill.