Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the bravery of two law enforcement officers from my district whose heroic acts will be honored by The National Association of Police Organizations at their annual TOP COPS Awards on Saturday September 11th.

While all of our nation's law enforcement officers deserve recognition for their invaluable and often unnoticed service, the TOP COPS Awards pay tribute to those outstanding individuals who performed actions that went beyond the call of duty to protect the citizens of their community. All of the award recipients displayed extraordinary courage and resolve in bringing dangerous criminals to justice.

I am pleased to recognize and share the story of two individuals from my district that have received a TOP COPS honorable mention. In October 2003, the Somerset Medical Center contacted the county prosecutor's office concerning several unexplained deaths of their patients. Detective Sergeant Braun, son of a detective lieutenant and a law enforcement officer for 24 years, and Detective Baldwin, a law enforcement officer for 12 years, began to investigate the case and quickly identified 43 year old registered nurse Charles Cullen as a suspect. Cullen had worked at more than nine medical facilities for brief periods of time in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania area, all of which had recorded an inordinate number of unexplained deaths, many occurring during Cullen's shift.

Based on the evidence these skilled investigators compiled, an arrest warrant for Cullen was issued in December 2003. The innovative, unique and ethical interrogation techniques used by these veteran law enforcement officers, resulted in Cullen's confession. He admitted to taking the lives of more than 40 of his patients, 15 at the Somerset Medical Center alone, over a 16-year span.

Thanks to these two outstanding individuals, a killer targeting the most vulnerable of victims at our area medical facilities will be brought to justice. Their efforts in this case have forced health care facilities nationwide to re-examine the hiring practices for their nurses.

I commend the dedication and commitment of Detective Sergeant Braun and Detective Baldwin to solve this most tragic and heinous crime and extend my heartfelt gratitude to law enforcement officers across the country for their service to our communities.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in remembering the victims of September 11, 2001. There are still no words that any of us can speak that will truly ease the pain and the profound sense of loss that families of victims feel, so many in my own district.

I continue to marvel at the courage and determination of the surviving

families, a courage and determination that made the 9/11 Commission possible, overcoming opposition here and across town.

We have an obligation to keep faith with those who perished and with the families they left behind. The best way we can do that is to take the 9/11 Commission recommendations seriously and act on them with dispatch.

For a new generation of Americans, the phrase ``Remember Pearl Harbor'' has been replaced by ``Remember 9/11.''

Madam Speaker, let us honor those that we lost and the loved ones they left behind by acting expeditiously and in a bipartisan fashion to bring the 9/11 Commission recommendations to reality.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words.

Mr. Chairman, for over half a century, the rules governing overtime pay eligibility have been pretty clear, and eligible employees are paid time and a half for every hour of work more than 40 hours in a single week. This, in fact, is a landmark in modern economic history.

I ask my colleagues to support the Obey amendment to stop the rollback of these rules, to stop these rules that would hurt American workers and their families. Make no mistake about it, this anti- overtime rule is a major step backward in the fight to reward work. I consider it an attack on the middle class that will lead to greater economic inequality.

Families all across America in all sorts of job categories depend on overtime pay to make ends meet. The families that will lose overtime protection will find that they have to work longer hours for significantly less money. Overtime pay accounts for approximately a quarter of the income, more than $8,000 a year for families who earned overtime in 2000. As the pool of workers who are exempt from overtime is expanded, those workers who are not directly affected by the regulation will lose income as their opportunity to work overtime is diminished. This is consistent with what the majority has been doing in so many other areas, pushing compensatory time instead of pay, refusing to implement a living wage, and failing to extend unemployment benefits. They will say they are being compassionate, that, by their way of thinking, paying the workers less will make it easier for the employers to hire more workers and therefore more people will be paid.

This is bogus economics. This was debunked a century ago when it was shown that Henry Ford, by paying his workers more, he actually raised the economic activity. Claiming that lowering wages will somehow help working families ignores a century of economic understanding. It is a shame that at the same time the majority leadership is proposing to eliminate overtime pay for millions of workers, they are enacting huge tax breaks for the wealthiest 1% of Americans. Both proposals hurt hard-working middle class families.

Let me tell my colleagues, if we take away this overtime pay, these families will again be given the short shrift.

I urge my colleagues to support the Obey amendment.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate The College of New Jersey on its Sesquicentennial. The College of New Jersey's academic tradition reaches back to 1855 when it was established by the state legislature as the New Jersey State Normal School. It was the first teacher training school in the state and the ninth in the nation. Governor Rodman Price, sometimes called the founder of the New Jersey Normal School, promoted the idea of a training institute for New Jersey's teachers and mobilized support among influential state leaders.

Originally located on Clinton Avenue in Trenton, the Normal School flourished in the latter 1800s, expanding both its academic offerings and physical facilities. In 1925, the first four-year baccalaureate degree program was established. This change marked the beginning of The College of New Jersey's transition from a normal school to a teachers' college and was accompanied by a change in physical surroundings. In 1928, a beautiful 210-acre tract of land in Ewing Township was purchased as a new site for The College.

Today, education--and higher education in particular--is more important than ever to solving the most pressing problems of our communities and the country. Access to an affordable, quality education is inseparable from our economic prosperity, national security, and civic health.

I believe that The College of New Jersey is part of the solution to our pressing problems. In a world where other nations are investing far more of their resources in education and research, and are producing graduates who rival our own in many areas of manufacturing and development, a high quality education is essential to our future success.

But higher education is more than just the means to achieve higher earning potential or to raise revenue; it is also a life-enriching experience. A key component of the university mission is to foster the academic and personal development of students civic engagement and community service, where students learn how to be active participants in democracy, as well as team athletics and student government, where students gain valuable leadership experience.

The policies that we craft to enhance and advance education must close the achievement gap between the rich and the poor, and minority and non-minority students. They must help to recruit and retain top young college graduates into teaching, nursing, and other high priority fields to meet the country's needs. Our policies must also make a quality college education accessible and affordable for all Americans, and harness the power of higher education to move this country forward.

The College of New Jersey is leading the way in accessibility and affordability. The College of New Jersey emphasizes the undergraduate experience. Academic programs are designed to provide students with an undergraduate education of exceptional quality. More than fifty liberal arts and professional programs are now offered through The College's seven schools; Art, Music and Media; Business; Culture and Society; Education; Engineering, Nursing; and Science.

Today, The College provides academically prepared student with a challenging undergraduate education and a rewarding residential experience, small classes, and a prestigious faculty. Once again, I congratulate The College of New Jersey on its Sesquicentennial and I look forward to another one hundred and fifty years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3313, which would prevent federal courts from hearing cases related to provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that allow states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriage licenses issued in other jurisdictions.

The Constitution--perhaps the greatest invention in history--has been the source of our freedom in this great country for more than two centuries. The framework of government it established has allowed our diverse people to live together, to balance our various interests, and to thrive. It has provided each citizen with broad, basic rights.

The judiciary was designed to be the one branch of the federal government that is not influenced or guided by political forces. This independent nature enables the judiciary to thoughtfully and objectively review laws enacted by the legislative branch to ensure that Federal law is in line with the Constitution. Throughout the development of our nation, this check has been vital to protecting the rights of minorities.

The legislation that we are considering today is a political measure that will threaten this precious system of checks and balances. Although the Constitution gives Congress the power to limit the jurisdiction of the Federal judiciary and the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, I am certain that the founding fathers did not intend for Congress to use this power to change the jurisdiction of the courts over a political issue. This legislation will set a dangerous precedent that Congress can deny the judicial branch the right to review specific pieces of legislation simply because Congress is concerned that the judiciary will find the legislation unconstitutional. This is a clear misuse of Congressional authority and it is a misguided attempt to legislate on a controversial social issue.

In addition to undermining the authority of the judiciary, H.R. 3313 would deprive a minority population--gay men and women--of basic freedoms. This bill would limit their right to due process by barring individuals from challenging the constitutionality of DOMA. Congress should not limit an individual's ability to seek redress in the court system simply because some Members object to the sexual orientation of others.

And if that is not bad enough, H.R. 3313 would set a pattern that would cause unimaginable harm. Today its gay men and women, tomorrow laws dealing with any other area would be exempted for judicial review.

Altering the framework of our government and restricting access to the courts is not the appropriate way to resolve a divisive political issue. I urge my colleagues to vote against this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sister Mary Simon for receiving the Judith Stanley Coleman Award from the Visiting Nurses Association of Central Jersey. The award is given annually to a community leader who exemplifies a positive attitude, significant service in health care, vigilance and passionate advocacy for community health issues, and strong networking in the community. Sister Simon is a tremendous person whose heart is full of compassion for her fellow humans and she fully deserves of this prestigious award.

Sister Mary Simon has taught in various grammar schools throughout the diocese of Trenton over the past 19 years. In 1975, upon

completion of her Master's in Education, she was appointed director of senior services in Keansburg. It was in this post that she determined that transportation, education, and health were the most pressing needs of local seniors. Sister Simon obtained a van for senior transportation and created a GED program for seniors to complete their high school diplomas. However, it was in health that Sister Simon found her true calling. She was able to get local nurses to conduct free blood pressure screening and health education classes for the local seniors. Sister says, soon she arranged with the Visiting Nurses Association of Central Jersey to identify local residents who needed care and assisted the nurses to meet the patient's needs.

Six years later Sister Simon was appointed as the Executive Director of the Monmouth County Office of Aging. There she helped establish many innovative programs which still exist today, including a collaboration with the Visiting Nurses Association of Central Jersey that bring nursing and physical therapy to low income and minority seniors.

In 1998, Sister Simon was appointed Coordinator of New Jersey Adult Protective Services. Working on behalf of seniors statewide, Sister Simon was responsible for overseeing the safety of the most at-risk seniors in the state--living in abusive or potentially abusive situations.

After a long career spent improving the health of New Jersey seniors Sister Simon was ready to retire but soon she had a new assignment assisting seniors in central Jersey. Since 2001, she has been working on behalf of Bishop John Smith and the Trenton diocese again as Coordinator of their Ministry to the Aging. Sister Simon is now working on behalf of the 363,967 seniors in Monmouth, Ocean, Mercer and Burlington counties, many of whom I represent in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I again want to take this time to congratulate Sister Simon on behalf of the thousands of lives she has touched in her long tenure in New Jersey. Sister Mary Simon certainly deserves the Judith Stanley Coleman Award from the Visiting Nurses Association of Central Jersey. I thank her for all her hard work and wish her all the best in the future.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commend Sandra Feldman on the occasion of her retirement from the Presidency of the American Federation of Teachers. I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of H. Res. 714, honoring Sandra Feldman.

Ms. Feldman has served as President of the American Federation of Teachers since 1997. In that time, she has dedicated herself completely to advancement of education. H. Res. 714 shows all Americans that a life committed to our youth and to our future does not go unnoticed.

I am thankful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have voiced support for this bill and for the scores of citizens and activists around the country who have supported similar efforts.

I urge all members of this body to join me in my praising of Sandra Feldman and her exemplary leadership.

Sandra Feldman has been involved with public schools from her youth. As a child she attended a public school in New York City. Upon graduation, she attended Brooklyn College and received a Master's degree in English Literature from New York University.

Eventually Ms. Feldman moved to the other side of the classroom and became a teacher herself, teaching to 2nd and 3rd graders in Manhattan.

Still, Ms. Feldman's dedication to teaching and learning extended well beyond the classroom. In the 1960's, she became both teacher and an advocate.

As an advocate, Ms. Feldman rose through the ranks of both the United Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers, serving as executive director of the UFT and eventually as President of both organizations.

Her journey was not only unique, but inspiring. She was the first female President of the United Federation of Teachers in more than sixty years. She has earned recognition as an urban education expert and a persistent advocate for disadvantaged children. And she has served on numerous commissions, worked with UNICEF, and tackled issues ranging from child-welfare and labor to school vouchers. She has been recognized by the Ladies Home Journal as one of the ``100 Most Influential Women in America.'' And today, she deserves the recognition of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, these brief words cannot adequately describe a lifetime of service and commitment to the betterment of this great nation. Words can never truly convey the gratitude that my colleges and I feel toward Sandra Feldman for her consistent unwavering support for disadvantaged children and our nation's education system. But the reality is, our country and its children and its schools are better off because of her years of service.

I ask my colleagues to support the passage of H. Res. 714 to recognize Sandra Feldman's contributions and leadership in improving the quality of teaching and learning.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my concerns regarding H. Res. 713.

I strongly believe that Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism. I certainly share the conviction of many of my colleagues who supported this resolution that Israel has the right to construct a security barrier. That right of protection should be unquestioned. In fact, I suggested the construction of a security barrier between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank years ago, long before the Israeli government proposed erecting such a security fence.

While I support Israel's decision to build a security barrier, I recognize that the current path of the separation barrier has been questioned, notably by the Supreme Court of Israel, in large part because of the displacement of Palestinians. Fortunately, the orderly governmental process in Israel has resulted in a compromise that balances the security interests of Israel with rights of minorities. On June 30, the Supreme Court ordered the re-routing of a 20-mile section of the barrier inside the West Bank northwest of Jerusalem that was in the initial stages of construction because it was too burdensome on Palestinians. I applaud Israel's government for agreeing to comply with the Court's ruling.

Despite these positive developments in the region, today we are considering in the House a resolution that is divisive and not constructive. Over the decades, the United States has been essential in facilitating negotiations along the road to peace. The U.S. should be first in support of Israel's right to build a fence if she believes it will protect her citizens. However, Congress should not formally endorse the wall in its existing form, nor should we oppose it. To do either compromises the U.S. and any peace process. The U.S. should not get involved in that issue except as a facilitator of negotiations between the parties to advance the cause of peace.

I rarely vote present. However, the false choice presented by this resolution could justify neither a yea or nay vote. While the resolution expresses support for Israel's right to construct a security barrier, it is clear to me that this measure was a cynical attempt to divide people for political gain here in the United States.

It is the responsibility of the pro-Israel community--of which I am a member--to support measures that advance the security of Israel. This legislation does not do that. This measure is a cynical attempt that purports to support Israel but uses inflammatory language directed at members of the international community. This resolution undermines the steps we have taken to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, compromises our ability to assist in the future, and makes Israel and the entire region less secure.

The future security of the Middle East depends on negotiating a just, permanent, and peaceful settlement between Israelis and Palestinians that both guarantees Israel's security and establishes a Palestinian state. I cannot support resolutions, such as H. Res. 713, that are detrimental to this process.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

My amendment would add $30 million to the salaries and expenses account of the General Accounting Office for the development of Scientific and Technology Assessment. This is something that is vital to us here in Congress. It would meet a bipartisan need of Congress to receive more objective expert and timely advice on the scientific and technological aspects of the issues before us. My amendment would avoid creating any new government agency or bureaucracy, but it would provide Congress with reputable and partial timely advice and analysis of emerging scientific and technological issues.

This is something that was, until 10 years ago, offered by an in- house agency. That is no longer available to us, but the GAO has begun on a pilot basis assuming some of this need and providing us with scientific and technological assessment. Not to have that today is hampering us in doing our work. So this certainly should be added to the appropriation.

It would enable Congress to understand the scientific and technological aspects of current and future legislative choices, be they in homeland security or national defense or medicine or telecommunications, agriculture, transportation, computer science. This is not just science for science's sake. This is to look at those scientific and technological aspects that are present in virtually everything we do here in Congress.

When the Office of Technology Assessment was operating until a decade ago, they produced studies in such areas as colorectal cancer screening, teachers in technology, Super Fund actions, wage record information system, defense of medicine and medical malpractice, grain dust explosion, policy with regard to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The GAO in the last couple of years, picking up on this need that is currently unmet, has begun with some studies in the areas, for example, of biometrics, protecting against cyberattack. They have under way studies looking at smuggling of weapons of mass destruction and containing forest fires.

I do not think there is anyone in this body who could argue that we do not need to be well informed in such areas. Whether it is aviation safety or AIDS education or Alzheimer's disease or testing in American schools, we need technological assessment. This legislation, this amendment to this appropriations bill, would provide that through the organ of the General Accounting Office.

Because there has been resistance to reviving OTA, the Office of Technology Assessment, as it was, a number of us have been exploring other approaches, recognizing that every year that goes by without this capacity for in-house technological assessment represents lost opportunities, opportunities to save lives, to protect our towns and cities, and to commercialize new discoveries. This amendment will provide that.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Washington State (Mr. McDermott).

(Mr. McDERMOTT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, many of us here in the House of Representatives woke up one day and said, say it is not so, Doug. We did not want to see him go. For many Members here, it was hard to understand how someone who did the job so well would want to leave voluntarily, but he has so much to give and will continue to give. I have worked with him on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, others on the Committee on International Relations. We all think he would be an outstanding committee chairman, and one of the things we lament is he is leaving before he gets to serve in that way.

Most recently, I worked with the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) on efforts to improve the proficiency of Americans in foreign languages. I must say, it was a delightful and very productive experience working with him on that issue.

The House will be diminished by his departure. There are very, very few people like the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) here. He is industrious, he is astute, he is judicious, he is well informed. He has a very broad perspective, and I mean that geographically, historically, and ideologically. By that I mean he is not ideologically entrenched. Sure, he has solid values and is a person with integrity, but he can work with others. A word that comes to mind is collegial. He is not self-serving. He is about serving others, his constituents, and, yes, other Members of the House, junior and senior Members. He is considerate. In every respect, in every circumstance, in every forum, I have seen nothing but the utmost consideration from the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter). In fact, I would say he is truly wise because he understands that kindness is the greatest wisdom.

We all wish the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and his wife, Louise, well. It is the gain of the Asia Foundation. I am sure he will contribute a great deal there, and I am here to join my colleagues to say thank you, Doug, for your service to us, to the House, to your constituents, and to America at large.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to particularly emphasize the importance of high-performance computing in the area of fusion energy science, an area where I have personal experience from my work at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Fusion offers the promise of abundant, safe, environmentally attractive energy for the U.S. and the world. The advances in computing over the last decade have revolutionized fusion science at Princeton and elsewhere. Previously scientists made calculations without computers for simplified situations; now they can take into account the details of real experimental conditions.

Previously scientists could only make crude estimates of how for example turbulence in fusion fuel could cool the plasma lower than the very high temperatures needed for fusion; now they can calculate this process in detail. As a result the agreement between experiment and theory has improved dramatically.

A decade or so ago, theoretical estimates could easily differ from experimental measurements by factors of 10 to 100, giving rise to heated scientific debate. How the debate is just as scientific and just as heated, but the argument is about factors like 1.5 or 2--a dramatic difference.

Furthermore, this scientific understanding has led to techniques to quell the turbulent mixing and allow the fusion fuel to get much hotter, producing more fusion energy High-performance computing together with advanced experimental techniques, has truly revolutionized fusion energy science.

Even with these recent advances, there is still much more to be learned about fusion systems through high-performance computing, and H.R. 4218 will help to make that possible. Fusion scientists need to combine all of the individual calculations of physical effects, which have been combined into an integrated simulation model that handles all of the different aspects of a fusion system--all at the same time. Such a model will allow fusion researchers to predict in detail the behavior of complete fusion systems and will allow them to design the cost- effective power plans that will be need in the future.

This is truly a grand challenge that requires the level of high performance computing envisioned in H.R. 4218. It is also a grand challenge for humanity. Recent events have certainly reminded us that we need the abundant, safe and clean power that fusion can provide. Thus I strongly support H.R. 4218 for the advances it will produce in fusion energy science, as well as elsewhere in American science.

Mr. Speaker, physics is all around us. Physics has been highly successful in explaining many of the phenomena governing our natural world; it was a basis for the Renaissance and the enlightenment of western civilization. Through physics we can explore the diverse phenomena from the existence of black hole and to the composition of the atom and nucleus. Understanding mechanics, gravity and propulsion allowed us to develop machinery, bridges and rockets while knowledge about electricity and magnetism and matter led to lasers, light bulbs, telescopes, fiber optics, the internet and the huge market of consumer electronics.

Physics research creates technological innovations, which drives the world's economic growth and markets. It has changed human life for the better. It has made major contributions to cutting-edge technologies such as Nanotechnology, Biotechnology and Information Technology. Physics research will help us to solve major new challenges in homeland security and find new energy sources.

In 2005, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Einstein's theory of relativity. This resolution is the perfect opportunity to recognize and celebrate the importance of physics to our lives.

Mr. Speaker, today the House of Representatives did a good deed. The House passed a bill that I had introduced nearly 2 years ago known as the Private Relief bill, which will allow Duri Hasan and her four daughters who live in Milltown, New Jersey, to fulfill the dream that brought them to America.

Nearly 3 years after the murder of their husband and father in a post-9/11 hate crime, Duri, Asna, Anum, Nida and Iqra received welcome and overdue news from the House of Representatives. Today, this body has helped them take a huge step toward putting the tragedy of September 15, 2001, behind them and put them back on track for American citizenship. I hope the Senate will move quickly on this.

I am very thankful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support of this bill and for the scores of citizens, activists, and religious leaders around the country who have supported this.

For any of my colleagues who are unfamiliar with the Hasan family, let me recall their tragic and heroic story. I think my colleagues will agree it is a true American epic filled with hopes and dreams, tragedy and hardship, and, thankfully, today, compassion in the form of a chance.

Waqar Hasan came to the United States in 1993 from Pakistan in search of a better life for his family. A year later, he brought his wife, Durreshahwar, or Duri we know her as, and their four daughters. The family settled in Milltown, New Jersey, where they had relatives. Waqar supported the family working in a gas station in the area. In the fall of 2001, he was in Dallas to establish a convenience store. He planned to move his family there after the business got off the ground.

However, on the night of September 15, 2001, just 4 days after the vicious 9/11 attacks, Mark Anthony Stroman walked into Waqar Hasan's convenience store in Dallas and shot the 46-year-old father to death. When asked by police why he shot Waqar, Stroman expressed no remorse: ``I did it to retaliate on local Arab Americans or whatever you want to call them,'' he said. ``I did what every American wanted to do, but didn't.'' Stroman is now on death row.

Mr. Hasan was very much a victim of the attacks of 9/11, and his death was a hate crime if ever there was one.

Before his death, Waqar had taken steps for him and his family to become American citizens. He was in the United States on an immigrant visa and was going through the paperwork towards citizenship. When he was brutally killed, his family's American future was placed in jeopardy. Their visas and green card applications were both dependent upon his visa. When he died, their hopes of American citizenship died with him. The Hasan family had lost their husband, father, and

breadwinner in a most horrible way; and now, they were facing the threat of deportation.

Mrs. Hasan and her teenage daughters think of themselves as Americans. The daughters are growing up here. Mrs. Hasan and all but the youngest daughter hold down jobs to make ends meet. One daughter attends Rutgers. Another daughter is studying at Kean College to become a teacher. They are the type of hard-working, reverent, patriotic, studious, industrious people that we want here in America; and they deserve to stay.

For the past 2\1/2\ years, I have been working with government agencies to keep the Hasan family in this country. I have pursued and exhausted every possible legal remedy to help the Hasan family stay. My Private Relief bill is the Hasan family's last hope of attaining permanent legal residency and eventually citizenship. Today, the House of Representatives passed that bill.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that there is no more crucial time to demonstrate to Muslims in America and around the world that we are a tolerant and sympathetic people. We must seize opportunities to showcase America's commitment to the democratic values that we are making great sacrifices to promote overseas.

This bill, of course, does not make everything all right. Duri Hasan and her daughters have lost their husband and father. Their lives have been given a severe blow. But with this bill, we avoid doing any further injury to them. I am very pleased to report the happy news to the Hasan family to whom today we here in the House have said, You belong here in America with us.

Mr. Speaker, I want to explain why I voted against the Rapid Acquisition Authority for Combat Emergencies Bill (H.R. 4323), when it was added to the suspension calendar for a vote earlier this week.

During the past year, we have seen repeated examples of waste, fraud, and abuse in contracts awarded by the U.S. Defense Department to the Halliburton Corporation and other military contractors that have poorly served our troops and the American taxpayers. Not only do I lack confidence that such procurement sloth has stopped, those of us in Congress who have called for in-depth congressional investigations have been stone-walled.

In light of this dismal track record, Congress should not open the door even wider and provide even greater authority for the Pentagon to award lucrative contracts to contractors without competition and with even less scrutiny and congressional oversight. Nevertheless, H.R. 4323 would waive existing safeguards against war profiteering and other contract abuses.

Congress is already moving to authorize and appropriate up to $1.2 billion to provide additional equipment for our troops in every instance where critical shortages have been identified. That is one of the important reasons why I voted in favor of the FY 2005 Defense Authorization Bill, when the House passed it last month.

Finally, the supporters of this bill claim it is needed to cut through existing, cumbersome Pentagon acquisition regulations to respond to urgent needs of our troops in combat emergencies. But there is mounting evidence to the contrary. I believe the equipment shortages among some of our troops in Iraq during the past year resulted from poor pre-war planning and serious miscalculations in the Pentagon by the architects of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Quite simply, U.S. Army war planners didn't issue enough purchase orders, before the invasion of Iraq was launched, to ensure that all of our troops on the ground in Iraq had what they needed during the conventional combat phase of this conflict. Those mistakes and the equipment shortages they caused became even more costly since President Bush announced the end of combat in Iraq on May 1, 2003, and the nature of the military threat changed and the armed insurgency expanded. This Congress should act to address those mistakes, not use them as an opportunity to hand out more no-bid contracts.

I believe H.R. 4323 could actually make a bad situation worse.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the eve of her retirement to recognize Reverend Willie Mae Nanton for her role as a pastor and community activist.

As Pastor of Cadwalader-Asbury United Methodist Church for the past 7 years, she has inspired and touched the lives of many. She is the first female pastor of the church in its 100-year history as well as the first female President of the Concerned Pastors and Ministers of Trenton and Vicinity. She has been an instrumental part of these organizations not only as a leader but also as a friend.

Rev. Nanton also has been involved with other organizations in her community, serving as a Board member of the Economic Development Corporation, a Board member of Black United Methodist for Church Renewal, a past president of the Northwest District Board of Ordained Ministry, a Board member of Ecclesia Ecumenical Ministry, a past Board member of Big Brothers & Sisters, and a Board member of Leadership Trenton. Through these organizations, she has positively contributed to the Trenton community's development and the spiritual growth of its members.

Over the years, Rev. Nanton has improved the quality of life of individuals in her community by being involved in Leadership Training Workshops, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling, Community Organization Development Planning and Management, Group Counseling, Interfaith Care Givers, and Meals on Wheels of Trenton. New Jersey is fortunate to have such a dedicated servant, and she deserves the utmost praise and recognition.

She has earned our heartfelt appreciation for a noble career of public and private service, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me today in recognizing her achievements.