Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the FY08 Homeland Security Appropriations bill--the House's first all-encompassing look at the security of our Nation. But I strongly oppose the proposition that a border wall will protect this Nation, and I ask my colleagues to consider what a wall along the Southwest border will do.

During this debate my friends in the minority have said they are focused on the funding levels of this bill . . . saying they are too high and wasteful. Here's what is wasteful: according to Customs and Border Protection, every mile of a wall will cost at least $3 million dollars to construct. That doesn't include any funding needed to buy private lands or maintain the fence.

In this 21st Century, we have the technology to adequately protect our borders through a virtual fence without dividing communities, adversely impacting our economy, giving up water rights, denying private property rights for landowners on the border, or changing international boundaries without benefit of international treaties.

I am grateful that the Committee incorporated the language in the bill to include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as one of the federal agencies with which DHS must coordinate before spending money to build a wall. And I have received a commitment to include the International Boundary and Water Commission to the list of federal agencies DHS must coordinate with, as the bill moves through conference. I thank the Committee for accepting the language in the bill requiring the DHS Secretary to consult with local communities, and to seek their advice before spending money on the wall. That's hardly enough, but that puts a little lipstick on the pig.

Rather than spend over $3 million dollars a mile, we should be directing the Department of Homeland Security to utilize technology like ground sensors, unmanned aircraft, vehicle barriers, cameras and human surveillance through Border Patrol.

The technology of a virtual wall saves the taxpayers $2 million dollars a mile . . . will be more reliable . . . and actually give the Border Patrol the time and resources they need to detain illegal immigrants or potential terrorists. Virtual technology is proven; this week the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced it would deploy a virtual fence to protect JFK, Newark Liberty International and LaGuardia airports. Much of the technology they are deploying is either currently being used or developed by CBP.

We need to be smarter about our border security . . . rather than expect a physical wall to singlehandedly protect our country. Unless you live along the border, you do not understand the uniqueness of border communities. Constructing a fence along the southwest border is going to have a devastating economic impact in our border towns.

Much of the area along the border is growing rapidly with more and more Fortune 500 companies moving business to South Texas. What message does constructing a wall send to these companies? Twenty years ago this week, on June 12, 1987--President Ronald Reagan said of the Berlin Wall that scarred Europe: ``Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.''

We are better than Soviet Europe . . . and an antiquated structure along our borders will not protect our Nation. Protecting the border is of the utmost importance to me, and all Americans.

Nearly every single Border Patrol agent, who has confided in me, is certain a wall is not the solution. They would rather receive funding for additional manpower, technology and tactical infrastructure, such as vehicle barriers, to protect our border.

I urge my colleagues to save taxpayers money, oppose the handful of amendments before us that throw good money after bad in building a wall that will not protect this great Nation.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bill--engineered by my colleague from Texas Mr. Edwards--which funds vital military accounts and provides the largest increase in veterans funding in the history of the VA.

While the central concern for South Texas is a veterans hospital--I understand we must authorize that funding before we can appropriate it. I have talked about this issue with appropriators and authorizers alike . . . and those conversations will continue until we find a resolution to help these veterans get the in patient care they deserve.

The Congress is committed to working in a bipartisan way to ensure that our budget honors the service of our veterans and builds a future worthy of their sacrifice. With passage of this bill, the 110th Congress will have voted for historic increases in veterans' health care and benefits programs, totaling nearly $12 billion--including the joint resolution and the supplemental--to meet the needs of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistanm . . . and make up for the Bush Administration's past shortcomings in its treatment of veterans.

This bill will provide veterans with the health care and benefits we promised them, resulting in the hiring of more qualified doctors and nurses to improve medical services to our veterans and to reduce waiting times for doctor appointments, and provide more to help veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mental health care issues, and lost limbs so that they can rebuild their lives.

For the first time, the budget for VA medical care exceeds the budget of the veterans' service organizations by $294 million. This will ensure quality health care for 5.8 million patients, including about 263,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, which the VA will treat in FY 2008. This significantly reduces the 400,000 claims backlog for veterans waiting for disability and other benefits by adding more than 1,100 new claims processors.

The bill also provides much needed maintenance of VA health care facilities (funding level is $500 million above the President's request) to prevent another Walter Reed-type scandal from occurring. A recent VA report outlined 1,000 specific problems at VA health facilities around the country, with a backlog of $5 billion in maintenance.

The enormous number of troops returning home with mental health disorders, including PTSD and traumatic brain injury, resulted in the bill including five polytrauma centers and three Centers of Excellence for Mental Health and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These centers will be fully operational this year to care for those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, including those with TBI. A February GAG report noted about one-third of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are facing mental health challenges, and up to 300,000 troops are expected to return from Iraq suffering from TBI.

The bill also protects taxpayers and veterans by including solid steps to ensure accountability and stop wasteful spending by increasing funding for the Inspector General for VA to improve services for veterans and their families and to prevent and deter potential waste, fraud and inefficiencies.

To strengthen our military, this bill provides better barracks, housing and training facilities when troops return from combat with an unprecedented $21.4 billion investment in military construction, family housing, and BRAC--

with $207 million more than the President's request.

To address end strength, the bill provides funding recommended by my subcommittee to begin the process of adding 65,000 Army, 27,000 Marine, and 9,000 National Guard and Reserve troops.

For BRAC, the bill fully funds the 2005 base realignment and closure process at $8.2 billion, and supports the relocation of 70,000 troops from bases in Korea and Europe.

All this represents the start we need to pay for a healthy and vital military force to protect our nation today, tomorrow and for the coming decades.

Mr. Chairman, on behalf of our south Texas veterans, we appreciate the committee's concern regarding access to inpatient and outpatient care for our far south Texas veterans.

Let me say I compliment you, Mr. Chairman, for doing such a great job and for having way down in your heart the care of the veterans that served in many, many wars, not only in Iraq and Afghanistan.

These veterans have to travel upwards of 6 hours each way to receive inpatient care, and many times they have their appointments cancelled. As you know, the VA's currently finalizing a study on options to provide inpatient and outpatient specialty care which will be out this July.

And Mr. Chairman, as you know, this war has resulted in many casualties.

We've had over 46 young men killed in this war. We have lost more, between Chairman Hinojosa and I, 46 soldiers. In addition, we've had many more soldiers maimed and injured; and what we would like to see, Mr. Chairman, would the committee work with us to move the issue of a veterans hospital in south Texas forward.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to boast about the tremendous accomplishment of the Moody High School Trojans, winner of the 2007 Texas High School Class 4A Baseball Championship, just this past weekend.

Since 2000, the Trojans have reached the State Championship 3 times and are now walking away with the second of 2 State trophies in just 4 years.

Heading into the playoffs ranked No. 1 in the State, the Moody players lived up to their reputation of maximizing their offense, with the help of exceptional pitching from MVP Championship Pitcher Miguel Gonzalez. The Trojans controlled the championship game with 3 homeruns and crushed their opponents 9-1.

Having learned humility from past defeats, the young men of Moody continue to illustrate the South Texas baseball family tradition--they remain a brotherhood of young athletes. With inspiration, hard work, and faith, these players exemplify the ``Moody magic'' that has brought the Trojans to State victory once again, ending the season with a record of 39-3-1.

Having earned national recognition, this 4A baseball team from Corpus Christi has been ranked seventh in the Nation by Collegiate Baseball's high school poll. Producing both extraordinary athletes and spectacular leaders, seven of the Moody players have been chosen to fill the 10 available spots on the all-State tournament team.

Recognized for their great accomplishments by the community after they tasted victory, the Trojan players were received by crowds of roaring fans as they arrived home, led by their head coach, Corky Gallegos, who paraded their championship trophy to their high school for display.

What is more remarkable than their success in the State championship again is the invaluable lessons that high school sports teach these young men. They learned that winning is one thing, but winners on the field are made from teamwork and faith; winners in life are those who master the fundamentals, never lose their faith, and put their whole effort into all they do.

I ask the House of Representatives to join me today in commending the following players: Joey Mendoza, Christian Gallegos, Rudy Flores, Rudy Grande, Andrew Perez, Leeroy Hinojosa, Marc A. Gomez, Miguel Gonzalez, Thomas Tovar, Jeff Rousseau, Raul Galvan, Andrew Cantu, James T. Ramirez, Gabriel Morales, Adrian J. Longoria, Justin Meza, Ryan Villarreal, Elias Rodriguez, Josiah Rodriguez, Orlando Perales, Ronnie Flores, Dan Flores, Jacob Perales, Marcus Montez, Arnold J. Franco, Justin Gabrillo, Michael Montez, Randy Rodriguez, Abraham Figueroa, and Kalvin Roberts. These special young athletes were led by Head Coach Corky Gallegos, Assistant Coach Richard Diaz, and Assistant Coach Mike Leal.

This outstanding group of young champions representing the ``Moody magic'' have learned--and lived--the most important lessons of competition, faith and dignity. Madam Speaker, these young people have inspired us and made us exceptionally proud.

Madam Speaker, I rise as co-chair of the Romanian Caucus to welcome Foreign Minister Adrian Cioroianu of Romania to the United States. Foreign Minister Cioroianu represents an increasingly pivotal ally in our country's efforts to preserve global security, prosperity, and democracy.

Foreign Minister Cioroianu picked up the reins of Romania's diplomatic corps just 2 months ago and he is already proving his commitment to a strong transatlantic unity in his visit. Foreign Minister Cioroianu's delegation hopes to plan an April 2008 NATO summit to be hosted in his country, discuss global antiterrorism initiatives with his counterparts here, and collaborate with them on regional security issues. The delegation's agenda is a symbol of a Romania that is steadfast in its responsible pursuit of global welfare.

Romania has played a leading geopolitical role as a regional power in Eastern Europe with its position at the crossroads of Europe and Russia. The country recently hosted an Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe meeting regarding anti-Semitism, an issue still fresh in the minds of leaders in the region.

Romania is taking a leading diplomatic role in the western Balkans, particularly in mediating talks on the status of Kosovo. Through these diplomatic efforts and others, Romania is ensuring an Eastern Europe that is peaceful and stable for freedom and prosperity to take root.

The country is also playing a growing economic role in the region. On January 1, 2007, Romania entered the European Union, after achieving a decade of substantial economic development even in the face of a global economic recession. Romania is embracing a free market while fostering the growth of a new middle class that will serve as a key to a successful economic society. Romania is becoming an economic engine for its neighbors to the East and West.

Inducted to NATO only 3 years ago, Romania is already an active participant in NATO operations and has contributed troops to both U.S. wars, with NATO troops in Afghanistan and with around 500 military personnel in Iraq. The Romanian military is playing an honorable and cooperative role in providing security in numerous spots throughout the globe.

I ask my colleagues to join me in welcoming Foreign Minister Cioroianu and the Romanian delegation to the United States. Congress will continue to promote a strong cooperative relationship between our two countries and I thank the Foreign Minister for his service.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 391) recognizing the employees of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, the North Texas Commission, USO, and the people and businesses of North Texas for their dedication to the ``Welcome Home a Hero'' program, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 391.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Major Andrew Weatherstone on the occasion of his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel on June 1, 2007. Andy is an Army Fellow in my Congressional office this year, and he is an extraordinary soldier and human being.

He is a great leader, a motivator of men and women in his command, a seeker of creative solutions . . . an officer uniquely suited to the United States Army at a moment we need all the great soldiers and officers we can get.

We were lucky to get Andy this year; his last assignment was in Iraq. So my team and I have had the benefit of his counsel at a pivotal moment in our history, as we seek solutions to the ongoing conflict in Iraq and the many readiness issues Iraq has highlighted.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, with a Masters from the University of Central Michigan, Andy is a soldier's soldier. He came up through the ranks, starting as a platoon leader and battery officer in 1993, to operating a 1,200 strong Task Force and a Forward Operating Base in Taji, Iraq, in 2004.

Andy understands the needs of a battlefield soldier; and he understands the political machinations that surround the conduct of our military policy. He may not be patient with that, but few of us are these days.

He understands that democracy must be defended; and he knows that democracy means involving everybody and all opinions in determining policy.

He knows that freedom is not free, and in wearing the uniform of the United States he is one of those paying the price for all our freedoms on battlefields around the world.

Andy's story would not be complete without including his wife, Jennifer, his ``champ,'' and their daughters Lauren and Elizabeth. Andy got to be home when Elizabeth was born this year.

For all that he has learned in the field, in combat, in training, and in teaching other soldiers . . . LTC Andy Weatherstone will be a remarkable leader in the U.S. Army.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Andy--and his family--on the occasion of his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel.

Madam Speaker, like so many young soldiers fighting for this Nation in Iraq--whose tours have been extended by the current surge in Iraq--Army SSG Anselmo Martinez III, from Robstown, Texas, was due for a 2-week leave from his first tour duty in Iraq around Mother's Day, but it kept getting pushed back.

He was due to come home sometime in July. On May 18, after the armored vehicle he was riding in ran over an improvised explosive device in Tahrir, Iraq, his time on this Earth ended, and he won't see his mother or his wife and two children ever again.

Each time we lose a soldier, it breaks my heart. It hurts all the more when it is a soldier from South Texas. This one is from my hometown.

SSG Anselmo Martinez was stationed in Fort Hood, where his wife Christina Martinez lives their two daughters. He graduated from Robstown High School in 1998 and joined the Army in 2002 for job security.

Sergeant Martinez deployed to Iraq in October with the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, out of Fort Hood, Texas.

Everyone called him B.J., short for ``Baby Junior,'' because no one wanted to call him a number; he was the third in his family sharing the same name.

He loved to fish, and the first thing he would want to do when he came home was grab a fishing pole and head to Oso Bay.

BJ loved to work with his hands, to shape things. At Robstown High School, he was a member of the woodshop club. He was a funny, sweet, and polite young man who was loved by everyone and who was proud to serve his country.

A fellow soldier from Robstown who knew him said Sergeant Martinez was an excellent role model and a great noncommissioned officer. He thought of his men while in Iraq; yet he was missed badly at home.

On February 4, his wife told him: ``Hola papa. I feel so bad that you couldn't be here today for baby's birthday.''

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to the life and service of Army SSG Anselmo Martinez III, from Robstown, Texas, who gave the last full measure of devotion to his country.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.

The bill before us today begins to address our growing concerns about the readiness posture of our Armed Forces.

I would like to thank the ranking member from my subcommittee, Mrs. Davis from Virginia, for her help in bringing together this excellent bill. I thank Chairman Skelton and Mr. Hunter.

Mr. Chairman, our troops and their equipment have been stretched by extended combat operations, and the strain is evident in declining readiness, shortfalls in training and difficulties equipping our forces. These problems have grown to immense proportions, and this bill is a significant step to reverse the decline and rebuild our military.

Included in this bill are some significant readiness policy initiatives and investments that will help restore the readiness and posture of our military.

First, this bill establishes a Defense Readiness Production Board to identify critical readiness requirements and to mobilize the defense industrial base to speed up the production of military equipment. This board will bridge the gap between readiness needs and resources to help repair our worn out equipment that has been used time and time and time again.

The bill also creates a $1 billion Strategic Readiness Fund to give the board and the Department of Defense the ability to rapidly attend to pressing readiness needs.

This bill begins to address other shortfalls in maintenance and training by providing $250 million for unfunded training requirements and an additional $150 million to restore aviation maintenance shortfalls.

We are very concerned about the readiness of our National Guard. Our bill requires the Department of Defense to begin measuring the readiness of the National Guard units to support emergencies in their home States, such as the recent tragic tornadoes in Kansas. These readiness reports will allow the Congress and each State's Governor to evaluate the need of each State and address problems before a disaster occurs. To help restore the shortfalls, the bill includes a $1 billion investment in National Guard equipment.

We also included provisions that require plans and reports to Congress on reconstituting our prepositioned war stocks.

Mr. Chairman, we also authorized more than $21 billion for military construction, family housing and to implement base realignment and closure. Those funds include money to support growth in force initiatives for the Army and the Marine Corps and to provide facilities to accommodate new recruits and missions.

Other significant provisions include proposed changes to the National Security Personnel System and the depot initiatives.

Mr. Chairman, this is a very, very good bill, and I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

I rise in support of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. The bill before us today begins to address our growing concerns about the readiness posture of our armed forces. I would like to thank the ranking member from my subcommittee, Mrs. Davis from Virginia, for her help in bringing together this excellent bill.

Our troops--and their equipment--have been stretched by extended combat operations . . . and the strain is evident in declining readiness, shortfalls in training and difficulties equipping our forces. These problems have grown to immense proportions, and this bill is a significant step to reverse the decline . . . and rebuild our military. Included in the bill are some significant readiness policy initiatives and investments that will help restore the readiness posture of our military.

First, this bill establishes a Defense Readiness Production Board to identify critical readiness requirements and to mobilize the defense industrial base to speed up the production of military equipment. This board will bridge the gap between readiness needs and resources to help repair our worn out equipment.

The bill also creates a $1 billion Strategic Readiness Fund to give the board and the Department of Defense the ability to rapidly attend to pressing readiness needs. This bill begins to address other shortfalls in maintenance and training by providing $250 million for unfunded training requirements . . . and an additional $150 million to restore aviation maintenance shortfalls.

We are very concerned about the readiness of our National Guard. Our bill requires the Department of Defense to begin measuring the readiness of National Guard units to support emergencies in their home states--such as the recent tragic tornadoes in Kansas.

These readiness reports will allow the Congress and each State's Governor to evaluate the needs of each State and address problems before a disaster occurs. To help restore the shortfalls, the bill includes a $1 billion investment in National Guard equipment. We also included provisions that require plans and reports to Congress on reconstituting our prepositioned war stocks.

We authorized more than $21 billion for military construction, family housing, and to implement base realignment and closure. Those funds include money to support ``grow-the-force'' initiatives for the Army and Marine Corps . . . and to provide facilities to accommodate new recruits and missions. Other significant provisions include proposed changes to the National Security Personnel System, depot initiatives, and numerous important policy initiatives for the Department of Defense.

This is a good bill, and I am pleased to have helped write it. It reflects our bipartisan desire to improve readiness and provide for our men and women in uniform.

Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to ask for your help to bring clarity to a disagreement in principle between the Department of Defense and the military depots over the definition of parts supply functions as they pertain to depot-level maintenance.

The 2005 BRAC Commission transferred supply, storage and distribution management functions to the Defense Logistics Agency without fully understanding the critical difference between parts supply from storage and in-process parts supply.

Without this clarification, military depots could lose control of parts movement during hands-on depot maintenance. Depot maintenance of war-related equipment is a critical piece of the services' reset program, and this clarification would ensure reset continues without disruption.

I also want to thank the chairman for joining me today in requesting the GAO investigate the impact on military equipment readiness that this ill-advised transfer of supply function could have. We are asking the GAO to look at the distinctions between supply from storage and in-process parts supply, whether the business plan developed by DOD could ensure a timely transferring without depot disruption, the impact on depot hourly rates, and the depots' ability to meet surge requirements if they lose this critical function.

I thank the gentleman for his support.

Amendment No. 30 Offered by Mr. Tierney

Thank you, Charlie, for allowing me some time to speak tonight, and I would like to acknowledge your leadership in bringing this to the forefront.

Mr. Speaker, as we continue the national discussion of immigration and the value of immigrants to our Nation, we must not forget the immigrant men and women who populate our Armed Forces, who fight for freedoms that we all enjoy each day, yet who in the current debate are cast aside as unworthy for citizenship. Yes, more than 70,000 of them serve our military today.

Now, they have a unique love of America. They consider this great Nation as a beacon of light that drew them here, with a promise of freedom, of democracy and opportunity.

The voices of these immigrant soldiers are remarkably missing from the debate on the value of immigrants in this Nation. I would like to add their voices today. For them, the United States is their only chance to make a new life. Like all soldiers, they don't want our Nation to be harmed. This is their brass ring, the key to the rest of their lives.

They are willing to risk their life for this country because it is the promise of what working hard can give you. They come to the United States longing for a better life than they had in their homeland. Their last light of hope resides in what this Nation promises in terms of honoring our soldiers and supporting our troops.

Many have said that they would rather fight and die for the United States because they so desperately want their home countries to emulate, to copy, their adopted Nation. They hope beyond hope that their public service in our military will someday influence their home countries, the ones in which they were born, so their families will someday have similar living conditions promised by this Nation and the same economic opportunities.

They fear that if America's beacon of light is extinguished, the long-lasting effect of that would inspire great fear, in this hemisphere and around the world.

One of the most heartbreaking exercises for me is going to military funerals, as it is for all of us. One of the most heartbreaking moments is with a family after losing a loved one and bestowing citizenship upon the lost soldier after he's buried.

At this point, I would like my colleagues to join me in commending the service of Private First Class Rey Cuervo, killed in Baghdad by an IED just before New Year's Eve in 2003. He left behind a young wife, pregnant with his first child, a child of immigrants who will never see his father again, who died for this Nation.

I still remember the moment I was there for the ceremony granting Rey his citizenship in 2004 after his death.

Tears in the eyes of all who attended the funeral spoke volumes. Yes, so far to the price of citizenship, now so close to God, so that you and I and the rest of the citizens of this great country could enjoy the freedoms and privileges and liberties that we have today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to America's teachers and commemorate them for the infinite number of ways they make us a better nation by inspiring our children to think beyond the bounds of home, school and community.

Today is National Teacher Day and this is Teacher Appreciation Week. National Teacher Day, sponsored by the National Education Association, is a time for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives and to our communities.

While this year's theme for National Teacher Day is ``Great Teachers Make Great Public Schools,'' all of us must also remember that great teachers make a better tomorrow for all

of us. Teacher Appreciation Week is sponsored by the National PTA and is a time to strengthen support and respect for teachers.

One of the top priorities of the fiscally responsible budget recently passed by the House of Representatives was to put our children and families first by increasing investments in education and expanding access to a high-quality education for all of America's children.

Unfortunately, the President's fiscal year 2008 budget cut education funding by $1.5 billion below this year's level--at a time of record school enrollments and the challenging academic requirements of No Child Left Behind.

In sharp contrast, the budget passed by the House reverses the administration's policy of under-investing in education for our children. It rejects the President's proposal to cut funding for the Department of Education by $1.5 billion below the 2007 enacted level and eliminate 44 different programs, instead providing for new investments in vital programs such as Head Start, special education (IDEA), Title I and other programs under the No Child Left Behind Act.

Overall, the House budget provides for investments of nearly $8 billion more for 2008 and 11 percent more over the next 5 years for education and training than the President deemed necessary.

To see the future, we must stand on the shoulders of giants, and giants in our local communities are our school teachers who--despite the many challenges they face in classrooms each day--get up every day to teach and inspire our children.

On this day, let us remember why the House--in our recent budget-- invested in our schools to ensure that our teachers have the tools and resources they need. Only when teachers have all they need to teach, can they give our children the high-quality education necessary to succeed in this increasingly competitive global economy.

Madam Speaker, due to personal health reasons, I was unable to vote during the following rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as indicated below.

Rollcall No. 273: ``Yes''. Rollcall No. 274: ``Yes''. Rollcall No. 275: ``Yes''. Rollcall No. 276: ``Yes''. Rollcall No. 277: ``No''. Rollcall No. 278: ``Yes''. Rollcall No. 279: ``Yes''. Rollcall No. 280: ``No''. Rollcall No. 281: ``No''. Rollcall No. 282: ``Yes''. Rollcall No. 283: ``Yes''. Rollcall No. 284: ``No''. Rollcall No. 285: ``Yes''. Rollcall No. 286: ``Yes''. Rollcall No. 287: ``No''. Rollcall No. 288: ``Yes''. Rollcall No. 289: ``No''. Rollcall No. 290: ``No''. Rollcall No. 291: ``No''. Rollcall No. 292: ``No''. Rollcall No. 293: ``Yes''. Rollcall No. 294: ``No''. Rollcall No. 295: ``Yes''. Rollcall No. 296: ``Yes''. Rollcall No. 297: ``Yes''. Rollcall No. 298: ``No''. Rollcall No. 299: ``Yes''.

Madam. Speaker, I rise as Chairman of the Singapore Caucus to welcome Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong of Singapore on the occasion of his visit to the United States. Our friends in Singapore have always been great allies. Our two countries share a common vision of promoting peace, stability, security, and prosperity--not only in the Asia Pacific Region--but also throughout the world.

During Prime Minister Lee's previous visit, he affirmed his countries continued commitment to peace and security by signing with President Bush the ``Strategic Framework Agreement between the United States of America and the Republic of Singapore for a Closer Cooperation Partnership in Defense and Security.'' This agreement formalized the growing bilateral security and defense relationship in counterterrorism, counter-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, joint military exercises, policy dialogues, and shared defense technology.

Home to the world's busiest port, Singapore has consistently demonstrated its commitment to maritime security. It was a founding member of Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), a program that aims to interdict shipments of weapons of mass destruction-related materials and was the first Asian country to join the Container Security Initiative (CSI), a series of bilateral, reciprocal agreements that allow U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials to pre-screen U.S.-bound containers.

The relationship between the United States and Singapore extends beyond the current campaign against terrorism and is reinforced by strong ties of commerce. Since entering into a Free Trade Agreement on January 1st, 2004, commerce between the United States and Singapore has strengthened. We are Singapore's second largest trading partner with more than 1,300 United States companies currently operating in Singapore and many more seeking opportunities.

I would also like to commend Singapore for working with Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand to organize the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Since its inception forty years ago, the Association has accelerated economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region, and it has promoted regional peace and stability among countries in the region. As the organization celebrates its 40th Anniversary, I applaud them for their leadership and wish them many more years of success.

I wish Prime Minister Lee and the Singapore delegation a prosperous visit. I know this Congress will continue to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between our two countries.

Madam Speaker, due to personal health reasons, I was unable to vote during the following rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as indicated below.

Rollcall No. 270: ``yes'' rollcall No. 271: ``yes'', rollcall No. 272 ``yes''.