Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name as a cosponsor of H.R. 2074.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present on November 1, 2007, I would have voted as follows: rollcall vote 1032, on motion to recommit with instructions--H.R. 2262, the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act--I would have voted ``aye''; rollcall vote 1033, on passage--H.R. 2262, the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act--I would have voted ``nay.''

Madam Speaker, Charlotte, NC is losing one of its most dedicated public servants with the retirement of Fire Chief Luther Fincher after 45 years. I have personally known and worked with Luther for over 24 years. His professional achievements are many--including managing our Homeland Security Programs and the Urban Area Security Initiative. Luther was instrumental in the development of our ALERT team and led it with distinction. It was his dedication and experience that made it a reality and has helped Charlotte to be recognized as the third most prepared city in the country for emergency management.

He is a charter member and past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and has represented this organization all over the world, as well as playing a role in passing significant fire legislation on a federal level. He was also instrumental in establishing the four-year program on Fire Engineering Technology at UNC-Charlotte.

His awards and accomplishments are many, but I am most proud of the fact that Luther Fincher is one of the most loyal, sincere, family- oriented men I have ever known. I am proud to call him friend.

He is retiring as Fire Chief, but I know he will continue to lend his expertise to our city and the Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a great couple who are a wonderful example of what is right with America. Dexter and Birdie Yager are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Sadly, in America, it has become a rare thing for two people to stay together this long.

They are the proud parents of seven kids. The Yager family is extremely close--even working in a very successful business together. They exemplify achieving the American dream through hard work, and they demonstrate the love of a strong family who are there to help each other and others daily. I wish them many more happy years!

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

October 29, 2007: rollcall vote No. 1010, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended--H.R. 3224, the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2007--I would have voted ``nay''; rollcall vote No. 1011, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended--H. Res. 573, Recognizing and commending the efforts of the United States public and advocacy groups to raise awareness about and help end the worsening humanitarian crisis and genocide in Darfur, Sudan, and for other purposes--I would have voted ``aye''; rollcall vote No. 1012, on motion to suspend the rules and agree--H. Res. 747, Recognizing the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali--I would have voted ``aye.''

October 30, 2007: rollcall vote No. 1013, on ordering the previous question--H. Res. 773, Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3867) to update and expand the procurement programs of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes--I would have voted ``nay''; rollcall vote No. 1014, to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment--H.R. 3678, Internet Tax Freedom Act

Amendments Act of 2007--I would have voted ``aye''; rollcall vote No. 1015, on motion to suspend the rules and pass--H.J. Res. 58, Country Music Month--I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, we've lost another great American who always put others before herself. She was devoted to her husband, Chuck, her two boys, Charlie and Chris, and her granddaughter, Charlotte, as well as all of the people she served. She and I were close friends--we talked about everything--and I, along with others here in Congress, will miss her dearly. Jo Ann never gave up--she fought hard until the end.

She had her priorities right--God is going to be very good to Jo Ann Davis.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

September 20, 2007--Rollcall vote 889, on agreeing to the Neugebauer (TX) amendment--H.R. 2881, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007--I would have voted ``aye.''

Rollcall vote 890, on passage--H.R. 2881, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007--I would have voted ``nay.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Paul Gillmor. Paul was a gentle, compassionate man who will be missed by all of us in Congress, as well as by those in his district. Our hearts go out to Karen and his children during this difficult time.

I'm an Ohio native and before redistricting, Paul represented my family members in Ohio.

His wife Karen served on the Heidelberg College Board of Trustees with me, and I know all the Heidelberg family also mourns his passing. He was an ardent supporter of the college.

Please keep his family in your prayers.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Jennifer Dunn. Jennifer was a role model for those of us who were fortunate to serve in Congress with her. She blazed many paths in politics for other women to follow.

Jennifer always gave of herself and was willing to reach out and help wherever it was needed.

I am so thankful she was able to enjoy a happy marriage to Keith and spend time with her family these last few years. Our hearts go out to them in their loss. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment unfairly penalizes consumers in States like North Carolina, where investor-owned utilities provide a majority of the State's power using coal-fired generation and nuclear power, and it also undermines the State's Renewable Portfolio Standards. States in the Southeast and the Midwest are dependent upon coal-fired generation and investor-owned utilities have pioneered carbon sequestration techniques which substantially reduce further CO2 emissions.

Many States don't have the environmental capacity to generate significant power through solar or wind. Western States are capable of harnessing wind, solar and hydroelectric power; and they benefit from meeting this. But they also would be able to sell credits to the States in the South, Southeast and Midwest, while higher retail energy costs will adversely affect the consumers and employers in States like North Carolina.

Any jobs created to meet a government-mandated RPS will be miniscule compared to the manufacturing job losses that will result from higher energy costs. If the goal of the amendment is to reduce emissions and develop domestic energy forces, why not factor in nuclear power? Nuclear power is very important.

I urge my colleagues to vote against the amendment.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

July 30, 2007--Rollcall vote 758, on motion to suspend the rules and pass--H.R. 2750, NASA 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act--I would have voted ``aye''; rollcall vote 759, on ordering the previous question--H. Res. 580, Providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 986, to designate the Eightmile River in the State of Connecticut--I would have voted ``nay''; rollcall vote 760, on agreeing to the resolution--H. Res. 580, Providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 986, to designate the Eightmile River in the state of Connecticut--I would have voted ``nay''; rollcall vote 761, on ordering the previous question--H. Res. 579, Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2831) to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision--I would have voted ``nay''; and rollcall vote 762, on agreeing to the previous question-- Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2831) to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision--I would have voted ``nay.''

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following vote. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall vote No. 781, on motion to adjourn, I would have voted ``aye.''

Stated against:

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

July 24, 2007

Roll call vote 691, on agreeing to the Mica (FL) amendment--H.R. 3074, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations for FY 2008--I would have voted aye.

Roll call vote 692, on agreeing to the Bachmann (MN) amendment--H.R. 3074, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations for FY 2008--I would have voted aye.

Roll call vote 693, on agreeing to the Flake (AZ) amendment--H.R. 3074, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations for FY 2008--I would have voted aye.

Roll call vote 694, on agreeing to the Flake (AZ) amendment--H.R. 3074, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations for FY 2008--I would have voted aye.

Roll call vote 695, on agreeing to the Chabot (OH) amendment--H.R. 3074, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations for FY 2008--I would have voted aye.

Roll call vote 696, on agreeing to the Westmoreland (GA) amendment-- H.R. 3074, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations for FY 2008--I would have voted aye.

Roll call vote 697, on agreeing to the Sessions (TX) amendment--H.R. 3074, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations for FY 2008--I would have voted aye.

Roll call vote 698, on agreeing to the Flake (AZ) amendment--H.R. 3074, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations for FY 2008--I would have voted aye.

Roll call vote 699, on agreeing to the Flake (AZ) amendment--H.R. 3074, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations for FY 2008--I would have voted aye.

Roll call vote 700, on agreeing to the Flake (AZ) amendment--H.R. 3074, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations for FY 2008--I would have voted aye.

Roll call vote 701, on agreeing to the Flake (AZ) amendment--H.R. 3074, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations for FY 2008--I would have voted aye.

Roll call vote 702, on agreeing to the Flake (AZ) amendment--H.R. 3074, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations for FY 2008--I would have voted aye.

Roll call vote 703, on agreeing to the Hastings (FL) amendment--H.R. 3074, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations for FY 2008--I would have voted nay.

Roll call vote 704, on agreeing to the Frelinghuysen (NJ) amendment-- H.R. 3074, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations for FY 2008--I would have voted nay.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: July 16, 2007--rollcall vote 630, on motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1980, to authorize appropriations for the Housing Assistance Council--I would have voted ``aye'', rollcall vote 631, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, H.R. 1982, the Rural Housing and Economic Development Improvement Act of 2007, I would have voted ``aye'', rollcall vote 632, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, H.R. 799, Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments--I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2956. The battle in Iraq has left many of us frustrated, and rightly so. Progress is not as fast as most of us would like it to be.

Some in this House believe that we have lost the war and should withdraw immediately. Okay, so what happens then? We leave, then what? Does al Qaeda leave us alone? Can we disband the Department of Homeland Security? Can we announce that the threat from radical jihadism has ended?

These are the questions that aren't being discussed. Why? Because the answers are difficult. We need a long-term strategy that goes against the political pandering that is preventing us from achieving long-term national security.

As cochair of the House Antiterrorism Caucus, I have heard warnings that a withdrawal will only embolden al Qaeda and other radical Islamic jihad groups. They will carry out more suicide bombing attacks, behead more innocent Iraqi people, intimidate and suppress and ultimately recruit peace-loving Muslims around the world to their cause. And what happens to those Muslims who resist the radical jihadists? They will be killed.

This is not just my view. This is what the Islamists have been saying, and, more importantly, doing for the past few years. Muslims in the Middle East do not have freedom of religion and expression, as we do here. And while it is convenient to blame America for the problems in the Muslim world, we are afraid to place the blame on those who have caused those problems.

I believe passage of this bill will be a huge mistake in our long- term national strategy and security interests, and it must be defeated.