Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be modified in the form I have sent to the desk.

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

Mr. Chairman, I would like very much to thank Chairman Sensenbrenner and Chairman King for their hard work in bringing this bill to the floor and allowing my amendment. It is a commonsense enhancement to a strong underlying bill.

On Saturday, July 16, Scott Gardner, a beloved school teacher in my district, was killed by an illegal alien who was driving drunk. After the wreck, it was discovered that the illegal alien already had five prior drunk driving convictions; yet he was still on our roads and still in our country. He should never have been allowed to stay in our country after his drunk driving arrests.

Unfortunately, tragedies like this are happening all over the country, and that is why my amendment is important.

Currently, the bill says all illegal aliens must be deported after their third DWI conviction. My amendment requires the automatic deportation of an illegal alien after their first DWI conviction because it only takes one DWI to kill someone; ask Scott Gardner's family.

Please note that this does not apply to legal immigrants; this is only illegal aliens. This amendment also gives specially trained State and locally trained local law enforcement officers the authority to detain drunk driving illegal aliens so they cannot run from their court dates and be free to drink and drive again, as is currently the case.

The amendment also allows these same officers to transport illegal aliens into Federal custody so they can be deported, and they will be reimbursed by the Department of Homeland Security for doing so.

Information on these illegal alien drunk drivers will be reported to the Department of Homeland Security, the National Criminal Information Center, and the Driver License Agreement of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. The authorities and information collection will give us another tool to use against criminal illegal aliens who continue to break our laws and threaten our safety.

By passing this amendment today, we will be sending a strong message that we will no longer tolerate criminal actions by illegal aliens.

You drink, you drive, you are illegal, you are deported. Period.

I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as a breast cancer survivor, I am very encouraged by all the research that goes on and continues to find, hopefully, a cure one day.

But I want to encourage everybody to be vigilant because this is a disease that each one of us has to take care of our own bodies to find. I am one of those that was seen by five doctors, and I had three mammograms, and everyone told me I was fine and there was nothing wrong. But I knew something was wrong because I had pain. So I persevered, was able to get an ultrasound, and they found it.

So my message today is preventive medicine is so important, but it is especially important for each one of us as individuals to take care of ourselves. And I encourage everyone during this month, to men and women alike, because men get breast cancer, too, to get mammograms; if they know something is wrong to persevere until they find the answers. And one of these days we will not have to stand here because we will have a cure for this bad disease.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes on October 19, 2005. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

On rollcall vote No. 529, on agreeing to Jackson-Lee of Texas amendment to H.R. 554--the ``Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act of 2005,'' I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall vote No. 530, on agreeing to Filner of California amendment to H.R. 554--the ``Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act of 2005,'' I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall vote No. 531 on agreeing to Scott of Virginia amendment to H.R. 554--the ``Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act of 2005,'' I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall vote No. 532, on agreeing to Waxman of California amendment to H.R. 554--the ``Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act of 2005,'' I would have voted ``no.''

On rollcall vote No. 533, on passage of H.R. 554--the ``Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act of 2005,'' I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize one of the schools in my district, Providence High School. The Providence Varsity and Junior Varsity Lacrosse Teams have recently been admitted into the North Carolina High School Lacrosse Association, a prestigious group of schools competing in one of the fastest growing sports in the country. This is a great honor for Providence, because it is the only High School in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System to be admitted to this Association, It also shows the commitment and dedication of the coach, the parents, and the players at Providence.

The coach of the Providence lacrosse team, William Humphrey, does an excellent job with the students. He focuses on teamwork, discipline, and the importance of academics. Due to Coach Humphrey's excellent coaching skills, Providence has had a number of outstanding and successful lacrosse seasons.

The parents are also hugely important to the success of this program. Their commitment to their children and the sport are the reason why the program continues to have success every year. In addition, the students involved in this program should be recognized for their commitment to academics and lacrosse. Each year students on the lacrosse team graduate and go on to many prestigious colleges, many of which have leading lacrosse programs.

I congratulate Providence High School lacrosse team on their achievement of being admitted to the North Carolina High School Lacrosse Association, and I wish them many successful seasons.

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to recognize this morning's guest chaplain, Reverend Anthony Marciano. Reverend Marciano

is the Executive Director of the Charlotte Rescue Mission in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Rescue Mission ministers to people in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area who struggle with poverty, homelessness, and drug addiction. The Mission's five fold strategy aims to meet the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational needs of these folks, in a way that demonstrates God's love. Under Reverend Marciano's direction, the Mission has seen truly inspiring success rates among its clients, and I'm proud to represent people like Tony in Congress.

Rev. Marciano is a graduate of The Salvation Army's seminary. Before moving to Charlotte, he founded a shelter in New Jersey to address homelessness and addiction. Tony and his wife Dorothy have three kids, and they live in Charlotte, North Carolina with their dog, Rocky.

Founded in 1938, the Charlotte Rescue Mission continues to make a positive impact on our city. I applaud Rev. Marciano for his dedication and Christian witness--and I'm honored to welcome him to the House Floor this morning.

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

Rollcall vote 476, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended H.R. 3761--the Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act, I would have voted ``yes.''

Rollcall vote 477, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 441--congratulating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Discovery Crew, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor tonight to honor the memory of a great American, my father-in-law, Wilbur Myrick. He saw a lot of change during his 95 years on this Earth.

He lived during the time when indoor plumbing replaced outhouses and water wells, when wooden stoves were replaced by electric stoves, and when food no longer needed to be cooked fresh, but could be refrigerated and cooked in a microwave. He saw transportation change from a wheel and wagon to cars, buses, and then airplanes. And he even saw a man walk on the Moon. He saw great medical advances like the eradication of smallpox and the treatment of life-threatening diseases with advanced medicine and surgery. He saw communications change from mail to telephones to faxes and to e-mail.

He lived through World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the gulf war, and the war on terror. He saw America rise to a world superpower, and he saw the Iron Curtain spread across Europe only to see it crumble years later. He saw the tragedy at Pearl Harbor and the tragedy on 9/ 11. He saw leaders like Churchill and Roosevelt.

In his later years, Wilbur still kept up with current events. He would sit and watch C-SPAN and call me about specific bills. He could quote the bill number and tell me what it was and what it would do, and then he would ask what were we going to do about it.

It taught me a lot about him and how much he loved America. If only we had more Americans like Wilbur Myrick. At a time when most Americans are filled with apathy, he stood out as an example of who we should all strive to be. He was filled with hope, hope for a better tomorrow and for a better America.

Perhaps the best words to be said about him are from his granddaughter, Mia Myrick Alderman:

``My grandfather died last night.

``Granddaddy was old, very old. His 96th birthday is just over a month away. He is no longer languishing in a convalescent home, his body giving out more every day. He is free again and with the others, the others who have gone before him. My grandmother, his wife, who called him `Myrick.' His large family, including a sister who died during the 1918 flu epidemic when my grandfather was 9 years old. He did not get sick and all by himself he cared for his family and their farm. A strong 9-year-old, my grandfather grew to be a strong man.

``He was not a complicated man. I do not know much about his life before me. I am the oldest of his five grandchildren, seven great- grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, but I know all about my granddaddy, who was just 51 when I was born.

``My grandfather is just another old man to die in a small North Carolina town called Weldon. One of many who die every day, but to me he was a magical, special person. He was not in any way unique compared to all the other old men in Weldon, but when I went to visit my grandfather as a child he was very unique to me: His North Carolina- Virginia border accent; those southern sayings; the way he hugged me and laughed; the way his house and even the earth around his house smelled; the things he knew, secrets I thought only granddaddy knew, like how to thump a watermelon to see if it is ripe. I find myself doing that any time I buy one. I am not sure how it works, but I believe in magic. I loved my grandfather.

``I remember sitting on his lap as a very small child touching the black hair on his arm and I loved him. The last time I saw my grandfather in the hospital, I held his hand and looked at the hair on his arm, now barely there and I knew he would soon be free.

``When my grandfather died I lost forever a person and a culture that was magical and unique. Fascinating to me as a child and with me always in my child heart. My grandfather was a very unique and important man to me and I wanted to do this one last thing for him.

``As another old man from a little town called Weldon dies, so does my granddaddy, a very important man.''

Mr. Speaker, America is heartbroken by the loss of life and property Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have experienced due to Hurricane Katrina. It is the largest natural disaster in the history of our country. As the people in the effected areas are suffering and have called for help, citizens across the country have heard their cries and have responded.

All across America citizens are organizing drives to help people in the Gulf States. They are giving money, gathering supplies, and working to make sure people displaced from these areas find shelter. I would like to recognize one such effort in my hometown of Charlotte, NC.

Charlotte has 2 very popular radio disc jockey's--Ace and TJ. They are two of Louisiana's favorite sons, and in the wake of disaster that has effected their home State, and areas around it, they organized one of the Nation's fastest and largest private responses to the disaster in the Gulf.

Ace and TJ decided they would do a donation drive for victims of Hurricane Katrina, asked their listeners to ``give to the Gulf.'' They asked listeners to donate money and supplies such as water, canned goods, generators, diapers, and baby wipes for the victims. Their radio listener family responded to their call in large numbers.

Ace, TJ, Madden, Yankee Pete, Ryan, and the local radio station Kiss 95.1 FM began their donation drive on Monday, August 29, 2005, at noon. The response was so overwhelming that they continued to air their efforts until midnight that night.

Ace and TJ, over local 400 volunteers, and local businesses all pulled together and worked for more than 4 straight days for hurricane victims. They took in the supplies and loaded them onto tractor trailer trucks. Local restaurants even chipped in by contributing food for the volunteers, and businesses contributed supplies and expertise on how to properly load the supplies. The whole Charlotte community pulled together for this effort.

I would also like to point out that their listeners in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Beckley and Bluefield, West Virginia, and Birmingham, Alabama, also contributed money and supplies to their effort.

When Ace and TJ first started this drive they thought they would try to load up one tractor trailer, and get about $50,000 to contribute to hurricane victims. I am happy to say that Ace and TJ's radio listeners went above and beyond their first estimates. The listeners poured our their hearts and have contributed almost $500,000, and filled up 26 18- wheeler tractor trailers trucks full of supplies.

Then, if getting the money and supplies weren't enough, they personally ensured that the supplies were driven down to Cenla, Louisiana, so they could be used immediately by the evacuees from the Gulf area.

Mr. Speaker, we should not forget the efforts of people like Ace and TJ and their volunteers, because in times like these we need to recognize them to remind us of what it is to love thy neighbor. I am proud of the compassion and generosity of the people I represent in the Charlotte area. I am also very proud and grateful to Ace and TJ and their radio team for pulling the community together and giving to those in need. And as we continue to help those in need, let us not forget the people who are really helping our fellow citizens. It is not the governments, it is the good people across our country like Ace and TJ.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes on July 22, 2005. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

Rollcall vote 415, on agreeing to the Velazquez of New York amendment No.4 to H.R. 3070--the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, I would have voted ``no.''

Rollcall vote 416, on passage of H.R. 3070--the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

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

On July 11, 2005--rollcall vote 363, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H. Con. Res. 168, condemning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for the abductions and continued captivity of citizens of the Republic of Korea and Japan as acts of terrorism and gross violations of human rights, I would have voted ``yes'' and rollcall vote 364, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H. Res. 333, supporting the goals and ideals of a National Weekend of Prayer and Reflection for Darfur, Sudan, I would have voted ``yes.''

On July 12, 2005--rollcall vote 365, on Ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 351, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 739, H.R. 740, H.R. 741, and H.R. 742, I would have voted ``yes''; rollcall vote 366, on Agreeing to the Resolution H. Res. 351, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 739, H.R. 740, H.R. 741, and H.R. 742, I would have voted ``yes''; rollcall vote 367, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H. Res. 352, providing that the House of Representatives will focus on removing barriers to competitiveness of the United States economy, I would have voted ``yes''; rollcall vote 368, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H. Res. 343, commending the State of Kuwait for granting women certain important political rights, I

would have voted ``yes''; rollcall vote 369, on Passage of H.R. 739, the Occupational Safety and Health Small Business Day in Court Act, I would have voted ``yes''; rollcall vote 370, on Passage of H.R. 740, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Efficiency Act, I would have voted ``yes''; rollcall vote 371, on Passage of H.R. 740, the Occupational Safety and Health Independent Review of OSHA Citations Act, I would have voted ``yes'' and rollcall vote 372, on Passage of H.R. 740, the Occupational Safety and Health Small Employer Access to Justice Act of 2005, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Charlotte Latin School, a 3A private school in Charlotte, North Carolina, for being awarded the Wachovia Cup for the 2004-2005 athletic year. The Wachovia Cup is awarded to the school that boasts the best overall year in varsity athletics. The Charlotte Latin ``Hawks'' won the state championship in soccer (the school's second straight state championship), volleyball, wrestling (the school's third consecutive championship), and lacrosse (the school's first state championship). Again, I congratulate them on this fabulous achievement, and look forward to their continued success in the 2005-2006 athletic year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 810.

I believe in the transforming and the lifesaving power of research and science, and I have seen firsthand how cutting-edge research can make a big difference in the lives of Americans who suffer with all sorts of diseases, and, I understand the value of federally funded research. I also support stem cell research.

However, this debate is not about the merits of scientific discovery. There is no ban on research for the limited number of IVF embryos on which such research would even be possible. This debate is about Federal tax dollars and whether these dollars should be spent on the destruction of embryos, which I do not support.

Supporters of this bill say we have nothing to lose by destroying existing embryos with Federal money because, after all, some of them will probably be discarded anyway. I would ask my colleagues to recall the reason why we do not conduct scientific research on Federal death row inmates.

Aren't they going to die anyway? By all accounts, death row inmates are not innocent lives--but we don't conduct destructive experiments on them because it would be ethically reprehensible. We certainly don't dedicate taxpayer funds for that purpose.

Those who've studied the implications of an embryonic stem cell research expansion know full well that Federal funding for the destruction of existing IVF embryos is no silver bullet for disease treatment. But that's how the bill will be sold on the floor today. H.R. 810 is merely the first step in an effort to spend federal money-- not only on the destruction, but on the creation of cloned embryos for research. I ask my colleagues to join me in opposing this bill.

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

Rollcall vote 182, on May 18, 2005, on Agreeing to the Resolution H. Res. 283, Providing for the consideration of H.R. 1817, Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following vote on April 27, 2005. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows:

Rollcall vote 140, on Motion to Recommit H. Res. 22, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that American small businesses are entitled to a Small Business Bill of Rights, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, on April 11, 2005, Miss North Carolina, Chelsea Cooley, won the Miss USA pageant. I congratulate her on this momentous accomplishment and want her to know that everyone in her hometown of Charlotte, NC, is very proud of her.

The Miss USA pageant is a competition where America's best and the brightest young women compete for the crown of Miss USA. It is truly a great accomplishment for Chelsea to have been crowned as the winner of this tough competition.

Currently, Chelsea is studying fashion marketing at the Art Institute of Charlotte. She listed that her dream job would be working as a buyer for Ralph Lauren. I have no doubt that she can achieve this, and many other, dreams.

Chelsea will now go on to represent the U.S. this May in the Miss Universe competition in Bangkok, Thailand. Chelsea's hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, will again be cheering her on as will the whole country. We know she will represent us well and will do our country proud.