Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, with the support of my colleagues, Representative Henry Waxman and Representative John Dingell, I rise today to introduce the Dietary Supplement Access and Awareness Act of 2003.

This legislation presents a balanced, reasonable approach to improving the safety of dietary supplements while maintaining market access for responsible supplement manufacturers.

Hallie Bechler looks almost exactly like her father. She was born in late April, almost two months after her father, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler, collapsed from a heatstroke during spring training. A county medical examiner linked his death to the use of a dietary supplement containing ephedra. Steve Bechler was 23 years old.

Like any person interested in losing weight, Steve Bechler may have been lured by the dietary supplement's claims of ``rapid and extremely dramatic results.'' In fact, for an athlete like Steve Bechler, playing baseball in the Florida heat, ephedra did not cause rapid and extremely dramatic weight loss, but rather contributed to a rapid and extreme heatstroke, which killed him.

Dietary supplement use is not limited to adults. Teenagers are certainly vulnerable to pressures regarding weight and athletic expectations. Teenage athletes are especially vulnerable to these pressures. Last year, Illinois high school student Sean Riggins took an ephedra product to improve his football performance. He had a heart attack and passed away at age 16.

The ephedra crisis has raised public awareness about dietary supplements and the absence of accurate information concerning risks and benefits. Much of the confusion surrounding dietary supplements can be attributed to the changes made in 1994 by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA).

Cited as the greatest removal of FDA jurisdiction in the history of the agency, DSHEA has greatly curtailed its authority. Simply put, this legislation deregulated the supplement industry. Consequently, there has been an explosion of herbal remedies. Moreover, natural, yet risky, stimulants have also entered the market. The FDA, however, is prohibited from screening out any of these potentially dangerous dietary supplements. What if ephedra is only the tip of the dietary supplement iceberg?

Former FDA director David Kessler wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine, ``Congress has put the FDA in the position of being able to act only after the fact and after substantial harm has already occurred.'' This is because DSHEA shifted the burden of proof from dietary supplement manufacturers to the FDA. Consumers have no way of learning about reported side effects and the FDA does not possess the authority to require such reports. As a result, American consumers have been unwitting victims of a multibillion-dollar industry!

Today with my colleagues, Representative Henry Waxman and Representative John Dingell, I am proud to introduce the Dietary Supplement Access and Awareness Act. This bill will address the gaps created by DSHEA through greater information exchange and accountability.

Our legislation contains commonsense provisions requiring dietary supplement manufacturers to provide the FDA with a list of their products and reports of all serious adverse events. These actions will alert the FDA to problematic dietary supplements and will give the FDA access to information it needs to take action more swiftly. If the FDA determines that a specific supplement may have serious health consequences, it can require the manufacturer to do a postmarket surveillance study to ensure that the product is safe.

The ephedra tragedies have shown us that proving a dietary supplement to be unsafe requires a Herculean effort and mountain of evidence. Sadly, the evidence is often a growing body count. Our legislation engages manufacturers in determining the safety of dietary supplements. By providing their studies and other related data, manufacturers and the FDA would come together to make a comprehensive and accurate decision for American consumers.

Our legislation gives the FDA the authority to prohibit sales to minors of dietary supplements that may pose significant risk. Many young athletes emulate the practices of their professional sport heroes. Their developing bodies are especially susceptible to the effect of stimulants and steroid-like products such as ``andro.''

Numerous supplement products have emerged in the market in the last ten years. They range from vitamins and minerals to herbals and hormones. This boom has created an uncertain situation as to the quality and safety of dietary supplements. According to Bruce Silverglade from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, ``the challenge for most consumers is to determine which supplements are beneficial and which are nothing more than 21st-century snake oil--or even dangerous.'' That is why this legislation includes authorization of funds for physician and consumer education programs regarding adverse reactions.

Certainly, some dietary supplements offer benefits. Folic acid intake by women, for example, has been shown to reduce birth defects in unborn children. We are all familiar with the benefits of taking vitamin C and monitoring adequate calcium intake. Despite claims to the contrary, the Dietary Supplement Access and Awareness Act will not take away vitamins and minerals from consumers. In fact, my colleagues and I included language to specifically exempt them from this legislation.

The FDA has its hands tied behind its back. Limited funding and manpower has made the FDA's efforts to protect the public scattershot. The measures and education programs in this legislation will enable the FDA to gather solid data about the dangers some dietary supplements pose. With this information in hand, the FDA can make sensible, informed decisions and policies about dietary supplements. Consumers can have greater assurance than they currently have about the safety of the products on the market. We cannot continue to stand on the sidelines and let this insidious public health threat go unchecked. The health and well being of our young people and loved ones are at risk.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Dietary Supplement Access and Awareness Act.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution introduced by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes). The resolution before us expresses our Nation's gratitude to those who served in the Armed Forces and were deployed in Operation Restore Hope to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia in 1993. What began as a humanitarian relief operation in December 1992 to distribute food supplies and prevent the starvation of thousands in Somalia, turned into one of the most intense and bloody battles for U.S. troops since the Vietnam War.

On October 3, 1993, Task Force Ranger, comprised of Army Special Forces, Navy SEALS, Army special operations helicopter forces and Air Force Special Tactics personnel, headed out that fateful morning to search and capture the Somali warlord Mohammed Farah Aidid. As the conflict began to escalate, the soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division provided additional quick reaction combat support for the 17- hour battle of Mogadishu.

That evening, Americans would watch the news in shock and horror as the bodies of American soldiers were dragged through the streets of Mogadishu that tragic day. Over 100 of our Nation's brave combatants were wounded. Eighteen warriors made the ultimate sacrifice, and two of those who died showed uncommon valor and courage and were awarded our Nation's highest honor, the Medal of Honor, and one became a prisoner of war.

Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart were both posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions above and beyond the call of duty. Master Sergeant Gordon and Sergeant First Class Shughart volunteered to secure a helicopter crash site and protect its critically wounded crew, despite the intense gunfire and growing number of enemy personnel closing in. They embodied the bold courage and self-sacrifice of America's soldiers, and, ultimately, willingly gave their lives to protect their comrades in arms.

Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant survived the helicopter crash and was pulled from the wreckage by Master Sergeant Gordon and Sergeant First Class Shughart. Chief Warrant Officer Durant was the only one to survive, and was captured by enemy forces. He was held nearly 2 weeks as a prisoner of war before being released.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the battle of Mogadishu and Operation Restore Hope. I am very pleased to join with my colleagues from New York and North Carolina in recognizing the brave and courageous actions of the Special Forces and the soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division and members of the Armed Forces who were deployed in Operation Restore Hope. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those who lost a loved one or were wounded in the battle of Mogadishu.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in expressing our appreciation to all those who volunteer to defend our Nation's freedom and to remember the sacrifices of all those who serve.

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

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am very honored to join with my colleagues today, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes), the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kline), and particularly the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) for his dedication in this area. I am pleased to join with my colleagues in expressing deep gratitude for the valor and commitment of the members of the Armed Forces who were deployed in Operation Restore Hope to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia in 1993. I think that we need to be reminded, all of us, of the lessons learned from Operation Restore Hope, and keep that in our hearts and in our minds as we move forward in this Congress.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to correct an inequity facing America's

disabled veterans. Many brave men and women, who sustained permanent injuries while defending our nation and the liberties we cherish, must spend extended periods in hospitals because of their service-connected disabilities.

When they do require extended hospital stays, disabled veterans must take time away from their jobs, causing them to lose out on the salaries they rely upon to pay their rent or mortgages and to care for their families.

Because extended care can cause financial hardships, veterans who are ordinarily rated at less than 100 percent for their service-connected disabilities qualify for a special 100 percent rating to help them compensate for their temporary financial losses.

An inequity exists in the current law, however. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not begin the temporary total disability compensation until the beginning of the month following their admission. That is, if a veteran is hospitalized on the 15th, their special compensation does not start until the first of the next month.

Even though they are incapacitated, veterans must sometimes wait almost 2 months to receive payment at the 100 percent level. Unfortunately, they still have bills due during this time and cannot always wait for several weeks for their compensation.

Today I am introducing the Hospitalized Veterans Financial Assistance Act of 2003 to correct the flaws in the law and to give America's disabled veterans our full support throughout their convalescence. Under this legislation, the VA would begin the special 100 percent disability rating on the day they are admitted to the hospital.

By making this adjustment to the law, a disabled veteran may not be faced with the difficult decision of declining medical treatment because of their financial concerns. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting those who have made the most tremendous sacrifices on our behalf by correcting this inequity.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 564, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which commemorates the numerous contributions that Latinos make to our country. It is my privilege today to recognize an extraordinary individual who shapes the future every day through his valuable work, San Diego Community College District Chancellor Augustine Gallego.

In his 14 years as Chancellor, Augustine ``Augie'' Gallego has earned a reputation as a national leader in higher education. He is the immediate past chair of the American Council on Education (ACE). Change Magazine recently named him as one of the 21 most influential higher education senior leaders in the United States. Locally, he is known for bringing together business leaders, community members, and politicians to find solutions for challenges within the educational system.

Chancellor Gallego is a positive role model for young people within the Latino community and beyond who are unsure about pursuing post- secondary education. The story of Augie's decision to go to college is inspirational. As a young man, Chancellor Gallego found work digging ditches. One day while digging, he looked up and noticed college students nearby. That moment served as an epiphany; Augie realized he did not have to dig ditches for a living. He decided to attend college.

Chancellor Gallego truly embodies the mission of the San Diego Community College District of providing an accessible, high quality learning experience that responds to the unique needs of local communities and student populations. In his capacity as chief executive officer of one of the largest community college districts in the United States, he led the development of numerous innovative programs, including public and private partnerships to more effectively and efficiently serve students and the community. Among his many accomplishments, Chancellor Gallego has facilitated community college transfer to California's four-year public colleges, and developed opportunities for students to intern and work at local businesses.

All of Chancellor Gallego's endeavors show a profound appreciation, understanding, and passion for community colleges and their role in the economic development, work force training, and education of a community. He respects the unique backgrounds and needs that each student brings to the classroom. The diverse community college population includes ``breakthrough students'' who are the first in their family to go to college, nontraditional students returning to school to obtain skills to help them either re-enter or advance in the labor market and students experiencing financial hardship. Community colleges represent hope and provide opportunities for many in San Diego County. Chancellor Gallego has helped turn those hopes into reality for thousands of San Diegans.

A vocal advocate for students, Chancellor Gallego has brought attention to the impact of California's education budget reductions. Funding decreases translate into increased class size, fewer classes, less financial assistance and, ultimately, lost potential for the community.

As Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close, I am proud to recognize Chancellor Augustine Gallego's steadfast commitment to improving the quality of education. Through his service in the San Diego Community College District, he has opened the doors of opportunity to a generation of students.

Mr. Speaker, I wanted to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis), and I wanted to thank him particularly for his leadership on this trip.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in reluctant support of the supplemental appropriations. Had I not been to Iraq and seen for myself the extent of their needs, I may not have supported it. But I cannot begin to describe the images there of Third World conditions in hospitals, the decay of infrastructure, the lack of drinkable water, the pervasive sense of insecurity and more.

Mr. Speaker, I opposed our unilateral invasion, but now I see that as liberators and occupiers we face an overwhelming challenge to craft the environment that will allow the Iraqis to create a viable future by drawing both on their innate and natural resources.

As I spoke to several of our commanders in the field, it became clear that the needs of the military for better force protection and the need to fund major infrastructure projects are linked. And, in fact, security and reconstruction are inseparable. To be sure, as conditions for Iraqis improve, it will impede the efforts by militant forces to recruit young men and destabilize the country. And also better living conditions will increase trust and motivate more Iraqis to provide friendship to security forces. However, we cannot continue to go it alone.

A recent RAND report states what we all know: Building a democracy, a strong economy and long-term legitimacy depends on striking the balance between international burden-sharing and unity of command. The U.S. cannot generate the required resources and endurance relying principally on the limited coalition that fought the war.

The U.S. portion of the cost should be a sacrifice shared equally among all Americans, including the wealthiest. Now it is our military and their families who bear the burden and face the ultimate sacrifice. That is why I will support an amendment to help fund this effort by freezing the tax brackets for upper incomes.

Further, had the Committee on Appropriations not adopted the accountability measures offered by the minority whip, I might have opposed the legislation. The President would do well to allay the concerns of a skeptical public and Congress by endorsing and accepting these accountability standards.

In a town hall meeting I sponsored in San Diego this past weekend, I heard voices, voices of outrage that echo those of many of my constituents who have contacted me. And what I learned mirrors my own reaction setting foot in Iraq: we have not well prepared our constituents and all Americans for the aftermath. That is why this legislation is difficult to swallow. But to be sure, we should have better applied the lessons of our most recent history. Having opposed the invasion, I question where we are today and the final cost in dollars and lives, but walking away now is simply not an option.

With the approval of the $87 billion, we may or may not succeed in our efforts. But without it, Mr. Speaker, we are guaranteed failure.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished minority whip, for leading this trip and also for tonight's opportunity to share our thoughts with our colleagues and the American people.

It was my third trip since I had lived on a kibbutz in 1965 during what was then the infancy of the State of Israel. Each time I set foot there I am reminded of the rich history of the land. The way you drift from present to past and back again is simply indescribable. One is constantly reminded of the biblical origins.

It is a place where time is measured in millennia, not decades, which helps me keep a perspective on everyday headlines.

On this trip, I had the opportunity to go to the Golan Heights. As our bus climbed the corkscrew roads I looked down upon the kibbutz where I had lived 38 years ago, and I was struck by its proximity. It was much closer than I ever thought. That geography reminds me of my own City of San Diego. There people live on bluffs, on mesas overlooking valleys, yet no one in the valley is concerned about being shot by their neighbors above.

This highlights the stark differences in everyday life in the U.S. compared with everyday life in Israel. In Israel, normalcy is a challenge. But it is achieved every day. Life continues, but not without adjustments. Families have learned to live with the prospect of violence. Just like here, parents worry about getting their kids to school. Adult and youth join their friends at coffee houses, and families go shopping. Though it may look normal, there is much going on that one cannot see.

Just take the example of going to the store. Here we might be thinking about

the traffic and the availability of parking. In Israel, one would worry about security at the store, about which routes to take, and about the wisdom of taking public transportation.

On recreation choices, I am reminded of the accomplished physician, the Israeli-American who went to the coffee house with his daughter the night before her wedding. A suicide bomber went also.

When I learned of the 19 people killed in an Arab-managed restaurant in Haifa, I recalled the afternoon that we all lunched at an Arab-owned restaurant feeling safe.

The differences extend beyond such day-to-day choices. As diverse as this body is, the Knesset's diversity impressed me. Though Democrats and Republicans joust in a war of priorities, our experiences are nothing like those of Jews and Arabs serving together in a Knesset while their brothers and sisters might be fighting one another.

And while the challenges we face are important and the problems we address are critical, again, they seem shadowed by the complexity of those in the Knesset.

Finally, despite the grave security situation in Israel, I observed a free and open press. The plight of those living in the West Bank and Gaza was discussed and important questions were asked of the government. Surely the freedom to debate such sensitive issues is symbolic of the great potential for understanding and cooperation that exists in Israel. A free and open press underpins a free and open society. Israel is a democracy, a democracy that refuses to be handicapped by its dangers and a democracy that needs our continued attention and our support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge this body to seriously consider our treatment of those who sacrificed nearly everything for our country. I am referring to America's disabled veterans and the archaic law that prevents them from receiving both their retirement pension and disability compensation, two payments that they earned.

Unfortunately, across our Nation, hundreds of thousands of veterans are denied their full retirement pay because we have yet to correct a senseless law passed 112 years ago. In California's 53rd Congressional District, a district that I am very proud to represent, 2,659 disabled veterans collectively lose out on $13 million in VA benefits each year.

Since coming to Congress, I have heard from my veterans and I can tell you many of them struggle to get by each month because our government withholds so much from their pensions. Please understand, Mr. Speaker, we are talking about the brave men and women who sustained the most severe injuries to defend this Nation and to protect our liberties.

Take, for example, a 69-year-old Air Force lieutenant colonel from San Diego who has a 100 percent disability rating from exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. After 28 years of dedication, he retired only to learn that it was true. His hard-earned retirement pay would be offset dollar for dollar from his disability compensation. This proud veteran wrote me just recently and told me that he has finally given up on this government. He has communicated with his elected leaders about this inequity ever since he retired, and unfortunately, he has been told the same thing over and over again. Do not worry. Legislation is pending. We will pass concurrent receipt soon and take care of this for you.

Well, Mr. Speaker, it has been 17 years since he retired and nothing has been done. It is time to show our disabled veterans that we value the incredible sacrifice they made and are making for us. It is time to repeal the disabled veterans tax and end this mistreatment once and for all.

Right now, this Congress is faced with the ability to finally deliver meaningful concurrent receipt legislation to the President. We need only a few more signatures on the discharge petition to bring the Retired Pay Restoration Act to the House floor. I urge my colleagues to sign this petition and take us a step closer to overturning this inequity.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for bringing this forward.

Mr. Speaker, we come together to reflect on the anniversary of September 11, 2001, a day like none other in our history.

Leading up to this anniversary, I have been thinking much about the tragic events of that day and their significance. At first, I felt I had a grasp on what happened two years ago, but now after going to memorials, visiting the sites, and watching the footage, I am not sure if any of us have fully absorbed the events of that terrible day and realize how they have changed our nation and our lives.

This anniversary is important because it gives us an opportunity to consider the lasting impact of the events that altered the course of our nation.

The shock of September 11 for those who witnessed the horrible events firsthand or lost a loved one remains incomprehensible.

For me, the events of that day were extremely powerful at a personal level because my son, my daughter-in-law, and my grandson live in New York City. All I could do was hope and pray my family was safe. As a mother and a grandmother, there is no feeling worse than such uncertainty.

To all of us, the threat of terrorism is still very real despite the relative normality of our lives.

On this occasion, we should take a moment to ask the questions that still need to be answered.

I ask today, Mr. Speaker: Have we properly prepared if another attack takes place? Have we harnessed the amazing energy and the great spirit that saw us through the days and weeks following that day? Have we mobilized our citizens to take on the other problems we as a nation are facing?

I truly believe, as we look back and remember those who tragically lost their lives two years ago, that we take the time to really think about what those events mean to us.

We also need to consider what the legacy of September 11, 2001 will be 10 years from now and even 100 years from now.

Though it has been two years, I am still amazed at how our nation came together to cope with the crisis and to comfort those who suffered unimaginable losses.

I think about the epic effort of the steelworkers and engineers working around the clock to clear rubble from the World Trade Center, and our brave service members who went to Afghanistan to hold accountable those who planned the attack.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, though the Pentagon has been rebuilt and the steel beams and concrete cleared from the World Trade Center, the unspeakable acts of September 11 continue to impact several areas of our lives.

Though we have made progress over the last two years, I believe we can build upon the energy and spirit we displayed after September 11 to become a stronger and more generous nation than before that day two years ago.

Whether the cause is to create new jobs for Americans, improve education, fight poverty at home and abroad, or increase our understanding of foreign cultures and languages, we have missed some opportunities but it is not too late to build upon our resolve and better ourselves, our families, and our communities.

I would like to conclude today, Mr. Speaker, by remembering those who were tragically killed two years ago. Those who lost their lives were truly the innocent, and because of the cowardly acts of a few, more than 3,000 loved ones were taken from their families. It is crucial that we remember them and continue to offer these brave families our support.

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

Mr. Chairman, I would ask my colleagues, where are these 1,000 slots in our private schools? I rise in support of school choice in the District of Columbia, but public school choice. The District of Columbia, as we know and as Members have spoken to, has been a national leader in supporting charter schools to provide alternative choices for its families.

In 1996, the D.C. Council passed the Public Charter Schools Act. That launched this decision as the best method to improve the public schools. Not only have they instituted a large number of charter schools for the District of Columbia enrollment, but they have also supervised these programs and they have closed those charter schools that have not been successful.

I support the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) to back this local decision. If the majority wants to appropriate additional funding for children in D.C., let the sum be appropriated to increase funding for the charter schools, to expand that program so that charter schools can have the resources needed to provide adequate and safe facilities as well as the programs of choice.

Mr. Chairman, I believe we must support D.C.'s children, but we can do that by continuing to support successful alternatives in the public school system.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2210 should be strengthened and not weakened for families and their children.

I rise to object to the rule on consideration of H.R. 2210, the Head Start reauthorization. Once again, thoughtful amendments that address core issues were not ruled in order by the committee.

As has been so widely discussed this week, I believe it is important that this legislative body be able to give the proper consideration to this reauthorization--which is so critical to the most vulnerable among us, low income children.

I valued the opportunity to participate in considering this measure at the subcommittee and the committee levels. In that process, I was able to offer significant amendments for consideration and in one case for adoption by the committee. Happily, the reauthorization now before us recognizes the central nature of the social and emotional development of young children as well as their cognitive and physical development.

Nonetheless, other core issues were not adopted during the committee consideration. However, only 10 percent of the members of this body had the opportunity to consider those issues. The public deserves a full consideration by other 90 percent of their representatives.

I would particularly point to these major areas of concern: (1) providing financial support and loan forgiveness for the increased educational levels which will be required of teachers and staff members; (2) requiring performance standards of curriculum, developmentally appropriate accountability processes, personnel education, and professional development opportunities to be at least as high as federally required standards; and (3) assuring that any state- operated programs would be required to provide the comprehensive health and family services that are integral to Head Start.

Mr. Speaker and members, 100 percent of the members of this representative body have the right and obligation to consider how these issues should be resolved in order to enable the most vulnerable children to enter kindergarten closer to the levels of preparation enjoyed by more economically advantaged children.

Mr. Chairman, I must regretfully rise in opposition to a bill which I believe has many good elements.

I see the Head Start program, as my colleagues do, as a successful and long-

standing effort to engage low-income children in the preparation for kindergarten, that we know is readily available and enjoyed by children from more financially secure families. In fact, I have two of my current staff members who are graduates of the Head Start program, and so I know that the program indeed does work.

I am pleased to support the requirements for relevant training for staff members, but the problem is that we really have not done the job of providing loan forgiveness for those staff members. We really have not done the job of finding a way for them to get the professional development that they need.

We have talked about the religious discrimination introduction into this bill, and that is a real problem. But let me just talk about another problem. We have targeted title II, and we have targeted that for a very good reason, because in reality the bill fails; it fails to secure guarantees and require that States not supplant State or other Federal funds with Head Start funds.

We know about the current budget crisis in my State of California. States will find a way to find opportunities to supplant when they are in fiscal crisis, and the bill does not really prevent that.

There is another thing that the bill does not do. It only says that States must generally meet the requirements, not meet or exceed those requirements, and all the special programs in Head Start, we need them to meet those requirements.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons) today and rise in strong support of H.R. 2357. First, I would also like to recognize the commitment of the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner), a long-time member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and my San Diego colleague, to the cause of Filipino veterans.

Mr. Speaker, the Filipino soldiers recruited to fight in the Pacific during the Second World War served proudly under General MacArthur and fought courageously against the enemies of the United States. Because their contributions were crucial to our victory, these brave soldiers thought that when the war was won, they would receive the same recognition as American soldiers fighting by their side.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, in 1946, Congress passed an act that rescinded the benefits it had granted to thousands of Filipino veterans, and this was wrong. This was wrong. And passing H.R. 2357 today will help correct this injustice.

H.R. 2357 also contains a provision to allow the VA to hire chiropractors. Mr. Speaker, it is time that the VA recognized the value chiropractors can add as part of a health care service continuum. Chiropractors can help promote and maintain wellness rather than simply treating illness. Millions of Americans rely on their services to manage pain and treat a broad range of conditions.

I am pleased to stand up on these bills today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1516, the National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003. I want to thank the chairman and the ranking Democrat of the full committee, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), along with the chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Benefits, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Brown) and the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud), for their good work in crafting this legislation.

I am pleased that in H.R. 1516 we are providing for the authorization and establishment of five new national cemeteries in accordance with the VA's most current burial needs assessment report. The communities of southeastern Pennsylvania; Birmingham, Alabama; Jacksonville, Florida; Bakersfield, California; and Greenville- Columbia, South Carolina, will certainly appreciate this measure.

Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill, an important bill. The veterans of this Nation deserve nothing less than an honorable and dignified final resting place.

Mr. Speaker, many brave men and women who put on the uniform to protect us during World War II and the Korean War pass from us every day at alarming rates, and it is our responsibility to provide our veterans, our brave soldiers, with dignified and honorable final resting places. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the administration to meet this serious responsibility.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support passage of this measure.

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

Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns), a distinguished member of our committee.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House concurrent resolution 212 and commend the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), our chairman, and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), our ranking Democratic member, for bringing this important measure directly to this body for consideration on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War armistice. The bill calls on American citizens to thank those who served in uniform during that difficult time a half century ago.

Often called the Forgotten Veterans, it was a generation that served in a war wedged in time between the jubilation from resounding victories over tyranny in Europe and the Pacific, and a war in Southeast Asia whose unpopularity and length seized the subsequent 2 decades. Having served, they silently, without fanfare or formality, slipped back into civilian clothes and resumed their lives.

The courageous individuals who stepped forward into the Korean War left their jobs, schools, homes, and families to respond to an especially daunting threat to freedom on the other side of the world. While all wars are horrific, their battlefield brought forth a particularly ruthless enemy and a unique brutality, including an unyieldingly harsh climate.

I am proud and privileged to serve with several colleagues who emerged from that unimaginable experience, including the distinguished author and original cosponsors of this bill, as well as those who served in uniform elsewhere in that era.

I wholeheartedly endorse the measure, and I urge its swift passage, not only in recognition of the Korean War heroes who stand among us, but also for those who are with us in memory only.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.

Smith) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 212, as amended.