Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, today I am honored to recognize a Texas institution, the Orgain, Bell, and Tucker law firm, on its 100th anniversary. Orgain, Bell, and Tucker is located in many cities throughout Texas and was founded in Beaumont, TX.

William Edmund Orgain, the initial founding partner, was lured to Beaumont from his native Bastrop, TX by the need for land litigation that sprung from the Spindletop Gusher and the Texas oil boom in 1901. With the onset of the second oil boom the firm's second partner Major T. Bell joined Mr. Orgain's firm in 1925 to help with business generated by the second major oil unearthing in Beaumont. John G. Tucker joined the firm in 1933 and the firm was coined Orgain, Bell, and Tucker.

Orgain, Bell, and Tucker has, for the past 100 years, served clients with integrity in the areas of insurance defense, commercial litigation, utility law, labor law, and medical and legal malpractice.

Community service, starting with Mr. Orgain's service on the Texas Supreme Court Committee, which wrote the Texas Rules for Civil Procedure, and Major Bell's service as President of the State Bar of Texas in 1942, has always been a core philosophy of Orgain, Bell, and Tucker. Through service to the great State of Texas and to their local community Orgain, Bell, and Tucker's history of service has influenced generations of attorneys and community leaders.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, radio stations pay a set contract amount for recording label companies to play their songs. Part of that money goes to the writer of the songs for each time the song is aired. But the performers get a set fee from the record label company, no matter how many times their songs are played on the radio.

Now the performers want the Federal Government to charge radio stations a performance fee each time the song is played. That money would go to the performer. In other words, tax radio stations to subsidize the performers because, God bless them, they just don't make enough money.

The Federal Government has no business interfering in the free market and subsidizing performers at taxpayers' expense. The music artists and their agents should work out a better contract with their recording companies.

The proposal to subsidize recording artists would require the cost to be passed on to the consumers by higher advertising fees. Plus, the whole concept smacks in the face of freedom of the airwaves.

The Federal Government needs to stay out of the radio control business, even if performers are just ``Singing the Blues.''

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, Thomas Jefferson once stated, ``A democracy cannot be both ignorant and free.'' Our Founding Fathers shared that attitude. They knew that if American citizens failed to share information and were unable to speak freely, they would be worse off than they had been as subjects under Britain's King George III.

Our Founding Fathers were former colonists under a tyranny that controlled information and freedom of expression. King George III suppressed free speech, especially speech critical of the Crown or the government.

As the Founding Fathers debated what the new Nation of America should look like and stand for, they were determined free speech would be a basic right for all of us.

After the States ratified the Constitution, our Founding Fathers set out to enact a declaration of rights. They knew that this was essential for our country. That declaration of rights later became the Bill of Rights, which includes the first 10 amendments.

The Bill of Rights, Mr. Speaker, limits government control over us. The government does not have any rights. Government has power. It has the power we give it when we give up our rights that are listed in the Bill of Rights. This is an important concept that unfortunately many Americans fail to understand.

And the first amendment is first because it's the most important. The first amendment states in part: Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech.

Without the first amendment of free speech, freedom of the press, religion and assembly, the rest of the amendments are meaningless. The purpose of the first amendment is to permit free and open discussion about important public affairs. This is exactly what was forbidden under King George, so it makes sense that this was most important to our Founders.

The Founding Fathers intended free speech to include criticism of the government and advocacy of unpopular ideas that are distasteful or even against public policy or even controversial issues. Freedom of speech allows individuals to express themselves without interference of the government.

For over 200 years, the first amendment has endured without substantial alterations or limitations. This is a testament to the first amendment's importance. There are a few instances, however, in our history where the first amendment has been set aside, including a few instances of government censorship, such as sedition acts and wartime censorship.

The most volatile and controversial types of speech are political speech and religious speech. That's why they should be protected the most, because they are so controversial.

Congress would do well to stay out of the speech control business, especially trying to control the open and free discussion of America's two controversial and passionate pastimes, which are politics and religion. And besides, the

Constitution forbids a speech police by Congress.

George Washington said it very well when he said, ``If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be, led like sheep to the slaughter.''

And, finally, Voltaire, who lived right at the time that our revolution began, he said, ``I disapprove of what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.''

It's important and incumbent upon Congress that we make sure that we have open, free and even volatile, if necessary, discussion of America's issues, which are politics and religion, because that is the type of country we are, and that is what our Constitution and the first amendment stand for.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, in the United States, we have an incredible history, especially when it comes to our Armed Forces. Today, I want to recognize one of Houston's own, the 147th Fighter Wing/111th Fighter Squadron Texas Air National Guard out of Ellington Field, Texas. Their distinguished accomplishments during times of war and peace have made them well-known not only in Texas, but across the globe.

The 111th Aero Squadron met its beginnings at Kelly Field on Aug. 14, 1917. However, it was not until June 29, 1923, that the Squadron moved to its current location, Ellington Field. During the same year, they were designated a part of the Texas National Guard under the title of the 111th Observation Squadron, 36th Division.

Their emblem, which is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force, known as the Ace-In-The-Hole, signifies their interconnectedness to the State of Texas. Its immortal stance in Texas culture results from the grandfathering of the insignia at its inception. This motion works to prevent any future alteration to the historical design.

On Sept. 25, 1940, as the country was on the brink of World War II, the 111th became part of the federal war effort. Soon thereafter, the Squadron was reintroduced as part of the 68th Observation Group.

Following a short assignment protecting the U.S. border, they began preparations for overseas combat. During the war, their initial deployments led the Squadron to the Algerian beaches, in Operation Torch. In 1943, the 111th was chosen to take part in the Tunisian Campaign of the Army's II Corps. Later, assigned to the 7th Army in Sicily, they served as the aerial support to allied troops until the end of the war.

Respectably, this famed crew flew 3,840 missions from 1943 to 1945. While serving as the eyes of the military, they destroyed 44 enemy aircraft, damaged 20 and had 12 probable kills. Because of their valor, the 111th received eight Battle Stars, the Presidential Unit Citation as well as recognitions from the French Government.

In December 1945, they returned to Texas as the 111th Fighter Squadron. On Oct. 10, 1950, the 111th returned to battle for the Korean War. Throughout this 22-month theater, they became attached to the 136th Fighter Group. The Squadron again performed gallantly and destroyed 1,343 railroad cars, 1,943 buildings, 88 bridges, 126 gun emplacements, 89 boats, 2 MIG-15 fighters and participated in activities that resulted in 5,578 enemy troop casualties.

When foreign disagreements subsided, they were assigned to Air Defense Command on U.S. soil. Later, pilots from the Fighter Wing provided aerial support for American troops during the Vietnam Conflict from 1968-1970.

Following the events of September 11, 2001, the newly renamed 147th escorted President George W. Bush and his father onboard Air Force One back to Washington, DC. Later that year, they were deployed within the United States in support of Operation Noble Eagle.

The 147th was deployed in 2005 for Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terror. Continuing the Squadron's noted performance during previous conflicts, pilots of the Fighter Wing flew 462 sorties, with 100 percent maintenance delivery, 100 percent mission effectiveness along with 100 percent weapons employment hits while under extremely challenging combat conditions.

Although the list of overseas wartime accomplishments for the 111th are many, so is the impact and assistance provided by the same men and women on a national level to local issues. Since 1989 the Fighter Wing pilots have utilized the C-26 Merlin to conduct counter-drug law enforcement missions throughout the area. Most recently, in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Squadron came to aid those in this area who needed it most. These fine Americans have and continue to provide tremendous service to the United States, the State of Texas and to the communities surrounding Ellington Field.

I am proud to recognize the many accomplishments of this great group of Texas patriots. On the 90th anniversary, I would like to recognize these brave men and women for their service to the United States. I am also privileged to have served at Ellington Field in the United States Air Force Reserve, 704th TAS, 924th Troop Carrier Group, 446th Troop Carrier Wing from 1970-1976.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Madam Speaker, the drug smugglers have gotten smarter. They now disguise vehicles they are using to smuggle drugs into America to look exactly like Texas State transportation trucks. They mask them with official decals and even license plates; thus, making it easier to bring drugs into the United States.

Even though this criminal activity is highly organized, at least 11 drug dealers have been captured bringing thousands of dollars worth of drugs into our country using these fake State vehicles.

But when the U.S. Attorney prosecuted these criminals, they received relatively light sentences. Some people received only fines. One received 24 months in prison, far less than the 11- and 12-year sentences that Border Agents Ramos and Compean received when they were prosecuted by the same U.S. Attorney for wounding a drug smuggler on the border.

The U.S. Attorney's weak prosecution of drug smugglers is disturbing. The U.S. Attorney's Office seems to be more interested in prosecuting border agents than it is in prosecuting the real criminals that bring drugs into our country. The overwhelming message here is that a measly fine is just a cost of doing business: the drug smuggling business in America.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is wise from time to time that we in this House reflect upon our heritage, who we are and where we get our dignity as individuals in this country. As a former judge in Texas for over 22 years, I like to spend time in our schools, our elementaries, junior highs, high schools and even our law schools, discussing all aspects of the United States and our history. And I would often ask this question to the groups that I was talking to: ``Where do we, as Americans, get our rights?''

Sometimes asking that question would cause people some concern that made them somewhat uncomfortable, especially the elites in our law schools. I would ask those questions to not only law professors but justices on our courts throughout the fruited plain.

But the answers would vary from the students. Some would say we get our rights from our parents. Others would say, well, we get our rights from the President. Even one student last week told me we get our rights from Harry Potter. But most of the kids that I would talk to and most of the professors I would talk to say, well, we get our rights as Americans from government.

All of those answers, I submit to you, Mr. Speaker, are wrong because we don't get our rights from any of those entities. We talk about our rights, we claim we have rights, but we never talk about where we get them. I think it would be easier to describe a story that occurred shortly after the Iron Curtain, as Churchill called it, came down, the Berlin Wall, the wall that separated East from West, freedom from slavery. When the wall came down, there were numerous political prisoners in Eastern Europe that were finally freed but put in prison by those oppressive governments for exercising what they believed to be freedoms. One was a Prague, Czechoslovakian student who had gone to prison for 7 years and was serving time because he was reading on the steps of Prague University a forbidden document, a document that that Communist regime said that no one shall read in public.

I would like to read a portion of that document here tonight. He quoted someone from the United States. In that statement where he spent 7 years in prison, he stated, ``We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, the pursuit of Happiness, that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving the just powers from the consent of the governed.''

Yes, Mr. Speaker, that Prague student who spent 7 years in prison understood where his rights came from. It was not from government, but it was from the Almighty, the Creator, as quoted in the Declaration of Independence that he chose to read and cost him 7 years of his freedom, that Declaration of Independence that was written and authored by Thomas Jefferson.

Of course that document was the status and the statement and the indictment against King George, not the people of England, but King George, the Government of England, for why the United States had a right to be a separate and independent nation. It was an indictment stating the causes, and finally the Constitution was the government that we set up to preserve the rights in the Declaration of Independence.

We get our rights from the Creator. Because if we get our rights from government, governments can take those rights away from us at any time government wishes to do so. Mr. Speaker, 49 of the 50 States have in their preambles a reference to the Almighty. Many of those preambles mention the fact that they get their rights in the States from the Creator.

The Bill of Rights in our Constitution limits government. Government does not have rights. Government has power. And government gets power from us when we choose to give up individual liberty and give up individual rights. Government has the power to control us and control our liberties only if we let it. So the Bill of Rights and the Constitution says government was set up to protect the rights that we have, those God-given rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In fact, the ninth amendment to the Bill of Rights says there are more rights that aren't even listed in the Bill of Rights that we have.

Mr. Speaker, on the Jefferson Memorial down the street from where we all are is written a quote by Thomas Jefferson which says, ``God who gave us Life gave us Liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?''

Mr. Speaker, if we fail to acknowledge this legal principle of God- given rights, then we deny our heritage as Americans and our reason to be a free people.

And that's just the way it is.

State Constitutions--References to God

Alabama 1901, Preamble: We the people of the State of

Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do

ordain and establish the following Constitution.

Alaska 1956, Preamble: We, the people of Alaska, grateful

to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this

great land.

Arizona 1911, Preamble: We, the people of the State of

Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do

ordain this Constitution . . .

Arkansas 1874, Preamble: We, the people of the State of

Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of

choosing our own form of government . . .

California 1879, Preamble: We, the People of the State of

California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.

Colorado 1876, Preamble: We, the people of Colorado, with

profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe . . .

Connecticut 1818, Preamble: The People of Connecticut,

acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in

permitting them to enjoy.

Delaware 1897, Preamble: Through Divine Goodness all men

have, by nature, the rights of worshiping and serving their

Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.

Florida 1885, Preamble: We, the people of the State of

Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional

liberty, establish this Constitution . . .

Georgia 1777, Preamble: We, the people of Georgia, relying

upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and

establish this Constitution . . .

Hawaii 1959, Preamble: We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful

for Divine Guidance . . . Establish this Constitution . . .

Idaho 1889, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Idaho,

grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its

blessings.

Illinois 1870, Preamble: We, the people of the State of

Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political

and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to

enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

Indiana 1851, Preamble: We, the People of the State of

Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of

the right to choose our form of government.

Iowa 1857, Preamble: We, the People of the State of Iowa,

grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto

enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation

of these blessings establish this Constitution.

Kansas 1859, Preamble: We, the people of Kansas, grateful

to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges

establish this Constitution.

Kentucky 1891, Preamble: We, the people of the Commonwealth

are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and

religious liberties . . .

Louisiana 1921, Preamble: We, the people of the State of

Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political

and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine 1820, Preamble: We the People of Maine acknowledging

with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler

of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an

opportunity . . . And imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland 1776, Preamble: We, the people of the state of

Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and

religious liberty . . .

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble: We . . . the people of

Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the

goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe . . . In the

course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly

imploring His direction . . .

Michigan 1908, Preamble: We, the people of the State of

Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of

freedom establish this Constitution.

Minnesota 1857, Preamble: We, the people of the State of

Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious

liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:

Mississippi 1890, Preamble: We, the people of Mississippi

in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and

invoking His blessing on our work. . . .

Missouri 1845, Preamble: We, the people of Missouri, with

profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and

grateful for His goodness . . . Establish this Constitution.

Montana 1889, Preamble: We, the people of Montana, grateful

to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this

Constitution.

Nebraska 1875, Preamble: We, the people, grateful to

Almighty God for our freedom . . . Establish this

Constitution.

Nevada 1864, Preamble: We the people of the State of

Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish

this Constitution.

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every

individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God

according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey 1844, Preamble: We, the people of the State of

New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious

liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and

looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

New Mexico 1911, Preamble: We, the People of New Mexico,

grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty.

New York 1846, Preamble: We, the people of the State of New

York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to

secure its blessings.

North Carolina 1868, Preamble: We the people of the State

of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign

Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious

liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the

continuance of those.

North Dakota 1889, Preamble: We, the people of North

Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil

and religious liberty, do ordain . . .

Ohio 1852, Preamble: We the people of the state of Ohio,

grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its

blessings and to promote our common.

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble: Invoking the guidance of Almighty

God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of

liberty establish this.

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, and Article I. Section 2. All

men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty

God according to the dictates of their consciences.

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble: We, the people of

Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of

civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His

guidance.

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble: We the People of the State of

Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and

religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to

enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing.

South Carolina 1778, Preamble: We, the people of the State

of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do

ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble: We, the people of South

Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious

liberties.

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. that all men have a natural

and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to

the dictates of their conscience . . .

Texas 1845, Preamble: We the People of the Republic of

Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and

beneficence of God.

Utah 1896, Preamble: Grateful to Almighty God for life and

liberty, we establish this Constitution.

Vermont 1777, Preamble: Whereas all government ought to

enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural

rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has

bestowed on man . . .

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty

which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and

that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian

Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other.

Washington 1889, Preamble: We the People of the State of

Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for

our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.

West Virginia 1872, Preamble: Since through Divine

Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and

religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm

our faith in and constant reliance upon God . . .

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble: We, the people of Wisconsin,

grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic

tranquility.

Wyoming 1890, Preamble: We, the people of the State of

Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and

religious liberties establish this Constitution.

Mr. Speaker, when a veteran is buried in one of our national cemeteries, the flag draped over the warrior's coffin is neatly folded and given to the warrior's family. As the flag is folded, a statement is made as to what each fold represents. Two of the folds refer to Jews and Christians in our military. But that ceremony has been sabotaged by the National Cemetery Administration. Some bureaucrat banned the recitation of the meaning of the folds in the flag at all national cemeteries because someone complained about the ceremony being religious.

To ban this time-honored tradition which recognizes life, gives tribute to our country and to our Armed Forces, honors women, recognizes fathers, and reminds us of our national motto ``In God We Trust'' is un-American and, frankly, it's stupid.

I've been to funerals at national cemeteries of fallen troops from my district. I've heard the recitation of the meaning of each fold. I've watched tearful mothers and fathers and spouses hold that flag next to their chest, grateful for every fold.

The Washington bureaucrat that issued this absurd ruling should withdraw the ban. It's unpatriotic, irreverent and disrespectful of our war dead.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, crude oil prices went to a record high of $93 a barrel today. No doubt Americans will feel it at the gas pump. There are numerous reasons for the increase: mainly, oil producing countries are unstable. Mexico has cut oil production 20 percent because of bad weather in the Gulf of Mexico. Africa's largest exporter of oil to the United States, Nigeria, has had incidents where pirates have kidnapped workers from offshore drilling rigs.

The Middle East is still a tinder box of uncertainty with Iran's nuclear development, Turkey fighting the Kurdish rebels, and, of course, the problems that persist in Iraq and Syria. All of this affects the disruption of oil exports. This, plus a weak dollar, means that crude oil prices will grow even higher.

Until the United States develops a safe energy policy that allows complete offshore drilling for crude oil and drilling in ANWAR, we will be held hostage by Third World countries, rogue dictators, and political enemies. We have the ability to explore and drill safely our own abundant natural resources. We must take care of ourselves or the days of higher oil prices have just begun.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for yielding me this time, and I am delighted the member from Tennessee, the country music capital, is a cosponsor of this bill.

I also thank the majority and Mr. Hinojosa for quickly getting this House resolution to the floor. I know there was some difficulty in doing it because of the timetable, but I appreciate it.

Mr. Speaker, country music is definitely a sound that is uniquely American because it speaks to the heart and soul of everyday Americans. It is about the ups and downs of everyday life, as well as the struggles individuals have in this country, and the struggles our Nation confronts as a country. They are exemplified gloriously through the gifted songwriting of our country music artists.

At no time is this more true than when songs are written during trying times for our country and for the unwavering support of our men and women who wear the uniform who are willing to fight and even die, if necessary, for this Nation.

Toby Keith sang in ``America Soldier'' about our troops. He said, ``Up and at 'em bright and early, I'm all business in my suit. I'm dressed for success from my head down to my boots. I don't do it for the glory, I just do it anyway, providing our future's my responsibility. I will always do my duty. No matter what the price. If

dying's asked of me, I'll bear that cross with an honor, 'cause freedom don't come free.''

Through songs like Darrel Worley's ``Have You Forgotten,'' and Lee Greenwood's ``God Bless the U.S.A.,'' Alan Jackson's ``Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),'' Aaron Tippin's ``Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly,'' Brooks and Dunn's ``Only in America,'' and Charlie Daniels' ``This Ain't No Rag, It's a Flag,'' and Chely Wright's ``Bumper of my SUV,'' the thoughts and emotions of everyday Americans rings out all across America through country music.

These musicians and their patriotic radio stations that air their songs of support for the military are to be commended for being on the front lines of encouragement to our remarkable, relentless troops.

Like many in this House, I've been to Iraq; but also many of our country music singers have gone overseas to Iraq and every other place where American troops are, at their own expense to show appreciation to our American military for their loyalty to the U.S.A.

It's fitting that we as a Congress take note of this and honor country music during the month of October. I urge adoption of the bill.

Madam Speaker, last month a group of students and Buddhist monks led a peaceful protest against the government of Myanmar for its decision to cut fuel subsidies, leading to a 100 percent increase in fuel prices. The military stepped in, firing into the crowds which left at least 10 people dead. By the end of the crackdown, almost 3,000 people had been detained. In response, many countries around the world condemned the violent way in which the government dealt with the protesters. Even China, Myanmar's closest ally, gave its support to the U.N. mission to resolve the crisis.

This is not the first case of violence against innocent people in Myanmar. In 1988, a crackdown on protesters left almost 3,000 dead. The military junta has been ruling the poverty-stricken country of Myanmar for over 45 years and since then has clashed with pro-democracy groups and has been responsible for the abuse and displacement of a variety of ethnic groups.

The thousands of protesters who lined the streets of Myanmar make it clear that people want democracy. Let us not forget that for the anti- democratic extremists who we frequently see in the news, there are thousands of people who peacefully live their lives, hoping for democracy to take over. The United States presence in many of these countries serves as a reminder that they are not alone. We are there to help and to show that democracy does work. We need to step up our efforts and our presence, especially in poverty-stricken and war ravaged countries in East Asia and Africa, to help end human rights abuses and encourage democracy.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, 77 years ago, during the month of October, the biggest known oil field in the world was discovered in east Texas by Alabama wildcatter C.M. ``Dad'' Joiner. The nearby towns of Kilgore and Gladewater became bustling boom towns practically over night as thousands of people moved in trying to get their share. By the next year, the wells in the field were producing over 900,000 barrels of oil a day. When all was said and done, the oil field spanned over 40 miles and contained more than 30,000 wells in all. The discovery of oil in the State attracted hundreds of independent oil companies to the area, pushing Texas into the industrial world for the first time.

Oil is still an important part of the Texas economy, but times have changed. Now the largest oil fields are in the Middle East, which means America is dependent on foreign countries for its oil. The increased tension and turmoil in that region only reinforces the importance of decreasing our dependency on foreign countries for a resource that in the year 2007 we can't live without.

We need to continue to look at alternative and renewable energy sources to decrease our reliance on oil. We need to continue to search for oil in our own backyard to reduce our need to work with countries that don't have our best interest in mind. We need to protect our oil companies at home. We need to do these things so that our future generations aren't living the consequences of our inactions.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, it's Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week. This week involves events on college and university campuses across the Nation to promote awareness of the ideology that motivates terrorist groups like al Qaeda and Hamas.

While this event has sparked free speech debates on college campuses across the country, it has also revealed hypocrisies that exist in ``free speech.''

On October 8th, antiwar student activists covered the George Washington University campus with anti-Muslim posters. We now know that this was a hoax targeted at conservative student-members of the Young America's Foundation. Right after the posters appeared on the campus, the George Washington University Student Association Vice President, Brand Kroeger said he ``would support expulsion'' of the responsible students.

The George Washington University Administration brought the conservative students into its office, presumed the students were guilty, and pressured the students to sign a statement disavowing hate speech. The students refused to sign the statement and said they were innocent. The students were then dragged before a university ``peace forum'' and subjected to heckles from their fellow students. After all of this, 7 antiwar activist students took responsibility. These 7 students said the entire event was just a hoax. Guess what happened to the 7 responsible students? Nothing! No disciplinary action at all! The hypocrisy at American universities is appalling. If you are a liberal student, you can say anything. If you are a conservative student, you are denied free speech by the public university.

It seems that if you have one viewpoint, universities will punish and ridicule you, but if you agree with the universities, you'll be able to say whatever you want. There doesn't seem to be any equal opportunity in free speech on college campuses.

Colleges and universities preach liberal viewpoints without presenting the other side.

The politically correct nature of our higher education sparked the creation of Islamo-Fascism Week.

During this week, students on college campuses across America will host events to educate students on issues that are not addressed inside of the classroom. The events include ``teach in'' panels and sit-ins on Women's Studies Department classes, to protest the absence of courses that focus on the oppression of women in Islam.

Islamic oppression of women will be the key focus of this week. In one horrific example of Islamic oppression, young Islamic schoolgirls were shot to death in Saudi Arabia when they fled a burning building without their veils. In another example, an Islamic teenager was buried before being stoned to death for alleged sexual offenses.

The Muslim American Society is protesting this week of events. The Society claims that this event is hate speech and promotes intolerance of Muslims. This isn't true. The event promotes awareness and intolerance of radical Muslim extremists and rightfully so. These extremists want to kill Americans. We should be intolerant of them.

Muslim extremists are responsible for 9/11, for the USS Cole bombing, for Embassy bombings, and they target our soldiers abroad. We also know that Islamo-Fascists have waged a jihad, or a holy war, against America.

The term ``Islamo-Fascism'' is not hate speech. It is not degrading to all Muslims. It degrades radical Muslim extremists. The term ``Italian Fascism'' doesn't smear all Italians. It smears radical Italian extremists. There is a difference between Muslims and radical Jihadists, who seek to destroy and murder people indiscriminately.

Islamo-fascism Awareness Week is a wake-up call for American students. Our classrooms need to stop worrying about political correctness and start educating our students on the truth. The truth is that radical Muslim extremists are the greatest danger that exists for Americans at home and abroad. The truth is that women are oppressed by Islamic extremists. The truth is that we need to stop garnering sympathy for the enemy and start confronting those against America.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, the people in Mexico are expected to remain silent to the corruption and despicable acts among the rich and powerful. Sort of the philosophy: Sin ain't sin as long as good folk do it.

Lydia Cacho refused to remain silent, and for that she fears for her life, has been arrested, verbally abused, imprisoned, and sued.

Lydia Cacho, founder and director of a shelter for sexual assault victims in Cancun, wrote a book, ``The Demons of Eden.'' In it, she exposed and named the rich and powerful who lured poor young girls to millionaire Cancun businessman Jean Succar Kuri's home so he and his friends could have sex with them.

Powerful politicians and businessmen had Cacho jailed for her work. Without explanation, state police whisked her away in the darkness of the night to a prison 900 miles away. So much for freedom of the press in Mexico.

Lydia Cacho is one of several journalists that have been persecuted for articles about corruption in high places in Mexico. Lydia Cacho became a political prisoner of the rich, famous, and powerful of Mexico. Accusations against her should be dismissed, and the child sex offenders should go to jail.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, today we recognize the 62nd anniversary of the United Nations. The United Nations was founded in the aftermath of the Second World War. Leaders across the world came together to form this international organization with the hope that nations united in purpose might never again have to face the devastating consequences of a third World War. Since its inception, the mission of the United Nations has been focused on advancing the cause of fundamental human rights around the world. It is a noble cause.

Unfortunately, the lofty goals of this institution have been blemished by a record of past actions which challenge the U.N.'s very existence.

This year, Madam Speaker, I am serving as one of two Congressional Delegates to the United Nations. As a representative of the people I would be remiss, on this United Nations Day, if I did not address some of the concerns that Americans have with the United Nations. In a poll conducted last year by political consultant and pollster, Frank Luntz, 71 percent of Americans agreed that the U.N. is no longer effective and need to be reformed. In addition, the poll found that 75 percent of the participants agreed that the United Nations is no longer effective and needs to be held accountable. Most telling, for the first time since the U.N. was founded, a majority of Americans, 57 percent, believe that if the U.N. cannot be reformed it needs to be gotten rid of all together and replaced.

Like most Americans, Madam Speaker, I'm concerned with the ineffectiveness of the United Nations. I'm concerned with the anti- Semitic factions that exist within the U.N. I'm concerned with its hypocritical human rights record--claiming to preserve human rights, while not holding some of the world's worst human rights violators responsible. I'm concerned with the corruption of U.N. officials and mismanagement of U.N. programs. And I'm concerned with the United Nations inability to actually take a lead in fighting the threat of global terrorism.

If the United Nations expects the United States to support its mission, it had better take the concerns of the American people seriously and implement the reforms that are necessary to gain the trust of the American public.

And that's just the way it is.