Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, small towns and rural America are historically notable and courageous for sending their young sons and daughters off to fight the wars of America. When volunteers are called for duty, it is these close, small communities that seem to always answer America's call to arms. When one of their number is killed in war, the entire community is emotionally affected.

In southeast Texas, the small town of Vidor has lost one of its daughters of democracy. Army Specialist Kamisha Block was killed in Baghdad August 16, 2007, in the hot war for Iraq.

Kamisha Block became the first female from southeast Texas to die in this war. She enlisted in 2005 at the age of 18 in the United States Army.

Mr. Speaker, Kamisha volunteered for the Army when this country was at war, and she probably expected to be sent to the desert of the gun and the valley of the sun. She joined the Army right out of high school. Specialist Block was a military police officer, and eventually wanted to be in law enforcement with a career in the FBI or the CIA.

She was assigned to the 401st Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion and 89th Military Police Brigade out of Fort Hood, Texas.

Kamisha and her best friend, Amanda Buck, grew up together. As Amanda says, we rode the school bus together from kindergarten all the way up through high school. Amanda said Kamisha knew where she was headed in life, had a big heart and genuinely wanted to help people.

Specialist Block's death hit her family hard, and the whole community mourns for her. Her loss has not gone unnoticed. Let me explain.

Local newspapers, the Examiner and the Beaumont Enterprise, carried numerous front-page stories about Block and her life. In this small town of Vidor, Texas, almost every business had posted a message for Block and words of support for her family on signs and placards.

When Specialist Block was returned to Texas draped in the cloth of the red, white and blue, the funeral procession traveled through rural areas and small towns. The Patriot Guard led the procession with their 75 motorcycles, many carrying large American flags. Next were the numerous police vehicles from the nearby communities.

As the funeral proceeded, hundreds of teary-eyed people lined the streets of Beaumont, Texas and Vidor, Texas, removing their hats, placing their hands over their hearts, and waving American flags. Cars even pulled off the road and drivers stood out of their vehicles to pay honor and respect to this warrior. People came out of their homes and stood on their porches in honor of the dead.

According to a local paper, The Examiner, Jamie Reynolds, a friend and coworker of Block's at the Waffle House in Vidor, said, ``It was so amazing. I had chills all up and down my arms. It was overwhelming.''

Mr. Speaker, showing silent respect and tribute is what people do in southeast Texas when one of their kids is killed in war.

People who knew Block from the Waffle House said that she was always happy with her bright eyes and endearing smile as she served waffles, eggs, and grits and a happy spirit.

While Jerry and Jane Block, the parents of Kamisha, mourn the death and absence of their daughter, America owes them our gratitude and our patriotic appreciation.

Specialist Kamisha Block while serving in Korea and Iraq was awarded several commendations. She was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, Operation Iraqi Freedom Service Ribbon, and the Bronze Star.

Here is a photograph of Kamisha Block, not yet 21 years of age. She died at the age of 20. It has been said ``that how we yet live will echo throughout eternity.''

Specialist Block showed in a mere 20 years the example of compassion, duty, determination, love of country, and love of God that will echo in her small town of Texas throughout eternity.

Rare breed these women warriors who go to war for the rest of us.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, when I was elected to Congress, I had an idea of how things worked in Washington. But after just a short while, I realized commonsense thinking wasn't exactly the ``norm.'' In fact, it was going to take some creative thinking to get things done. For over a year now, I have been one of the ones leading the charge to free Border Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. I think our Government prosecuted them for doing their job and gave a drug smuggler a free pass. After trying things the old way--I decided it was time for some Poetic Justice, time to turn the tables and put a new twist on an old idea.

Last week, I, along with Tom Tancredo and Duncan Hunter, sponsored an amendment to the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill to withhold funding from the Federal Bureau of Prisons to incarcerate Ramos and Compean. This effort to free these American heroes was supported across party lines and passed overwhelmingly by a voice vote.

Since repeated efforts to have them pardoned or their sentences commuted have gone unrecognized, I set out to find other ways for justice to prevail. By withholding funding to the Prison System specifically for the incarceration of Ramos and Compean, we have ``tied the hands that fund them.'' This does not change the outcome of their sentence, but it will allow them to remain free while their case makes its way through the appeals process.

As anyone knows that has followed this case, the administration has been less than supportive of the idea of a pardon or commutation. The idea of attaching this onto an appropriations bill is that the President isn't likely to veto the entire spending bill funding Federal law enforcement agencies because of this one amendment. Sometimes a little creative thinking allows you to beat them at their own game and save taxpayer money in the process.

As a former judge, I believe that it is important to uphold the law and I rarely argue with a jury's decision. However, the jury in this case wasn't privy to all of the facts and these two men were found guilty based on a partial presentation of the whole truth. You see, the prosecution's star witness was an illegal drug dealer who was fleeing Ramos and Compean after he brought in a million dollars worth of dope. The jury knew that, but what they didn't know was that he was given full immunity for that crime and an unlimited-use visa to come and go across the border unchecked anytime he pleased. And most important, another fact the U.S. attorney's office fought to keep the jury from hearing, was that during the trial he used that ``get-out-of-jail-free- card'' to bring in another load of dope. This is all information that the jury needed to know to judge the credibility of the witness.

This was the first time in history that Congress has intervened in such a way in a criminal case and it was not something that any Member of Congress took lightly. The precedent we are setting in Congress is that we stand for justice and I don't believe that this is something that we are likely to see happen again. Both Houses of Congress have investigated every aspect of this case and leaders from both parties have appealed to the President to take action--that alone is a unique occurrence.

If the President can spare Scooter Libby from prison, I think it is only appropriate to extend the same consideration to our lawmen fighting to secure our borders. Until then, we in Congress will continue to do our part to see that we right this wrong any way we can. After all, justice is the one thing we should always find.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, slightly before midnight last night, the House of Representatives had a replay of the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich.

Here's what I recall happened: A vote was being conducted on a Republican motion to recommit that would allow no Federal aid, such as food stamps, to be given to illegals in this country. This was hotly debated and then the votes started being recorded. The vote was close-- most Republicans and a few Democrats supported the motion denying taxpayer dollars to illegals. Most Democrats opposed the motion. With the vote tied at 214-214, the Speaker called the vote and denied the motion. (A tie means the motion failed.) But the official electronic board on the House Floor that records the votes read 215-213--FINAL VOTE--meaning the motion passed--no benefits for illegals. But, the official vote was disallowed more time put on the clock and the Speaker announced the real final vote to be 212-216, after some Members changed their vote after the Final Tally.

In my opinion, this illegal action gave some illegals Federal benefits that only Americans and legals should receive.

In 1972, Team USA was playing the Soviets for the Gold Medal in Olympic Basketball. When the buzzer sounded, Team USA had won the game 50-49. But the timekeeper put 3 seconds back on the clock; gave the ball to the Soviets; who scored a basket, and the new final score was 51-50. The Soviets were declared the winners even though they cheated-- Team USA refused their Silver Medals and walked off the stage in disgust.

Last night, I and over 100 Republicans walked out of the House because of the illegal vote giving illegals Federal benefits that only American citizens and lawful immigrants deserve. Both the Soviet Basketball Team and those that want illegals to receive taxpayer benefits will do just anything to win--by any means necessary, whether legal or not.

In both cases, Americans were not defeated, but cheated.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, the State of Texas and the Nation recognizes the need for renewable and clean diesel fuel and other high valued synthetic fuels to meet the needs of the energy consumption in the United States.

The current problem existing with ethanol and other alternative synthetic fuels is that they depend on the weather and crops available to produce ethanol and other additives and cannot meet the current demand that is needed by the United States.

In addition to opening up drilling off the coast of the United States, our nation should determine new ways to address the ever growing demand for energy.

I applaud local businesses in my district who have taken the lead in addressing this issue by introducing technologies for production of bio-diesel products from vegetable oil, animal fat, by-products and waste.

The Southeast Texas region is home to some of the major refineries in the United States. Companies who take waste from these refineries (currently being disposed of in land fills) and old tires and converts them through their technology into non-toxic renewable ultra clean diesel fuel and other high valued synthetic fuels should be commended. This process allows for the taking of the refinery waste, which is an environmental problem, and converting it into a renewable diesel fuel that addresses our energy problem directly.

Congress can help make alternative fuel facilities financially feasible by:

Encouraging low interest private capital financing and investment for alternative fuel and ultra clean diesel facilities

Supporting the use of tax-exempt bond financing for activities associated with the development of alternative fuel projects

Exempting alternative fuel projects from the Bond Cap provisions of the IRS Code

Permitting accelerated depreciation schedules when structuring bond financing for alternative fuel ultra clean diesel facilities

Providing tax credit incentives to investors who purchase bonds to fund alternative fuel ultra clean diesel facilities

Considering a way to assist with funding the upfront start up costs associated with these alternative fuel ultra clean diesel projects, which would include the engineering and developmental research that needs to be performed prior to seeking commercial funding for the project. This could be done in the form of grants or low interest loans.

We need to take a course of action now to encourage these alternative fuel programs or we are just becoming more dependent on foreign oil products and will not grow or have the freedom to expand and meet our public's energy needs in an environmental friendly fashion.

Southeast Texas is the energy capital of our nation. We will continue to lead the nation's energy needs by utilizing off shore drilling, nuclear power and new technologies such as bio-diesel and other alternative fuel programs. It is important we support local government and local businesses to forge ahead for our nation's energy program.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, the State of Virginia has had it with illegals feeding off of their State and want them sent back to their homeland.

So, Virginia is asking the Federal Government for help. Seeking funds and training available for States under the 287(g) program. This Federal program trains local and State law enforcement in immigration laws. Virginia aims to train every staffer at jails across the State on how to check immigration statuses and deport illegals.

But when the State asked the Federal Government for help, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, said no. The reason: ICE says it lacks resources, including funding and personnel, to make that commitment to Virginia.

Currently, there are 22 State and local agencies that have entered into agreements with ICE to be trained on the 287(g) programs; 65 more are waiting for approval. But because the Federal Government is not providing ICE with the necessary funds, law enforcement won't get trained and illegals won't get deported.

Maybe some of the pork earmarks going to study the lifecycles of fish should be used in this immigration battle.

Madam Speaker, this is absurd. Once again, illegals are getting a free pass to the U.S. due to the ineptitude of the Federal Government and its inability to cooperate with local cities that want to help stem the flow of illegals into our homeland.

Madam Speaker, this ought not to be.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, many of my colleagues here today would have you believe that the war in Iraq, our foremost front in the fight against radical Islam, is lost. They will tell you, Madam Speaker, that the causes for which we fight, causes upon which our own Nation was founded, like the freedom, the worth of the individual and human rights, are not worth fighting for in Iraq. They will tell you that game is over and that the best that the American people can do is turn around and walk away in defeat.

This defeat by retreat lacks wisdom of what war is about. America does not fight wars, so we can lose them by quitting.

This is the time for the United States to stand firm in its commitment to freedom abroad. Now is the time for the United States to build up this sprouting democracy, rather than let it be torn down by those who would seek to destroy all of us who believe in liberty.

Surrender has never been the American way, Madam Speaker. Since our Nation's inception, we have stood for what is right, even when all odds were against us. Let us follow in the footsteps of those who came before us, those who risked everything in order to preserve freedom for all.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, when they send their son or daughter off to college this fall, millions of parents will be counting on these educational institutions to take the reasonable steps to keep them safe. After reading an editorial, ``Campus security is a crime'', in USA Today, I'm afraid that trust may be misplaced.

Last December, Eastern Michigan University, EMU, student Laura Dickinson was raped and murdered in her own residence hall room. The campus police immediately opened a homicide investigation and called in the State police for help. Campus officials, however, issued a press release saying there was no reason to suspect foul play. In an especially unconscionable act, they even led the young woman's parents to believe she had died from a preexisting heart condition.

This cover-up was not exposed until more than 2 months later when police arrested another student, apparently unknown to the victim, and charged him in connection with the crimes. For more than 2 months, students were not told that a rapist and murderer was free amongst them lulling them into a false sense of security. When they found out they were outraged and I share their outrage. We owe America's college students and their families better.

As horrific as this is it isn't a new problem. After the chillingly similar rape and murder of Jeanne Clery at Lehigh University in 1986, Congress examined the scope of campus crime and found that cover-ups and violations of victims' rights were rampant. In response, the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 was adopted to require colleges to be up-front about their crime and respect victims' rights. In 1998 it was renamed the Jeanne Clery Act in memory of the student who had inspired it.

The problem, however, as USA Today points out, is that this law isn't being properly enforced. Even though there are more than 6,000 institutions of postsecondary education between 1994 and 2006 only 17 Clery Act specific reviews were conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, the agency charged with enforcing the Act. An even smaller number, three, were fined for violations.

This has led to widespread violations of the Act. Only about a third of all institutions properly comply with the Act according to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Justice in December of 2005. Simply put, their chances of getting caught are very small and the chances of being punished are virtually nonexistent. As a former judge, let me tell you, when there are no consequences for wrongdoing it won't stop.

In an investigation called for by Security On Campus, Inc., a national non-profit victims' rights group co-founded by Jeanne Clery's parents Connie and Howard, the Education Department found that EMU had not only violated the Clery Act by failing to warn their students about the murder, but also had an extensive history of violations. They should face significant fines for these violations and other schools need to know that they too will face a penalty if they lie about campus violence. Once the U.S. Department of Education finally begins taking the Clery Act seriously colleges and universities will too.

That's just the way it is.

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

Mr. 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.

Mr. Speaker, our path to energy independence is anything but that. We have become more energy dependent on foreign governments, and our own government continues to find new ways to control our lives regarding energy use. The government is in the toilet bowl control business. Now toilets must meet strict Federal regulations, but these expensive toilets must be flushed more than once to be effective.

The government now polices our washing machines. But new regulations that limit water usage are so ineffective with these new gizmos that Consumer Reports states the government machines don't get dirty clothes clean unless they're washed multiple times. So much for saving energy.

And now the government is in the light bulb police business, requiring expensive new bulbs to be used that are only made, ironically, in China. Instead of finding new ways to punish and police Americans for using energy, we should find new efficient sources of more energy.

I doubt if our forefathers fought for independence at Valley Forge just to give us an all-controlling government that demands how citizens use washing machines, light bulbs and toilet bowls.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, to the residents of Houston and the surrounding cities, the name ``Marvin Zindler'' was synonymous with ``champion'' and ``crusader.'' You see, Marvin Zindler has just as many stories as the Lone Ranger himself--just as many tales about his struggles for justice too. He was a fighter for the ``little man,'' defending those who were swindled or scammed--seeking retribution the only way he knew how, with a bright light, an all-seeing camera lens, and a television audience.

For the last thirty-four years, Marvin has been the much loved and revered face of television station KTRK Channel 13 in Houston, Texas. He was known for his consumer reporting--one of the first in the business to do so--letting the unsuspecting public in on the down and dirty dealing of local businesses throughout Southeast Texas. It was his thirst for integrity and justice among his fellow citizens that led Marvin to work day in and out to unmask the unscrupulous. But to truly understand Marvin, you have to understand the man behind the camera-- who he was before he became ``The Marvin Zindler.''

Marvin was born into the wealth and privilege of society in 1921 and he was not sure where he wanted to go in his life. Torn between careers, Marvin came roaring into the media world as a DJ and spot reporter for a former, local radio station. He moved onto a career with a former Houston newspaper and did spot news reports for a local television station. It was during his early stint in the media that Marvin began to lean towards the law enforcement profession. In the early 1950s, he was a volunteer police officer--all while continuing to be a voice in the media.

In 1962, Marvin put aside his media career and became a member of the Sheriffs Department. Assigned to the fugitive apprehension unit, it was his responsibility to round and rope up those who sought to flee American justice. Madam Speaker, legend has it that Marvin Zindler once chased a Texas fugitive through the heat of the Mexican deserts and into the rainforests of Central America, where he caught up with the Texas outlaw in what was then the U.S. held territory of the Panama Canal Zone. Marvin had a U.S. warrant for this criminal's arrest, but it was not sufficient enough to arrest him in Mexico or Central America. So he just waited until the fugitive touched U.S. soil--the Panama Canal. He then brought him back to face the Texas courts.

I first met Marvin back when I was a prosecutor. I have the honor and privilege of calling him a personal friend of mine and remained so throughout my judicial career. I can attest to his larger than life personality and his determination to make a difference in the world.

With the Sheriff's Department, Marvin established and ran the consumer fraud division. He was good at his job, perhaps a little too good as rumor has it. In 1972, Marvin was fired from the Sheriff's Department because local businesses were angered by his consumer fraud investigations. It was soon after his abrupt departure from law enforcement, he was hired by Channel 13 to be their on-air consumer reporter. From then on, a star was born.

Marvin Zindler stalked unscrupulous businesses like a lion stalks its prey. He was famous for his ``rat and roach reports'' on health inspections of local restaurants. He stood up to the bureaucrats who tried to walk on the backs of poor Houston residents, who did not have two dimes to rub together and had been swindled. He sought out immoral used car salesmen who made double-crossing deals of one-sided contracts and high interest rates--milking the consumers out of hundreds of dollars.

While the Houston public adored their TV crusader, Marvin did make some enemies, including a local county sheriff. In 1973, not yet a year into his TV career, Marvin exposed the State's best kept secret, a brothel called the Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas. His news story not only led to several ladies of the night being out of a job and national notoriety for his efforts and the embarrassment of local patrons, but a public fist fight with a county sheriff--who also happened to be a dishearten customer. The sheriff broke two of Marvin's ribs and snatched the toupee right off his head. It was this story that the famous long-running Broadway hit musical and eventual movie, ``The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,'' was based on.

Marvin Zindler had a heart of gold. Using his fame and his voice, Marvin began ``Marvin's Angels''--a group of doctors who specialized in plastic and reconstructive surgery. These doctors then performed surgery

on children who were born with facial deformities, such as a clef palate, and of course, at no charge to the child's family. He was the worshiped face of Houston. In fact, he was so beloved that Channel 13 signed him to a lifetime contract in 1988--a rarity in the television world. It was something he always honored.

Even when he was diagnosed with cancer in July, Marvin continued to make on-air appearances for Channel 13. Either from his sick bed or clothed in a robe and slippers, citizens could breathe easier knowing that Marvin was still fighting the good fight for them--the ordinary, everyday individuals, the people he cared the most for.

Madam Speaker, on Sunday, July 29th, Marvin Zindler, the crusader of Houston, Texas, passed away from pancreatic cancer. He was 85 years old.

Robert Pelton, Marvin's good friend, had this to say about this extraordinary champion of the little guy, ``Marvin Zindler was the Lone Ranger and Superman, not just in Houston, but in the world. Marvin Zindler was a one man army for the underdog. With Marvin Zindler, there was no Governmental Red Tape.--He walked right through it. If he heard of an injustice or public corruption, he was there to expose and stop it. Marvin was a hero to every man, woman, and child who was a victim of discrimination and wrongdoing. He helped the crippled, blind, poor, and sick get help wherever they were. `I'll Call Marvin Zindler' was the battle cry of the underdog and it always worked. Being his lawyer, friend, and angel for 31 years was the highest honor anyone could have.''

Madam Speaker, people in the Great State of Texas fondly recall a man who was their champion--their ``Lone Ranger.'' For wherever Marvin Zindler went, unscrupulous business owners quaked in fear, trepidation, apprehension, and panic knowing that they were being caught with ``Slime in the Ice Machine''--one of Marvin's most famous sayings. Tonight, my thoughts and prayers are with his wife, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the entire Houston community as we mourn the loss of our dear friend, consumer advocate, Marvin Zindler. He was a man who served our Houston community and the people with honor and duty. He will be gravely missed.

Madam Speaker, Each night Marvin signed off with the same words on his nightly newscast and I quote them for the last time, ``Marvin Zindler--Eyewitness News.''

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, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, instead of praising and encouraging our troops in their relentless fight against the terrorist insurgents and seeing the success of U.S. troops, some choose to focus on the negative. They seem to preach gloom, doom and despair. They come across as defeatists, retreatists, and losers.

Do these people really want us to lose this war? Is their retreat political agenda more important than America's safety agenda? Now is the time, more than ever, that this Nation be behind our soldiers in this fight.

The dangers to freedom do exist. Right now in Afghanistan, Taliban forces are holding 22 civilians from a South Korean church. They have executed one hostage and plan to murder more. These Islamic radicals kill in the name of religion. Now, what would the surrender advocates have us do? Hide?

Fanatical militants are a threat to the security of free nations and the United States. It is the American troops, however, that are making a difference in beating back the forces of hatred and oppression. Our patriots deserve thanks, respect and our total commitment, not naysayers' words of criticism, contempt and complaining.

And that's just the way it is.

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I want to congratulate the chairman, Mr. Oberstar, and Ranking Member Mica for their work on getting this long-delayed bill to the House floor, and I certainly support it. Both

the ranking member and the chairman have said, as long as I have been on this committee, that this is the most cooperative committee even though it is the largest committee in Congress. And it is true. It is a bipartisan committee that gets things done. We disagree, but we do it in a civil manner.

I am also impressed with Mr. Oberstar's knowledge of transportation history. He knows more about transportation that has occurred in the United States probably than all of us put together.

I do want to thank the committee for including in this WRDA bill the expedited completion of the study for the Sabine-Neches Waterway Project. I have been frustrated for the lack of progress by the Army Corps of Engineers to finalize this completion study.

The study report was started by the Corps in the year 2000, with a completion date of 2004. It was supposed to cost $6 million. And now it is 2007, and this project study is still not completed, and estimates on final cost of the project have now risen to $13 million. I appreciate the chairman's support for this study to be completed as soon as possible.

The Sabine-Neches Waterway is the riverway that separates Texas from Louisiana and flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Sabine-Neches is vital to not only southeast Texas, but it is essential for the national security needs of our Nation. It is the home of America's largest commercial military port and the Port of Beaumont, and it is second largest in the world. It is crucial for shipping military cargo to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and is America's largest importer of crude oil by tonnage. Approximately 20 to 30 percent of the Nation's jet fuel is produced by refineries on this waterway, including 80 percent of the jet fuel used by our military. This riverway supplies petrochemical and energy needs for southeast Texas and the rest of the Nation.

Section 508 requires the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite completion of this study whether or not to expand, widen, and deepen the riverway for the Sabine-Neches Waterway, and the joint statement further directs that this would be done as soon as possible. I hope this study is finished this year so that it will be included in next year's full WRDA bill and we can start moving dirt to widen, deepen, and make this riverway important not only for southeast Texas but for national security reasons as well. It is important for our economy, it is important for our recovering economy after Rita in southeast Texas, and I look forward to working on the next WRDA bill after this one is passed to have it completed.

Once again, I want to thank the ranking member and the chairman for their full support.

Madam Speaker, it's the first of the month--time to pay the rent at the courthouse. Unfortunately, the costs keep rising with the number of criminals held accountable for their crimes each year, but the good news is their victims have plenty of resources at their disposal as a result of the Victims of Crime Act, or better known as VOCA Fund. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Poe/ Costa/Moore(KS) Amendment

to add more money to the VOCA Fund and continue to meet the needs of victims across our country.

I have been an advocate for victims since my early days as a prosecutor with Harris County District Attorney's office. There are a few cases that have stood out in my career and influenced my life in a significant way. One such case was that of a young woman, who was as student at the University of Houston. She was the victim of a brutal rape and assault. She was abducted at gunpoint at a gas station, taken to a wooded area, raped, beaten, and left for dead. Through her brave determination, she was able to identify her attacker and I was assigned to prosecute him.

Today, victims are assigned court advocates during the trial. Back then, she had no one. No one was there to help her through the emotional stress of a rape and the grueling task of confronting her attacker in court. She did it though, she got through the trial and we sent her attacker to the penitentiary for life. But her story wasn't over, you can't wrap it up with the bang of a gavel and nice neat bow.

Because there were little-to-no resources available to victims at that time, she was not able to cope with the aftermath of her assault. You see, for the victim the ordeal is not over once the trial ends. It follows them day after day and spreads through their life like a cancer out of control. In the following months, her husband left her and sued her for custody of their two children--taking away the only two reasons worth living for.

She spiraled out-of-control. Without anyone to turn to, and losing her family, she couldn't escape the pain. In a hand written note, that I keep with me to this day, she said ``I'm tired of running.'' Madam Speaker, the reality is, she didn't have anyone to run to and sadly ended her life. This ought not to be. This was a tragedy that could have been avoided, a tragedy that continues to influence my life and career.

One of the first things I did as a Member of Congress was establish the bipartisan Congressional Victim's Rights Caucus to advocate and provide a voice for crime victims. I currently co-chair the Caucus with my good friend and victim crusader, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-20). There are caucuses for everything under the sun in D.C., but there was nothing that advocated solely for crime victims. It seems they are always the ones that are forgotten.

The VOCA Fund is one of those things that is close to my heart and is something, like the victims it benefits, worth fighting for. Created by Congress in 1984 to provide Federal support to Federal, State, and local programs that assist victims of crime, VOCA provides assistance to over 4,400 agencies and 3.8 million victims every year. And it doesn't cost the taxpayers anything! The VOCA Fund is derived entirely from fines and penalties paid by offenders, not taxpayer revenues. But every year, we have to fight to keep it safe for victims. The Washington bureaucrats try to rob this fund for other pet projects.

VOCA funds several important programs, such as domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, children protection agencies, and pays direct expenses to victims of violence, such as assault, rape, and child abuse.

The Children's Assessment Center in Houston is a recipient of VOCA funding and is the very best of its kind. They take sexually assaulted kids and help them through the trauma of recovery and trial. The Houston Children's Assessment Center in Houston became the model for others across the country. The services they provide to children who have been victims of crime are invaluable and the most advanced methods used today. Without the knowledge and compassion of thousands of dedicated people who work on behalf of victims, more and more victims would end up like that young wife and mother that desperately tried to hold it together, but couldn't take the pain any longer.

As a constant reminder, I keep that hand-written note on my desk. As a judge, it was my pleasure to hand down one of my many creative sentences and see how far we have come in recognizing the needs of victims. I have dedicated my life to helping victims and proudly serve on the Board of Directors for the Houston Children's Assessment Center and the National Children's Alliance in Washington D.C.

Madam Speaker, criminals should continue to pay for the system they have created. They should pay for the expenses victims incur because of crime. Criminals need to pay the rent on the courthouse--crime victims have already paid enough. No more victims should run.

And That's Just The Way It Is.

Mr. Speaker, oh, how we talk and pontificate about making the United States independent from foreign energy. But still little has been done. The new energy bill does not promote energy, but punishes energy use. For example, new energy legislation regulates the type of light bulbs Americans use.

Some in the House want to go after the U.S. oil companies and punish them by taxing them more. Of course, more taxes will simply be passed on to us, the consumers, and will not increase energy, but decrease it.

You see, when you tax something, you get less of it. More taxes will encourage U.S. oil companies and refiners just to move someplace else where there are fewer taxes and regulations. Some want to mandate and subsidize corn-based ethanol, which not only drives gasoline prices up, but raises the price of food at the same time.

A real energy bill would allow safe drilling for oil and natural gas off our shores and in ANWR. A real energy bill would advance nuclear power. A real energy bill would work with all types of U.S. energy companies and not make them out to be the enemies.

A real energy bill would do more than require us to use certain light bulbs that, by the way, are only made in China.

And that's just the way it is.