Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor as I have so many times in the past to address an issue dealing with our extradition policy.

Mr. Speaker, a gentleman by the name of Duane Chapman, a bounty hunter that goes by the name of ``Dog,'' faces the strangest of rewards for heroic action.

In 2003, Mr. Chapman received a tip regarding the whereabouts of a millionaire by the name of Andrew Luster. Mr. Luster was a convicted felon who had fled as an escapee from the California Department of Corrections 6 months earlier by jumping $1 million bail on charges that he drugged and raped three women. He was also on the FBI's Most Wanted List, convicted and sentenced to a term of 124 years of imprisonment in absentia for 86 counts of rape, drug and weapons offenses.

Mr. Chapman went to Mexico to act on this tip and was accompanied by a local Mexican police officer. He was also in communications with U.S. officials, who were aware of his activities.

Much to his credit, Mr. Chapman successfully located Mr. Luster and apprehended him. However, on the way to the jail to book Mr. Luster, Chapman's police escort disappeared, strangely. As a result, Mr. Chapman was detained for several days on the relatively minor charge of deprivation of freedom and conspiracy. Mr. Chapman then returned to the U.S. after posting bail.

Thanks to Dog, a serial rapist is now rightly serving a 124-year sentence and the situation seemed to have worked out for the best. But now, years after the fact, it seems that the Mexican Government is intent on extraditing and prosecuting Mr. Chapman. Incredibly, our State Department seems to have no problem being complicit in these proceedings.

I have written the Department of Justice at least once and the Department of State several times just asking them to justify what they have done. I wanted to figure out exactly what their reasoning is for handling this specific case in this way.

There are a lot of legitimate questions. For instance, how is it possible that the Department of Justice would decide to use taxpayer resources to send U.S. Marshals to Hawaii to take Mr. Chapman into custody?

This is an administration that routinely tells Congress that they cannot secure our borders and immigration system due to lack of resources. We are told that the U.S. Attorney's Office in the border States are simply overwhelmed with cases and cannot prosecute all of the violations, even very serious ones. We are told that ICE can't possibly tackle the task of deporting illegal aliens from the interior of our Nation. We are apparently supposed to accept the presence of roughly 100,000 criminal aliens inside our borders, a number that is growing every year, while the U.S. Marshals track down a successful bounty hunter instead.

After formally apprehending Mr. Chapman and putting him into a bevy of new legal proceedings, the question of extradition is raised. Though my observations of our extradition treaty with Mexico indicate that it is not absolutely binding, conventional wisdom has seemed to assume that the treaty between the U.S. and Mexico requires Chapman's extradition. But it is just this, conventional wisdom. It is not part of the treaty, apparently.

I am not the only one to question whether extradition ought to proceed. One recent news story reported that although the U.S. and Mexico informally agreed to recognize trans-border captures by bounty hunters as extraditable offenses, this provision was never fully incorporated into the extradition treaty. The report indicates that this ``informal'' addition to the treaty came after bounty hunters captured a gentleman by the name of Humberto Alvarez-Machain, a Mexican physician implicated in the torture and execution of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agent. Alvarez-Machain maintained that his capture violated the U.S.-Mexico extradition treaty.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Alvarez-Machain's claim in 1992. In the decision, Justice Rehnquist wrote that the treaty ``says nothing about the obligations of the United States and Mexico to refrain from forcible abductions of people from the territory of the other nation, or the consequences under the treaty if such an abduction occurs.'' That is his quote.

Mexico's Government was upset by the decision which gave rise to its ``informal'' addition to the treaty. Alan Kreczko, then deputy legal adviser to the Secretary of State, then James Baker, said in congressional testimony that the U.S. and Mexican governments had exchanged letters recognizing that trans-border abductions by so-called bounty hunters and other private individuals would be considered extraditable offenses by both nations.

This international dispute should have remained amicably resolved by virtue of the fact that justice has clearly been served in the case of ``Dog'' Chapman. But now that these events have been set in motion anew, the best resolution in which we can hope for would come from the Mexican government and judiciary when they dismiss the charges pending against the Chapmans and also to withdraw their request for extradition.

Let's just say that I am not over optimistic for this stand by Secretary Rice to refuse extradition to Mr. Chapman, and I hope this good deed does not go unpunished.

Madam Speaker, it has been two years since the ``legislature'' of the People's Republic of China passed the so-called ``anti-secession'' law. The enactment of this law by China's rubber- stamp parliament represented a clear-cut, belligerent and dangerous step toward a military attack of a peaceful and democratic ally of the United States. Moreover, it underscored once again that the government in Beijing is not sincere about resolving its differences with Taiwan in a peaceful or rational manner.

America's position is clear: Any change in the status quo between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan must have the assent of the people of Taiwan. As such, resolving the differences between these two nations can only be achieved through honest and direct state-to-state negotiations without preconditions. They cannot be resolved by intimidation, indignant bluster or threats of military force from Beijing.

Unfortunately, in the two years since Beijing created this ``legal framework'' for starting a war with Taiwan, little has changed. China continues to point some 900 ballistic missiles at Taiwan and continues to ramp up its military spending and its military activities--none of this indicates that China is pursuing a peaceful settlement with its neighbor across the strait.

Madam Speaker, the truth is that Taiwan and China are not united. They are not ``one country'' as the communists in Beijing are so fond of asserting. If they were there would be no talk of ``unification.'' China must accept that it does not have jurisdiction over Taiwan, and abandon this kind of counter-productive saber rattling.

I hope that the family of free nations will join me in condemning the ``anti-secession law'' with a unified voice, making it clear to China that any resolution of cross-straits tensions must be peaceful and above all acceptable to the people of Taiwan.

Mr. Speaker, the approaching vote on this resolution has caused me and I am sure many of my colleagues to give serious and considerable thought to the most difficult issue that faces America today.

Like many of my friends on both sides of the aisle, and like many Americans I am opposed to increasing our troop presence in Iraq. I am sure we have all asked ourselves individually what we would do if we were in the oval office at this time.

If I were in the oval office, if I were Commander in Chief, I would tell the Iraqis something similar to what Benjamin Franklin told a woman who asked him as he came out of the negotiations on the Continental Congress, Dr. Franklin, what have you given us? He answered, a Republic if you can keep it.

Mr. Speaker, I believe we have with our blood and treasure already won a great victory when we deposed a dictator and helped the Iraqis set up a fledgling democracy. Frankly, I believe it is up to them to keep it.

Mr. Speaker, the fall of Saddam has helped create a situation in the Middle East that we did not anticipate but one that can be exploited. I believe that the ethnic and sectarian earthquake inside and across the broader Middle East is underway. I believe the fault lines in this conflict can be seen moving today, not just in Iraq, but in Lebanon, Iran and elsewhere.

If I were Commander in Chief, I would do what I could to exploit the situation. I believe it can be exploited, but not if we are acting as a referee in what has become a civil war. I believe that prolonging or increasing the U.S. presence in Iraq will virtually guarantee this fault line will move in a way not advantageous to us.

Sure, if I was President, Mr. Speaker, I can tell you unequivocally I would not be sending an extra 20,000 soldiers. But I am not President of the United States, I am not Commander in Chief, I am a Member of Congress. And while I have every right as a Member of Congress to voice my concerns and objections to what I see as flaws in the strategies this President may choose to employ, neither I nor this Congress has the right to micromanage a war.

Mr. Speaker, our Constitution vests sole authority of the U.S. military in the President of the United States, not in 435 Congressmen or 100 Senators. Our Founding Fathers empowered the President, not the Congress, with the authority precisely to avoid the kind of group micromanagement of our military strategy that we are seeing on this floor today.

I differ with the President on many things, Mr. Speaker. Indeed one of them is the recently announced surge strategy. But while I am concerned about the wisdom of the strategic military decision, Congress does not have the authority nor the ability to manage this war or any other by committee.

I fear that this resolution is just the beginning of a long-term attempt by Congress to become the micromanager of the conflict in Iraq. As many Members have correctly noted, this resolution is nonbinding, but it has been described by its authors as just the bark from the Congressional dog. The bite will come as they say during the appropriations process.

As I said at the beginning, Mr. Speaker, for a time this resolution posed a dilemma for me. But after hours of listening to the debate, reading the Constitution, it helped me to decide how to vote, there is no longer a doubt in my mind. I accept the wisdom of the Founding Fathers and bend to the constraints of the document that we swear to uphold and defend.

I hope that Members of both sides will think carefully about the precedent that this debate will set for the future, for future Presidents, future wars, future soldiers. I would ask them to join me in opposing this ill-conceived resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to applaud our government's decision to allow Taiwan President Chen Shui Bian to visit the United States earlier this month. As you know, President Chen visited both Los Angeles and San Francisco as part of a larger North American trip.

Unfortunately, Madam Speaker, the government of Mexico was not nearly as hospitable to our democratically elected friend.

While President Chen was on his way to Los Angeles, however, he was informed by Mexican authorities that his plane was prohibited from flying over Mexican air space. This unexpected notification forced the President's plane to make a detour over the Pacific Ocean, extending his flight time to Los Angeles from 5 to 10 hours. This arbitrary decision delayed some of President Chen's meetings with U.S. officials, and more importantly, put President Chen and the other passengers on his plane in danger.

Mexico had given Chen permission to fly over Mexican air space on Chen's way to Nicaragua, so why did Mexican officials refuse to grant Taiwan's democratically elected President the same courtesy on his return flight? I think we all know the answer to this question, Madam Speaker.

In all likelihood, Mexico's sudden change of heart is attributable to pressure exerted by the People's Republic of China. Beijing has been relentless in its efforts to isolate our democratic friends on Taiwan, and this shameless move by the mainland is just the latest in a long series of indignities that the Beijing authorities have visited on the Taiwanese people.

Madam Speaker, communist China is always quick to talk about how much they respect the ``Taiwan Compatriots'' across the Taiwan Strait. Unfortunately, their hostile actions never reflect that deceptively rosy rhetoric. By continuing to insult and disrespect Taiwan's democratic government, China insults and disrespects the people of Taiwan who elected that government.

By outsourcing their campaign of intimidation to other countries like Mexico--who seem more than willing to subcontract their foreign policy to Beijing--China continues to drive the people of Taiwan further and further away.

I hope that the next time Taiwan's democratically elected president visits the United States; we can host him here in Washington.

And finally, Madam Speaker, I hope next time Taiwan's democratically elected president visits North America, that other democratic countries in our region will treat him with the courtesy and respect they would afford to any other democratically elected head of state.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my praise for the heroic actions of several law enforcement agencies in Colorado. Authorities from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Park County Sheriff's Office and Colorado State Patrol acted in a swift and competent manner during the hostage standoff at Platte Canyon High School in Bailey, Colorado on September 27, 2006.

Mr. Speaker, these men and women risked their lives to help save students that had been taken hostage by an adult gunman. The situation sparked strong reminders of Columbine High School from April 20, 1999.

Mr. Speaker, that day a young woman lost her life. As Emily Keyes escaped her captor, he shot and fatally wounded her. Her family has requested that this tribute be made to law enforcement. In my conversation with the family, they thankfully praised the Jefferson County Special Weapons and Tactics Regional Team for their actions. The family has since been in consistent communication with them and thankful for the role that they have played in the community.

The Keyes family has also expressed gratefulness for Park County Sheriff Fred Wegener. He was the man who gave the go ahead that day to storm the classroom in an effort to save the lives of the remaining hostages. The Keyes' family has continued to honor their daughter since her tragic death. Her memorial and a charity bike ride have attracted thousands of supporters; a testament to what I'm certain was a wonderful and bright young woman.

Mr. Speaker, while the events at Platte Canyon are tragic, the Keyes family has carried the memory of their daughter and support the actions made by law enforcement that day.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to honor the Castle Rock Young Marines for their support of our World War II veterans.

The Young Marines is open to all youth ages 8 through completion of high school. The only membership requirement is that the youth must be in good standing at school. Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings, in 1958, with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 240 units with 10,000 youth and 3,000 adult volunteers in 46 States, the District of Columbia, Germany, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries.

On Veteran's Day, the Nation's Marine Corps Museum held their grand opening celebration. The Castle Rock Marines from Colorado had heard that the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II would not be attending due to financial reasons. These young marines organized various fundraisers in order to pay for the Navajo Talkers to attend not only the opening ceremony of the Nation's Marine Corps Museum but other important events in the Capital area.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to honor the Castle Rock Young Marines for their support of this unique set of World War II veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to honor a school in my district for their excellence in physical fitness. The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports recognized Beacon Country Day School as a state champion in physical fitness far Category I schools.

The winner of this award is the school with the highest percentage of students performing above the 85th percentile in various physical assessments. The test included various endurance challenges to measure the overall physical fitness of the individuals.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to honor the students of Beacon Country Day School as repeat winners of the President's physical fitness award.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to honor a school in my district for their academic excellence in being named a Blue Ribbon School.

The schools are selected based on one of two criteria: schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance to high levels on state tests; or schools whose students regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests or in the top 10 percent of the nation on nationally-normed tests.

St. Thomas More Parish School met the criteria for this award because it ranks in the top 10 percent of the nation in ITBS scores. This is the first time this Catholic school has received this honor.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to honor the students of St. Thomas More Parish School as recipients of the No Child Left Behind-- Blue Ribbon Schools Award.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to honor a school in my district for their academic excellence in being named a Blue Ribbon School.

The schools are selected based on one of two criteria: schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance to high levels on state tests; or schools whose students regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests or in the top 10 percent of the Nation on nationally-normed tests.

To receive this recognition, Willow Creek Elementary School has had in each of the past three years over 90 percent of its' students perform at ``Proficient'' or ``Advanced'' levels in math and reading. Willow Creek also received this prestigious honor in 1999.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to honor the students of Willow Creek Elementary School as recipients of the No Child Left Behind--Blue Ribbon Schools Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Ms. Laura Londono of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Ms. Londono has been accepted to the People to People World Leadership Forum here in our Nation's Capital. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the People to People program founded by President Eisenhower in 1956.

Ms. Londono has displayed academic excellence, community involvement and leadership potential. All students chosen for the program have been identified and nominated by educators.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to join in paying tribute to Laura Londono, and wish her the best in all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Mr. Christopher Tantillo of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Mr. Tantillo has been accepted to the People to People World Leadership Forum here in our Nation's Capitol. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the People to People program founded by President Eisenhower in 1956.

Mr. Tantillo has displayed academic excellence, community involvement and leadership potential. All students chosen for the program

have been identified and nominated by educators.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to join in paying tribute to Christopher Tantillo, and wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Ms. Danielle Sheehan of Littleton, Colorado. Ms. Sheehan has been accepted to the People to People World Leadership Forum here in our Nation's Capitol. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the People to People program founded by President Eisenhower in 1956.

Ms. Sheehan has displayed academic excellence, community involvement and leadership potential. All students chosen for the program have been identified and nominated by educators.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to join in paying tribute to Danielle Sheehan, and wish her the best in all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Mr. Maxwell Bain of Littleton, Colorado. Mr. Bain has been accepted to the People to People World Leadership Forum here in our nation's Capitol. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the People to People program founded by President Eisenhower in 1956.

Mr. Bain has displayed academic excellence, community involvement and leadership potential. All students chosen for the program have been identified and nominated by educators.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to join in paying tribute to Maxwell Bain, and wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Mr. Michael Tantillo of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Mr. Tantillo has been accepted to the People to People World Leadership Forum here in our Nation's Capitol. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the People to People program founded by President Eisenhower in 1956.

Mr. Tantillo has displayed academic excellence, community involvement and leadership potential. All students chosen for the program have been identified and nominated by educators.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to join in paying tribute to Michael Tantillo, and wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Mr. Marcus Morabito of Littleton, CO. Mr. Morabito has been accepted to the People to People World Leadership Forum here in our Nation's Capitol. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the People to People program founded by President Eisenhower in 1956.

Mr. Morabito has displayed academic excellence, community involvement and leadership potential. All students chosen for the program have been identified and nominated by educators.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to join in paying tribute to Marcus Morabito, and wish him the best in all his future endeavors.