Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the House leadership for scheduling action on this important legislation. It is designed to stiffen and standardize the penalties for folks who willfully damage or destroy our public lands. It also sets a tough minimum fine of $500 for individuals who violate fire regulations on public lands when a complete ban on open fires is in place.

I want to recognize and thank Chairman Pombo and Chairman Goodlatte for their efforts on this bill. I'd also like to thank my colleague from Colorado, Mr. Udall for his assistance.

In the last twenty years, Americans have found new ways to enjoy their public lands and waterways beyond just hiking, horseback riding, or powerboats. Today, mountain bikers, snowmobilers and others also use our public lands. Many of these vehicles represent the only access to the great outdoors available to a whole segment of our population-- folks like senior citizens and the disabled who wouldn't otherwise be able to enjoy beautiful places like the Pike National Forest in my district.

The economic impact for Colorado of these kinds of recreational activities contributes more than $200 million to our economy, creating more than 3,000 jobs. With those economic benefits however, have come conflicts and irresponsible actors. This legislation is designed to help ensure that those irresponsible actors pay the price for their actions.

Recreation on our public lands and waterways will continue to grow-- and it should. This bill will help equip our land managers with the means to appropriately and evenhandedly enforce land use regulations against those few bad apples who spoil the whole bunch. The TRAIL Act accomplishes this by creating consistent fines and penalties among all of our land use agencies. In doing so, the bill also increases fines and penalties substantially for people who knowingly engage in inappropriate behavior.

The second section of the bill addresses the growing problem of human caused wildfires on our public lands. Over the last ten years, human carelessness has been responsible for the ignition of over one million wildfires on our public lands. By comparison, lighting has caused only about one-tenth that many fires over the same time period.

The current penalties for violating fire regulations vary from agency to agency. In a practical sense, however, the fines are generally assessed at a far lower level. In fact, under current law, fines are set as low as $25--little more than the cost of a seatbelt ticket in most states. I believe, as I think most people do, that these weak penalties lack any real deterrent value for would-be violators. In fact, one district ranger in Colorado related a story to me about a would-be visitor to the Pike National Forest who called to inquire if he could pay the puny fine in advance.

He told me that even in the midst of a fire season like the 2002 season in Colorado--where some 800 human caused wildfires destroyed over a quarter of a million acres--that enforcing the fire ban was a continuing problem, in large part because the fine is so small.

Enhancing the penalties for those who choose to disregard the directives of our land managers is one way we can reduce both the number of human caused wildfires and the terrible destruction they leave in their wake by . creating a deterrent. This bill would accomplish that by imposing a minimum fine of $500 for individuals who violate fire bans.

I hope the House will pass the bill, and ask for your support.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to applaud the accomplishments of a group of Douglas County, Colorado student- athletes. The Varsity Football team from Douglas County, High School-- Emilio Acosta, Bobby Acsell, Mitch Acsell, Ethan Adkins, Weston Anderson, Carrett Angus, Charles Arnold, Will Arnold, Jermoe Atkinson, Joe Barlow, Hunter Bartz, Anthony Bortot, Justin Brown, Chris Cancino, Dillon Carlson, Tanner Clark, Nate Cotanch, Dustin Davis, Luke Diehl, Rob Evans, Michael Facchinello, Joel Fassler, Steve Fendry, Grant Fisher, Kyle Folven, Kyle Galenza, Keiffer Garton, Andy Giepel, Ryan Groat, Nick Hernon, J.T. Herbert, Ben Hitchcock, Kaither Holiway, Tyler Jackson, Nick Kennedy, Drew Kesinger, Logan Klossner, Cole Kranhenbuhl, Chris Lagace, Eric Lawson, Zachary Loudon, Jordan Lyons, Mark McCarron, Tim McGraw, Jordan Manghan, Kris Mansfield, Ryan Misare, Andy Muns, Cody Monroe, Matt Monroe, Andy Nappo, Zach Nye, James O'Hara, Drew O'Malley, CJ Oechle, Taylor Oswald, Dan Oulliber, Curtis Prock, Matt Przylucki, Tucker Reddy, Ian Reither, Cory Reynolds, Spencer Rich, Landon Richey, Marcus Richtel, EJ Rivera, Josh Rodriquez, Jesse Royce, Joshua Ruff, Cody Sanders, Jacke Schwab, Jake Schultz, Aaron Shaffer, Richard Speact, Jeff Stevens, Ryan Swope, Terrence Taylor, Chris Treloar, Kevin Vanzet, Nick Voyles, Dominick Wagner, Chauncey Wahinya, Adam Walsh, Clint Weis, Cameron White, Mike Whitney, Joe Williams, Matt Zoeteway and their coaches, Jeff Ketron, Gene Hill, Buce Misare, Mike Wade, Kevin Folven, Lon Smith, Steve Bantz, RL Boyles, Pat McGrawl, Mike Smith, Jodie White, Brandon Gilbert and Melissa Martinez--won the Colorado State Division 5A Football Championship on December 3, 2005.

After completing the season at 9-1, the Huskies were given the first place seeding in the State playoff bracket. They won the next four games and this outstanding group of athletes earned their first ever State Championship.

The Huskies have trained intensively while maintaining a standard of academic excellence throughout the season. It is my pleasure to honor their championship, and to wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to applaud the accomplishments of a group of Highlands Ranch, Colorado student- athletes. The Varsity Football team from Thunder Ridge High School-- Tyler Ames, William Ard, Cody Barday, Jesse Bartholomew, Damjan Bates, Dylan Baumgarten, Brian Behnke,Shay Belfiore, Kyle Black, Sean Brandon, Lucas Braun, James Breidel, Shawn Brevig, John Callahan, Evan Carter, Chris Carpenter, Hunter Caulder, Josh Ceccarelli, Bryce Clark, Robert Clark, Phillip Clukies, Mike Coffey, Chris Collins, Richie Cooper, Evan Crabdree, Carlos Cristaldo, Justin Curnow, Scott Day, Matt England, Ben Faddis, Paden Faulkner, Matt Flood, Brennan Fox, Brendan Gallagher, Desi Gallegos, Cody Gibbs, Caleb GoIter, Russ Gorhum, Alex' Guesnier, Corey Hankins, Zach Hansen, Clay Harrison, Chris Hernley, Michael' Hoffman, Cory Hofstetter, Ryan Huber, Matt Hutton, Ryan Jellum, Nick Kochan, Jordan LeMarinel, Brian Lawrence, Bryce Lines, Nick Lind, Benny Lopez, Nate McCarroll, Matt Maichele, Kyle Manhart, Cody Martin, Jordan Meek, Drew Miguel, Eric Moats, Brendan Nelson, Tyler Nelson, Brandon Nelson, Doug Nisenson, Alex Nittoli, Will Palamet, Tim Papik, Shane Pickrell, Brent Pokryfke, Chris Ray, Josh Roach, LeRoy Santos, Steven Savage, Alex Sawyer, Josh Schaner, Patrick Sharshel, Cory Sicard, Ethan Sizer, Ben Smith, Parker Smith, Travis Somma, Tyler Spieker, Andrew Tapp, J.T. , Taylor, Bret Techentien, Zach Tiedgen, Brandon Townsley, James Tucker, Andrew Ulmer, Danny Vail, Tyler VanderVegt, Jeff Watt, Riley Williamson, Derrick Youhas, Eric Zane, Chuck Zimmerman and their coaches, Joe Johnson, Joe White, Ryan Hollingshead, Jon Ackerman, Mick Ward, Marty Moon, Kent Milius, Matt Chapman, Steve Miller, John Reyes, Joe Wegner, Nick Grimm, Craig Kyllonen--won the Colorado State Division 4A Football Championship on December 3, 2005.

After their undefeated season, the Grizzlies gained the second place seeding in the State

playoff bracket. They won the next four games and this outstanding group of athletes earned the right to be called State Champions.

The Grizzlies have trained intensively while maintaining a standard of academic excellence throughout the season. It is my pleasure to honor their championship, and to wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sergeant Luis Reyes of Aurora, Colorado.

Sergeant Reyes died November 18, 2005 after succumbing to injuries he sustained near Ali Al Salem, Kuwait carrying out his duties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sergeant Reyes was a member of the 947th Engineer Company, Army National Guard, Durango, Colorado and a graduate of Montbello High School in Denver.

He was just 26 years old.

According to media reports, Sergeant Reyes and other Colorado members of the Guard were carrying out a mission to help repair, improve and reconstruct damaged and inadequate infrastructure in Iraq.

Reyes was known to his friends and colleagues as dedicated to his work, his family and the mission. He was described as someone who would often, ``go above and beyond'' the call of duty.

He is survived by his wife, two children, father, mother and a brother.

Mr. Speaker, all Americans owe Sergeant Reyes and his family a great debt of gratitude for his service to our Nation. My deepest sympathies go out to his friends and family.

He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Mr. Speaker, please let us tonight think about what we have accomplished, not in terms of what we have up in front of us, but what we have accomplished so far.

Did the Members know that 47 countries have reestablished embassies in Iraq? Did the Members know that 3,100 schools have been renovated? Did the Members know that Iraq's higher education structure consists of 20 universities, 46 institutes or colleges, and four research centers, all operating? Did the Members know that 25 Iraq students departed for the United States in January to reestablish the Fulbright program? Did the Members know that the Iraqi Navy is operational? Did the Members know that the Iraqi Air Force consists of three operational squadrons? Did the Members know that Iraq has a counterterrorist unit and a commando battalion?

Did the Members know that the Iraqi police service has over 55,000 fully trained and equipped police officers? Did the Members know that there are five police academies in Iraq that produce over 3,500 new officers every 8 weeks? Did the Members know that Iraq has an independent media that consists of 75 radio stations, 180 newspapers, 10 television stations? Did the Members know that two candidates in the Iraq presidential election had a televised debate recently?

We have accomplished a great deal. We are on the road to success.

I, like every other American, I am sure everybody in this room, want every American home tomorrow. I want them home and safe. I voted for the resolution to put these people in harm's way; and, therefore, like everybody here who did the same thing, I know that you feel as I do, a knife goes through your heart every time you see something on television, every time you read a report of another American being killed in Iraq. I want them home.

I want them home as soon as that mission is completed, the mission we sent them on, and a mission that I do not want extended by 1 hour or 1 minute because of what we may do here.

Now, Mr. Speaker, I will tell you, it is not a secret to anybody in this body, I am not on the best terms with the President and the White House. Certainly I do not get invited over there any more than my colleagues on the other side of the aisle because I have been in opposition to many of his plans and proposals. However, I ask my friends on the other side of the aisle to do this, and I beg them to do this: Please do not let your hatred for the President of the United States get in the way of what I know is your basic love for this country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sergeant Larry W. Pankey of Morrison, Colorado. Sergeant Pankey died October 3 at Walter Reed Army Medical center here in the Washington, D.C. area, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sergeant Pankey was assigned to the 467th U.S. Anny Reserve Engineer Battalion, Greenwood, Mississippi. He is survived by his wife and daughter in Morrison, Colorado, and his mother in Louisiana.

Mr. Speaker, we owe Sergeant Pankey a great debt of gratitude for his service to America. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to friends and family of Sergeant Pankey.

He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-Hui to Washington, D.C. this week.

President Lee is perhaps best known as a primary architect of Taiwan's miraculous transition from dictatorship to democracy. He is a founding father of the island's well-known, vibrant, multiparty electoral system, and is often referred to simply as ``Mr. Democracy.''

Lee helped engineer various political reforms after becoming Vice President in 1984 and remained a steadfast force for democratization on the island after assuming the presidency in 1988. He convinced members of Taiwan's legislature, who were elected on the Chinese mainland some forty years earlier, to retire--opening the door for free and open parliamentary elections. He also championed changes to Taiwan's constitution to allow for direct popular election of the president-- ushering in a new era of freedom in Taiwan.

In 1996, Lee was elected President in Taiwan's first direct Presidential election. His election was a watershed moment, paving the way for a peaceful transition of power in 2000 when the people of Taiwan elected Democratic Progressive Party candidate Chen Shui-Bian as President--marking the end of five decades of one-party rule on the island.

President Lee was able to engineer this transition peacefully, and under continued threats from communist China. His achievements demonstrate the power of democracy, and he deserves our respect for his determination and dedication to freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Cresthill Middle School in Highlands Ranch Colorado. Cresthill has been named an Intel School of Distinction in Professional Development. This award recognizes schools in which teachers, administrators, and staff work together to continuously improve student learning.

The Intel School of Distinction award adds to the list of honors bestowed upon Cresthill Middle School, which has also been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. These honors reflect the school's extraordinary commitment to education and speak to the dedication of the teachers, students, and parents.

Mr. Speaker, schools such as Cresthill Middle School that foster academic excellence for its students and professional development for its teachers, deserve recognition. In its mission statement, Cresthill Middle School champions all students in the quest toward achievement and responsible citizenship. I am proud to congratulate the school both for living up to its mission and for being recognized as an Intel School of Distinction.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend to the people of Taiwan my heartiest congratulations as we approach October 10 or National Day--the founding day of the Republic of China.

Since the ROC government was founded on the Chinese mainland nearly 100 years ago, the people and government of the republic have made great economic and political strides. Over the last several decades, Taiwan has been transformed from a one-party state, into a thriving global economic powerhouse, a generous and responsible member of the international community, and perhaps the most vibrant multi-party democracy in the Western Pacific.

This year has been an especially eventful year in Taiwan's democratic evolution as voters on the island made historic revisions to the ROC constitution through a referendum process--a process that could never have been conducted on the Chinese mainland. President Chen and the Taiwanese people deserve our respect and admiration for moving forward with this historic election despite pressure from communist China in the face of the recently passed so-called ``anti-secession law.''

Again, I congratulate the people of Taiwan on this National Day, and I hope that this important national holiday will inspire the people of Taiwan and their elected leaders of all parties to work together to preserve the future of Taiwan.

Mr. Speaker, I recently spoke with a young high school student in the wake of the Katrina disaster. He was quite interested in discussing the taxpayers role in absorbing costs of reconstruction and relief in the affected areas. He was so enthusiastic, in fact, that he presented me with a research paper he drafted for his government class. The paper provides some interesting historical insights, and I submit it for the Record.

General Welfare

(By Zachary Robinson)

The New Testament Christian School.--The year was 1829, and

the setting for a Constitutional test was the nation's

capital. A

fire had swept through a large part of Washington D.C.

leaving many people homeless and in need of help. As one

might expect, many people wanted to help, including the

Congress of the United States of America. On the morning

after the fire, with compassionate haste, Congress voted

twenty thousand dollars of the nation's money to be given to

the victims of the fire. One well known congressman in

particular voted in approval of this bill; his name was Davy

Crockett.

When Crockett returned to his home state, he expected to be

greeted with much praise and approval for having extended

kindness to those in need with his vote in favor of this

bill. However, as he was walking down a small, country road,

he instead received a surprising rebuke! He met up with a

voter from his state. Asking this man if when the time came

to reelect Crockett as a Congressman he would vote for him,

the man, whose name was Horatio Bunce, responded to Crockett

by telling him that he would most definitely not! His reason,

even more shocking to Crockett, was because of the way that

Crockett had voted on the bill afore mentioned! A shocked and

confused Crockett asked him why he was not happy with his

position on this bill. Bunce then reminded him that no power

had ever been given to the Congress by the Constitution to

spend the public's money for the benefit of a special group

of people, no matter how desperate the situation was. Any

money spent by Congress had to be spent on something that

would benefit the whole country equally and not just a

special part of it. Crockett quickly realized that he had

been wrong failing in the true application of the

Constitution's original intent. He apologized to Bunce and

his other constituents for what he had done promising that he

would always remember the lesson that Bunce had taught him

that day concerning the Congress' power in the spending of

the people's money as clearly stated in the Constitution.

After this occurrence, Crockett was faced with another

Constitutional decision concerning this same controversial

`general welfare' clause. Congress was to vote again on

whether they should give money to a special group. This time

it was an individual--a widow of a deceased naval officer.

When it came time to vote, Congressman Crockett rose and

boldly said the following:

``Mr. Speaker, I have as much sympathy as . . . any man in

this House, but . . . Congress has no power to appropriate

this money as an act of charity. Every member upon this house

floor knows it. We have the right as individuals, to give

away as much of our own money as we please in charity; but as

members of Congress we have no right to appropriate a dollar

of the public money . . . Mr. Speaker, I have said the we

have the right to give as much of our own money as we please.

I am the poorest man on this floor. I cannot vote for this

bill, but I give one week's pay to the object, and if every

member of the Congress will do the same, it will amount to

more than the bill asks.''

The bill was turned down as a result of this and Crockett

did give one week of his pay as an act of charity to the

widow, but, interestingly enough, not one of the other

Congressman did the same! This is an important point for us

to understand. When the Congressmen were going to give money

to the widow that was not theirs to give, the amount of money

to be given was to be large. But when it came to giving out

of their own pockets, they could not bring themselves to do

it! It seems that it is much easier for people to be generous

and compassionate with money that is not theirs than to meet

other's needs with their own.

In Article 1, Section 8, paragraph 1, clause 4 of the

Constitution of the United States, it states that Congress

has the power to spend money for the ``general welfare of the

United States.'' The key word in this statement is the word

``general.'' When the writers included the word ``general''

in this sentence, they wanted the people to know and

understand that Congress was only allowed to spend money that

would benefit the people of the United States as a whole

equally, not as a special group or just part of its

population.

In fact, there is no provision in the Constitution for the

use of monies to be given to any special interest groups,

states, cities, or citizens. This would be called special

welfare and cannot be found anywhere in the Constitution!

Obviously, this clause is now violated all of the time as it

has been grossly twisted and misinterpreted ever since the

Supreme Court, which has no authority to write law, supported

this `special welfare' view of this clause in 1936. Now we

pay taxes and Congress uses them to pay for things that do

not help everyone equally in our nation but fall instead to

special people with special needs. This is wrong and goes

against what the founder's original intentions were for the

resource of the people's money that they have been entrusted

to protect.

Members of Congress need to be reminded of what the

Constitution actually says and means so the abuse of this

power will not continue and true `general welfare' can be

reinstated! Also, in light of today's recent tragedies, do

not think I am advocating for the neglect of those in our

country who are truly in need. On the contrary, the much

needed special welfare for specific groups and crisis' can

and should be encouraged where it has always been best

served--at the local individual, town, and/or state levels.

Here is where it can most effectively be given and protected

meeting the needs where they can be more clearly understood

and aided.

May we all become more respectful and responsible with the

interpretation of our Constitution concerning our nation's

money learning the lesson Davy Crockett learned so long ago.

May we also rise to the occasion when it presents itself and

dig deep in our own pockets giving what is ours to give when

our fellow countrymen are in obvious need. May we recognize

this is what makes our country so strong and great! This--our

individual liberty and character to do what is right knowing

one day it might be ourselves who are in need of a helping

hand!

May God bless America!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Matt Glasgow, who is set to retire from his position as a Public Affairs Specialist with the U.S. Forest Service on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado.

In addition to serving the public as member of the U.S. Forest Service, Matt spent 20 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1981. During that time, Matt served in posts as far away as Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Closer to home, he spent time in Washington serving at posts in the Pentagon, the White House, and the U.S. Capitol.

Matt was a recipient of numerous military awards, including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, the Joint Services Commendation Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. He has also received several well deserved merit awards from the U.S. Forest Service.

Mr. Speaker, Matt has spent the last few decades serving America.

His dedication to public service, his expertise, his commitment, and his enthusiasm on the forest will all be missed.

Mr. Speaker, please submit the following transcript from the June 25, 2005 meeting of the Iranian Human Rights and Democracy Caucus for the Record.

Congressman Tom Tancredo: We are going to be talking about

the election in Iran and the aftermath of the election.

According to reports the mullahs employed a variety of

methods to get Mahmood Ahmadinejad elected and including the

use of 5 million national ID cards of the deceased, voting

with unofficial ID cards, voting with both passports and

birth certificates outside of Iran to allow the mullahs men

to write in their votes twice, paying $15.5 million 300,000

members of the parliamentary Bassij force in support of a

particular candidate, buying votes for $35.00 each in many

provinces, furthermore in recent years we have learned

critical information about the mullahs of nuclear program.

Since then the international community has come to better

appreciate the extent of Iran's involvement in terrorist

activity abroad, nuclear ambitions and interference in Iraq,

Lebanon and Palestine. It would be a monumental error if we

assume that the mullahs are reformable, can tolerate

intellectually progress and regional or international peace.

I look forward to the testimony of today's witnesses and I

hope they can illuminate for us Iran's recent elections and

their implications for the U.S. and the world.

Dr. Kenneth Katzman (Excerpt): Congressional Research

Service--The twists and turns of the Iranian presidential

election in 2005 might indicate that Iranian politics are

more vibrant and less scripted than some experts, and some

Administration officials appear to believe. On the other

hand, Bush Administration criticism of the Council of

Guardians' heavy hand in candidate selection--and eliminating

of all women candidates from the competition--is accurate. .

. . Although Iranian voters apparently did not vote for him

because of his foreign policy positions, his victory has now

ensured a hardliner lock on virtually all major

institutions--the Supreme Leadership, the Council of

Guardians, 6 clerics appointed by Khamenei plus 6 jurists

appointed by the judiciary, the Majles, the Expediency

Council, and now the presidency and government ministries.

The 86-seat Assembly of Experts is elected. Reformists are

now virtually shut out. . . . Potential alterations to

Tehran's bargaining strategies at the nuclear talks with the

so-called ``EU-3'', Britain, France, and Germany, are perhaps

harder to judge. During his second round campaign,

Ahmadinejad pointedly criticized the Foreign Ministry

negotiators as too willing to make dramatic concessions in

order to reach a deal with the EU-3. Those penalties will

likely be the subject of discussion between the United States

and its European allies.

Professor Raymond Tanter (Excerpt): Iran Policy Committee--

With regard to the turnout in the June 2005 Iranian

elections, a Council on Foreign Relations analyst referenced

Iran's notorious Ministry of Intelligence and Security to

validate the regime's announced turnout numbers. . . . I

think if disinformation means anything it means that you

don't go to the Ministry of Intelligence and Security to find

out what the turnout is! I've heard reports from some of the

smaller cities in Iran that the opposition-led boycott was

very effective. The turnout was between 10 percent and 20

percent not the regime's inflated figure of over 50 percent.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the

lower the turnout rate, the less the legitimacy of that

government. . . . In addition, the so-called election was

actually a ``selection'' because the Supreme Leader Khamenie

handpicked candidates in advance of the vote. He started

nearly two years ago to have the revolutionary guards take

control over all organs of the regime. This power play did

not begin a month before the June elections. There was

some internal dissent, and Khamenie thought it was

important for him to control all organs of power. . . .

President Bush deserves credit for condemning the ``sham

selections'' and hence de-legitimizing them in advance.

Here is a three-point plan of the Iran Policy Committee to

facilitate regime change in Iran. First, remove the

Mujaheddin-e Khalq from the Foreign Terrorist Organizations

list. Secondly, expand U.S. funding for Iranian opposition

groups and nongovernmental organizations committed to

democratic change in Iran, including the Mujaheddin-e Khalq

and related groups. Thirdly, invite Iranian opposition

leaders to the White House and to the Congress; these leaders

would include leaders of the Mujaheddin-e Khalq and members

of the National Council of Resistance of Iran.

Congressman Tom Tancredo: It does seem, listening to you,

there is a ray of sunshine and you both have just let shine

on this because, would we be Pollyannaish to think and that

it is good that he is going to disavow any foreign investment

and therefore any internationalization of the economy, those

oil revenues will be less effective perhaps and the mischief

making, then they otherwise would be if the economy were to

thrive under a more expansive or more open arrangement.

Congressman Tom Tancredo: I would like to recognize a

member who has joined us, congressman Clay.

Congressman William Lacy Clay: I appreciate hearing from

Dr. Tanter and the other witnesses here, defined out their

take on the recent elections in Iran. Let me also say that

it's OK to mention Florida, you can also mention Ohio. This

is a bipartisan committee [laughter] I'm delighted to be

here, it's a pleasure, thank you.

Ilan Berman (Excerpt): American Foreign Policy Council--. .

. A great deal of think has been spilt in recent weeks in an

attempt to game the Iranian elections. The art of predicting

have the next president is going to be has been elevated to

high drama, certainly on the editorial pages that we've all

read. Also I think it's important to note that most of this

analysis has been spectacularly wrong, not just wrong but

spectacularly wrong. . . . The power centers within the

Islamic Republic are fully consolidated under the leadership

of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In the past, the outgoing

President Mohammad Khatami had succeeded on a very notable

but very few and far between occasions on breaking with the

clerical leadership and doing so publicly. With the rise of

Mr. Ahmadinejad such descent is more than likely going to

become a thing of the past. Given his political leanings and

his revolutionary credentials he is likely to steer the

Iranian presidency into the out right rubber stamp of the

clerical leadership. That is the first implication. . . .

Second is that Mr. Ahmadinejad's ascendance to power actually

mirrors a deeper political shift that has taken place within

that the Iranian politics

over the last couple of years. The reformists we now all see

are in retreat and internal political changes have shifted

power and shifted power dramatically to a cadre of clerical

hardliners who are committed to revitalizing and even

expanding the Islamic revolution. . . . Iran in short,

constitutes a mounting strategic challenge to the United

States and also to U.S. objectives and the broader Middle

East and the war on terror. Unfortunately, and I use the same

caviar and the Dr. Katzman did, that these are my views

alone, the White House seems to have failed to articulate a

comprehensive strategy towards addressing, not only the

nuclear program but also the broader strategic threat from

the Iranian regime and I think I'd like to conclude by saying

that this is a high time in a good benchmark for us to urge

to change that policy and to actually adopt a proactive

approach.

Question from VOA: I'm wondering what the future relations

between Iran and the United States and I see it as stage that

there is a divergence between the European in the U.S.

concerns. The EU is welcoming the elections and the Americans

are denouncing the elections. What do you see as the future

of Iran, U.S. EU relations and negotiations on the nuclear

issue?

Congressman Tom Tancredo: I think we will have quite a

tussle over the possibility of sanctions we mentioned earlier

that if they do have an effect and I would imagine that will

be arguing with our friends in Europe about things like that.

Is not surprising to me that we see this divergence of

opinion between Europe and the United States with regard to

Iran but I have to admit myself that I have a hard time

understanding the opinions that are being expressed about the

president. I think to some degree our State Department is a

reflection of Europe. We're going to be very pragmatic about

this, we may not like it but that's the way it is and we'll

make the best of it. That's the pragmatic view and I think

that Europe takes that and I would say the more realistic

view is that we have to change the situation. The status quo

is not acceptable, it's far too dangerous. But I don't know

that my opinion will be the one taken by the administration.

Offered By: Mr. Tancredo

Amendment No. 1: At the end (before the short title),

insert the following new title:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a fallen soldier from Highlands Ranch, SSG Christopher M. Falkel. Staff Sergeant Falkel died during combat operations in Deh Afghan, Afghanistan. He was just 22 years old.

Chris was a member of the elite Green Berets, and was affectionately known by his colleagues as ``little brother.'' He was well known by his peers for his principle, toughness, patriotism, love of country and his bravery.

Staff Sergeant Falkel was a 2001 graduate of Thunder Ridge High School in Colorado. He enlisted that October with the goal of serving his country in the Special Forces. After completing courses in Arabic language and survival, evasion, resistance and escape he began Special Forces training in 2002.

Ultimately, Christopher was assigned to the 1st Special Warfare Training group, where he served his country with honor and distinction, earning--among other awards and medals--the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

Mr. Speaker, my deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences go out to friends and family of Staff Sergeant Falkel.

Christopher served his country with bravery and distinction, fighting against the forces of tyranny and oppression. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

All Americans owe Christopher and his family a great debt of gratitude. We honor his service and his sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, it is with deep regret and heartfelt admiration that I rise today to honor a fallen soldier from my district, 25-year-old Petty Officer Second Class Danny P. Dietz of Littleton. Petty Officer Dietz was killed in the line of action during recent fighting in Afghanistan.

Danny was part of an elite commando team conducting counterterrorism operations in the mountainous Kunar province. He was just 25 years old. Before being assigned to the SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team, Danny was a 1999 graduate of Heritage High School.

Mr. Speaker, my deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Maria, and indeed all of his family and friends. Danny served his country bravely, honorably and with distinction, fighting for freedom and democracy against the forces of tyranny and oppression. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Americans will not forget his service or the ultimate sacrifice he made--and our nation will forever owe a great debt of gratitude to Danny and his family.