Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, September 7, 2007, I was unavoidably absent during rollcall vote No. 864.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 864.

Madam Speaker, with great appreciation I rise today to honor a dedicated and highly respected law enforcement officer who for more than 32 years steadfastly served and protected the people of Amherst, NY.

Amherst Police Chief John J. Moslow Jr. has led a life deeply committed to service, to justice, to making his community a better place. In charge of the region's largest suburban police force for 8 years, Chief Moslow rolled up countless accomplishments, winning awards for his law enforcement initiatives and accolades for his deft management of high-profile cases. But more than awards and accolades can attest, during his 32 years on the force Chief Moslow has earned the utmost respect of area leaders, local officials and his fellow officers. With his straightforward and effective leadership, Chief Moslow indeed has left the Amherst Police Department stronger than he found it.

Chief Moslow joined the department in 1975 shortly after serving his country in another capacity, as a soldier in the Vietnam War. After serving as patrolman for 6 years, Chief Moslow began his steady rise in the force when he was promoted to patrol lieutenant in 1981. Known for his discipline and professionalism, Chief Moslow was made captain starting in 1989, serving in several different capacities for 10 years before being promoted to chief in 1999.

During his tenure, Chief Moslow led the department through times of unprecedented challenges and met each one head on. Whether it was adapting to the new security realities of a post-September 11th world or responding to surprise snowstorms, Chief Moslow took decisive action and improved the performance of his department every step of the way. His long list of achievements include the department's increased community police presence, investments in new crime-fighting and life- saving technology, the implementation of a new community emergency notification system and the establishment of the Amherst Police Foundation. Also on Chief Moslow's watch, every murder case was solved, each murderer at large taken off the streets, each one brought to justice. As he goes on to serve as Chief of Security of the Eighth Judicial District, serving Western New York's courts, Chief Moslow's legacy in Amherst will certainly live on.

Thus, Madam Speaker, in recognition of his tremendous service for more than 32 years to the people of Amherst, NY, for his leadership, his dedication and the lasting legacy he leaves, I ask this Honorable Body join me in honoring Chief John J. Moslow Jr.

Madam Speaker, with great appreciation and delight I rise today to honor a distinguished and dedicated leader, educator, administrator, and neighbor who for a decade and a half has moved his institution and his community forward.

As President of Rochester Institute of Technology, RIT, Dr. Albert J. Simone has left a lasting and profound mark not only on his professional school, but on the region it calls home. At RIT, Dr. Simone brought innovation, energy, vision and success after success to a school with 15,500 students from all across America and the world, helping make it one of the Nation's leading career-oriented universities.

The effect of his leadership has been felt well beyond campus limits and will be felt for generations to come in Rochester and western New York. A believer in education through collaboration, Dr. Simone has been indispensable in cultivating enriching relationships with local and federal government, western New York businesses, the local community, and nations across the globe. Whether he was engaging students in college classrooms or becoming the first American university president to officially visit North Korea and Vietnam when these regions were largely closed to the United States, Dr. Simone has understood the importance of reaching out, connecting, and working together.

Ever since arriving in Rochester from Hawaii in 1992, Dr. Simone has immersed himself and RIT in the western New York community. Involved in countless organizations--including the Rochester Business Alliance, the Center for Governmental Research, the Executive Committee of Upstate Partners, and High Technology of Rochester, just to name a few--Dr. Simone has put his characteristic zeal and intelligence to work to make Rochester work. Although an incomparable educator at heart, having taught at MIT, Northeastern University, Boston College, and others, Dr. Simone has become a regional leader as much as an educational leader.

Thus, Madam Speaker, in recognition of the indelible mark Dr. Simone has left on RIT, Rochester and western New York, his remarkable educational and administrative accomplishments, and his spirit to make his community a better place, I ask that this honorable body join me in honoring Dr. Albert J. Simone.

Madam Speaker, with great pride and appreciation I rise today to honor a dedicated, determined and now highly acclaimed law enforcement officer who has stopped at nothing to serve his country and his neighbors.

Today I am delighted to join the chorus of well-deserved praise for Sergeant Gregory J. Rudolph, an officer who has led a life deeply committed to making his Wyoming County community a better and safer place. This year, Sgt. Rudolph was honored by both the New York State Sheriff Association and then the National Sheriff's Association as Deputy of the Year, an award reflecting Sgt. Rudolph's supreme service as an officer.

Yet more than any awards can show, Sgt. Rudolph is a true hero--a selfless individual who has risked his own life to protect the lives of others. And more than my words can demonstrate, Sgt. Rudolph is an inspiration to those in Wyoming County and beyond--a survivor who has overcome each and every challenge with a positive attitude and a steadfast strength of will.

After graduating from Genesee Community College, Sgt. Rudolph began his career of service in 1994 by enlisting in the United States Navy. While serving admirably as a Front Line Supervisor for 3 years, Sgt. Rudolph was confronted with an enemy beyond the scope of his military training--the onset of cancer. It was a battle that Sgt. Rudolph would wage with characteristic resolve and dignity, and it was a battle he would win, surviving a horrible disease and continuing on even stronger than before.

After his honorable discharge in 1997, Sgt. Rudolph returned to Wyoming County to serve in a different capacity, as a substitute teacher at Attica Central School. While teaching, he would begin his law enforcement career at the Attica Police Department in 1997, and 4 years later joined the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office as a deputy sheriff. Described as reliable, loyal, unselfish and sincere by fellow officers, Rudolph was promoted to sergeant in 2005.

Sgt. Rudolph's well-known qualities were never more apparent than on March 15, 2006, when he would again summon his tremendous willpower to serve and protect to the best of his abilities. Responding to a call of an armed man threatening suicide, Sgt. Rudolph was struck in the face by shotgun blasts after the occupant of the house opened fire without warning or provocation. Despite his injuries, Sgt. Rudolph maintained communication with other officers and provided invaluable information, eventually leading to the peaceful arrest of the gunman and saving other officers and innocent civilians from any further injuries. Sgt. Rudolph would soon fully recover and in remarkable time return to work. A partial pellet still left lodged in his face, Sgt. Rudolph today supervises the 3 to 11 p.m. shift, a survivor yet again and a role model to us all.

Thus, Madam Speaker, in recognition of his tremendous and selfless service, as a serviceman, an educator, an officer, and a Wyoming County neighbor, I ask that this honorable

body join me in honoring a hero and a survivor, Sergeant Gregory J. Rudolph.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and delight that I rise today to recognize and celebrate the Village of Geneseo on its 175th Anniversary.

From its lush and beautiful landscape to its historical and picturesque architecture, from its tradition of excellent education and thriving agriculture to its wonderful and generous people, the Village of Geneseo has much to celebrate on its 175th anniversary.

Located in the pleasant Genesee Valley in Livingston County, Geneseo has from the very beginning charmed onlookers and visitors with its natural beauty and landscapes. Centuries ago, Seneca Indians discovered a peaceful, rolling valley near a river that was bordered between the Finger Lakes to the east and waterfalls, which would become Letchworth State Park, to the west. They named the land jo-nis-hi-yuh, meaning beautiful valley, which would come to be spelled Geneseo. Thus Geneseo's very name captures its beautiful landscape of hills, grand oak trees, waterways and green fields that continue to captivate.

In 1790, two brothers, James and William Wadsworth purchased the ``beautiful valley'' from the Senecas, and Geneseo was founded. They built homes on both ends of Main Street, many of which still stand today. It was the beginning of what today is one of the most scenic and quaint Main Streets in America. Only one of 24 communities in the country to have its historic district recognized as having national significance, Geneseo's Main Street Historic District reflects the beauty of the area's landscape with unique and delightful architecture nestled in a picturesque, small-town community.

In 1832, the settlement was chartered and would from then on known as the ``Village of Geneseo.'' This important moment marked the official formation of local government and village boundaries, which now mark their 175th year. Later, another important charter would be enacted when in 1897 the New York State Legislature chartered the Wadsworth Normal School at Geneseo, a school that would become SUNY Geneseo. Today, with a reputation as one of the nation's best public liberal arts schools, SUNY Geneseo is an integral part of the community, educating and preparing thousands of young people through its tremendous programs and resources.

Beyond its landscape, history, architecture, and educational tradition, possibly nothing is as inseparable from Geneseo as farming and agriculture. More than just a vital industry that helps feed our nation, farming in Geneseo is a way of life that has shaped the region and sustained its economy. Combined with Geneseo's academic, architectural and natural jewels, this tradition of farms and fields create a dynamic mix that makes the village truly unique.

Finally, Geneseo's most tremendous resource and vital characteristic is its wonderful people. In Geneseo, you find generous, down-to-earth, friendly people who are willing to lend a hand and always wish you well. More than anything to celebrate on this 175th anniversary is the good-hearted and gracious people of Geneseo.

Thus, Madam Speaker, in recognition of its history, its natural beauty, its charming architecture, its educational excellence, its agricultural tradition and its wonderful residents, I ask that this honorable body join me in celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the Village of Geneseo.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York on the occasion of its 125th Anniversary.

This year, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, or IIABNY, will celebrate its 125th year of existence. IIABNY is very proud of the constant commitment its members have made to their communities. The theme of this 125th anniversary is ``IIABNY members committed to their communities for 125 years.''

IIABNY was founded in Buffalo in the year 1882 as a voice for New York's independent insurance agents. After a few name and location changes, IIABNY settled in Dewitt, a suburb of Syracuse, NY. As the oldest and largest state association for independent insurance agents and brokers, IIABNY represents nearly 1,900 agencies and their nearly 20,000 employees throughout New York State.

Many leaders at the national association, the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA), have originated in New York. In 1898, Mr. C.H. Woodworth, from Buffalo, New York, was the second IIABA president. He is considered by many to be the ``father of the association.'' Through the years, six New York members have served as the national president. Four New Yorkers have been honored with the Woodworth Memorial Award, which is bestowed upon an individual who has performed special, meritorious, and outstanding service on behalf of the independent agency system and IIABA members everywhere.

The mission of IIABNY, working in the public's best interest, is to advance the performance and success of independent insurance agencies and brokerages in New York. Starting with the landmark 1904 ``Yonkers Case,'' clearly establishing agents'' ownership of expirations, advocacy efforts have been undertaken and continue today on behalf of independent insurance agents and brokers as well as small business owners.

IIABNY has evolved as member needs have changed. IIABNY draws on vast experience from the past, strength and respect in the present, and foresight for the future of the independent agency system. Agents and brokers have come to rely on the association to be their advocate on many fronts. IIABNY clearly has an impressive history and they continue today as the voice of independent agents and brokers.

Madam Speaker, I ask that this honorable body join me in celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York.

I thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding me this time, and I rise in support of the amended version of H.R. 1562 that is before us. I greatly appreciate the remarks of the ranking member of this side, Dave Camp, as he outlined the legislation and our support for it and the need for it, and the amendments that were brought forth by Chairman Rangel and by Ranking Member McCrery.

Mr. Speaker, it has been that type of cooperation in working on legislation such as this that we were able to take a bill that is vitally needed in the Katrina zone for low-income housing tax credits to work and do their job, but to also make it work for the taxpayers as we consider the PAYGO requirements set forth by the rules of the House. I believe that we have worked diligently, through the efforts of staff on both the majority and the minority and Joint Tax as well as IRS, as has been outlined by previous speakers, to bring forth legislation that will work to get the job done for Katrina victims, for the States and, importantly, to see a recovery come about under the intent of this legislation. So I am going to support it.

I greatly appreciate the cooperation of Chairman Rangel and Ranking Member McCrery in working forward to have legislation language that meets some of the outlines of concerns that Mr. Johnson and I had and have been fully met by their hard work.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the Democrats' supplemental appropriations measure currently before this House.

I am extremely disappointed before at the dramatically different tack this Democratic leadership has taken with regard to the emergency war supplemental.

Congress, instead of acting on a supplemental request that would support our troops, has introduced legislation to withdraw our troops. This bill, by attempting to micromanage the war on terror and implement a congressional war strategy, will tie the hands of the generals in the field.

Frankly, this bill crosses into dangerous territory for Congress. For if this bill passes, its supporters will have decided to take over war strategy, and we will have 535 Commanders in Chief. This is wrong for America's national security, and it is wrong for the troops serving bravely overseas.

Our troops deserve better than this, Mr. Speaker. And under a Republican leadership in the House, our troops got

the funding they needed without the gimmicks found in this bill. They deserve for this House and this Congress to stand ready to assist them by providing the resources needed for victory.

And let me be perfectly clear, I will not support legislating the micromanagement of this war from Capitol Hill. Members of Congress cannot and should not legislate defeat by passing this ill-conceived measure. And the Democrat leadership has decided to play politics by tying more than $31.5 billion in domestic spending provisions into a bill to secure votes.

Sure there are many domestic provisions in the underlying bill that I wholeheartedly agree with. For example, I fought side by side in bipartisan fashion for extension of the MILC program. And our cold winters in western New York make LIHEAP essential for our communities. But the House deserves the opportunity to make these domestic programs through regular order, not by discussing them as emergency spending.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, we have a choice to make, a choice to support our troops by giving them the resources they need, or a choice to pay lip service to our soldiers and make generals and Commanders in Chief out of the 535 Members of Congress.

The right choice is obvious; and hopefully the Members of this body have the courage and the integrity to make that choice, support our troops. Vote ``no.''

Madam Speaker, with great pride and delight I rise today to honor a highly talented and dedicated airman who has entertained thousands with his skill and continues to serve his country with expertise, commitment, and leadership.

Lieutenant Colonel Kevin P. Mastin is a supremely skilled and decorated command pilot who has spent thousands of hours in the air, many of them twisting, turning and barrel rolling as a United States Air Force Thunderbird. Displaying absolute command over his aircraft, Colonel Mastin has flown several Thunderbird air shows as the Lead Solo, delighting countless onlookers with his precise maneuvers and daring routines. His peerless ability and perfect unison with his fellow Thunderbirds combine for one powerful, awe-inspiring show in the sky.

But Colonel Mastin is much more than a showman. Born in my district in Dansville, NY, Colonel Mastin has led a life of service and deep commitment to his country. After graduating from Dansville Central School in 1981, Colonel Mastin enlisted in the Air Force. He would eventually head off to the West Coast after being assigned to the 92nd Munitions Maintenance Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington State. From there, Colonel Mastin attended Washington State University, entering the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and graduating in 1988 as a commissioned officer. He received his wings a year later and, after more pilot training, left to fly over the skies of Texas at Laughlin Air Force Base as an Instructor Pilot and Flight Examiner.

After honing and developing his aircraft skills further, Colonel Mastin became an F-15C Flight Commander at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, flying 46 combat missions in Operations Provide Comfort and Southern Watch. Then following an assignment at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, Colonel Mastin began his run as a Thunderbird, flying in the 2000 and 2001 air show seasons. As a Thunderbird stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, he flew as the Opposing Solo and then the Lead Solo, showcasing his supreme and expanding aircraft talents.

Moving on from his Thunderbird tour, Colonel Mastin became Director of Operations of the 557th Flying Squadron at the United States Air Force Academy in 2002. In July 2004, Colonel Mastin then assumed duties as Commander of the 479th Operations Support Squadron at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. Two years later, Colonel Mastin would become Deputy Chief of Air Combat Command's Flight Operations Division at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, the position he holds today.

Devoted to his country, Colonel Mastin is also a devoted family man. Together with his wife Joni, Colonel Mastin has two beautiful children, daughter Ashley and son Travis.

Thus, Madam Speaker, in recognition of his tremendous military career, his more than 4,200 flying hours, his esteemed military decorations, his sense of family and his service to the United States of America, I ask that this Honorable Body join me in honoring Thunderbird Pilot and Dansville, New York native, Lieutenant Colonel Kevin P. Mastin.

Madam Speaker, with great appreciation and delight I rise today to honor a respected and dedicated legislator, educator and community member who for more than 50 years continues to serve his hometown of Wheatfield, New York.

Niagara County Legislator William L. Ross has led a life deeply connected and committed to Niagara; the place where he was born and raised, where he became an educator and a mentor, and where he is now a respected and effective leader.

Through his distinguished professional career, his athletic talent and his spirit to make his community a better place, Bill Ross has left a lasting mark since graduating from the Niagara Falls School System. After graduation, Mr. Ross took a football scholarship to Michigan State University where he went on to win a National Championship in 1952 and play in the esteemed Rose Bowl game in 1954.

After serving as an R.O.T.C. Officer after college, Bill would take his football prowess, military discipline and love of education back to Niagara County. In 1956, Bill began a career in education that would span 47 years and shape a countless number of young lives in Wheatfield. Bill became the first football coach at Niagara Wheatfield in 1958, and in 1977 became the Director of Physical Education, athletics and recreation of the Niagara Wheatfield School District. Both in the classroom and on the field, Bill was devoted to teaching and improving the youth of Niagara County, believing in the importance of a well-rounded education and the duty of schools to not only help produce good students, but good citizens.

That sense of dedication and service culminated when Bill Ross was elected to represent his Town of Wheatfield in the Niagara County Legislature. Twice elected Chairman, first in 1989 and again in 2004, Bill, through it all, has been an insightful and vital leader for Niagara County. In times of tremendous challenges for his town and his region, Bill has been strong and steady, making his home a better place. To this day, Bill serves his constituents and his neighbors with skill and tremendous care, earning respect as he has moved his community forward.

Thus, Madam Speaker, in recognition of his more than 50 years of serving the Niagara region, as an educator, an administrator, a legislator, a leader and a neighbor, I ask that this Honorable Body join me in honoring Mr. William L. Ross.

I thank the gentlewoman from New Mexico.

Madam Speaker, we have heard many speeches this week talking about the honorable men and women of our Armed Forces. We all have constituents who have served bravely in Iraq and some have paid the ultimate price for this service, and we are forever grateful for that. We are grateful because these men and women put our freedoms and our country before themselves. It is this freedom that affords us the ability to undertake the debate on this shallow, shortsighted resolution.

If the purpose of this resolution is scoring political points and playing political games, then bravo to the Democratic majority, they have succeeded. But if the purpose of this resolution is for a new direction in Iraq that will secure victory and secure the second democracy in the Middle East, then this resolution comes up woefully short.

I am not prepared to look our soldiers and their families in their eyes and say I voted for this resolution, because while I support you, I do not support your mission.

We debate a resolution this week that represents a cavalier attitude about the mission our troops are carrying out, day in and day out, without fear, and without knowing whether some in the halls of this Congress still support them in this war on terror.

While we debate this resolution, let me be clear that, like my constituents, my patience is limited in Iraq. We must see more progress sooner rather than later. We must see the Iraqis play a larger role and take control of their country. The Iraqis need to recognize their failure to take control has consequences, the consequences of fulfilling bin Laden's wish to see Iraq become a new central base for terrorists, the consequences of destabilizing the Middle East and endangering Israel, our strongest democratic ally in the Middle East.

The consequence is of involving our enemies like Iran and other rogue states to develop weapons of mass destruction without the fear of repercussions. Ultimately in Iraq, it is Iraqis who will decide if democracy or tyranny rule the day, and whether they avoid the consequences of their failure.

But while my patience is limited, and I want to see progress, I will not play politics with our troops, which is what this resolution does.

Like Majority Leader Hoyer said yesterday, no one should hide behind the troops. I agree, but equally important, Members of this body should not be hiding behind this resolution if their true aim is to cut off funding for our troops. Because while this resolution will indeed score a few political points for some debating in this Chamber today, this resolution also sends a message far beyond this Chamber.

Indeed, Madam Speaker, this nonbinding resolution, while lacking any bite in terms of strategy, and not changing anything on the ground in Baghdad, will send a message loud and clear to our troops: We are consigning your mission to failure before you even have a chance to execute it.

As I listened to Sam Johnson today, as he recounted the unspeakable damage antiwar efforts back home did to our soldiers in Vietnam, I wondered whether our brave men and women are listening to the taunts of America's enemies at this very moment as we debate not just this resolution but their mission. Sam Johnson is not alone in questioning the damage to the morale we may be doing to those fighting forces.

One of my constituents, a highly decorated Iraq war veteran, David Bellavia wrote, ``Each day . . . move(s) us closer to losing a winnable war and abandoning a worthy ally.''

Madam Speaker, for Congress to support this resolution gives encouragement to the jihadists and cuts the morale of our troops. In our global war on terror, we cannot show a lack of resolve because, as we know, after decades of attacks by these jihadists on our citizens, the World Trade Center in 1993, our embassies and the USS Cole, we know what a lack of resolve has meant. That lack of resolve hit us all when the jihadists attacked us again on the morning of September 11, 2001. That fateful Tuesday brought devastation to this country not seen since Pearl Harbor and, God willing, that we will never experience again.

The skies were thick with smoke, debris piled so high it brought to a standstill the city that never sleeps. Just days after the attacks, I stood at Ground Zero amidst the rubble, in anguish. I knew this was bigger than any political party, bigger than any one country. It is a global war on Islamic jihadism, and that war, as the jihadists have said, is now set in Iraq.

The question raised by this resolution is, will we yield? As Winston Churchill said, reflecting on the darkest days of the global war of his time, one that pitted the hopes of freedom against the ideology of hatred, ``Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty;

``Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.''

Madam Speaker, in the daunting challenge of our time, we must not waver, and we must not yield.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 2 minutes.

Today's debate is really about missed opportunities. We all know that small businesses are the engines of our Nation's economic growth and that they provide the vast majority of jobs in so many of our local communities across the country.

But today, the new Democratic majority misses an opportunity, an opportunity not only to raise the minimum wage but to provide urgently needed help to those small businesses and to address health care needs of their employees.

Mr. Speaker, our Republican alternative, the Working Families Wage and Access to Health Care Act, addresses these needs. In addition to providing an increase to minimum wage, our approach would be: extending small business expensing through 2010; it would shorten the depreciation period for new restaurant construction through 2007; and it would end an unnecessary surtax that is an extra burden on low- income workers.

Our approach also would be to expand workers' access to affordable health care through small business health plans, an important priority that has long enjoyed broad, bipartisan support.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, particularly the newly elected Members of the new majority, should be asking themselves a question this morning: Why is their Democratic leadership forcing them to vote against a commonsense, bipartisan approach that the Democratic leader in the other body has already embraced? In addition to being a missed opportunity to address the real needs of small business, this is just bad politics by this untested majority.

Mr. Speaker, this could have been a much better bill if Democrats had fulfilled their promises to go through the regular committee process. If the new majority had allowed the Ways and Means Committee an opportunity to fully debate the issue, I am confident we could have put together a balanced and bipartisan package and met the needs of workers in small businesses.

I voted for the minimum wage increase some 5 months ago when 158 of my Democratic colleagues voted against it. They missed an opportunity then. They are missing one now. I urge support of the Republican alternative.

Mr. Speaker, I now call upon the distinguished gentleman from Texas, Mr. Pete Sessions, for 2 minutes.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), for his first floor speech as a new Member of the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon).

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 16 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Motion to Recommit Offered by Mr. McKeon

Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor a respected military officer and great fighter pilot upon the occasion of his retirement from the United States Air Force and Air National Guard after 36 years of honorable and dedicated service.

Born in Silver Creek, New York, growing up in Suffern, New York, Major General Richard A. Platt began his military career June 1971 when he received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Newark College of Engineering. After earning his pilot wings in June 1972, he flew F-4 Phantom fighter aircraft and was assigned to front line combat units in Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States.

Madam Speaker, from his early days as a fighter pilot in Vietnam to his role as a fighter weapons instructor General Platt has shown impressive leadership and combat flying skills. His flying experience includes two combat tours of duty, one in Vietnam and the other over the skies of Bosnia.

In 1981, Major General Platt left the active duty air force and continued his service flying the A-10 Warthog as a member of the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. General Platt time and time again demonstrated his unparalleled vision and leadership. As a commander, he led the transformation of the 104th Fighter Wing into one of the premier fighting units in the entire American military.

Madam Speaker, following his flying career, General Platt served with distinction as he continued to provide vision and leadership to the Air National Guard. His assignments included commander of the Massachusetts Air National Guard and Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander of both Air Combat Command as well as United States Air Forces Europe. His last post brought him to Washington, D.C. where he was Assistant to the Director of the Air National Guard. In this role, General Platt was instrumental in beginning important changes to ensure the relevance and viability of the Air National Guard and United States Air Force, in this most challenging period of our country's history.

Madam Speaker, General Platt's dedication to the military has been evident from the day he joined his ROTC unit to his last tour of duty at the Pentagon; but perhaps more than any other assignment, nothing was more special to him than his role as commander of the 104th Fighter Wing. Even today, several years after General Platt's tenure, the wing is still recognized as an elite unit--his core values of integrity, dedication to duty, and patriotism remain strong. General Platt recognized that the fighter wing and our entire military are only as strong as the lowest ranking member--and no one member was more important than any other. For him the 104th Fighter Wing was more than just officers and airmen, they were, and still remain his family.

Madam Speaker, each and every American is safer and freer due to the service of Major General Platt and the men and women like him serving across all of our armed services.

Madam Speaker, in recognition of and in gratitude for his service, leadership and patriotism, I ask that this honorable body join me in honoring Major General Richard A. Platt upon the occasion of his retirement; and wish him great health and happiness in the days and years ahead as a father, husband and grandfather.

Mr. Speaker, the upstate city of Utica, New York, calls itself the ``City of Possibilities;'' and I rise today to pay tribute to one of its sons, who saw his service in government not only as that of great possibilities, but of responsibility and achievement.

My friend, my colleague, Sherwood ``Sherry'' Boehlert will retire at the end of this Congress after 12 terms of proud service to his community, his state and our nation.

Whether it was as a Congressional staff member, U.S. Army veteran, Oneida County Executive, or Member of Congress, Sherry Boehlert saw government as a proud and noble profession, serving others to achieve for them a better quality of life.

His service on the House Science Committee, which began in 1983 and culminated with his election as chairman in 2001, earned Sherry high marks for his intellect and independence, his ability and his vision.

As a fellow New Yorker, I have been honored to be Sherry's friend and colleague for so many years.

I know how committed he has been to the responsibilities of his office and those he serves, and the tremendous devotion he feels to this institution.

Second only to this House is Sherry's devotion to another great institution, the New York Yankees.

And it was the Yankee Clipper himself, Joe DiMaggio, who once said ``there is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first time. I owe him my best.''

Mr. Speaker, for more than two decades, Sherry Boehlert has always given us his best.

So I ask that this Body join me in thanking Representative Sherry Boehlert for his service, and that you join me in wishing him, his wife Marianne, and their family our sincerest best wishes for great health and happiness in the year's ahead.