Floor Statements

I would like to thank my good friend, the gentlewoman from Florida, and an original cosponsor of this bill for yielding time to me this afternoon. I would also like to recognize the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Reichert) for his support for this important bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2779, legislation that I introduced to recognize the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the official national museum of the Navy SEALs and their predecessors.

Mr. Speaker, I am sure that there are many today watching and asking how important is it to create a national museum recognizing brave men and women who have served in underwater demolition teams as frogmen and today as SEALs. In my life, I have had the privilege and honor of knowing and learning about brave men who have served our Nation and have seen the hell of combat, people like Reggie White, my daughter Bailey's grandfather, who was a combat engineer and who, like the men of UDT, had the job of clearing Omaha Beach that fateful day of June 6, 1944. My uncle, Bart Mahoney, a B-17 pilot, was one of the first to be shot down over Germany. Bart survived combat and then survived German concentration camps. Bobbie Maynard saw frontline action in Korea and survived some of the heaviest engagements in the Korean War. My friend, Pat Kelley, was a medic in Vietnam who had to endure the life-and-death realities of combat. These men are heroes. These men have seen the horrors of war and survived them. These men never bragged about their service. In fact, they rarely spoke of it, preferring to let the horrors of their experience rest. This bill is important because it gives voice to the heroes whose stories and honor need to be captured and passed down to future generations.

The ground upon which the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum rests was the birthplace of the Navy frogmen. Through World War II, thousands of brave soldiers were trained as members of naval combat demolition units and underwater demolition teams at the site. Since that time, the frogmen have evolved into one of the elite fighting forces in the world, the Navy SEALs.

The Navy UDT-SEAL Museum is the only museum dedicated solely to preserving the legacy of the honor, courage, patriotism, and sacrifices of those Navy SEALs and their predecessors, including the underwater demolition teams, naval combat demolition units, Office of Strategic Service maritime units, and Amphibious Scouts and Raiders.

I would like to personally thank Captain Mike Howard, a retired Navy SEAL; Ruth McSween; Rolf Snyder; and others, who have made the UDT-SEAL Museum possible. I would also like to thank all the men and women who worked to preserve the legacy of the Naval Special Warfare community. Since the museum was opened in 1985, thousands of visitors have learned of the accomplishments of the Navy SEALs through the museum's artifacts and photos tracing the history of Naval Special Warfare from its beginnings during World War II, through the Navy's SEALs current role in fighting the war on terror and in Iraq.

While we are here today to honor the Naval Special Warfare community, I would like to take a moment to remember Petty Officer First Class Robert Richard McRill and all of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving our Nation. Petty Officer McRill, from Lake Placid, Florida, was killed while serving in Iraq as part of SEALs Group Two when his team was hit by an IED.

By designating the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum as the official national museum of Navy SEALs and their predecessors, we are honoring Mr. McRill and all the warriors who have served in Naval Special Warfare. I ask all my colleagues to join me in recognizing the honor, courage, patriotism and sacrifices of the SEALs and their predecessors by supporting this legislation.

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to recognize the members of the Fort Pierce Elks Lodge 1520 in Fort Pierce, FL, for their contributions to our service men and women and to congratulate the Lodge for the commendation they have received within the Elks community.

Over the past 3 years, the Fort Pierce Elks Lodge has implemented an outstanding veteran's services program. Through their overseas military outreach program, ``Operation Desert Elk',' the Lodge collects various sundry items and creates care packages for troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. These packages provide a touch of home for our brave soldiers who are serving in such hostile environments. To date, over 1,400 packages valued at over $50,000 have been mailed overseas.

At home, the Lodge provides ongoing support to our hospitalized veterans at the West Palm Beach, FL, Veteran's Affairs Medical Center and at local State nursing homes. Clothing, books, and board games as well as monetary donations to support recreational therapy programs are provided on a continual basis. The Lodge has also adopted veterans in nursing homes and provided visitation, greeting cards and meals.

I am honored to recognize the exceptional individuals who make up the membership of the Fort Pierce Elks Lodge 1520 and the incredible services they provide for our service men and veterans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Claude Rundle of Port Charlotte, FL, and the other exceptional crew members of the LST-460 ship during its service in World War II.

The LST-460 was commissioned on February 15, 1943 and was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theatre between 1943 and 1944. The LST-460 and its crew participated in over a half dozen operations including the consolidation of the Southern Solomons and the Mindoro Landing. On December 21, 1944, the LST-460 was lost in action when it was attacked by enemy aircraft while sailing off the coast of the Philippines. The LST-460 and its crew earned six battle stars and the Navy Unit Commendation for World War II service.

For the last 25 years, the survivors of the LST-460 have hosted a reunion to commemorate their service and bravery. Mr. Rundle is one of these survivors and I am honored to be able to recognize him today. Beyond our

shores, Mr. Rundle and the other brave men who served and fought on the LST-460 ensured the ability of our country to lead the world in securing democracy for those less fortunate. As these men gather together to celebrate their brotherhood, it is my hope that they are filled with a great sense of pride and accomplishment as our freedom is possible because of their great sacrifices.

On behalf of Florida's 16th Congressional District, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Rundle and the other crew members of the LST-460 for their honorable service to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, tonight, I rise to honor Alvin Creech for his valiant service in the Korean War. On Sunday, I will have the distinct honor of presenting Mr. Creech with his Purple Heart award for his brave and selfless service in the Chosin Reservoir Campaign during the first winter of the Korean War.

This Tuesday will mark the 225th Anniversary of when General George Washington established the Purple Heart. The award is one of the highest honors, as it recognizes those who have given personal sacrifice in the name of our great Nation.

Private Creech is a true American hero who has waited over 56 years to receive this honor. He was only 19 when he joined the U.S. Army, continuing his family's proud history of defending America in her time of need.

For about a year, Private Creech fought in Korea. Mr. Creech served in the Third Infantry, helping to hold the defensive perimeter to help ensure that the Americans could make it to the coast. During his time in the Third Infantry, Mr. Creech spent almost a year living in foxholes and hunkering down under mortar attacks and enemy sweeps. He became a weapons squad leader, leading patrols to the frontline. Despite being wounded in 1951, he served a full tour of duty and returned home to receive a Bronze Star for valor.

Private Creech's service to our community did not end in Korea. He is the proud husband and father of four, and, after working and providing for his family, he retired but then decided to drive a school bus for children.

I am proud that Mr. Creech and his wife Joyce decided to move to Avon Park to enjoy a full retirement. On behalf of Highlands County, I want to express the community's thanks and gratitude to Mr. Creech for his service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.

I want to begin by thanking Chairman Oberstar, Congresswoman Johnson, and my colleague, Ranking Member Mica and their staffs on behalf of Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie County for all the efforts that they have done to ensure that one of our Nation's greatest treasures is preserved for future generations, the Everglades.

Seven years ago, Congress authorized the largest environmental restoration plan in the Nation's history, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Despite its broad bipartisan support for the plan in 2000, Congress has not honored its commitment to the Everglades. As a result, this plan once envisioned as an equal partnership between State and Federal Government has become the sole responsibility of Florida, whose citizens have invested over $2 billion. Today, Congress has an historic opportunity to renew its promise to be an equal partner in Everglades restoration by passing the WRDA conference report for the first time in 7 years.

The conference report would authorize funding for numerous projects that are a part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, most notably the Indian River Lagoon and Picayune Strand. The Indian River Lagoon project located in my district is not only critical to the success of the Everglades, but it is critical to the economic well- being to the Treasure Coast of Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Congress to pass this long overdue legislation and renew Congress' commitment to restoring one of our Nation's greatest treasures, the Everglades. And, once passed, I urge my colleagues to join me in telling the President, after 7 years of neglect, it is time to do the people's business and sign this bill into law.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my friend and colleague from Florida. I'm proud to cosponsor this important amendment with the gentleman, as he and his family are champions of Florida agriculture.

One recurring theme we've heard throughout this debate is that although this farm bill is historic for American agriculture, it does not give everyone what they wanted.

In the case of conservation programs, I believe it's a mistake for this bill to further restrict the American farmers' access to important conservation programs by lowering the adjusted gross income limits.

This is bad policy because it hurts farmers that produce high-value crops from accessing conservation programs. In Florida, we are fighting to protect our environment. We've spent billions to preserve the Everglades. These new, more restrictive limits will disincent Florida ranchers and growers from investing with the Federal Government to preserve our lands and clean our waters.

I urge my colleagues to use common sense. This amendment provides real farmers, not millionaires, access to critical conservation programs.

I urge my colleagues to take an important step in keeping our rural lands green, to protect our wetlands, and to support our national agricultural heritage.

This is a good amendment, and it deserves your support.

Madam Chairman, as a freshman Member of this Congress and someone who until this past January had never held political office, I came to Washington determined to change the culture of this august body. I believed that we could work together and, in doing so, put the interests of the American people over the political interests of party or the special interests of powerful lobbyists.

Just a few days ago at a press conference, I proudly stood and thanked my Republican colleagues in supporting a bill that clearly was a victory for American agriculture. It was a victory for our growers and ranchers; it was a victory for the people of Okeechobee, Lake Placid, Moore Haven, and Clewiston, Florida. This morning I awoke and found out that my Republican colleagues had changed their minds because the President of the United States again wanted to play politics. This is not about a tax increase. This is about politics.

As a businessman who, for 30 years, ran businesses around the globe, I am incensed that my colleagues would hurt the American farmer by lying to the American people and call closing a tax loophole for foreign companies and giving them an unfair advantage over our own businesses a tax increase. But silly me, why should I have been surprised? They are the party of special interests, Halliburton, Big Oil, and now they are the party of big foreign corporations.

I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I am rising today in support of the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act. The time has come to stop this senseless policy of using our brave men and women in uniform as cops policing a religious civil war, and it's time for our country to rededicate ourselves to winning the war on terror.

The data is in. The facts are irrefutable in and the conclusion clearly demonstrates that the President's continued resolve to engage in nation building in Iraq has made America weaker and has put our Nation in greater peril from terrorist attack. It is time that we stop asking our brave sons and daughters to give the ultimate sacrifice in support of the President's failed policies.

It is time for the President to listen to his own advisors and the American people. It is time for the President to admit mistakes he has made and for him to show leadership by changing direction. It is time for the President to

honor our service men and women by rebuilding our military and by using our finest fighting force the world has ever known to bring Osama bin Laden to justice, to search out and destroy terrorists and to punish the nations that support terror.

Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to honor the life achievements of O.L. Raulerson, the first Floridian to be elected sheriff in two Florida counties. Mr. Raulerson, who passed this Sunday at the age of 65, devoted his life to serving central Florida communities.

His law enforcement career began with the Florida Highway Patrol, where he served as a State trooper. He later moved to the Highlands County Sheriff's Office, where he first served as sheriff from 1970 to 1977.

Mr. Raulerson transferred to the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office and after 6 years of service was appointed sheriff of Okeechobee County in 1986. In 1988 he was officially elected sheriff and faithfully served the community for over 10 years.

I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Raulerson's family and to the Florida communities which have lost a much loved and respected leader.

Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to pay tribute to the brave men and women of my district. Recently there was an outbreak of fires along Lake Okeechobee, Florida's largest lake. The fires started on May 27, 2007 along the Pierce Canal in Glades County, Florida. Boundary fires were created to protect the area.

Glades County EMS Director, Bob Jones, coordinated the mission and had everyone in place. Glades County Sheriff, Stuart Whiddon made his deputies available to help. Lighted signs were posted on the road and volunteers went house to house to warn people of the fires. The highway was closed and one family had to evacuate due to health reasons. No one was taken to the hospital or needed EMS assistance during the six days the fire burned.

Glades County is made up of all volunteer fire departments. Firefighters from Glades County Communities including Buckhead Ridge, Lakeport, Moore Haven, Palmdale, Ortona and Muse responded. These men and women were on site 24 hours a day. In order to protect the area, the volunteers inhaled smoke, and were surrounded by threatening flames. They were assisted by the following departments from neighboring Lee County: San Carlos, Port Authority, Bonita Springs, North Fort Myers, Estero, Fort Myers City, Bayshore, and Cape Coral. In addition, they were also assisted by the Brighton Seminole Fire Department.

I commend Glades County Manager Wendell Taylor, Deputy County Manager, Larry Hilton, and the members of the Glades County Commission, Butch Jones, Chairman, Paul Beck, Vice Chairman, Donna Storter Long, Russell Echols, and Bob Geisler for their presence and constant concern for the citizens of Glades county. I also commend Glades County staff who lent a helping hand.

Many firefighters lost days of pay in order to fulfill their obligation to protect the residents of Glades County. These brave men and women are a tribute to their communities and I commend them for their terrific hard work in battling these fires.

Glades County may be one of the poorest counties in the district, but the people who live and work there are what makes it rich.

Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate the Congressional Award Gold Medal winners from in and around Florida's 16th Congressional District. I am honored to celebrate the achievements, initiative and service of these exceptional youths. The youths honored earlier today earned the Congressional Award Gold Medals through substantial achievements in voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration.

Earlier today, I had the honor of presenting many of these young men and women with Congressional Award Gold Medals. Earning a Congressional Award Gold Medal requires integrity of character, a strong work ethic, and a drive to succeed. These students have already developed strong leadership skills and have proven that they can achieve any goal they set their mind to. The medalists honored today and all students working to earn a medal should be commended for their hard work and commitment to our community.

Tonight, I congratulate these outstanding Florida youth on their achievement.

Alexandra Campbell, Cardinal Newman High School, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Alexandra utilized her love for volleyball to achieve several of her goals, including acting as an assistant volleyball coach and improving her technique.

Elizabeth Davis, Palm Beach Gardens High School, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lizzy was a member of her high school's varsity Volleyball, Soccer and Softball teams and will play on the soccer team for the University of Alabama, where she will be a freshman in the fall.

Lauren Dobry, Cardinal Newman High School, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Lauren volunteered her time at a local hospital, working full-time during the summers. She also participated in fundraiser events for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Jordan A. Dulcie, Suncoast Community High School, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. As a member of the Boy Scouts of America, Jordan participated in the many outreach activities and leadership building opportunities available through his Boy Scout Troop.

Rachel Gossens, The King's Academy, North Palm Beach, FL. Rachel's interest in boating led her to read boating manuals and navigation books and to undertake a 10-day boat trip to the Bahamas.

Lindsey H. Green, Suncoast Community High School, Jupiter, FL. Lindsey dedicated her time to helping others through her local hospital, nursing homes and several health-related volunteer organizations.

Ray Hosaka, Jupiter Community High School, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Ray's interest in science led him to volunteer his time to the community by monitoring and measuring the water quality in the Loxahatchee River.

Bianca Kahlenberg, South Fork High School, Stuart, FL. Bianca volunteered at the American Red Cross in Martin County.

Christopher Leddy, South Fork High School, Stuart, FL. Chris worked hard for the Martin County Red Cross to complete his hours of community service, enjoying his time so much he joined the Red Cross on a camping trip as his expedition.

Melissa Leddy, South Fork High School, Stuart, FL. Melissa's passion for dance and cheerleading helped her attain her goals. She attended a cheerleading and dance camp and earning a varsity letter for cheerleading.

Andrea Ramos, Stuart, FL. Over the last 4 years, Andrea has given more than 500 hours of voluntary public service to the American Cancer Society.

Devon Rosecan, American Heritage, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. For his expedition, Devon lived with a family on a Navajo reservation for 10 days. He fully participated in the activities of the family and the tribe.

Ryan W. Royce, Suncoast Community High School, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Ryan spent over 600 hours playing Varsity Football to achieve his physical fitness goal. He used his athletic talent as a youth coach for both football and basketball.

Joseph R. Russo, Jr., Cardinal Newman High School, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Joey honed his political skills through his Key Club by running for both FL District Governor and International Trustee.

Andrew Sisko, Cardinal Newman High School, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Drew was a Varsity starter in both lacrosse and soccer. He was named an All League ``honorable mention'' and twice named on the ``first team'' for lacrosse.

Mr. Speaker, it's an unfortunate fact of war young American soldiers are not only losing their lives on the battlefield, but many soldiers who survive traumatic combat injuries are returning home with equally serious psychological wounds. Unfortunately, the Veterans Administration has not been given, by this administration, the personnel and the funding necessary to address the problem.

A recent series of Washington Post articles followed the stories of several soldiers returning home from service in Iraq who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. The articles paint a harrowing picture of the challenges that face these veterans, suicidal patients left in waiting rooms, psychiatric wards with terrible odors and a disconcerting lack of therapy and treatment.

Mr. Speaker, last week this House took action to help our military personnel who are suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome. We passed the largest increase for funding for veterans health care in the VA's history. This includes treatment for PTSD.

It is clear that these funds are desperately needed to provide better care for our men and women returning from serving our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, this year and in years past, the Bush administration has neglected the needs of America's veterans. In his annual budget request, the President did not propose enough funding for the Veterans Administration to meet the growing needs of our veterans.

Fortunately, the new Democratic Congress did not forget about our veterans. This week, we will bring a Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs Appropriations bill to the floor that provides the largest increase in veterans' health care funding in history. Our bill includes $600 million for a new initiative for mental health and post- traumatic stress syndrome, so that we can ensure that our veterans and returning soldiers have the facilities and the care they need. The funding bill also provides essential services that will allow these veterans to transition back into their communities.

Democrats know that the Federal Government must keep its promises to the men and women who have defended our Nation. This bill, I am proud to say, lives up to that promise.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor our brave military forces who on this day in 1944--63 years ago--landed on Utah and Omaha beaches, two of the five beaches at Normandy on a mission known as Operation Overlord, the D-Day invasion.

Today we honor those who never made it ashore, drowning from the weight of their gear or killed by the enemy as they struggled out of the water. The ones who did make it fought valiantly on those beachheads and further on through many campaigns in Europe during World War II.

There are fewer and fewer of the Great Generation left with us today, but their sacrifice for our country and their dedication to protecting freedom and democracy lives on.

On this day, which commemorates the beginning of the Allied forces effort to liberate mainland Europe from Nazi occupation during World War II, I ask that everyone take a moment to remember all of these brave souls and salute them. We are forever grateful for their service and their sacrifice to protect freedom for future generations.

Mr. Speaker, no party's immune from corruption. Democrats and Republicans alike share the blame for outrageous ethical lapses that have occurred in Congress. In order to rebuild the trust of the American people and restore integrity to this great House, it is clear that we need to change the way ethics rules are enforced.

While I am pleased that the House will consider legislation tonight to strengthen enforcement of ethics rules, I would like to reiterate the need to create an independent ethics office.

We need independent ethics enforcement to prevent the kind of rampant corruption that was condoned in the last Congress and hold all Members accountable for questionable and illegal behavior.

Creating an independent ethics office with the authority to blow the whistle

on questionable behavior would introduce the impartiality and accountability that has been missing from the enforcement of House ethics rules. It would depoliticize ethics enforcement and get the fox out of the hen house once and for all.

We have seen the costs of corruption. It erodes the trust of the American people, hurts our constituents and damages our ability to solve the critical challenges facing our great Nation.

In order to offer real solutions to the many challenges facing our country, we need a solid foundation. I'm committed to supporting efforts to hold all Members of Congress to higher standards of ethics and integrity, but it is time for this body to listen to the will of the American people and establish once and for all an independent ethics office.