Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, today during the debate about Afghanistan, I joined Mr. Kucinich and several others in our concerns about Afghanistan, and I wanted to further read to the House. I had used a Marine Times article that has a photograph of a marine who is retired now and his son, Joshua, who was killed in Afghanistan. The article says ``Caution Killed My Son. Marine Families Blast Suicidal Tactics in Afghanistan.''

In addition to this article about his son and the tighter rules of engagement, ``families voice outrage over new restrictions in Afghanistan,'' they also have an article about four marines who were killed that asked the Army to give them cover. The Army didn't say ``no''; they just didn't even respond.

The rules of engagement are so different for our troops that I think at some point in time we in the Congress, particularly on the Armed Services Committee, I am going to ask for a hearing about the rules of engagement.

I want to explain and then read a couple of comments from the father which was in this article, Sergeant Bernard, retired Marine, whose son Joshua was killed. What had happened was the marines had been in a firefight. Then there was an Afghan that came to the marines and said, Listen, there are other Taliban enemy down the road, and if you follow me, I will show you where they are located.

This is where I want to pick up the story by the father's writing. He said, When the ambush began, the tipster could not be found, and the interpreter took cover, raising questions in Bernard's mind about whether they led the Marines into a trap. There's no question they did. I further quote Sergeant Bernard, who's retired now: ``Call me cynical if you want, but some rogue element led them there. The bottom line is both of those guys were gone. It's just another indication of how this counterinsurgency strategy can't work.''

I further want to read: ``In an October 13 letter to Collins, Mullen addressed Bernard's concerns by saying that `the new tactical directive did not change the ROE in Afghanistan, but rather provided more clarification and guidelines regarding the use of force. We have refined our procedures in order to reduce civilian casualties, but at no time have the ROE been modified to place our troops at greater risk,' Mullen wrote. `Our troops still operate under a set of ROE that allows them to protect themselves against enemy actions in balance with the Afghan populace.' ''

Sergeant Bernard, a retired Marine who served this Nation, said ``the letter is `smoke and mirrors' and overlooks his consistent concern: A counterinsurgency strategy won't work as long as Afghanistan is filled with warring tribes that have no empathy for the U.S. and its way of life.''

I further want to read down in his response in the Marine Corps Times: ``I already talked to Collins' office and said, `Don't let him spin this crap.' There's no indication that Afghanistan has changed anywhere. Our mission should be very, very simple: Chase and kill the enemy.''

Madam Speaker, that's exactly what they should be doing, instead of this other type of strategy.

Bernard said he is frustrated that the senator's office, one of his home State senators and a member of the Senate Armed Service Committee, has handled his complaints as that of a single constituent--and I'm not getting into

whether they did or didn't, but just reading what he said--rather, seeing for what he is: representative of the hundreds of people-- hundreds of people--he says have contacted him about this whole rules of engagement. I want to quote, and this will be the close: `` `You can't turn this into one lone idiot in the backwoods of Maine mourning his son,' he said. `This is bigger than that.' ''

So, Madam Speaker, I intend to ask the Armed Services Committee, which is chaired by a wonderful man from Missouri, and the ranking member from California, we need to have this debate on behalf of the families as well as the Marines and the Army. What are the rules of engagement? What can they do and cannot do? When I read these articles about the number that have died just because we could not give them cover in certain situations, if that's the way we're supposed to fight a war, then that's a poor way to fight the war.

Madam Speaker, with that, I'm going to close as I always do. I know the gentleman from Texas has a tribute to pay to a former Member who I happened to serve one term with and thought the world of him. My daddy knew him and thought Charlie Wilson was a great guy. Let me get that on the Record.

My close is this: I ask God to please bless our men and women in uniform. I ask God to please bless the families of our men and women in uniform. I ask God to please bless this country and bless the President, that he will do what is right for this country. And I ask God to please bless America.

Mr. Speaker, I have introduced H.R. 4639. It is known as the Corporal Dustin Lee Memorial Act, to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the adoption of a military working dog by the family of a deceased or seriously wounded member of the Armed Forces who was the handler of the dog.

Mr. Speaker, 3 years ago I got involved with a family from Mississippi. It was somewhat by accident really. It was brought to my attention that Rachel and Jerome Lee, the husband, had lost a son named Dustin Lee, and that Dustin was killed for this country in Iraq. He was a dog handler, and the dog was wounded as well.

The Marine Corps took the dog, named Lex, to the funeral in Mississippi of Dustin Lee, the Marine who was killed. And at that time the daddy, Jerome Lee, and the mama, Rachel Lee, wanted to have the dog stay with them. Well, it wasn't possible because the rules and regulations said that the dog, which was owned by the Air Force, leased to the Marine Corps, had to be retired.

So when the family, the mother and dad, asked for the dog that their son loved so much, the Marine Corps said we need 2 more years of service by the dog Lex. And when I heard about it, I called the family in Mississippi. And my heart went out to the family. I asked the family what could we do to help. And I don't want to take credit for this, Mr. Speaker, I want to give credit to General Mike Regner, who right now is serving in Afghanistan for this country. He is responsible for this happening. I just made a phone call.

Lex was retired 2 years ago this December at a ceremony down in Georgia, and the family now has the dog. In fact, Mrs. Lee is going to bring Lex and come to Walter Reed on the 12th of April. She wants to take the dog to visit the troops at Walter Reed, which I think is very magnanimous of the mom and dad. They want to let the soldiers and the Marines there know what happened with their son Dustin and say thank you, but also take Lex so that Lex can say thank you to the soldiers and Marines at Walter Reed.

Mr. Speaker, I am going to yield back my time in just a second. I am going to ask my colleagues in the House to please join us on H.R. 4639. This, again, is to honor the families who have given a child who happened to be a dog handler the opportunity to own that dog almost immediately after the dog is cleared. And if it should be a wounded soldier, marine, or airman or seaman, they would have the same opportunity.

So this is a photograph, Mr. Speaker, of Lex looking at the headstone of the grave of Dustin Lee, and Dustin is there on his knees with his hands around the head of the dog which was Lex. This is very special, and that's why I wanted to bring it to the floor. I ask my friends, again, to join me in this legislation, H.R. 4639.

Mr. Speaker, as I always do on the floor of the House, I want to ask God to please bless our men and women in uniform. I want to ask God to please bless the families of our men and women in uniform. I want to ask God in his loving arms to hold the families who have given child, dying for freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, I want to ask God to please bless the House and the Senate, that we will do what is right in the eyes of God for his people throughout this country. And I want to ask God to give wisdom, strength and courage to the President, Mr. Obama, that he will do what is right in the eyes of God for God's people in this country. And three times I ask God, Please, God, please, God, please, God, continue to bless America.

Madam Speaker, I have the privilege of representing a district with a very unique culture. The people of eastern North Carolina have fought to preserve this culture that focuses on beach life and the traditions that go along with the coastal and coastal piedmont region.

Beach Music and Shag Music is the very foundation for many of the traditions for the people who grew up in eastern North Carolina and this music remains a staple in the lives of my constituents to this day.

My wife JoeAnne and I would like to congratulate Mr. Sid Pruitt, of Wilmington, NC, who is being recognized as the 2010 Inductee to the Beach Deejay Hall of Fame. I have known Sid for 15 years and have flown with him a number of times, as he is also a pilot. I have just learned of his other talent as a ``Beach Music'' deejay.

Beach Deejay Hall of Fame inductees are to be of reputable character and conduct him/herself in a professional manner and I can attest to this with Sid Pruitt.

Again, I would like to congratulate my friend, Mr. Sid Pruitt and his wife, Kathy, on his induction into the Beach Deejay Hall of Fame and thank him for upholding and preserving the traditions that are so dear to the people of eastern North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank 370 Members of the House of Representatives for joining me in an effort to rename the Department of Navy to be the Navy and Marine Corps.

I would also like to share with the House that last Thursday was a very exciting day for this effort, the reason being that Mike Blum, a Marine Corps League executive director, was the MC at a news conference that was attended.

One of the speakers was United States Marine General Tony Zinni.

Senator Pat Roberts, from the Senate, introduced an identical bill to the bill H.R. 24, which 370 Members cosponsored.

Also in attendance to speak was General Al Gray, a former commandant of the United States Marine Corps.

There was a very impressive young man from Texas, Sergeant Eddie Wright, a marine veteran and Bronze Star recipient, who lost both hands in combat in Iraq in 2004. Despite his injuries, he became a Marine Corps hand-to-hand combat instructor. He later retired and is now a defense contractor. Sergeant Wright explained the importance of teamwork between the Navy and Marine Corps because he said at the news conference, if he had not had the Navy corpsman there, he would not have been living today to appear at the news conference, calling for this relationship to be publicly respected--the Navy and Marine Corps.

There also was a father, Dick Linn, whose son, Karl, was killed in Iraq in 2005.

Tracy Della Vecchia, the MarineParents.com founder and executive director, was there. Her Web site has over 130,000-plus members. It provides support for parents of marines. She also spoke on behalf of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this news conference was to announce the national spokesman. The national spokesman was also in attendance, and he spoke as well--Lee Ermey, known as the ``Gunny,'' a Golden Globe- nominated actor and marine veteran. Ermey is host of the History Channel's ``Mail Call'' and ``Lock N' Load with R. Lee Ermey.'' He is a star of major films, including ``Full Metal Jacket,'' ``Dead Man Walking,'' and ``Toy Story.'' Lee Ermey has become the national spokesman, and he intends to help us try to convince the Senate to accept three words: ``and Marine Corps.''

Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record letters from Ike Skelton, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, and also from Ranking Member Buck McKeon.

House Committee on Armed

Services,

Washington, DC, January 26, 2010.

Hon. Walter Jones,

House of Representatives, 2333 Rayburn House Office Building,

Washington DC.

Dear Walter: I wanted to take this opportunity to commend

you on your continuing campaign to redesignate the Department

of the Navy as the ``Department of the Navy and Marine

Corps.'' Since 2001, you have worked tirelessly to bring

about this change, and I am proud that, as Chairman of the

House Armed Services Committee, I have included it in the

Chairman's mark of the National Defense Authorization Acts of

Fiscal Years 2008, 2009 and 2010. I regret, however, that the

Senate has not been as receptive to your effort, and so far,

we have been unable to carry this provision into a Conference

Report, and then into law.

Walter, your dedication to this matter has been steadfast,

and I commend your sincere desire to recognize the men and

women of the United States Marine Corps in this way.

Hopefully, 2010 will be different. With over 360 co-sponsors

of your bill H.R. 24, this effort has real momentum behind

it, and I will be pleased to support its consideration on the

House Floor and, of course, again carry it as part of the

Chairman's mark of the national defense authorization bill

for Fiscal Year 2011.

Very truly yours,

Ike Skelton,

Chairman.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in strong support of House Resolution 747, congratulating the United States Military Academy at West Point on being named by Forbes magazine as America's Best College for 2009. I want to commend Representative John Hall of New York for sponsoring this legislation.

As our history shows us, West Point has a tradition of excellence that began with its establishment in 1802. For more than 200 years, our Nation in peace and war has been made a better place by the excellence of the leaders produced by the Military Academy. This most recent recognition of West Point by Forbes magazine is just the latest indication that the tradition of excellence continues.

For those of us whose duty it is in the House to be in close contact with Military Academy graduates, this recognition by Forbes magazine comes as no surprise. We are reminded frequently of the professional excellence and commitment to this Nation that West Point graduates consistently demonstrate. Those qualities in and of themselves are reason enough that we should remain supportive of this institution that has traditionally and consistently inspired young men and women to live such lives. I urge all Members to support this worthy resolution.

Madam Speaker, at this time I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus), a West Point graduate himself.

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

Madam Speaker, I just want to briefly thank Mr. Hall and everyone who has spoken today.

I do not know a bigger thrill for me, as a congressman, when I call a young person in my district, whom I have nominated to one of the three academies, to tell them to expect a letter of appointment. It is a thrill that every time I make the call, every time it is a thrill.

I want to thank Mr. Hall for this resolution today and also Mr. Marshall and those who have spoken.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of House Resolution 699, which recognizes the service and sacrifice of the members of the 139th Airlift Wing, Missouri Air National Guard. I want to commend my friend Sam Graves of Missouri for sponsoring this legislation.

The 139th Airlift Wing is a remarkably diverse and capable unit. For example, one of its major subordinate units is the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center. That unit exemplifies the total force concept because its members come not only from the Air National Guard but also from the Air Force Reserve and the active Air Force. They provide advanced tactical training to improve the effectiveness and suitability of airlift crews from all components of the Air Force--the Special Operations Command, the Marine Corps, and 15 allied nations.

Members of the wing have deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, to include providing the security element for a Missouri agribusiness development team that returned last fall from a year-long mission in Afghanistan. The success of the 139th Airlift Wing is directly related to the dedication, sacrifice, and professionalism of the nearly 2,500 civilian and military personnel who carry out the unit's missions. Their efforts deserve our recognition and thanks. For that reason, I urge all Members to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) who introduced this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 812, which recognizes the significant contribution of the Military Working Dog Program to the United States Armed Forces. Dogs have long been known as man's best friend. They are brave, loyal, and trustworthy. It is not a coincidence that these are the same traits so valued by the United States military services. It is these qualities that have made our Armed Forces unsurpassed. It is no wonder that the natural bond between man and dogs and these shared

characteristics have made military working dogs vital to the success of our Armed Forces since the K-9 Corps was established during World War

Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson).

Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Madam Speaker, I would think it is appropriate that I might say to everyone who has spoken today, thank you for your comments, but also I would like to share that the House has passed legislation that would allow a war dog memorial to be built at no expense to the taxpayer, either the building of the memorial or the upkeep. With that I would like to say to the gentleman from Georgia, it is a pleasure to work with you. You are one of the gentlemen who I have a greatest respect for in this House for your integrity.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, my heart ached so much last week when I heard that the chairman, and that's what I called Jack Murtha, Mr. Chairman, that he had passed on. My father served in the Congress for 26 years. I

have been here for 15 years. So that means for 41 years Jack Murtha, Mr. Chairman, has been part of our life, of the Walter Jones family.

I wanted to come to the floor tonight because I could not go to bed knowing that this tribute would be held to honor a great man. I have the privilege of having Camp Lejeune Marine Base and Cherry Point Marine Air Station in the Third District of North Carolina. To the chairman, the Marines were a part of his heart, because he was a marine.

The many times that I would go to that corner that so many people have made reference to, and I would stand in line because I am a Republican, and that didn't matter to him. What mattered to him was that I was a person, like the chairman, who cared. As has been said many times before me tonight, it didn't matter which party you were in. What was good for America, what was good for the military, that's what he stood for.

I would stand and wait my time, and he would say, Walter, what do you need? I would go up and take my turn and say, Mr. Chairman, our marines down in Camp Lejeune are having many problems with PTSD and TBI, and there are not enough psychiatrists to help. This was the last time I spoke to him. He said, Well, why don't we get together. Why don't we have a meeting.

So in the little room downstairs, I guess, on the first floor, the basement, in his room, we would go in, and I would talk to him about the needs of the marines, and the marines loved him. I had a couple in my room tonight when this started and they were saying, We've lost a great friend.

But tonight, for me personally, it was to come down here and say, Mr. Chairman, thank you. Thank you for having the time for a person that's no more than a foot soldier in the Congress. I am talking about myself. It didn't matter who you were, what position you held in the Republican Party or the Democratic Party, it was a matter of his heart. His heart was what can I do to help you. What does your district need? What do your marines need? And he would always find time to talk to you.

So, tonight, I wanted to come down for just a few minutes to say to the family that are here tonight that he was a great man, he was a patriot, and he is the kind of man that America needs to remember with great respect and also to thank him for being a man of humility.

I have always said that Christ was a man of humility, and he got so much accomplished because he was a man of humility. Chairman Murtha was a man of humility. He had great power, but he did not flex the muscles of power. He walked and he worked with humility.

Tonight I close by saying, Mr. Chairman, thank you for taking the time for all of us. You were a man that probably slept well at night because you were overworked, but you are in a better place now, and I am sure God is listening to whatever advice you might have to make America a better country.

I thank you for giving me this time to say thank you and goodbye, and America will miss you, and the Jones family will miss you, also.

Mr. Speaker, I have introduced H.R. 4631. The text is ``to authorize the adoption of a military working dog by the family of a deceased or seriously wounded member of the Armed Forces who was the handler of the dog.'' This act may be cited as the ``Corporal Dustin Lee Memorial Act.''

Mr. Speaker, 2 years ago, it was brought to my attention that a family in Mississippi, Rachel and Jerome Lee, their son, Dustin, a marine, was killed in Iraq for this Nation. Also with Dustin was his dog, Lex, who was wounded. In fact, the Marine Corps brought the dog, Lex, to Dustin's funeral.

Mr. and Mrs. Lee gave their son for this country, and all they asked of this Nation was to please let them have Lex, the dog that their son, Dustin, loved so much. Well, we all live here in Washington in a bureaucratic world, and there is some reason I guess for that, but the Marine Corps said to the family that Lex has 2 more years of service before he can be retired.

I heard about this story, and I called Mr. and Mrs. Lee in Mississippi. They told me, Congressman, we understand that this dog is very important to the cause of our Nation, but this dog meant so much to our son that that's all we would like to have. Well, I want to thank General Mike Regner, who I called and asked General Regner, is there any way we can expedite the retirement of Lex? And he said we will do our best to make this happen.

Well, these dogs that are trained work magnificently for this country. In fact, they give their lives many times to save a service person by seeking out these IEDs and other explosives. Well, it took about 3 weeks--that is not a whole lot of time, it really is not, but I think in the situation of these dogs, when the handler is killed for this country or seriously wounded, that we should be able to expedite this small gift to the family.

I will say to my colleagues, I am going to send a ``Dear Colleague'' around in the next few days that the Department of Defense has worked with us on. They support this legislation, so I hope that my colleagues will join me, and let's move this legislation through the House I hope expeditiously.

Mr. Speaker, this is a photograph taken by the family. When they got Lex home, they let Lex remember Dustin by having his clothes and his boots that had been returned from Iraq, and they let Lex remember the fragrance of their son. Then they took Lex to the cemetery--this is a rather large cemetery--and they said to Lex, Find Dustin, find Dustin. And the dog ran around the cemetery and then came up to the headstone. This is the headstone. It is a picture of their son Dustin with Lex. Dustin is kneeling and Lex is sitting there beside him. Lex came up to this headstone and laid down beside the headstone.

So with that, Mr. Speaker, I will ask my colleagues, please join us in H.R. 4639. This is the least we can do for the family or the wounded individual.

Mr. Speaker, as I always do, I ask God to please bless our men and women in uniform. I ask God to please bless the families of our men and women in uniform. I ask God, in His loving arms, to hold the families-- like the Lee family--who gave a child dying for freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq. And Mr. Speaker, I will ask three times from the bottom of my heart: God please, God please, God please continue to bless America.

Mr. Speaker, soon the Congress will be asked to raise the debt limit of this Nation. This actually happened under the previous administration, and now it's happening under the new administration.

I have not voted, from the time I have been in Congress, to raise this debt ceiling because all this really does is permit our government to borrow more money from foreign governments. I think we all know that we are what is called a debtor nation. We don't pay our bills anymore. We have to go to the Japanese, the Chinese, the UAE, and to many other countries to buy our debt so we can spend more. That is the reason I wanted to come to the floor tonight.

Before we broke for Christmas, Frank Wolf had sent out to each Member of the House a little pamphlet that says, ``Don't Let Debt Defeat a Great Nation.'' He and Jim Cooper, in a bipartisan way--Frank Wolf being a Republican; Jim Cooper a Democrat--have introduced H.R. 1557, the SAFE Commission Act, and I want to talk about that in the little bit of time I have.

And I am reading from his publication, Mr. Wolf's publication. ``We have amassed massive unfunded `promises' to guarantee future entitlement benefits that when added with liabilities like the debt, total nearly $57 trillion. That means every man, woman and child in America owes $184,000.''

I have used this back in my district, and I like to say it this way, Mr. Speaker. When that beautiful baby is born, the first cry out of his or her mouth is a cry of, ``Do I owe $184,000?'' Yes, baby, you do owe $184,000. Every American does.

This could, according to the information from Frank Wolf, skyrocket to $21 trillion by the year 2020. How do Frank Wolf and Jim Cooper, in a bipartisan effort, try to deal with this out-of-control spending? They have introduced, again, H.R. 1557, the SAFE Commission Act. And the actual title on it is the Securing America's Future Economy--SAFE Act.

How does this function? This would create a SAFE Commission. This would be made up of 16 bipartisan appointed people to be on this SAFE Commission Act, and it would be their responsibility to go through how government spends its money, from the entitlements to the spending on education, transportation, health care, national defense, tax policy, and other items. This commission would come back to Congress, if this should become the law, and then Congress would be required to vote up or down on the panels's proposal.

Now, how this panel would come up with this proposal is they would go around this country and they would hold hearings and listen to the American people--something we have not been doing, either party, quite frankly. We are not listening to the American people. Yes, we are now, and after what happened in Massachusetts a couple weeks ago, the American people are being heard and they've been heard by many of us when we go back home and do our own town meetings. But this commission would have the authority, should this become the law, to say to the Congress, You can't duck these votes. You're going to have to vote up or down. I think this is critical.

I would love to hear the President tomorrow night--I hope somebody has made him aware of this bipartisan effort known as the SAFE Commission, and I hope he would say tomorrow night that he would endorse this legislation and encourage the Democratic leadership in the House and the Republican leadership in the House to get behind this bill.

At this present time, Mr. Speaker, we have 109 Members of Congress who have cosponsored this legislation. I hope my other colleagues will look seriously at what Mr. Cooper and Mr. Wolf have done to try to bring to the American people hope that we can meet our obligations based on the Constitution and deal with this out-of-control spending here in Washington, D.C. that both parties are responsible for.

With that, Mr. Speaker, before I leave, as I do every night on the floor, I ask God to please bless our men and women in uniform, to please bless their families, and I ask God to hold in his arms the families who've given a child dying for freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq.

And, Mr. Speaker, three times, I ask God to please, please God, please God, please God, continue to bless America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. James Reginald Lewis, Jr., a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II.

Born in Clifton Forge, VA, Mr. Lewis served on the U.S.S. Canfield in the Pacific theatre. During his service, Mr. Lewis suffered injuries as a result of a bombing on the U.S.S. Canfield.

After returning from war, he graduated from Benjamin Franklin University in Washington, DC where he worked for an accounting firm.

In 1949, Mr. Lewis suffered a brain hemorrhage related to his injuries from World War II and became paralyzed. Even with his handicap he lived a full life and raised seven children. He was active in Holy Family Parish in Washington, DC and the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Lewis moved to Morehead City with his family in 1981, where he continued an active life with St. Egbert's Parish and Knights of Columbus Operation Lamb.

In reading of Mr. Lewis' life, he was a truly inspirational man, who even during the last few years when he was confined to a wheelchair, was always cheerful and friendly. Mr. Lewis possessed courage and a strong character that inspired many in Eastern North Carolina.

He died on December 23, 2009 at the age of 84. He is survived by his loving wife, Mrs. Jean Davis Lewis, six children, twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mr. Lewis will be missed every day; however, the bravery and strength he showed during his service to the U.S. Navy and afterwards will forever be remembered.

Mr. Speaker, 8 years ago I introduced a bill that would rename the Department of the Navy to be known as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps. This bill has passed the House for 8 years in what is called

the armed services bill. It has been supported by the former Armed Services chairman, Duncan Hunter, and is now being supported by the current chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Ike Skelton.

For 8 years, the Senate has said ``no'' to the Marine Corps, that you do not deserve this recognition. Mr. Speaker, I think that's very sad. This year I am pleased to say to the House that with the help of 362 House Members who have joined me in legislation to rename this Department to be known as the Department of Navy and Marine Corps, and with the help of Chairman Ike Skelton, we are hoping to send this bill to the Senate and let the Senate debate and think about the importance of honoring one fighting team.

Whenever we've held hearings on the Armed Services Committee, the CNO of the Navy, an admiral, and the commandant of the Marine Corps are there together saying, We're one fighting team. Well, if you're one fighting team, why don't you do what the Navy football team does, and that is to say, You both are recognized.

Mr. Speaker, I want to hold up a jersey from the Navy football team that I received, and this is the jersey of this year's team. I want to congratulate the team. They've had an excellent season. They've won a bowl, and I am very proud of them. On the left sleeve of the jersey is the Marine emblem, and on the right sleeve of the jersey is an anchor.

They understand at Annapolis that they are one fighting team, in this case a football team.

Mr. Speaker, a couple of other points I would like to make before closing. There are many medals that are named Navy and Marine Corps, such as Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Recruiting Service Ribbon.

And, Mr. Speaker, in 1959, the football field at Annapolis went from being known as the Navy Memorial Stadium to the Navy and Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Mr. Speaker, on a very serious note why this is so important, it is not only symbolism, but I am showing to my left an actual letter that was sent to the wife of a Marine captain who was killed in Iraq. This is a duplication of the letter. It says: The Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C., Navy flag extends its condolences to the marine's wife. If this becomes law, Mr. Speaker, what the condolence letter would then say, the Secretary of the Navy and Marine Corps, Navy flag and Marine flag extends its condolences.

It is time that the Senate follows the House and let's do what is right for the Marine Corps and give them the proper respect. Let's make them part of the family and part of one fighting team, the Navy and Marine Corps.

God bless our men and women in uniform; God bless their families; God bless the families who have lost loved ones in Afghanistan and Iraq; and may God continue to bless America.

Madam Speaker, I have the privilege of representing the wonderful people of the third district of North Carolina, which includes hundreds of military families and civilians that work for our military.

Today, I would like to honor one such civilian--Mrs. Joann C. Tadlock will retire from the Naval Air Systems Command, Fleet Readiness Center East, Cherry Point, North Carolina on February 3, 2010.

Mrs. Tadlock's distinguished government career spans over 31 years, a career that is full of achievements and accolades that greatly reflect upon her and upon the organizations with which she has served.

In April of 1978, Mrs. Tadlock began her Federal career as a Clerk for the Department of the Interior, holding progressively responsible administrative positions within the Department of the Interior and the Naval Air Systems Command.

Mrs. Tadlock returned to school and earned her bachelor's and master's degrees and became a Personnel Management and Equal Employment Opportunity Intern.

Mrs. Tadlock subsequently served as the principal classifier for the Human Resources Office, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and has most recently served as Total Force leader and Navy's Multi-Trade expert in supporting the Fleet's best interests.

Madam Speaker, I am very proud of Mrs. Joann Tadlock and I thank her on her many years of service to our great Nation and our military. Her contributions to the Department of Navy will be missed as she moves forward to new and exciting opportunities.

I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mrs. Joann Tadlock on such an extraordinary career.

Mrs. Tadlock epitomizes the dedication and professionalism that make our Federal Government a model all over the world.

God bless Joann, all of our troops, and may God continue to bless America.

Madam Speaker, I have the distinct privilege of representing many of this Nation's wonderful military families. The Third District of North Carolina is home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.

Every year, the National Military Family Association honors the top families from each of the seven uniformed services: Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. One family is chosen from these seven as the National Military Family of the Year.

This year I am very pleased to say that the Leanes family from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, is not only this year's Marine Corps Family of the Year but also the National Military Family of the Year.

Sergeant Dennis Leanes and his wife, Kristy, are dedicated and committed to serving this country as well as their community. The Leanes' six children, Jordan, Syvannah, Bethany, Marissa, Emily and Karianne are following their parents' example in giving back to their community as well.

In 2006, after 8 years of working in a civilian job, Dennis' love for his country led him to re-enlist in the Marine Corps, take a pay cut and uproot his family. The Leanes embraced life in the Camp Lejeune community and incorporated volunteering in their daily lives.

Dennis and Kristy run Scout meetings, coach sports teams, lead family readiness meetings and help their neighbors in any way they can. Kristy also dedicates a major portion of her time to home schooling all six of the Leanes children.

Jordan fixes bicycles and donates them to charity, Syvannah organized a wonderful ``Wounded Warrior Thank You'' project at church. Bethany volunteers her babysitting services for moms whose husbands are deployed. The three younger children, Marissa, Emily and Karianne, help out by baking cookies and bread for various projects and are quick to share with their neighbors.

Dennis and Kristy have taught their children by example what it means to be brave and strong. They have taught their children the importance of volunteering and what it means to serve your neighbor and community. Our military families need to know that the Members of Congress and the people of this Nation appreciate them and all they do for our country.

May God continue to bless our troops, their families, and this great Nation.

Madam Speaker, I have the privilege of representing the wonderful people of the third district of North Carolina, which includes hundreds of military families and civilians that work for our military.

Today, I would like to honor one such civilian--Mrs. Joann C. Tadlock will retire from the Naval Air Systems Command, Fleet Readiness Center East, Cherry Point, North Carolina on February 3, 2010.

Mrs. Tadlock's distinguished government career spans over 31 years, a career that is full of achievements and accolades that greatly reflect upon her and upon the organizations with which she has served.

In April of 1978, Mrs. Tadlock began her Federal career as a Clerk for the Department of the Interior, holding progressively responsible administrative positions within the Department of the Interior and the Naval Air Systems Command.

Mrs. Tadlock returned to school and earned her bachelor's and master's degrees and became a Personnel Management and Equal Employment Opportunity Intern.

Mrs. Tadlock subsequently served as the principal classifier for the Human Resources Office, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and has most recently served as Total Force leader and Navy's Multi-Trade expert in supporting the Fleet's best interests.

Madame Speaker, I am very proud of Mrs. Joann Tadlock and I thank her on her many years of service to our great nation and our military. Her contributions to the Department of Navy will be missed as she moves forward to new and exciting opportunities.

I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mrs. Joann Tadlock on such an extraordinary career.

Mrs. Tadlock epitomizes the dedication and professionalism that make our Federal government a model all over the world.

God bless Joann, all of our troops, and may God continue to bless America.