CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2027 BRAVO ZULU TO COMMANDER H.R. 5005, last July, I voted against its pas- On December 17m 1944, the USS Tabberer DANIEL F. VERHEUL, USN sage. As I have looked over the conference was east of the Phillippine Islands along with agreement reached with the other body, I do the 3rd Fleet, scheduled to refuel, when the HON. JOHN N. HOSTETTLER not see where this bill represents a significant weather began to deteriorate rapidly. The rea- OF INDIANA difference over the original product. Therefore, son, Typhoon Cobra was heading directly to- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I voted against the conference agreement for ward them. similar reasons that justified my vote on the Thursday, November 14, 2002 The high winds and choppy seas prevented bill. the USS Tabberer from refueling and by the Mr. HOSTETTLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise Let me say to my colleagues that I support evening of December 17th, the full force of the today to pay tribute to Commander Daniel F. the concept of a Department of Homeland Se- typhoon was upon them. The Tabberer had to Verheul, United States Navy. CDR Verheul curity. But the concept as transformed into fight extremely rough seas—and by the 18th has distinguished himself by exceptional serv- H.R. 5005 is a good idea turned into a really sustained winds had reached about 145 miles ice as the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Liai- bad legislation. per hour, with wind gusts up to 185 miles an son Officer to the House and Senate Armed This bill divides the government from those hour. Before the Typhoon had moved through, Services and Appropriations Committees from who serve it—government employees. The the USS Tabberer had lost its mast and radio February 2000 to December 2002. Com- 170,000 employees who will be incorporated antenna. Three destroyers from the fleet, the mander Verheul brought his wealth of tactical into this new Department will be denied job USS Hull (DD–350), the USS Spence (DD– through strategic-level operations and oper- protections that cover most all federal employ- 512) and the USS Monaghan (DD–354), had ational experiences to bear in supporting the ees, even those under the Department of De- gone down. various defense committee’s requirements for fense. Under this bill, the President can strip About 9:30 p.m. on December 18th, the intelligence briefings and hearings. employees of their union representation if the Tabberer rescued its first survivor from the Some of these briefing and hearings in- agency’s mission or division they work for ma- water. It was then that Lt. Commander Plage volved intelligence support for the Iraqi resolu- terial changes, or if a majority of the employ- learned that the USS Hull had capsized. Plage tion authorizing U.S. forces into combat, Oper- ees within that unit work primarily with intel- and the Tabberer immediately began an inten- ation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, inquir- ligence, counterintelligence or investigations sive search and rescue effort. These efforts ies into the attack on the USS Cole, oper- related to terrorism. The Department would continued for 3 days and nights. In all, the ations in the Balkans, Plan Colombia, ‘‘Desert also be free to totally ignore employee or bar- USS Tabberer pulled 55 men from the Pacific Fox’’ attacks on Iraq, joint targeting and battle gaining representative grievances of proposed Ocean. All were from the USS Hull and the damage assessments for Operation Northern changes in pay systems and personnel rules. USS Spence. and Southern Watch, and organizing and co- The personnel rules do not promote good ordinating a series of weekly classified intel- management; they do not promote good gov- Typhoon Cobra claimed nearly 800 lives. ligence briefs. ernment practices. In Election 2000, President Only 92 survived, 55 of these rescued by the Commander Verheul is an outstanding ac- Bush campaigned on the promise that he was crew of the USS Tabberer. Lt. Commander tion officer whose promotion of intelligence ca- a ‘‘uniter, not a divider.’’ Now we see what an Plage remained on sea duty after the war and pabilities at all levels gained support in the empty promise he has made of that campaign gave the Navy 14 years of service before retir- Congress for increased intelligence capabili- pledge. This bill will do much to divide govern- ing in 1954. ties and resources. Through his initiative, he ment from its own federal workforce. It is an honor for me to share this story of organized a myriad of one-on-one briefs to in- Another shortcoming of the bill is that it ex- heroism and survival and I ask you all to join form key Congressional Members and Staff, empts manufacturers of anti-terrorism tech- me in commending Lt. Commander Henry Lee enabling them to gain a better understanding nology from liability. Proponents of this provi- Plage and the crew of the USS Tabberer for of world crises, global threats, weapons and sion say it will make America safer. I say it their dedication in saving the lives of 55 men technology proliferation, foreign military capa- only rewards corporate irresponsibility—a pol- from that terrible storm. bilities, and support for administration policies icy that our President and the loyal opposition and objectives. seems to embrace. f Commander Verheul made numerous sig- Mr. Speaker, this is seriously flawed legisla- A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING nificant contributions to national-level military tion, and that is why I cast my vote against the THE RETIREMENT OF RICHARD and civilian policymakers in support of funding bill’s passage. H. FINAN and policy for intelligence operations and sup- f port activities. His contributions to the Con- gress, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and HONORING HENRY LEE PLAGE HON. ROBERT W. NEY the Defense Intelligence Community are ex- OF OHIO tensive and invaluable. His willingness to take HON. CLIFF STEARNS on any task, and succeed, promoting camara- OF FLORIDA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES derie and purpose in every endeavor, reflects IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, November 14, 2002 great credit upon himself, the Navy, the De- Thursday, November 14, 2002 fense Intelligence Agency, the Department of Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Whereas, Richard Defense, and the United States Congress. Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Finan served the people of Ohio as a member In closing, I am proud to recognize CDR this opportunity to share with my colleagues a of the Ohio State Senate for 30 years; and Verheul and his wife, LDCDR Karen Verheul, story of heroism and to honor the bravery of Whereas, Richard Finan has served as U.S. Navy, Nurse Corps for their honorable Lt. Commander Henry Lee Plage who lives in President of the Ohio State Senate; and service to our Nation. I join my colleagues in my hometown of Ocala, FL. During World War Whereas, Richard Finan worked to restore the House today in wishing them and their II, he and his crew saved dozens of men from and preserve the Statehouse and its annex; children Daniel and Jenny continued success the water of the Pacific after a raging typhoon and sunk three ships. and the traditional naval wish of ‘‘Fair winds Whereas, Richard Finan has used his posi- Henry Lee Plage started his military career and Following seas’’ as they transfer to their tion within the Ohio Senate to help better the as a member of ROTC at Georgia Tech and next assignments on the West Coast. lives of thousands of people; and f he joined the Navy in 1937 after his gradua- tion. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Lt. Whereas, Richard Finan must be com- HOMELAND SECURITY ACT OF 2002 Commander Plage immediately requested sea mended for his professionalism and his ability duty. His first assignment was commanding a to motivate those around him by establishing SPEECH OF submarine chaser. With only 4 days to get a superb example; and HON. CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK ready, he assumed command of a crew of 55. Whereas, Richard Finan’s dedication and service will be missed by the entire state of OF MICHIGAN On February 18, 1944, the USS Tabberer Ohio. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (DE–418) was launched. She was commis- sioned on May 23, 1944, with Plage in com- Therefore, I join with the residents of the en- Wednesday, November 13, 2002 mand. By October the ship had joined Admiral tire 18th Congressional District of Ohio in cele- Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, when this Halsey’s 3rd Fleet, helping to supply crucial air brating Richard Finan’s years of service and Chamber considered predecessor legislation, cover for General MacArthur’s Land troops. retirement from the Ohio State Senate. 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