H1952 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 27, 2007 Project. He was responsible for the honor and privilege of knowing Gene nicate its needs and the needs of our Dayton Floodwall; the Falls of the Snyder for many, many years, listen- citizens in Kentucky legislatively and Ohio Wildlife Conservation Area; the ing to his advice, laughing at his sto- was a great friend to the Common- renovation of the Louisville Post Office ries, and enjoying the companionship wealth and was also one of those prod- and the Louisville Courthouse; and a that we did. God rest his soul. ucts of Gene’s influence and his new terminal at Standiford Field; new Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speak- mentorship. bridges in Covington and Newport; the er, I thank the gentleman. Another was Joe Whittle, who met Gene Snyder Airport at Falmouth; and, Congressman ROGERS, I think you Gene the first time in 1975 when he was of course, the freeway. That is what captured the emotion and the power of running for attorney general in Ken- Gene called it anyway. Just the free- that funeral, the eulogies, the tucky at a time that it wasn’t cool for way. reminiscences that brought so many to Republicans to be running on a state- ‘‘Gene embodied the old rule that laughter. Sitting with Gene and Pat wide ticket. Gene called him up on the Members of Congress should be friends Snyder was always a wonderful journey phone. Joe was a little taken aback to after 5 o’clock. He was a committed back to the old House in the days be- get a phone call from the famed Con- conservative, but even liberal Members fore C–SPAN, before 24-hour news cy- gressman Gene Snyder, but he invited lined up to thank him in his last days cles, before multimillion dollar cam- him to come up to meet him in Louis- in Washington. One of them had this to paigns. ville and then drive up to Northern say: ’Gene Snyder has been devoted to The one thing that struck me about Kentucky to give a talk at the Beverly building things like bridges across riv- him when I first met him was his com- Hills Supper Club to a large group of ers and streams, but he has also de- plete lack of pretense. As a young man, Republicans there. When Gene got up voted himself to devoting goodwill I couldn’t believe this was a Congress- to introduce Joe Whittle, he used his among people.’ man, compared to the image that one humor to make that strong point about ‘‘When the last staffer turned off the would have on TV, somebody so ap- how he had sized up Joe’s character, lights and pulled the door shut on proachable, so transparent, and his and he said, This is Joe Whittle. He is Gene’s Capitol Hill office, an era in great gift of humor. He could teach a lawyer but not enough to hurt. And Washington ended. The people in the with humor. He could scold with humor they instantly became friends and were Fourth District saw a lot more of him and make his point very clearly. He close and intimate friends until a week and Pat. The members of Owl Creek was a man who built friendships that ago when Gene left this Earth. Later Country Club would hear his stories transcended partisan differences. Joe Whittle became the United States now. The people at Concordia Lutheran As Congressman ROGERS mentioned Attorney for Western Kentucky. saw him quite a bit. from Senator MCCONNELL’s eulogy, one The investment that Gene made in so ‘‘But Washington would miss, and of his great friends in the House was many lives has transcended their im- still misses, his common touch, his Congressman Carl Perkins, who rep- mediate impact and gone to other gen- lack of pretense, his principle. resented what is now the western part erations. ‘‘Age and illness would take their of the Fourth District, centered in Ash- Anne Gernstein, who is now the toll in the last years of Gene’s remark- land, Kentucky, in Boyd County. He chairman of the Olden County Repub- able life, but his humor remained. Old and Carl Perkins could fight on the lican Party, was his office manager at friends would call just to hear the re- floor, fight in the hallways on issues, his office in Louisville. And before I cordings on his answering machine. but at 5 o’clock they were friends, and first met Gene, I met Anne. She was ‘‘But now death has done its work, they were strong friends committed to helping with the local campaign, and I and a great American story comes to the Commonwealth, committed to the walked in the door as a new volunteer, an end. Yet we know it continues. This future of Kentucky. just wanting to get involved in politics, husband, father, lawmaker, mentor, He was a strong leader. And probably and I would have never thought at that and friend goes to the Father’s house the highest compliment that I could time that I would have the great honor now. pay him is that he was real. And that and privilege to follow in the legacy of ‘‘We take comfort in trusting him to fact is never lost on those who knew that great man. the Lord of Mercy, who tells us that in him. Those who were his foes in legisla- Gene, we will miss your humor and the life to come, every question will be tion had tremendous respect for him that twinkle in your eye right before answered. Every tear wiped away. And and invariably they liked him. you are about to spring a joke on some- we look forward to the day when we see The real fruit in a person’s life comes one. Marion Gene Snyder again, upright, re- from the seeds that are sowed in many To Pat and the children, thank you stored in body, healthy and strong, lives, the fruit that is born from that. for sharing this great man with us. reaching across the fence to take our I think of several names to mention Your hospitality and kindness are re- hands.’’ here that come to mind. Congressman membered by so many that you have So, Mr. Speaker, that is the eulogy ROGERS shared his perspective on touched throughout the years. that Senator MITCH MCCONNELL of Ken- Gene’s influence in his life. I have Gene Snyder left an indelible imprint tucky, the senior Senator from Ken- shared mine on his influence on me. My on Kentucky and our country. With his tucky, the Republican leader in the wife, Pat, and I used to live in La passing, Kentucky has lost, and the Na- Senate, as he delivered the eulogy to Grange, Kentucky, down near the Lou- tion has lost, a great leader and a true our friend Gene Snyder Saturday at isville suburbs. My first campaign statesman; but his legacy continues to the funeral in Louisville. I read the eu- chairman in Olden County was Harold live on. logy because I could not say it any bet- Smith. Harold Smith, as a young attor- f ter. ney in 1966, managed Gene’s first cam- Gene Snyder was a legend in his own paign for Congress in the Fourth Dis- THE 30-SOMETHING WORKING time. He is a legendary Member of this trict, and then he helped manage my GROUP body. He was one of the most powerful first campaign for Congress in 2002 and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under Members of this body for many years. then again in 2004 and again in 2006. I the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- But beneath that sometimes publicly think about that legacy of friendship uary 18, 2007, the gentleman from Flor- crusted personality was that warm, and how he reached out and was known ida (Mr. MEEK) is recognized for 60 min- gentle spirit and warm, gentle heart; by so many in the community. utes. that helpful person who reached out a Another was his staff director on the Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it hand to help those who needed it, Public Works Committee, Mike is an honor to address the House. whether it be a Member of Congress or Toohey, who also was with us on Satur- And to my colleagues on the Repub- a person back home looking for help on day. Mike left government at the time lican side of the aisle, it sounds like a Social Security claim or a veteran’s that Gene retired and had a long and our past colleague Mr. SNYDER and his pension or the like. distinguished career in government re- family served our country well, and we We won’t see his kind again, unfortu- lations, helping Ashland Oil, later Ash- appreciate his contributions to our nately, but I am glad that I had the land Inc., to reach out and commu- country in serving in public service.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:44 Apr 19, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD07\H27FE7.REC H27FE7 hmoore on PRODPC68 with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 27, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1953 Mr. Speaker, as you know, this is the to travel to Iraq twice, and looking for- binding resolution. The President first night of business, returning back ward to going back soon and going to agreed he thought that it would pass from the Presidents Day break. Before Afghanistan and other areas where we here on the floor because the votes we left we had a week-long debate on have a military presence, readiness is were there. He has people that are the question of Iraq, a nonbinding reso- very, very important. counting these votes. lution opposing the troop escalation Readiness is almost like if you have I said, ‘‘Mr. President, I think it is that the President has put forth at this an illness and you are going in for a important as we look at this as being a time. major operation, you want to make nonbinding resolution, there will be a And the discussion continues, Mr. sure that that doctor has what he or binding resolution or a binding supple- Speaker, as we start, Democrats and she needs to be able to carry out your mental, emergency supplemental for Republicans, molding out the direction procedure. the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that we have to head in in this coun- I think it is important as we look at there will be language in there, and try. The American people, Mr. Speaker, our National Guard and we look at our you shouldn’t have a problem with it, voted for change and a new direction. Reservists and we look at our active to say that we should not send the And to bring about that kind of change duty that they have what they need to troops unless they are ready. I am not and new direction, there are going to carry out the mission if they are sent talking about mentally, I am talking have to be some votes here on this to Iraq. You can’t go unless you have about having the equipment they need floor that are going to speak volumes up-armored Humvees that are going to to carry out the mission and not find back home of how we are going to pro- match the mission. You should not go themselves in harm’s way without hav- ceed from this point on and how we are and we should not send them if they ing the kind of backing that they need going to assist our men and women in don’t have the Kevlar vests that they to be able to carry out the mission harm’s way and how we are going to need. They should not go and we should once again.’’ deal with this issue in Iraq and in Af- not send them if they don’t have the Of course, the President came back ghanistan and other domestic issues kind of backing that they need from a in a very roaring voice saying, that we have here. support standpoint that is trained and ‘‘KENDRICK, do you believe that I would I am very pleased to not only share ready for the mission in Baghdad, need send men and women into harm’s way? with the Members, Mr. Speaker, but it be door-to-door searches, need it be I hear about the funerals. I write the also with the American people the fact guerilla warfare, need it be the general letters and I call the families. You be- that 246 Members of the House voted in equipment one may need to carry out lieve that I would do that?’’ the affirmative to disagree with the that mission. I don’t believe that the President President as it relates to the recent There is nothing wrong with the word would do that. But let me just share troop escalation of some 20,000 combat ‘‘readiness.’’ I put it in the category, this with you: It has happened, and I troops and anywhere from 3,000 to 4,000 Mr. Speaker, of responsibility. I think think it is important that we realize support personnel being sent to Iraq, it is important. I think it is irrespon- that it is happening. which was announced by the President sible for us to send men and women Yes, if I am talking to a friend of on January 10 of this year. into harm’s way without the necessary mine and they are saying, well, you tools that they need. know, I know there have been reports b 2145 Now, there are some Members that of the new car that I bought, that it I think it is very, very important to are saying, well, why do you have has some sort of problem with the en- note that that was a nonbinding reso- Members concerned? A colonel told us gine that has come out in the auto re- lution. Even though it was nonbinding, or the President told us or I read some- port or what have you, but I am going it really set the course for the Congress where in a news release or I saw on the to be okay regardless. to play a role. news that they have everything they Maybe it is not the best analogy that I think the reason why we are in the need, and why would we send them I can come up with at this point, but majority, and when I say ‘‘we,’’ the over there in the first place? We all we have been told that the troops have Democrats are in the majority right have their best interests at heart. what they need, we have been told they now, Mr. Speaker, is not the fact that I am going to share with Members, are ready for the mission that they are our message was better than the Re- Mr. Speaker, that being a member of being sent to, and we found out other- publican message in the last election. I the Armed Services Committee in the wise later. think the American people were count- last two Congresses and this Congress Now, Mr. Speaker, it gives me no ing on change and heading in a new di- too, I have seen the Secretary of De- pleasure, and Members, it gives me no rection. fense say they have what they need. pleasure, we are at 3,154 men and So it is important, and I am encour- ‘‘Anything the troops need, we will women in uniform that are dead now. aging the Members in a bipartisan way, give it to them.’’ And later I will pick We appreciate their contributions to that we work very hard to give the up a news account that they don’t have our country and we appreciate the way American people what they want and what they need, or go to Walter Reed that they have applied themselves on to give the men and women in uniform and talk to a soldier that ended up behalf of what we sent them over to do. what they need. I think that is a Con- being blown up in a Humvee because of But I will tell you standing here as a gress having oversight hearings; a Con- an improvised explosive device, be- Member of Congress, that some of gress debating the issues as it relates cause that Humvee did not have the these deaths could have been prevented to troop readiness; a Congress that is up-armor that it needed. It is the total if they had what they needed. willing to take the tough votes when opposite of what I hear here on Capitol Now, Members can go back and forth they need to be taken; to be able to Hill and what I have seen at Walter on how you feel about leadering up, provide the kind of leadership from the Reed. manning up and womaning up to be congressional oversight end. Let’s take Walter Reed out. I have able to do what you need to do as a The President is the commander-in- gone to Germany, Mr. Speaker. I have Member of Congress to fight on behalf chief. That is outlined in the Constitu- seen service men and women without of these individuals. I am not ques- tion. No one is really trying to bother legs. They didn’t have what they need- tioning anyone’s patriotism. I am not that or hinder that. We just want to ed. We were told they had what they questioning anyone’s integrity. I am make sure that the troops have what needed, but they didn’t have it. not even questioning any Member of they need when they go into harm’s Just 2 weeks ago, last week during Congress’ will or desire to make sure way, need it be Iraq or Afghanistan. the debate, I think it was on Tuesday that we give the troops what they need. I mentioned a little earlier in my or Wednesday, I was at the White I believe we all are well-intended. talk about readiness. I think it is im- House for a meeting and we had an op- But we have to make sure that when portant that we identify this, because portunity to ask the President ques- that man or woman leaves their family it is used a lot here on the floor. Being tions and I had an opportunity to ask on a tarmac, need it be at an active a member of the Armed Services Com- the President a question. And I shared duty military camp or at a commercial mittee and having had an opportunity with the President, we talked the non- airport where you have Reserve and

VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:44 Apr 19, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD07\H27FE7.REC H27FE7 hmoore on PRODPC68 with CONG-REC-ONLINE H1954 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 27, 2007 National Guard individuals that are as someone who has served in uniform. here, and I am pretty sure that I can leaving to go into harm’s way, it is our I have just been a State trooper and I get a good account from her about duty and our responsibility as Members have been an elected official for 13 what happened or I can research in the of Congress that have oversight of the years, and I have served here in this CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, we have Mem- taxpayer dollars to make sure, even Congress for the last 4 years and a cou- bers coming to the floor chest-beating, though someone has said it is going to ple of months. And I have been federal- ‘‘Oh, I support the men and women in be okay, but to make sure that they ized by the people that elected me from uniform and our veterans, and I am have what they need. It is that simple. the Seventeenth Congressional Dis- going to be in the veterans parade and So, I was not shocked, Mr. Speaker, trict. I am going to wave and carry on and I by seeing the bipartisan vote before we I will tell you this: I know what my am going to let them know that I love left on President’s break. I am defi- job is, and I know what Mr. MURTHA’s them.’’ nitely not a prophet and I am not a job is, and I know what the job of all of Well, let me just say this: In the psychic, but I knew, based on the mes- the Members of Congress, including the 108th and the 109th Congresses, veteran sage from the American people, Demo- Members of the Senate and the Presi- benefits were cut, period. They were crats and Republicans, I am not just dent of the United States and the peo- cut. And as we continue to talk about talking about proud Democrats kind of ple that he appoints, that we need to it, as we continue to dissect the Presi- got together and said hey, let’s do this. make sure, we need to make sure be- dent’s budget, this document here, as We don’t have 246 Members here in this yond 100 percent, we need to make sure we continue to dissect this budget House on the majority right now, so it 160 percent, if we can, 200 percent, that here, find out what is in it and what is took 17 Republicans to come along those men and women that go into war, not in it, what is going to be given to with Democrats or to be with Demo- that their chance to come back to this the American people and what is going crats or to be with individuals that un- country the way they left is our para- to be taken away, we are going to find derstood that message last November mount duty. out where this administration falls and from the American people. So, I am not really tied up in a de- the old majority in this House falls on As far as I am concerned, in the 30- bate, Mr. Speaker, and I don’t think the issue of veterans. something Working Group, we don’t here on this side of the aisle and even b 2200 focus on issues, ‘‘let’s go to the floor some of the Members on the other side and make sure we gain a greater ma- of the aisle are tied up in the debate Now, I can speak, and I know we can jority.’’ Not when it comes to national about the details of the obvious. speak, in a very bold voice when we security. Not when it comes to the The obvious is, Mr. Speaker, the fact talk about our commitment to vet- very heartbeats and the way of life of that the troops should have what they erans. I have a veterans hospital in my those individuals that put their lives need when they go into harm’s way. district. I have actually two. When I go on the line and those that have put Why are we even talking about that? and visit, I look at those men and their lives on the line in the past, and Why are some Members objecting to women. They could have served back in I am going to talk about them a little that being in the emergency supple- Korea, World War II. I even met a gen- later, Mr. Speaker. mental, to say that they should have tleman who served in Grenada, Haiti, You don’t play politics with that. what they need to go into war? If it 82nd Airborne. You have these individ- That is national security. That is wasn’t so serious, it would be funny. So uals that are there. Vietnam, that are someone’s daddy, that is someone’s I think the Members, we need to kind there. Some folks may not know that mother, that is someone’s son, that is of put that to the side and say that they served, but we know they served. someone’s daughter that may not come there are other issues that we have to Our responsibility in Congress is not home because someone told someone deal with. to just carry on and talk about how we else in Washington, D.C. that it was Profiteering of the war, reams and support the men and women in uniform going to be okay. reams of paper, Inspector General re- and those who have served, and we Now, there are a lot of folks around ports of how U.S. contractors have honor them and we appreciate them; here editorializing on what Mr. MUR- been fleecing of the U.S. taxpayer dol- but I think it is important that we THA is talking about from Pennsyl- lar. Our paramount, one of our fiscal speak with our dollars and our commit- vania, who is an outstanding Member paramount responsibilities is to make ment here as Members of Congress. of the Congress and also happens to be sure that the Federal tax dollar is not In January of 2003, the Bush adminis- the chairman of the Defense Appropria- only appropriated, but disseminated in tration cuts off veterans health care tions subcommittee. the right way to make sure that ulti- for 164,000 veterans. That is on our Web I think it is important that we look mate accountability is paramount once site. at someone who is a decorated Marine, again. March 2003, the Republican budget that has fought for us to salute one So I am excited about what is hap- cuts $14 billion from veterans health flag, who served in Congress double pening here, Mr. Speaker, I am excited care. That was passed by Congress with digit years, that still is willing to serve about the debate that is taking place, 199 Democrats voting against that this country. We have someone that is and I am excited about the forward measure of cutting the $14 billion. willing to say I voted for the war, as progress that we are making in that In March 2004, the Republican budget Mr. MURTHA did, and to say that I have area. shortchanged veterans health care been to Iraq, I have had oversight hear- I just want to address one more thing again by $1.5 billion. That was passed ings, and I must add that he has had before I turn it over to my colleague, by the Congress, 201 Democrats voting more oversight hearings since this Con- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. against that measure. gress has been active in the last 2 Mr. Speaker, I was very disturbed March 2005, President Bush’s budget months than they had in the entire last week and have been disturbed, and shortchanges veterans health care 109th Congress with 2 years combined here in the 30-Something Working again by more than $2 billion. Again, and then some. Group, we have been talking quite a bit 201 Democrats voted against that. This And that the committee is hard at about our veterans. Now, I mentioned was House Resolution 95. The vote work to make sure that when those that a little earlier because the vet- number was 98. family members look at those men and erans, we say we are the 30-something In the 30-Something Working Group, women that are going into harm’s way, Working Group. A lot of those veterans we actually pull information from the that they know, not maybe, not, well, are 30-something now. Many of them CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. I think it is you know, I am trying to get there. are even 20-something, because of their important that Members and the I heard what the President said. I service. Some of them are 40 and 50- American people realize that. heard what the Secretary of Defense something. And they are coming back. Again, November 2005, the Bush ad- said. I even heard a member of the In the last Congress, in the 109th and ministration as it relates to the short- brass say it. When they go out on pa- 108th, those were the only two Con- fall, Democrats fought that summer to trol, and I am not a military person gresses I can account for, because be- be able to get back the $2.7 billion that and I am not going to represent myself yond that it was my mother serving was taken out. And we have a member

VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:44 Apr 19, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD07\H27FE7.REC H27FE7 hmoore on PRODPC68 with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 27, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1955 of the Appropriations Committee here, polished and brand-spanking clean. So when they see people coming back but in the last continuing resolution There is not a shadow of what is de- from these wars, being treated without because the Republicans did not do scribed in this third-party validator, the basic dignity that any of us would their job, Mr. Speaker, in making sure which is how we refer to our informa- expect those men and women to be that the work was done when the tion that we bring out here to dem- treated with, I would think, I hope it Democratic Congress took over, they onstrate the facts. doesn’t, but I would think it might couldn’t get all of the bills passed. I want to read just a paragraph from give pause to those that would join our They just kept punting down the the article. I want to highlight some of military. street. In our continuing resolution, we the things, and we have been joined by So I think of this from a point of con- retooled Members’ projects and other our good friend Mr. ALTMIRE from science deep inside me, and I also think nonissues that weren’t a priority be- Pennsylvania. about it from a standpoint of national cause of the thirst that veterans have This article hit me like a ton of security. What kind of signal are we and the Department of Veterans has to bricks: ‘‘Life beyond the hospital bed,’’ sending to those who are going to be provide the services for our men and and this is what is going on at Walter the next generation of troops when this Reed that is not what they show us as women that serve. The Democrats in- is how we treat them when they come Members of Congress and that they creased the VA health care budget by back. show the President and Vice President $3.6 billion in a joint funding resolu- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Thank about what is going on at Walter Reed. tion. I say all of that to indicate it is you. That is a very important and valid ‘‘Life beyond the hospital bed is a frus- point. important that we do this. trating mountain of paperwork. The One last point. While we were on I want to read a quote, and that typical soldier is required to file 22 break, The Washington Post: ‘‘Soldiers quote is this: ‘‘So let’s get something documents with eight different com- face neglect and frustration at Army straight right now. To point out that mands, most of them off post, to enter top medical facility’’ here in Wash- our military has been overextended, and exit the medical processing world, taken for granted and neglected, that ington, D.C., Walter Reed Hospital. according to government investigators. is no criticism of the military, that is This is a Washington Post article, Sun- Sixteen different information systems a criticism of the President and Vice day, February 18, 2007. It was dropped are used to process the forms, but few President and their record of neglect.’’ here on my doorstep in Washington, of them can communicate with one an- Who do you think said that? I will D.C. I read this, and it was a follow-up other. The Army’s three personnel tell you who said that, George W. Bush, article. I think it is important that the databases cannot read each other’s as a candidate, said that on November American people and Members of Con- files and can’t interact with the sepa- 3, 2000, in an interview on CNN. gress pay close attention to what is rate pay system or the medical record I think it is pretty clear that he was happening. keeping databases. The disappearance right almost 7 years ago, and it is just You have patients and outpatients of necessary forms and records is the sad that he didn’t mean it. It is sad that are saying that Walter Reed, they most common reason soldiers languish that he didn’t actually do anything are encountering a messy bureaucratic at Walter Reed longer than they more than say those words instead of battlefield that reminds them of the should,’’ and it goes on. real one that they faced overseas. That is just unbelievable. A moun- taking to heart what he supposedly be- It also talks in this article about rats tain of red tape and bureaucracy is lieved at the time and making sure and mice and dead insects in this hos- what our troops come back to the that it didn’t happen when he became pital. Smells and carpet stains. United States to and have to deal with. President. Again, Mr. Speaker, our job, yes, we I thought we well established after 9/11 Clearly Walter Reed, the lack of body say we support the troops. Yes, we say that interoperability and communica- armor and preparation and training we support veterans. We are supposed tion between systems was an obstacle that we are sending, that we have been to say that. But when we come here that was intolerable. sending and he was willing to send our and we take our voting card out and we How could we allow this to happen troops over to Iraq and Afghanistan go to these committees, we have to and just let our veterans, who fought without, is clearly still something that make sure that we follow through on for us so valiantly, and the analogy I he is willing to do. Unfortunately, all what we say. will make is while our troops might the President has been is a candidate So I am excited by the fact that by not come home, and thank good they who spews words with really not too reading everything that I have read are not coming home to the same reac- much meaning behind them. It looks about what has happened in the last tion as our Vietnam veterans came like Mr. ALTMIRE would like to say two Congresses and beyond, that we home to, how is this not as bad? It is something. have already put $3.6 billion, and we actually worse, in a way, because in- Mr. ALTMIRE. I thank the gentle- haven’t had a full cycle to be able to stead of just having to suffer the wrath woman from Florida and the 30-some- even dissect the budget and to appro- of their fellow Americans, which was a thing Working Group. priate. So saying that, I want to pass it travesty and certainly hurtful and I was in my office doing some work over to the gentlewoman from Florida harmful, instead they come home and after the district work period, and I (Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ), a good suffer the wrath of their government, heard the gentleman from Florida (Mr. friend of mine. I am glad she is here to the benign wrath of their government. MEEK) speaking on veterans and the shed light on our message here tonight. ‘‘Benign’’ meaning not specifically in- problems at Walter Reed. I had to come Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Thank tended to harm, but it is like death by down here and join in the conversation, you so much. It is a pleasure to join a thousand cuts. and I appreciate your offer to do so. my 30-something colleagues, Mr. MEEK Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. If the I want to tell you about a few things and Mr. MURPHY. gentlelady would yield for a moment, that happened in my district back Mr. MEEK, you started talking about let us also think about what this mes- home. I had several meetings with or- the travesty that was revealed by The sage is to those that would sign up for ganizers and folks in the veterans com- Washington Post just before last week- this volunteer military force being sent munity in my district. I toured a VA end about what is going on at Walter to defend our country overseas. Not hospital that is undergoing a major ex- Reed Medical Center and the campus only is this unconscionable to those pansion. As we were doing this and its facilities. who have sacrificed everything to fight throughout the week last week, the ar- I had the privilege of going to visit for this country in Afghanistan and ticles from The Washington Post about our men and women that are at Walter Iraq, but think about those who we are what was happening at Walter Reed ap- Reed who have come back from Iraq in- asking to join the Armed Forces. We peared. jured. Almost every soldier I met with don’t have a draft any more, and many I have to tell you that the veterans was an amputee and went through a people are thankful for that. We rely community in my district, and I am devastating experience, devastating in- on the decisions by courageous men sure in other districts around the coun- jury. But the ward that they take you and women across this country to join try, my veterans were outraged at through, like this article says, is spit- voluntarily our Armed Forces. what was happening there because

VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:44 Apr 19, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD07\H27FE7.REC H27FE7 hmoore on PRODPC68 with CONG-REC-ONLINE H1956 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 27, 2007 there has been a lot of talk during the that has a place in the debate when we Our obligation has to be not just to debate on Iraq and other forums that have a situation at Walter Reed that treat the broken bones, the damaged certain individuals are not supporting has been outlined. We have a budget bodies, but also to the mental stress the troops and not displaying the right situation where we have not funded our that these brave men and women have commitment to the troops, and there is veterans as we should have in past come back with. a partisan affiliation with that. But I years, but we are going to make up for I just want to talk for a minute want to tell you, we have a situation it with this year’s budget and con- about who we are talking about here, taking place at Walter Reed where we tinuing budgets. because we have fought previous bat- have veterans returning from Iraq and Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Mr. tles in a very different way. We have from Afghanistan, as has been pointed Speaker, I thank Mr. ALTMIRE. Your relied largely on our enlisted men and out, with severe injuries. These are 19 veterans in your district and veterans women to fight these wars, and I think and 20 year olds, with severe, long- across this country have you to thank, we need to remember who we are ask- term, lifelong injuries. These are the along with others, that you helped ing to go over to Iraq and to Afghani- people that we are talking about when rally to the cause to make sure that stan to fight because no longer is it we are having the debate on Iraq and the continuing resolution that we just our enlisted men. Afghanistan and who is supporting the passed here, which is effectively the We are treating our National Guard troops and who is not. Act that keeps the government oper- basically like they are our normal I would leave it to others to deter- ating, that provides the resources to Army today. Sometimes we forget mine who is at fault here. That is not different agencies, including the Vet- that. It is good we are the 30-something what this is all about. What this is erans Administration, you made sure Working Group here because some- about is protecting our veterans and that that bill had the proper resources times young people that have only seen finding a way to improve the system. in it for our veterans. this conflict think that that is how Here is the good news. We are talking I have to say I shared the outrage of things are, that the National Guard about what is past and we also have to the veterans in my communities when and the Reserve are sort of like every- talk about the prologue as well. A new I heard about these articles because body else and they get sent over there, sheriff is in town, and the good news these are the people that are fighting and that is what they signed up for. for veterans and for the American peo- for us overseas that are in harm’s way, Well, that is not what they signed up ple is that we are going to make those and the situation in Iraq and Afghani- for. That is not how we have conducted investments in veterans health care. stan is going to be the subject of an- our military interventions in the past. We are going to change things in this other debate coming up on funding and We have zero active duty or Reserve Congress. Mr. ALTMIRE and I ran in we are going to hear some rhetoric brigades in the United States right now part to make those changes, and Mr. thrown around I am sure on this floor that are considered combat ready. We MEEK and Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ and other places about support of our have 84,000 members of the National stood up here night after night after Guard and Reserve that have been de- troops and who has been supportive of night making the case for that change. ployed two times or more since 2001. our troops. If the American people spoke out The average mobilization for a Reserve As the gentlewoman from Florida about many things, one of them cer- knows, during the debate on the budg- tainly was that part of our change in or National Guard member is 18 et, the continuation resolution, I was foreign policy had to be doing justice months, and now, as we are learning one who pushed very hard for increased to those veterans. So I hope that when that the President is once again going funding for our Nation’s veterans. I people hear us talk about some of the to rely on National Guard forces to be want to say that our leadership was bad things happening within our vet- part of this new escalation in Iraq, we able to put in $3.6 billion in funding in- erans system here, they understand are finding out that these forces, as creases for the VA health system. I that we are only saying it because we they get ready in their hometowns and have said many times, and I will say it are part of the movement which is their home States, are not even close here again tonight, Mr. Speaker, that I going to change that. to combat ready in terms of the equip- will never support a budget bill that The Disabled Veterans of America ment they need. does not fund the VA health system to were in my office today, and they The Oklahoma National Guard re- maintain the current level of services shared with me a pretty remarkable ports that one-third of their members every year that that budget funds. statistic, and I hope I get it right. In do not have the M–4 rifles. Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. On b 2215 previous foreign conflicts, the ratio of those killed to those that were wound- that point, just to focus on the Na- They have been neglected for far too ed in battle was 3 to 1 wounded to tional Guard and how correct you are long, and we have seen what has hap- killed in action. In this conflict, it is 16 about how they are being treated pened at Walter Reed. We have seen the to 1. Now, that is great news, that we versus what they signed up for, there situation as outlined in great detail, have made advances in protection for are now 14,000 National Guard troops and I do want to commend The Wash- our soldiers, in armor, in the ability of being deployed earlier than they were ington Post for the job that they did in our medical professionals to intervene originally scheduled to meet the de- putting forward these facts because on the battlefield that we are saving mands of the President’s proposed these are things that needed to be that many lives. It is a tragedy that plans to escalate the war. known. one is lost, never mind the 3,000. National Guard and Army units are We have a backlog in the VA of The stress, though, that that puts on being called up sooner than previously 400,000 cases. A 400,000-case backlog in our system is a great one. We have scheduled, and that is even though the VA health care system. Mr. Speak- more and more wounded, more severely some of these units do not have the er, that is just unacceptable in this wounded coming into our hospitals, equipment that they need. They do not time. and it means that we have to step up to have the training, and some of them So I will yield back, but I did want to meet that new obligation. We are so are having to go over there foregoing say that I was in my office, and I just lucky to have people coming back that the training. could not resist the opportunity to can still go on to lead productive lives, Mr. MEEK and I are going to be meet- come down one more time and say that but only if we provide them with those ing with our general, who is in charge I share the frustration of the Members resources. of our National Guard in Florida very here, the 30-something Working Group, The other story that they told me soon. I just saw the request today, and on this issue because I personally am a was of the number of young soldiers I am looking forward to meeting with little bit tired of the rhetoric that cer- just back from this war who are ending him. I met with him in my district in tain people are not supporting the up in in-patient care in our State vet- Florida as well last year, and the con- troops. I agree that there are people erans hospitals, those that have been versations that I have had with him who are not supporting the troops, and afflicted not just by the physical and with others about the condition of I will leave it to others to determine wounds, but by the mental wounds as the equipment, not just the condition who that is, but I do not think that well. of the equipment that is going over

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Because at that moment, I ment once it comes back because we we have done here, is that we need to could not assure you because I did not are not replacing the equipment and have an honest conversation about in- have the information at my fingertips, sending them new equipment after it creasing the troop strength of our mili- I had to get back to you and was proud has been through 5, 6 years of an Iraq tary, increasing numbers of troops that to be able to report that we did provide War. are enlisted and doing this as a perma- a significant increase that we were able So the equipment that they are nent job, because it has gotten to the to bump up beyond the continuing res- working on and that they are utilizing end of the limit of a lot of the people olution significantly the health care has been through war literally. I mean, who are serving in our National Guard we are providing to our veterans. But we are not making sure that they have and our Reserve. it is to your constituents’ credit and the equipment that they need. We are Mr. ALTMIRE. I would add to that, the veterans that you represent that sending them over there two, three and the gentleman from Connecticut has you do that. four times now. eloquently outlined the types of people But let us just go through some facts When I went to Walter Reed a couple that we are talking about, that find that we know. The percentage of Army of weeks ago, every single guy I met themselves in this situation in our vet- servicemembers receiving medical re- had been through three tours, three. erans hospitals. We are talking about tirement and permanent disability ben- One of the guys I met, his little boy people who really are American heroes. efits back in 2001 was 10 percent. The was there, and literally his dad had These are the best and brightest of our percentage of the same Army service- been on three tours. His little boy was society. These are people who have left members receiving medical retirement six, which means that this dad missed their families, as the gentlewoman and permanent disability benefits in half of his child’s life already, half. I from Florida has outlined. They have 2005 down to 3 percent. Army Reserv- mean, that is just inexcusable. That is left their children. They are taking ists receiving medical retirement and not what our volunteers sign up for. I three, sometimes more, four tours, and permanent disability in 2001, 16 per- mean, even if you signed up for the reg- they come back home. cent; same group in 2005, 5 percent. ular standing Army, it is unreasonable They find themselves in a military Let us go to the case backlog at the to expect that they would have to have hospital. They find themselves back- Veterans Administration on new ben- that kind of pressure, physical, mental, logged on waiting lists. It takes 6 efit claims in fiscal year 2006. 400,000- emotional pressure put on them as well months to 2 years to access your health case backup. This is from the Army as their families, especially in the mid- benefits at the VA. This is shameful Times, third party validator. Average dle of the situation in a war that we treatment for people who are our he- length of time veterans wait before re- are involved in under dubious cir- roes in this country. We need to have a ceiving monthly benefits, 6 months to 2 cumstances to begin with. national commitment to supporting years. That was in the Los Angeles I do not know if Mr. MEEK wants to our veterans. Times. jump in here now, but he is still sitting These are people who put their lives The number of soldiers at Walter so I imagine not. So I will go back to on the line for us. These are people who Reed navigating the medical and phys- Mr. MURPHY. have left their family, as we have ical evaluation process since 2001 has Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. We are talked about, and we have had a situa- doubled. The average length of time it talking about the best of the best. If tion in recent years where we had not takes for Army soldiers to convalesce anyone was able to operate and achieve given them the help that they need on and go through the military medical under the strain, it is the men and the VA health side. We have made a and physical evaluations, nine to 151⁄2 women in our Armed Forces, and so we commitment in the new Congress that months. expect a lot of them because we know we are going to make up for that as we b 2230 the training they have been through. have talked about. We know the kind of people they are, But I do want to make clear that ev- The increase in the Army’s physical but we have asked so much of them eryone in this House realizes, both Re- disability caseload since 2001, 80 per- that we can ask very little more. publican and Democrat, that these are cent. The number of veterans from the We do differentiate at some level be- the heroes of our society. Nobody is global war on terror expected to enter tween our enlisted men and our Na- going to argue with that. These are the military and veterans health care tional Guard and Reserve troops, and I folks that we applaud them for their ef- systems in the coming years, 700,000. think it is appropriate because when forts. We thank them and we cannot And I will just read the quote again you are talking about them, you are show our gratitude in any more force- from Candidate Bush: ‘‘So let’s get talking about ripping somebody out of ful way than to give them the funding something straight right now. To point a family, out of a community. that they need when they come back out that our military has been over- These are not just fathers and moth- home and find themselves in a VA extended, taken for granted, and ne- ers. These are small businessmen. health care facility or receiving treat- glected, that’s no criticism of the mili- These are employees. These are em- ment at the veterans facility, even on tary; that is the criticism of a Presi- ployers. These are members of the an outpatient basis. dent and a Vice President and their PTA. These are members of the Elks Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. I want record of neglect.’’ Club. These are people who hold com- to follow up on what you are saying Well, it sure is. And these statistics munities together. That is the type of and emphasize and demonstrate what from the time that this President has people that our members of the Armed we are doing to our best, and I do mean been in the office are evidence of that. Forces are. Those people that sign up doing to our best and brightest once I would be happy to yield to one of for the Reserve and National Guard do they have come back. You have been the three gentlemen here. that because they have this commit- an eloquent champion of our veterans. Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. I ment to their community, and it does I think it is important to recall a pri- thank you, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. I not end with their commitment to vate conversation that you and I had just want to bring up one other topic their military service. They are part of on the floor during the run-up to the here as well before we yield back to Mr. the community in ways that a lot of adoption of the supplemental. It hap- MEEK, and that is also, when we ask other people are not. pens that I am a member of the whip our men and women to go over there So when you talk about bringing peo- team, and you were my assignment and fight, and then when they come ple out two or three times to serve in that day. I had an opportunity to talk home and they are not taken care of, the Reserve and National Guard, you to you about whether we could count we also need to remember who we are are breaking up families and commu- on your support for the supplemental sending over there, our Reservists and nities. That is why we had an enlisted and how important it was. National Guard, but who is joining service. Your answer, which was the appro- them over there. This is a tangential I think one of the discussions that we priate answer, was, well, Debbie, the but important topic. President Bush will have going forward, and one that I answer is no, unless you can assure me has talked a lot about this coalition of think will be bipartisan agreement on, that there was an increase for veterans the willing, and we need to understand

VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:44 Apr 19, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD07\H27FE7.REC H27FE7 hmoore on PRODPC68 with CONG-REC-ONLINE H1958 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 27, 2007 that the American people, when they be done, the first thing you want to major crimes here in the United States hear about the allied forces over there, check and make sure is the doctor has of America. We definitely don’t want to know who they are now, because people what he or she needs to be able to com- get the word out to the rest of the are jumping ship faster than the plete the procedure, because you do world that we are not prepared to de- evening news can keep up with it. want to get up from that table one day. fend ourselves in a way that we should Great Britain, Poland, Lithuania, This is very, very important. And I and need to be prepared to be able to South Korea. By the week, somebody think that as we continue to talk defend ourselves or help our allies in else walks away. And as we make deci- about this issue of Iraq, it is our re- the future. sions in Iraq, like this plan for esca- sponsibility; we cannot critique the So I think that is important. It is lation in which there is not even a pre- present administration or the past ma- something not to take lightly. A lot of text of reaching out and forming some jority in this House if we do the same work has to be done here. A lot of international consensus, remember thing they did and expect different re- tough votes have to be taken. And we when we went into Iraq in the first sults. That is just not going to happen. have to communicate with the Mem- place, at least we tried to pretend that We know that those that have come be- bers and the American people to not let we were going to go through some fore us, whatever authority they might them fall behind as we go through re- international decision-making process. have been from the executive branch, forming this House and reforming the At least we sort of gave some faint illu- and said they have what they need, we legislative presence in this whole de- sion of using the United Nations as a have the up-armored Humvees, we have bate on Iraq. forum for which to have this discus- all the things that they need when they Mr. ALTMIRE. Could the gentleman sion. You didn’t even hear a conversa- get there. We were told that. And, bet- yield for a moment? And then I will tion about trying to reach out to our ter yet, we still have men and women yield to the gentlewoman from Florida. allies with this plan to escalate this at Walter Reed and other veterans hos- On that point, I wanted to tell another war. I mean, we didn’t. Because why? pitals, military hospitals throughout story that happened when I was back in the district. Because we knew if we asked Great this country and even in Germany, and I was at a fire hall meeting some Britain or Poland or South Korea or I visited twice, that are without legs folks, volunteer firemen and fire- Lithuania to be part of this force, the because they didn’t have the up-ar- mored Humvees that they needed. women, and we were discussing the answer would be pretty simple. budget and one of them talked about Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. If the So saying all of that, the debate is how there needed to be support for our gentleman would yield for a question. going to be: Are we going to do the first responders. And I said, well, I It is somewhat rhetorical, but if you same thing that the Republican major- completely agree, and I was dis- know the answer, feel free to tell me ity did, saying that we talk a good appointed to see that in the budget what it is. Do you know what percent- game about standing up on behalf of the troops and we disagree with the that the President submitted he cut age of the troops that are over in Iraq funding for first responders, and in fact that we will have as a Nation once President on certain issues as it relates to Iraq? But if we do what they did, he cut fire grants by 55 percent. And Great Britain pulls out? the people around just couldn’t believe Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. If you which was very little, then what hap- that. They said, well, that can’t pos- sort of listen to the rhetoric coming pened in November will not reach its sibly be true. That is not what they out of the administration, you would full potential in making sure that we had heard; that is not what they had think this grand coalition has, what, 50 head in a new direction. So I think it is important that we been led to believe. So, thankfully, the percent American troops, 60 percent, 70 miracle of modern technology, I had percent, 80 percent? No. Ninety-two take this in a very strong way, and I am glad that we had 17 Republicans my BlackBerry in my pocket and I percent. Ninety-two percent of the pulled up the House Budget Com- troops on the ground in Iraq are Amer- join us on a nonbinding resolution be- fore we left here, the last big action mittee, and Chairman SPRATT has put ican forces. We went from a high of co- together a wonderful Web site. If you alition troops, those are non-American that we took before we left on Presi- dents’ break. And I encourage more of go to house.gov, any of your constitu- troops, of 25,000, and now down to al- ents can pull up the Budget Commit- most below 15,000 troops and dropping my Republican colleagues to be a part of this movement in the new direction. tee’s Web site and look at the Presi- by the day. dent’s budget, and there is a specific I think it is very, very important. I So I think that is just a point of in- page on there on what the President’s think there have been a lot of things formation that we have now decided on cuts proposed are for first responders. that have been highlighted. I know a path that isn’t even going to have a And sure enough, there is a 54.7 percent that the whole coalition of the willing hint of coalition-building. We have de- reduction in grants for firefighters. He will soon be the coalition of one, be- cided to go this on our own. And, almost completely zeroes out the COPS cause we are going to be the only coun- frankly, I think that has grievous con- program. sequences for what is happening on the try that is left. There is a lot of rhet- So when the gentleman from Florida ground in Iraq, frankly has just as im- oric going on, we have to be there be- talks about how important it is that portant consequences for the future of cause we have to fight them over there we have homeland security funding foreign policy when we have gotten to so we don’t have to fight them here. I back home and we fund our first re- a point where we don’t even talk to our don’t hear Great Britain saying that. I sponders, well, somewhere along the allies about our strategy there. don’t hear some of the other countries line there is a disconnect when it And I would be happy to yield to the that have announced their departure comes to what they are proposing down gentleman from Florida. and those that have left Iraq. on the other end of Pennsylvania Ave- Mr. MEEK of Florida. I thank you so I am one to believe, just as a single nue, because they don’t seem to be get- very much for yielding. I think it is Member, that there will be a U.S. pres- ting that message. important for us to also realize that ence for some time in the region. But So I did want to tell that anecdote, the next action that we will probably, at the levels that we are now, over that our men and women who are cou- no probably, we will have on Iraq, Mr. 143,000 troops and counting, it is going rageous in the communities and serv- Speaker and Members, will be the $99.6 to be very difficult for us to continue ing as volunteer firefighters depend on billion emergency supplemental to the to sell to the American people that these grants and they depend on the war. And I think it is important that there is a great need to keep those help that they need, and we in the we pay very close attention to this kinds of levels there. And as you spoke Democratic majority are going to vote that is coming up and what leads earlier about the readiness issue, this make sure that they get it. But there up to that vote. is very, very important. This is very, does seem to be a disconnect on some I spoke earlier about making sure very important. I mean, we wouldn’t sides as to what has been the case. that troop readiness, that troops have want to get the word out to the I would yield to the gentlewoman what they need when they go. I spoke undesirables here in the United States from Florida. of going to get a procedure done. You of America to say that law enforce- Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Thank have a medical procedure that needs to ment here is not ready to deal with you. Just to quickly help close us out,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:44 Apr 19, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD07\H27FE7.REC H27FE7 hmoore on PRODPC68 with CONG-REC-ONLINE February 27, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1959 the bottom line is that our veterans went through a severe, severe ice storm those kinds of vegetables down south of come home and face devastating treat- that tens of thousands of them are Yuma near the border. ment from their government. We have without power as we speak. And I know Her complaint was, well, we set up outlined that tonight. We send them that you and I have an eye on that very these farms in processing and we need over there with equipment that in closely, and we do though have a great over 900 people a day to operate the many cases is faulty. We are not ade- confidence in the resiliency of the harvesting and the sorting and the quately preparing them and giving human spirit back in the Midwest, and packaging and the shipments of this them enough time to be well trained to friends and neighbors will step forward crop every day. Now that we have done do their best over there. And they are to do all they can. And what is within a better job of enforcing the border, doing their level best given the assign- human possibility will be done and then her lament was that they have a ment that we give them. We are not things will be taken care of there, Mr. turnover of 9 percent per week, 9 per- providing them with the resources, and Speaker. cent of their labor supply per week, it we are not providing them with the So having that off my mind, I take is about 80, and they are having trouble equipment. And, fortunately, we have a up the subject matter that I came to filling their labor supply. Democratic Congress now that is not address this evening. And it has been So I asked the question, where did going to give this President a blank some time since I stepped here on the you expect your labor supply to come check any longer, not going to let him floor of the House of Representatives, from when you placed your business run roughshod over our duty to be a Mr. Speaker, to talk about an issue close to the border? And the answer check and balance on the administra- that is the number one issue as I go was, of course, well we expected our tion. And that is what the 30-some- around western Iowa and Iowa and labor to come over from Mexico and thing Working Group is designed to other places in the country and have come work on our farms and then go outline. We are going to make sure meetings with individuals, town hall- back to their homes. Well, that would that we get the message out and that type meetings. be illegal labor working on farms south we help our colleagues and anyone who Whenever a group of people come to- of Yuma with the idea that was the might also hear this conversation be- gether, if you ask questions, stand and plan from the beginning. tween us understand what is really listen, eventually the subject of immi- Now, the request was, come to Con- going on. gration will come up. And it has been gress and ask us to legalize this illegal Mr. MURPHY, I would yield to you to the most intensely watched subject and behavior. It was a planned strategy give out the Web site and Mr. MEEK for discussed subject perhaps over the last from the very beginning of the setup of closing. 3 years or a little more, Mr. Speaker. the business operation. Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. I think I recall when President Bush gave his I lay this out because this is not a the real lesson from Mr. ALTMIRE’s speech that laid out his vision on the unique circumstance across this coun- story is that he is like a Boy Scout, he immigration reform, and I believe the try. In fact, it is becoming a standard is always prepared. He has the informa- date was January 6 of 2004. I am not off practice. I am seeing it more and more tion at his fingertips that his constitu- by more than a day, if that. And that again as businesses set up to run their ents need. You can learn something speech started us down this path and operation, whether it is going to be every day from our colleagues. this Nation of having an open dialogue food processing or farming or maybe a To get in touch with the 30-some- about what kind of a Nation we are and dairy operation, and they decide, we thing Dems, the e-mail is what kind of a Nation we are to be- are going to need labor to do this. [email protected]. come. And this is something that has We would like to go forward with our And then on the Web site where a lot of embroiled most of the discussion across plan and put our infrastructure in the information we are talking about the country. Everybody has an opinion. place, invest our capital, buy our cows, here tonight and in previous nights can It is a good thing, Mr. Speaker, a get our equipment up and get an order be found is www.speaker.gov/ healthy debate. in. We will have to hire some illegal 30Something. And with that, I will I recall when Pat Buchanan ran for labor to milk the cows. yield for final thoughts back to Mr. the Presidency back in 1966, he said: I I had a dairyman tell me a couple of MEEK. will call for hearings. I will force a de- weeks ago that 51 percent of the milk Mr. MEEK of Florida. Thank you so bate on this country. We have got to in this country are milked by people very much, Mr. MURPHY. And I want to have a national debate so that we can that don’t speak English. That doesn’t thank Mr. ALTMIRE for joining us and come to a consensus and put this coun- necessarily indicate they are illegal also Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. I want try down the path towards its future. immigrants in America, but that would to thank the Democratic leadership for indicate that a significant percentage b 2245 allowing us to have one more 30-some- of them most likely are. thing Working Group hour. We have been intensively debating That is some of the scenario. Some of With that, Mr. Speaker, it was an this issue of immigration for the last 3 the scenario on the one side is business honor addressing the House of Rep- years, and that would be all of 2004, interests that can capitalize on cheap resentatives. 2005 and 2006 and we find ourselves now labor. Believe me, when you pour mil- f into 2007. So I would say we are about lions of people into a labor market that 38 months into this intense discussion, are illiterate and unskilled that will IMMIGRATION REFORM and the results we have from this are work cheaper than anybody else, you The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under hard to measure at this point. One of are going to drive that labor down. the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- the reasons is because it is a very con- There was a report that was issued uary 18, 2007, the gentleman from West- voluted and complicated issue. here within the last few weeks that ern Iowa (Mr. KING) is recognized for 60 We have a configuration here in shows that the unskilled labor in minutes. America that doesn’t necessarily pro- America has lost 12 percent of its earn- Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I am mote the right kind of policy. I say ing capacity because they are flooded. privileged to be recognized by the gen- that, I am cautious about how I address There was a report on Fox News about tleman from Eastern Iowa and privi- it, because first of all, I will recognize a month ago that we have a 30 percent leged to have the opportunity and the that there are employers who have pre- high school dropout rate in America, 30 honor to address you, Mr. Speaker, on mised their business plan on hiring il- percent dropout rate. the floor of the United States Congress. legal labor. So if the students in high schools are A lot of things have transpired since I can recall in an agricultural hear- dropping out at a 30 percent rate, and we took the week off from this Con- ing that I attended in Stockton, Cali- we are bringing in illegal labor that gress for the Presidents’ recess, we call fornia last year, there was a lady there, will work for the cheapest price, it it, which was really a work period back there was a witness, before our Agri- seemed to me, and we know this to be in the district. And our constituents culture Committee who ran, I believe a fact, that the competition between and those in the State of Iowa and in it was organic, a truck farming oper- our high school dropouts and the peo- some of the areas north and east of us ation where they raised peppers and ple that didn’t go to school, many of

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