September 13, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1597 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS RECOGNIZING LEONARDO AGRI- RECOGNIZING JEREMIAH COOMES is. You know, I just don’t spend that much COLA BISCARI FOR ACHIEVING FOR ACHIEVING THE RANK OF time on him . I truly am not that concerned THE RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT EAGLE SCOUT about him.’’ The President was clearly at odds with his HON. SAM GRAVES HON. SAM GRAVES terrorism advisers. OF MISSOURI The FBI was concerned about him. It said OF MISSOURI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that al-Qaeda remained the ‘‘number one con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cern.’’ Monday, September 13, 2004 Monday, September 13, 2004 Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause was concerned about him. He said America Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jeremiah Coomes of Smithville, was still bin Laden’s number 1 target. to recognize Leonardo Agricola Biscari of MO, a very special young man who has exem- Despite all this, what did the President do? Independence, MO, a very special young man plified the finest qualities of citizenship and He shortchanged homeland security needs who has exemplified the finest qualities of citi- leadership by taking an active part in the Boy like port, rail and border security. He reduced zenship and leadership by taking an active Scouts of America, Troop 447, and in earning law enforcement funding by over 30 percent. part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 865, the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. And he became less concerned with the man and in earning the most prestigious award of Jeremiah will receive the Eagle Scout Award who started the war on terrorism and more Eagle Scout. Leonardo will receive the Eagle at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Sep- concerned with Saddam Hussein—a man the Scout Award at an Eagle Scout Court of tember 19, 2004 at River of Life Church in 9–11 Commission determined had no oper- Honor on September 12, 2004, at St. Mark’s Kansas City, MO. ational connection to al Qaeda and who Catholic Church in Independence, MO. Jeremiah has been very active with his played no role in the terrorist attacks of Sep- Leonardo has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. tember 11, 2001. troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Jeremiah has been in- Did this make America any safer? If so, re- Over the many years Leonardo has been in- volved with scouting, he has not only earned directing resources from hunting the world’s volved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but the respect of his number one terrorist in order to invade Iraq numerous merit badges, but the respect of his family, peers, and community. might have made sense. But the fact is, the family, peers, and community. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in invasion in Iraq has made us less, not more, Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jeremiah Coomes for his accom- secure. commending Leonardo Agricola Biscari for his plishments with the Boy Scouts of America And because of that fact, we do ourselves accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of and for his efforts put forth in achieving the as a country and the memories of those who America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- highest distinction of Eagle Scout. were lost on September 11, 2001 a great dis- ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. f service by misrepresenting the facts. EXPRESSING SENSE OF THE The invasion of Iraq did not deny terrorists f HOUSE ON ANNIVERSARY OF a safe haven from which to operate, but rather HISPANIC RECOGNITION AWARDS TERRORIST ATTACKS LAUNCHED it created one. In fact, because of poor plan- AGAINST UNITED STATES ON ning and inadequate troop levels, U.S. forces SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 in Iraq have withdrawn from unstable areas HON. BARNEY FRANK like Falluja, Ramadi and Samarra allowing OF MASSACHUSETTS SPEECH OF them to become foreign terrorist safehavens. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The low troop level has also prevented the HON. GEORGE MILLER U.S. from sealing off the borders and allowed Monday, September 13, 2004 OF CALIFORNIA foreign terrorists to enter Iraq at will. Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES More American Service members have on September 16, the Hispanic Recognitions Thursday, September 9, 2004 been killed since the President announced Awards Committee Incorporated in the City of Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. that all major combat operations had ended New Bedford, Massachusetts will have its an- Speaker, three years since the terrorist attacks than before that time. All told, over 1,000 sol- nual ceremony, giving awards to a number of of September 11, 2001, we solemnly remem- diers have been killed, 7,000 wounded, and individuals and organizations. The recipients ber those who risked their lives, those whose the rate at which American soldiers are being of these awards, to be presented at 5 p.m. at lives were lost and those they left behind. killed is rapidly increasing. New Bedford High School on September 16, America changed forever that day. Some With all that said, the President still speaks have distinguished themselves by their dedica- called 9–11 America’s wake up call. of ‘‘taking the fight to the enemy’’ so that we tion and energy on behalf of the Hispanic The actions of first responders and every- don’t have to fight him at home. But the De- community in our area, and on behalf of the day citizens give true meaning to the word partment of Homeland Security had to raise community as a whole. I congratulate Emilio hero. I applaud the resolution in the House the terrorist alert level four times since the in- E. Cruz for the work he has done in making today for honoring their service and the vasion of Iraq. And Homeland Security Sec- this possible, and I wish to join Mr. Cruz and memories of those no longer with us. retary Tom Ridge has said, ‘‘[al Qaeda] is still others in recognizing the important community But sadly, Mr. Speaker, I must tell you that determined to strike.’’ service performed by these recipients. this resolution is flawed. While it rightfully hon- The Bush Administration would still lead us The list of awards and those receiving them ors the victims and heroes of September 11, to believe that al Qaeda is no longer a threat is as follows: Community Organization Award it misleadingly connects the invasion of Iraq because two thirds of its senior leadership 2004—Catholic Social Services; Cultural with the war on terrorism. Iraq did not start the have been captured or killed. But Secretary of Achievement Award 2004—Johnny Arellano; U.S global war on terrorism—Osama bin Defense Rumsfeld says ‘‘it’s almost impossible Youth Award 2004—Chayrel Adams; Health Laden did. to have metrics’’ that determine whether Al Awards 2004—Marta Gonzalez; Education Despite that fact, after only four months of Qaeda and other terrorist groups are being Award 2004—Sara Rodriguez; Public Safety hunting for bin Laden, the U.S. began re- drained of support around the world. In fact Award 2004—Jose A. Perez; Latino Organiza- directing military and intelligence personnel some experts still put al Qaeda’s end strength tion Award 2004—Association Maya Kiche from his pursuit in Afghanistan to preparing for at close to 18,000. USA, Inc.; Community Service/Leadership war with Iraq. Secretary Rumsfeld went on to say that the Award 2004—Reverend Abraham Torres; The The President then declared in a press con- War on Terrorism is not ‘‘a military problem Rising Star Award 2004—Marilyn Vega. ference that, ‘‘I don’t know where [bin Laden] alone.’’ In fact the overreliance on military ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate Aug 04 2004 06:57 Sep 14, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A13SE8.001 E13PT1 E1598 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 13, 2004 means to address the threat of terrorism might Excelsior Springs football was first played RECOGNIZING WILLIAM M. RAINE have done more to help al Qaeda recruit new about 1910 on ‘‘Old Lady Reed’s Field’’ near FOR ACHIEVING THE RANK OF members than it did to shrink the organization. Superior Street. In 1920, games were moved EAGLE SCOUT So what lessons have we learned three to Association Park, a location that later be- years later? came the site of the old high school football HON. SAM GRAVES Iraq had nothing to do with 9–11; our inva- field that officially became Roosevelt Field in OF MISSOURI sion of Iraq made us more, not less vulnerable 1938. The stone wall surrounding the field was IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to terrorist attack; despite capturing and killing built during the FDR era as a WPA project to Monday, September 13, 2004 al Qaeda leaders, the organization remains provide area jobs after the Great Depression. operational; we shortchanged homeland secu- In 1984, major renovations brought the field Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause rity; and the President’s attempt to make and track up to state regulations and new to recognize William M. Raine of Parkville, America safer by taking the fight to the enemy lighting was installed.