Leonard Boswell

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Everybody, every man, woman, and child, has a vested interest in the farm bill. We have access to the most plentiful, safest, least expensive food in the world. Mr. Rangel gets it. Mr. Ackerman gets it. We should all get it.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BOSWELL. Thank you, Madam Chairman. I will yield myself such time as I may consume. This amendment offered by myself and the gentlelady from Ohio (Ms. Sutton) will give applicants from regions that have lost a major source of employment priority for SBIR and STTR funding. The Boswell-Sutton amendment would help to revitalize distressed economies that have lost major employers, such as factories and manufacturing plants. SBIR and STTR funds would help small businesses in these areas create new, high-quality jobs in areas hard hit with the pressures of globalization and current trade policies. This is particularly important to me because I have witnessed the devastating impact of losing a major employer and what it can have on the community. For 113 years, the Maytag Corporation was the largest employer in Newton, Iowa. At its peak, Maytag employed over 3,000 Newton residents at the headquarters and manufacturing plants. In 2006, Maytag was purchased by Whirlpool. On October 25, 2007, the last Maytag washing machine rolled off the line and the Newton plant and the corporate headquarters closed. The loss of so many good-paying, quality jobs had a distressing effect on Newton, and the local economy has yet to recover from this tragedy. Investing in these communities so they are able to create new jobs by attracting companies is essential to many towns in America. I am pleased to report that in Newton, part of the former Maytag facility is in the process of being occupied by a new company that makes components for wind turbines, and the company expects to employ 140 hardworking Iowans. This is a step toward more energy, in response to the gentleman from Alaska. This amendment will help revitalize communities like Newton, and thousands of others across the United States. I would like to thank Congresswoman Sutton for working with me on this important initiative, and I thank Chairwoman Velazquez and Ranking Member Chabot for their leadership on this bill. Thank you for consideration. I hope you will accept this amendment that I believe is so important for so many communities across our Nation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOSWELL. I am prepared to yield back my time. I thank the gentlewoman for the support, and the ranking member, thank you very much. Ms. Sutton, thank you for your support. We encourage passage of the amendment. And we yield back.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Public Health Week (NPHW), April 7-13, a week to focus on issues facing the public health and find ways to improve the health of all. This year NPHW focuses on how climate change is affecting the health of Americans and people around the world. The impact of global climate change on our planet and the role we have played in speeding its progress is becoming increasingly self- evident. The work of groups like the American Public Health Association and committed individuals, such as former Vice President Al Gore, have created a heightened awareness of what is one of the most important issues of the coming century. This heightened state of public awareness has led to calls across the country for a new emphasis on reducing the amount of greenhouse gases that are expelled into the atmosphere by finding new, cleaner sources of energy, reducing our consumption of natural resources, and using energy-efficient products. In my home State of Iowa we are working hard to find new and innovative ways to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced. It gives me great pride to say that a recent study by the American Wind Energy Association found that Iowa ranked first in the Nation in the percentage of wind-generated electricity created in the State, and fourth in total wind electricity generation. The Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council, ICCAC, created less than a year ago in April 2007, is charged with finding ways for Iowa to combat climate change by becoming more energy efficient and independent. The ICCAC is right now creating plans for the reduction of greenhouse gases statewide with target goals of 50 percent to 90 percent by 2050. In February of this year Governor Chet Culver signed Executive Order Six, establishing a new ``green government'' initiative. This initiative calls for improving energy efficiency in three areas, greening new and existing State buildings and facilities, promoting resource efficiency by using recycled and sustainable products, and recycling used material, and increasing the use of biofuels in State automobiles and improving their fuel efficiency. Across Iowa, communities large and small are following the example set by the State government, and in many places blazing their own path. These efforts must be replicated across the country and around the world if we are to curb the emission of greenhouse gases and protect our planet for future generations.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Reyes for the time and your dedicated leadership and hard work to effect oversight over our Nation's multiple intelligence gathering agencies. In the process of this debate regarding FISA, we have strived to make America safe and exercise and protect the Constitution and Americans' civil liberties. As I have heard Congressman Tierney say at different times, if we had followed FISA, we wouldn't be here today, and I appreciate that very, very much. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, and I don't know, none of us do, whatever reason, this President has repeatedly used executive orders and end-run the provisions, protections of FISA that work for the purposes intended. Several weeks ago, I became concerned that our private telecom companies might be falsely accused and have the effect of putting a chill on their response in the future. I felt a gut confidence that pressure from on high was put on, i.e., we have an emergency, and we, the government, must have your assistance or a terrible event would happen. I think back on my own training in my life, and I know something about those terrible events that could happen, because I put together weapons of mass destruction in my own training, so it kind of haunts you sometimes. So, yes, I, like others, like 20 others, signed a letter of concern. By the way, it was not a Blue Dog letter or a Blue Dog position. It was individuals, some of whom were Blue Dogs. Now, over the course of these past weeks, a credit to Chairman Reyes and Chairman Conyers and our super staff, an acceptable solution has been found that makes FISA, supports FISA, and gives protection to those who assist within the provisions of the law. For example, those who feel their civil rights have been violated can seek justice, and the telecoms who feel they have complied with the law can be defended. A judge would review the classified evidence and decide. This means to me that the Constitution and civil rights are protected, and the telecoms who are asked or pressured to assist in an emergency can know that classified evidence will be seen by the judge. Classified evidence would be seen by a judge and the providers' defense would be taken into account. I believe this to be a solution. So, in closing, I would say this will protect the Constitution and the American people's civil rights, plus I support the bill because it gives the intelligence community the tools it needs and gives the telecom companies the means to defend themselves from unfair lawsuits. The bill provides telecom companies a way to present their defense in district court without the administration using State secrets to block the defense. If a company is simply doing its patriotic duty and following the law, this bill ensures the company will not be punished. I urge everyone who signed the letter with me to support this resolution.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 924, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Iowa State University. I want to thank my dear friend, Congressman Loebsack, for his leadership and yielding the time, and I also want to thank Congressman Braley and Congressman Latham for their leadership on this resolution. Iowa State University has made noteworthy contributions to the State of Iowa, our Nation and the world since being established in 1958. Iowa State was the first co-ed land-grant institution providing opportunities for students regardless of gender, race, or social class. Iowa State is home to critical agriculture research, from the development of the hybrid seed corn in the 1920s to important work on the development of ethanol and to the development of modern livestock animal genetics and many more. Iowa State continues to lead the Nation in research into biorenewable fuels and modern agriculture. In 2005 Iowa State's students finished third in the North American Solar Challenge, the world's longest solar car race. Iowa State has excelled in a number of other areas, from development of the electronic digital computer in the 1930s to research into refining reactor-grade uranium. The campus of Iowa State is also noteworthy. With over 600 public works of art, Iowa State was rated one of the 25 most beautiful campuses in ``The Campus as a Work of Art.'' Iowa State has graduated a number of prominent contributors to our Nation, including, as mentioned, George Washington Carver, who went on to serve as the school's first African American faculty member, as well as suffragette Carrie Chapman Catt, who graduated in 1880. In fact, more than half my colleagues in the current Iowa delegation attended Iowa State, including Mr. Loebsack, who is the floor manager of the bill, Bruce Braley, Tom Latham, and Senator Tom Harkin. I look forward to continuing to work with the great institution that is Iowa State University and I am confident that Iowa State will continue to have great influence in Iowa and across our Nation. Again, congratulations to Iowa State University for 150 remarkable years. Madam Speaker, I urge support of this resolution.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me the time. I oppose this point of order. I think that the gentlewoman from California made it very clear that it is appropriate and needed that we do what we're trying to do with H.R. 5351. And I want to support the rule for H.R. 5351, and I would like to thank Congresswoman Matsui for her leadership and Chairman Rangel for their continued work to ensure these vital tax credits are extended. This legislation takes many needed steps to ensure the United States continues to be a major player on the renewable energy stage. This legislation extends the renewable energy production tax credit which Iowa and my district have seen firsthand the benefits of. It creates a cellulosic alcohol production tax credit which will give a 50 cent per gallon credit for cellulosic alcohol produced for use of fuel, a step to get us out of bondage to OPEC, and anybody knows we have got to do this for the salvation of this country. This legislation also extends the biodiesel production tax credit and creates a new credit for plug- in hybrid vehicles, among other things. I'm also pleased to see that components of a bill I introduced, H.R. 5373, the Consumer and Manufacturer Energy Efficient Tax Credit Extension Act, were also included in this legislation. The underlying bill, which goes further than mine, would extend and modify the energy efficient appliance credit for 3 years and extend and modify the energy efficiency tax credits for improvements to existing homes. I'm very pleased to see that the chairman, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui), and the House leadership recognize these tax credits are important, not only to the environment but also to the economy. I believe that all consumers want to make more energy- efficient choices, and this legislation will help them do that. It's a win-win situation for the environment and the American consumer's pocketbook. Iowa has been a leader for renewable energy, and I am proud to say in my district we are leading the State with a new biodiesel plant in Newton just last year and a new wind turbine plant, which provides the State with the equipment needed to supply its growing wind energy. I am also excited that we have the opportunity to make America more energy independent, create high-tech ``green'' jobs for a ``green future,'' ensure low-income families have affordable energy costs, and I look forward to continuing to work for a more energy-efficient future. So, again, I thank the gentlewoman for this time. And I would once again reiterate my support for this rule, that we can move on and oppose this point of order.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Mr. Chairman, I think we all agree that, first and foremost, safety is the top priority for everyone involved in the mining industry. We, as a Congress, must ensure that legislation is heading in the right direction for the health and safety of American miners. Over the past several years, we have seen bad safety conditions and the devastating effects these conditions can have, not only on communities, but on human life. We also must recognize the fact that not all mining operations are the same. Repeat. Not all mining operations are the same. So I understand, Mr. Chairman, that you will continue to work with us Members, that you just said a moment ago, to address any concerns the bill raises as it moves through the process. And I want to thank Chairman Miller for his leadership on this issue and his willingness to continue to work and listen to other Members on the issue. He in fact is a true champion of our Nation's workers. Again, I would like to thank him for yielding this time.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Speaker, I wish to recognize and pay tribute to an outstanding employee of one of the great companies located in the State of Iowa. Linda C. Sadler, who has been a valued employee of Rockwell, and subsequently, Rockwell Collins, will retire on February 1, 2008. Linda Sadler's career spans over 39 years, during which she has distinguished herself as a leader, scholar, businesswoman and staunch friend of all civil aviation issues. A Pennsylvania native, Ms. Sadler graduated with a BS degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and subsequently, a JD from Duquesne University, in addition to earning a certificate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a fellow in their Foreign Politics, International Relations and National Interest program. Ms. Sadler began her career at Rockwell as a secretary in the Patent Department, while pursuing an undergraduate degree at night school. She continued to hold positions of increasing responsibility within the Legal Department, while completing her law degree at night school. Upon graduation from law school, she became assistant general counsel in the Rockwell Legal Department, specializing in intellectual property law, advertising, international law and regulation and antitrust issues. She also served as the primary Legal Department attorney for Rockwell Communication Systems Division. Following that assignment and just prior to coming to the Washington office, she became director of government affairs for Rockwell's Automotive Operations, where she directed the State, Federal and Canadian governmental affairs and regulatory functions for Rockwell's automotive businesses, including product compliance activities with the National Highway Safety Administration at the Department of Transportation. Presently, as the senior director of Federal affairs for Rockwell Collins, Inc., she has been singularly responsible for public policy and governmental affairs activities for the commercial avionics and communications businesses and for technology marketing on behalf of the Advanced Technology Center and the business units with non-military Federal agencies. In this position, she has planned, directed and managed the Federal policy and regulatory affairs agendas that affect Rockwell Collins commercial businesses' domestic and international interests, including activities before the Congress, the White House and administration agencies, to include the Departments of Commerce, State and Transportation--in particularly the FAA--and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Ms. Sadler has also served as the chairperson of the Aerospace Industrial Association Commercial Aviation R&D Committee, the Air Traffic Control Committee of Government Electronics Industry Alliance, and in addition, she has served in leadership capacities in every industry-related group in which she has participated. She also has directed and managed the Washington technology marketing support, particularly for Advance Technology Center, as well as the commercial businesses of Rockwell Collins. Ms. Sadler also has corporate-wide responsibility for directing the licensing, regulatory and communications-related policy initiatives at the Federal Communications Commission, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the International Telecommunications Union and other U.S. and international regulatory and standards bodies. In addition, Ms. Sadler provides Washington support for the corporate patent function on issues relating to intellectual property laws and regulations. In recognition of her vast contributions to the aviation industry, Aerospace Industry Association has presented her with their Emilia Earhardt award as ``woman of the year'' in the aviation industry for 2004, which has only been given to two other women since its inception. Throughout her career, Ms. Sadler has demonstrated her profound commitment to all aspects of aviation business, as well as a dedicated commitment to excellence. With my many dealings regarding aviation issues as a Member of Congress, I have come to know Ms. Sadler's abilities and realize that she is the consummate professional whose performance in over 39 years of service to one of our Nation's leading businesses has personified those traits of competency and integrity that we have come to expect from business professional leaders. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Linda C. Sadler for her honorable service to business and our great State of Iowa. Please join me in wishing her all the best in the future.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report. Our intelligence professionals are on the front lines of a critically important campaign, a campaign against a determined enemy, an enemy that's ruthless, cunning, and does not abide by the rules. In my past, I served our Nation on the front lines in a different campaign against another determined enemy. My experience in Vietnam taught me a lot about what our Nation needs to do when it sends its best and brightest off to protect itself from threats abroad. It taught me that a Nation needs to invest in its national security professionals to ensure that its men and women on the front lines have the best and most effective training possible. One of the principles of war is intelligence. You cannot have a successful strategy without knowing your enemy. Absolutely essential, saves lives. I'm proud to say that the conference report does, in fact, invest in our intelligence professionals. It increases spending on language training at the DNI level, Department of National Intelligence, so languages can be leveraged across the intelligence community. Because of bipartisan concerns about language skills, it also requires an annual report on language proficiency. It fully funds our Nation's counterterrorism effort to ensure that our human intelligence officers have what they need to collect against our Nation's most important intelligence targets. It increases training and funding for analysts to ensure that when our intelligence collectors gather important information on the front lines that we have trained and qualified professionals back home that can piece the information together and inform policymakers about the important issues of our time. Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to highlight one provision of the conference report that I worked hard to include. It will require significant and critical reporting on the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea, once in the 2008 fiscal year and twice in 2009. Last week's National Intelligence Estimate showed us that the intelligence can change significantly over time and that we have to constantly reassess our beliefs. I don't want us to forget about the threats that are a little further down the road while we're focused on today. That's why I've been pushing this provision for 2 years, and I'm glad it's in the conference report.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Mr. Speaker, I regret that inclement weather prevented me from being here to vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on H. Res. 842, H. Res. 847, H.R. 4343, and I ask that my statement be placed in the appropriate place in the Record to reflect this.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an exceptional man, Lloyd Michael Hammes, a constituent of mine from Iowa's 3rd District. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, was a prisoner of war, and until recently, was one of the few World War II veterans still living in the 3rd District of Iowa. Mr. Hammes served his time during the Second World War in North Africa, where he was captured and spent time as a prisoner of war. During this imprisonment, he was shuffled around to various detainment camps throughout Europe. At the end of his service, he was the deserving recipient of the Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars. When Lloyd returned to the United States, he met his wife, Virginia Perdue, at the Des Moines Veterans Affairs hospital. They were married, and eventually settled down near Harper, Iowa, where they lived for nearly 40 years. Lloyd Michael Hammes passed away on November 13th, at the age of ninety-one. He will be missed greatly by his surviving family and friends, and by the Nation he so dutifully served. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and service of this courageous man.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. I thank the gentleman and I support the bill. I submit for the Record an op-ed by our friend and former colleague, the Honorable Lee Hamilton, cochair of the 9/11 Commission, regarding the issue of retroactive immunity. The op-ed fully expresses my concerns regarding this issue, and I wish for all Members to have the benefit of reviewing it. [From the Baltimore Sun, Nov. 4, 2007] Immunity for Wiretap Assistance Is Right Call (By Lee H. Hamilton) If the local fire company asked for your help putting out neighbor's blaze, you would not force the firefighters to justify their request. You would just help, right? That's what the phone companies did when the Bush administration asked them in secret for help with wiretaps to target al- Qaida communications into and out of the country. However, the president's warrantless wiretap program caused a furor when it became public. The administration had circumvented the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, raising many doubts about the legality and even constitutionality of its wiretap program. The controversy prompted class-action lawsuits against phone companies that cooperated with the government. The Senate Intelligence Committee has reported out a bipartisan bill that would bring this wiretap program back under the FISA statute and court review. It would ensure the legality and robust congressional oversight so lacking in the original program. It also would give the phone companies immunity for their previous actions. The committee made the right call. To the extent that companies helped the government, they were acting out of a sense of patriotic duty and in the belief that their actions were legal. Dragging them through litigation would set a bad precedent. It would deter companies and private citizens from helping in future emergencies when there is uncertainty or legal risk. The help and cooperation of all our citizens are vital in combating the threats we face today. Companies in various sectors of the economy are going to have information that could save the lives of thousands of Americans. When they respond in an emergency, at the call of our highest elected officials and on assurances that what they are doing is legal, they must be treated fairly. To do otherwise would put our security at risk. This is particularly true of communications companies. They are critical to our intelligence and ``early warning'' against terrorist attacks. The increasing complexity of communications technology has made the voluntary cooperation of these companies vital. Government actions require public review. Actions by private companies in response to government requests also should place the burden of accountability on the government. We should not expect private companies to second-guess the propriety and legality of government requests. That is the job of our public servants in the executive branch, the legislators who oversee them, and ultimately the courts. Unless Congress provides immunity, the clear message will be that private citizens should help only when they are certain that all the government's actions are legal. Given today's threats, that is too high a standard. We should hold public officials accountable for their actions--and hold harmless private citizens and companies when they respond to government requests to help protect us.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. I would like to thank Mr. Davis for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased today to congratulate an inspirational young woman from my district, Shawn Johnson, the daughter of Doug and Terri Johnson of West Des Moines, Iowa, who recently won the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastic Championship, which took place in Stuttgart, Germany. At the age of 15, Shawn has achieved more and seen more than many high school students dream of. She has done it all while maintaining her status as an honor student alongside her friends at Valley High. Shawn has traveled the world, winning title after title. This past July, she won five medals at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. Winning the 2007 Visa championships in San Jose, California, made her the United States champion in gymnastics. On September 9, Shawn became the world all-around champion, taking home three gold medals at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. While her shows are exciting and full of grace, one of the most inspiring things about her championship is that Shawn is shaping history. Having joined an elite group of women gymnasts, Shawn is one of only four American women to win the 40-year-old competition. Shawn has impressed many around the globe and has made Iowans incredibly proud. She is reminding us how important hard work and dedication are. In honor of Shawn's accomplishments, Governor Chet Culver declared October 17 Shawn Johnson Day in Iowa, and we are extremely proud to join my fellow Iowans in congratulating Shawn and thanking her for making history in the great State of Iowa. Shawn's positive attitude to achieve has taken her to amazing places. I suspect she's not quite finished. Promising to be ready for the Beijing Olympics, she told a reporter that she would ``put in 100 times more effort and hopefully come back with another gold.'' Again, congratulations Shawn, and good luck at future competitions. You make me proud, you make our congressional district proud, you make your school in west Des Moines proud, you make our State of Iowa proud, and you make our country proud. We wish you continued success. On to the Olympics. Mr. Speaker, I hope that everyone will support this resolution.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Mr. Speaker, I regret that flight delays prevented me from being to vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on the motion to close portions of the conference on H.R. 3222, H.R. 513, and H. Res. 744.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Thank you, Mike. I appreciate my friend from Arkansas giving me this opportunity. And I want to compliment you for the untiring hours you've spent in trying to tell this Nation, this Congress, and all who will listen that it is time to be fiscally responsible. It has been for some time. And I would like to associate myself with my friend from North Carolina in the comments he just made. Very, very germane to what is going on in our country today. In fact, around the world. And as you can tell, Mr. Ross, I am one of the older folks around here. I don't know if that's something I should be proud of. I guess I'm proud versus the alternative. But oftentimes people say to me, You're going to be all right. Why are you worried about it so much? Well, I am worried about it. Yes, at my age I suppose I'm going to be all right. But you know what? I have children and I have grandchildren and I am very proud of them, and I want them to have the opportunities. In fact, just like you and you and you and anybody else that's paying attention, we all want it better for our children, that's just inherent. And they're not going to have that opportunity if we don't do something about this. And that's what you display right there on that chart. That figure of $9 trillion-plus is staggering, and it's growing; it has been for the last number of years. And we went from the opportunity of being in a surplus to this unbelievable deficit situation. And it really ties our hands as to what we can do as we think about our leadership in the world we know today. This very day I'm quite sure that we've had people from our Treasury Department over in China trying to borrow money so we can continue to run on deficit, and this just won't work. You can't do your business in Arkansas, you can't do it in North Carolina, I can't do it in Iowa, nobody can. There comes a time when you have to face reality. And Mr. Stenholm used to tell us from time to time that if you realize you're in trouble and going into a hole, the first thing you do is quit digging. And there is something to that. Well, we need to do it, and we need to do it badly. So, I am pleased to associate with the Blue Dog Coalition, I have been for some time, and the leadership that Mr. Ross and others, Mr. Boyd and others, have given to trying to make this point come to life in the sense that we've got to do it for our country and for our kids and our grandkids. This is something we must do, and there is just no choice about it. I think there is a lot of hope for us in the world that we're living in today. I have a lot of hope, and I want to keep it that way. At the same time, I'm fully aware from my travels and from my life experience that the world is in a perilous situation. And we won't always be in this leadership position if we don't take a hold and get our arms around this situation. But we've got to do it. And as we well know, the time is now at hand, I think it's already here, that China is a superpower. They are certainly going to be if they're not; I think they probably are. India, the demands they're putting on us. The big trade deficits we've got, we can't sustain those. And you put all this in line with this tremendous debt we have and what we're paying for interest annually, it equates to something like $250 billion a year. It equates to one of our major line items for our department. We can't afford to do that, and we have to face reality. So, I really appreciate the efforts being made by you, Mike, and all of us to try to do something about this, and the fact that the leadership of this Congress has accepted our idea of PAYGO. And it's something we have decided upon and we've got to stick to it. There are going to be a lot of temptations to vary from that. And as we went into the farm bill, for example, it was so hard to do it, but we stuck with it, we worked hard and we came up with a viable solution. We've got to do it in all the things that lay before us. We've got to set the priorities and get those things done. I see the time is about up. So I yield back to you, Mr. Ross, for the closing comment, if you would like. I just want to say I appreciate coming here this evening and sharing some of my concerns for this situation at hand. We have to take it as a real situation. It's here. And if we don't do our job, we're going to leave it on our children and our grandchildren, and we don't want to do that.

Mr. BOSWELL. Just the last word I'll say is we always want to remember it's the taxpayers' money. It's not Washington's money, it's not the government's money, it's the taxpayers' money, and we want to do everything we can to make sure that everything is honored. That's the Blue Dogs' battle cry, and that's where we stand. And I thank you for this opportunity to share in this.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, this is a very important moment for our veterans as we think of their service to our country. Of course, we all wouldn't be here, I believe, I think we would agree with that, if it wasn't for our veterans, who have been willing to put it on the line. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman Filner has spoken here, this legislation came up after a very tragic thing. Joshua Omvig, returning after an 11- month tour, a good young fellow, a member of the Grundy Center Volunteer Fire Department, the Grundy Center Police Reserves, he was concerned about the safety of others, but because of the situation, he took his life. I can't help but be thoughtful of Ellen, his mother. She would like to have had more training. She knew there was a problem, and so did his dad. She was with Josh when he went out to his pickup truck that day to go to work to try to talk to him, to try to help. And he took his life right in her presence. Well, they could have just kind of backed off in their great grief and sorrow and done nothing, but we reached out to them and they reached back. They want to participate in doing something for others. And so out of that came what is now known as H.R. 327. It is pretty simple: Improve early detection for incidence of suicide among veterans, provide those veterans with the assistance they need, which was not there for Joshua. This bill also requires the Veterans Administration to develop a comprehensive program to address the rate of suicide among veterans. And it also underscores the importance for further research, peer counseling, family education and involvement, and education for all staff at the Veterans Administration. There is an urgent need for this bill to pass. You have heard the report that Mr. Filner gave us. The statistics are astounding. Stress disorder has jumped like 70 percent. Also, I want to thank our two Iowa Senators, Senator Harkin and Senator Grassley, for their support; and I especially want to thank Randy and Ellen Omvig, the mom and dad of Joshua. They have suffered a lot over this, as we all would. But at the same time, they found the courage and strength to want to help others and want to reach out. They want to do anything they can possibly do to prevent this from happening to another individual and another family. It is almost with relief for me, Mr. Speaker, that we are passing this today and moving it on because we know there are hundreds of other veterans out there who need help, and this ought to set that in motion. There is no doubt there is more we can do, but this is a good beginning. With that, I would like to yield back and let other Members speak to this very important piece of legislation.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Filner for yielding and what he is doing here for veterans. I have to thank John Carter for his attention to this issue. Vandalism is never acceptable. Never. When I learned about the vandalism that took place at the Vietnam Memorial, I was outraged. Outraged. As a Vietnam veteran, as many of you are in this Chamber, many of our colleagues, for me 20 years plus, I know firsthand, a lot of us do, the sacrifices that servicemembers and their families make. This memorial does more than just honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for this great Nation. It also serves as a reminder to all Americans the price of freedom. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial serves as a resting place for our brethren who were unable to come home. And I will bet some of the rest of you, as I, have wondered how come our name wasn't on that wall. We know it could have been. And for somebody to desecrate that is just unacceptable. I hope the park service will be able to find these criminals and swiftly bring them to justice. I would like to give special thanks to all of our troops and all those of them who have given the ultimate sacrifice. We cannot forget them. With the passage of this legislation today, it is one more example of what Congress has done to fulfill our Nation's obligation to servicemembers, their families, and all veterans. I am proud to stand here as a cosponsor of this bill, and I encourage the House to pass H. Res. 680 today.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Thank you, Chairman Filner, and all of you who have worked on veterans events this day and these last several months. We appreciate it very much. Mr. Speaker, as veterans we know the sacrifice that our servicemembers pay each day. Whether currently deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, or wherever they might be around the world, serving on active duty or serving in the Army Reserves or on the National Guard, our men and women in uniform sacrifice for our freedom. Oftentimes when we speak of our key military assets we are referring to the carriers and the stealth bombers and the tanks or the fighter planes. Well, while those are all impressive, none are more impressive than our brave men and women in uniform. I think, in fact, I know, they are our greatest military asset. The men and women who serve our Nation are the best educated, trained and equipped fighting force in the world. Because of this, I am proud to stand with my colleague (Mr. Baca) and all the rest of you to encourage communities and schools around the country to recognize the contributions veterans have made to our country and to our history. It is often said, but we will say it again, a grateful Nation will always remember those who sacrifice so much in preserving our freedom. If we are to continue to have the very best of our Nation serve, we must continue to give them assurances that their service will not be forgotten. By granting all veterans who served before them the recognition, care and respect promised, tomorrow's veterans will have the reassurance in knowing their future needs will be addressed. I am very proud to stand here to cosponsor this bill today and encourage the House to pass H. Res. 237. Honor Veterans Day. It's something we have a privilege to do.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Mr. Speaker, first I support this bill. It is a good bill, and it protects the Constitution. I would like to speak principally to my colleagues who, like me, are concerned about what the bill does and the fact that it does not address fully the issue of carrier liability. As you know, the administration and telecommunication companies have requested that we provide them with immunity from lawsuits or prosecutions arising out of information and assistance they may have provided to the intelligence community. Now, we don't precisely know what information they have provided. We don't know what they were told by the administration about the legality of what they were doing. I hope and believe those companies acted in good faith with patriotism. They were trying to do their part for national security, and I think they deserve our appreciation. I take seriously their concerns that they might be subject to liability. That being said, I don't believe it should be the responsibility of the telecommunications companies to prove that they provided the information in a legal way if the Federal Government fails to meet the burden of proof that the demand or request for information is brought forth in a legal manner. If that burden of proof is not met, it should be the government that should be held primarily accountable. I believe that eventually we should be able to take care of any company who acted in good faith and cooperated in the name of protecting our Nation. No one who acted out of good faith with a desire to protect America should be punished. But we must know what brought forth their action, and under what circumstances, and what pressure, if any, they acted. As this process moves forward, I expect to get more information from the administration on their generation of the demands or requests for information. Support the bill.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor South Tama County High School, a school in my Congressional district, for their outstanding achievements in the ``President's Challenge,'' a program sponsored by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. South Tama County High School, in Tama, Iowa, was named one of two President's Challenge State Champion schools in Iowa for the 2006-2007 school year. The President's Challenge is designed to encourage students to find new and exciting ways to integrate fitness and physical activity into their daily lives. The fitness program at South Tama should be a model for other Iowa schools, and is recognized by the President's Challenge as an exemplary example for its dedication to encouraging students to become physically fit and active, and its success in achieving those goals. As childhood obesity and the chronic diseases caused by it become an increasingly serious issue in the United States, I would like to commend South Tama on its commitment to instilling the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and for giving its students the tools to make healthy decisions for years to come. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating this Iowa school--we are very proud of your accomplishments.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Speaker, today we celebrate World Food Day, a day to focus on global food security. In the city of Des Moines, a very significant observance of World Food Day will take place--the first Iowa Hunger Summit. Representatives from many hunger fighting organizations from across America will join hundreds of Iowans in a day-long focus on increasing efforts to eliminate malnutrition, poverty and human suffering. This event will be the first of a week-long series of World Food Prize programs and events that will draw individuals from more than 60 countries for an in-depth discussion of the global challenges facing biofuels and biorenewable energy. Joining all of these events will be Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Congressional Gold Medal recipient, who is credited with saving a billion lives through the green revolution. Dr. Borlaug is an Iowa native and the founder of the World Food Prize, who returns each October to his home state to present the $250,000 award which has become known as the Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture. I am very pleased that Iowa's Governor, Chet Culver and our three immediate past governors Robert D. Ray, Terry Branstad, and Thomas Vilsack plan to attend the summit. I am proud to see our Iowa leadership come together for such a worthy common cause--ending world hunger. That was why I was so pleased to join with other members of the Iowa Congressional Delegation as we worked to get Dr. Borlaug the Congressional Gold Medal, America's highest civilian honor. I ask members of both parties to join with me in a World Food Day commitment to help reduce hunger both at home and abroad. In doing so, we will be honoring Dr. Borlaug's legacy and supporting the important work that is taking place at the Iowa Hunger Summit in Des Moines.

Mr. BOSWELL

Mr. BOSWELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady for the opportunity to share this resolution that I am a co-sponsor of, and I think it is the right thing to do, to honor those who made the sacrifice that they did in the Vietnam War. Some of us in this body have served in that war. I would like to associate myself with those who have previously spoken. We are never wrong to take a moment and remind ourselves of those who gave the supreme sacrifice and laid their lives on the line, as so many did. So it is a reminder to us that freedom is not free. I just had the opportunity a couple of days ago in a large group down in Iowa to ask all the veterans to make themselves known and to ask all those in the audience if would you please turn and thank your veterans. Because of them, we can have that opportunity to gather together on that hillside and share the freedoms that we take for granted so often. So today on this 25th anniversary we are reminded particularly of the Vietnam veterans. Some of us 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 years ago went down and had kind of a picture-taking opportunity with Members in the Congress with Vietnam veterans at the Wall. And for all of us, we had to stop and realize our names could have been there, too. We recognized names of our colleagues and comrades that fell and paid the price because the country asked them to do that. That is happening this very day, of course, in other parts of the world. So I thank you, gentlelady, for the time. I appreciate you bringing this forward. I certainly urge its passage.