John Boozman

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota, Colonel Kline.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the sponsor of the legislation, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter).

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 680, which condemns the actions of September 7, 2007, resulting in damage to the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial. Mr. Speaker, the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial, commonly referred to as ``The Wall,'' serves as a memorial to the 2.7 million men and women in the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam. It is a memorial that has many different meanings to those who lived through that era and serves as an especially poignant reminder of the cost of that war and the ultimate sacrifice made in any conflict. Americans come from all across the country each year to reflect on the sacrifices of the 58,256 names inscribed on the 140 panels of black granite. Whether it is a family member looking for the name of a loved one or a comrade in arms honoring a foxhole buddy or a young child searching for the name of a relative they never knew, every American who visits the wall leaves a changed person. It is fitting that the Memorial for our most divisive war has become a place of solace and coming together. Mr. Speaker, regardless of who is responsible for the recent attack on the Vietnam Wall, that cowardly act was an affront to every American. In an apparent act of vandalism, 14 panels were defaced with a light, oily substance that damaged names, panels, and paving stones of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. While I am thankful that it appears that the substance was removed and the Memorial has been restored to its pristine condition, I believe it is important for us in Congress to show Congress's support for one of our Nation's most sacred sites. Mr. Speaker, I also urge my colleagues to join me between November 7 through November 10 to read some of the 58,256 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This will only be the fourth time that this reading has occurred here in Washington, and it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. I thank my colleague Representative Carter for introducing this resolution and Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for bringing it to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson), a true American hero who certainly can speak with authority on this subject.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2408, a bill to designate the VA outpatient clinic in Green Bay, Wisconsin as the Milo Huempfner Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic would honor an individual whose demeanor during combat in World War II exemplifies the concept of the army of one. In 1944, Private First Class Huempfner was stranded in the small Belgian village of Leignon after his truck was separated from its convoy and slid off the road. While in hiding in Leignon, Private First Class Huempfner found that the village had been overrun by German troops. He proceeded, over the next 4 days and nights, to singlehandedly wage war against an entire German armored column consisting of tanks, numerous heavy gun emplacements, and hundreds of soldiers. During this period of time, Private First Class Huempfner warned off numerous American and British troops from Leignon, who otherwise would have been slaughtered by the Germans occupying the town. He repeatedly refused to be evacuated on these occasions, staying to destroy additional German equipment, killing German soldiers in direct combat, and protecting the citizens of the occupied town. Mr. Speaker, on Christmas Eve, British forces dislodged German forces using information collected by Private First Class Huempfner. After over 72 hours on his feet, under constant threat and harassment from enemy forces, Private First Class Huempfner retired to a household he had earlier defended. For all of these accomplishments he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1973. After the war, Private First Class Huempfner attended the funerals of as many veteran comrades as possible. Reports indicate that he participated in the burial of some 900 fellow comrades in arms over the years since World War II, attending in full dress uniform, honoring their service and repeatedly demonstrating his love for our Nation by showing the brave veterans of Brown County the dignity and respect that they had earned. He continued attending these funerals until a week before his death in October 1985. Mr. Speaker, I support honoring this brave American veteran by naming this facility the Milo C. Huempfner Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic. It is a fine tribute to a true patriot and true hero. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. General Leave

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, again, we have all heard what a great asset Charlie Norwood was to this body, not only in helping us as Members, but in the many, many ways that he served his country. He and his wife, Gloria, also served us in the way of helping junior Members' wives as they came on board, my wife, in particular. Again, we are very, very grateful to his service. I can't think of a more fitting honor than the honor of naming this building. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. General Leave

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland).

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder).

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal).

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Price). (Mr. PRICE of Georgia asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, how much time do we have?

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton). (Mr. BARTON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BOOZMAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston).

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1808, a bill to designate the VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, as the ``Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,'' would honor one of our colleagues who was taken from us all too soon. Charles ``Charlie'' Whitlow Norwood, Jr., was born on July 27, 1941. A Georgia native, Charlie Norwood attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, and Georgetown University in Washington, and was a dentist prior to serving in the House of Representatives. Charlie Norwood served as a captain in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969, beginning with an assignment in the U.S. Army Dental Corps at Sandia Army Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1968, he was transferred to the medical battalion of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, and served a combat tour at Quin Yon, An Khe, and LZ English at Bon Son. During his tour, he participated in experimental military dental practices that are now standard procedure for the Armed Forces. In recognition of his service under combat conditions, Norwood was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and two Bronze Stars. After his discharge in 1969, he remained a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Military Order of the World Wars until his death. Mr. Speaker, Charlie Norwood served with us as a Member of Congress from January 4, 1995, until his untimely death on February 13, 2007. During his congressional career, Norwood worked to pass a patients' bill of rights aimed at giving people better access to health care and greater ability to sue insurers, and spent his life supporting the overall well-being of veterans. He was quick to protect TRICARE benefits, and he cosponsored legislation to address military survivor benefit plan inequities and to improve military pay raises. He was a tireless advocate for our men and women in uniform and for our Nation's veterans. This legislation has the support of the State veteran service organizations, as well as the entire Georgia delegation. In the Senate, a companion bill has been introduced, S. 1026, which has the cosponsorship of both of the Georgia U.S. Senators. Mr. Speaker, I support honoring this distinguished American by naming the VA facility in Augusta, Georgia, the Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. To honor our deceased friend and colleague in this manner is a tribute to his love of Nation and his contributions to our military and veteran community and as a Member of Congress. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 327, the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act as amended by the Senate. I also want to thank Mr. Boswell for his hard work in bringing this forward. H.R. 327 was originally passed by the House unanimously in March. The legislation was slightly modified by the Senate to ensure that referrals for mental health counseling and treatment considered the request of the veteran concerned. Preventing suicide among our veterans is a top priority of this Congress and the Nation. The Veterans Health Administration estimates there are 1,000 suicides per year among veterans receiving VA health care, and as many as 5,000 per year among all living veterans. These are alarming statistics. H.R. 327, as amended, establishes requirements for a multifaceted VA suicide prevention plan that strengthens early detection measures, staff education initiatives, and counseling and treatment assistance to reach out and help at-risk veterans to prevent suicides among those who have so bravely served our Nation. VA has already begun to implement a national suicide prevention lifeline as required by this legislation. The hotline became operational in July of this year. Veterans experiencing thoughts of suicide can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for help. The first call, according to the VA, was received on July 25. Since that time and through September 1, as a result of calls to the suicide prevention hotline, 346 callers were referred to a VA suicide prevention coordinator, and there were 56 rescues. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 327, as amended, is important legislation that responds to the need to strengthen suicide prevention, education and awareness programs within the VA. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 327, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank Congressman Boswell for his hard work in bringing this forward, Chairman Filner, Ranking Member Buyer, Mr. Michaud, Mr. Miller, all of them for reaching a compromise with the Senate as we go forward on this. I think this is a great example that out of a terrible tragedy something good can happen, and we've heard the story of this young guy, and because of his tragedy, because of that family's tragedy, hopefully in putting programs like this in place we will help other families, other individuals, other service men not go through this and prevent future tragedies. So, again, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and urge the President to sign this so that we can go forward completely. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. General Leave

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, again, I encourage everyone, certainly we are all anxiously awaiting to get to vote ``yes'' on this very, very important resolution. I want to thank Mr. Baca for bringing this to our attention and doing the work that it took to get it on the floor. A special thanks to Chairman Filner, Mr. Buyer, again, for working together and getting all of the bills that we have done today on the floor. I think it represents a tremendous amount of work. As always, I want to thank the staffs on both sides who worked so hard in preparing these things and actually getting it to fruition. So with that, again, I yield back the balance of my time. General Leave

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to introduce a good friend, a man who ministers to the men and women of western Arkansas, a man of God, our guest chaplain, the Reverend Bobby L. Johnson of Van Buren, Arkansas. He has been pastor of First Assembly of God in Van Buren since June of 1980. Since then, the church has grown from over 200 at Sunday School to over 2,000, placing it among the fastest growing Sunday Schools in Arkansas and the Nation. His mission is bringing the Word to the people through his extensive outreach, from mobile ministry to television and over the Internet. A graduate of both the University of Central Arkansas and Evangel College in Missouri, Pastor Johnson has taught public high school and pastored three other churches in Arkansas. It is my honor to welcome Pastor Johnson to the House of Representatives and thank him for his service to his calling and to the people of Arkansas.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 968, H.R. 3678, the Internet Tax Freedom Act Amendments Act of 2007, I was not present due to an emergency situation. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a person who has been described as ``perhaps the best judge never to serve on the Supreme Court.'' I wish today to honor and remember Judge Richard Arnold as we prepare to name the Federal building in Little Rock after one who has given so much to his country. A Texarkana native, Judge Arnold attended Exeter, Yale, and Harvard, and clerked for Justice William Brennan before returning to Arkansas to set up practice in Texarkana. President Carter named Judge Arnold, a Democrat, to the district court in 1978 and, in just over a year, named him to the Eighth Circuit. He rose to chief judge and served on the Eighth Circuit with his brother Morris, a Republican. Judge Arnold's life represents one of commitment to the rule of law and of service to one's country. I am proud to see the Federal building in Little Rock named after him, and I am proud to speak of him here in the well of the House.