John Boozman

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I raise a point of order against the amendment offered by the gentleman from Arizona.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order that the language on page 91, line 14 after the word ``directs'' through line 17 is not in order because it violates clause 2 of rule XXI which prohibits legislation in an appropriations bill.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order that the language on page 127, line 5 through line 24 is not in order because it violates clause 2 of rule XXI which prohibits legislation in an appropriations bill.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order that the language on page 135, line 17 through page 136, line 5 is not in order because it violates clause 2 of rule XXI which prohibits legislation in an appropriations bill.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I make the point of order that the number ``5'' on page 60, line 4 is not in order because it violates clause 2 of rule XXI which prohibits legislation in an appropriations bill.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order that the language on page 86, line 10 after ``law,'' through the word ``region'' on line 11, is not in order because it violates clause 2 of rule XXI which prohibits legislation in an appropriations bill.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I am a member of the Committee on International Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Human Rights, and I have great sympathy for what you are trying to accomplish in the sense that I think the Emergency Refugee Migration Assistance fund does a great job. On the other hand, as a member of the Speaker's drug task force, and very active in the war against drugs, this is not the vehicle to do this in. I have had an opportunity to go to Colombia and see the progress that is being made. I very strongly oppose the McGovern amendment. I have had an opportunity to visit with the police and the armed services in Colombia, and they are doing a good job and tremendous progress is being made. We had an opportunity to go out on a mock drug expedition where we went out in the cigar boats and saw firsthand how they go after the drug traffickers. Probably 2 hours after we left, they actually captured a boat that had several hundred pounds of illegal drugs on it. So they are doing a good job. Again, I very strongly disagree that the money needs to be reduced. In regard to the Colombian police situation, as we know on May 22, 2006, 10 members of the Colombian Judicial Police force, known as the DIJIN, were murdered by members of the Colombian army. These brave police officers were investigating a drug trafficking incident when they were captured and shot execution-style by army soldiers. Since the incident, the Uribe government has moved quickly to launch an aggressive independent inquiry by the attorney general's office in Colombia. Because of these actions and because of the fact that Colombians are doing the right thing in this instance, we need to vote ``no'' on this amendment.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order that the language on page 74, line 6 through 11 is not in order because it violates clause 2 of rule XXI which prohibits legislation in an appropriations bill.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I also would echo the fact that Congressman Davis is an Arkansan; and we are very, very proud of him and all that he has accomplished. I rise today in support of H.R. 4811, the John Paul Hammerschmidt Post Office Designation Act. No one understands my congressional district like the kind and thoughtful gentleman who represented much of Arkansas in the Congress from 1967 through 1993. I consider John Paul Hammerschmidt a mentor and a friend. During his 26 years in Congress, John Paul became known for his strong work ethic and attention to individual constituent service. His fellow Members came to rely on his legislative expertise in highways, aviation and waterway infrastructure. In fact, Congressman Hammerschmidt served as ranking member of the Public Works, now known as the Transportation and Infrastructure, Committee from 1986 through 1993. During his tenure in office, Arkansas completed many of the infrastructure improvements, including highways and airports, that have allowed northwest Arkansas to become one of the major financial engines of our Nation. Congressman Hammerschmidt is also remembered for his work on behalf of our Nation's veterans. Particularly in Arkansas, our veterans hospitals and facilities still benefit from Congressman Hammerschmidt's service. Congressman Hammerschmidt served as ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee from 1975 through 1986, and all of our Nation's veterans had a tremendous advocate in this good man. As a combat pilot in World War II, Congressman Hammerschmidt flew 217 missions with the Third Combat Cargo Group over ``the Hump'' in the China-Burma-India theatre. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, three Battle Stars, the China War Memorial Medal by the Republic of China, and the Meritorious Service Award. He retired from the Air Force Reserve as a major. Furthermore, he has been awarded the highest honors by eight national veterans service organizations. Since retiring, Congressman Hammerschmidt has been named Arkansas Citizen of the Year; and he has remained incredibly active in the fields of business, education, aviation, community service, and his local church. Many of Congressman Hammerschmidt's close friends continue to serve in Congress today, and several will be submitting statements that were unable to be here today. Finally, I want to take a moment to honor Ginny Hammerschmidt, who served the people of Arkansas alongside John Paul during his many years of service. We lost Ginny last year, but this bill, in recognizing the service of Congressman Hammerschmidt, also recognizes the sacrifices and service of Ginny and the rest of the family.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I appreciate this opportunity to offer an amendment which will strengthen the hand of Congress in the future as we work to protect the most vulnerable children in our society and as we work to deter the abuse of drugs in our culture. This amendment would provide for two simple actions by ONDCP. First, the amendment would require the director of ONDCP to include in the National Drug Control Strategy statistical data and information to demonstrate and assess trends relating to the effects of illicit drug use on children of substance abusers. This information will assist Congress, as well as States, local governments and private groups, as we work to protect these children. As we all know, one of the greatest tragedies of drug abuse is the terrible effect these crimes have on the most vulnerable members of society, children. Children of substance abusers are the innocent victims of drug abuse, and research shows that these children are much more likely to become drug abusers themselves when they reach adolescence or adulthood. Congress should do all it can to protect these innocent children, while we have the chance; and no effective National Drug Control Strategy would be complete without considering the effects on children of substance abusers and how we can help prevent the cycle of drug abuse. We all know from experience that children who have grown up in homes in this sort of condition are much more likely to use drugs themselves. In Arkansas, State, local, and private groups are working hard to assist meth-endangered children, kids, who are some of the most vulnerable, of substance abusers. Several years ago, I visited with a high school young lady whose parent had recently committed suicide as a result of being high on meth. He was a truck driver. He had been on the drug for many, many years; and she was being a model student. There was really nothing, there was no agency, there was no help for her. So, again, I think this is very, very important and something that would be great if we could study and then use that information to go further. The second part of this amendment requires the director of ONDCP to conduct a study on drug court programs that hold hearings in nontraditional public places, such as schools. As you all know, the mission of a drug court is to provide an alternative to incarceration for nonviolent persons convicted of alcohol or other drug-related charges. In order to reduce demand and deter our kids from getting involved in illegal drugs, we must make sure they understand the consequences of drug abuse. We spend a lot of time and money talking to kids about the repercussions of drug abuse, but this type of program allows us to show them the consequences. In my congressional district, I have seen firsthand the strong impact that such a program has had on school-age kids. Judge Mary Ann Gunn of the Fourth Judicial District Drug Court in Washington County, Arkansas, has been taking her program into the schools for several years with the strong support of school administrators and the community. She uses the opportunity to visit with students about the drug problem, and it has had a profound effect on many kids. Experience has shown that her program is a strong deterrent for young people, and it strongly promotes demand reduction among our youth. In conclusion, I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort to reduce the harm experienced by children of substance abusers and to study drug court programs that could be a tremendous deterrent to young people nationwide. These two items may seem small, but they are critical steps in saving future generations from the harm caused by drug abuse. I commend Chairman Souder for his work on this very important bill. I appreciate the hard work that he and his staff and the other members of the committee, both Democrat and Republican, have put into this effort. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. Rehberg, and we have really enjoyed working on this. I rise also in strong support. The only reservation I have at all is perhaps 10 percent is not enough. We are dealing with a situation that in Arkansas, started in the Midwest, started in Arkansas, States like that, very rapidly spread across the country. When I talk to anybody in enforcement in my State, they tell us that 65 to 70 percent of crime in Arkansas now is directly attributed to methamphetamine. Our shelters are full. When you use this drug for an extended period of time you tend to get paranoid. You start beating up your family, and it is at an age when the children are invariably involved because it is in your 20s to 40s. While I was waiting to come and speak on this, I went in and talked to my MediVac folks who are out there that wanted to tell me about their issues in transporting patients. I mentioned I was going to come here and speak on this bill. They started relating story after story of transporting burn patients, children, men and women that had been injured as they were cooking meth that exploded. So, again, I appreciate the chairman and ranking member and strongly support the amendment.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Ross and Chairman Pombo. Congressman Ross for introducing the bill, and then Chairman Pombo for getting it to the floor. I rise in strong support of this bill. The reason that I do, before I was elected to Congress I had never been to Washington, D.C, and I came up here, I can still remember the excitement of seeing all the structures and things; and then now, as my constituents come up, taking them around, showing them the different areas, the different things of history that we preserved. Preserving Presidential birthplaces is very, very important. It is something that we need to do. We need to do a much better job, I think, in this country of preserving structures like this in general that are so important, that tell the story of America. One of the things that I really enjoy doing is going out to schools and I visit with the kids. I was on the school board for 7 years, and I sit down and visit with them, and one of the main reasons I am there is I want them to understand that a guy like me that was on the school board, had a small business, was on the school board, grew up very much like they did, in western Arkansas, that the sky is the limit, that they can work hard and basically achieve anything they want. Bill Clinton is truly an example of that. And certainly as they go through the structure that we are trying to preserve, I think it really shows that a young guy that grew up as much of America is growing up, maybe at some times maybe a little bit worse than much of America is growing up, but growing up in humble circumstances, having a dream, able to achieve the governorship of Arkansas, and then go on to become the most powerful man in the world. I think it is a great story. I think it is one that kids will be able to relate to and certainly show that, again, if they step forward that the sky is the limit. As Mike said, this has great support from the State of Arkansas, great support from our congressional delegation, and then also from our Governor, Governor Huckabee, that we would like to do what President Clinton did in the future, also from Hope, and he was very, very supportive as the letter indicates. Again, I speak in strong support of this bill and I urge its adoption.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a member of our congressional family, Mrs. Virginia Hammerschmidt, the wife of former Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt. Virginia and John Paul were married for almost 58 years before she passed away over the holiday recess. Any of us who have had the honor of serving in this House know that the full support, encouragement and guidance of a loving spouse makes our job so much easier. John Paul served in this institution for 26 years. I am sure that he would be the first to tell you that he could not have done it without Ginny by his side. Many of John Paul's former colleagues are still serving in the House today, and they remember Ginny with fondness. Gracious, dignified, sincere, these are some of the words people have used to describe her. I had the privilege of being in her company on numerous occasions and can personally attest to what a warm, caring person she was. She will be missed by many. She touched the lives of so many in Arkansas and here in these halls. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to keep John Paul, his son, John Arthur, and the rest of the Hammerschmidt family in their thoughts and prayers.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4500 honors two great leaders, Rosa Parks and Mother Teresa, by designating buildings in their honor. This bill designates the Headquarters and Emergency Operations Center Building at the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention as the Rosa Parks Headquarters and Emergency Operations Center. Rosa Parks is most well known as the mother of the civil rights movement. In 1955, she defiantly refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, inspiring further civil disobedience. Rosa Parks' dedication to fight for social and economic justice continued beyond that monumental day in 1955, as she spent the remainder of her life fighting against all forms of discrimination. Rosa Parks received numerous awards for her contributions to the civil rights movement, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal. Rosa Parks passed away earlier this year. H.R. 4500 also designates the Global Communications Center Building at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the Mother Teresa Global Communications Center. Mother Teresa spent her life assisting those in poverty in Calcutta, India and throughout central Asia. Her inspiration started a movement of volunteers who continue to spread her message and ministry throughout the world. Today, over 100,000 volunteers in 123 countries participate in Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity program, bringing hope and aid to the sick and dying. Mother Teresa received numerous awards and recognition for her humble acts of kindness, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Mother Teresa died in 1997. It is an honor to name facilities used to provide essential human services and protect the health and safety of the American people after two women who devoted their lives to similar causes. I support this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentlewoman from Kentucky (Mrs. Northup) be allowed to manage the remainder of my time.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4500) to designate certain buildings of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4500.

Mr. BOOZMAN

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Brown), chairman of the Health Subcommittee.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3665) to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide adaptive housing assistance to disabled veterans residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member and to make direct housing loans to Native American veterans, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bradley), the vice chairman of the Veterans Disability and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, a gentleman who, since coming to Congress, has been a tireless advocate for veterans.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, first, I would like to thank the chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer), and the committee's ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), for their leadership and support in bringing this bill to the floor. I would also like to thank the ranking member of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, the gentlewoman from South Dakota (Ms. Herseth), as well as her staff and my staff for their hard work and cooperation on this bipartisan legislation. Special thanks to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley), who is the ranking member for Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. This bill is an example of how we can work together to achieve good things for veterans, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3665, the Veterans Housing and Employment Improvement Act of 2005. I do not think we can close today before noting that this coming Friday is Veterans Day, a day that originally marked the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in the war to end all wars. Unfortunately, that idealistic prediction failed, and several generations of Americans have since served in wartime. So today, instead of honoring the end of World War I, Veterans Day now honors all of those who have worn the uniform in defense of the Nation. Whether a veteran served in war or peacetime, we owe them our gratitude, and this bill is just one small token of our appreciation. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House, I want to say thank you to all who have served.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, having no further requests for time, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to commend H.R. 3665, as amended, to the House for passage. This bill has several goals. First, we want to provide some flexibility in several VA programs, including the Adapted Housing Grant program and the Native American Loan program. Second, we want to protect and institutionalize the taxpayers' investment in the President's National Hiring Veterans Committee. Third, we want to reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration program for 3 years. Madam Speaker, it is no secret that many of those wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan return home with significant disabilities. Many of those severely disabled servicemembers spend their convalescence at a family home before moving to their own home when they are well enough to do so. Under the current rules, VA cannot help adapt those family homes for their specific disabilities unless the veteran has an ownership interest in the property. This bill would eliminate the ownership requirement for a partial grant. Therefore, title I would provide a partial adaptive housing assistance grant up to $10,000 or $2,000, depending on the level of disability to veterans residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member. It would also authorize up to three specially adaptive housing grants within the allotted maximum amount. Madam Speaker, this measure contains several provisions from H.R. 1773, originally introduced by the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee ranking member, Ms. Herseth. I want to compliment her and her staff for their hard work on this issue. These provisions would make permanent the pilot program for housing loans to Native American veterans; extend the eligibility for Native American loans to certain non-Native American veterans who have a meaningful interest in the property under tribal law and are the spouses of a Native American. And finally, this would adjust the maximum loan to conform with the Freddie Mac limits similar to other VA loans, currently $59,650. Madam Speaker, the taxpayers have made a significant investment in the work of the President's National Hire Veterans Committee, and we feel strongly that a 1-year extension will allow a proper transition of the duties and products of the committee to the Veterans Employment and Training Service of the Department of Labor. Therefore, title II would extend the committee's work until not later than December 31, 2006. Transition of its duties to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment and Training require the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment and Training to develop a transition plan for those duties and modify the membership and duties of the advisory committee on veterans employment and training to include outreach activities. Madam Speaker, we all know that homelessness among the veterans continues to be a problem. While there is some disagreement about the total number of homeless veterans needing a job to break the cycle of homelessness, there is no disagreement that the Homeless Veterans Reintegration program remains a valuable tool to put homeless veterans back to work. I want to emphasize that this is an employment program managed by the Veterans Employment and Training Service of the Department of Labor, not a housing program. Therefore, title III would reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration program for fiscal years 2007 through 2009 and retain the maximum authorization of $50 million per year. Finally, title IV makes technical amendments to the servicemembers group life insurance legislation as well as clerical and technical amendments to a number of other sections of title 38. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson), the sponsor of the original bill to extend the operation of the President's National Hire Veterans Committee, and former chairman of the Veterans' Benefits Subcommittee.