Ginny Brown-Waite

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the bill, H.R. 1402, the Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building piece of legislation. It will rename the South Lecanto Highway Post Office in Lecanto, Florida, after Army Sergeant Flanagan, who was killed by terrorist insurgents in 2006 while on patrol in Iraq. I actually attended the services out at Arlington Cemetery. I was with the family. I also attended the service for the young man that was held in Citrus County. In my district office, I have a photograph that his mom gave me that was taken at the service. And it appears as if there is this rainbow over the marker. It is truly a tribute to this 2001 graduate of Lecanto High School because Sergeant Flanagan was an active member of the Junior ROTC, and he achieved the rank of lieutenant in his first year. Within a week following the attacks of September 11, 2001, on our country, he enlisted in the Army and began his first tour of duty in Iraq. Sergeant Flanagan then re-enlisted for a second tour in Iraq in September of 2005. Tragically, he was killed, along with three other U.S. soldiers, when an IED hit a Humvee in which he was traveling. Only the Humvee driver survived the incident.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1402, the Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building. H.R. 1402 will rename the South Lecanto Highway post office in Lecanto, FL, after Army Sergeant Flanagan, who was killed by terrorist insurgents in 2006 while on patrol in Iraq. A 2001 graduate of Lecanto High School, Sergeant Flanagan was an active member of the Junior ROTC, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant his junior year. Within a week following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he enlisted in the Army and began his first tour of duty in Iraq in 2003. Sergeant Flanagan then re-enlisted for a second tour in Iraq in September of 2005. Tragically, he was killed January 20, 2006, along with 3 other U.S. soldiers when an lED hit a Humvee in which he was traveling. Only the Humvee driver survived the incident. Sgt. Flanagan was a soldier who firmly believed in our mission in Iraq and in advancing the cause of freedom. As a young boy, Sgt. Flanagan knew that he wanted to be a soldier in the U.S. Armed Forces. A soldier who felt we must defend America and fight for freedom, Sgt. Flanagan received glowing recommendations from his superior officers and fellow soldiers. One of the principle reasons that he re-enlisted was to act as a mentor to the newly enlisted soldiers and to help train Iraqi army recruits. Speaking of his future as a soldier and a patriot, Sgt. Flanagan once wrote a poem that included the words, ``And now, my son, I pray to thee. Never ever forget me; that I died a soldier's death, to keep you free with my last breath.'' In times when children and families need role models to look up to and emulate, Sergeant Flanagan was a true American hero. Our community feels his loss immensely. I hope that in renaming this post office, we will memorialize Sergeant Flanagan's courage and never forget his sacrifice for this great Nation.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Edgar Wilton Carr, a native of Essex, Ohio who served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. Assigned as an Aerial Gunner with the 453rd Bombardment Group 8th, Mr. Carr bravely encountered dangerous and life-threatening events during his time in the Air Force. As a pilot during the attack on Germany in 1944, Mr. Carr participated in the first night's bombing of Berlin. In one mission over Germany, his plane was shot down and he was forced to parachute from the damaged plane. The jump was so dangerous that part of his face and both his hands suffered severe freezing from the air temperature and altitude. Another time Mr. Carr was taken as a prisoner of war and spent fifteen months in a German prison camp. While the mental and physical injuries he suffered in the fight against the Axis powers were great and stayed with him throughout his life, Mr. Carr always maintained a positive outlook and shared his great sense of humor with everyone he met. This light-hearted attitude made such an impression on his family that even after his passing they tell stories about him with pride and with the comment, ``That's my father.'' As General George Patton once said, ``Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men.'' The soldiers of World War II will always be remembered as the greatest generation, a generation that gave so much for our country. Mr. Carr was no exception and will continue to be remembered as a defender of freedom. Madam Speaker, veterans like Edgar Wilton Carr should be recognized for their service to our nation and for their commitment and sacrifices in battle. I am honored to present Mr. Carr's family with his long overdue Purple Heart. All Floridians should know that we truly consider him one of America's heroes.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, May 10, 2007 marks the 85th anniversary celebration of the Woman's Club of Dunnellon. This outstanding charitable organization, located in Marion County in Florida's 5th congressional district, has spent the better part of the last century working on behalf of the good people of Dunnellon. Volunteerism is an important part of many peoples lives, especially so throughout the 5th District of Florida. Many local organizations have worked very hard to make sure that the neediest amongst us have access to basic necessities like transportation to the doctor, hot meals, hospice care, day care, and providing support for our troops and their families. The Woman's Club of Dunnellon has been at the forefront of these efforts for the past 85 years, continually finding ways to help give back to their friends and neighbors. From city beautification efforts, to educational seminars, to helping meet the needs of area residents during times of war, the woman's club has many achievements of which to be proud. On the occasion of their 85th anniversary celebration, I would like to congratulate the women's club on their continued support and commitment to the residents of Dunnellon. Keep up the good work and know that you have my thanks for improving the lives of Marion County residents.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise to control the 5 minutes reserved for the opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I support the amendment before us. This measure would increase the reimbursement rate available through the veterans beneficiary travel program to the level currently enjoyed by Federal employees, including Members of Congress who travel. It would also eliminate the travel deductible, which imposes an additional burden on veterans. I have been pushing this issue for quite some time now and am happy to see it reach the floor of the House of Representatives. In my district, which spans eight counties, many veterans have to travel long distances to access health care. Considering today's gas prices, one can understand the enormous expenses incurred by those in need of care. Worse yet, with many veterans living on fixed incomes, the current reimbursement rate can seriously harm their standard of living. I know I have been contacted by many veterans also telling me about the burden that the deductibility imposes on us. It astounds me that in providing this benefit our government holds veterans to a different standard than Federal employees. I commend the gentleman for introducing this amendment, and as he knows, our two staffs have been working together to put in an individual bill. I believe that America needs to listen up. It is time for us to fix this inequity and support passage of this important amendment.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the rule for H.R. 1401, the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007. This rule is overly restrictive because it prohibits several good amendments like my colleague just enumerated as well as an amendment that I had tried to get in the bill. I think it is shocking because members are the most knowledgeable about this bill, having worked on it for weeks now, our members of the committee. One of the amendments that the rule excludes was the rule that basically said if we have an assessment out there of perhaps a lack of security or an area that we need additional resources in, this information is going to become public. Think about what the terrorists would do. The amendment would have filled this security gap by exempting all sensitive information from Freedom of Information Act requests. It directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue regulations that would prohibit unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information such as security plans, vulnerability assessments, and risk-based criteria. Mr. Speaker, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recently wrote a letter supporting my amendment, and I will include that letter in the Record. International Association of Fire Chiefs, Fairfax, VA, March 12, 2007. Hon. Ginny Brown-Waite, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Brown-Waite: On behalf of the nearly 13,000 chief fire and emergency officers of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), I would like to voice our support for your amendment to the ``Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007'' that would protect sensitive information about our nation's rail and public transportation sector. We share your concerns about protecting sensitive information from accidental public disclosure. Both the vulnerability plans and the security assessments described in this legislation contain sensitive information, such as threats to our nation's transportation system, security weaknesses, and redundant and back-up systems. It is important that this information be shared with the appropriate fire and emergency services, and law enforcement organizations to ensure that they are prepared for the accidental or deliberate release of hazardous materials. However, this information should not be made public, because of the serious problems that could occur if information about weaknesses in the security of our nation's transportation system fell into the wrong hands. Thank you again for offering this amendment. If you have any questions about the IAPC's role in the safe transportation of hazardous materials, please feel free to call Ken LaSala, the Director of Government Relations. Sincerely, James B. Harmes, President. I would also like to quote two sentences from the letter by those who would be the first responders, the Association of Fire Chiefs, and the fire chiefs in your local district: ``It is important that this information be shared with appropriate fire and emergency services and law enforcement organizations to ensure that they are prepared for the accidental or deliberate release of hazardous materials. However, this information should not be made public because of the serious problems that could occur if information about weaknesses in the security of our Nation's transportation system fell into the wrong hands.'' Mr. Speaker, they said it far better than I could, and they would clearly be the first responders. By excluding these important amendments, we are shortchanging the people of America with a bill that is filled with loopholes. I ask Members to vote ``no'' on the previous question and on the rule so we can go back and make some of these very appropriate amendments in order.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to discuss H.R. 1401, the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of 2007. Securing our Nation's rail and public transportation systems has long been a priority for the Homeland Security Committee. However, many different competing priorities elbowed this issue out of the way as we faced growing concern about border and port security. Our Committee addressed these issues head-on under the leadership of Ranking Member--then Chairman--Peter King, and made great strides in securing our homeland. However, attacks in London and Madrid are stark illustrations of the urgency with which Congress must address rail and mass transit security. H.R. 1401 requires transportation providers to conduct vulnerability assessments and implement security plans. The bill also mandates security training for transportation workers. These steps are crucial in bringing rail and mass transit security up to par to the level of airports and seaports. I also appreciate that our Committee adopted several amendments I offered during our makrup. Transportation workers will now have to undergo a background check that will look at both criminal history and current immigration status. We cannot afford to give criminals and terrorists the access to our secure sites. The American people do not understand or accept such a risk, and nor do I. My other amendment specified that some of the new training exercises take place at the border. We have all heard rumblings over the last few years about criminal gang activity, particularly along the Southern border. It makes sense to have a portion of training dedicated to an area with a high risk. However, I must express my disappointment that the Rules Committee did not make in order my amendment to better secure sensitive information from Freedom of Information Act Requests. I fear without this additional language, security plans and risk assessment criteria could easily fall into the wrong hands. Further, I have grave concerns about the amount of money we are spending in the bill without these protections. The American people would not thank us for all of our work in airports or seaports if something happens to a major rail or subway carrier. I want to thank Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member King for their tireless work on this bill and for working with me on my amendments.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my concern that the Democrats will not extend tax measures critical to the American people. Residents in my own State are at risk. Floridians currently can deduct their sales tax from the Federal income tax. However, this deduction expires this year. As Democrats set their agenda for the coming year, there is talk of offsetting increases in Federal spending by raising taxes for millions of Americans. Quite frankly, I worry that the use of this provision will be to pay for additional spending. Constituents don't want additional taxes. They want us to be more conservative in spending. Listen up, America. Congress needs to be sure that taxpayers do not face unnecessary tax increases. I appeal to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that our constituents are able to keep more of their hard-earned money.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Carol Ayer, the outgoing director of the Nature Coast Festival Singers in Spring Hill, Florida. Carol has served the Singers for nearly 6 years with honor and distinction. Soon, she is leaving Florida to retire with her family in Wisconsin. Carol Ayer has dedicated her life to music. After earning her degree in Music Education, Music Performance, and English Literature from Beloit Fine Arts College in Beloit, Wisconsin, Carol taught English and music to students of various ages throughout her career. First moving to Hernando county in 1990, Mrs. Ayer joined the alto section of the Nature Coast Festival Singers in 1996. The Singers were originally founded to sing The Messiah at Christmas pageants, but have since expanded to perform Christian music throughout the year. Carol's late husband Peter served as director and conductor from 1998 until his tragic death in an airplane crash in 2001. Following his death, Carol was named the Director and Conductor of the Nature Coast Festival Singers, and during her tenure, the number of members increased every year, with nearly one hundred members performing in this spring's concert. As Conductor the musical emphasis on The Messiah maintained the sacred or classical nature of the Nature Coast Festival Music's charter. The Nature Coast Festival Singers also established a scholarship in memory of Peter in thanks to Carol for her years of dedication. The group adds to this scholarship fund through the generous offerings made at concerts. The singers fund three types of scholarships, two in conjunction with the Chocochatti Magnet School and the Brooksville Music Club, and one related to the members of the Nature Coast Festival Singers. These scholarships provide funds for the study of music to elementary age children, and high school and college students. Madam Speaker, Carol Ayer's dedication to music and the community has served as an inspiration to thousands throughout Hernando County. It is clear from the attendance at local performances that Carol's love of music has been shared by many others. Carol is to be commended for her years of service, her commitment to the Lord, and for giving back to the community and its musically inclined children. Carol Ayer is a shining example of the good that serving Jesus Christ can bring to our friends and families, and she will be sorely missed.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding young woman, Autumn Nicole Mitchell. Audi, as she is known to her friends and family, made a decision about 18 months ago to help support the Wigs 4 Kids cancer support network by growing her hair and then donating it to other children without hair of their own. Wigs 4 Kids is a charitable organization that provides wigs and services to children who have lost their hair due to illness or disease. Wigs 4 Kids' main focus is on cancer patients, but also includes other young people who face similar challenges that cause hair loss, including: alopecia, trichotillomania, lupus, hydrocephalus, burns and other disorders. When donating their hair, young girls like Audi must go to special salons that know how the hair must be cut in order to be made into wigs for others. Audi is a typical, healthy young girl who genuinely cares about her friends and neighbors. Hearing about the thousands of other children who lost their hair to cancer and other diseases, Audi decided on her own that she would grow out her hair so that she could donate it to Wigs 4 Kids. It takes an exceptional type of young person to recognize the needs of others, and then to take affirmative action to help them in their time of need. Madam Speaker, I have seen the before and after photos of young Audi. Once her long, straight hair is made into a wig, I know that her beautiful hair will look great on another young child looking to regain some of their self-esteem following their hair loss. Audi is to be commended for her selfless act and for being an example to other children in her school and neighborhood. I know that her generosity will be appreciated by the Wigs 4 Kids program, and trust that this act of compassion will follow Audi throughout her life.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1422, the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act. Our Constitution clearly states that Members of Congress should be chosen by residents of States. However much we might revere our Nation's capital and appreciate its residents, our Founders decided not to make it a State. In fact, Alexander Hamilton offered an amendment at the 1788 Constitution ratification convention to give D.C. representation in the House, but his amendment was rejected. In 1978, the 95th Congress passed a similar amendment, but only 16 of the required 38 States ratified it in the 7 year time period before it expired. The message from these votes is clear: only residents of States may have representation in Congress. The Constitution lays out a method for adding a new State to our Nation. If we truly want D.C. to have congressional representation, we can either work to make D.C. a State, make it part of an existing State, or we can either amend the Constitution, like the 95th Congress attempted to do. And if we actually did this the right way, we wouldn't spend years in litigation while D.C. residents' votes hang in the balance. Listen up America! This bill is merely a shortcut around the tools we have at our disposal, and is therefore blatantly unconstitutional. I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to commend the men and women serving in the Federal Correction Complex in Coleman, Florida, in my district. This Federal complex serves our Nation by housing prisoners in low-, medium- and high-security facilities. It has provided countless jobs in my district and helped our growing economy. The people who fill those jobs truly are a testament to the array of wonderful people in my district. Even with the struggles in funding and thinly stretched staff, the officers at Coleman are cheerful, positive, and professional people. Staffing a prison complex is no easy job, and many of the officers there literally have scars to prove it. Yet they know their job is to keep our families safe. I have had the opportunity to tour this facility several times and meet with the staff, and I am proud to serve alongside such honorable public servants. I want to take this opportunity to give them all my heartfelt thanks.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, earlier this afternoon, justice was finally rendered in the guilty verdicts in the kidnapping, assault, rape and murder of Jessica Lunsford. Jessica's family lives in my district, and the Nation's sympathy certainly went out to the Lunsford family when Jessica went missing. Today's verdict obviously is one that we hope that if Mr. Couey has a conscience that he will not appeal this decision. However, Americans must realize that John Couey is one of thousands of sexual predators around the Nation. It is very sad, but parents in every neighborhood and community should remain vigilant in protecting their children from strangers. Certainly our hearts and prayers go out to Mark, Archie and Ruth Lunsford. I hope that the guilty verdict today provides some closure for the family and that they feel that justice has been served. We must also remember that Jessica Lunsford was the emphasis behind the Jessica Lunsford Act, which was signed into law.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the sorry State of our Nation's borders. As we have read in the newspapers every day, we have an estimated 12 to 15 million people living illegally in the United States. Now, I understand that this is a divisive issue for many people, even for some in this body. I, myself, understand the needs of Florida's citrus growers and sugar cane farmers to have a reliable source of agricultural workers. But as my constituents tell me all the time, what part of illegal doesn't Congress understand? I know that we need a guest worker program, but not one that includes amnesty or a pathway to citizenship, as some have called it. A guest worker program should be just that, a program where migrant workers are guests in our country and return home when their visa expires. Unfortunately, that is not what happens today. We have hundreds of thousands of people sneaking across our borders every day. We don't know who they are, where they are headed or what their intentions are. Some of those on the other side of the aisle make the argument that the people sneaking across our borders are just good honest people looking to make a better life for themselves. That may indeed be the case for some. But in a post-9/11 world, we can't take that chance. Many of them are common crooks, low-level thugs, brutal gang members, drug dealers, murderers, rapists or kidnappers or serial killers. One example recently in Florida took place with the brazen abduction of a young man by the name of Clay Moore in Manatee county, which is just outside of my congressional district. Thirteen year-old Clay was waiting for a school bus with other kids when a man driving a pickup truck pulled up alongside of them and kidnapped Clay by gun point. Law enforcement issued an AMBER Alert and set up a concerted manhunt to find Clay and his abductor. Unlike the case of Jessica Lunsford or Sarah Lunde, in this case, the story ends with good news, not a body bag. Clay managed to escape, but not after being driven to the middle of the woods, duct-taped to a tree for several hours. He freed himself by using a safety pin he had hidden in his mouth to cut the duct tape holding him to the tree, and then he called home for help. Clay is a brave and resourceful young man to have gotten away without being harmed. I can only wonder if he and his family watched old reruns of MacGyver to learn the safety pin trick. This story ended well for Clay. But the bad news for America is that the alleged abductor was an illegal immigrant who had been deported once from the country. A news report from the Bradenton Herald even describes the problems authorities had tracking him down. ``Obtaining the warrants took longer than expected due to the suspected kidnapper's multiple aliases. Beltran-Moreno is an undocumented immigrant who at one time was deported from the United States,'' they said. When I came down to the floor earlier, the authorities still had not caught Beltran-Moreno. News reports indicated that he was trying to make it to Mexico to escape prosecution and punishment. Mr. Speaker, if our immigration laws had been enforced and if we had stronger border security measures in place, this kidnapper would not have been in America and would not have had the opportunity to kidnap young Clay Moore. Instead, a dangerous criminal flees, leaving his whereabouts unknown and his motives unclear. This is unacceptable. The House has passed strong border security legislation in the past, but the Senate is taking its open path, a path towards amnesty. My constituents in and the constituents of many in this Chamber believe that that is absolutely the wrong path to take. Americans deserve real security and real results. With other like-minded Members of Congress, I will work to pass legislation that keeps illegal kidnappers and illegal aliens like Beltran-Moreno off our streets and away from our children.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Chairman, I rise today to express my disappointment over the iron-fist manner in which the majority brought this measure to the floor. I offered a common-sense amendment in the Rules Committee that Democrats soundly rejected. My amendment would have prevented labor unions from collecting any membership fees from one of their employees without verifying that the individual is a citizen or lawful resident permitted to work in the United States. With our immigration problem, taking the time to verify the legal status of their membership is certainly an area in which labor unions could help. Listen up America. This flawed piece of legislation will do nothing to address our country's problems. Instead, it is nothing more than a piece of red meat being thrown to the foaming-at-the-mouth liberal wing of the Democratic Party. This bill is so bad that the communist party has gone on the record in support of it. In closing, I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 800.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 884, the Promoting Antiterrorism Cooperation through Technology and Science Act, a long name for a great bill and an idea whose time clearly has come. The world knows that we changed on the morning of September 11, 2001. We found ourselves raw, exposed, attacked on our own soil, and mourning friends and loved ones killed that tragic morning. We learned the true nature of Islamic militants and the extent of their indiscriminate hatred of Americans. But we did not sit by silently, waiting for another attack. We acted, molding our government into a new security-focused body, willing and able to help protect our citizens. And, Mr. Speaker, we partnered with other countries in the global war on terror working to weed out terrorist cells across the globe and stop them before they have a chance to harm anyone else. This bill today builds on our partnership with international allies, directing the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate international research programs and strategic planning coalitions. H.R. 884 enhances these cooperative tools to improve our interactions with great allies like Israel, Canada, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. Mr. Speaker, we cannot fight the war on terror alone. We need our international partners to stand with us to stop the murderous terrorist groups wherever they spring up. Today's bill supports and enhances these partnerships, and I am very proud to support it. I urge my colleagues to do the same. I want to commend the chairman of the committee and the ranking member of the committee for their great work on this bill.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Rev. Richard Drankwalter, the outgoing Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Brooksville, Florida. For nearly 37 years, Pastor Drankwalter has served the Lutheran Church with honor and distinction, all in the name of Jesus Christ. Born on July 4, 1944, in Queens, New York, Pastor Drankwalter has dedicated his life to serving the Church. Earning his Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois in 1970, he spent an early part of his career as Pastor of the Peace Lutheran Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Pastor Drankwalter then moved on to serve the Church in Illinois and New York, eventually moving to Brooksville, Florida in 1986. Pastor Drankwalter has been a minister at Christ Lutheran in Brooksville for nearly 20 years. Pastor Drankwalter joined Christ Lutheran following service as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Silver Creek, New York. At the time of his appointment there were 168 members of Christ Lutheran; today there are over 600. A sure sign of his family's commitment to the area, both his wife Paula and his daughter Jennifer have served as teachers in Hernando County. The Pastor himself ran for Hernando County School Board and that is where I first met him. In addition to this service, Pastor Drankwalter and his wife Paula have been very involved in local church and civic organizations, including the Brooksville Ministerial Association, the Hernando County Youth Association, the Brooksville Kiwanis Club, and served on the Board of Directors of the Committee Against Assaults on Law Enforcement Officers. For nearly 37 years, Pastor Drankwalter has tended to the needs of his congregation. As a part of his ministry, he has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help families seeking guidance and support. On one occasion the Pastor dropped everything and drove to an area hospital to pray with a family following their father's stroke, even though they were not members of his congregation. His career has been built on working for Christ, not blindly following denominations and labels. Madam Speaker, Pastor Drankwalter's dedication to the Lord and to the Lutheran Church has served as an inspiration to thousands throughout Hernando County. His ministry has touched the hearts of many, and the Church has continued to grow under his leadership. Pastor Drankwalter is to be commended for his years of service, his commitment to the Lord, and for serving the men and women who rely on his counsel and wisdom. Pastor Drankwalter is a shining example of the good that serving Jesus Christ can bring to our friends and families, and he will be sorely missed by the entire community.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, the deductibility of sales tax is so important to so many people. It makes a big difference. There are those of us, long of tooth, who remember when you used to be able to deduct both State and local sales tax on your Federal income tax. I remember when I lived in the chairman's State, in New York, and we could do that, where I would save up all those receipts. And I was darn sure that I spent more money on purchases than what the maximum amount deductible was. But in the mid 1980s, they eliminated the deductibility of sales tax on your Federal income tax. What did this do? What it meant was that States that did not have an income tax were at a very distinct disadvantage, citizens who lived in those States. So a few years ago we remedied that by saying you could deduct either the State and local sales tax on your Federal income tax or at the State income tax, whichever was higher. So you had that opportunity. It certainly doesn't put my colleague from New York and those people who are still left in New York at a disadvantage because they can still deduct the State income tax. States that don't have a State income tax have been put at a disadvantage. I know that the good gentleman from Florida did try to put this amendment on, and it would make a lot of sense. It expires this year. We need to continue to have the deductibility of the State and local sales tax for residents of States that do not have an income tax.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, this vote and the debate that we are having is about politics and providing some political cover. It does nothing to help our soldiers win. Remember, it is a nonbinding resolution. What does that mean? It means that we could talk, as my mother used to say, until the cows come home. It has absolutely no effect. It has no power, no teeth and absolutely no effect. To be more specific, there is not one single mention in the Democrat resolution of how we will send more body armor for the troops, not a single mention of new tools to detect IED explosives, not one word dedicated to up-armored Humvees. Mr. Speaker, there is not one mention of the method to fund the health care needs of the veterans who come home. Not one mention. And this is important to remember: It has absolutely no mention of sending one soldier, let alone the 20,000 additional who are going over there or our fine young men and women who are already there, when they are going to come home one day sooner. In my district, Floridians have seen through this nonbinding resolution. The headline of the Orlando Sentinel calls it an ``empty measure.'' It says, ``The pointless House resolution on Iraq fails to set goals.'' The editorial goes on to say that the resolution ``isn't thoughtful policy; it's political cover.'' It is not just me saying it. This is certainly not a conservative newspaper, the Orlando Sentinel. My constituents know over the past few days we have debated a resolution with no teeth, no enforcement, delivered in a way that has no guts, no character and provides no leadership. Need to hear more? The Veterans of Foreign Wars said that, ``Other generations have learned the hard way when military decisions are second-guessed by opinion polls or overruled by politicians.'' The VFW and the American Legion know what happens when politicians play politics with war. Our veterans' message to Democrats is to support the surge and give our soldiers a chance to win. That is really what they want. They want to win. In closing, I must echo the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars with the words that ring in the hearts of veterans everywhere: Give our sons and daughters in this fight the chance to win. That, Mr. Speaker, is exactly what they are asking for.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, who is also the ranking member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and obviously, very, very passionate and articulate on this issue. Mr. Speaker, my constituents know that I vote my conscience. I voted against my party and our President when I thought that they were wrong. I have stood up to my leadership when my constituents knew Congress could do better. But, Mr. Speaker, my vote on the resolution before us isn't about my party or about the President. Unfortunately, this vote and this debate is all about politics and providing some political cover. This vote does nothing to help our soldiers win. What I see here is this liberal leadership pandering to the vitriolic left wing of the Democrat Party. How do I know this? At the opening of this debate, Speaker Pelosi asked the only real relevant question: Will this resolution make our troops safer? In her remarks, and I have read and reread them, she didn't say how her resolution did that. I have pored over the remarks and the text of this resolution to find all the instances where the House will be giving greater resources to the troops, and it doesn't. After I read all 60 words many, many times, I can tell you, not one single word in the resolution offers any more equipment, not any more diplomacy, or any more security for our troops. And guess what? It also does not bring one soldier home sooner. It doesn't demand the Iraqis take the lead in the fight. These omissions make it startlingly clear to me that the answer to Speaker Pelosi's questions, will this resolution make our troops safer, is absolutely no, it will not. The Democrats have this resolution all wrong. To be more specific, there is not a single mention in this resolution of how we will send more body armor for the troops, not a single mention of new tools to detect IED explosives, not one word dedicated to up-armored Humvees, and, Mr. Speaker, not one mention of the method to fund the health care needs of those veterans who will come home. Not one word. I invite the Speaker to come back into the Chamber and tell this House where is the additional money to make our soldiers safer and our Army stronger, because if she can't show me the substance in these 60 words, then they are nothing but rhetoric, and this resolution cannot and will not help our troops. This week the House is debating a useless resolution that's only purpose is to weaken and divide. The American people are not stupid. They can see through this charade for exactly what it is. It is a toothless effort to provide political cover for Democrats. As a matter of fact, the Orlando Sentinel, certainly not a conservative newspaper, has said that this is an empty measure. It says the pointless House Resolution on Iraq fails to set goals. It goes on to say, The U.S. House launched a welcome debate this week on the Iraq war. It is too bad 3 days of points and counterpoints will end in a vote on a pointless resolution. This isn't thoughtless policy, it is political cover. Believe me, the Orlando Sentinel is, by far, not a very conservative newspaper. My constituents know that over these 3 days we have debated a resolution with no teeth, no enforcement, and it is delivered in a way that has no guts, no character and provides no leadership. Mr. Speaker, if this debate were about policy, we would be talking about changing or creating law. If the Democrats believed what they were saying, this House would be debating spending and funding, not wasteful rhetoric. If my colleagues on the other side of the aisle were genuine, we would be talking about benchmarks for Iraq, the Iraqi Government, and strict guidelines for appropriations. I have heard some on the other side of the aisle say that this debate is about preventing an escalation. Is the Democrat majority so powerless that it cannot stop a deployment? Before I got elected, Congress authorized this war, and with the force of law, this Congress could stop it. Congress' concern should be for our troops, not the Presidential and political ambitions of the Democrat Party. It is rare when I stand on the floor and say that the Senate actually got it right, but I must commend them for their more thoughtful and less politically attuned resolution, because their resolution states the long-term security interests of the United States are best served by an Iraq that can sustain, govern and defend itself and serve as an ally in the war against extremists. That statement acknowledges the battle that we are waging and the eventual victory that we must achieve in the Middle East. The 60-word resolution before this Chamber makes no such statement or recognition and sets absolutely no benchmarks. My sole concern is for our troops. The litmus test for my vote is whether or not this resolution makes our troops safer. Mr. Speaker, I believe every Member of this House should ask themselves the following questions: Will this resolution protect one of our soldiers? Will this resolution make one piece of armor thicker? Will these empty words make a single IED less lethal? Will this resolution stop one sniper or one suicide bomber from attacking our troops in the field? Sadly, the answer is no. This resolution is not being debated in a vacuum. We must ask the question, Could this resolution encourage our adversaries? Could this debate put one of our soldiers in further harm's way? Might some Islamic terrorist believe that the more of our troops that they kill, the quicker the U.S. will withdraw our forces? If the answer to these questions is even possibly ``maybe,'' then I cannot vote for this resolution. We should not risk encouraging those who would attack our troops just for the empty gesture of partisanship. Let's call this for what it is. This resolution puts our troops at risk for the Presidential aspirations of some Members of the opposite party. Many Members have noticed that on the 11th day of every month I wear this pin. This was given to me by firefighters. It is a depiction of firefighters putting up our flag in New York City after it was attacked. This is why we have very brave young men and women out there fighting today. I am not a blind supporter of the President's policies. And if we wanted to make this debate about policy, I would be there to work with them. The President knows all well my strong reservations about some of the policies in Iraq. But, Mr. Speaker, it has not been a perfect war. I stand here today to let our troops know that I will hold the President's feet to the fire to ensure that our soldiers have the tools for our victory. That is what our soldiers want. In the South, we have a wonderful saying and it goes like this: ``Git 'er done.'' Our soldiers want to get it done and come home. And our President wants the same thing. And this Congress should also demand the exact same thing. Let's get out there and ``Git 'er done.'' [From the Orlando Sentinel, Feb. 14, 2007] Empty Measure--Our Position: The Pointless House Resolution on Iraq Fails To Set Goals The U.S. House launched a welcome debate this week on the Iraq war. It's too bad three days of points and counterpoints will end in a vote on a pointless resolution. The non-binding measure simply declares that Congress supports U.S. troops, but disagrees with President George W. Bush's decision to send another 20,000 to Iraq. Members who vote for it can say they made clear their opposition to escalating an unpopular war, but didn't sell out the troops. This isn't thoughtful policy; it's political cover. In the Senate, a detailed resolution whose sponsors include Michigan Democrat Carl Levin and Virginia Republican John Warner, the chairman and former chairman, respectively, of the Armed Services Committee, is a more constructive response to the president's troop surge. While the Senate resolution declares support for U.S. troops and opposition to the surge, it also points out ``the long-term security interests of the United States are best served by an Iraq that can sustain, govern, and defend itself, and serve as an ally in the war against extremists.'' It advocates reaching that goal by encouraging Iraq's leaders to make the political compromises critical to promote reconciliation and security. The resolution places the responsibility for dealing with Iraq's civil war where it belongs, on Iraq's armed forces. But it acknowledges a role for U.S. forces in battling terrorists, and in training and supporting Iraqi forces. The resolution echoes an assertion Mr. Bush made in announcing the surge: The U.S. commitment to Iraq is not ``open-ended.'' But the measure goes a step further by declaring U.S. help should depend on getting Iraq's government to agree formally to meet benchmarks. These include sending all the troops it has promised to Baghdad, fairly distributing the country's oil revenues among all its people, and letting the country's military operate without political interference. Unfortunately, parliamentary maneuvering between Democrats and Republicans over the Levin-Warner measure and two other Iraq resolutions doomed a debate and vote last week in the Senate. The chamber's leaders need to work out a compromise that will allow a full discussion and roll call on all three resolutions. We share the misgivings of many members of both parties in Congress about the president's latest war strategy. But with the troop surge under way, and Mr. Bush vowing to push ahead, it's better at this point for Congress to raise the pressure on Iraq's leaders to meet their obligations to reconcile and secure their country. Mr. Bush insisted this week that he would not be closely following the House debate. A vote for the House resolution will be easy for him to dismiss. But a bipartisan endorsement of the Senate's constructive measure is more likely to get the attention of the president, as well as Iraq's leaders.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Steven G. Scott, a nominee for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Employee of the Year Award, issued annually by the Disabled American Veterans. As someone who had dedicated their professional career to meeting the healthcare needs of his patients, Dr. Scott deserves recognition for his work on behalf of our nation's veterans. While stationed at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa, Florida for the past sixteen years, Dr. Scott has been instrumental in bringing specialized healthcare to soldiers with traumatic injuries. His work has focused on providing care for those individuals wounded through explosions, as well as those afflicted with spinal cord injuries. Without Dr. Scott's tireless efforts, these soldiers would not have access to the high quality care they receive today. I have toured the facilities at Haley in person, and can attest to the outstanding facilities, excellent staff, and professional atmosphere. Dr. Scott deserves a great deal of the credit for the quality care provided to the severely wounded at Haley. Families around the country request the Haley Center because of the superior healthcare services Dr. Scott has brought to the Polytrauma Center. Dr. Scott has also been recognized for his outstanding work serving veterans injured in combat. The 2006 recipient of the Tampa Bay Business Journal's Health Care Heroes Award for Health Care Innovation and Research, Dr. Scott was also awarded the 2004 Olin E. Teague Award, the highest award for treating war-related injuries in the VA. Madam Speaker, dedicated public servants like Dr. Steven G. Scott should be recognized for their years of service to America's veterans. I know that he will continue to help the patients at James Haley VA Medical Center recover from their injuries and improve their medical care. Congress should recognize the men and women like Dr. Scott who work day in and day out on behalf of our veterans.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Pasco County, Florida for hosting a fun and exciting annual fair for the past 60 years. While the first year of the Fair was not until 1947, Pasco County consistently won first place with its community booth at the Florida State Fair throughout the early 1940s. Partly due to Pasco County's success, the State Fair instituted a rule change that prohibited one county from winning first place more than three consecutive years. Because of the rule change, prominent San Antonio rancher D. E. ``Dan'' Cannon formed a group to establish a county fair. Joined by Pasco County's agricultural agent Jimmy Higgins, Dade City businessmen Joe Collura, George Nikolai and Bob Williams began searching for property to host the Fair. Eventually finding 40 acres with a rolling hillside just west of Dade City, the group met in City Hall to raise the necessary funds to purchase the land. On April 7, 1947, the Pasco County Fair Association was chartered for the purpose of hosting an annual fair. In the early days, they borrowed the midway rides from the Florida State Fair and drove to Tampa to disassemble the rides, deliver them to Dade City on the back of Dan Cannon's milk truck and then reassemble them on site. When the fair was over, they would disassemble the rides and return them to Tampa. The early fairs included contests in fruit packing, orange peeling and eating. In addition, there were car races and rodeos. In 1948, the late Hazel Whitman, also a charter member, started the Miss Pasco County Pageant as a fundraiser for the fair. ``Heart of Florida'' was added as the fair's logo about 10 years later and is still used today. The association originally sold memberships for $25 to raise money to host the fair. It is unique because throughout the years, it has remained a non-profit organization supported by its membership. The Fair is a great example of how entrepreneurs and warm-hearted individuals can make a difference in the community, without relying on the government for support. Madam, Speaker, the Pasco County Fair is a beloved institution throughout the entire region. Thousands of area residents have spent their childhoods on the carnival rides and have fond memories of competing in the beauty pageant and eating contests. This year the Fair will celebrate its 60th consecutive year offering a week of fun and excitement for my Pasco County constituents. I wish the Fair organizers best wishes during this year's Fair and hope that they will continue their efforts for another 60 years into the future.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Chairman, after the technologies are developed that are needed to transport safely ultra- low sulfur diesel company products, we need to have a follow-up here. The implementation will be slow without some sort of incentive to do so. My amendment is very simple: It directs the Secretary of Energy to provide a report to Congress within 1 year, with recommendations for Federal incentives to implement the technologies developed through this program. Mr. Chairman, it is no secret that Congress is slow at improving programs that we create and helping the markets in which they would thrive. Hopefully, this amendment will make it a little bit faster, and I urge all Members to support the amendment.