Ginny Brown-Waite

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. 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 the concurrent resolution under consideration.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 209) supporting the goals and ideals of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and expressing the sense of Congress that Congress should raise awareness of domestic violence in the United States and its devastating effects on families.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 438) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2000 Allston Way in Berkeley, California, as the ``Maudelle Shirek Post Office Building''.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 10 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson).

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. 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 the bill under consideration.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 438 would name this post office building after long-time Berkeley, California resident Maudelle Shirek. The author of this legislation is the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), who seeks to recognize Ms. Shirek. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

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

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2062) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 57 West Street in Newville, Pennsylvania, as the ``Randall D. Shughart Post Office Building''.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. 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 the bill under consideration.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2062 honors a soldier of the highest distinction, Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart of the U.S. Army's Special Operations Command. Along with my distinguished colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), I strongly support H.R. 2062 which designates this post office in Newville, Pennsylvania, as the Randall D. Shughart Post Office Building. On October 3, 1993, while serving as a sniper team member with the Special Operations Command with Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia, Sergeant Shughart embarked on a mission that would leave him fatally wounded. While performing precision sniper fires at a helicopter crash site, Sergeant Shughart and his team leader, Master Sergeant Gary Gordon, volunteered to be inserted into the crossfire in order to save a wounded soldier below, knowing that there were no ground troops available to secure the area. After having to abort the first mission due to enemy ground fire, Sergeant Shughart descended 100 meters south of the crash site. Only armed with a long-range rifle and sidearm, SFC Shughart fought his way to the fallen helicopter facing tremendous opposition. Upon arriving at the site, Sergeant Shughart secured the perimeter by offering protective fire for the pilot of the aircraft so he could escape to safety. Sadly, upon the depletion of his ammunition, Sergeant Shughart was killed in the crossfire. The unmistaken and important heroic acts by Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart were later depicted in the feature film ``Blackhawk Down'' in 2001. I certainly want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) for his work on this very important issue, recognizing the courageous actions of a true American hero. The men and women who protect our country deserve appropriate recognition for their service and commitment to their country, and that is just what this bill does: it recognizes Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart, whose courageous actions in combat cost him his life, by naming a post office after him. This will serve as a constant reminder to the entire community of his brave actions when his Nation called. At this moment, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, because of his role on the Select Bipartisan Committee Investigating the Response to and Preparation for Hurricane Katrina, is unable to be with us here. Nevertheless, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania again for his leading effort on this legislation that honors one of America's great heroes, Randall Shughart. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3703. I introduced this bill to honor the life of fallen U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Michael Schafer. On July 25 this year, while fighting extremist forces in Afghanistan, Sergeant Schafer made the ultimate sacrifice for our great Nation that he loved so dearly. I sincerely appreciate leadership's willingness to schedule this legislation for consideration today. I can only hope that with the enactment of H.R. 3703, Michael's widow, parents, and family will be comforted by this small token on behalf of a Nation that is eternally grateful for Michael's service. Michael Schafer, a native of the beautiful town of Spring Hill in my district, answered the call to service by enlisting in the Army in 1998. At the age of 25, Michael had already served tours of duty in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He became the team leader of the Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. In addition to being an excellent soldier, he was a model citizen, a dutiful son, and a very caring husband. Tragically, enemy combatants ambushed Sergeant Schafer and his squad in Oruzgan, Afghanistan, on July 25, 2005. They fired shots at the American forces. One shot struck Sergeant Schafer. Although wounded, he still managed to alert the rest of his team to the imminent danger and ordered them to evacuate the area. However, another shot then killed him. The Army posthumously awarded Sergeant Schafer the Silver Star and Purple Heart. The Army recognized that his last act saved the lives of at least two of his own soldiers. I am deeply humbled by the brave and selfless actions of this young hero. I urge my distinguished colleagues to join me in honoring the sacrifice made by Michael Schafer to defend the freedom of our great Nation, and I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) for making possible House passage of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3703) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8501 Philatelic Drive in Spring Hill, Florida, as the ``Staff Sergeant Michael Schafer Post Office Building''.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Mr. Patsy D'Ambrosio of Spring Hill, FL, a Purple Heart recipient from World War II. Born in Italy, Mr. D'Ambrosio moved to New York when he was 3 years old. Inducted into the Army on December 26, 1942, Mr. D'Ambrosio served during World War II as part of Company A of the 747th Tank Battalion in the European Theater. Following completion of his service, he received an honorable discharge from the Army on May 26, 1945. As part of the successful D-Day attack on Omaha Beach, Mr. D'Ambrosio was injured storming the French hedgerows, which were heavily defended by German tanks. While attacking the German fortifications, Mr. D'Ambrosio's tank was struck by two 88 mm shells. Severely wounded and suffering from shrapnel wounds and burns over much of his body, Mr. D'Ambrosio was pulled to safety by his assistant tank driver. Following his retirement as an optician, Mr. D'Ambrosio and his family moved to Florida to retire and to help his son start a family automotive business. Today, Amber Automotive has been operating in Brooksville for 25 years. Mr. Speaker, true American heroes like Patsy D'Ambrosio should be honored for their service to our Nation and for their commitment and sacrifices in battle. I am honored to present Mr. D'Ambrosio with his long-overdue Purple Heart. He is truly one of America's greatest generation.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my solidarity with the courageous women of Afghanistan. This past weekend, Afghani women once again made history as their country held their second round of free and fair elections to select a national parliament and provincial assemblies. Despite threats of retaliation and retribution, 580 women stood for election. These 580 women have risen up to be leaders of their land, in a country that just 4 years ago prohibited women from participating in national life. Just as significant, many men for the first time voted to support female candidates. While skeptics on the left and in the media said it could not be done, this is an unmistakable victory for forces of democracy in our battle against tyranny and oppression. The Afghan election demonstrates that we have learned the lessons of history: if women are not allowed to participate in the decision-making process, if women are deprived of rights to run for elective office, and if women are barred from determining their own future, then those women will suffer oppression and human rights violations. Afghani women no longer have to fear the terrible cruelty of their past because they now control their own future. With our support, these women will continue to fan the flame of democracy and build a brighter future.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 240. This resolution expresses the solidarity of the House of Representatives with the people of the Gulf Coast whose lives have been lost, uprooted, and otherwise changed forever because of Hurricane Katrina. On August 29, Hurricane Katrina slammed into Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane. It left almost the entire city of New Orleans under water and ravaged numerous other Gulf Coast communities. Hundreds of people were killed and millions forced to evacuate for an indefinite period of time. Katrina was one of the most destructive natural disasters that the United States has ever endured. The entire Nation has been grieving for more than 2 weeks. President Bush proclaimed this Friday, September 16, to be a national day of prayer and remembrance for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. On behalf of all Members, I commend the President for this proclamation and urge all Americans to keep the victims of this storm in their prayers. As a Floridian, I can particularly empathize with the people of the Gulf Coast. First, it is important to remember that before the hurricane gained power and hit Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, Katrina also struck south Florida as a Category 1 storm on August 25, killing 11 people. And last summer, in just over a one-month period, three devastating hurricanes, Charley, Frances and Ivan, destroyed neighborhoods, churches, businesses and communities throughout the State of Florida. These storms killed nearly 100 people and caused billions and billions of dollars in damage. Hurricane Katrina has proved to be even more costly, and that is why I know I speak for all Americans when I say that we stand shoulder to shoulder with the victims of this once-in-a-lifetime storm. Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Government Reform, of which I am very proud to be a member, will hold its first oversight hearing on the Federal government's overall response to Katrina tomorrow morning. The committee, led by our very distinguished chairman, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), seeks to gauge the efficacy of the hurricane preparation and recovery effort, determine what lessons our government has learned, and evaluate the preparedness of other major U.S. cities to cope with disasters of all types in the future. This Congress is overwhelmed with grief as a result of Katrina, and all Members are resolved to do everything possible to help to provide the necessary support to authorities and volunteers who are working to rebuild this area. Mr. Speaker, as we mourn the souls we lost to the incredible force of nature that was Hurricane Katrina, we are compelled to recognize the backbreaking, selfless, life-preserving work of the altruistic military and law enforcement personnel, relief workers, volunteers and others. Their seemingly endless work has been in full gear for more than 2 weeks now, and we are all indebted to them for coming to the rescue of our Gulf Coast neighbors. Mr. Speaker, September 11, the October 2003 wildfires, the hurricanes in Florida last summer, and now Hurricane Katrina, these tragic events in this country have all had similar remarkable silver linings, and that is each brought out the best in the American people. Americans are an incredibly compassionate people, and they have and will do anything to help their neighbors. In recent days, there has been a colossal outpouring of benevolence and aid from citizens across this great land. The citizens of the Gulf Coast region have desperately needed this support. But our Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama neighbors continue to need much more aid as so many lost their homes, their jobs, their precious belongings, and even their loved ones. Mr. Speaker, I know my distinguished colleagues will support this resolution, and I commend the sponsor. I urge Americans to observe the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Hurricane Katrina victims on Friday. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the people of North and South Carolina that they, too, have our prayers as they brace for Hurricane Ophelia making landfall today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 240) supporting the goals and ideals of a national day of prayer and remembrance for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and encouraging all Americans to observe that day.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, regardless of what denomination one belongs to, we all know the power of prayer; and that is one reason why I am sure that my colleagues will join me in supporting the National Day of Prayer for Hurricane Katrina victims. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. 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. Con. Res. 240.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding me this time. As the person who represents the area that Jessica Lunsford grew up in and knowing her family very, very well, all of America was focused on Jessica when she turned up missing. Then we found out that she was the victim of a predator, a very, very sick, depraved man. Jessica is no longer with us; and I commend the Members of Congress, including yourself, Mr. Speaker, with whom I have worked very closely, and certainly the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, in putting together the Children's Safety Act. No parent should worry when their child is at a playground whether or not a sexual predator is nearby. There were many loopholes in the various State laws in Jessica's case. The perpetrator came into Florida from Georgia. He registered at one point but then transferred his address. The probation officer never knew that he had a prior offense of violating children. Had that probation officer known that, he never would have allowed the offender anywhere near a school. That is but one of the very excellent facets of this bill in addition to having the nationwide registration and availability on line so that parents, so that grandparents, so that anyone can go and find out who the offenders are in their neighborhood so that every family member can have a modicum of safety in knowing who is nearby. It also, as I mentioned, does allow for probation officers to know about a prior offense. Now, why is that important? I firmly believe, Mr. Speaker, that Jessica Lunsford would be here today had the probation officer known that. Additionally, the bill also picks up on some language that I had in the Jessica Lunsford Act, and part of this bill is named after her, that provides for more frequent contacts, a mailing or random mailings to the sexual offenders so that they have to report. If the mailer is not returned, if they do not fill out the form and send it back, at that point police will be alerted to be on the lookout for them because they are not at their last known address. With all of the various facets of the bill, many Members who are concerned, who have lost children to these offenders, to these violators of our most innocent children, every single Member who put a bill in and those who signed on as cosponsors realize the importance of protecting our streets, of protecting our families, of protecting our children from these lowlifes who prey on our most innocent young children. I certainly support the bill. I want to make sure that the rule is adopted so we can go on, pass this bill, send it over to the Senate; and, hopefully, they, too, will see the need, the absolute imperative need that America has in demanding that this bill pass so that our children will be protected.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the passing of Mr. Robert A. Jaeb of Temple Terrace, Florida. Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, Mr. Jaeb moved to Florida in 1936. Following his marriage to the former Lorena Morrill in 1941, Robert and his wife started a small grocery store. While Robert served in the Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II, Lorena ran their store. Her efforts, and their efforts together following Robert's return from the War, enabled them to grow their store into the Shop'N Go convenience store chain, a large and successful enterprise throughout Florida and Georgia. Following the sale of the Shop'N Go chain in 1985, Mr. and Mrs. Jaeb were very involved in local civic and philanthropic affairs, including an extremely generous donation to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. The family was also very involved in the charitable efforts of organizations like the United Way, the Florida Sheriff's Association Youth Ranches, All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg and the University Community Hospital in Tampa. While Robert and his wife Lorena found material success in life, it was their desire to give back to those less fortunate that endeared them to their community and to their peers. Robert's faith guided him to make donations for the construction of churches throughout the world. When asked about the reasons for his philanthropic efforts, Robert stated, ``You know, I often wondered why God allowed me to make so much money, and I know it's because I was supposed to give most of it away.'' Mr. Speaker, I know that his wife Lorena, his family, friends and loved ones miss his presence but are heartened to know that Robert has passed on to a better place.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this concurrent resolution to honor the brave men and women of Flight 93. As all Americans learned from the transcripts of the 9/11 Commission, a brave group of individuals took their own futures and potentially the lives of thousands who work in D.C. and charged the cockpit door of Flight 93. While their heroic deeds thwarted the plans of the 9/11 hijackers to crash the airplane into the Capitol or the White House, it cost them their lives when the plane crashed into that remote Pennsylvania field. While the resolution that we will pass this afternoon authorizes a memorial to Flight 93 victims here in the United States Capitol, it is the memories of individual victims that drive us and that we will keep in our memories. I would like to specifically recognize the contribution of one outstanding individual on Flight 93, Mr. Mark Bingham. Described as a charming and outgoing man by all who knew him, Mark used his experience as a rugby player to help break down that cockpit door. His efforts were truly heroic and will not be forgotten. Just last week I met with Mark's father, Gerald Bingham, who is my constituent from the Fifth Congressional District in Florida. Gerald and his family have spent the last 4 years fighting and advocating for an appropriate memorial to recognize the sacrifices of their son, Mark, as well as the other men and women who gave their lives that fateful day. I am very proud to stand on the floor of the U.S. House to let Gerald and his family know that the sacrifices of his son will forever be consecrated in an appropriate manner here in the United States Capitol. In closing, I certainly would like to thank Senator Conrad for sponsoring this resolution as well as the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) for bringing this tribute to the floor today. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the resolution.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps unit of Central High School in Brooksville, FL for being recognized by the Navy as the 2005 Best Unit in the Navy's Area 7 and runner up as the 2005 Best Unit in the Nation. Both of these prestigious awards are sponsored by the Navy League of the United States. Central High's NJROTC program is focused on the development of their cadets as model citizens as well as fostering the growth of tomorrow's leaders. In addition to their countless time spent drilling and reviewing on the parade grounds, the unit has amassed over 5,900 community service hours in a wide variety of community oriented activities. The unit has also pushed its cadets to achieve in the classroom, with several cadets participating in national academic contests, three cadets being awarded NROTC scholarships, and one cadet appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy. In his application to the National NJROTC Awards Nominating Committee, the Area 7 manager stated that he had never seen a more inspiring event than the Evening Parade conducted by Central High's NJROTC Unit. Working as a team, the unit performed with a flawless precision that was of the same caliber as some of the finest honor guards in Washington, DC. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Central High's Area 7 Best Unit award and their number two ranking in the nation, I would like to congratulate all the cadets participating in Central High's NJROTC program and their instructors for their dedication to the cadet program, for their service to the Brooksville community, and for their love of the United States of America. This unit will serve as an inspiration and an example for other NJROTC programs throughout Florida and throughout the Nation.

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida

Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Mr. John Fedyszyn of Lady Lake, Florida, a Purple Heart recipient from the Vietnam War. A native of Dunkirk, NY, Lance Corporal Fedyszyn was a proud member of C Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. Mr. Fedyszyn served as a forward-observer radioman who fought in savage exchanges with North Vietnamese Army artillery units north/northeast, west, and south of Dong Ha throughout his deployment with the 12th Marines in Vietnam. Many times, out-gunned and out-ranged, the 1st Battalion 12th Marines continued to return fire rather than give any quarter to North Vietnamese artillery units. Lance Corporal Fedyszyn earned his Purple Heart when he was wounded by the enemy during an attack on May 9, 1968. He was first presented the Purple Heart by the Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Division. Mr. Speaker, true American heroes like John Fedyszyn should be honored for their service to our Nation and for their commitment and sacrifices in battle. I am honored to present Mr. Fedyszyn with his long-overdue purple heart. He is truly one of America's greatest generation.