Michael Castle

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Con. Res. 484.

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, which will not be much. Let me start by thanking the gentleman from California, whose interest in children is well-defined and well-known throughout this body, particularly in that of education; again, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson) for his abiding and continuing concern for the children of America; for the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gekas) for the same, for his abiding and continuing concern for the children of America, indeed for all the Members of the House and of, I am sure, the Senate. It is a concern of all of us, and I am delighted this conference is going to take place. I think we all realize that the Presidential conference will call attention to an issue as much as anything that can happen. So I look forward to that happening tomorrow, and today we look forward to passing this resolution.

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 484, a resolution which recognizes the importance of personal safety for children. Last summer, child abductions dominated the news. Five-year-old Samantha Runnion was taken from the driveway in front of her home in Stanton, California. Six-year-old Cassandra Williamson was abducted from her home in St. Louis, Missouri. And 7- year-old Erica Pratt of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was snatched from her yard but managed to escape from her kidnappers. Last year 725,000 children were reported missing or abducted. Although many of these children ran away or were taken by a parent, 3,000 to 5,000 of these child abductions did not involve a family member, and 115 of these cases were the most serious type, where the stranger was the perpetrator and the child was kept overnight, held for ransom or killed. Fortunately, increased public awareness and a more coordinated response to child abductions has resulted in a decline of this most serious type of abduction. Thanks to law enforcement, the National Center on Missing and Exploited Children, media saturation and a concerned public, the recovery rate of missing children is up from 62 percent just 10 years ago to 93 percent. While we are all thankful to those who have helped return so many of our children safely home, I believe we can do more to prevent crimes against our children. Parents need to keep current photos of their child, as well as a detailed description, including eye color, weight and height, in the event of the unthinkable; and they need to talk to their children about personal safety. Recognizing that many parents do not know how to talk about safety in a way that does not unduly alarm children and that Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies and communities need to work together to protect children, President and Mrs. Bush are hosting a conference tomorrow, October 2, to raise public awareness about child victimization and help families and communities to share ideas how they can protect children. In addition, the Departments of Justice, Health and Education, and the National Center on Missing and Exploited Children created a booklet, ``Personal Safety for Children, a Guide for Parents,'' which will help parents discuss what children may be hearing about child abductions. Among other things, the book gives parents commonsense tips to help keep children safe, such as teaching them never to go anywhere without permission. It gives children simple-to-follow safety rules such as saying no if someone treats them in a way that makes them feel scared or uncomfortable. At President Bush's request, this booklet has been distributed by the Department of Education to every school in the country. The recent rash in child abductions and murders reminds us that we must work harder to keep children and youth from becoming victims. Our children need to understand that they are our number one priority and their safety is our number one concern. To that end, I urge parents, schools and communities to learn more about the steps they can take to safeguard their children. I encourage all parents to use the booklet ``Personal Safety for Children,'' available at www.missingkids.com as a tool to talk to their children about personal safety and keep them smart, safe and strong. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Dale A. Callaway, President of the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association (DVFA) and Shirley Lea Joseph, President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association for their hard work and continued dedication to the fire service and our State. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the volunteer fire service in Delaware. These men and women protect their communities, our State, and our Nation--and do so unselfishly. On behalf of my fellow Delawareans, I would like to commend and salute DVFA President Dale Callaway and Ladies Auxiliary President Shirley Joseph, not only for their tireless efforts on behalf of the citizens of the First State, but for their many years of contributions to fire and emergency services. Dale Callaway has been a vital and active member of the fire services community for years. Mr. Callaway has worked diligently for the Milton Fire Company and served as past President of the Sussex County Firemen's Assocaition. Shirley Joseph, too, has played an extremely critical role in keeping the Ladies Auxiliary of the DVFA a vital part of our communities. Her 42 years of dedication to the fire service as a charter member of Ellendale Station 75 serves as a model of service for us all. The Ladies Auxiliary has a long rich history and their commitment to the community is to be commented. It is a tradition in the volunteer fire service for these men and women to not seek praise for what they do as volunteer firefighters, but today I offer my thanks on behalf of all Delawareans. Dale Callaway and Shirley Joseph are both exemplary models of commitment and excellence. I know they will continue to serve as valuable members of the Delaware fire service community. Their selfless commitment contributes every day to the quality of life at home in their community as well as throughout the entire State. This is why they will have a permanent place in Delaware's volunteer fire service history, and why, today, we say thank you.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) for yielding me time, and I thank the sponsors of the Patriot resolution which I rise in strong support of this afternoon. Today is a solemn day to reflect on the lives lost and the families who have been altered forever by the terrorist attacks last September 11. In the aftermath of these devastating attacks, the American public and people around the world came to realize that thousands of innocent Americans and others from many nations and walks of life perished because evil forces wanted to strike at the heart of this great Nation. Today and forever we will grieve for all of the victims. We have listened to the reading of the names of those lost but who, more importantly, are the family, friends and loved ones of those who are still on this Earth and miss them today. September 11 will always be etched in the minds of all Americans and our families and friends throughout the world. Today we remember our heroes who gave their lives so others may live, our brave citizens, firefighters, police officers, and emergency personnel. The outpouring of emotion, generosity, and courageousness of mankind continues to touch us daily. Now is not only the time for remembrance of the past but also a time to look forward to living our lives with vigor and joy. We are a country that stands more united than ever before. Our diversity has strengthened us and our pride in America continues to grow. On this pain-filled first anniversary, we stand tall defending freedom, working for peace, and seeking justice. We must continue to support one another, and we must remain committed and united in the war against terrorism and use all of our might to bring to justice all of those involved with the attacks. Today we pledge to do everything in our power to defeat terrorism and to make our Nation stronger in every way that has made it a beacon of freedom and opportunity in the entire world. May God bless America.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, during my service as a Member of the House of Representatives, it has been my honor and privilege to rise and pay tribute to organizations and people who really make a difference in the Delaware community. Today, I rise to recognize the Delaware Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and its over 1,000 dedicated volunteers. The Delaware Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society has been serving Delawareans coping with MS for over 25 years. The information, support, and funding the Delaware Chapter provides is paramount in the fight to find a cure for this devastating disease currently afflicting over 1,100 people in Delaware, and over one-third of a million people across the Nation. As many of my Colleagues may know, MS is a chronic, often disabling disease of the nervous system. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, but the unpredictable physical and emotional effects can be lifelong. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are giving hope to those affected by the disease. This hope comes in the form of increased funding for research into the causes of MS, the development of new treatments, and the possibilities of a cure. Since the chapter was founded nearly 25 years ago, The Delaware Chapter has been instrumental in raising funds through events such as the MS 150 Bike to the Bay and the Delaware MS walk, which combined raised nearly $1.25 million in the past two years. And over its 25 year existence, the Delaware Chapter of the National MS Society has raised over $16.8 million for local and National MS research projects and estimates its 2002 totals to reach nearly $2 million. These astounding numbers exemplify the dedication and hard work that have been the hallmark of volunteerism in the State of Delaware. Without the more than 1,000 volunteers and over 3,000 event participants, the mission of the National MS Society, ending the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis, would be that much farther away. Delaware volunteers, like Bianca Fraser, who this year alone raised over $45,000 in the MS walk for the Delaware Chapter, and will be inducted into the National MS Society National Fund-raising Hall of Fame, have proven themselves to be some of the best in the Nation--a fact that many of us in Delaware have known for quite some time now. The Delaware Chapter also developed and maintains many beneficial programs for those living with MS and their families, including self- help groups, peer support systems, and counseling services. Through its educational programs, Moving Forward; Information Seminars; and Knowledge is Power, and through its Lending Library, the Delaware Chapter has become the premier source of information for Delawareans seeking to better understand this potentially debilitating disease, its causes and symptoms, available treatments and breakthroughs in research, and most importantly, the Chapter offers individuals the solace that they are not alone and that there are those who are dedicated to finding a cure. The Delaware Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and its volunteers have shown themselves to be exemplary models of dedication and caring within the Delaware community. I commend them for their quarter century of service and continued efforts in improving the lives of their fellow Delawareans.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to Meghan Pasricha, a Delawarean and winner of the Veterans of Foreign Wars' 2002 Voice Of Democracy Scholarship Contest. Each year the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary give high school students an opportunity to vocalize their duty and patriotism for the United States by drafting broadcast scripts addressing their view of a citizen's duties to America. Out of the 84,000 students who submitted scripts on the theme of ``Reaching Out to America's Future,'' Meghan was one of 58 winners throughout the United States, and the First Place winner for Delaware's Local VFW Post 2863. In a year when many citizens' faith was shaken and so many Americans are in search of a voice of hope for our Nation's future, Meghan's essay touched the highest aspirations of the American spirit and called for increased patriotism, activism and unity. This excerpt from her winning essay is a testament to her role as a future leader: ``Although the hearts of Americans are saddened by the recent tragedy, the American Spirit soars higher. The pace of change is suddenly accelerated. Even war has changed. In the future, our military will not only wage was the terrorists and enemies, but will also wage campaigns to win the hearts of unknown victims in foreign countries. I strongly believe that Americans will see this time as an opportunity to reinvent ourselves and move forward.`` I would like to acknowledge the dedication and resolve that Meghan has shown toward her own future and the future of her country. Through the generous outreach of the United States VFW and Ladies Auxiliary, young people like Meghan around the our Nation are able to vocalize their dedication to America and find within themselves how they will shape the future for themselves and their fellow citizens. I would like to join my colleagues in congratulating Meghan and all of the 2002 VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship Contest award winners.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 183, which expresses the sense of Congress regarding the United States Congressional Philharmonic Society and its dual mission of promoting musical excellence throughout the educational system and encouraging people of all ages to appreciate musical performances. In 1996, several Senators and Members of the House participated in a performance of the award-winning Broadway musical ``1776,'' a story depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A few months later, the United States Congressional Choral Society was formed. By all accounts, Members, staff, and friends of the United States Congress enjoyed their experience; and as a result, they also created the United States Congressional Orchestra, which debuted in 1999. Today, both the Choral Society and the orchestra operate under a privately funded umbrella organization, the United States Congressional Philharmonic Society. Its vision is to become the artistic voice of America, encouraging Members, staff, and friends to use their musical talents and present musical programs that will enrich the lives of all Americans with patriotic and classical presentations. These free concerts, which are available to the public in the Washington Metropolitan Area, often play to standing ovations. More important, they also encourage and support the development of young talent through internships, scholarships, and educational programs through schools. I applaud the Congressional Philharmonic Society for successfully promoting patriotism, freedom, democracy, and understanding of American culture through music. In conclusion, I would like to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis) for introducing this important resolution. I would urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 183 and the Congressional Philharmonic Society. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the distinguished gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), the sponsor of the legislation.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 183) expressing the sense of Congress regarding the United States Congressional Philharmonic Society and its mission of promoting musical excellence throughout the educational system and encouraging people of all ages to commit to the love and expression of musical performance.

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to echo the words of the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis), and thank her for her participation in support of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding to me, and Mr. Chairman, I want to associate myself with the gentleman from New Jersey's comments because what he is talking about is indicative of a larger problem. Unfortunately, last year Congress and the administration provided Amtrak only $5 million for rail security in comparison to $3.8 billion for the Transportation Security Agency to improve aviation security. In my opinion, this imbalance must be addressed. I do not know how many Members are aware of this, but I would like to point out that Amtrak's tunnels run underneath the House and Senate office buildings and the Supreme Court. We literally cannot afford to ignore rail security any longer. I would say to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey) that I respectfully request that when the House and Senate meet to negotiate the final details of this bill, that adequate security funding will be provided for Amtrak.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank all those involved in putting this together. For all those individuals out there who shudder when they see the stock market reports, or like me, do not open any envelopes that contain any information about their own assets at this point, but let them pile up in a corner, this bill is for you. It takes a lot of strong and positive steps, as have been outlined here in terms of dealing with the corporate responsibility and the corporate governance issues we needed to address. I believe we have seen the clouds, I believe we have seen the rain in the form of Enron, WorldCom, and a few others. Now we are seeing the clearing someplace out there, as we search to get brighter. And, hopefully, it will get even brighter yet. This piece of legislation may be a first step, but it is a very large first step we have taken. Like others who have spoken today, I believe we do have to deal with other issues. I believe we have to look at the question of expensing options. I believe we have to look at separating analysts from the investment banking side of a number of firms in the United States of America. Perhaps we can go to less dependence on quarterly reports, more real-time reporting in terms of financial information coming from the corporations and a variety of other steps. But I think that Congress has stepped forward in a very responsible fashion, and I congratulate everybody. The gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce), I know, had a lot of ideas in this, as well as the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley), and the Senator from Maryland, Mr. Sarbanes, on the other side. They have done a wonderful job. This should start to give reassurance to our markets and to people across America.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for that introduction and for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4628, the fiscal year 2003 intelligence authorization bill. Before I move to the substance of my statement, I would like to recognize and commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Goss), the chairman of the committee, and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), for the outstanding leadership they have provided to the Nation and particularly to the intelligence community during this past year. This has been a difficult time for our intelligence community. There have been failings, but there have been many successes that have not and should not be publicized. The gentleman from Florida and the gentlewoman from California have been at the forefront of efforts to ensure our professional intelligence offices get the resources necessary to do their vital work for our national security. I thank them both. Mr. Chairman, those of us on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence are among the few who understand that the world has not changed, despite the tragedy that befell us on September 11. We have been painfully aware for a long time that while many regions of the world are working together with us to promote peace and stability, there are many elements that are committed to undermining such efforts. We are intimately familiar with the difficult tasks our intelligence professionals are up against, and, moreover, with the outstanding work they do day in and day out around the globe. For all they do, I would like to extend my gratitude to them for all their unheralded successes. Oddly, their past successes have resulted in the American public having a combination of a low awareness of the magnitude of the threats and the high expectation that the intelligence community would always be able to counter them. The difficulty of such a task is daunting. What makes this intelligence community all the more special is that they have done as well as they have, in spite of years of resource neglect. This year's funding request begins to restore the capabilities that have withered over the years. Today, the intelligence community's challenges remain large, but we will continually assess the intelligence community's ability to meet their challenges. Because this year represents a significant point in our history to consider the priorities and needs for intelligence activities and set a new course for the future, I am particularly concerned with how much the strategic vision has been dedicated toward our future collection needs and systems, and, more importantly, whether the administration is willing to sustain the investment through the duration necessary to deliver the new capabilities. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence, I understand the critical need to invest in and modernize our technical intelligence systems. These systems take years to field and tens of thousands of highly skilled scientists and engineers to complete. In this bill, I am happy that we address the resource strain of the legacy programs in hopes that we avoid sacrificing our future. I am concerned that the U.S. technology industry has not held itself to a high enough standard of accountability. When the country needs special capabilities, we cannot be held captive to a single contractor, regardless of their performance, simply because there are no alternatives. I believe even the intelligence community must take some calculated risks in order to ensure we acquire the kinds of capabilities that future threats demand. The bill before us details how we intend to ensure the country is on an appropriate and sustainable technology path for the future. Although this budget represents a significant increase over the past years, we need to support it with the full knowledge and understanding that there is a great deal more work to be done. Rebuilding the intelligence capabilities of the United States is not going to be done with a single budget. Congress and the American people need to understand that these threats against our Nation will not be eliminated with the demise of al Qaeda. In order to close the gap between demands on intelligence and the complexity of the current and future threats, we must commit to a long-term intelligence capability restoration. The next attack against us may be to undermine our confidence in some critical part of our infrastructure, or may be chemical or biological warfare. We do not know. But what we do know is that the threats are real and we need to act accordingly. Mr. Chairman, this bill is a downpayment to provide our senior policymakers with the capabilities and tools for the near term. It is a responsible, reasonable, and appropriate request to fund our Nation's national security needs. The President, our policymakers, our military, the people of the United States, and al Qaeda deserve nothing less; and I ask the Members of the House to give H.R. 4628 their full support.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Slaughter- Dicks-Horn-Johnson-Morella Amendment to increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The arts and humanities are important both socially and economically to our nation as a whole. Studies have shown students benefit from exposure to both the arts and humanities. They gain not only a better cultural appreciation but are able to translate their positive experiences into skills that are essential for their academic future and their future in the American workforce. Arts and humanities funding are increasingly allocated to state agencies for grant programs that reach out to underprivileged and smaller suburban and rural areas that do not have the benefits of big city art programs. In correlation, seventy-nine percent of businesses believe it is important to have an active cultural community in the locale in which they operate. Businesses in Delaware work hand in hand with the arts and humanities communities. This partnership makes my state a stronger community than it otherwise would be. I have witnessed in Delaware firsthand how rewarding arts and humanities programs can be to our nation's youth. For example, the Possum Point Players in Georgetown, Delaware, is funded through the NEA's Challenge America Program. This organization provides positive alternatives for youth in Sussex County high schools through the creation of theater programs for rural and low-income students. Many of these students would not have the opportunity to participate in such programs without the Challenge America Program. These students have a better chance to increase their SAT scores, develop increased self- confidence, and are more likely to create multiple solutions to problems and work collaboratively with one another. Furthermore, the Delaware Humanities Forum, through NEH funding, has played an essential role in bringing humanities to all corners of the state with programs available for schools, businesses, and other community groups. Each year the Humanities Forum presents an annual living history event bringing education and entertainment together. Past events have centered around the old west and the gilded age in American history. It is important for us to remember, the collective benefits gained by not only our districts but also by the nation as a whole and that is why I rise today in strong support of increased funding for the NEA and the NEH.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise a little bit perplexed about the motion to instruct conferees in that it appears to me that the Republican-passed legislation calls for stricter penalties from a group which is asking for stronger measures which does not seem quite right. But that is not really what I want to speak to right now. What I want to speak to is the fact that the Senate, in my judgment, has adopted a very good piece of legislation, at least as I know it, the Sarbanes legislation. But there are some questions about that that I certainly have and that I think conferees would have. The House has also passed, in my judgment, a very good piece of legislation, frankly not that dissimilar from the Sarbanes legislation, and it also has provisions in it that I think should be looked at. I believe that the right way to do this is to go to conference, not to instruct the conferees as to what to do. Let them make their decisions on the timetable as outlined by the chairman of the Committee on Financial Services here before us tonight to look at some of the House issues as well as some of the Senate issues. The real-time disclosure, in my judgment, is a real issue. The FAIR account to return money to investors which the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker) got done, I think, is very significant. This whole issue of the criminal penalties we are talking about right now is very significant. I believe that we can do this. I believe we can adopt good legislation with good committee review, with good staff review, something I agree with that has been said on the other side, the President will sign this, and when he does, I believe we will have legislation which the investors in America can look to and say, this will help us make our decisions about the future of corporate America.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Slaughter- Dicks-Horn-Johnson-Morella Amendment to increase funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for Humanities. The arts and humanities are important both socially and economically to our Nation as a whole. Studies have shown students benefit from exposure to both the arts and humanities. They gain not only a better cultural appreciation but are able to translate their positive experiences into skills that are essential for their academic future and their future in the American workforce. Arts and humanities funding are increasingly allocated to state agencies for grant programs that reach out to underprivileged and smaller suburban and rural areas that do not have the benefits of big city art programs. In correlation, seventy-nine percent of businesses believe it is important to have an active cultural community in the locale in which they operate. Businesses in Delaware work hand-in-hand with the arts and humanities communities. This partnership makes my State a stronger community than it otherwise would be. I have witnessed in Delaware firsthand how rewarding arts and humanities programs can be to our Nation's youth. For example, the Possum Point Players in Georgetown, Delaware, is funded through the NEA's Challenge American Program. This organization provides positive alternatives for youth in Sussex County high schools through the creation of theater programs for rural and low-income students. Many of these students would not have the opportunity to participate in such programs without the Challenged American Program. These students have better chance to increase their SAT scores, develop increased self- confidence, and are more likely to create multiple solutions to problems and work collaboratively with one another. Furthermore, the Delaware Humanities Forum, through NEH funding, has played an essential role in bringing humanities to all corners of the state with programs available or schools, businesses, and other community groups. Each year the Humanities Forum presents an annual living history event bringing education and entertainment together. Past events have centered around the Old West and the Gilded Age in American History. It is important for us to remember, the collective benefits gained by not only our districts but also by the Nation as a whole and that is why I rise today in strong support of increased funding for the NEA and the NEH.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to congratulate two employees of the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Division for their heroic rescue on Sunday, June 30, 2002 of three boaters whose boat sunk in the Delaware Bay. Corporal Tom Penuel and Agent First Class Drew Aydelotte rescued Richard and Beth Owens and their friend, Beth Mariani, who were stranded in Delaware Bay for an hour after their boat sunk. Mr. and Mrs. Owens and Ms. Mariani had been returning in a 17-foot Grady White boat from a fishing trip and stopped to check two crab pots a half-mile from Kitts Hummock. At that time, a wave crashed over the bow and filled up a live-bait well, Within 30 seconds, the boat sunk to the bottom of the Delaware Bay. Through quick thinking they were able to radio for help before the boat was lost. The Fish and Wildlife officers were dispatched from Bowers Beach 15 minutes later. This quick action was essential because as the boaters started to paddle toward shore on a boat seat, the seat became waterlogged and also sunk. Corporal Penuel and Agent First Class Aydelotte found them 1 hour later floating in the Delaware Bay a half-mile offshore. These two officers deserve our utmost gratitude and respect for their courageous efforts. Mr. and Mrs. Owens and Ms. Mariani also deserve recognition for their quick thinking and tremendous courage in surviving this tragic event. I wish them a full and speedy recovery. Corporal Tom Penuel and Agent First Class Drew Aydelotte of the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Division serve as role models of dedication for all officials, not only in Delaware, but throughout the country. I commend them for their immense bravery in executing their lifesaving training.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res 459 expressing the Sense of the House of Representatives that the 9th Circuit court of Appeals exercised poor judgment in deciding 2 to 1 that the phrase ``under God'' in the Pledge of Allegiance violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Today, the House of Representatives joins the Senator, which voted unanimously, to object publicly to this decision. Because our Constitution only grants the Supreme Court the power to make a final interpretation of the Constitution, Congress cannot overturn this decision. However, it is entirely appropriate for Congress to express its collective opinion about this 9th Circuit decision. I hope the Supreme Court is listening as it will likely hear the appeal on this case. The Pledge of Allegiance is not a prayer. It is an expression of support for our nation just as ``In God We Trust'' is on our currency or singing the song ``God Bless America.'' These phrases are a form of ceremonial deism, not an establishment of religion. Anyone who thinks the Pledge of Allegiance will lead us to abandon democracy and establish a theocracy is wrong. I hope they will come to realize that attempt to extinguish the phrase ``God'' from the public forum is really an attempt to extinguish an important element of our nation history. Finally, it is worthwhile to note that the important principle of separation of church and state is already preserved. Under current law, student are not required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. It is part of their freedom of speech to refrain from recruiting it. Lets not forget that it is also the freedom of speech of other students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. I respect that the Supreme Court will ultimately make its own independent judgment. However, I sincerely hope that it will reverse the 9th Circuit decision.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the leadership for bringing up legislation to address the need for sharing of critical homeland security information among federal intelligence agencies, state and local governments, and first responders. Through my work on the Intelligence Committee, I have collaborated with Representative Chambliss and Representative Harman to make sure that all levels of government receive the same homeland security information so our local law enforcement agencies and first responders have the proper information to protect us. The attacks of September 11 obviously exposed some communication weaknesses among our intelligence and law enforcement agencies and now is the time to forward and analyze what went wrong, and more importantly how we can make changes to protect our country from future terrorist attacks. As a member of the Joint Senate-House Intelligence Committee reviewing September 11, I am learning more about our overall intelligence apparatus in context of the September 11 attack and how we can improve the system. The most important goal is to find the best intelligence solutions to ensure our homeland is secure and all domestic agencies are coordinating, communicating, and cooperating with each other. H.R. 4598 directs that critical threat information be shared between federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies with state and local personnel, including granting security clearances to appropriate state and local personnel. I strongly support the President's proposal to reorganize our homeland security agencies and enhance information sharing. H.R. 4598 will immediately strengthen our homeland security apparatus while the new Department is being implemented by directing the President to develop procedures by which the federal agencies will share homeland security information with state and local personnel and ensures that information sharing systems have the capability to transmit classified or unclassified information. I urge quick passage of this important legislation. Let's provide all of our federal, state and local officials timely homeland security information that can be used to better protect all Americans.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank you and the leadership for working quickly to address the legislative requirements needed to begin the process to take up legislation regarding the creation of a new Department of Homeland Security. I praise the White House for its swift delivery of the proposed legislation and now it is the House of Representative's turn to move forward on this monumental proposal by drafting and overseeing the legislation that will make this all a reality. I am pleased that the leadership has made the needed provisions to take up the President's proposal in a way that will lessen the prospect of jurisdictional gridlock and perhaps the untimely implementation of the new Department of Homeland Security. H. Res. 449 will allow for a temporary House Select Committee on Homeland Security to receive and review individual recommendations of current House standing committees to create a new Department of Homeland Security, and for consolidating these proposals into a comprehensive bill for House consideration. This is a great first step, and I look forward to working with the leadership and the White House to move the legislation through Congress and to implement the President's historic proposal. However, we must unite to ultimately form a permanent standing committee in Congress with an adjoining appropriations subcommittee to oversee our domestic security. This is a permanent Department and we need a permanent committee to oversee it.

Mr. CASTLE

Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to rise today and pay tribute to a man to whom Delaware owes much gratitude--the Honorable Pierre S. du Pont IV, known to all of us as Pete. Throughout his years in public office, Pete du Pont has become known as one of the most clear and concise political thinkers, not only in Delaware but across the entire Nation. His commentaries and opinions have been highly regarded as the industry's best. But it is his commitment to the State of Delaware that has prompted my remarks in front of this body today. First elected into public office in 1968 as a member of the Delaware General Assembly, Pete du Pont was recognized for his abilities and elected two years later to represent Delaware as its lone member of the United States House of Representatives. Serving for six years from 1970 to 1976, Pete du Pont was picked by Time Magazine as one of ``200 Faces for the Future''. After his terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, Pete returned to serve as Governor of Delaware. Facing a near bankrupt government, then Governor Pete du Pont was able to pass legislation that lowered taxes, balanced the State's budget, and boosted educational programs across the State. Welcoming large banks inside our borders, his tax laws helped to reestablish Delaware's financial strength, and helped the State's economy prosper. Re-elected in 1980, Pete's eight years as Governor ended as his Presidential campaign began. Running for the Republican nomination during the 1988 Presidential Campaign, Gov. du Pont confronted America with a no-nonsense attitude on education and retirement; his views heralded as both honest and principled. As an advisor to governments here and abroad, Pete du Pont has proven himself as one of America's prolific politicians. Recognized as a first-class commentator, and respected as a National policy columnist, he still serves as a Director of Wilmington's prestigious Richards Layton & Finger law firm, editor of IntellectualCapital.com, and as a guest on many radio and television programs. A stalwart hero to those who desire clarity in their politics, Pete du Pont's dedication to government and education throughout the years is extraordinary, and I salute him for his years of service to both Delaware and the Nation.