Tom Davis

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution before us today. I would like to first offer my gratitude to those brave men and women who are fighting or have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. We owe you a debt which we can never repay. Since the United States invaded Iraq, I have seen this as a high- stakes gambit. If we were successful in not only defeating the Iraqi Army, but in the more difficult task of establishing a democratic government, we would be far down the road to affecting a paradigm shift in the Middle East, one which would replace potentates, dictators, and repression with representative governments, transparency, and opportunities for both men and women. If we were to fail, the cost would be incalculable. It would be a reaffirmation for many in the world that the United States lacked the fortitude to see a mission through to its completion. It would embolden terrorists the world over; threaten those states in the Middle East, such as Jordan and Israel, that are friends of the United States. Regardless, the situation in Iraq is what it is. There is no question Iraq is a petri dish for terrorists now. Our main nemesis in Iraq is called ``al Qaeda in Iraq.'' Thus, our activities in both Iraq and Afghanistan are now clearly linked to a global war on terror. There is no other way to view the situation. I am eager to build on the recent successes in Iraq. I truly hope that we have turned a corner with the death of Zarqawi and the forming of the government. If voter turnout is any indication, the Iraqi people are eager for democracy. They had a higher voter turnout in Iraq than we did in Virginia for our gubernatorial race. But make no mistake, what we are trying to do in Iraq has been and will continue to be extraordinarily difficult. Even with Zarqawi gone, there are many dangerous people who will stop at nothing to stop us. I don't support a public date of certain withdrawal from Iraq. Doing so creates an untenable situation for our forces and our Iraqi allies and presents a real gift of predictability to the enemy. But there has to be a sense of urgency. We are in a war that we have to win, but we cannot plod along indefinitely. Our Founding Fathers had 13 years between the beginning of the American Revolution, the ratification of the Constitution, and the inauguration of George Washington. We don't have that luxury in Iraq. Our troops are giving their lives in Iraq. Our country is spending hundreds of billions of dollars. We can't pull the rug out from the under the Iraqis, but we can't babysit the situation either. We don't have time to waste on activities that are ineffective. We don't have money to waste on bad equipment and services. Some have charged that this Congress has been asleep at the wheel and has done no oversight. That's not true. I have. Our committee has held four hearings on contracting practices in Iraq, including a day for whistleblowers at Halliburton, and I intend to hold more. Our subcommittees, particularly the one chaired by Mr. Shays, have held dozens of others. What we have found is a lot of mistakes in management and oversight. But remember, this is the first time we have contracted this extensively in a combat situation. Everything about doing business, everything in a war zone is difficult and costly, and it is disingenuous to deny this. If we are going to see this mission through successfully, there must continue to be vigorous, comprehensive, constant oversight to ensure we stay on the right path. We should do everything we can to hasten the day when Iraq is able to handle its own affairs. Our role in Congress is to conduct the oversight that the people expect of us.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I oppose this amendment, and let's make no mistake: Much of the work that is performed under contracts that would be banned under this amendment are performed in the United States by American citizens, and we are taking these people's jobs and eliminating them. It is an ill-considered amendment. While targeted tax provisions to address the issue of corporate tax policy is appropriate, penalizing companies by prohibiting them from participating in Federal Government contracting harms both the United States Government and its citizens. The government should be able to purchase the best goods and services of world-class companies wherever they are located, absent compelling national interests. We should be able to get the best bulletproof vests, the best body armor, the best armor for our APCs that are going around, wherever the companies happened to be headquartered. The prohibition makes no sense. We are also banning companies from doing business for activities that were legal at the time they made these corporate decisions. This is like an ex post facto ban. Do we want the best technology and premier information technology service, or don't we? That is the question. This amendment is a wonderful way to ensure that we don't. I can understand if this amendment applied to Iran or Syria or North Korea; but Panama, Bermuda, the Cayman Island, they pose no threat to the United States. Preventing successful firms from participating in the Federal marketplace just because they happen to be incorporated outside the United States rejects the free market principles underlying our full and open competitive Federal acquisition system. Obtaining full and open competition from all firms who wish to participate in our Federal market is the keystone of our acquisition system, ensuring that taxpayers get the most value for their tax dollar. Domestic source restrictions like this are simply counterproductive; and, I might add, they invite retaliation. Americans are only 4 percent of the world's consumers. When we start putting bans on countries that we are not going to contract with, they put up similar bans. The end result is instead of our ability to expand marketplaces for American companies and American jobs, we end up restricting it to the 4 percent of the world's consumers that happen to live in the United States. Also, the substance of this amendment is not necessary because Congress addressed the issue of corporate inversion in the JOBS Act, the Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The JOBS Act added a new section to the Tax Code, section 7874, which treats U.S. companies that complete a corporate inversion transaction after March 4, 2002 as domestic U.S. corporations for tax purposes. So we have addressed this issue. This is penalizing companies who make decisions prior to that time. Critics could argue that companies that have engaged in corporate inversions prior to March 4, 2002 should be covered by the JOBS Act, but Congress shouldn't ban companies from competing for government contracts because of legal transactions they performed more than 2 years ago, at the same time denying American servicemen and the American Government the ability to get the best acquisition products that we can for America. In recent years, the House has consistently rejected contracting ban amendments. I urge a ``no'' vote on the DeLauro amendment.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. I do.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate my friend taking the amendment out of turn. I rise in opposition to the Flake amendment. The $50,000 that Mr. Flake is trying to strike would go to the Fairfax County Park Authority to renovate fields in Annandale, Virginia. Baileys Crossroads, Seven Corners, Culmore in the Mason District, is just inside the Capital Beltway in Northern Virginia. Like many areas, they are experiencing significant problems with gangs. They have a heavy immigrant population, and thousands of low-income, low-cost apartments. I might add, open space is at a premium in these areas. One way we can make a positive impact on the gang problem is to give the kids something to do, and that is just what we are trying to accomplish with this particular earmark. The playing fields in question are used by youth athletic leagues that bring kids in, offering them any number of positive experiences as alternatives to joining gangs and keeping them out of trouble. This is a much more urbanized part of Fairfax County. It may be in the aggregate a wealthy county, but I can tell you the people that this impacts are the lowest of the low in terms of their incomes. But we have apartments in this Seven Corners area where you have two or three families living in two-bedroom apartments. This is a more urbanized part of the county. The county has over a million people. Open space is at a premium. Just a couple of years ago, a soccer field where immigrants used to play soccer was displaced by an Eckerd Drug Store, depriving them of other fields. And gang activity in the Culmore area has thrived. Northern Virginia is rapidly expanding. With every passing year, there are fewer and fewer places for young people to engage in constructive outdoor activity. And the kids that this affects do not have cars, they cannot take mass transit, they cannot afford taxicabs. This is an area where they can get to and be able to find some alternative to joining a gang and joining into illegal activity. With every passing day, there seem to be more and more ways for them to get into trouble. Athletic activity is one of the best alternatives to gang activity. There is an old saying, ``You can pay me now or you can pay me later.'' This investment, if it just saves one kid from a life of crime and a career in the prison system, will be well worth the dollars in this particular case. But in my district, our constituents frequently tell me there are pressing needs; can we help out over and above what they might be able to get in the political process? A lot of the people that this helps generally have been powerless at the ballot box, they have been unable to get it through the usual allocation of park authority funds, which tend to go out to wealthier areas. Under the HUD portion of this bill, that is where this earmark comes from. There are programs that are supposed to be used to fund revitalization programs. That is exactly what this is, in the Annandale, Baileys Crossroads area. This project is good use of these dollars. This project, I think, will help the young people in our district turn away from the influence of gangs and get them into more constructive activities. More importantly, I think it is an investment in the future. So it is for these reasons in this particular case that I rise to oppose the Flake amendment. Mr. Chairman, I would just reiterate that putting one kid into a gang with the crimes that could be committed and a life in the prison system is worth a lot more than the $50,000 that we have asked for and earmark in this bill that will improve these fields and make them available to a wide array of young people. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I want to commend him for his hard work on this important legislation. And while I strongly support Chairman Knollenberg's bill, I will be voting in support of its passage, I am disappointed that this bill does not provide funding for the Office of Personnel Management's initiative to modernize the Federal Government's retirement systems. The current antiquated paper system is in desperate need of modernization. A failure to provide funding to establish a more efficient and effective electronic process for handling these retirement claims, especially after the first three contracts have already been awarded, represents a significant setback for the modernization efforts. While I understand that funds are tight in the current budget climate, unnecessary delays to the modernization of the Federal Government's retirement processing will only end up costing us more in the future, and it will likely lead to additional unnecessary delays and errors in the processing of retirement benefits under the current antiquated system. I would urge the gentleman from Michigan to work with the Government Reform Committee, the Office of Personnel Management, and other interested stakeholders to explore in conference ways that funding for this important initiative might be restored and contracts continue on track.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Well, I think if you are a patriot on this issue you oppose this amendment. I guess patriotism can be defined in a number of ways. First of all, the GAO report that was referred to was a GAO report in February of 2004 before Congress passed the Jobs Act that deals with the tax inequities in this particular area. The companies that are at issue pay full taxes on work and contract work that is performed in the United States. Basically, their offshore incorporation refers to how they look at foreign dollars coming through those and how those are viewed under the Tax Code. But the Jobs Act addressed that, and the GAO report was prior to that Jobs Act. And finally, let me just add that retaliation, Bermuda is a protectorate of the United Kingdom. Panama is a country and an ally, and this is a very slippery slope once we start getting into which countries can do what that propose absolutely no risk to the United States at all. I think it is a bad amendment and I urge my colleagues to oppose it.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to any attempts to cut funding for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative. President Uribe's reelection to a historic second term reaffirms the Colombian people's commitment to his program of democratic security and the war on drugs. His popularity among Colombians illustrates how important the struggle against narcoterrorism is and it helps measure success over the last few years. Under Uribe's leadership, Colombians finally have the courage to fight back against the FARC and the drug traffickers. And as the rest of the continent is moving away from the United States, Colombia remains our staunchest ally in South America. We need to reaffirm, not dismantle, our commitment to this program, to the people of Colombia, and to American citizens who want illegal drugs off their streets. I have led several congressional delegations to Colombia during my time as chairman of the Government Reform Committee, and I can say firsthand that our significant investment is paying dividends. Together, with the strong commitments of the Uribe administration and historic levels of support from the Colombian people, U.S. involvement in Colombia is beginning to hit narcoterrorism where it hurts. Mr. Chairman, how can we cut funding when we are seeing tremendous results in illegal crop eradication and record reductions in coca productions and the destruction of drug labs? Coca eradication through spraying have gone from 47,000 hectares the first year of Plan Colombia to 138,000 last year. As a result of ACI funding, we are seeing unprecedented levels of drug interdictions. Drug flow to the U.S. has dropped by 7 percent, making American streets safer for our youth. Progress like this would not be possible under the amendment. The Colombian Government is reestablishing state presence in areas of the country that for decades have lacked it. All 1,098 Colombian municipalities now have a permanent presence thanks to President Uribe's fearless efforts. Criminals who have remained at bay for years are being captured and extradited to the U.S. for prosecution. Colombia has extradited over 300 Colombian citizens to the U.S. since August of 2002, mostly on narcotics-related charges. How can we justify pulling the plug on the ACI funding when we are seeing record numbers of extraditions to the U.S. of FARC and drug cartel members? Over 30,000 paramilitaries have now been demobilized since President Uribe took office. Thousands of weapons and rounds of ammunition have been surrendered. The demobilization and reincorporation of illegal armed groups is part of a peace process that is providing stability to the entire Andean region. Colombians are finally beginning to feel safe and secure in their own country. Kidnappings are down by 51 percent and the murder rate has dropped to 13 percent. Mr. Chairman, Plan Colombia is working. I have seen firsthand the devastation that drug production and trafficking has on Colombia. To those who question our investment, I would ask them to visit, as I have, Colombian soldiers who have lost their limbs or eyesight or sustained permanent disability in their battle to return peace to their nation and to keep drugs off American streets. I would also ask them to visit Barrio Nelson Mandela, a USAID- sponsored facility for internally displaced people who have been forced from their homes by drug traffickers and guerrillas. This facility showed me how work on behalf of Colombia's millions of internally displaced people is offering suffering men, women, and children a second chance at a violence-free and productive life. On a trip to Colombia last year, I accompanied the Colombian National Police to a manual eradication site in the Andean mountains and helped them pull the coca crop from the mountainous terrain that helicopters can't reach. These are dedicated people who literally risk their lives to destroy the drug trade and rid their country of drugs and violence. My travels to Colombia have shown me just how critical U.S. assistance is to their government. With such promising results over the last 5 years, we have to sustain this momentum, not wipe it out. Of course obstacles remain. The progress is slower than we would like it to be. But now is not the time to turn our backs on this battle that is so intrinsically tied to the war on terrorism and the scourge of illegal drug use. The Uribe administration, reelected with 62 percent of the vote last week, needs U.S. assistance to improve mobility, intelligence, and training. Make no mistake, Colombia today is doing its share. Spending on security forces has increased under President Uribe and continues in his second term. We simply cannot afford for President Uribe to fail in this heroic effort to rid his country of the narcoterrorist threat, nor would Colombians understand such a step if this amendment prevails. Full funding of the Andean Counterdrug Initiative for FY 2007 is critical to sustaining our success in Colombia. It is simple, Mr. Chairman. Now is not the time to turn our backs on the progress we are making against narcoterrorism in Colombia. We can't win this war on drugs and drug-supported terrorism without the proper tools and resources. And the message this sends to our allies would be devastating. I ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the McGovern amendment.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bruce Leiby, who is retiring after twenty-nine years of service to Prince William County Public Schools. Mr. Leiby, the principal of Prince William County's Bel Air Elementary School since 2003, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania, and a Master of Arts degree in Education from Temple University in Philadelphia. He began his career in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania before moving to Prince William County. In 1977, he began teaching at Stonewall Middle School in Manassas and continued teaching at Potomac High School in Dumfries. Throughout his career, he has been an assistant principal at Fred Lynn Middle School, Occoquan Elementary in Woodbridge, and Rockledge Elementary in Lake Ridge. In 1985, Leiby accepted his first position as principal of Occoquan Elementary School. In 1998, he became Bristow Elementary's first principal, guiding the school through its initial years and leading it to receive recognition as a fully-accredited institution. In 2000, due to Principal Leiby's leadership, Bristow Elementary School won its first School of Excellence Award. After a short stint as Prince William County's curriculum supervisor for social studies of all grades, Leiby returned to school to become Bel Air Elementary's principal in 2003. While principal of Bel Air Elementary, SOL passing scores have risen substantially. Mr. Leiby has shown himself to be an innovative educator, who inspires students and teachers alike in a nurturing and supportive environment. His leadership style is highly admired throughout the county, whether as a principal or curriculum coordinator. He has been nominated three times for the Distinguished Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year awards. He is truly an asset to the Prince William County Public School system and will be greatly missed. Our students are our number one resource. Mr. Leiby has dedicated his life to ensuring that they are given the opportunity to achieve success. Over the past 29 years in Prince William County, he has made a lasting impact on thousands of students. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Bruce Leiby and congratulating him on his retirement after a distinguished career.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Elizabeth Lodal, who is retiring after 40 years of service to Fairfax County Public Schools. Mrs. Lodal, the principal of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, studied math and physics at Rice University. She began her career as an english and history teacher; later, she was the principal of Joyce Kilmer Middle School and Langston Hughes Middle School. After her tenure in the middle school system, she served as the principal of McLean High School for 10 years. She will be retiring this August, which comes 6 years after she came out of retirement to lead Thomas Jefferson High School at the behest of Daniel Domenech, the former supervisor of Fairfax County Public Schools. Mrs. Lodal has received numerous accolades, which are all testaments to her dedication to this community. In 1998, she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from her alma mater, Rice University. In addition, she has received the McLean Chamber of Commerce President's Award as the Outstanding Chamber Member and she was awarded the Rabbi Richard Sternberger Social Justice Award for combating racism, bigotry and prejudice in Northern Virginia. Mrs. Lodal is dedicated to all aspects of the county. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Washington Opera and she is active in the American Boychoir School and Vinson Hall, a Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard retirement community. She lobbied for the renovation of McLean High School in the 1980s. She maintains a strong sense of duty to all students, as she will continue to fight for women's involvement in the math and sciences during her retirement. Our students are our number one resource. Mrs. Lodal has dedicated her life to ensuring that they are given the opportunity to achieve success. Over the past 40 years in Fairfax County, she has made a lasting impact on thousands of students. She will continue her remarkable career by representing Virginia as a delegate to the Education Commission of the States. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Elizabeth Lodal and congratulating her retirement after a distinguished career.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I rise to join my colleague from New York in expressing my extreme displeasure with the Department of Homeland Security's recent announcement regarding Urban Area Security Initiative grants. The outcome of DHS's process defies common sense. I am hard pressed to understand how the National Capital Region, one of the regions deemed most at risk in the United States, should incur such a drastic reduction in funding. The nation's capital bears a disproportionate burden in terms of homeland security costs and ensuring public safety needs. This region was one of two targets on September 11; it was the target of anthrax attacks and sniper shootings. To the best of my understanding, DHS's decision to reduce funding for the national capital area was based on the opinion that region's planning was inadequate. As of this date, I have not been briefed in detail on the process or criteria used to make this determination. This will be rectified when the Government Reform Committee holds a hearing on the subject on June 15th. For the time being, the entire evolution suggests unnecessary secrecy and an overemphasis on bureaucratic expertise. The risk doesn't go away if a region is planning poorly; rather, the risk to the citizen increases. I truly hope DHS would take the necessary steps to remediate an inadequate plan for UASI funds--to offer a region the help it apparently needs. Cutting funding should not be the method to address any alleged planning deficiencies. We have to protect the interests of the taxpayer, but we also have to protect the taxpayer. Much was made about the Department of Homeland Security's renewed emphasis on sending funds where the need was greatest. We're not getting off to a good start.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 763. This resolution passed out of my committee with unanimous consent on May 4th and has support from Members on both sides of the aisle. This resolution supports the goals and ideals of a national children and families day to encourage adults to support and listen to their children to help them achieve their hopes and dreams. Being a parent is the toughest job an individual will ever have, but it is important to recognize that strong, healthy families improve the quality of life and the development of children. In today's fast-paced society, and with so many demands placed on adults and children alike, it is important to take the time out and recognize the basic necessity of encouraging our Nation's youth as they are the future of this great Nation.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Amendment Offered by Mr. DeFazio

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, as you know, the Department of Homeland Security is currently in the process of consolidating its data center as part of its infrastructure transformation program. The bill includes $41 million to establish services for a mirror data center to provide sufficient back-up and redundancy for the Department of Homeland Security data operations.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield to my friend from Virginia who shares my concerns.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the Paul VI Catholic High School's Girls Cross Country Team, who won the 2005 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) Championship, the Virginia State Catholic Championship, and the Virginia Independent Schools (VIS) Cross Country Championship by defeating 40 other schools and their 230 long distance athletes. The Paul VI Panthers, from Fairfax County, completed the 2005 season with the first triple crown championship win in 11 years for the school. The Panthers won the WCAC with six of their seven allowed athletes in the top 20, won the Virginia State Catholic Championship with seven athletes in the top 12, and won the VIS with five of 10 allowed runners in the top 22. Virginia Indepenent Schools Cross Country Association sponsors the highest level championship among all private schools in the Commonwealth. In the VIS Championship, the Panthers' top five runners completed the 3.2-mile course before 218 of the State's best female long distance runners. Led by Head Coach Melanie Kiernan and assistants Keith Mitchell, Joe Gesker, and Mike Kiernan, the Panthers trained intensively throughout a dramatic and triumphant season. I congratulate all the talented members of the Paul VI Girl Cross Country Team: senior Jen Scolese; juniors Kelsey Budd, Nichole Kauffmann, Michelle Kew, Caroline Manning, Rosie Loftus, Tessa Reed, and Lee Shine; sophomores Meg Clark, Mackenzie Singh, and Kate Still; and freshman Natalie Cowden. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to honor their championship, and to wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity to talk about the good work being done by the Virginia Science Museum at Belmont Bay in Prince William County. The Belmont Bay Science Center accomplishes a large number of valuable services, including the long-term water quality monitoring program that promotes the environmental health of the Occoquan and Potomac Rivers. These, as we all know, flow into the Chesapeake Bay. Specifically, this program monitors chemical and biological conditions in these rivers. While my colleague is from Arizona, I am sure he is aware of the dire environmental concerns that affect the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay, especially in terms of high levels of nitrogen stemming from sewage treatment plants and agricultural run- off. Thus, monitoring is a critical importance. The center also serves to teach Northern Virginia residents about the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers, as well as the Chesapeake Bay, and the attending environmental issues. As a co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Task Force, I have joined with other concerned colleagues to work to restore health to the Bay and its tributaries. This request for the Virginia Science Museum is part and parcel of those efforts. The Bay watershed includes Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. It is therefore an interstate--or federal-- concern. I again thank my colleague for the opportunity to advertise the virtues of the Virginia Science Museum--virtues that would have otherwise been obscured by the stark black and white print of the committee report.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert Schwaninger, the 2006 Mason District Citizen of the Year. Robert Schwaninger became involved in Mason District community activities in 2001 by joining with his neighbors to participate informally in local land use issues. Through his involvement, he found that shaping the future of Mason District was an ongoing process that required engaging citizens at various levels. He continues to work with members of his community to spur greater community involvement and voter participation. He authored and sent thousands of letters to residents of Mason District in order to encourage their participation in community development, local services and public cooperation. During the past two elections, Mr. Schwaninger worked the polls in his precinct, providing support and information to voters. In 2005, Robert Schwaninger accepted the position of Chairman of the Area Plan Review Task Force. In doing so, he took on the responsibility of providing a forum for citizens to offer input regarding future land development throughout the District. Mr. Schwaninger guided the APR Task Force in an efficient and open manner, allowing for the timely and fair completion of the task. Also during that time, Robert Schwaninger offered his expertise in the area of telecommunications law to Mason District and Supervisor Gross on issues related to emergency communications interoperability in support of first responders, land use issues related to the construction of radio towers and broadband infrastructure as well as other matters that fall within his practice specialties. As a widely- published, and often-quoted authority in the telecommunications field, Robert Schwaninger's consulting services have been a valuable contribution to Mason District. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to express my gratitude to Robert Schwaninger for all of his efforts on behalf of Mason District. I call upon my colleagues to join me in applauding his selection as the 2006 Mason District Citizen of the Year.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I am honored today to speak today in support of H.R. 3682, a bill to rename the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge after Elizabeth Hartwell. For almost 20 years, Mrs. Hartwell spearheaded efforts to protect the Mason Neck area. Her efforts led to the establishment of the 2,300-acre Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge, the 1,800-acre Mason Neck State Park, and the 1,000-acre Pohick Bay Regional Park. Mrs. Hartwell began her environmental crusade in February 1965 when she learned about a rezoning application in Fairfax County for the development of a satellite city of 20,000 people on the most ecologically sensitive area of Mason Neck. She decided to lead an effort to stop this development and to preserve Mason Neck habitat for the endangered American bald eagle. During the ensuing weeks and months, she organized a watchdog group called the Conservation Committee For Mason Neck. She made films of the wildlife that thrived there to show other civic organizations around the region. Mrs. Hartwell even gave tours by boat along Mason Neck's waterways and enlisted the support of several environmental organizations at the local, regional, State, and Federal levels. The Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1969 for the protection of nesting, feeding, and roosting habitat for bald eagles. It was the first Federal refuge established specifically for the then-endangered bald eagle. Today, there are multiple nests on the refuge and on neighboring public and private lands. I am pleased to support the effort of several Mason Neck area homeowners associations to rename the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge in honor of Mrs. Hartwell, who passed away on December 14, 2000. She dedicated her life to nature and to helping the environment, and it would be a fitting tribute to rename the Mason Neck Refuge after the woman who fought so valiantly for its creation.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and urge Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 788.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 788) supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley), the author of this resolution.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam 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 resolution under consideration.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, each day, law enforcement officers in this country face grave danger as they protect the rights and freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Their commitment and sacrifice make our streets safer, our neighborhoods stronger, and our families more secure. May 15 is set aside each year to honor the service and sacrifice of America's law enforcement officers and their families. It also promotes increased public support for the law enforcement profession and helps to promote law enforcement safety. The more than 850,000 men and women who guard our communities do so at great risk. Each year, one in 15 officers is assaulted, one in 46 is injured, and one in 5,255 is killed in the line of duty. After the hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center in New York City on 9/11, 72 peace officers died while trying to ensure their fellow citizens got to safety. That act of terrorism resulted in the highest number of peace officers killed in a single incident in the history of this country. Just 8 days ago, the tragedy of an officer killed in the line of duty struck my community in Fairfax County. Police officer Vicky Armel was killed and two officers were wounded after a gunman opened fire with high-powered weapons in the parking lot of a Chantilly police station during a shift change. These tragic events shook the community, and the Fairfax police force, to the core. It is important to recognize the sacrifices that these officers and their families make each day to ensure that we will have a safe environment in which to live, work, and raise our families. National Peace Officers Memorial Day will provide the people of the United States with an opportunity to honor the extraordinary service and sacrifice given year after year by our police forces. The annual ceremony, which was held the evening of May 13, featured several contributions from police officers all over the country, including the singing of the National Anthem by Fairfax County, Virginia, police officer Laura Zambron. Following the ceremony, prominent law enforcement leaders, survivors, and law enforcement supporters read the names of the 466 fallen officers whose names were officially added to the memorial. I urge all Members to come together to honor the dedication of these brave men and women, like Detective Armel, by adopting House Resolution 788. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 795, a resolution I introduced condemning the terrorist attacks in Dahab and northern Sinai in Egypt. On April 24 and 26, 2006, a series of explosions at Dahab and in northern Sinai, Egypt, planned and carried out by terrorists, resulted in the deaths of scores of civilians and the injuries of many others. Over the years, the relationship between the United States and Egypt has proven to be of critical importance to both countries. These relations have always been founded on mutual and deep understanding of each country's interests and role, both at the regional and international levels, in creating a world that is more safe and secure. Like the United States, Egypt is a prime target of terrorism. President Sadat lost his life in 1981 as a price for signing the peace accords with Israel. Between 1990 and 1997, Egypt suffered from a series of terrorist attacks, mainly targeting the tourism sector that had long been the anchor of economic growth in the country. Since September 11, Egypt has been a crucial ally to the United States in the global war on terror. Egypt, along with other Middle East allies such as Israel and Jordan, have paid a price for that too. Terrorist attacks rocked the Sinai Peninsula three times over 18 months. Moreover, last year, Egypt lost its Ambassador to Iraq. The bloody attacks that took innocent lives in Dahab earlier this month indicate that terrorism does not discriminate by race, ethnicity, or region. Instead, terrorists target those seeking to live a peaceful and free life. We must hunt the terrorists down and bring them to justice. There is no other way to respond to those so committed to the destruction of life. We must also stand with the Egyptian people in solidarity. This resolution does just that, making it clear that Congress and the American people are behind them during this difficult period. Mr. Speaker, let the House of Representatives speak in unison and with clarity on this issue: Terrorism has no place in this world and it will not be tolerated. I want to thank my colleagues, Darrell Issa, Mr. Wexler and Ms. Ros- Lehtinen for their work on this resolution. It is only through their efforts that we were able to bring it to the floor so quickly. I also want to thank my colleague, Mr. McCotter, for managing this so well. In addition, I thank the leadership on both sides for allowing this bill on the floor today, and I urge an ``aye'' vote.