Jo Ann Davis

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, an issue that hasn't received enough attention in the debate on the global war on terror is what happened to American intelligence during the 1990s. To effectively wage the war on terrorism, we need a robust intelligence community that is capable of gathering intelligence aimed at eliminating the terrorist threat. Unfortunately, as the war escalated in 2001, the intelligence community was still reeling from policies that were implemented in the 1990s which undermined the ability of our intelligence agencies to predict 9/11 and to effectively fight the war today. Simply throwing people and money at the issue, it doesn't solve the problem. Developing expertise to replace what was lost in the 1990s is a long endeavor. It takes 5 to 7 years of training and experience to bring an operations officer up to full performance. Mr. Speaker, I would like to list a few examples of what happened in the 1990s that hampered our intelligence community efforts leading up to and at the onset of the war. Between 1992 and 1999, the CIA's presence overseas declined by almost one-third. Our intelligence agencies had their hands tied by the Deutch Doctrine, forbidding recruitment of sources that had shady backgrounds, limiting our ability to get information on potential terrorist attacks. The number of officers declined and overseas facilities were closed. And as a result of the crises in the Balkans and in Africa, et cetera, officers were sent to areas where many times they had little knowledge of the issues there and, in some places, the targets had little and sometimes no presence. As a result, overall intelligence collection was decimated. James Pavitt, the former CIA Deputy Director for Operations, told the 9/11 Commission in April of 2004 that we were vastly underfunded and did not have the people to do the job, and noted that spending on CIA human collection was cut by 20 percent during the 1990s. Analysis suffered equally in the 1990s, with low priority accorded to terrorism analysis. Intelligence analysts were discouraged from writing original out-of-the-box assessments that might have raised awareness to terrorists staging unconventional attacks. And, instead, our analysts were pressured to craft politically correct analysis. The death of Zarqawi and the arrests of 17 terrorist suspects in Canada are recent successes in the global war on terror. However, we still have a long way to go to rebuilding our networks of human sources. Reform has to continue, and we must acknowledge that many of the problems facing U.S. intelligence agencies today are the product of unwise and neglectful intelligence policies of the past. It is simple to destroy, but it is much more difficult to build. Over the past 6 years, we have worked to rebuild our Nation's intelligence capability, and it may take a few more years to complete. There is not a moment to waste in carrying out these essential reforms to our intelligence community. And I will say, Mr. Speaker, that we must continue this war. We must continue to let our intelligence community do their job.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit for the Record the accomplishments of Mr. Norton Hurd of Deltaville, Virginia. Mr. Hurd, whose grandfather fought at the Battle of Gettysburg, grew up in Deltaville, Virginia, and attended Lynchburg College, studying history while playing varsity tennis, baseball, and basketball. After graduating from Lynchburg, Mr. Norton became a teacher and coach at Amelia High School before signing up for the U.S. Naval Air Reserve in 1941. After receiving his flight wings in May 1942, Ensign Hurd was stationed in Minneapolis, training pilots in open-cockpit planes in the frigid temperatures of Minnesota. He, however, longed for combat. Ensign Hurd repeatedly asked his skipper for a transfer, telling him ``I don't want to tell my grandchildren, when the war is over, that I fought the battle of Minneapolis.'' After flight training sessions in New Jersey and Massachusetts, Lieutenant Hurd found himself aboard the legendary aircraft carrier Wasp, heading for Guam. Lt. Hurd was a member of the Hell Razors, and flew in the first group of Navy planes to bomb Tokyo. After surviving a showdown with a Japanese fighter near Chi-Chi Jima, one of his engines failed, and he crashed into the Pacific within 100 yards of the Wasp. After being rescued, Lt. Hurd was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, given to those who distinguish themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. After returning home from the Pacific, Mr. Hurd opened Hurd's Home Appliances in Deltaville in January 1946, figuring that after the war everyone would need appliances. In 1947 he married Alvine Taylor, and they have three children together, Myra, Jack, and Michael. Mr. Norton is a charter member of the Middlesex Lions Club, has served as presidents of the Deltaville Community Association and the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, and for 25 years was on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Middlesex, First Virginia Bank. He is also a member of the fire department and rescue squad, and has been inducted into the Lynchburg College Hall of Fame. Mr. Hurd is an outstanding athlete, gentleman, and asset to Virginia, and is loved by everyone who knows him. I would like to submit for the Record a recent article about Mr. Hurd in the Baysplash, entitled ``Hell Razor: Staying Still's Been the One Thing Norman Hurd of Deltaville Can't Do.'' I recommend my colleagues in the House of Representatives to read about this fine American in the First District of Virginia. Hell Razor: Staying Still's Been the One Thing Norton Hurd of Deltaville Can't Do (By Capt. Bob Cerullo) As a young lad, Norton Hurd, now nearing 90, loved to sit with his grandfather on the porch of the home his grandfather built after the Civil War. He recalled the day his grandfather ``gave me a dime to stay still and not say a word for ten minutes because I was always jumping and carrying on.'' His grandfather, Jesse C. Hurd, had been shot in the leg at the Battle of Gettysburg. When the Civil War ended he arrived in Deltaville and did logging work, fell in love with the place, became a carpenter, built several homes including his own, and fell in love again, marrying Ida Harrow of Deltaville. Their son (and Norton's father), Jesse W. Hurd, married Mabel Norton, also of Deltaville. Jesse W. loved farming and eventually opened a grocery store to sell the crops he grew. Young Norton worked the crops, milked the cows, gathered eggs, tended the store and dreamed about baseball. Ted Williams was his hero, and there is a family legend that Norton's first words were, ``Throw it here.'' Norton, who didn't share his father's love of farming, attended Lynchburg College, studied history, and played varsity tennis, basketball and baseball. After graduation he was a teacher and coach at Amelia High School, and he recalls coaching a student named Monte Kennedy, who went on to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers. training for combat With the drums of war beating in Europe, it was only a matter of time before Norton faced being drafted, probably into the infantry. ``I had played a lot of baseball and I had played every position, at one time or another, except catching,'' he said. ``I have not had any desire to be a catcher. So I said, `I think I would really rather be up there pitching than down there catching'.'' Determined to be a pilot, the gangly young teacher signed up with the U.S. Naval Air Reserve, Air Corps. A few weeks later he reported to Anacostia, MD, for a physical, where doctors found he was underweight, had a cold and was running a fever; they told him to go home, stay still, rest and eat. Staying still was the hardest part, and after consuming dozens of bananas and quarts of milk he was back in three days, both heavier and fever-free. By August of 1941 he was flying an open-cockpit N2S Starman bi-plane, and with seven hours of in-flight training he was transferred to Jacksonville, Florida, where he got his wings in May of 1942. Ensign Hurd was then stationed in Minneapolis, where he trained pilots in freezing cold open- cockpit planes for two winters. ``It got so cold up at 5,000 feet that you couldn't stay in the air for more than 30 minutes,'' he said. ``The Red Cross ladies knitted ski masks for us, but it was cold.'' There were several close calls when a student panicked and he had to take over the controls to avoid crashing the plane. Hurd, impatient for combat, kept asking his skipper for a transfer, and the skipper in turn asked him if he knew what he was saying, and why he wanted to be reassigned. ``Well, I joined because I thought there was going to be a fight,'' Hurd told him. ``I don't want to tell my grandchildren, when the war is over, that I fought the battle of Minneapolis.'' Three months later he was in Wildwood, NJ, where he trained to fly Curtiss SB2C dive bombers; pilots nicknamed the cumbersome plane ``The Beast.'' Next, at Otis Field in Massachusetts, he learned to land a plane on an aircraft carrier. ``The first time I want out there to land I had to find the carrier and make three landings to qualify,'' he said. ``The Navy figured if you could land on one of the little carriers then you could land on anything. I looked down at that carrier and it really looked to me like a wooden roof shingle floating in the sea. I made it.'' The Hell Razors Sent to Maui, Hurd reported aboard the legendary aircraft carrier Wasp, steaming for Guam. He was a member of the infamous air group known as the Hell Razors, and flew in the first group of Navy planes to bomb Tokyo. On a flight over Chi-Chi Jima, a Japanese communication center near Iwo Jima, he was jumped by a Japanese fighter, which he shot down. then, within about a hundred yards of landing back on the Wasp, he engine failed and Lt. Hurd plowed into the sea. It was February, the churning sea water was cold, and the plane hit the water hard, ``My head hit the cockpit. I was momentarily stunned,'' he said. ``When a fighter goes in it goes down in the water, then comes back up. The water came over my head. I thought I was sinking so I jumped out of the cockpit and crawled out on the wing. Then the plane came up. I swam back to try to get the lifeboat that I knew was stored under the pilot's seat.'' Pilots sometimes debated about whether one could be sucked down when a plane ditched, Hurd recalled, and ``I didn't think it was time to settle that debate right there, so I ran off the wing again and jumped overboard. My head was bleeding. All I had was a Mae West life preserver, a dye marker and a whistle. I was treading water and blowing the whistle. In the waves, one minute I could see the carrier going away; in the next I couldn't see anything. I was bleeding and thinking about the sharks. It finally hit me that there was no place to swim to. Finally I saw a destroyer coming. Then, God, I am standing in the water blowing my whistle. It steamed right on past me. Then finally it backed up. They threw me a rope and wanted me to climb up it. I was so weak I couldn't do it. Then they threw me a net and pulled me up and put me in sick bay. ``They sewed up my head, then took me up on deck to be transferred back to the Wasp. The transfer basket from the Wasp arrived with ten gallons of ice cream aboard. Then they put me in the transfer basket and sent me back over the raging sea to the Wasp. So I figure I am worth ten gallons of ice cream.'' Hurd was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, given to those who distinguish themselves by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, as evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. back home Undecided about what to do after the war, Hurd said he thought about sailing a boat around the world but couldn't find any of his friends who were ``crazy enough'' to go with him. He headed to Deltaville to relax and contemplate a career, but the future was decided for him. His father had sold his grocery business for $5,000, which he used to buy a store for Norton. ``When I came home my dad said, `I got a place','' he recalled. ``My father never wanted me to leave home. Dad was a hard worker and expected the same from me.'' In January of 1946 Norton opened Hurd's Home Appliances, figuring that everyone would need appliances after the war. With his father's help he obtained credit and a stock of scarce home appliances, and had more customers than stock. In 1947 he married Alvine Taylor, daughter of the founder of Taylor's Restaurant, still a Deltaville landmark. ``When I came home from the war and saw Alvine Taylor, I knew she was the most attractive young woman I had ever seen anywhere,'' he said. ``We were married two years later.'' They have three children: Myra Wall and Jack Hurd run Hurd's Hardware, and Michael, a former prosecutor, is an attorney in Deltaville; his office is in the renovated old store once run by Norton and his father. Jack and his wife live in the old Hurd home built by his great grandfather, Jesse C.; Michael and his wife live in a home Norton built in 1953. Norton, a charter member and later resident of the Middlesex Lions Club, also has served as president of the Deltaville Community Association and the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, and for 25 years was on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Middlesex, First Virginia Bank. A member of the fire department and rescue squad, he has been a member of the Phillippi Christian Church since he was 12 and has served as a deacon, board member and elder. He is perhaps best known as a baseball coach and player, and once played with the Deltaville Deltas. He also has been inducted into the Lynchburg College Hall of Fame. Hurd retired from his business in 1981, at age 65, but still is actively involved. While Jack now manages the store, Norton's often there on Saturdays and other days when Jack is off. Since he retired he has found more time to golf, often playing 36 holes straight. Of his many awards and wartime memorabilia, he seems to treasure most a tattered copy of the Amelia High School yearbook compiled by his former students and dedicated to him. A copy was sent to him while he was fighting in the Pacific. He considers it perhaps his proudest possession. It's unlikely Norton Hurd will earn any more dimes, as he did from his grandfather, for sitting still. That never was something he liked to do.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of this amendment that I am offering with my colleagues from Connecticut and Virginia. As we continue to fight the Global War on Terror, the Department of Defense must adapt to meet the challenges posed by this new kind of war. I believe that it is our responsibility in Congress to exercise proper oversight and direction of our military, and the recent developments regarding the processing of security clearances deserve the attention of this body. In our post 9/11 world, the need for precise and timely security clearance processing has never been more important. The demand for clearances of all types and levels continues to increase, yet our budgets and our processes are not up to date. I represent thousands of workers in my district who rely on their security clearance to perform their jobs, from the shipbuilders in Newport News to the thousands of uniformed service members and contractors that are working to support our national defense. In fact, I've heard from a lot of them in the last few weeks. Our amendment will temporarily prohibit the Department of Defense's authority to expire clearances that have requested renewal until September 30, 2008, unless certain criteria are met. I firmly believe that we should not be penalizing our military and contracting community because the Department cannot adequately estimate or budget its future security clearance requirements. Additionally, I'm pleased that a separate amendment offered by Congressman Simmons and myself was included in the underlying legislation that is before the House today. The provision requires the Department to submit a series of reports on their progress in solving these problems, and I believe this is an important step in our congressional oversight of this extremely vital program for our national defense. I want to thank Chairman Hunter for working with me on this issue. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of our amendment.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5020, the Intelligence Authorization Act of 2007, and I applaud Chairman Hoekstra for presenting a bill that addresses the funding needs for the global war on terrorism and ongoing intelligence operations in Iraq. Mr. Chairman, as chair of the Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis and Counterintelligence Subcommittee, I have been directed to ensure that the intelligence community has the resources necessary to complete the thousands upon thousands of intelligence operations conducted each year in direct support of our Nation's diplomatic and military efforts worldwide, all during a time of war. Although the risks involved in intelligence operations are inherently high, they are significantly greater when conducted against blood- thirsty insurgents and radical extremists, both of which accept that the mass murder of innocent men, women and children is justifiable. When faced with an enemy that is so brutal and remorseless, we must ensure that the intelligence community has the personnel and the operational tools needed to collect, analyze, and disseminate the type of intelligence that allows us to disrupt the activities of such an enemy. H.R. 5020 does this as it provides the resources needed to increase human intelligence operations, enhance analytical capabilities, and sustain intelligence collection platforms. Insightful, accurate and timely intelligence has always been the key to understanding the plans and intentions of our adversaries. It is not a secret that some of these adversaries have little respect for human rights or the internationally accepted rule of law. They are determined to destroy growing democracies and strip their citizens of the liberties we as Americans often take for granted. They are committed to bringing the war back to the homeland, where our families and friends might be subjected to similar horrors as were experienced on 9/11. We cannot and we will not let this happen. We cannot appear irresolute in our goal to ensure our political and military leaders have the best intelligence possible while we are waging this war. It is our duty to ensure that the Nation is protected, and H.R. 5020 strives to guarantee that the right type of intelligence is provided to our leaders so that they may protect our Nation. It is also our duty to provide resources to improve the ability of our servicemembers and intelligence officers as they confront terrorism worldwide and combat insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan. Authorizing any amount less than the full funding requested for the global war on terrorism or operations in Iraq would place members of our armed services and our intelligence community under greater peril than they are today. Not authorizing the full amount would be tantamount to compromising our national security. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and, once again, I congratulate my chairman on his outstanding effort.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the thousands of children currently overflowing Romania's orphanages and hospitals, hopefully awaiting the chance to find a permanent home. Today there are over 1,000 pending adoption cases that have been left in limbo as a result of Romania's ban on inter-country adoptions. Right now, parents in the U.S. and EU are separated from their children, left wondering if they will ever be able to bring them home. I have to admit I find it difficult to understand the rationale behind Romania's ban on inter-country adoptions. No one denies the importance and significant advantage permanency brings to a child's life. In fact, in its interpretation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in January 2004, UNICEF clarified the importance of permanent placement for children and its support for intercountry adoption. Yet, permanency for children is precisely what the Romanian government has taken away. I am pleased to join my colleagues in supporting this important and timely resolution. The United States stands with Romania's children. I hope our colleagues in the European Union will also assert their support for the welfare of Romanian children, and that the Romanian government will reconsider this oppressive ban and expedite the pending adoption cases. Mr. Speaker, we do not have time to waste. These families should not have to wait any longer. I urge my colleagues to let the Romanian children know we stand with them, and pass H. Res. 578.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a constituent of mine, Jerry Hoffman of West Point, Virginia, Born in Ironwood, Michigan, Jerry graduated from Michigan State University. In 1964, he entered the United States Air Force to serve his country. As a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (APOSI), he was responsible for global counterintelligence operations. Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1984, Jerry continued to serve his country while working for the Central Intelligence Agency. In 1989, he cofounded the private security training company, International Training Inc. (ITI), in West Point, Virginia and served as its president and chief executive officer until 2001. At that time, Jerry was appointed as the president and chief executive officer of ArmorGroup North America, and in 2002 assumed this role at ArmorGroup International. Jerry is married to Katharine Kropp and has two children, Scott, a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force, and Tabitha, who owns a Medical Transcription Business. Jerry and Katharine are very active in various charities and organizations throughout Virginia, most notably the American Cancer Society. Jerry has co-authored two novels, receiving the Edgar Allan Poe special award by the Mystery Writers Association of America in addition to a special research award presented by the United States Air Force Command and Staff College for a study of worldwide international and transnational terrorist groups. I wish to extend to Jerry Hoffman my sincerest congratulations on his retirement. Both in and out of uniform, he has made a significant contribution to our country, and I am pleased to recognize this special occasion.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House and to revise and extend my remarks. This week we conclude the celebration of Women's History Month; a month during which we acknowledged and honored those women who struggled and fought for suffrage and equal rights. As we do so, I would like to bring special attention to an often over-looked message espoused by the early heroines of our country: a message of preborn women's rights. Susan B. Anthony, a well-known pioneer of the women's movement, was a staunch defender of the rights of the unborn. She believed that abortion violated the rights of women and children, by exploiting women and by denying unborn children the most precious of rights--the right to life. Alice Paul, author of the Equal Rights amendment, agreed and said that, ``Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women.'' As we reflect upon the life and achievements of the early suffragettes during Women's History Month, let us also recognize the need to protect and value all human life.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my sorrow for the loss of Stafford County Treasurer Elizabeth Dailey, who recently passed away at the young age of 47. A leader in the community, Elizabeth was a person who sincerely cared about the citizens of Stafford, and worked to make life easier for them. In her tenure as Treasurer since 1993, Elizabeth provided Stafford with service, giving citizens individual assistance with complicated tax and financial issues. As Treasurer, she was an innovative leader and a true public servant. As a colleague, she was regarded as a trusted friend. Everyday, she was a loving wife and mother. Elizabeth Dailey will truly be missed. I express my utmost condolences to her friends and family, and in a special way, would like to thank Elizabeth's husband Donald and daughter Nicole for sharing this very special lady with the citizens of Stafford County.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of one of my distinguished constituents, Charles Clifford Phillips of Newport News, Virginia. Born in January of 1921, Charlie grew up in Friendship, South Carolina, where he, like many rural Americans of that time, worked on his father's farm. Anxious to see the world and to serve his country, he left South Carolina at the age of 17 and joined the Army Air Corps. After the entry of the United States into World War II, Charlie was sent to the Pacific Theater as a bomber turret gunner in the famous Red Raiders Bomber Group (22d Bomb Group, 2d Squadron). Like so many others of his generation, he asked no questions and he made no complaints. He fought and won a war that guaranteed the security of every American and hundreds of millions of others. With his job done abroad, he returned to America to begin a new life and new family. He met the love of his life, Buena Mae Spurling, in a restaurant in Maryville, Tennessee. They eventually moved to Newport News, Virginia in 1955, where he joined the C&O Railroad and worked until his retirement 28 years later. He and his beloved wife of 60 years built a family of upstanding, hardworking Americans who carry his love of country and his belief in God. This country lost a great American on December 23, 2005, just 2 days before Christmas and 2 weeks before his 85th birthday. Charlie closed his eyes for the last time surrounded by his family. I am told that he left this world as he lived in it, with dignity and honor. I extend to the family of Charles Clifford Phillips my deepest sympathy and my prayers during this difficult time. I am sure you are so very proud of him. It is obvious through his service to our country during World War II and his love for his family, that he was truly a great man. I would also like to enter into the Record the obituary of Charles C. Phillips. Obituary of Charles C. Phillips Newport News.--Mr. Charles C. Phillips, 84, a native of Marion, S.C., a resident of Newport News since 1955, went home to be with the Lord on Dec. 23, 2005. He was a Christian and Veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, 22 Bomb Group (BG), 2nd Squadron, ``Robinson's Red Raiders'' in the Pacific Theatre. The 22 BG originated out of Langley Air Field in 1941 and was deployed to the Pacific one day after Pearl Harbor. He received several decorations and the unit had several Presidential citations, participating in numerous campaigns as a bomber turret gunner. Mr. Phillips retired from C&O Railroad after 28 years of service. He was the son of the late Chalmers Corcellus and Susan Wall Phillips of S.C. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Marvin, Zach and Wallace Phillips, and sister, Margaret Wagner Worrell. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Buena Mae Phillips (whom he loved most in the world); two daughters, Margaret ``Cookie'' Tyndall and Michelle Kellam, and husband, Chris; two sons, Charles C. Phillips Jr. and wife, Patricia, and William L. Phillips; one sister, Geraldine Graham of Florence, S.C.; eight grandchildren; five great- grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews whom he held very dear. He was provided loving care in his remaining days by his loving family, most notably his son-in-law G. Christopher Kellam and his grandson Caleb J. Kellam. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, in the World Outreach Worship Center, 1233 Shields Road, Newport News, VA 23608-2062, with Pastor Bob Collins officiating. The family suggests that memorials may be made to the World Outreach Worship Center.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I was granted a leave of absence for December 19, 2005. Had I been present, I would have voted the following: Rollcall 665, H.R. 2520, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act-- ``yea.'' Rollcall 666, waiving points of order against the conference report on H.R. 2863, Department of Defense Appropriations for FY06--``yea.'' Rollcall 667, H. Con. Res. 284, expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the 2005 presidential and parliamentary elections in Israel--``yea.'' Rollcall 668, motion to recommit Conference Report to H.R. 2863, Defense Appropriations for FY06--``nay.'' Rollcall 669, H.R. 2863, on agreeing to the Department of Defense Appropriations Conference Report for FY06--``yea.'' Rollcall 670, S. 1932, on agreeing to the Conference Report to the Budget Reconciliation bill for FY06--``yea.'' Rollcall 671, H. Con. Res. 275, expressing the sense of Congress regarding the education curriculum in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia-- ``yea.''

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I was granted a leave of absence for December 16-17, 2005, due to a medical treatment. I would like to state for the record that had I been present, I would have voted the following: Rollcall 642: Motion to close portions of the Defense Authorization Conference to the Press and Public when matters of National Security are under consideration--Yea. Rollcall 643: Skelton Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 1815-- National Defense Authorization Act for FY06--Yea. Rollcall 644: Previous Question on Rule for H. Res. 612--Yea-- Expressing the commitment of the House of Representatives to achieving victory in Iraq. Rollcall 645: Adoption of Rule for H. Res. 612--Yea--Expressing the commitment of the House of Representatives to achieving victory in Iraq. Rollcall 646: Adoption of Rule for H.R. 4437--Yea--Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. Rollcall 647: H. Con. Res. 294--Yea--Calling on the international community to condemn the Laogai, the system of forced labor prison camps in the People's Republic of China, as a tool for suppression maintained by the Chinese Government. Rollcall 648: Final Passage of H. Res. 612--Yea--Expressing the commitment of the House of Representatives to achieving victory in Iraq. Rollcall 649: H. Res. 409--Yea--Condemning the Government of Zimbabwe's ``Operation Murarnbatsvina''. Rollcall 650: H. Res. 575--Yea--Providing that Hamas and other terrorist organizations should not participate in elections held by the Palestinian Authority. Rollcall 651: H. Res. 534--Yea--Recognizing the importance and credibility of an independent Iraqi judiciary in the formation of a new and democratic Iraq. Rollcall 652: Spratt Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 4241-- Deficit Reduction Act of2005--NAY. Rollcall 653: Goodlatte/Herseth Amendment--Yea. Rollcall 654: Stearns Amendment--Yea. Rollcall 655: Sensenbrenner Amendment--Yea. Rollcall 656: Norwood Amendment--Yea. Rollcall 657: Westmoreland Amendment--Yea. Rollcall 658: Gonzalez Amendment--NAY. Rollcall 659: Sullivan Amendment--Yea. Rollcall 660: Democrat Motion to Recommit--NAY. Rollcall 661: Final Passage of H.R. 4437--Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005--Yea. Rollcall 662: H. Res. 598--Condemning actions by the Government of Syria that have hindered the investigation of the assassination of former Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafik Hariri conducted by the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission--Yea. Rollcall 663: Adoption of the Rule providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules--Yea. Rollcall 664: H.R. 2520--Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005--Yea.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I would say that the reason for this resolution is that the attack has not been on the menorah or any of the other symbols of the other religions. But the attack has been and is being made on red and green colors, on candy canes, on Santa Claus, which are not even religious symbols. That is the point of the resolution. And with that I will leave it the way the resolution stands.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my resolution, H. Res. 579, as amended, expressing the sense of Congress that the symbols and traditions of Christmas should be protected for those who celebrate Christmas and that references to Christmas should be supported. This measure simply states congressional support for traditional references to Christmas that I believe are being eradicated from the public dialogue. Madam Speaker, this is a very busy week in Congress; and we are working on some very important measures that impact our Nation. So with that said, some may question the importance of this resolution in light of other national priorities that we are addressing this week, but this resolution is important because it defends the traditions of Christmas for those who celebrate Christmas. It is unfortunate that a congressional resolution is even needed to do this. It is unfortunate that we have had to come to this point. Christmas has been declared politically incorrect. Any sign or even mention of Christmas in public can lead to complaints, litigation, protest, and threats. America's favorite holiday is being twisted beyond recognition. The push towards a neutered ``holiday'' season is stronger than ever so that no one can be even the slightest bit offended. Madam Speaker, overzealous civil liberties lawyers are making their list and checking it twice. Change the Christmas tree to a Friendship tree, check. Change ``We Wish You a Merry Christmas'' to ``We Wish You a Happy Holiday,'' check. Remove the colors green and red, check. Get rid of Christmas music, even instrumental, check. When did wishing someone a Merry Christmas show insensitivity? According to a recent poll, 96 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas. In an effort to create a generic holiday starting at Thanksgiving and ending at New Year's, what are we exactly celebrating? The purpose of celebrating the Fourth of July is to celebrate our Nation's independence. Why is it not reasonable to say that celebrating Christmas is a celebration of Christ's birth? This is a selective assault on religious free speech which is a fundamental right. The Founders did not view celebrating Christmas as an issue of church versus State. It is celebrating a holiday that has for thousands of years been celebrated. The framers intended that the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States would prohibit the establishment of religion, not prohibit any mention of religion or reference to God in civic dialogue. From Madison Avenue to Wall Street, from activists and lawyers to politicians, educators and the media, a culture is being created that shames people for saying Merry Christmas. Ironically, many retailers, the same group who flood our mailboxes with catalogs and advertisements urging us to purchase gifts for Christmas, have done away with the Christmas greeting Merry Christmas in their stores. Employees have been told not to say Merry Christmas to customers. This is political correctness run amok. The attack on Christmas, while not new, has now shifted its focus from overtly religious symbols, like the nativity, to symbols regarded by most Americans, including the Supreme Court, to be secular symbols of Christmas, a federally recognized holiday. Now these innocent secular symbols are causing concerns of insensitivity. Santa Claus, Christmas trees, candy canes, Christmas carols, even the colors red and green, they have been place on the endangered list. They say to boil a frog you have to do it gradually because if you throw it into boiling water, it will jump out; but if you put the frog in cold water and gradually turn up the heat, the frog will never know he is being boiled until it is too late, and I am afraid that is what is happening to us with our Christmas holiday. Madam Speaker, the transition to replace Christmas with this vague ``holiday season'' is a gradual process that over the past few years has reached a new crescendo. Let us protect the symbols and traditions of Christmas for those who celebrate Christmas, or before we know it, we will be looking at a holiday season that represents nothing and celebrates anything. I for one do not want to surrender and let retailers, overzealous civil liberty lawyers, and the media make me feel guilty for wishing someone a Merry Christmas. For generations, Christmas has been a public expression of the celebration of the birth of Christ. I hope we can say that for many more years to come. With that, Madam Speaker, I wish you a Merry Christmas.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as she may consume to another distinguished member of the Armed Services Committee and my colleague from Virginia (Mrs. Drake).

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4326, which would authorize the Secretary of the Navy to commence the nuclear refueling and complex overhaul of USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). It will also place a cap on expenditures while we continue to work through the conferences on the defense authorization and the defense appropriations bills. By taking this action now, we allow the work to begin as originally contemplated by the Navy. The USS Vinson is currently in the Newport News shipyard; and with this legislation, the overhaul can begin in earnest without needless delay and without layoffs of the highly trained and highly capable shipyard workers. The Refueling and Complex Overhaul, or RCOH, of a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is the one-time mid-life maintenance availability for this class of ship. Consisting of a vigorous 40-month work package, the RCOH provides the necessary refueling and ship maintenance to enable the aircraft carrier to sail for another 25 years. I think it is important to note that the entire work package of over 26 million man- hours in the RCOH is roughly one-half of the work required to build an aircraft carrier from scratch. Over this maintenance period of 3\1/2\ years, there are countless improvements, modernizations, and renovations to be made in preparation for the second half of this magnificent warship's life, and the RCOH work represents over 35 percent of the entire maintenance requirement for the 50-year life of the Nimitz class. While the nuclear refueling is the centerpiece of the work package, these ships contain over a billion parts; and the fact is, Mr. Speaker, that these parts need maintenance and updating. The Carl Vinson, for example, has sailed millions of miles in the 23 years since her commissioning in 1982, and this maintenance period is absolutely essential to her future service. The USS Carl Vinson has served our country remarkably well. The ship has participated in operations around the world, most notably in the days after September 11, 2001, when the ship launched the first carrier-based air strikes into Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. In the following months, aircraft launched from the USS Carl Vinson flew over 4,200 missions to eliminate terrorist strongholds and training camps used by al Qaeda. I cannot think of a better way to support our Navy and our military than to pass this legislation that will enable the Navy and the thousands of shipyard workers at Northrop Grumman Newport News to complete this vital refueling and maintenance period. In closing, I want to thank Chairman Duncan Hunter of the House Armed Services Committee and his staff; Congressman Scott; as well as House leadership; and especially Congressman Eric Cantor for their hard work on this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4326) to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to enter into a contract for the nuclear refueling and complex overhaul of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70).

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw), the author of this resolution and a distinguished member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 500, recognizing the 60th anniversary of the loss of 27 men with Flight 19 and the naval Mariner rescue aircraft. On December 5, 1945, the United States Navy tragically lost 27 of its bravest men to circumstances that are still surrounded in mystery. On that day, Flight 19, comprised of five Avenger torpedo bombers with a total crew of 14 flew out of Fort Lauderdale's Naval Air Station for a routine exercise and never returned. After having lost contact with Flight 19, the Navy deployed a rescue mission of 13 men, all of whom never returned. Theories abound about what happened that day with the disappearance of 27 men and their planes, sparking one of the largest air and sea searches in history. Hundreds of ships and aircraft scoured over 200,000 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The wreckage was never found. Questions have gone unexplained. Most try to explain away the events by offering the theory that Flight 19 disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle. After intense investigation, we do know that Flight 19 lifted into the air from the Naval Air Station at Fort Lauderdale, Florida at 2:10 in the afternoon during peacetime. It was a routine practice mission under the command of Lieutenant Charles Taylor. After having completed their objective, the flight plan called for them to fly an additional 67 miles east then turn north for 73 miles and finally back to the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale, making their distance a total of 120 miles. While attempting the return flight, a radio transmission from Taylor signaled that his compasses were not working, but indicated he believed himself to be somewhere over the Florida Keys. Flight 19 thereafter lost contact with the tower and was never heard from again. The Mariner took off approximately at 7:30 p.m. in search of Flight 19 and was never seen nor heard from after takeoff. Based upon a report from a merchant ship off Fort Lauderdale which sighted a burst of flame, it is believed that this aircraft exploded at sea and sank. However, no trace of the plane or its crew was ever found. Mr. Speaker, on one tragic day, 27 families experienced excruciating losses of their loved ones, and this Nation lost 27 of its bravest and most dedicated Americans. While the events of that day may go unexplained, the memories of those men will not go unhonored. These 27 men have the thanks of a grateful Nation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the resolution under consideration.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 500) recognizing the 60th anniversary of the disappearance of the 5 naval Avenger torpedo bombers of Flight 19 and the naval Mariner rescue aircraft sent to search for Flight 19, as amended.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my sincere concern with the funding level for nuclear physics programs in the Energy and Water Appropriations Act Conference Report for FY2006. While the Office of Science does receive an increase of $32.8 million over the fiscal year 2005 level, the nuclear physics programs are actually cut 8.4 percent below fiscal year 2005 levels. The Jefferson Lab in my district in Newport News, VA, is one of the basic research labs that would be negatively impacted by this funding level. Just last month the National Academy of Sciences issued a report titled ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm.'' That report underscored that the nation's economic health is seriously at risk without a sustained investment in science. The report noted that in Germany, 36 percent of undergraduates receive their degrees in science and engineering. In China the figure is 59 percent, and in Japan 66 percent. In the United States the corresponding figure is 32 percent. It seems to me that this is a time the nation needs to invest in science, not cut science programs. Mr. Speaker, no Member is more concerned about trimming our budget than I am, but we cannot afford to cut programs like nuclear physics, that are the key to our country's success, both now and in the future. I wish to state for the record that I am extremely disappointed with the cuts to nuclear physics programs, and I will continue to work vigilantly in the future for this critical funding.