Thelma Drake

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I am delighted to rise in tribute to the town of Chincoteague, Virginia, which is celebrating its 100th birthday today. Since its founding one century ago, Chincoteague has enamored citizens and visitors alike with its small town charm and pristine natural beauty. This is no small feat if you consider just how much has changed in the past few 100 years. As we commemorate Chincoteague's proud history and rich traditions, we must acknowledge its roots as a small fishing village. Today, thousands of people still flock to Chincoteague each year to share in its bountiful shores and the abundance of nearby wildlife. Chincoteague should serve as an example of a happy coexistence between people and nature. From Chincoteague's annual pony roundup to the annual seafood festival, even the simple everyday beauty of its sunsets, the town of Chincoteague is truly a unique community which has come a long way without letting time erode its proud heritage. That is why I ask my colleagues to join me today in wishing the town of Chincoteague a happy 100th birthday.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, it has now been nearly 3 weeks since the Democrat majority allowed the Protect America Act to expire, and we have yet to address the resulting gap in our intelligence. That is 18 days that our intelligence professionals have been denied the information that according to the Director of National Intelligence is needed to keep our country safe. I believe that most Members on the other side of the aisle share my concern although, sadly, there are others who do not. So, here we are in a political year, working Tuesday through Thursday, and one of the most important pieces of legislation is blocked from this floor. Why? Because it will pass. In 2001, we asked the telecommunications industry to assist our intelligence experts in tracking terrorist movements, but now an army of trial lawyers are waiting to sue them for their patriotic acts. It is time the Democrat leadership moves this bill and gives our intelligence community the tools they need to protect America.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 61-68, I was attending a funeral for a Navy Seal. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on each rollcall.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this moment and thank my constituent, Captain Loren V. Heckelman, for his 28 years of service in the U.S. Navy. Captain Heckelman retired on January 1, 2008. Captain Loren V. Heckelman served as Fleet Comptroller in the U.S. Atlantic Fleet from July, 2004 to June, 2007, administering a budget of $8.4 billion. Prior to July, 2004, he commanded the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk, the Navy's largest supply center. In that position, Heckelman was also responsible for Program Manager, Supply and Logistics for the Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. He has served in the United States Navy in several abroad tours. He served as supply officer for the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln while on deployment to the Persian Gulf and North Arabian Ocean and he was recognized as having the best service and sales operations among Navy aircraft carriers. In June, 1995, he acted as the Executive Officer in Yokosuka, Japan. Heckelman was selected by the Undersecretary of the Navy to serve in the Department of the Navy's 1995 Base Realignment and Closure team, acting as the Infrastructure Analyst and the senior Supply Corps officer. He served as the Executive Assistant to the Commander, Naval Informative Systems Management Center in Washington, DC. Before receiving his master's degree of business administration from the University of Michigan, he served on the USS Carl Vinson as Stock Control and Readiness Officer. His first command was on the destroyer USS Bigelow, first as Distributing Officer and quickly advancing to Sales Officer. Highlighting his career in the United States Navy, Captain Heckelman has earned many awards including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Naval Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation award. I would like to convey my gratitude and congratulations to Captain Loren V. Heckelman for his 28 year commitment to the United States Navy and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, today we completed work on an omnibus spending bill Hopefully, by Friday, a full 82 days into the fiscal year, our Nation's veterans will finally have access to the $6.7 billion in increased spending, and the new and expanded programs included in the original veterans bill, a bill that passed the House and Senate this summer. For all of these days, our veterans have done without these additional resources. So why the delay? Why were our veterans made to wait when a nearly identical bill could have been passed and signed by the President prior to October 1? I believe our veterans deserve an explanation and an apology. Playing political games with veterans funding not only hurts our veterans but the credibility of this Congress and the American people. Our Nation and its heroes deserve better.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, this is day 74. That is 74 days since the start of the new fiscal year. Our veterans still do not have access to the increased funding provided in a bill that passed the House and Senate months ago and the President is waiting to sign. This bill includes increased funding to improve access to medical services for all veterans, new initiatives for mental health and PTSD, increased funds for improved medical facilities, and increased funding to assist homeless veterans, to name just a few. The Democrats have refused to move the bill forward. Our veterans have been operating on an extended shoestring budget since October 1. We now know that instead of moving the bill forward, the Democrats will instead pass more temporary funding that does not include this increased funding for our veterans. Then our veterans will be lumped together with other spending in a massive package. I'm calling on the Speaker to move the bill forward. I am calling on all Americans to contact their Representatives and tell the Democratic leadership to send a clean veterans appropriations bill to the President now.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, this is day 73. That is 73 days since the start of the new fiscal year. Our veterans still do not have access to the increased funding provided in a bill that passed the House and Senate months ago and the President is waiting to sign. This bill includes increased funding to improve access to medical services for all veterans, new initiatives for mental health and PTSD, increased funds for improved medical facilities, and increased funding to assist homeless veterans, to name a few. The Democrats have refused to move the bill forward while our veterans have been operating on an extended shoestring budget since October 1, and 2 days from now the current budget will expire. If the Democrats are acting in good faith and in the best interest of our Nation's veterans, why have they continued to delay this bill, and why do they now intend to use our veterans to pass an end-of-the-year omnibus spending package? The veterans bill could be passed and sent to the President and signed today. I am calling on the Speaker to move the bill forward, and I call on all Americans to contact their Representatives to tell the Democratic leadership to send a clean veterans appropriations bill to the President now.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 261, a resolution I introduced to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the launching of the Great White Fleet. On December 16, 1907, 16 battleships, including, of course, the USS Virginia, launched from Norfolk for a 14-month-long cruise around the world. Envisioned by President Theodore Roosevelt, himself a former Assistant Secretary of the Navy, as an opportunity to showcase the military and humanitarian might of the United States, the fleet sailed over 42,000 miles around the globe, traveling around the tip of South America, across the Pacific and Indian Oceans, through the Suez and Mediterranean and back across the Atlantic to Norfolk. Upon arriving in Egypt, the fleet's commanding officer, Rear Admiral Charles Sperry, dispatched two of his battleships to assist in providing humanitarian assistance to the victims of an earthquake that had ravaged Sicily. The cruise, which has earned its place in American naval history as one the single greatest achievements of the 20th century, foreshadowed events in 2004 when the U.S. Navy provided assistance and comfort to the victims of the tsunami in Indonesia and neighboring countries and again in 2005 when assistance was provided to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The event also foreshadowed the debate in Washington regarding the size of the U.S. fleet and the needed industrial capacity. Painted white and visible for miles, the fleet caused President Roosevelt to ask rhetorically, ``Oughtn't we all feel proud?'' I can surely sympathize. As the Representative of Virginia's Second Congressional District, I fully understand the proud sensation of driving across the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and seeing the raw naval power that is home ported in Norfolk. That moment of pride transcends into a moment of pause when witnessed by our enemies and a moment of comfort when witnessed by our friends. President Roosevelt understood the concept of force projection before the term was fashionable. Our great tradition of naval power was not founded by President Roosevelt, but he understood it and harnessed it foreshadowing the great challenges of the 21st century and today. I would note, Mr. Speaker, that the idea of sending our fleet halfway around the world was not an idea widely accepted by Congress, and yet President Roosevelt through his leadership and determination and in his role as Commander in Chief set out to do what he thought was right, sending a message long before it can be done over a computer that the United States was now an ``A List'' celebrity on the world stage. And it worked. Upon its return, the headline of The Washington Post dated February 21, 1909, read: ``Eyes of World Opened By Fleet.'' Mr. Speaker, ask most students of history about the achievements of President Theodore Roosevelt, and I imagine that they will start with the Panama Canal. I introduced this resolution in part because I feel that President Roosevelt's historic vision of a strong blue-water Navy as the cornerstone of American foreign policy should never be forgotten. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DRAKE. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, this is day 67. That's 67 days since the start of the new fiscal year and our veterans still do not have access to the increased funding provided in a bill that passed the House and Senate months ago and the President is waiting to sign. The House-passed bill includes increased funding to improve access to medical services for all veterans, new initiatives for mental health and PTSD, increased funds for improved medical facilities and increased funding to assist homeless veterans, to name a few. If the Democrats are acting in good faith and in the best interest of our Nation's veterans, why continue to delay this crucial funding? The Democrats have failed in their earlier effort to use funding for our veterans as a bargaining chip for billions in unrelated spending. Why continue to delay this bill? There are few things more important than ensuring that this Congress provides all possible benefits and health care for our veterans. I'm calling on the Speaker to move this bill forward, and I call on all Americans to contact their Representatives and tell the Democratic leadership to send a clean veterans appropriations bill to the President now.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, this is day 66; that's 66 days so far that our veterans have not had the use of the increased funding for their benefits and health care. That's $18.5 million a day not able to be used. This bill has been done for months and the President has already agreed to sign it. But instead of moving the bill forward, the Democratic leadership in Congress continues to postpone this bill. So far, only one of 12 appropriation bills have been passed and signed into law. Why? Our veterans are heroes. There are few things more important than ensuring that this Congress provide all possible benefits and health care for our veterans. I'm calling on the Speaker to move this bill forward. And I call on all Americans to contact their representatives and tell the Democratic leadership to send a clean veterans appropriation bill to the President now. Our veterans deserve it.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the motion to instruct conferees. This motion would instruct House conferees to accept section 1536 of the Senate version of the national defense authorization, a provision which received near unanimous support on the other side of the Capitol. This section states, ``A failed state in Iraq would become a safe haven for radicals, including al Qaeda and Hezbollah, who are determined to attack the United States and its allies.'' It goes on to state that ``a failed state in Iraq would lead to a broader regional conflict, possibly involving Syria and Iran.'' I would remind my colleagues that only a few short months ago, the President of Iran was quoted as saying that very soon we will be witnessing a great power vacuum in the region, and that Iran is willing to fill this void. Madam Speaker, the other side has attempted over 40 times to wave a white flag in Iraq. This motion would put this Chamber on record as supporting a policy of success in Iraq. Our goal must be the path that we are on; a stable, functioning Iraqi Government, who can be an ally with us in the war on terror and not the goal of our enemy, which is Iraq as the capital of their caliphate. Madam Speaker, I visited Iraq this summer. I had the opportunity to meet with the Deputy Prime Minister, and I asked the question why Iraq had not passed the legislation that we were using as a benchmark. I told him I had heard he had the votes to pass the legislation. His answer to me was quite surprising. He said, ``Yes, I have the votes. I have 75 percent to pass the legislation.'' He said, ``But if I do it, I will be cutting the Sunnis out of the government; they will have no voice and no power.'' That is exactly the opposite of what their goal is in Iraq. I would maintain that the Iraqi Government is working very hard for stable institutions where no one group can take over power again. We have all seen the efforts of our military and the surge are working, creating stability and security. And now we are seeing the best of all results, which is the Iraqi people themselves, who have chosen us and have chosen their government. And in the words of their own sheiks that we met, two Sunni and two Shia, they said, ``We are working together for Iraq.'' I urge my colleagues to support this motion in the best interests of our national security and working together for Iraq.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 1128, I was meeting with constituents. Had I been present, I would have boted ``yea.''

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, this is day 65. That's 65 days so far that our veterans have not had the use of the increased funding for their benefits and health care. That's $18.5 million a day not able to be used. This bill has been done for months and the President has already agreed to sign it. But instead of moving the bill forward, the Democratic leadership in Congress chose to adjourn early for the Thanksgiving holiday. I'm calling on the Speaker to pass this bill, and I call on all Americans to contact their Representatives and tell the Democratic leadership to send a clean veterans appropriation bill to the President now. Our veterans are heroes. We must provide all possible benefits and health care for our veterans now.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, the abolition of slavery was never fully achieved in our country, or anywhere else in the world. While the slavery that exists today looks different from the slavery of our country's past, it is still a widespread, horrific reality. Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. It manifests itself in many forms: forced and bonded labor, sex slavery, and even militant activity, as has been seen with child soldiers. I am outraged that such an offense against humanity and against the ideals of our country is allowed to flourish on our soil and abroad. As the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Human Trafficking, I am proud to be an original co-sponsor to H.R. 3887. This reauthorization brings renewed attention to the fight against human trafficking. Mr. Speaker, trafficking is a shared global problem which will require a global response. Congress has rightly taken the lead in putting this issue on the international agenda. Human trafficking is an issue that transcends political ideology and every faith. We have a moral imperative to put an end to this modern-day slavery. For this reason, I support H.R. 3887, because I believe it will put us on the right path to finally abolishing slavery in our country and around the world. Mr. Speaker, only through increasing public awareness to this global problem and demanding action will we bring an end to slavery. I commend the sponsor of this bill and the many Members of Congress who have joined together to bring an end to slavery once and for all.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, we all were deeply affected by the tragic events of this past April at Virginia Tech. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those who lost loved ones and to those who are struggling to recover from their injuries. The days, weeks, and months since that dark day have been a time of healing for the Virginia Tech community, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Nation. I am moved by the outpouring of compassion and generosity that have been displayed since this tragedy. Virginia Tech University established the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund in order to aid in the healing process and generate financial support for those affected. Thousands of individuals gave graciously in the hope of assisting the victims' families in their time of need. In fact, Virginia Tech has distributed millions from the fund to the families of the 32 deceased victims and 47 injured students. The least that this Congress can do in assisting these families is to exempt payments made from the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund from Federal taxes, and I would like to thank Congressman Boucher for his leadership in crafting this bill and bringing it to the floor.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, this is day 46; that is, 46 days so far that our veterans have not had the use of the increased funding for their benefits and health care. That is $18.5 million a day not able to be used. This bill has been done for months and the President has already agreed to sign it. Now, Veterans Day has come and gone and the Democratic leadership continues to delay this bill. I am calling on the Speaker not to adjourn for Thanksgiving until this bill has been sent to the President. And I call on all Americans to contact their Representatives to tell the Democratic leadership to send a clean veterans appropriations bill to the President. How can we celebrate a holiday with our families knowing that there are benefits that our veterans don't have access to simply because of a leadership decision to hold our veterans funding hostage?

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, this is day 45, that is, 45 days so far that our veterans have not had the use of the increased funding for their benefits and health care. That's $18.5 million a day not able to be used. This bill has been done for months and the President has already agreed to sign it. Now Veterans Day has come and gone, and the Democrat leadership continues to delay this bill. I am calling on the Speaker to not adjourn for Thanksgiving until this bill has been sent to the President. And I call on all Americans to contact their Representatives and tell the Democratic leadership to send a clean Veterans appropriation bill to the President now. How can we celebrate a holiday with our families, knowing that there are benefits our veterans don't have access to simply because of our inaction.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, this is day 40. That is 40 days so far that our veterans have not had the use of the increased funding for their benefits and health care. That is $18.5 million a day not able to be used. One thing that our veterans asked for is that we pass our bill by October 1. This work has been done for months. With Veterans Day quickly approaching, the Democratic leadership put our veterans aside to consider billions in bloated domestic spending instead of sending a clean veterans bill to the floor. I'm standing with our veterans, and I call on all Americans to contact their Representatives to tell the Democrat leadership to send a clean veterans appropriation bill to the President now.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, this is day 39. That is 39 days so far that our veterans have not had the use of the increased funding for their benefits in health care. That is $18.5 million a day not able to be used. The work on this bill has been done for months. But instead of sending this bill to the President, the Democratic leadership decided to use our veterans as a smoke screen in an effort to pass billions in unrelated domestic spending. They failed in their scheme when the Senate yesterday split the bills to consider these funding issues separately and on their own merits. But today, with Veterans Day quickly approaching, the Democratic leadership is going to put our veterans aside to consider billions in bloated domestic spending instead of bringing a clean veterans bill to the floor. I won't stand for it. The American people won't stand for it. I'm standing with our veterans. Send a clean Veterans appropriations bill to the President now.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, this is day 38. That is 38 days so far that our veterans have not had the use of the increased funding for their benefits and health care. That's $18.5 million a day not able to be used. In June, this House passed this appropriation bill with a $6 billion increase in a bipartisan manner. On September 6, the Senate completed their bill. The President has agreed to sign this bill. Instead, the Democratic leadership has decided to use funding for our veterans as a smokescreen in an effort to pass billions in unrelated domestic spending. Our veterans are not pawns in a political game. They are heroes. These funding issues should have been considered separately and on their own merits. Please join me in calling upon the Democratic leadership to put our veterans first and send a clean Veterans appropriation bill to the President now.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, this is day 37. That is 37 days so far that our veterans have not had the use of increased funding for their benefits and health care. That is $18.5 million a day not able to be used. In June this House passed this appropriation bill with a $6 billion increase in a bipartisan manner. On September 6, the Senate completed their bill. This work is done; yet the bill has not been sent to the President who has agreed to sign it. And why? Because the Democratic leadership has decided to use funding for our veterans as a smoke screen in an effort to pass billions in unrelated domestic spending. Our veterans are not pawns in a political game. They are heroes. These funding issues must be considered separately and on their own merits. America expects us to get the job done. America expects us to provide the best care to our veterans. Our veterans deserve no less. Please join me in calling upon the Democratic leadership to put our veterans first and send a clean veterans appropriation bill to the President.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, this is day 32. That is 32 days, so far, that our veterans have not had the use of the increased funding for their benefits and health care. That is $18.5 million a day not able to be used. And why? Because the Democratic leadership has decided to not complete this bill and send it to the President, who has agreed to sign it. In June this House passed this appropriation bill with a $6 billion increase in a bipartisan manner. We were proud of our work and grateful to our veterans. On September 6, the Senate completed their bill. This work is done. Our veterans are not pawns in a political game. They are heroes.--Their sacrifices should not be used for more spending & more partisanship here in DC. America expects us to get the job done. America expects us to provide the best care to our veterans. Please join me in calling upon the Democratic leadership to put our veterans first and send this bill to the President now.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support the Pearce amendment to H.R. 2262, which establishes the Minerals Commodity Information Administration at the Department of the Interior. The MIT collects and disseminates data on virtually every commercially important nonfuel mineral commodity produced worldwide, information that is critical to businesses, the government, and importantly, the Department of Defense to help manage the National Defense Stockpile. Due to the importance of the data, the MIT should be an independent agency reporting to the Secretary of the Interior. This information from the MIT is critical to the effective use of the Nation's natural resources and for accurate forecasting. Without a reliable source of worldwide commodity information, the U.S. would be blind to any impending supply shortages. One of the most fundamental functions of the Federal Government is to provide for the common defense. There is an undeniable nexus between our Nation's minerals policy and national security policy. Currently, 24 strategic and critical military materials are imported at no less than 40 percent from our foreign trading partners. For example, the U.S. imports 54 percent of its magnesium. This mineral is vitally important in constructing airplanes and missiles. Requiring our military to import the strategic and critical minerals it needs from foreign nations, some of whom may be hostile, puts our military at a significant disadvantage and weakens our ability to adequately sustain our national defense. At a time when defense needs are determined in terms of capabilities- based planning instead of threat-based planning, an accurate assessment of our Nation's minerals is vitally important. The Pearce ROCK Act amendment is a means to that end. I urge my colleagues to support the Pearce ROCK Act amendment.

Mrs. DRAKE

Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, this is day 31. That is 31 days so far that our veterans have not had the use of the increased funding for their benefits in health care. That is $18.5 million a day not able to be used. And why? Because the Democratic leadership has decided to not complete this bill and send it to the President who has agreed to sign it. In June, this House passed this appropriation bill with a $6 billion increase in a bipartisan manner. We were proud of our work and grateful to our veterans. On September 6, the Senate passed their bill. This work is done. Our veterans are not pawns in a political game. They are heroes. America expects us to get the job done. America expects us to provide the best care for our veterans. Please join me in calling upon the Democratic leadership to put our veterans first and send this bill to the President now.