Chet Edwards

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Speaker, first let me say to the gentleman, if he had listened to my words, he would have heard I didn't accuse the Republicans of cutting the VA budget. I did accuse them-- rightfully so, and the veterans organizations would agree with me--of underfunding VA health care and benefit needs during the 12 years. You had the ability to increase the VA budget to adequate levels, and you never did it. And the fact is that this budget resolution authorizes an historic increase in VA health care and benefit spending. If the gentleman disagrees with that increase, then he certainly has a right to vote ``no.'' For me, I am going to stand on the side of the DAV, the American Legion, and the VFW, who strongly support this budget resolution and its support of America's veterans.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my friend and colleague, John Dingell for becoming the longest serving Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Dingell's service is unparalleled. For 53 years, he has worked diligently for the American people and his legislative accomplishments are unparalleled. Serving alongside Chairman Dingell, I've come to know why he has earned the deep respect and admiration of scores of House Members, Senators and 11 different Presidents. A true champion of health care reform, John Dingell has been at the center of every major health policy reform of the last 50 years. In 1965, he was central to the creation of Medicare, a program that saves millions of elderly Americans from the horrors of poverty and disease every year. Continuing his fight for a healthier country, John has worked on behalf of children, the poor, and many others who can't afford quality heath care and has been a visionary in authoring legislation to ensure affordable health care for all. Today John Dingell broke a record, but that record won't be why we remember him. It will be his character, his accomplishments, and his unyielding belief that this institution can make a positive impact in the lives of everyday Americans. Today John Dingell made history, but his lasting legacy will be how he has shaped the history of a great nation through a lifetime of public service. I consider it one of the true privileges of my lifetime to know John Dingell as a colleague, a mentor and a close personal friend. His wisdom and his example of leadership will continue to make a difference for American families long after we here are long gone. God bless John Dingell and the love of his life, his wife, Debra.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of T.D. Steinke. I will deeply miss our friend. T.D. Steinke. It has been a blessing in my life to have had T.D. as a friend for 26 years. T.D. always stood up for the dignity of average working families. In doing so, he inspired me and so many others to remember the people who are the heart and soul of our Nation's economy and our values. I guess it's a surprise to no one that T.D. was a Democrat's Democrat. That is why my prayer today is that St. Peter is not a Republican. However, if I am wrong, I have no doubt that T.D. is working to convert him. As I listened to President Obama's inaugural address yesterday, I couldn't help but think about T.D. and how much he would have savored a Democrat being sworn in as our new president. Then, as I looked out at the crowds of over 2 million people, I realized that T.D. had just decided he would rather watch the inauguration from a better place. Ruth, I want to thank you and your family for sharing T.D. with all of us, who will always be part of our family. I thank God for giving us the blessing of T.D. and pray that He will give you strength and comfort in the years and days ahead.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Speaker, on Monday, 2 days ago, I was visiting in a rural newspaper office in Glen Rose, Texas, in my district. I was discussing the Children's Health Insurance Program when one of the employees there, Lindsey Brewer, heard of our conversation and asked if she could say something. In deeply heartfelt words, Lindsey told me that her 9-year-old daughter, Amalie, has had leukemia for the past 2 years. You see, Lindsey and her husband both work, but like millions of hard working Americans, they don't have health insurance because their employers can't afford it. Despite their modest combined annual income, with both parents working, their income of under $50,000, the Brewers were devastated to find out they were told they were ineligible for the CHIP program. The Brewers are two hardworking, loving parents, who through no fault of theirs or their daughter's are facing medical bills totaling $100,233 and growing every single day. The Brewers don't want welfare. They want to work and be good role models for Amalie and her two brothers. That is why I consider CHIP to be pro-family and pro-work. I met Amalie this week after hearing her story. This is her photograph. She is a beautiful little third grader, making straight A's and working in karate class. This bill isn't about all the various rules and procedures that have been discussed. This bill is about Amalie Brewer and her future. It is about her family and their future. It is about honoring the values, the pro-work values of Mr. and Mrs. Brewer and millions of other parents like them. Madam Speaker, I would ask every Member one question before they vote on this bill today: If Amalie Brewer were your child or your granddaughter, how would you vote? I hope the answer is ``yes,'' because the Brewer family and millions of others like them are waiting to see how we vote. Vote ``yes'' on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program. These families deserve no less.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Paycheck Fairness Act is about far more than the size of a paycheck. It is about our commitment to the American values of hard work and equality of opportunity. The story of America is our never-ending march toward the highest ideals of equal opportunity for all our citizens. Today, we write a new chapter in that great American story. Today, we say to women and young girls all across our land, that if you work hard and play by the rules, you will be rewarded fairly. You will reap what you sow. From our founding days, that promise has motivated parents to work hard to improve the lives of their families and the future for their children. It has inspired generations of immigrants to leave their homelands to make America their home. Fulfilling the promise of equal opportunity for American women will lift millions of our families and children out of poverty. That's not just progress for their families; it is real progress for the American family. And, by fairly rewarding the hard work of America's women, we make our Nation more competitive in the world economy. Some will say this step forward will be inconvenient. I say that knocking down barriers to equality of opportunity has never been the convenient thing to do, but it has always been the right thing to do. My wife and I try to teach our two young sons every day that if they will work hard, they will do well in life--that their work will be rewarded fairly. I am supporting this bill, because I want the parents of every little girl in America to be able to teach that value, to make that promise to their daughters. It is the promise of America.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the memory of Zachary Cook, a 22-year-old Army officer and a 2008 graduate of Texas A&M University and its Corps of Cadets. Zachary died tragically yesterday in an Army helicopter crash on the A&M campus in College Station, Texas, in my district during Rudder's Rangers annual winter field training. His loss brings a great sadness to his family and friends, the extended Texas A&M family, the Army, and to all of us deprived of this patriotic citizen who was dedicated to serving our great Nation in uniform. Zachary dreamed of flying Army helicopters and was thrilled to have received his recent Army commission. He was revered as a true friend to others, someone who truly inspired and mentored his friends. Madam Speaker, I believe the families and loved ones of our servicemen and women are truly the unsung heroes and heroines in our Nation's defense, and that is why I want to express my regret and respect to the family of Mr. Cook. A grateful Nation owes them a deep debt of gratitude, and our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. I hope they take comfort in knowing that the spirit of service demonstrated by their loved one will touch and inspire the lives of others long after we are all gone from this Earth. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the four Texas National Guard members who were seriously injured in the crash. We pray for their speedy recovery. We humbly recognize that we can never repay fully Zachary or his family for their loss, but I hope that his family will know our Nation will never forget their sacrifice. May God bless the spirit of Zachary Cook and keep him lovingly in His arms.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Paycheck Fairness Act is about far more than the size of a paycheck. It is about our commitment to the American values of hard work and equality and of opportunity. The story of America is our never-ending march toward the highest ideals of equal opportunity for all our citizens. Today we write a new chapter in that great American story. Today we say to women all across our land that if you work hard and play by the rules, you will be rewarded fairly. You will reap what you sow. Fulfilling the promise of equal opportunity for American women will lift millions of our families and our children out of poverty. That is not just progress for their families; it is real progress for the American family. Some will say this step forward is inconvenient. I say that knocking down barriers to equality of opportunity has never been the convenient thing to do, but it has always been the right thing to do. Mr. Speaker, my wife and I try to teach our two young sons every day that if they work hard, they will do well in life, that their work will be rewarded fairly. I am supporting this bill because I want the parents of every little girl in America to be able to teach that value, to make that promise to their daughters. It is the American promise.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Speaker, having opposed the original Paulson plan, I will vote for the bipartisan economic recovery bill for two reasons. First, I believe our economy is dangerously close to a meltdown that could dramatically increase unemployment, hurt family businesses and put the retirement security of millions of working families and seniors at risk. Second, a number of taxpayer protections were added to the new bill, so that the cost of this bill will be ultimately paid by Wall Street and not by everyday citizens. Had it not been for the ill-advised banking deregulation law passed in 1999, which I opposed, we would not be in this economic mess today. I hope some of the greedy Wall Street executives who have put our economy at risk will end up in: prison, but in the meantime we have a responsibility to try to stabilize our economy for the benefit of families and businesses on Main Street. Unlike the original Paulson proposal, which had no oversight and very little protection for taxpayers, this bipartisan bill includes a number of key improvements in it. First, it cuts in half--from $700 billion to $350 billion--the funding available to Secretary Paulson without additional congressional approval. Second, the bill sets up an extensive, independent oversight process rather than giving Mr. Paulson complete control of the funds. Third, and this is important, the bill says that after 5 years, any taxpayer costs not recouped by the sale of government purchased assets must be repaid by financial services corporations, not by everyday taxpayers. Fourth, the bill cracks down on any new golden parachutes for executives whose companies benefit from this bill. There is no guarantee that this bill will prevent a recession, because our economy faces a lot of challenges right now, but I believe a failure to pass recovery legislation could potentially start a downward economic spiral that could put millions of jobs and families at risk. I am angered that Wall Street greed has put us in this' position, but as imperfect as this bill is, I believe the risk of inaction is far greater for our country and everyday citizens than the risk of this action.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, less than 2 years ago, a new Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, made a solemn promise to America's veterans. The gentlewoman from California said that the new 110th Congress would honor our veterans not just with our words, but with our budgets that would be truly worthy of their sacrifice. With the passage of this bill, Speaker Pelosi has kept her promise to those who have kept their promise to serve our Nation. With the dedicated leadership of Chairmen Obey, Spratt, Filner, and an incredible staff, in just 2 years this House will have increased veterans' health care and benefits funding by more than the Republican-led House did in the previous 12 years. In 2 years, the 110th Congress will have done more to increase funding for veterans' health care and benefits than any Congress in the history of our Nation. Promises made, promises kept to America's heroes. That's what this bill is all about. Specifically, this bill adds to last year's historic increase in veterans' programs by increasing VA health care and benefits funding by $4.5 billion. That is $2.8 billion above the President's request. What does this mean to our veterans? By hiring more doctors and nurses, health care services will be expanded, and waiting time for doctors' appointments will be shorter. For the first time since 2003 when the Bush administration put a rigid income cap on veterans eligible for VA health care, we will open the doors of VA hospitals and clinics to more middle-income veterans. For veterans having to drive long distances to VA hospitals and clinics, the VA mileage reimbursement, which was just 11 cents in 2007, will now be 41.5 cents per mile. For many Iraq and Afghan war veterans, this bill will ensure the mental health care services they need and deserve to rebuild their lives. For veterans who never delayed in answering their call to duty, this bill will mean shorter waiting times for their earned benefits to be approved. For military troops and their families, this bill will mean better housing, more daycare centers and modernized training facilities with a military construction budget that is $649 million above the President's request. And let me thank our ranking member, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp) for his partnership every step of the way; and Mr. Young and the other members of our subcommittee, both Republican and Democrat alike, who helped build this bipartisan bill on military construction and veterans. Mr. Speaker, a vote for this bill is a vote of respect, respect for those who have given so much in service to our Nation in uniform. They have kept their promise. Today, let us keep ours.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to reducing gasoline prices now, this energy bill does something important, something that Republican bills refused to do. This bill will release onto the market 10 percent of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which already has 700 million barrels of oil in it. By dramatically increasing the supply of oil onto the market this year, we will drive down the price of oil, which is being kept artificially high by oil speculators who don't produce anything except profits at the expense of average working families and businesses. Just look at the facts. In 1991, when former President Bush released just 17 million barrels of oil from the SPR, oil prices dropped by 33.4 percent in just one day, 33 percent in one day. In 2000, when President Clinton released oil from the SPR, oil prices dropped by 18.7 percent. The fact is that releasing oil from the SPR is a proven way to drive prices down quickly, and that's why this bill mandates the release of 70 million barrels of oil. Now I can see why oil speculators don't like the idea of lower prices. I can see why ExxonMobil doesn't like the idea of lower prices. I can't quite see why my Republican House colleagues have voted against releasing oil from the SPR earlier this year. And none of their bills include this idea. It makes one wonder just whose side are they on now. Well, I'm going to be on the side of families and businesses in America who want lower oil prices today, not 20 years from now. The Republican bill says to the patient that's hemorrhaging, well, help is on the way 10 or 20 years from now. And the patient is hemorrhaging and the American economy, businesses and families are hemorrhaging economically today, they need and deserve help today. Let's vote for this bill tonight. And let's help Americans this year by lowering energy and gasoline prices.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor James Earl Rudder High School in the community of Bryan-College Station, Texas. It was a privilege to take part in the dedication ceremony because the Rudder family has had a very personal impact on my life. Mrs. Earl Rudder was like a second mother to me, although in fairness, I should point out that she effectively adopted thousands of Aggies over several generations. That did not make her any less special to me, and I want to thank the Rudder children--Ann, Linda, Bud and Bob--for sharing for so many years your mother and father with all of us in your extended Aggie family. I never met General Rudder, because he died just months before I enrolled at A&M in 1970, but like every American and every citizen of the world who benefited from the defeat of Nazi forces in World War II, I am the beneficiary of his indomitable courage on D-day, which marked the beginning of the end for Hitler's plan of world domination. In a more personal way, I paid for my graduate school education with the scholarship I received when I was awarded the Earl Rudder Award upon my graduation from A&M in 1974. Nevertheless, receiving that award has always been a source of deep humility to me, because I know that I could not even walk in the shadows of this great American's shoes. I want to salute the school board members, Superintendent Cargill, Principal Piatt, and all who made this new school possible. James Earl Rudder High School is far more than brick, glass, and mortar, because a school represents the very best of our values as a community. This school represents the commitment of one generation to the next. It represents this community's willingness to tax itself to ensure that its children have a fair chance to reach their highest God-given potential. It is in our schools and houses of worship that we witness our best sense of community, a sense that we truly are our brothers' keepers. It is in our schools that we Americans strive to provide for equality of opportunity for all. Ours is an imperfect, never ending journey, but in that march toward equality for all, we show our greatness and goodness as a nation. Thomas Jefferson was the 33-year-old author of our Declaration of Independence. He was our third and one of our greatest Presidents. Yet, before he died, he made it clear that he wanted it etched on his gravestone that he was the founder of a university. In his wisdom, Thomas Jefferson understood the importance of education to our democracy. Two centuries later, I believe that each of you who played a role in founding James Earl Rudder High School shares the right to be proud of your accomplishment. It is my hope that the life and values of Earl Rudder will be an inspiration to every student here from this day forward. We should never forget the story of Earl Rudder, because his is the story of the American spirit. It is a story from which we can all learn. Born in the small town of Eden, Texas, Earl Rudder did not inherit material wealth, but his family, faith and education helped mold a true leader. Like so many Americans, he dedicated his life to helping others, to serving his country. After graduating from Texas A&M in 1932, Earl Rudder was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. He then chose the noble profession of teaching--first as a coach and teacher at Brady High School and later at Tarleton State College. In 1941, his country called him to duty, and did he ever answer that call. Rising through the ranks because of his integrity, courage and leadership skills, he was chosen to lead the 2nd Ranger Battalion by one of the most respected generals to ever serve in the U.S. Army, GEN Omar Bradley. His D-day mission was to lead the best of the best up the 100-foot cliffs of Pointe du Hoc to disarm massive German guns that could have killed thousands of American G.I.s and put the Allied invasion of France at risk. General Bradley said this about the responsibility given then LTC Earl Rudder: ``No soldier in my command has ever been wished a more difficult task than that which befell the thirty-four-year-old Commander of this Provisional Ranger Force.'' Two hundred and twenty-five Rangers began their mission on that perilous day when literally the fate of the world was in their hands. Only 99 survived, but because of the heroism of Earl Rudder and Rudder's Rangers that day, our world survived the tyranny of Adolf Hitler. Lieutenant Colonel Rudder, this great Aggie and American, didn't stop there. He went on to lead a unit in the Battle of the Bulge and became one of the most decorated veterans of World War II. Having every right to say his public service was completed at the end of World War II, Earl Rudder did what so many of America's veterans have done throughout our history. He spent the rest of his life in service to others and to the country he loved. He moved back to Brady, Texas, and became its mayor. He was elected Land Commissioner of Texas, a position he used to clean up abuses in veterans' land programs. When he became the president of Texas A&M University, his beloved alma mater, Earl Rudder told his close classmate of '32 and my mentor, Congressman Olin E. Teague, that he had to make a decision that in some ways brought more heat on him than German guns at Pointe du Hoc. He decided to allow women into A&M and to make the Corps of Cadets voluntary for A&M students. Some Aggies didn't talk to President Rudder ever again. But, just as he did on D-day, Earl Rudder showed the courage of his conviction. Just as D-day literally helped save the world as we know it, President Rudder's decision in the 1960s saved the future of Texas A&M. It was, perhaps, the most important decision ever made by any president of Texas A&M, and I am not sure if any other person but Earl Rudder could have made it. In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson presented Earl Rudder with the Distinguished Service Medal, our Nation's highest civilian award. Love of faith, family, and country; courage under fire; integrity; and lifelong service to others--these were the values of Earl Rudder. They are the quintessential American values that have made ours the greatest Nation in the world. My hope is that the story and values of Earl Rudder will inspire the lives of everyone who walks through these doors for generations to come. If so, then ours will be a better community and a better country, and we will have truly honored the service of this American hero. May God bless James Earl Rudder High School and all who will serve there.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise and report the bill back to the House with sundry amendments, with the recommendation that the amendments be agreed to and that the bill, as amended, do pass.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve a point of order on the gentleman's motion.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Yes, I do.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to rise in opposition first.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. I would like to finish my remarks. I respected the gentleman's right to his remarks. Let me go to another statement made by the Disabled American Veterans. They say, ``It is our strongest recommendation that this bill be unfettered with nongermane amendments.'' My colleagues, we have a very simple choice at this moment. We can choose to stand with the Republican leadership that chose to add this partisan motion at the end of a long bipartisan process; or we can stand with millions of American veterans, as represented by the statements against this very kind of motion, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, and the AMVETS. I don't know about some of my colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle, but as for me, that's an easy choice. I'm going to stand with America's veterans. I'm going to stand with our troops in harm's way who deserve the funding in this bill as soon as possible.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Out of respect to the gentleman, I will yield.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we believe attaching nongermane amendments to this critical veterans' bill could jeopardize its passage by unnecessarily delaying it or even grinding debate completely to a halt. This is unacceptable. My colleagues, those aren't my words. Those are the words of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Let me agree with my distinguished colleague. And let me say, last night at about midnight I told this chamber that Mr. Lewis has been one of the champions throughout his public service career on behalf of our veterans and our troops. I meant it when I said it then, and I mean it when I say it again now. But let me say, having said that, no one is perfect. And on this motion, I think Mr. Lewis is wrong. Seriously wrong. I do agree with this point he made just a moment ago; there may be confusion on this bill. There may be, so let me clear up the confusion. This is the 2009 fiscal year Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill. If there is any confusion as to whether this is the 2009 fiscal year energy bill, get that out of your minds right now. This is a bill designed for the deadly serious purpose of honoring our veterans. Millions of them have put on our Nation's uniform and gone into harm's way in defense of your family and my family and the American family. This bill is deadly serious, because it provides training facilities and barracks for young men and women who are willing to go to Iraq and Afghanistan to answer their Nation's call of duty. By making this motion, the gentleman knows, were it to pass, even though he knows also that it is nongermane, it would complicate this bill, it would slow down this bill, it could well kill this bill because of the honest differences on the energy issue. Announcement By the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, if my colleagues don't want to listen to my words, let me offer them some other people's words. ``It is imperative this bill is not delayed by unrelated and unnecessary amendments.'' That came from AMVETS. How about what the Disabled American Veterans said about this kind of measure. They said, ``This bill provides the means to serve and care for sick and disabled veterans, provide housing facilities for military families, and to fund the activities of several other agencies that affect veterans, a most generous and necessary act.'' They have gone on to say they do not want delay on this important bill.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, I think the views of the Disabled American Veterans, the VFW and the AMVETS are very clear. They didn't say they strongly oppose this kind of a motion; they vehemently oppose it, because it could harm millions of America's veterans. So make your choice. You can choose to stick with the Republican leadership on a clearly partisan nongermane motion, or you can stand up for America's veterans.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I make a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions, because it includes legislation and is not in order under clause 2 of rule XXI. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman's motion to instruct proposes legislation in an appropriations bill and would not be in order in the Committee of the Whole pursuant to clause 2 of rule XXI. I ask for a ruling from the Chair.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 6599, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), who has been a strong member not only of this committee but the Defense appropriations committee.

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas

Mr. EDWARDS of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.