Chet Edwards

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chairman, I want to be clear about what this point of order would do. So I would like to raise this question of the Chair and perhaps other Members who would comment on this. As I understand it, and I do think Members of this House on both sides of the aisle need to know what this point of order will do before the decision is made, as I understand it, this point of order will cut $379 million out of Army military construction projects during a time of war. I want to be clear and ask, Mr. Chairman, if I understand it, this will cut over $100 million out of barracks and training facilities at Fort Drum, New York; it will cut a brigade complex at Fort Lewis, Washington. All of these are Army projects. Mr. Chairman, I want to be clear whether this point of order is going to cut over $45 million out of two projects at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Is it going to cut a shooting range at Camp Atterbury in Indiana? Is it going to cut the block-and-brace facility in the vehicle maintenance shop at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in the Blue Grass Depot in Kentucky? Mr. Chairman, my inquiry regarding this point of order is to have all Members fully understand while we have Army soldiers in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan today, this point of order, if sustained by the Chair, is going to cut over $379 million in Army projects, training, housing, other facilities that help support those troops that are risking their lives today, while we are debating technical points of order on the floor of the House. Am I correct, Mr. Chairman, that the projects I listed, as well as additional Army military construction projects, would be cut by this point of order being made by the gentleman from Texas?

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin). (Mr. LANGEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chairman, I oppose this amendment because it will continue the status quo of high natural gas prices that are harming every day hardworking American families. The choice is clear: we can either increase the supply of natural gas in this country, or we can continue to pay some of the highest prices in the world for natural gas. So what is wrong with the status quo? What is wrong with high natural gas prices? First, millions of middle-and low-income working families are suffering from costly increases in their home heating and cooling bills. Those high monthly bills are straining and even breaking family budgets all across America. Second, family farmers and ranchers are already struggling with natural disasters, high diesel costs, and foreign government-subsidized competition. Now, high natural gas costs have driven nitrogen fertilizer costs from $100 a ton to more than $350 a ton. For many ag producers, higher fertilizer costs will be the straw that breaks the camel's back. And by the way, if you like what OPEC has done for high oil prices, you will love what dependence on foreign food will do to the price of food products in American grocery stores. The third reason I oppose this amendment is that I am sick and tired of seeing good-paying American jobs being shipped overseas. American factories run by high-priced natural gas here at home are being put at a huge disadvantage against foreign factories using lower-cost natural gas. For American factories and businesses to compete with foreign factories and businesses, it is kind of like trying to run a race with a 20-pound weight tied around your ankle. It just won't work. And the price for that is we are losing the race for international competition for good-paying jobs. The final reason I oppose this amendment is that in my district the utility companies in Texas want to build five new coal-fired plants for electric power. Tell me how replacing natural gas-fired plants with coal-fired plans, increasing mercury, CO2, and other pollutants in the air, in our streams, and in our lakes is good for America. Stand up for our farmers, our factories, and for hardworking American families. Vote ``no'' on this amendment.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chairman, with all due respect, if the House Republican leadership were to be accused in a court of law of being fiscally responsible, there would not be enough evidence to convict it. In fact, the evidence shows that this leader's free lunch philosophy has taken America in just 5 years from the largest surpluses in American history to the largest deficits in American history. We are now facing $1 billion-a-day deficits. Who is financing them? Communist China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Venezuela; and this budget continues the status quo. This budget isn't just fiscally irresponsible; it turns its back on the American value of fairness. How? Just a few days ago, based on these budget numbers, the Republicans in this House voted for a $2 million dividend tax cut for poor Mr. Lee Raymond, the just-retired CEO of ExxonMobil who just got a $400 million retirement package. I guess that wasn't enough; he got $2 million more in dividend tax cuts from the same people who in this budget are saying to veterans making $28,000 a year, you make too much money to deserve VA health care in our hospital system even if you did serve our country in combat. Worse yet, this budget resolution that I hope we will defeat would cut $8.6 billion during a time of war out of present services to our veterans health care. I don't think that reflects the American values. To servicemen and -women, it says that we are going to, at least according to the present budget, cut $735 million out of defense health care services. That service is not just to military retirees; that is health care services to the men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan today. That appropriation bill will be on the floor of the House this week because of this budget resolution. Those aren't America's values. The choice is clear. If you think America is on the right track, if you like $1 billion-a-day deficits financed by the Communist Chinese, Russia, and Iran, vote for the Republican leadership budget. If you think Lee Raymond really needs a $2 million dividend tax cut this week while saying ``no'' to men and women who served our country in uniform and those who continue to serve our country in uniform, then vote for the Republican budget. But if you think veterans deserve better and our country deserves better, vote for the Spratt substitute, lower deficits, true fiscal responsibility, and an $8.6 billion increase, compared to the Republican budget for VA health care over the next 5 years. If the Spratt budget were accused of being fiscally responsible, there would be enough evidence to convict it. It also passes the American values test of fairness, fairness for veterans, fairness to our servicemen and -women, fairness to future generations of our children and grandchildren.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out on our nation's dire fiscal situation. How can it be that at a time of war, when we are cutting $735 million from the defense health care budget and facing the largest deficits in our Nation's history and an $8.3 trillion national debt, this Congress decides to prioritize million dollar tax breaks to Big Oil Company CEOs instead? Because of the tax cut legislation passed out of the House, the former CEO of Exxon Mobil, Lee Raymond, will take home an extra $2.5 million dollars in dividend income each year on top of his $400 million retirement package and the $144,000 he made each day when he was Exxon Mobil's CEO. Tell me how that is possibly fair to the middle class worker who is paying $3 a gallon to fill up his car, or to the student who has to find a third job in order to pay off her student loans. The truth is it isn't fair, Mr. Speaker, and Americans everywhere know it. The average middle class family could not afford to buy one meal for their family with the money they will save from this tax cut, but Lee Raymond gets $2.5 million? I urge my colleagues to take a serious look at our nation's fiscal priorities as we continue down this road of fiscal irresponsibility. We owe it to our children and grandchildren, to leave them a legacy of economic stability, not one of debts and deficits. We should show them that we care about their future by not squandering away more money we don't have to pay for irresponsible tax cuts benefiting only Big Oil Company CEOs like Lee Raymond. It's past time to focus on the true priorities of the American people.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a special tribute to an exceptional young man from Central Texas. I am happy to announce that William Clifford Adams will graduate with a degree in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy on May 26th, with the midshipmen class of 2006. He will go on to serve specializing in surface warfare in the U.S. Navy. As the highest ranking midshipman in his class, Cliff has demonstrated incredible leadership abilities and strength of character. This top ranking was based not only on his outstanding academic achievement, but also on his standing among his peers. He has led countless demonstrations and is clearly a respected student leader on campus. I have had the great pleasure of working with Cliff personally, and there could not be anyone more worthy of this prestigious honor. Cliff grew up in Goldthwaite, Texas, and has excelled in all of his academic and community activities. As an intern in my Congressional office in 2003, I learned first-hand of Cliff's outstanding dedication to the community, his intelligence and tremendous wit. He is a remarkable young man who, without a doubt, will go on to become one of Texas' and America's great leaders. Mr. Speaker I ask you to join me today in recognizing William Clifford Adams on his remarkable achievement of graduating from the United States Naval Academy.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday this House passed a tax bill that will give Lee Raymond, the just-retired CEO of ExxonMobil, a $2 million dividend tax break, a $2 million tax break for someone who was just given a $398 million retirement benefit package. That tax bill will cost $70 billion. $22 billion of that money will go to benefit those, such as Mr. Raymond, who are making over $1 million a year. Surely if we could give Mr. Raymond a $2 million tax break yesterday, then today, right now with one vote, we can afford to give military widows a chance to keep their $933 a month in survivor benefits from the Veterans Administration The question is, whose side are we on? Mr. Raymond, a retired, overpaid executive from ExxonMobil, or some of the 50,000 surviving beneficiaries and family members, widows, of those who spent a lifetime serving our country? Mr. Raymond made more income in 1 week than most military families make in an entire lifetime of service to our country. Surely compassionate conservatism does not mean saying ``yes'' to Mr. Raymond's tax break yesterday, but ``no'' to treating our military widows decently today. I urge the 80 Republican colleagues of mine who cosponsored this legislation to back up your cosponsorship with your vote on this motion to recommit. Let us stand up for the military families of this country.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, let me thank Mr. Udall for his kind comments, and both Mr. Udall and Mr. Pearce for their excellent floor management of all of these bills today. Mr. Speaker, our communities and Nation have a responsibility to be good stewards of our water resources. That is why I introduced H.R. 3418, the Central Texas Water Recycling Act of 2006. This bill will authorize Federal matching funds, 25 percent Federal, 75 percent local, to help build an innovative water recycling program partnership in my home town of Waco, Texas, and several neighboring communities in McClennan County. Instead of wasting valuable drinking water for use in factories and on golf courses, we will be able to use lower-cost recycled wastewater for those purposes and save enough drinking water for 20,000 family households in McClennan County. The bottom line is this: being good stewards of our water supply, we will reduce water costs for businesses, save central Texas taxpayers millions of dollars, encourage economic growth in our area, and improve water quality in our central Texas rivers. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Pombo and ranking member Rahall for their support of this measure, and the subcommittee chairman, Mr. Radanovich, the ranking subcommittee member, Mrs. Napolitano, for their key role in this bill's passage. This is the kind of bipartisan effort that shows what Congress can accomplish when we work together on a bipartisan basis. I also want to thank the mayor, city council, and staff in the cities of Waco, Lorena, Robinson, Hewitt, Woodway, Bellmead and Lacy-Lakeview for their cooperative efforts that made this bill's passage possible. Finally, I want to extend special credit to the city of Waco, my hometown, to its city manager, Larry Groth, for his extraordinary leadership on this bill. Without his leadership, hard work and professionalism, we would not be here today. And as a citizen of Waco, I am grateful for his outstanding service to my hometown. Mr. Speaker, I urge bipartisan passage of H.R. 3418.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, on this, the 26th day of April 2006, the U.S. Family Health Plan celebrates its commitment and service to the nation's military health system with 25 years caring for our military families. Through the years, the U.S. Family Health Plan has been a valued partner with the U.S. Department of Defense by continuing to serve nearly 100,000 military beneficiaries today. U.S. Family Health Plan's roots date back to 1981 when the OmnibU.S. Reconciliation Act designated 10 public health hospitals as U.S. Treatment Facilities to provide care for the uniformed services through and agreement with DoD. In 1993, that designation evolved into a fully at-risk managed healthcare plan named U.S. Family Health Plan. The Plan's popularity grew in the regions where it was offered. In 1996, the National Defense Authorization Act designated the U.S. Treatment Facilities as TRICARE Prime Designated Providers and made the U.S. Family Plan Health a permanent part of the military health system. The U.S. Family Health Plan is a proud member of the TRICARE program. It has distinguished itself by consistently earning the highest beneficiary satisfaction ratings among all TRICARE providers. The plan is administered by some of this nation's finest health care institutions, including John Hopkins (Maryland), Brighton Marine Health Center (Massachusetts), Martin's Point Health Care (Maine), St. Vincent Catholic Medical Centers (New York), CHRISTUS Health (Texas), and Pacific Medical Centers (Washington State). Please join me in congratulating the U.S. Family Health Plan on their 25 years of service to our nation's military families and for their outstanding contributions to military health care.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a great individual and community leader, Mr. Eddie Walter Jackson, Jr., and to thank him for his contributions to the greater Waco community and this great Nation. Mr. Jackson is one of three children born to the late Ed W. Jackson, Sr., and the late Lula Mae Bowman Parker. Mr. Jackson graduated from Corsicana Public Schools and later Paul Quinn College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and business. He served this Nation honorably as a member of the U.S. Navy, World War II veteran. Following his service in the military, Mr. Jackson's exemplary work history includes working as a teacher and coach at the Anderson High School in Mart, TX; 34 years of outstanding service at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Waco, TX, and Nick's Restaurant for over 30 years. Mr. Jackson has a deep love for his family. He shared wonderful years of marriage to the late Lonnie B. Taylor Jackson. They had one son, Ronald Wayne Jackson, Sr., and three daughters, Sara L. Pimpton, Doris Laverne Jackson, and Portia Elaine Jackson. He is a proud and devoted grandfather of nine, great-grandfather of eight, and great-great- grandfather of two. For over half a century today, Mr. Jackson has been a devoted member of the Pleasant Olive Missionary Baptist Church. He is a life member of the American Legion, a member of the A. Phillip Randolph Institute, the American Federation of Government Employees, AFGE, Local 1822 for over 40 years, a dedicated member of the Central Texas Labor Council for 50 years and the Masonic Family-Mason. Within the community, Mr. Jackson has shown a deep commitment by serving as a deputized voter registrar, poll watcher for elections, precinct 2, volunteer for the Democratic Party, and a candidate for the Silver Haired Legislature. Mr. Jackson is a man of energy and action. He is the past president of the North Junior School PTA, past vice-president of AFGE Local 1822 and the immediate past president of the Central Texas Labor Council. He has dedicated his life to working to make Waco a better community. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to honor Mr. Eddie Walter Jackson, Jr., and offer my heartfelt appreciation for a life dedicated to service to the Central Texas Labor Council, his community and the people of Central Texas.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chairman, when Mr. Nussle, the chairman of the committee, talked about the VA budget line, what he didn't do is tell the full story. The full story is if you take out the mandatory spending in that VA budget level, what you end up with is going from VA discretionary spending, which covers VA health care, from $36.9 billion in 2007 to $34.4 billion in 2011. That is just not a cut after inflation; that is a cut before you take into account inflation. So the bottom line is that this budget as proposed will require a massive cut in VA medical services during time of war. That is not right for our veterans; and he can show all of the charts he wants to about the past, but he knows that you take out the mandatory spending, you are cutting VA discretionary spending. And to try to hide that fact is creative at best and dishonest at worst.

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chairman, let me just say that cutting health care for veterans during a time of war by over $5 billion compared to present services and putting nearly a $1,000 a year military health care tax on military retirees' premiums is not a way to say thank you to our servicemen and women who have risked their lives to defend our country. And if that weren't insulting enough, to add insult to injury, this budget resolution would say to those people that are making $1 million this year in dividend income you don't have to give up one dime of your $220,000 tax cut. That makes a mockery of the principle of shared sacrifice during a time of war. Military retirees' health care premiums. Let's say ``no'' to stopping the tripling of those premiums. Let's allow the administration to go through with its proposal to triple those health care premiums, to veterans' health care services over 5 years, and it is in the budget. If you look at the numbers, over a $5 billion cut in present services to veterans. That is okay, but let's not ask those people making $1 million a year in dividend income to give up one dime of their $220,000 tax cut. That is more money than a private serving in Iraq will make over the next decade. The American people understand tough times. And in tough times, they ask for fairness and they ask for shared sacrifice. This budget resolution is an insult to the American principle of shared sacrifice during time of war, and that is why we should vote this budget resolution down.

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chairman, to respond to Chairman Nussle's comments on veterans cuts in this program, I just point out, and his silence perhaps answers my question, it is in the budget. The veterans cuts in present services will be over $5 billion over the next 5 years. It is right here if you would like to see the printout. Secondly, the chairman knows we voted for a Republican amendment to say ``no'' to the $250 enrollment fee for veterans getting the VA system, but yet you voted on a party-line vote against my amendment to say ``no'' to a thousand dollar increase per year for military retirees health care cost for their premiums. So I would like to ask the chairman in his time to explain what a devastating cut $5 billion in present services would be to the 5 million American veterans who depend on the VA system. I do not know who came up with that proposed cut, but I think it is mean spirited and wrong and will hurt military morale and will not serve our country well. I would hate to put my name on a bill that will cut veterans health care during a time of war.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a great individual and community leader, Mrs. Frances Sturgis, and to thank her for her contributions to the greater Waco Community, Texas and the country. On April 8, 2006 Mrs. Sturgis will be joined by friends and supporters to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Keep Waco Beautiful, which Mrs. Sturgis started in 1980. Mrs. Sturgis began alone working to clean up and beautify Waco. Her vision and work has grown the small Beautification Committee of Waco into Keep Waco Beautiful, one of the most successful beautification groups in the country. From humble beginnings Mrs. Sturgis has guided Keep Waco Beautiful to where it is today, over 11,000 volunteers in an established and well recognized institution in the Waco Community. She was also instrumental in the founding of Keep McLennan County Beautiful and has served the State of Texas as President of Keep Texas Beautiful. One cannot travel anywhere in Waco, Texas without seeing the legacy of Frances Sturgis. From Indian Springs Park and Heritage Square to Miss Nellie's Pretty Place and University Parks Drive the impact of her contributions to our community are evident. Over the past 25 years Keep Waco Beautiful has spearheaded over one hundred environmental and beautification projects in the Greater Waco community, and established numerous programs that have become an annual part of the lives of the citizens of Waco. Mrs. Sturgis's service has reflected her deep commitment to the community and has indeed made Waco, Texas a cleaner, healthier, safer and more beautiful place to live and raise a family. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to honor Mrs. Frances Sturgis and offer my heartfelt appreciation for a life dedicated to service of the community.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chairman, I have had the privilege of representing over 40,000 Army soldiers who fought in Iraq. I have seen firsthand their sacrifices and the sacrifices their children and spouses have made on behalf of our country. That is why I believe we have a moral obligation to support our veterans and our military retirees, and we should support them not just with our words but with our deeds. It is the right thing to do, because our veterans have kept their promise to defend our country and we should keep our promise to provide health care for them. And it is the smart thing to do, because if we break our promises to our veterans and military retirees we will never recruit the best and brightest of the younger generation to fight our war on terrorism. That is exactly why I am adamantly opposing this budget. While on the issue of veterans it has a 1-year fig leaf plus-up of VA health care, for which I am grateful and supportive, the fact is that this budget resolution would cut present services for veterans' health care by over $5 billion over the next 5 years. That is right, this budget resolution would cut veterans' health care services during a time of war. If that is not immoral, I do not know what is. The fact is that it is even worse than that, because the Congressional Budget Office baseline assumes there is no net increase in the number of veterans going into the VA health care system every year. So if you build in 100,000-plus additional veterans we have had in that system each year, the cut is even deeper than $5 billion to veterans' health care during a time of war. Let us talk about military retirees, men and women who have served our country in uniform, gone into harm's way, served in the military more than 20 years, many of them over 30 years. What does this budget do to them? It puts in effect a tax on military retirees' health care. For retired military officers this would amount to nearly a $1,000 a year retiree health care tax, and for enlisted retirees a $500 a year tax on the military retiree health care premiums. Does it ask Members of Congress to triple our health care premiums? No. Does it ask members of the President's cabinet to triple their health care premiums? No. What this budget resolution does say is that those of you who have served our country for 20 or 30 years in the military, you are going to have to suck up the burden. You are going to have to pay for the cost of this Republican budget. I don't think that is fair, and I don't think the American people will think it is fair. I certainly know the Military Officers Association of America, the Disabled Veterans Association, and numerous veterans organizations have said this is not fair. Let me just quote Joe Violante, the Legislative Director of Disabled American Veterans, on this proposal. ``Providing needed medical care to military retirees is a continuing cost of national defense and is our Nation's moral obligation. No condition that military retirees be forced from a benefit they were promised is acceptable, especially in these times.'' What did the Budget Committee do? On a party line vote they voted down my amendment that would have said no to the administration's proposal to triple these military retirees' health care premiums over the next 2 years. We could have said ``no'' to that unfair burden, but my Republican colleagues on the committee voted against my amendment. By doing so, they assume the President's extra revenue from those health care premium increases and put that into their budget. Cutting veterans' health care by over $5 billion in the next 5 years during a time of war, putting a tax on health care premiums for military retirees is no way to show respect for our military or to strengthen America. That is why we should say ``no'' to this budget resolution. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time. announcement by the acting chairman

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall vote No. 77, I unintentionally voted ``no''. I would like the Record to show that it was my intention to vote ``aye'' on rollcall No. 77. Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Kennedy of Rhode Island

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a champion for medical research and health care innovation in this country, Dr. Nancy Dickey, president of the Texas A&M University Health Science Center. The principled work of Dr. Dickey is testament to excellence in medicine and scientific research that will undoubtedly save countless lives. While the pursuit of excellence characterizes the mission of the students and faculty of the Texas A&M Health Science Center, it is their passionate commitment to the care of their fellow human beings that defines them and forges their vision for the future. There is no question that the architect of that vision is Dr. Nancy Dickey. As a graduate of Texas A&M, it is my privilege to honor the work of Dr. Nancy Dickey and I personally want to thank her for the shining example to us all and wish her well in her future endeavors. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to enter into the Record a speech by Dr. Dickey that serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of vital medical research in this country and the groundbreaking work of the Texas A&M University Health Science Center. Texas A&M Inaugural Convocation Speech by President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Nancy W. Dickey Today we are making history. We are assembled at this convocation not only to celebrate our accomplishments and honor our outstanding faculty, but also to affirm the honorable principles that guide us toward our vision of excellence in medicine and the healthcare professions. Let this day forever be remembered as the day that the Texas A&M Health Science Center branded upon the world's canvas our promise to change the lives of people around the globe with the most outstanding health education, compassionate care and superior science as we confidently fulfill the obligations of our sacred oaths. Let no one doubt that our faculty is composed of men and women who are devoted healthcare professionals, educators and researchers of extraordinary competence and integrity. We believe that every human life is precious and that this great institution and its members are obligated and committed to providing everyone with the best care and leadership possible. Our care for the body is strengthened by our faith in the intrinsic worth of every human soul. Therefore, our current practices provide important and lifegiving care to individuals, insight and direction to communities, and research that provides the hope that tomorrow will be better than today. Those of us who have dedicated our lives to the health professions, indeed our vocations, believe that we are making a difference. We all benefit from an understanding of the past, the experiences of the present and the intellectual curiosity that discovers and invents those things that will enrich and strengthen our future. We believe firmly in our mission, and we are convinced that our faculty, staff and students are transcending all expectations as they make the world a better place in which to work and live. Our efforts have just begun, and the fruits of our labor shall have no end. What then are the guiding principles of our organization that lead us to distinction in education programs, prominence in scientific research, and innovation? And, what are the guiding principles that make our care of those who suffer illness more compassionate, comprehensive and successful? We pursue excellence in all we do. We are committed to providing the best care imaginable for all Texans. We have a special calling and duty to serve with sincerity and compassion the rural and under-served populations in the great State of Texas. When one person in our state is without needed care, we all suffer. If we know anything from quantum physics, it is that everything in the universe is connected in one way or another. Therefore, we intend to see to it that our connections are cared for with expertise and excellence. We are convinced that the myriad of multiform fibers composing the human body make it stronger, just as the diverse population of our state make our mosaic stronger, better and more beautiful. We take pride in the cultural diversity found in Texas and we are privileged to serve with tenderness and understanding all people, regardless of race, religion, cultural heritage or gender. We do not limit our inquiries or services based upon preconceived ideas or outdated conceptions of who is and who is not worthy. Every person is worthy, and we are eternally invested in the solemn American promise of serving everyone fairly, equally and honorably. We will never compromise our integrity or our academic freedom. We are steadfast in our enduring commitment to honor and decency in all we do. And, our good reputation is best assured by transparency and accountability in our every transaction and relationship. Our academic freedom fosters the necessary environment to promote lively discourse and scientific inquiry. We cherish the freedom to express informed viewpoints without fear, and we will never shrink from our duties and responsibilities to our colleagues and fellow citizens. We trust in active collaboration and continued professional development. Our research, teaching and services are strengthened and enhanced by our relationships at the personal and institutional levels. We take pride in our colleagues' work and we champion the growth and development of all those whose commitment to the health professions is intertwined with our enlightened vision and valorous mission. Our principles of excellence, service to all, diversity, integrity, academic freedom, collaboration and lifelong learning form the foundation from which the high vision and important mission of Texas A&M's Health Science Center is to rise to even greater national importance. We are unshakable in our commitment to these principles because they define who we are. And, let me speak for a moment about who we are. The Health Science Center has an outstanding faculty, including sixteen Regents' Professors and four Distinguished Professors. We have faculty who have received national and international awards and grants, faculty who represent the cutting edge in their areas of study, and faculty who serve on national boards and organizations, thereby influencing public policy in significant ways. And, we have, if I may say so in all modesty, the first woman President of The American Medical Association. Our faculty does not have the advantages of organizations and institutions with long histories and traditions, but their genius, efforts and results demonstrate fully the wealth of talent and brains we possess and of which we are so very proud. In fact, I am humbled by the many gifts possessed by our faculty. Our students are very special indeed. We graduate very bright healthcare professionals who are not only devoted to caring for their patients and communities, but who also see themselves as guardians of the public good. They embrace their destinies as leaders and gladly accept their important roles as citizens of a larger community. We must never forget that professional, cultural and social competence go hand in hand. We teach our young people the values and behaviors that are consistent with their expectations and responsibilities in their professions. We seek and enroll students from all walks of life whose inherent compassion and desire to serve ensure that they will adopt the best, tryout the unusual, and leave our institution with mature confidence in their extraordinary abilities to meet the challenges and opportunities their professions present now and tomorrow. And, as a result of our commitment and our students' determination to be leaders, we are confidently and proudly producing tomorrow's leaders in the healthcare professions. Texas A&M Health Science Center has adopted and published its vision, mission and principles, with the appropriate goals, objectives and strategies attached thereto in honor of this inaugural convocation. The Pathways to Excellence 2015 is our declaration of our belief in who we are and what we are to become. We take pride in its publication, we honor those who helped write it, and we are devoted to seeing it carried out. In closing, let me state emphatically that I am merely one of many here today. I am humbled and inspired by your devotion, labor and dreams. Our future is joined, and we march forward individually and collectively toward a future that is based upon ethics and science with the care of others foremost in our hearts and minds. In a world where business claims more and more of our professions, we must never forget that love and compassion must attend the care and service that we provide. Our doctors, scientists and educators must not live in sterile environments ignorant of the daily toils of those whom they serve. We are devoted to the precept that all people, regardless of geography, economic status or cultural differences, deserve the benefits of compassionate care, superior science and exceptional education. Our health care professionals must maintain and build upon their intellectual curiosity. The future belongs to those who are willing to be a part of the world, learn something new everyday, challenge the status quo, break down unethical barriers, demonstrate integrity at every juncture, and lead by supreme example. Our faculty and students have a splendid destiny before them because they have the gifts and the will to forge a future in which they will make the world a better and more humane place. This is the future of which I dream, this is the future that is possible, and this is the future that you will bring about. This is our commitment to and our hope for the Texas A&M University's Health Science Center.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and thank my colleagues from Florida and Texas for introducing it. Established on February 4, 1941, at the direction of President Roosevelt and chartered by Congress in 1979, the USO has long provided generously for the morale and welfare of our troops. Through their various programs, events and campaigns, the USO extends a touch of home to the men and women of our nation's military. The USO benefits from the generosity of many Americans, as the bulk of the service delivery is provided by 12,000 volunteers who donate over 450,000 hours annually. Funded through the generous contributions of the American people, organizations and corporations, the USO operates 124 centers worldwide and 6 mobile canteens. With overseas centers located in Germany, Italy, France, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iceland, Bosnia, Japan, Qatar, Korea and Kuwait; the USO has built an extensive network--with service members and their families visiting USO centers more than 5 million times each year. Many of us in this Chamber have participated in or witnessed firsthand the good work done by the USO for many of our constituents. Since 2003 the USO has distributed over 1 million prepaid phone cards as part of Operation Phone Home. The cards have been distributed in Iraq, Afghanistan, hospitals, and even to service members impacted by Hurricane Katrina. In 2005 the USO sent out over 50 celebrity entertainment tours. Almost 200,000 service members in 30 countries were visited by these tours. Additionally, over 750,000 care packages were delivered to deploying service members. Last year the USO held three care package stuffing parties on Capitol Hill for troops deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan, where Members of Congress and Staff were able to assemble about 12,000 care packages. More than just entertainment, the USO also provides critical services such as ``newcomer'' briefings for troops and family members and new spouses; family crisis counseling and support groups for families separated by deployments; housing assistance; and nursery facilities. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the House USO Caucus, it gives me great pride to rise in strong support of this resolution and in support of the USO for all of the work they have done for our military community and our nation.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I can understand why this budget bill is coming up at 2:35 in the morning Washington time. If I had a bill this bad, I would want it to come up at 2:30 in the morning as well. I think the American people, those at least who are watching at this time of day, perhaps out in Hawaii, if nowhere else in America, ought to know what this does in combination with everything else Republicans are doing. This bill, along with its tax cuts, $220,000 a year, in fact, to those making $1 million a year in dividend income, will make a sham out of the American principles of shared sacrifice during time of war. This budget bill that the House is about to vote on will actually increase the college education costs of the sons and daughters of our Iraqi war troops in combat right at this moment by up to $28,000, up to a $28,000 student tax on the backs of men and women who are this morning bearing the burden for fighting America's wars. I do not know how you could get more unfair than that. The fact is that the Republicans' claim of supporting compassionate conservatism now comes clear at 2:30 in the morning. They are going to provide cuts for working families and the poor and cuts for the rich. The difference is the cuts for the poor and working families are going to be cuts to the Women, Infants, and Children program that helps low- income children get prenatal care. It is going to cut funding that helps disabled children get a better education. It is going to cut funding that helps local school districts pay for working families' educations. And, yes, in just a few weeks, they will come back and also have cuts to be fairer to the wealthy. They will cut their taxes by billions of dollars. Again, this is good news for those making $1 million a year in dividend income. You are going to get a $220,000 a year tax cut. What is fair about that, given that we are going to have a student tax on the backs of sons and daughters of Iraqi war troops? We are going to cut special education. In fact, this is $4 billion short of what the Republicans said they wanted to do. No Child Left Behind, let us blow that out the window along with the phrase ``compassionate conservatism.'' This bill, combined with the other cuts we are going to vote on this morning, will see that 200,000 low-income children would find their tutoring assistance eliminated. This bill throws out the window help for seniors and people of all ages around the country struggling to pay their high utility bills this winter. This bill and the Republican leadership make Scrooge look like a philanthropist. I would challenge them to show me one major religion in the world that preaches at any time of the day, whether it is 2:30 in the morning or 2:30 in the afternoon, I would challenge, Mr. Speaker, the Members of the Republican Party only the floor right now to stand up and tell me what major religion in the world asks that we take the most from those who have the least and ask nothing from those who have the most. That is what the combination of this budget bill, along with their tax cuts and their spending cuts, is going to do. So I think what the American people, at least those that are up at this time of day, are seeing, is all the rhetoric is not matched by the record of the Republicans. Compassionate conservatism? These budgets, these bills are neither conservative nor compassionate. Leave No Child Behind, this bill is going to leave millions of children behind, along with seniors and a lot of hardworking families trying to pay their bills every month and provide a better life for their children. As far as being strong on national defense, you know, you look at what the Republicans are doing this morning, they are going to cut $8.5 billion out of President Bush's defense bill. I wonder what Republicans would say if Democrats proposed that? Republicans are hurting the American people, and this is wrong, at any time of the day.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I intend to vote for this resolution because I want to salute the elections in Iraq and our U.S. troops there. And I oppose set time tables for a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. However, in good conscience, I must say I am deeply offended that, for the second time in 1 month, the House Republican leadership has brought a resolution dealing with the vital issue of war and peace to the floor of this House on a partisan basis without a single committee hearing, without a single witness and less than 24 hours after this resolution was even introduced. Eight seconds. Eight seconds. That is how much the House leadership and Rules Committee has given each Member of Congress to speak on this vital issue today. How dare the leadership give itself the time to express their views of conscience but deny other Members of Congress the right to express their views of conscience on the issue of when to bring our troops home from harm's way. We have had time to rename dozens of post offices. Are our troops not worth more than 8 seconds per House Member for debate? I think so. I hope and pray the Iraqi parliament gives its members a greater voice in their democracy than U.S. Members of Congress are being given in ours today. The Republican leadership could have worked on a bipartisan basis to write a resolution saluting the Iraqi elections and our troops there. We could have had a unanimous vote to send to our troops during the Christmas and holiday season. Instead, the leadership cynically chose to push a partisan resolution that they knew would split the House, would split the American people, and send a mixed message, not a unified message, to our troops in harm's way. And as someone who has represented over 40,000 soldiers, Army soldiers who have fought in Iraq, I think it is shameful that the House Republican leadership would put its partisan ploys above the interests of supporting and sending a unified message of support to our troops in Iraq.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Midway Middle School Select Boys' Choir following their exemplary performance at the White House Monday, December 12, 2005. Out of the 150 choir groups from across the country who submitted recordings to First Lady Laura Bush's office for consideration, the Midway Middle School Select Boys' Choir was 1 of only 40 choirs to earn the right to perform at the White House this Christmas season. Director Tammy Benton and the Midway Boys' Choir are in select company because of their excellence and achievement and I was proud to support their efforts to sing at the White House for Christmas. During this special time of celebration, it was my privilege to help bring some unique blessings from central Texas to Washington. It was also a special privilege to able to give them a tour of our Nation's Capitol, many for the first time. There is no doubt that their hard work and dedication to choir instilled in them by their director, Tammy Benton, will continue to pay dividends for the rest of their lives. I sincerely congratulate them and wish them well in all their future endeavors.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true champion for public education and women's athletics, Leta Andrews of Granbury, Texas, head coach of the Granbury Lady Pirates' basketball team. Coach Andrews recently recorded her 1218th victory, making her the winningest girls' high school basketball coach in U.S. history. Since coaching her first game in 1962, Coach Andrews has come to personify the values of hard work, dedication, and responsibility that she has instilled in her players over the years. Coach Andrews is now in a category of her own making because of her commitment to excellence and unique ability to motivate, mold, and mentor young lives. While we honor her coaching success on the basketball court, it is her positive example and lasting influence on the lives of her players off the court that will be remembered most. That remarkable achievement alone is enough to qualify her for anyone's hall of fame. Coach Andrews's impact on women's athletics will continue for years to come. We can all rest assured that Coach Andrews's exemplary mark on history will serve as an inspiration for teachers and coaches of all sports everywhere. At this time, it is my privilege to honor the extraordinary achievements of Coach Leta Andrews in her 44 years of coaching and I personally want to thank her for the shining example to us all and wish her well in future endeavors.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I represent over 40,000 patriotic Americans who have served in Iraq. Over 200 Army soldiers have given their lives there. I revere them, their service and their sacrifice, and that is exactly why I believe a vote on war is the single most solemn responsibility we ever have as a Member of Congress. Yet tonight the House leadership, on a partisan basis, has given each Member of Congress on average 7.8 seconds. That is right, 7.8 seconds to speak his or her conscience on whether or not we should keep or remove our troops from Iraq. This process, especially without a single hearing, a single witness, on a resolution just introduced a few hours ago, does a disservice to the enormity of the issue of war and peace before us, to the integrity of this House, and to the sacrifice of our servicemen and -women now in harm's way. In 1991, when this House debated whether to go to war in Iraq, and I was in that debate, Speaker Foley gave each Member of the House 5 minutes, and the country was mesmerized by the voices of conscience on each side. What was the result? When the vote was cast, the country was united and the troops I represented knew their Nation was behind them. But this partisan process tonight does a disservice to our troops. It divides our Nation, and it divides this Congress. If we are going to debate the issue, the solemn issue of war and peace, let us do it the right way. Vote ``no'' on this resolution and let every Member of the House have the right to voice his or her conscience.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr).