J. Forbes

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 287.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 287) honoring the continuing service and commitment of the members of the National Guard and Reserve units activated in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today with the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kennedy) to offer this important resolution honoring the greatest citizen soldiers of the greatest armed forces in the world, our National Guard and Reserve. On September 11 our Nation suffered a great tragedy. Enemies of freedom made a deliberate attack on our people, our soil, and our way of life. But those enemies were mistaken if they believed that such an attack could turn us away from the principles of liberty and freedom that we hold so dear. Our Nation will survive and we will emerge even stronger for having endured this horror. America's enemies have brought the issue of terrorism to the forefront of the American stage, and they will pay dearly for it. We know this not only because we have the will and spirit to conduct this war against terrorism, but also because we have the best-trained, most impressive fighting force this world has seen. In the days following September 11, it was the National Guard and Reserve who were present on our streets and in our skies. They were present in our airports and on our waterways. They were deployed overseas in support of active duty units. This is not the first time we have seen these heroes in action. They are our associates and our neighbors, our friends and relatives. Yet, to many of us, their presence means so much more than it did before. Just this morning, in fact, the National Guard was sworn in to assist in protecting the U.S. Capitol. We welcome them to our Capitol Hill family and thank them for their steadfast service. Furthermore, reports are in that America has tracked down and eliminated the number two leader of al Qaeda. We owe this success in part to the efforts of our National Guard and Reserves. Without their aid, our regular active duty members would not have been able to effectively be both the tip of the spear and the shield of America. We should honor our modern day Minutemen, or as our citizen soldiers stand watch over us, they remind us that since colonial times, long before the phrase ``Homeland Security'' was used, they were here to preserve liberty on the home front. We owe the men and women who have left their families and jobs to heed this call a great deal, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting our National Guard and Reserve. Let every Guardsman and Reservist know that the Members of this body hold them in highest esteem. I would like to thank the Speaker and the majority leader for bringing this resolution to the floor so promptly. Additionally, I would like to thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kennedy) for his strong support of our Guardsmen and Reservists, and I urge my colleagues to follow his lead and to reach out to our National Guard and Reserve units with a helpful and grateful heart.

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment to the preamble.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, yesterday an article ran in a Virginia paper revealing serious security breaches at a Richmond City drinking water plant. A reporter was able to walk right through the front gate and wander the site for an hour each day for a week. He and a photographer had access to the water supply and the potentially dangerous chemicals used to treat it. No one questioned their presence. The good news is that this plant appears to be something of an anomaly. Similar surprise inspections at neighboring county facilities had very different outcomes. But this only makes it clearer that Congress must act now to ensure that all our water supplies are safe from terrorist threats. Yesterday, the Committee on Science approved unanimously the Water Infrastructure Security and Research Development Act which would help us ensure the long-term safety of the water our constituents drink and use every day. It would provide $60 million in grants over the next 5 years to identify threats and respond to them. Similar legislation is moving through the Senate. We should act quickly to give every American peace of mind when turning on the tap.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support my distinguished colleague in encouraging all Americans to support the men and women who serve our Armed Forces in both uniform and civilian garb. On September 11, our Nation suffered a great tragedy. Now, more than ever, we need to support our service personnel, the true power behind America's military might. We must give our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines modern weaponry with which to keep American interests secure. We must support shipbuilding, aircraft procurement and research and development. We must support the Armed Forces, not just in Operation Enduring Freedom, but in everything they do. Equally important, we must give them our moral support. They are risking their lives and sacrificing their spirits to protect our freedom. We should all wear the proverbial yellow ribbons signifying our support of these brave heroes every day with pride. With our support, America's Armed Forces will be able to respond to aggression any time and all the time. I urge my fellow Members to support this resolution.

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 284) encouraging the people of the United States to support the Armed Forces and civilian personnel who are engaged in the war on terrorism as part of a united effort to be known as Operation Enduring Support, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 284.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in honoring the memory of a former Member of Congress and pivotal Tidewater politician, Thomas N. Downing. Congressman Downing represented Tidewater Virginia for eighteen years. He was well-known for his affability with his colleagues and his tenacity in representing his constituents. In particular, he was a staunch supporter of Newport News Shipbuilding, which was and is a cornerstone of the Tidewater economy and of our nation's military readiness. It was Tom Downing's support and assistance that helped to expand and improve that company's ability to contribute so much to national defense and local jobs. His interest in Newport News Shipbuilding was far more than parochial, it was patriotic. Tom Downing was a graduate of Virginia Military Institute (VMI), a decorated veteran of World War II, and a patriot in the truest sense of the word. He graduated from VMI in 1940 and four years later was commanding mechanized cavalry troops and Army reconnaissance during the liberation of France and sweep across Germany. Tom Downing's personal bravery in rescuing two of his men who were injured during a German ambush earned him the Silver Star. His legacy in Congress is no less impressive. Newport News Daily Press summed his service in these hallowed halls up best: ``[In Congress] he truly hit his stride. He was a natural. Few congressmen have served their constituents better. Just ask the shipyard. Or NASA. Or the watermen. Or any of thousands of individuals and institutions that Mr. Downing helped during his eight terms. Fiscally conservative? Of course. Integrity? From head to toe. But it was the kindness of the man that most recall about Tom Downing. He liked people and vice-versa. . . .'' His memory lives on in Tidewater's strength and in the lives of those his service touched. Tom Downing will be missed, but not forgotten.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the veterans of this great land. In 1918, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, the world rejoiced and celebrated. After four years of bitter war, an armistics was signed. The ``war to end all wars'' was over. A year later, Armistice Day was declared in the United States, to remember the sacrifices that men and women made in order to ensure a lasting peace. Later this holiday was renamed Veterans' Day, and while it has traditionally been a day of parades and speeches by politicians, this year it means much more than that. This day is America's chance to thank those who have protected them, even when the threat against the homeland was not so clearly defined. This day is America's chance to honor those who lost their lives in service to our nation. This day is America's chance to unite behind the men and women who are now wearing the uniform that generations of heroes wore before them. As our nation's 1.3 million active servicemembers fight this war, let us not forget that thousands of our nation's veterans are dying each day. Congress has made some great strides on behalf of our veterans this year. Since January, the House has passed legislation that will benefit the 2.3 million disabled veterans or survivors of disabled veterans, increasing their benefits by $2.7 billion. We have expanded the available hours of the VA's toll free information service. We have expanded health and life insurance coverage for surviving dependants of veterans, and we have provided $550 million over the next two years to repair and renovate VA medical facilities. Finally, we have increased GI Bill educational benefits to qualifying servicemembers by 70%. We are on the right track, but we need to keep pressing forward. We need to make a real effort to make progress on remaining issues. Implementing concurrent receipt, making further improvements on military retiree health care, cutting the red tape for veterans claims. Our veterans sacrificed their lives and liberties. We should make every effort to show our gratitude by taking action on the issues that concern them. I appreciate all the hard work of our leadership and our Veterans Affairs Committee members, and encourage my colleagues to join in this important effort.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce a resolution honoring the continuing service and commitment of the members of the National Guard and Reserve units activated in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In the days following September 11th, it was the National Guard and Reserve who were present on our streets and in our skies. They were present in our airports and on our waterways. They were deploying overseas in support of active duty units. This is not the first time we have seen these heroes in action. They are our associates and neighbors, our friends and relatives. And yet to many of us, their presence means so much more now than it did before. We must honor the modern day Minuteman, for as our citizen-soldiers stand watch over us, they remind us that long before the phrase ``Homeland Security'' was crafted, they were here to preserve liberty on the home front. They were there to support our Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force. And they are still there, supporting our nation in this time of danger. This war against terrorism may be lengthy and difficult, and we may at times feel less than fully secure, but I stand here today to tell you that I rest easier with the knowledge that the National Guard is on the job. We owe the men and women who have left their families and jobs to heed this call a great deal, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting our National Guard and Reserve. Let us not allow a single Guard or Reserve member to join in this conflict, without knowing that the House of Representatives, and more importantly a grateful nation, holds them in the highest esteem, Let us pass this resolution now and give our heroes even greater strength to draw on in the difficult days ahead.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock).

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf). (Mr. WOLF asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of our former colleagues, Norman Sisisky, the late Congressman from the Fourth District of Virginia. Congressman Sisisky passed away earlier this year having lived a rich life of public service and loving commitment to his family. He served his Nation during World War II as a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He went on to serve Virginia in the House of Delegates for 8 years. During his tenure there, his dedication to improving the lives of children earned him the Outstanding Service to Children in Virginia Award in 1978. He served the citizens of both the Commonwealth and the Nation by representing the people of Virginia's Fourth District for more than 18 years in the United States Congress. Norman Sisisky was well respected by Members from both sides of the aisle, gaining a reputation as a personable man with a keen interest in and knowledge of national security issues. In fact, he is best remembered for his service on the Committee on Armed Services where he helped to shepherd through years of bipartisan legislation to improve the lives of men and women who wear the uniform that he once wore. Norman Sisisky was a life-long Virginian, born in Richmond and later settling nearby in Petersburg. He attended college at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned a degree in business administration. He built an outstanding career in soft drink bottling as president and owner of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Petersburg and chairman of the board of the National Soft Drink Association. Norman and his wife, Rhoda, had four sons and later seven grandchildren. They are a living and gracious legacy to Norman's life, just as the work he did here is a legacy to his career in public service. Today, we join together to recognize those legacies by dedicating the facility of the United States postal service at 3131 South Crater Road in Petersburg, Virginia, as the Norman Sisisky Post Office Building. Though he spent much time in Washington and traveling the fourth district to represent his constituents, his home was in Petersburg; and it is fitting that this building bear his name. I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), the Speaker; the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey), the majority leader; and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, for helping to bring this tribute to the floor so quickly; and I would like to thank my colleagues, particularly in the Virginia delegation, for joining me as cosponsors of this resolution and for speaking on its behalf on the floor. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and honor the memory of the late Congressman Norman Sisisky. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I too would like to commend the gentleman from New York for his leadership in bringing this resolution forward. There is no doubt that Americans for generations to come will remember the day of September 11 in their prayers and in their thoughts. But given the thousands who died that day, the thousands who were injured or lost loved ones and the many more who may now lose their lives seeking out the terrorists who perpetrated these evil acts, it is only fitting that we set that day aside each year in a more formal way. There is not a citizen in the Nation or even the world who was not touched in some way by what happened that day. Those few tragic moments changed our lives forever. But while we mourned and suffered in angry silence, we were also moved to make a difference. Millions of Americans of all ages answered the call of their neighbors in need. They donated their money, their sweat and time, and their love. And while nothing we can do can ever turn back the clock and bring back those who perished, these outpourings of camaraderie can be building blocks for a brighter tomorrow. For years now, we have been told that Americans were shrinking into their shells, that we were losing our feeling of community. But the past several weeks have proven those theories wrong. Americans of all ages, races, creeds and backgrounds came out onto their proverbial front porches and engaged their neighborhoods. By designating the day of September 11 as United We Stand Remembrance Day, we not only remember those who were lost that day but also remember the acts of unity that followed. Each year on this day, we can rekindle the fires of patriotism and fellowship and remind each other that our need for unity never ends. On that day each year, we will remind each other that no matter where we have come from, we are all and will always be Americans. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to do my part in this national effort. I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, tonight, I rise with my colleague, Congressman Vito Fossella of New York, to introduce the Terrorist Response Tax Exemption Act, which would provide our first responders with the tax benefits that they deserve for serving on the front lines of our war against terrorism. As we speak, men and women are putting their lives at risk to fight terrorist threats both abroad and at home. For the American military personnel who are overseas, the federal government currently excludes from taxable income the salary they receive in any month they serve in a combat zone. This is a suitable recognition of the increased risk in which they place themselves to protect our freedoms and of the increased burdens on their families given that risk. But, today, we know that the men and women who serve as fire, rescue, and police personnel can be just as much at risk. Terrorists have brought the frontlines into our communities, and it is these first responders that are first on the scene, first to assess the situation, and first to respond to the needs of the victims. As the World Trade Center attack has proven, they are just as much in jeopardy of losing their lives as the soldiers and sailors engaged overseas--perhaps even more so as our military technology advances. They and their families deserve the same tax benefits for serving in terrorist attack zones. That is precisely what the Terrorist Response Tax Exemption Act does. It exempts from federal income the basic pay that a uniformed civilian employee earns for any month in which they serve the public in a terrorist attack zone. It provides well-deserved recognition of the hard and dangerous work that these individuals perform. The Senate companion bill, S. 1446, has already been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and other organizations that represent our public safety personnel. It is not that we anticipate that this tax incentive will encourage this kind of heroic public service. In fact, we know for a fact that these men and women perform their duties out of a sense of honor and an overwhelming desire to help others in need. But, we should show them our gratitude with more than words of thanks. I encourage my colleagues to join us in cosponsoring this legislation.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to introduce legislation that will help our local law enforcement agencies and public safety personnel prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks. As the horrific attacks upon our Nation on September 11th have proven, our local police, fire, and rescue personnel are our first line of response to acts of terrorism. While our federal law enforcement officers have a very important role to play in our homeland defense, the role of their state and local counterparts is still more critical. They are the first on the scene, the first to assess the damages and circumstances, the first to attend to victims. But, they are not now well equipped or prepared for dealing with these situations. They must deal on a day-to-day basis with the more mundane tasks of keeping the peace on the streets and bringing common criminals to justice. They need access to the knowledge and equipment that our federal law enforcement and military personnel freely have, but now lie outside their routine training. As our Nation sought to prosecute the long, hard war on drugs, we came to similarly realize the value of fully integrating beat cops, state troopers, and other law enforcement officials into the fight. But those officers needed access to the equipment and the knowledge of our military personnel in order to fully realize their capabilities. As a result, there are two programs through which state and local agencies fighting drugs can acquire defense personnel property to conduct counter-drug operations. One of those two programs, found at 10 U.S.C. 2576a, was already amended by Congress to allow these same resources to be used for counter-terrorism. Through that program, local law enforcement can get free access personnel property no longer needed by the Department of Defense. It is time to bring the second program into the Twenty-First Century as well, and that is what my bill does. This second program, found at 10 U.S.C. 381, simply provides state and local enforcement officers access to the catalog of equipment and knowledge currently available to the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, and the General Services Administration. No new funds are needed to expand this program. The local agencies pay for the items they purchase with their own dollars. But, by purchasing these items through this program, the communities may be able to leverage the buying power of the federal government and pay lower prices. There is no cost to making this change in law, but there is a great cost to not providing our local public safety workers with the tools they need to respond to future potential terrorist attacks. As we begin to prepare our Nation to fight what could be a long, hard war against terrorism, we must arm our front-line soldiers--the police, fire, and rescue personnel of our local communities. The First Responders Homeland Defense Act is one right step in that direction.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, people of all faiths and backgrounds all across the nation are still struggling to comprehend the senseless loss of life and destruction of landmarks that occurred on American soil on September 11th. Rabbi Israel Zoberman of the Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach, a congregation that draws people from all over the Tidewater area, has sent to me his thoughts on these attacks. Though Rabbi Zoberman has lived and preached in the United States for many years now, he grew up in Israel, and is all too accustomed to living with terrorism as a part of his daily routine. His eloquence might help us all to make sense of these tragedies, and I commend his article to my colleagues' attention. So much pain, so many tears, God too is weeping for and with America. We are bowed down by heavy losses knowing that a new, unfamiliar burden has been placed upon us with a new kind of evil in a world gone mad. Yet, in our crushing and humbling sorrow we have touched our most tender humanness, reaching higher national oneness. We knew of the possibility of a large-scale terrorist attack in the United States, but it is a hard reality to absorb. An empire's icons of pride and security, seemingly so well grounded, were toppled and penetrated, changing our outer and inner landscape. Surely the apocalyptic images of doomsday born of diabolic design will be etched in the collective American memory, of a day the world held its breath and a heartbeat was forever lost. There is an insidious insecurity creeping in with such a shock that only time will ease. The terrifying cloud of dust and ashes with dazed relatives looking for loved ones had a Holocaust resonance to it, and the devastation's wide scope bore a World War Two signature. Terrorism's essence is to disrupt a normal way of life, assailing us physically, psychologically and spiritually. Their target was our very pluralism and inclusiveness by a merciless enemy threatened by our freedoms and global reach, feeling inadequate and powerless in face of the West's superior technology and incomparable standard of living. The great tragedy befalling us ought to bring appreciation for Israel, America's true ally, in its long struggle against Arab and Muslim fundamentalism, acutely suffering during the past year. The free world with America's irreplaceable leadership has now gained the undeterred and deterring resolve to uproot the multi-head monster of international terrorism, not without sacrifice. It should have acted more decisively before but that so sadly and costly is a recurrent theme. A trying time like this has the potential for false patriotism with varied and dangerous extremism, profiling and stereotyping certain religious and ethnic affiliations. Fundamentalism of whatever ilk is irreconcilable with the pluralistic tapestry of the grand American model. The urgency of faith, family and fellowship for support and healing has been highlighted. We reject a culture of death with its terrorists-martyrs' messengers whether in the United States or in the Middle East, as we uphold the sanctity of each human life, reaffirming our democratic values and ideals. However, the need for interfaith and cultural dialogue is more vital than ever. We are grateful for the many heroic rescuers who died while rushing to help and those who tirelessly search for survivors--they all reflect the true divine presence of inexhaustible goodness, encountering inexhaustible human evil. We take pride in our military with its shining presence in Hampton Roads, poised to defeat civilization's adversaries. An uncertain era has begun even as the American dream, albeit bruised but ever more essential for humanity's survival, lives on. Will a new world order sans terrorism finally emerge out of disorder?

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Chairman, I wish to engage in a colloquy with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Combest), the chairman of the Committee on Agriculture; but I would first like to thank the gentleman from Texas and his colleague, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Everett), the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Specialty Crops and Foreign Agriculture Programs, for working with me to improve the provisions of this bill relating to Federal peanut programs. The fourth district of Virginia is home to one of the largest peanut producing populations in the Nation. Though I have not been a member of this august body for long, I have worked hard since being sworn in to make the views of this community known to the House Committee on Agriculture during their consideration of this legislation. I have been very grateful for the cooperation and attention that their concerns have gotten from the committee. As reported from the committee, I have very serious concerns that this bill would severely strain the financial resources of Virginia's peanut farmers, particularly the small family farmers. While I recognize that times have changed and that the Federal programs must adapt as to the farmers that I represent, I remain apprehensive about the effect that these dramatic changes may hold for the future of peanut farming in my State. I appreciate the difficult balance that the chairman and his panel had to reach in addressing the needs of America's taxpayers at the same time as meeting the needs of America's agriculture community, and I am hopeful that I will be able to continue to work with the chairman as this bill goes to conference with the Senate.

Mr. FORBES. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I wish to thank the gentleman from Texas for his comments. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Farm Security Act of 2001. Though I have some serious concerns with provisions of the bill that dramatically alter the peanut program, I realize how important this bill is to farmers across America and that this legislation must still go through a conference committee. I thank the Chairman for his hard work. Our farmers are the heart of our nation, and Virginia's peanut farmers are the heart of the Commonwealth. Peanut farming is important to the economic livelihood of Virginia, bringing $55 million in cash- receipts to the state. Virginia peanuts are in high demand for gourmet- style fried peanuts and roasted in-the-shell ballpark peanuts that we all have enjoyed at baseball games. It is important to remember the peanut program does not just impact farmers who exclusively grow peanuts but it also dramatically impacts other farmers who depend on peanut production to keep them alive and all those who insure, supply, or assist peanut production in any capacity, including local governments who depend on taxes from these farms for survival. There are four specific concerns that I have had with the Committee- passed bill, and I worked hard with the Chairman to accommodate each of them. The first was that the new program would begin with the 2002 crop. My concern was that there would not be enough time for the farmer to adjust to these changes, with contracts that have already been made based on the assumption that the current program would run through 2002. Second, I was concerned that the bill focused on the farm and not the farmer. My goal was to see that the base be tied to the producer. Third, I was concerned that the financial return for the producers was so low that there would be no incentive for young farmers to enter the farming business, and that those retiring would not be replaced. Last but not least, I was concerned that the Peanut Administrative Committee was being phased out and replaced with a board without the means to ensure higher quality standards. Since my swearing in, Mr. Chairman, in late June, I have been working hard to represent these views to the Committee on behalf of Virginia's peanut farmers. I have greatly appreciated the full and subcommittee chairmen's attention to these concerns. I am particularly thankful for their determination that some of these points warranted changes in the Committee-passed bill. Specifically, the manager's amendment includes a provision, which should improve the overall income that a producer can earn by allowing the producer to establish the base on any land he chooses. Virginia's peanut farmers have been farming the land for generations because they love it. But we must be mindful of the fact that they must be able to make a living in order to continue doing what they love. Del Cotton, manager of the Franklin-based peanut marketing cooperative, said some producers will be happy and others will not with the proposed quota buyout. I hope Congress will continue to take the necessary steps to keep the peanut program viable. Mr. Chairman, I recognize, as do the farmers I represent, that times have changed and that our federal farm programs must change as well. But, we must never forget that our farmers have always been the backbone of this nation. That was true at our country's founding, and it is true today as we prepare to wage a long, hard war against terrorism. Food security is just as vital to our national defense as a strong military and strong economy. Our farmers are our partners in this endeavor. I look forward to continuing to work with the Chairman on this legislation as it goes through conference negotiations with the Senate. That said, Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill and to support the Chairman during conference deliberations.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of the National Defense Authorization Act. In the coming days, we will see a strong demonstration of America's military might. But as our military responds to Tuesday's tragic events, keep in mind that this is a military that has faced a decade of high tempo of operations, armed with declining numbers of personnel and decreased funding. This other battle, the battle to maintain readiness, has degraded America's security by encouraging the attrition of some of its most talented personnel. Now more than ever, we need to support our service personnel, the true power behind America's military might. We must give our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines modern weaponry with which to keep American interests secure. We must support shipbuilding, aircraft procurement, homeland defense, and research and development. We must support the National Defense Authorization Act if we want to ensure that America will be able to respond to aggression, today and tomorrow. The National Defense Authorization Act addresses the urgent need to rebuild the U.S. military. I urge my fellow Members to support this balanced measure. I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their hard work and dedication to this legislation.