J. Forbes

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor one of America's greatest statesmen, President Ronald Reagan. As Ronald Reagan makes his final trip to Washington, we remember this truly humble American hero. We remember a man with an ordinary beginning who went on to do extraordinary things, to chart the course for a generation, for a Nation and for the world. Mr. Speaker, Washington is a town of leaders, and each of us who comes to Washington has a vision for the direction of our Nation. Rarely is there a man like Ronald Reagan who cannot only lead leaders, but who can do so with such integrity, principle and honesty. In the midst of a Nation whose spirit had been crushed with war and economic burden, in the midst of people gripped with fear from the spread of communism, Ronald Reagan picked us up and breathed hope into our hearts. He reminded us of what we were fighting for. He said, ``The ultimate determinant in the struggle now going on for the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas, a trial of spiritual resolve: the values we hold, the beliefs we cherish and the ideals to which we are dedicated.'' He reminded us that as Americans we have a responsibility to help those in need: ``We cannot turn away from them,'' he said, ``for the struggle here is not right versus left; it is right versus wrong.'' How true his words still ring today. Ronald Reagan reminded us that government is not the answer to our problems, people are. ``The government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases,'' he said. ``If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.'' By exposing and destroying burdensome and oppressive regulation and taxes, he restored the spirit that America's built upon: optimism, opportunity and self-reliance. In doing so, he not only energized the economy, but he rejuvenated the pride and self-worth of Americans. Finally, Ronald Reagan reminded us of the importance of faith in our democracy. He said, ``Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.'' He will be missed, but his words and spirit will continue on.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Robert Ervin Taylor in honor of his retirement as City Manager of Colonial Heights, Virginia for serving 20 years of dedicated service from 1984 to 2004. In 1968, Mr. Taylor received his Bachelor of Science in History and Political Science from Appalachian State University. Upon the completion of his Master of Public Administration from the University of Tennessee in 1972, he became the Senior Administrative Analyst in the Budget Office of the Finance Department for the City of Nashville- Davidson County. From 1973 to 1979, Mr. Taylor served as Assistant to the City Manager and Director of Personnel and Budget for the City of Suffolk, Virginia. He later served five years as City Manager for the City of Red Bank, Tennessee. As City Manager for Colonial Heights, Mr. Robert Ervin Taylor has been responsible for the implementation of policies adopted by the City Council under the direction of five mayors and 22 council members. In addition, he has been in charge of enforcing all city laws and ordinances, the appointment and supervision of heads of 12 departments, and the preparation and execution of an annual $38 million operating and $3.5 million capital improvements budget. With a penchant for community service and natural leadership, Mr. Taylor has served on several state, local and regional organizations. He has served as chairman of the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority and the South Central Wastewater Authority. Moreover, he was the Treasurer/Secretary of the Appomattox River Water Authority, and was on the Board of Directors for the Crater Planning District Commission and the Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he served as the President of the Colonial Heights Kiwanis Club. Mr. Taylor has worked closely with the community to ensure the best quality of care for the citizens of Colonial Heights. He has been instrumental in carrying out the vision that has been set forth for the community; as such, the people have been able to rely on the dedicated and dependable service of Mr. Taylor. Because of Mr. Taylor's resounding success, and his dedicated years of service the Colonial Heights community has benefited immensely from his leadership. He has consistently demonstrated a remarkable spirit of unity in his relations with other leaders in the community and an equal level of enthusiasm for serving the Colonial Heights area. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Mr. Robert Ervin Taylor for his loyal and dedicated service and the many contributions he has made to his community.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember a true public servant, the Honorable Charleton Wilhoit Sykes. Ms. Sykes served on the Southampton County Board of Supervisors and in other positions in Virginia government for 24 years. She contacted my office often seeking assistance for others, but not once for herself. Ms. Sykes was also a businesswoman and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. She knew no strangers and cared for everyone. I join the Honorable Dallas Jones, Chairman of the Southampton Board of Supervisors, when he said that he was ``shocked and saddened'' by Ms. Sykes death. ``She was a strong voice for Newsons district on this board,'' Jones said. ``She will be sorely missed by everyone.'' Southampton County Administrator Mike Johnson noted that Ms. Sykes was ``a woman of sound judgment, outspoken candor and unquestionable commitment. Her leadership and friendship will be sorely missed.'' Ms. Sykes was also a loving mother and friend who will be missed most by those closest to her. Still, her legacy lives on in her family and in the fruits of her faithful service to a caring community and a grateful nation.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to House Joint Resolution 83. I myself was elected to serve in the House of Representatives 3 years ago this month in a special election when my predecessor passed away. If my predecessor had been forced to make a list of successors, would have I been on it? I do not know the answer to that question. But I do know that it is unlikely that my constituents would have wanted their representative decided for them in any other manner than by election. In a time of national emergency, the people I represent should have a right to choose their next representative. To deny them this right would be autocratic and unjust, no matter how well intentioned the motive. Today, Mr. Speaker, we are considering a powerful amendment that could alter the very nature of our government. It would strip the voice of the people at a time of national emergency, a time when the people's voices are most necessary and most moving. Without elections, our government becomes bureaucracy in action rather than democracy in action. It is precisely at such a time in such an emergency that we need to guard and defend the rights of our citizens to vote and not yield to the temptation to absolve that right. This bill undermines the legitimacy of the House of Representatives. It is no accident that our Founders designed the House of Representatives to be composed solely of elected representatives of the people. George Washington said: ``The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.'' Mr. Speaker, our experiment with democracy has worked. As a Nation we have survived many national emergencies, disasters, and tragedies. We are the oldest working democracy because we make it clear that power in this government must remain with the people. I urge my colleagues to vote against House Joint Resolution 83.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Virginia Diner in Wakefield, Virginia, on the marking of their 75th Anniversary. Located in southeastern Sussex County, the Virginia Diner represents the best of homestyle cooking the Commonwealth of Virginia has to offer. Over the past 75 years, few have been able to travel through Wakefield, down U.S. Route 460, without stopping to sample the southern cuisine this Virginia landmark has to offer. In 1929, Mrs. D'Earcy Davis started serving hungry customers her now famous hot biscuits in a refurbished Sussex, Surry and Southampton Railroad car. With a bit of southern charm, some hard work and a loyal following, the Virginia Diner started to make its mark on Virginia. Since 1929, the Virginia Diner has continued to prosper and has grown with the times while never forgetting its rich history. Today, the Virginia Diner is a culturally and culinary landmark. Wakefield is not only home to some of America's finest peanuts but it is also the address of home-style cooking. Mr. Speaker, I urge you and all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Virginia Diner and the Galloway family on this special occasion and I hope you will join me in wishing them well on the next 75 years.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 608) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Department of Defense should rectify deficiencies in the military postal system to ensure that members of the Armed Forces stationed overseas are able to receive and send mail in a timely manner as well as receive and send election ballots in time to be counted in the 2004 elections.

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 the resolution under consideration.

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in the face of insurgencies in Fallujah and other hot spots in Iraq, what is it that keeps our soldiers fighting for freedom and democracy? In addition to the trials of war, our soldiers in Iraq wake up with the same problems every other American has. Their lives at home did not stop when they received their orders to ship out. They are mothers and fathers. They have elderly parents to care for. They have bills to pay and college educations to worry about for their children. These soldiers are concerned about how their children are doing in school. They wonder what the score of the last Little League game was, and they question whether they can make that car payment, just like many of us. Only they do all this halfway around the world in a combat zone. And yet day after day, month after month, our service members wake up, put on their uniform, and they diligently do their duty. Every day they make this sacrifice, knowing they are risking their lives to protect our freedoms and spread democracy. The reason they do this is because they know they are building a safer Iraq and, simply put, a safer Iraq means a safer America for their families. Ask these soldiers what they look forward to the most and what keeps them steadfast, and they will tell us it is news from home. It is the news from a graduation they were unable to attend, an update on a sick friend, a baby picture of their child's first step. Yet many are not getting this news or are getting it far after it was mailed by their loved ones. A General Accounting Office report received last month found that of a survey of over 100 service members in Iraq, more than half reported they were dissatisfied with mail delivery. The report, issued in response to over 300 congressional and White House inquiries, also found the same problems that plagued the military postal system during Operation Desert Storm have continued unabated and are now being experienced in Operation Iraqi Freedom, more than 12 years later. The Department of Defense does not have the ability to adequately assess the timeliness of mail and election ballot delivery because it does not yet have a reliable, accurate system in place. More than half of sampled members of the Armed Forces were dissatisfied with mail delivery, many waiting 4 weeks or longer to receive mail. The Military Postal Service Agency does not have the authority to formulate and effectively manipulate and implement a joint service solution to the mail problems in the Iraq Theater, and the Department of Defense has not appointed a single agency to address all of these military postal matters. This is just unacceptable at this time. The very least we should be able to offer those soldiers fighting for democracy is the comfort of a note from those waiting at home. Mail that is delayed for long periods of time, or not delivered at all, negatively affects the morale of not only our deployed forces but also their families at home. Children at home need to hear why Mommy or Daddy is so far away. Husbands and wives need to hear of each others' love and support. The American public needs to hear the true stories of what we are doing in Iraq. It is now, while resolve against terrorism is being tested, that our deployed troops are in most need of mail from their loved ones. This is not just a morale problem, however. November is coming and in less than 7 months, ballots for the general election will be mailed out all over the country to our troops all over the world. If we fail to take action, we will again see the voting problems of the 2000 election. Our men and women on the front lines have unquestionably earned the right to express their views on the direction our Nation should take this November. They should have the same confidence of any other American that their ballot will reach the ballot box. It would be an enormous disservice to fail to count the voices of the very individuals fighting for democracy. This is not a new problem. We saw it in Operation Desert Storm. It was evident early in the war in Iraq, and we are seeing it now. It is vitally important to the success of our mission and to the strength of our democracy that we correct this problem. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 608 seeks to do the following: call on the Department of Defense to immediately address the longstanding military mail delivery problems by implementing a joint task force to resolve the problem; recommend that the Secretary of Defense establish a system to expedite military ballots for the November 2004, election; call on the Secretary of Defense to establish a system to accurately track military postal transit times. There are three important reasons why we need to pass this resolution today. First, we need to send a message to the Pentagon that it is time to take care of this problem. The problem has existed for 52 years, and we need to send a message that we need to fix it today. Second, our troops in Iraq need to know that we think that it is important that they get their mail and equally important that their family members know that we care about their loved ones and that they get their mail. And third, we need to make certain that our electoral system is not just for Americans who happen to be near the ballot box, but that our troops on the front lines deserve to vote as much as any other American. To guarantee that our military men and women in Iraq receive their mail will require shifting priorities. It will require the dedicated cooperation and swift action of many. But if we can root out Saddam Hussein, if we can rebuild a nation of terror into a nation of freedom, then we can get the troops the news they need from home. It is up to the Department of Defense to fix this longstanding problem, but we stand ready to help. We stand behind our troops and behind our military families, and we stand ready to help them stay the course. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her work on this resolution and her support today. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley), the distinguished chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee of the House Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I can just tell you this afternoon that if you asked any soldier, sailor, airman or Marine serving in the Iraq theater what is most important to the morale and welfare of our forces, the answer you will get from them, and you are likely to hear, is mail from home. The very least our Nation can do for our servicemembers who are deployed halfway around the world risking their lives to protect our freedoms is to ensure that they are able to receive the comfort of a letter from those waiting at home. Now is when our deployed troops need to get mail from their loved ones most. A recent Chicago Tribune article from May 6 gives real-life examples of why that is so important. One volunteer with Support our Troops Illinois knows the military postal service well. She has mailed out over 2,000 care packages to deployed servicemembers. Now, many of them are stacked up on her front doorstep because they were ``undeliverable.'' She said of the service that she has gotten from the military postal system, ``It is disappointing, because we know how much of a morale boost mail can give the guys.'' Another recent news article stated that the Marines look forward to the nightly mail call because for most it is the only way they can receive a word from home. The article goes on to quote a Marine who says, ``My wife sent me seven boxes, and I've only received one.'' He went on to say that ``the first letter I received from my wife was number six. Since then, I have received five and seven, but I have no idea what happened to the rest.'' Mail that is delayed for long periods of time or not delivered at all negatively affects the morale of not only our deployed forces, but also their families at home. We owe it to our deployed troops to immediately improve the military postal system so that these problems do not continue. We heard from the gentleman from Colorado the importance of getting this fixed for the voting issues that will come up. Mr. Speaker, I will just close by telling you that this is a problem that began the year I was born. In 1952 a letter from President Harry S. Truman to Congress clearly echoed the challenges that we face still today. He said this: ``Many of those in uniform are serving overseas, or in parts of the country distant from their homes. They are unable to return to their States, either to register or to vote. Yet these men and women who are serving their country and in many cases risking their lives deserve above all others to exercise the right to vote in the election year. At a time when these young men and women are defending our country and its free institutions, the least we at home can do is to make sure that they are able to enjoy the rights they are being asked to fight to preserve.'' Mr. Speaker, it is time to pass this resolution and to correct this problem. I urge my colleagues to support the resolution.

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Colonial Heights Fire Department, in celebration of their 75th Anniversary. The Colonial Heights Fire Department was organized in 1929, and operated with 12 volunteers. The first Fire Chief was Benjamin Keys. Today there are 45 career personnel and 35 volunteers for the department. The fire department has been instrumental in saving lives during times of natural disasters, as well as other disastrous occasions. The fire department has worked closely with the community to ensure the best quality of care for the citizens of Colonial Heights. In times of disaster, the community has been able to rely on the dedicated and dependable men and women of the fire department. In 1982, the Colonial Heights Fire Department was instrumental in the evacuation of North Elementary School, and the chemical cleanup that ensued for two weeks. When other agencies are unable to respond, the fire department ensures that the citizen's emergencies are given proper attention. With the establishment of the Emergency Medical Services in 1987, the fire department has been able to expand the services that it provides. Prior to 1987 the department received approximately 300-350 calls per year. Over 7,000 calls were received last year related to medical needs, public service and fire assistance. In addition to the life saving efforts of the Colonial Heights Fire Department, two scholarship programs have been established for students wanting to pursue careers in either a medical or fire fighting related field. In recognition of their many valiant efforts, the fire department has been recognized by the American Legion, the Optimist and the Moose. Throughout the 75 years of operation in Colonial Heights, the fire department has been persistent in delivering quality care and service to those in need. The community has benefited immensely from the Colonial Heights Fire Department's resounding success, and distinguished years of service. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the Colonial Heights Fire Department in celebration of their 75th Anniversary of loyal and dedicated service.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I think one thing that September 11 shows very clearly is that we are going to fight this fight. The question that is left is just where are we going to fight the fight, whether we are going to fight it on our soil, we are going to fight it where the terrorists are. It is interesting if you took a microphone and interviewed each one of our men and women in uniform, as I know you do when you are in Iraq and you try to talk to them and we talk to them here, to the person, they will tell us this is a fight that we have to win, we need to be there. One of the things that, as I was just looking at that large group of high school students, I kind of threw away my speech and I was trying to think what could I tell them. The one thing that I told them was whatever you do. do not quit, and I remembered a story of a group of airplanes that had been lost over the Atlantic. They were trying to come into Florida. They had lost communications and it was dark. They were running out of fuel, and they did not know if they were heading in the right direction, and about 15 minutes before the lights would have opened up, they would have seen the base in Florida, they turned around, headed back out to the Atlantic, and they were never heard of again because they quit. Mr. Speaker, I want to just close with one statement that I heard from a sergeant that was over there in Iraq. When we were in Iraq, we stopped by Ramstein Air Force Base. As you know, that is where we take all of our wounded soldier, and there was this young sergeant who was 25 years old, Puerto Rican soldier, who was in there. I went in and I talked to him, and literally in broken English he was telling me his story, how these terrorists had got him in Iraq and he had sent his platoon back. For 2\1/2\ hours he would not quit. He continued to fight the terrorists and to fire his gun. They finally came in, took him off on a stretcher. He continued firing. Mr. Speaker, he was shot in his arm. He was shot in his hip. The bottom bone in his leg was blown out, and when they took him into surgery in Ramstein, the doctors told me that as he was literally heading into surgery he looked at them and said I just have two things to ask you. He said, one, try to save my leg, which they were able to do; and the second thing he told them, which was a refrain we are hearing over and over and over again from our men and women over there, he said get me back to my troops. I went in and I put my arm on his shoulder, Mr. Speaker, and it was all I could do to hold back the tears, and I said I just do not know, Sergeant, how to thank you for what you have done. Without even thinking about it or batting an eye, he looked at me, and he said, Congressman, it was a privilege for me to be shot for my country and for freedom. Mr. Speaker, he did not quit on us, and this country is not going to quit on him, and thank you for holding this special order tonight.

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Chairman, first of all, we want to thank you for your diligent efforts on behalf of our men and women in uniform.

Mr. FORBES. It is an important thing and we appreciate your leadership on this. I appreciate your conducting this special order tonight, because as you know so oftentimes the men and women fighting in Iraq never get their voices heard here. We hear a lot of negative voices and a lot of other things in the media, but they do not get to speak out unless we bring that message here. Just a few nights ago I had an opportunity to speak to a large group of students, and they were in high school, and they had all been high achievers and had great academic excellence, and as I walked in that big auditorium, I was looking at all the students. I could not help but think that we had men and women over in Iraq who were just a couple of years older than they were, and because of their courage and what they were doing, that those students were able to meet there that night in freedom and in safety because these men and women in uniform from this country have gone there and taken the fight to the terrorists so that we are fighting in Iraq instead of fighting over here in our streets and in our hallways over here. Mr. Speaker, it just makes you proud to be a part of those young men and women.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Rabbi Israel Zoberman, rabbi of Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach, on his celebration of 30 years in Rabbinic Ministry. Rabbi Zobermarn is the first rabbi to earn a doctor of ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA. From 1985 to 1995 Rabbi Zoberman's synagogue was the only one in the world to meet in a Catholic facility, the Church of the Ascension in Virginia Beach. While at the Church of the Ascension in 1993, Rabbi Zoberman invited Muslims to join in the first Jewish-Muslim joint prayer in Tidewater, celebrating the beginning of the peace process in the Middle East. With a penchant for community and a natural leader, Rabbi Zoberman became the first rabbi to serve as Chair of the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater; the first rabbi from Hampton Roads to serve on the National Board of Directors of The Jewish Council for Public Affairs; and the first rabbi to serve as President of the Virginia Beach Clergy Association. Rabbi Zoberman has twice served as president of the Hampton Roads Board of Rabbis. Rabbi Zoberman is the only rabbi who is a volunteer police chaplain in Hampton Roads, serving with the Virginia Beach Police Department. In recognition of his many pioneering activities on behalf of the Hampton Roads community, Cox Cable recognized Rabbi Zoberman in 1989 as a ``Great Citizen of Hampton Roads''. In 1999, Mayor Meyera Oberndorf of Virginia Beach proclaimed April 23, 1999 as ``Israel Zoberman Day'' upon his 25th anniversary in rabbinic ministry, and his alma mater, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati awarded him an honorary doctor of divinity degree. Throughout his 30-year career in Virginia Beach, Rabbi Zoberman has consistently demonstrated a remarkable spirit of ecumenism in his relations with leaders of other faiths and an equal level of enthusiasm for serving the Hampton Roads community. Because of Rabbi Israel Zoberman's resounding success, and his dedicated years of service the Hampton Roads community has benefited immensely from his leadership. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Rabbi Israel Zoberman for his leadership, his commitment to Rabbinic Ministry and the many contributions he has made to his community.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Chairman, I rise reluctantly to support the budget resolution before us today. While the budget before us makes great strides to control spending and reduce the deficit, I am afraid the Veterans Administration will not have the necessary resources to take care of our nation's veterans. I know that many of my Virginia congressional colleagues share these same concerns as well. While I fully recognize that no budget is perfect, I hope we can all agree that providing health care to our nation's veterans should be the last place we look to reduce spending. Perhaps it would be more appropriate for us to review our spending on foreign aid before we ask our veterans to sacrifice yet again for their country. At a time when our country has soldiers deployed in Iraq in defense of freedom, it is important that we do not leave behind the men and women who have served our country in the past. To this end, I want to express my support of an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Resolution, offered by my colleague from Virginia, Virgil Goode. Unfortunately, this amendment will not be offered on the floor today for a vote, but it does, however, deserve our attention. Mr. Goode's amendment calls for an $8 billion cut from foreign aid spending, using that money instead to further assist our Nation's veterans and decrease the size of our federal deficit. This important measure would redirect funds used across seas and place it back in the hands of the American people. By paying down our Federal deficit we are investing in the future of America and by providing healthcare for our veterans we are repaying them for the personal investments they have made on our behalf. Mr. Speaker, the time has come when America must pay its debts, and that time as now. I will vote for this budget, however, because I believe it is vital that we keep the budget process moving. Further delaying the budget could negatively impact defense, homeland security, and other important government functions, as well as cause spending for our veterans to revert to previous levels. As we have seen in the past, failing to pass a budget resolution causes a train wreck in the appropriations process. With America still fighting the war on terror, we cannot allow that to happen again. It is my hope that the final product will be improved dramatically, so that I will be able to support the final budget conference report. I will have great reservations in supporting this budget again should it be returned to the House in its current form.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, despite the negative chants we hear from those refusing to take off their partisan uniforms, there is good news when it comes to the economy: 6 consecutive months of job growth; 364,000 new jobs in the last 6 months; and the largest 8-month decline in unemployment since 1995. But there are more challenges ahead. Perhaps our biggest opportunity is the chance to reduce unnecessary government regulations on small businesses. Every single year, the cost of complying with government regulation adds up to $843 billion. For firms employing fewer than 20 employees, the annual regulatory burden is $6,975 per employee. We put these costly regulations on small businesses, which provide approximately 75 percent of the net new jobs added to the economy, represent 99.7 percent of all employers, employ 50.1 percent of the private workforce, and represent 97 percent of all U.S. exporters. Instead of trying to raise taxes on small businesses, we need to reduce unnecessary regulations.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, all too often the voices whining about what they find wrong with our planning, our troops, or our military tend to drown out their great successes. But when I went to Iraq, I found our troops were proud that they had liberated 24 million Iraqi people in just 3 weeks. The untold story of Operation Iraqi Freedom were the stories describing the logistics warriors who not only accomplished extraordinary things but who were often also put in harm's way to support the phenomenal contributions of our combat troops. Sometimes we just assume that food is going to get there and our ammunition is going to get there, but let me tell you some of the truly amazing logistics work that occurred during this conflict. The main supply line stretched 350 miles; and on any given time, there were 2,500 logistics and support vehicles on the road. There were 2.5 million gallons of gas per day delivered effectively to fly our aircraft. We built the longest pipeline the Army has ever built, 220 miles long. There were 66,000 pipe sections hand laid to construct that critical system, and it is still in service today serving the Iraqi people. We delivered 1.5 million liters of water a day successfully and effectively. A third of a million meals were served per day. Two million tons of spare parts and equipment were moved effectively every day. In particular, the tremendous effort of the Army's Quartermaster Corps, the home of which is in Fort Lee, Virginia, are reflected by these totals from the war: 186 million gallons of fuel, enough to fill the tanks of 40,000 cars; they served 53 million meals, enough to feed the entire population of New York State with three meals a day; provided 330 million gallons of water, enough for a daily shower for the half million residents of Las Vegas; and delivered nearly 8 million pieces of mail. With so much success and such an enormous effort, it should not be hard to find additional improvements to be made. But, Mr. Speaker, I think it is only fitting today that we stand up and pass this resolution to honor their great work.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3717 and the gentleman from Michigan's (Mr. Upton) efforts to pass this act. Over the last several months, I have received hundreds of letters from frustrated constituents expressing their outrage over obscenity on our airwaves. They tell me it seems that every time they turn on their television or radio they have to cover their children's eyes and ears to protect them from profanity and obscenity. It is a disturbing feeling when one is afraid to leave their living room to check on dinner for fear that their children might be exposed to gross obscenity on television. My youngest child is still in high school; and as a dad, I would like to be there all the time for him, to turn off the television, to talk to him about why people say the things they do and to provide the guidance he needs; but we all have busy lives, and we know that it is not possible to be there every minute. As parents and as citizens, we should not be forced into a constant battle to protect our children from obscenity. We should have confidence that basic standards of common decency will be upheld. Several years ago, the Super Bowl half-time show featured characters from Disney and Peanuts. As we all know, this year's Super Bowl half- time was quite the opposite. While there was a time when parents would be happy to see their children emulate their role models on the playground, today that would be a horrifying sight. With each inappropriate incident, networks weaken our standards of decency and blur our children's sense of propriety. This legislation will hold broadcasters accountable by ensuring that fines for broadcast indecency are not seen as just a cost of doing business. It has become much easier for broadcasters to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. At this point, our mandate as legislators is clear: stand up against the continued decline in standards of broadcast indecency and pass H.R. 3717.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Leon G. Kerry, Commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), on his tremendous leadership as head of the nation's oldest African-American college athletic conference. Mr. Kerry, a resident of Chesapeake, Virginia, is now in his fourteenth year as Commissioner of the CIAA. In that time he has brought the conference from a largely regional entity to a hugely popular and highly respected athletic organization with national appeal. After graduating from Norfolk State University with a degree in Business Administration, Mr. Kerry served proudly in the United States Army and Army Reserve, rising to the rank of Captain. Upon completion of his military service, Mr. Kerry rose through the ranks of corporate banking serving as vice president of Sovran Bank. Mr. Kerry implemented his extensive banking experience as a part-time volunteer with the CIAA, where he restructured the conference's financial organization. Within six months Kerry had left banking behind and became the CIAA business manager. With a penchant for numbers and a natural business sense, Mr. Kerry became an obvious choice for the position of interim commissioner of the CIAA, a position he took in May of 1989. He later became full-time commissioner in February 1990. Under Kerry's guidance the CIAA has blossomed and become a leader in athletic competition. Through unwavering support of the conference and its athletes, Mr. Kerry has led unprecedented fundraising efforts to develop the CIAA and increase its accessibility for both student athletes and sport enthusiasts alike. Quickly becoming one of the nation's premier collegiate competitions, the CIAA basketball tournament is among the region's most highly anticipated annual sporting events. As Commissioner, Mr. Kerry has overseen the growth of the tournament rise from a spectator base of about 10,000 to its current attendance of over 80,000. The tournament now enjoys nationwide television coverage and vast corporate sponsorship. Because of Mr. Kerry's resounding success, he is now the longest- tenured commissioner of a historically black college or university athletic conference. Mr. Kerry continues to advocate education as well as athletics and the students of the CIAA have benefited immensely from his leadership. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Commissioner Leon Kerry for his leadership in collegiate athletics, his commitment to student athletes and the many contributions he has made to his community.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to welcome my friend and pastor, Reverend Charles Moseley, as guest chaplain of the United States House of Representatives. We are thankful for his presence today and for his humble ministry to God. In over 30 years of service at Great Bridge Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Virginia, Reverend Moseley has steadfastly led his congregation in the footsteps of Christ, touching thousands of lives with the joy and peace of the Lord. Through the many years that my family and I have attended Great Bridge Baptist, I have come to know Reverend Moseley as a model of selfless service and great spiritual leadership. He has also been my pastor for over 30 years. Reverend Moseley came to Great Bridge Baptist Church from South Carolina in 1969 and has served as pastor ever since. He and his wife, Lou, are devoted to their five children and six grandchildren, to each other, and to their extraordinary faith in the Lord. Through this great faith, Reverend Moseley has given countless people hope, inspiration, and spiritual strength. We are honored to have Reverend Moseley with us today and we warmly welcome him. I thank him for his prayer today and for his spiritual guidance.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great anticipation that our Nation is nearing the end of a tragic chapter in our American history, one in which the most helpless among us are vulnerable to the most heinous crimes. I believe that, with the passage of the partial- birth abortion ban, we will look back and remember this day as the day that America began to find its way back to its conscience. Today we will hear people talking about choice when they know this bill is not about choice. We will hear about them talk about abortion, and this bill is really not about abortion. This bill substantively is about one procedure, one procedure that is so painful to an unborn baby that even the most extreme proponent of abortion has to look at it and say it shocks even their conscience. This bill is simply about preventing egregious and unnecessary pain to an unborn child. Or if Members want to pick a different nomenclature, a fetus. While everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, people are not entitled to their own facts. On partial-birth abortion, the facts are out. The facts are clear. Partial-birth abortion is never really medically necessary. Partial-birth abortion is not a rare procedure. It happens many times, and it is not limited to mothers or babies who are in danger. It is performed on healthy women and healthy babies, and that is what the facts are. The overwhelming testimony is that an unborn child experiences more pain at this particular juncture than it does even after it is born. This bill is not about having an abortion; it is about whether or not you can have a partial-birth abortion. Partial-birth abortion is repugnant to civilized society. Partial-birth abortion goes beyond abortion on demand. The baby involved is not unborn. This procedure is infanticide, and its cruelty stretches the limits of human decency. This issue comes down to one simple question: Is there no limit, is there no amount of pain, is there no procedure that is so extreme that we can apply to this unborn child or this fetus that we are willing as a country to say that just goes too far? Mr. Speaker, partial-birth abortion goes too far, and I hope we will pass this conference report.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call attention to an article written by Rabbi Israel Zobennan. His article centers around a trip he recently made to Israel. Rabbi Zoberman is spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach. Born in Chu, Kazakhstan, in 1945, and raised in Haifa, Israel, he lived in Israel of 1949 to 1966. In the midst of renewed cautious hope to overcome the deadly impasse between Palestinians and Israelis through implementation of the Roadmap, I had the opportunity to witness the resumption of the very lively Israeli way of life during this cease-fire (Hudna in Arabic) period accepted by the Palestinian terror organizations. The solidarity mission sponsored by my Reform movement whose hallmark is prophetic values, focused on social justice issues in the Jewish state. We were exposed to inspiring efforts to make a difference on the internal front in spite of on-going security concerns. For that will ultimately determine the very quality of Israeli society and the meaning of a challenged yet enduring Zionist enterprise. Surely a nation's strength is a function of its social climate and democratic vitality even more so than its undergirding and reflective military might. But only peace allows for the essential societal flourishing which budded prior to the onset of the Second Intifada and the latter's back setting impact when Chairman Arafat chose the path of destruction over that of dialogue. A major concern remains the welfare and integration of the 1,200,000 Israeli Arabs who live along five million Jews. While the Arab population in Israel proper has made progress, it still lags behind the Jewish majority socially, economically and educationally. The wide gap is bound to create understandable resentment and dangerous alienation with Israeli Arabs already undergoing troubling Palestinization and Muslim radicalization leading to terrorist acts which work against them, playing into the hands of those who claim they cannot be trusted. The state of war with Israel's Arab and Palestinian antagonists has exacerbated matters, though neglect will only fester a wound whose healing is essential for Israel's long-term well-being. Our group was addressed by volunteer Jewish members of ``Sikkuy'' (meaning a chance) which includes Arab counterparts and offers training to empower Arab municipalities as well as encourage their women to become leaders. We toured the Lower Galilee mountain range, discussing the disadvantaged Arab community in receiving state allocations, the attempt to improve the weak demographic Jewish presence, and the urgent need to improve communication between the two groups. At the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon we visited the pediatric intensive care unit and saw children kept alive by the unique Israeli project Save A Child's Heart (SACH). It was founded in 1995 by the late American born legendary cardio-thoracic surgeon, Dr. Ami Cohen. A nurse on the hospital team was trained at our own King's Daughters in Norfolk. I was particularly moved by a Palestinian mother and her infant son from the Gaza Strip. The boy is among over 800 children from developing countries, a third from the Palestinian areas, who have benefited from the program which is supported by private funds, volunteer medical care and hostel service when necessary. There was no interruption of service to Palestinians when devastating suicide bombings took place in nearby Tel Aviv and Netanya, and space was needed for emergency treatment of victims. Imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti on terrorism charges had a family baby treated there. Also a free clinic offered services to over 3,000 Palestinians. To save a life, any life, is a supreme sacred Jewish act practiced lovingly by Israelis. In Jerusalem near the Machene Yehuda marketplace and its lingering memory of a suicide bombing, a community center embraces a most diverse neighborhood of religious and secular Jews, Arabs, Palestinians, foreign workers, haves and have nots. They benefit from a joint educational program where the children of all are attended to. We also lent moral support to demonstrating single parents, mostly women, encamped in tents outside the Knesset (Parliament). They are upset over their subsidies cut following an Israeli version of the ``Wisconsin Plan,'' as Israel is moving more and more from a welfare state to a capitalistic one, leaving the weaker classes behind, thus creating a potential social explosion also in the Jewish majority. In Haifa, where I grew up, I stunningly paused to offer a memorial prayer at the site of last March's terrorist attack claiming seventeen lives, at the bus stop I use to visit my aging parents. Guards are still posted at the entrance to public places, checking bags and reassuring people. Tears welled up in me upon hearing the breaking news that six elderly Iraqi Jews were brought home to Israel in a special operation representing practically the last survivors of a 2000 year old great exiled Jewry. What a reminder of what a resilient Israel is all about with the complexities and contradictions of a violated yet valiant land!