J. Forbes

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I am very distraught today over our failure to resolve the disappearance of LCDR Michael Scott Speicher. Commander Speicher was the first American lost in the 1991 gulf war. His F/A-18 Hornet was shot down west of Baghdad in the early morning hours of January 17. After Kuwait was liberated and the tenuous cease-fire agreement reached, the Iraqi Government returned remains of a person that was supposed to be Commander Speicher. DNA and blood type testing would reveal that it was not. Years later, after a debate over whether Commander Speicher was killed in action or simply missing, intelligence sources now believe that Commander Speicher may be alive and a prisoner of Iraq. America has a moral obligation to every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsmen that it sends into harm's way to accurately determine their fate and expend all efforts to return their remains to their families. Scott Speicher's family doesn't have closure because no search and rescue mission was ever launched. When a covert mission was proposed to go into Iraq in 1994 to investigate the crash site, a senior Pentagon official said, ``I do not want to have to write letters home to the parents to tell them that their son or daughter died looking for old bones.'' Who will write the letter to Scott Speicher's family explaining why he may still be alive? We cannot trust the Iraqis to help us. The Iraqi government has already failed to deliver CDR Speicher or his remains at the end of the gulf war; and they delayed an investigation into the crash site until they had time to pick it over. Scott Speicher is the only American unaccounted for from the gulf war, but there are many unaccounted personnel missing from other conflicts. We need to renew our efforts to locate those who gave all in service of their country, and return them to their families.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. on their 90th Anniversary. The Girl Scouts are a quintessential American institution that has exported its successful strategy to 140 countries, and a worldwide family of 8.5 million girls. The Girls Scouts represent the largest voluntary organization for girls in the world. Juliette Gordon Low, who believed that all girls should have the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually, formed the Girl Scouts this week in 1912. Congress first chartered the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. on March 16, 1950. Since that time, the Girl Scouts have grown to over 3.8 million members throughout America. The Girl Scouts have held true to their mission to help all girls grow strong and develop their full potential. The Girl Scout Promise compels each young Girl Scout to be their best by pledging: ``On my honor, I will try; To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And top live by the Girl Scout Law.'' Now more than ever, the young women of America needs the Girl Scout's positive message and leadership. The Girl Scouts provide an environment where girls are challenged and guided to become capable, self-reliant, ethical women who will make a difference. Again, Mr. Speaker, I commend the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. on their 90th Anniversary and their invaluable contributions to the upbringing of America's young women. I congratulate the Girl Scouts and thank all those who have contributed their time, energy, and love in making this organization an American success story.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Madam Speaker, as an original cosponsor of this legislation, I wanted to offer my strong support for this bill and to express my admiration for Congressman Tom Bliley and his distinguished career. Even before his election to Congress in 1980, Congressman Bliley had already accomplished what many would consider a lifetime of service to his country. He was born just south of the James River in Westover Hills. After graduating from Georgetown University, Tom Bliley joined the Navy as an officer where he rose to the rank of lieutenant. Between 1970 and 1977 Congressman Bliley served as Mayor of Richmond. It was his steady hand and wisdom that were credited for guiding the city through some of its most turbulent times. Many of us here in Congress came to know Congressman Bliley during his twenty years of service in the House of Representatives. Congressman Bliley retired at the end of the 106th Congress as the distinguished Chairman of the House Commerce Committee. While I did not have the honor of serving with Tom Bliley in Congress, I did have the opportunity to work closely with Congressman Bliley on many occasions during my time in the Virginia General Assembly and have always admired his demeanor and dedication to making Virginia and America a better place. We often see in politics today elected officials that come to Washington to serve themselves rather than their constituents. We often see politicians that cannot resist the temptation to engage in destructive politics. After all, we are all human. However, during his time in Congress Tom Bliley never forgot the people who sent him to Washington and why they sent him in the first place. During every minute of his time in Congress Tom Bliley always had the respect and admiration of his colleagues. Few can make such a claim. Madam Speaker, I hope the soon to be Tom Bliley Post Office Building will serve as bold tribute to a distinguished Virginian and a noble statesman.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, on September 11 and in the weeks that followed, it seemed inconceivable that anyone in the world would ever be able to return to true normalcy. The horror of that day would--as well it should--live forever in our hearts and minds. But, in parts of the world, old hatreds have been revived and violence has once again become an everyday occurrence. In particular, the Middle East has again become a tinderbox. Rabbi Israel Zoberman of the Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach, a congregation that draws people from all over the Tidewater area, recently traveled to Israel for the Israel Bonds Rabbinic Conference Solidarity Mission. As someone who had grown up in Israel before coming to the United States to preach, Rabbi Zoberman is regrettably well accustomed to the daily routine of violence in the Middle East. But, he is far from desensitized to its effects on human lives. He published his thoughts on the recent violence in the National Jewish Post, and he has shared them with me. I commend his article to my colleagues' attention as well. As an early supporter of mutual accommodation between the Israelis and the Palestinians, I urged in the wake of the 1982 Lebanon War--in an article inserted into the Congressional Record by then Senator Charles Percy of Illinois--for responding creatively to the Palestinian question while guaranteeing Israel's security. Indeed, the 1993 historic handshake between the late Prime Minister Rabin and Chairman Arafat at the south lawn of the White House vindicated those believing in the necessity of peace between the long warring parties. However, the past 16 months have painfully impacted the peace camp following Arafat's initiation of the Second Intifada, violently rejecting former Prime Minister Barak's wide proposal at Camp David to fully end the historic conflict. While on an Israel Bonds Rabbinic Conference Solidarity Mission, we watched on Israeli TV the captured ship ``Karine A,'' packed with fifty tons of Iranian offensive weapons ordered by the Palestinian Authority. Major General Shlomo Gazit (Res.) who headed the Israeli Army Intelligence branch, described to us the action as the most daring commando raid since the 1976 Entebbe Operation, also meant to save Jewish lives. All that while General Anthony Zinni was in the region receiving cynical assurances from the Palestinian of their commitment to implement a cease-fire. U.S. Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer, the second consecutive American Jew to serve in the important post replacing Ambassador Martin Indyk, greeted us most warmly and unequivocally state, ``there is a connection between the ship and the Palestinian Authority for which it should answer.'' Jerusalem's Mayor Ehud Olmert, thanking us heartfeltedly as did Israelis at large for visiting at a trying time, emphasized that the ship's episode illustrates the gap ``between Arafat's declarations and deeds'' with peace remaining elusive. Israel's President Moshe Katsav movingly welcoming us in his official residence was highly critical of Arafat's conduct since the Peace Process began, and stressed the internal division the latter created in Israeli society. He emphatically announced, acknowledgingly borrowing President Lincoln's famous phrase, ``Mr. Arafat, you cannot fool all the people all the time.'' The President spoke of the need to vigorously fight terrorism while asserting the meeting points of common interests between Palestinians and Israelis. Deputy Defense Minister, Dalia Rabin-Pelossof, daughter of the slain Yitzhak Rabin, bemoaned the transition ``from hope to despair,'' calling on Arafat to cease engaging in violence as well as teaching Palestinian children the language of hate and suicide bombing. She regards economic development essential and finds the ultimate solution to be political rather than military. Jacob Perry, who led the Shin Bet, Israel's internal security service, reflected on Israel's long encounter with Arab terrorism even as recently Islamic fundamentalism ``openly challenged the West.'' He praised American Intelligence capability, the failure of September 11th notwithstanding, explaining the difficulty of penetrating the compartmentalized and religiously extreme Muslim terror cells. Dr. Raanan Gissin, Prime Minister Sharon's Media Advisor, analyzed Arafat's inability to change course and shed off his life's identity as a terrorist, thus bound to remain such. His present forced confinement to West Bank's town of Ramallah will extend till he turns in the murderers of government minister Rehavam Zeevi. Yet Gissin shared, ``we have to find a way to live with Arabs'' without compromising Israel's overwhelming right to its land, keeping Jerusalem united. He voiced enthusiastic support for President Bush's war on terrorism by unstoppable ``democracy on the march.'' Rabbi Binyamin Elon, assassinated Minister Zeevi's party colleague who jointed the government in his stead as Tourism Minister, cautioned of the need to be strong in face of an enemy regarding Israel's moral code as a weakness. Limor Livnat, Education Minister, refuses to view Arafat as a peace partner in the midst of his waging war against Israel, denying Jerusalem's centrality for the Jewish people. Encountering the families, fellow soldiers and the classmates of terror victims, including twenty-two immigrant Russian students from Tel Aviv's Shevah Mofet School, we witnessed with horror the bullet-ridden bus where ten Israelis found their death at Emanuel town's entrance. Tearfully facing freedom's high price, we were reassured by the resiliency of the human spirit coupled by Israeli resolve. The bond with America's own pain became most evident. In the deadly stalemate caused by the absence of a negotiated settlement, there is the option of a unilateral separation by Israel with a demilitarized Palestinian entity. The venerated vision of genuine peace will follow, some day, with both sides prayerfully seeking and creating sacred windows of opportunity. Meanwhile, will Chairman Arafat who has inflicted profound anguish on Israelis and Palestinians alike, betraying the precious though fragile essence of transforming and uniting hope of so many, kindly return the Nobel Peace Prize he no longer deserves?

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Cyber Security Research and Development Act, which will help the United States reduce its vulnerability to cyberattacks by terrorists and common criminals alike. Cyber attacks may not bring the large scale death and destruction of attacks by biological or chemical agents or other weapons of mass destruction, but they are just as real a threat to the American people. They hold the power to disrupt our way of life, harm people's personal interests, and cause tremendous losses for businesses. Computers have become increasingly ubiquitous. More than half of all American use the Internet, with more than 2 million people going online for the first time each month. Computer-based technology powers the way we bank, the way we shop, and the way we exchange information. And, this makes nearly every American vulnerable to cyber threats. The Cyber Security Research and Development Act will reduce that vulnerability in two ways. First, it will improve our research efforts so that we can stop cyber terrorists before they strike. Too few of our most gifted minds are working on this area of research. The funding available in this bill will power partnerships between the government and academia to remedy this Second, H.R. 3394 will improve our education programs so that average Americans can spot threats and react quickly. As a member of the Science Committee, I heard the testimony of research experts who indicated how great the threat is and how much could be achieved to defeat it if we dedicated ourselves to this goal. That is why I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it today.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, last week, the President in his state of the union address called upon all Americans to reveal the better side of their nature and to take time to contribute to their communities through a variety of volunteer activities. I rise today to honor a Chesapeake, Virginia woman who heeded that call long before it was made. Karen Papasodora-Cochrane is an attorney and mediator, a loving wife and mother for four. But, she is also an active member of her community, volunteering her time, energy, and skills to a variety of causes. Since moving to Chesapeake in 1989, Karen has volunteered to help her neighbors most in need of assistance. She has offered her time raising money for the Chesapeake Care Free Clinic, serving meals to the homeless, and working at the Clothing Closet and Food Pantry at Kempsville Presbyterian Church. Karen has also given of her legal skills, providing pro bono services at the Chesapeake Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court to help victims of domestic violence and supervising a free legal clinic in a low-income community. Furthermore, Karen has been an active participant in the civic process that keeps our democracy moving at its most basic levels. She has been an active member and leader in the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Chesapeake Republican Women's Club for many years. Later this month, she will be honored by her colleagues for this commitment as Chesapeake's Grassroots Volunteer of the Year. I can hardly imagine anyone who is more deserving of this award. We can all learn from her commitment and dedication to the principle of public service. I am honored to know her and to have had the privilege of working by her side for the betterment of the city I call home. Her energy has been an inspiration, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to share her spirit with this chamber today.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor of H. Res. 330, I rise in strong support of this resolution to honor the community service we know as mentoring. This time-tested method of helping children--particularly at-risk children--to grow and learn benefits all. As the parents of our, my wife and I have been fully engaged as role models and mentors for our own children. There is nothing more fulfilling for us than to work with them to shape their futures and open their minds and hearts to all the possibilities that lay before them. But far too many children do not have this opportunity. One in four children has only one parent, who may not have the time to spend with her son or daughter. One in ten children is born to teenaged parents, who themselves need guidance. These children need a helping hand to come from outside the home. As we celebrate National Mentoring Month, we should honor the commitment of the men and women who spend time with these kids and help to give them hope for tomorrow. Working one child at a time, they make a real difference in their communities. They keep children off of the streets and out of trouble. They keep drug dealers from finding buyers. They keep gang recruiters from finding new members. We should also give thanks to those organizations that connect these men and women to the children who need them. Some of these groups are big names we all know and respect, like America's Promise and Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Partnership for a Drug-Free America. Others spring up in communities all across America. They may be a church group or a women's club. Whether the group is large or small, the outcome is the same--children who can smile at their futures again. I urge all my colleagues to support the mentors in their communities and to support this resolution.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2739, which would require the United States to take positive steps to ensure that Taiwan is afforded an opportunity to participate in the World Health Assembly in May 2002. Taiwan, with its population of 23.5 million people, is a leader in its region in public health, surpassing its Asian neighbors in life expectancy and maintaining maternal and infant mortality rates comparable to those in western countries. They have participated in medical and humanitarian ventures, helping the people of El Salvador when they were devastated by an earthquake in January. Furthermore, the Taiwanese public health agency has demonstrated an interest in collaborating with its counterparts in other nations, including the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on a wide range of public health issues. Taiwan has much to contribute to the global community and it should not be arbitrarily precluded from participating in the annual health assembly. Earlier this year, the Congress passed legislation calling on the United States Government to take affirmative action to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at the annual World Health Organization summit in Geneva, Switzerland. Taiwan is already a member of international bodies, such as the Asian Development Bank and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Observer status at the World Health Organization is a logical next step. And, such observer status is not unusual, having been granted for the PLO, the Order of Malta and the Holy See in the past. I am pleased that the President and Administration officials have voiced their support for Taiwan's participation in the activities of the World Health Organization. I encourage my colleagues to again show their strong support for this proposal and to support this legislation today.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in reluctant support of the Fiscal Year 2002 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act. Though the bill includes language that gives me serious pause--in particular that related to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), I will cast my vote in support of this legislation today to ensure our continued support for the people of Israel in their time of great crisis. The people of Israel have lived with violence and unrest since the birth of their nation more than 50 years ago. But in recent years, it has appeared that with serious effort, a reasonable peace could be achieved in that region. Over the past several weeks, however, that dream of peace has crumbled. The leadership of the Palestinian Authority has been lacking either the wherewithal or the will to control the escalating violence and the Israeli leadership has retaliated in the only way it can see fit. Regrettably, innocent lives on both sides often pay the price for this impasse. In this time of turmoil, Mr. Speaker, we must show our support for our ally, Israel. This bill fully funds the President's requests for foreign military financing and economic assistance to Israel. Thus, despite my objections to the UNFPA language and other provisions, I must support this funding bill. The compromise language developed by the conferees increases the appropriation for the UNFPA by 40 percent over last year. In recent months, the UNFPA has come under increasing scrutiny for its policies that support coercive abortion policies in China, Peru, and elsewhere. Furthermore, as Congressional criticism of their complicity in these inhumane policies has increased, the UNFPA has become less and less willing to provide information that Congress needs to conduct its required oversight. In fact, only two months ago, the UNFPA refused a request by the International Relations Committee to even testify on this matter. There can be little doubt that coercive abortion and one-child policies prey upon the most vulnerable people in our global society. They force young women, disabled women, and poor women into giving up the families that they want through abortion or infanticide. They lead to the deaths of countless innocent children all around the world. By intentionally ignoring that these policies exist, the UNFPA passively supports them. And, this is a practice that must stop. While I am opposed to the bottom-line increase in funding for UNFPA, I am encouraged by the fact that this funding level is meant to be an appropriations ceiling. I am very hopeful that the President and his Administration will use the discretion that this mechanism provides to ensure that funding is commensurate only with the appropriate purposes of this program and that it is not used to support these despicable family planning programs. In addition to my concerns about the UNFPA funding, Mr. Speaker, I am also skeptical that it is appropriate to be increasing our international funding obligations to this extent at a time when our economy is still demonstrating a marked sluggishness. While I recognize the importance of remaining fully engaged in the international community in times of peace as well as in times of war, I am not certain that the increase in funding in this bill represents the appropriate balance of our national priorities. In fact, this funding bill includes a nearly $2 million increase over the funding level requested by the President. Mr. Speaker, I do appreciate the difficult task that the conferees had in forging this compromise legislation. And, though I am conflicted on the merits of that compromise, I will support it today.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker as an original cosponsor of this resolution and a Representative of the Tidewater region of Virginia, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 279. I recently was honored to participate in the homecoming celebration of the USS Enterprise when it returned to Norfolk from its extended deployment in Afghanistan. These brave men sailed out of Norfolk in April and only just returned to their families, friends, and homes last month. They were given a true hero's welcome by their loved ones, their extended Naval family in Norfolk, and even their Commander-in-Chief. We were and are extraordinarily proud of their service and dedication, particularly in this time of war. When it was first christened at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in 1960, the Enterprise had an impressive history to live up to. Its namesake was a highly decorated, World War II veteran that had participated in the Battle of Midway and Doolittle's raid on Tokyo. As the world's first and finest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, this Enterprise has done its namesake proud. The Enterprise Battle Group was among the first of the American fleet to participate in the new war on terrorism. And, should they be called to duty again in this war, I am certain that they will serve again with distinction. In the coming days, we will vote on the Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2002. This legislation includes a much-deserved pay raise for these sailors and other servicemembers. I am proud to support that pay raise, and to do all that I can to support their mission from my position in Congress. And, Mr. Speaker, while I do encourage my colleagues to approve that appropriations bill later this week, today, I ask for their support for this much-deserved but simple recognition for the crew of the USS Enterprise Battle Group.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Science Committee and an original cosponsor of this bill, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3178, the Water Infrastructure Security and Research Development Act. In October, as the Anthrax scare was at its zenith, I held two town hall meetings in my district. The first question at each one revealed the serious concerns of my constituents about the safety of their water. They wanted to know if the water that they use every day to cook, to bathe, and to clean would be protected from being used to deliver chemical or biological weapons. Each one of us relies upon the cleanliness and purity of our water supplies and upon the appropriate treatment of our sewage. But, since September 11th, we've become acutely aware that the things we take for granted could easily be threatened by terrorists who want to do us harm. Our water supplies, simply because they reach every one of us every day, top that list. Last month, a Richmond, Virginia newspaper did a security check of its own at three area drinking water plants. What they found gave great reason for concern to Richmond City residents. A reporter and photographer were able to walk right through the front gate of the City's facility, wander around for about an hour each day for a week, and have access to the water supply. Similar surprise inspections at neighboring county facilities, Mr. Speaker, were thankfully less alarming. The legislation we consider today will help the people of Richmond and elsewhere to ensure the long-term safety of our water. It provides $60 million in grants over the next five years to identify threats and respond to them. Similar legislation is before the Senate, and we should move quickly as a Congress to approve this initiative to give every American peace of mind when turning on the tap. I encourage my colleagues to support this important bill.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act, to ensure that our children get the medicines that are best suited to their growing bodies. Four years ago, Congress authorized incentives for pharmaceutical manufacturers to do pediatric research for their products and to provide pediatric labeling information. That legislation has been an extraordinary success for our children. In the six years prior to enactment of that change in law, only 11 pediatric studies were conducted by the pharmaceutical industry. But, in the four years since its enactment, the industry has agreed to more than 400 such studies. Mr. Speaker, children are not simply small adults. They have special needs for nutrition and medical care, and the pharmaceutical products we develop should reflect these needs. The pediatric exclusivity provision Congress passed in 1997 ensures that they do. Today's legislation simply reauthorizes that expiring provision through Fiscal Year 2007. I appreciate the bipartisan effort of the Energy and Commerce Committee to move this bill so swiftly through the legislative process, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, H. Con. Res. 273, reaffirming the important relationship that the United States and the Philippines have shared for more than a century. The Filipino people have been our friends for many years, and in today's war against terrorism they are one of our most steadfast allies. The Filipino government immediately voices its support for our efforts in Afghanistan and, more importantly, has allowed our armed forces to use its military installations for transit, refueling, resupply, and staging operations that are vital to our success. Further more, the Filipino people are keenly aware of the destructive nature of terrorism and the necessity of routing this evil from our world. For years, they have lived with the danger of terrorist threats form many groups, including the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People's Army, and the National Democratic Front. But, no threat is as great as that which they face from the radical Abu Sayaff group, which has ties to Osama bin Laden and the al-Qaeda network. Abu Sayaff has engaged in bombings, arson, kidnapping, and hundreds of other acts of terrorism with increasing frequency. Earlier this year, in fact, they kidnapped three American citizens along with several Filipinos. They murdered one of those Americans, and the other two remain in captivity to this day. Our Filipino friends have stood by us since the attacks of September 11th, and we should stand by them as they face this same threat. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a friend of the Filipino-American community and I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, it is with a profound sense of sorrow and regret that I rise today in opposition to the conference report for S. 1438. While this bill has many items that deserve passage by the House, I cannot support its call for yet another round of base closures and realignment. As I have noted in the past, the basic premise behind base closures is not a bad one. If we have excess installations and personnel, then we should not be supporting them with dollars better spent equipping our soldiers and sailors with the very best technology available. But, despite several rounds of base closures and over a decade of time to evaluate them, we have yet to determine that we do have that excess or that we can drain it without costing more than we save. While I appreciate the hard work and difficult choices that the conferees had to make in forging the BRAC compromise in this conference report, I do not believe that it fully addresses the problems that have been evident in past rounds of base closures. To be certain, the conferees attempted to address questions about the politicization of the process and the true costs savings. However, the procedures that they put in place do little more than offer lip service to these very legitimate concerns. For instance, there is evidence that past rounds of base closures have not only fallen woefully short of the budget boons they were expected to bring, but that they have in fact cost us more than expected due largely to significant environmental cleanup costs. To be sure, proponents of BRAC can find statistics that indicate cost savings. But, given the conflicting information available, those statistics are specious at best. The real problem is that limited and faulty auditing has left Congress with very little to go on regarding the true costs and savings of the process. The conferees require the Secretary of Defense to certify that there will be annual cost savings for each service by 2011 before the Commission can be appointed. But, if we have been unable to obtain an accurate accounting over the past 13 years, why should we put faith in this report? People's jobs and communities' economies are on line, and we should not be so cavalier about the consequences of setting this process in motion. Furthermore, the procedures developed by the conferees put the cart before the horse. By requiring the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on our military's needs and inventories before a Commission can be appointed, the conferees admit that by 2005 they are not even certain that another round of base closures will be necessary. If anything has been made clear both by the Defense Department's work this year on transformation and by the events of the past several months, it is that current events and technology are changing so rapidly that our military must be flexible enough to adapt. But, by voting today to begin down the path to another round of base closures, we give the process momentum that threatens to overcome the true needs of our military. The mere threat of the possibility of base closures makes our military personnel uneasy about their futures and their families' futures and puts community bond ratings and economic plans at risk. Particularly now that we are engaged in a war against terrorism, we need our installation commanders fully engaged in this effort and not preoccupied with the possibility that their base will be closed or their personnel reassigned. If we are so uncertain as to the necessity of this round of base closures, we should wait to have the vote on BRAC until that need has been demonstrated. In this time of great anxiety about our nation's economy and our global safety, I am not prepared to add to this uncertainty. Mr. Speaker, I fully realize that there is much to commend itself in this report. For instance, I fully support the authorization for the servicemembers' pay raises, as I did as a member of the Committee and on the House floor. These brave men and women have toiled for years for the cause of freedom, doing more work with fewer resources, and they deserve a pay raise. But, to give these soldiers and sailors pay raises one day, and then uproot their homes and their families the next is simply not fair. I also support the reduction in out-of-pocket housing costs for military personnel and the improvements in military health care, as well as the provisions preserving our right to seek the best possible training options for our servicemembers by continuing to use the facilities at Vieques. Readiness protects our servicemembers from harm and gives their families some peace of mind. It is far too important to be the subject of a political referendum. Let me make clear, Mr. Speaker, that I understand that many of my colleagues here today--including some who served in these difficult conference negotiations--are equally displeased with the inclusion of any base closure process, but that they will, in the end, support this report. For my part, I am certain that the BRAC provisions are not in the best interests of Virginia's Fourth District or of our Nation, and I cannot support them. But, I do not question the patriotism or the wisdom of these colleagues. So, while it is with a heavy heart that I cast my vote today against this conference report, it is with a clear mind. I appreciate the work of my chairman and my colleagues, and look forward to working with them to continue to improve the quality of life for our servicemembers and the readiness of our forces.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, last week, we commemorated the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. That single event changed the history of the world, and altered the paths of all Americans. No one was more affected, however, than the World War II veterans who picked up arms in response to that attack. Ceremonies all across the nation honored them for their sacrifices last Friday, including one in which I was proud to participate on the U.S.S. Enterprise. There can be no greater exhibition of gratitude, however, than passage of legislation that improves the lives of those veterans and expands upon the benefits that they have richly earned. For months now, several bills passed by the House to help our veterans have awaited action by the other chamber. Today, I am pleased to join my colleagues in finally passing some of them and sending them to the President for his signature into law. The first bill sets a high, but I think attainable goal, of ending chronic homelessness among veterans. Far too many of the brave men and women who fought to provide us with freedom spend their days and nights on the streets and in shelters. They returned from the battlefield but were unable to make the transition back to their civilian lives. Given the great sacrifices they have made on our behalf, we should be able to make a real effort to help them find their place in our society where they can feel welcome and comfortable. As many as 300,000 veterans sleep on the streets on any given night. The $1 billion authorized by this legislation over the next five years will go far to help them find peace and shelter. The second bill provides a 2.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment for veterans disability compensation. For 100 percent disabled veterans, this translates into an average of $738 each year. These men and women sacrificed their ability to do many routine tasks, including work, when they put on the uniform and were wounded. This legislation merely helps them keep pace with inflation, so that they can pay their bills and live their lives. It is a modest increase compared to what they have given. The final bill consolidates several bills considered by the House that increase education, housing, burial, and disability benefits for veterans by $3.1 billion over the next five years. Specifically, the bill increases the popular and successful Montgomery GI Bill college education benefit by 51 percent over current levels, increases the veterans home loan guaranty by nearly $10,000, and increases grants for disabled veterans' implements. Furthermore this bill expands the list of illnesses for which veterans can qualify for disability compensation and will repeal the 30-year presumptive period for respiratory cancers associated with exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides. Together, these bills are a fitting way to thank our veterans and to extend a promise to the millions of American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines that are now serving in uniform. Without these men and women, the world would be far less secure and the future would be bleak. I am proud to be a part of the effort to show our thanks.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 282, which reiterates Congress' commitment to our seniors to keep the promise of Social Security. For years now, Congress and the public have known that Social Security would soon be facing serious financial challenges due to shifting demographics. With the aging of the baby boom generation, the number of retiring Americans receiving benefits is beginning to overwhelm the number of working Americans paying into the Social Security system. In addition, thanks to important medical advances and healthy behavioral changes, Americans are living longer. The result of these factors is that beginning in 2016, Social Security payments will exceed worker contributions into the trust funds. This is a scary prospect for the millions of Americans who receive Social Security benefits. Many of those individuals depend upon their monthly Social Security checks to survive. As we fight our global war on terrorism, we must not lose sight of the fact that terror can come in many forms. It is every bit as frightening to an elderly man or woman that the Social Security check might be late--and far more real. Too many of these people are living from one check to the next and balancing food against medicine. As their Representatives in Congress, we should at least provide them with the security of the promise of Social Security. It is also a scary prospect, Mr. Speaker, for the millions of Americans who are approaching retirement. They have been paying into the Social Security trust funds because they have to, not because they believe in Social Security. In fact, numerous studies have shown that more young Americans believe in UFOs than in their future Social Security checks. It is clear that Social Security in its current form--the form it has had since the Great Depression--is unsustainable. If we are to keep the promise that so many seniors and working Americans have relied upon for years, we must reform this program. There are many possibilities for reform, including adding personal investment options. The President appointed a commission of experts from business, think tanks, and government to explore these alternatives and to make recommendations to Congress for change. They are expected to vote on their final report today, and Congress should consider their recommendations with due deliberative speed. We must act quickly, but more importantly, we must act right. But throughout our deliberations, Mr. Speaker, we must maintain our steadfastness to keep the promise of Social Security. We should not raise Social Security taxes and we should not cut benefits. We must use the innovative spirit that is America's hallmark to meet this challenge and find a way to strengthen and improve Social Security. Building upon the Social Security lock box legislation that this body has already approved, this resolution lays the groundwork for our coming debate, reaffirming our commitment to Social Security's beneficiaries, in particular, the most vulnerable beneficiaries--the low-income, the women, and the minorities. I look forward to reviewing these issues with my colleagues and developing a real solution to this challenge. I urge all my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 282.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of the Help America Vote Act, I rise in strong support of this landmark bipartisan legislation. My home state of Virginia was one of the few states to hold an election this year. Thankfully, there appear to have been no major problems revealed in the administration of that election. But, the memories of the 2000 election are still fresh in the American mind and it is clear that we as a society must address the flaws that were revealed in that election cycle. The Help America Vote Act is a fair and reasonable compromise on an issue that is still being hotly debated and considered in states across the nation. It provides $400 million in federal funds for a buy-out of the infamous punch card ballot machines. Great and honest minds can disagree about whether these machines have a substantially higher rate of error than other systems. But, one thing is absolutely clear: The American people have no faith in punch card ballots. There are strong alternatives available, and this federal funding will enable communities large and small to afford those alternatives. The bill also provides a mechanism for getting more people involved in the civics of elections. We all agree that voting is an important civic duty. But, our responsibility as citizens does not end there. Voting only works when good people step forward and participate as electoral officers at polling places. These are the non-partisan assistants who give up a full day of work or personal time to make the process work. Unfortunately, the number of people who are participating in this way is waning. The Help America Vote Program and Help America Vote Foundation established by this legislation will go far to bring more people into this process. I am also very pleased, Mr. Speaker, that this bill includes provisions of the voting standards legislation produced be the House Science Committee, of which I am a member, earlier this year. Debates about standards are arcane and technical, but they are vitally important to ensuring that the procedures we put in place work. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it toady on the floor.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, last week, we commemorated the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. That single event changed the history of the world, and altered the paths of all Americans. No one was more affected, however, than the World War II veterans who picked up arms in response to that attack. Ceremonies all across the nation honored them for their sacrifices last Friday, including one in which I was proud to participate on the U.S.S. Enterprise. There can be no greater exhibition of gratitude, however, than passage of legislation that improves the lives of those veterans and expands upon the benefits that they have richly earned. For months now, several bills passed by the House to help our veterans have awaited action by the other chamber. Today, I am pleased to join my colleagues in finally passing some of them and sending them to the President for his signature into law. The first bill sets a high, but I think attainable goal, of ending chronic homelessness among veterans. Far too many of the brave men and women who fought to provide us with freedom spend their days and nights on the streets and in shelters. They returned from the battlefield but were unable to make the transition back to their civilian lives. Given the great sacrifices they have made on our behalf, we should be able to make a real effort to help them find their place in our society where they can feel welcome and comfortable. As many as 300,000 veterans sleep on the streets on any given night. The $1 billion authorized by this legislation over the next five years will go far to help them find peace and shelter. The second bill provides a 2.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment for veterans disability compensation. For 100 percent disabled veterans, this translates into an average of $738 each year. These men and women sacrificed their ability to do many routine tasks, including work, when they put on the uniform and were wounded. This legislation merely helps them keep pace with inflation, so that they can pay their bills and live their lives. It is a modest increase compared to what they have given. The final bill consolidates several bills considered by the House that increase education, housing, burial, and disability benefits for veterans by $3.1 billion over the next five years. Specifically, the bill increases the popular and successful Montgomery GI Bill college education benefit by 51 percent over current levels, increases the veterans home loan guaranty by nearly $10,000, and increases grants for disabled veterans' implements. Furthermore this bill expands the list of illnesses for which veterans can qualify for disability compensation and will repeal the 30-year presumptive period for respiratory cancers associated with exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides. Together, these bills are a fitting way to thank our veterans and to extend a promise to the millions of American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines that are now serving in uniform. Without these men and women, the world would be far less secure and the future would be bleak. I am proud to be a part of the effort to show our thanks.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 282, which reiterates Congress' commitment to our seniors to keep the promise of Social Security. For years now, Congress and the public have known that Social Security would soon be facing serious financing challenges due to shifting demographics. With the aging of the baby boom generation, the number of retiring Americans receiving benefits is beginning to overwhelm the number of working Americans paying into the Social Security system. In addition, thanks to important medical advances and healthy behavioral changes, Americans are living longer. The result of these factors is that beginning in 2016, Social Security payments will exceed worker contributions into the trust funds. This is a scary prospect for the millions of Americans who receive Social Security benefits. Many of those individuals depend upon their monthly Social Security checks to survive. As we fight our global war on terrorism, we must not lose sight of the fact that terror can come in many forms. It is every bit as frightening to an elderly man or woman that the Social Security check might be late--and far more real. Too many of these people are living from one check to the next and balancing food against medicine. As their Representatives in Congress, we should at least provide them with the security of the promise of Social Security. It is also a scary prospect, Mr. Speaker, for the millions of Americans who are approaching retirement. They have been paying into the Social Security trust funds because they have to, not because they believe in Social Security. In fact, numerous studies have shown that more young Americans believe in UFOs than in their future Social Security checks. It is clear that Social Security in its current form--the form it has had since the Great Depression--is unsustainable. If we are to keep the promise that so many seniors and working Americans have relied upon for years, we must reform this program. There are many possibilities for reform, including adding personal investment options. The President appointed a commission of experts from business, think tanks, and government to explore these alternatives and to make recommendations to Congress for change. They are expected to vote on their final report today, and Congress should consider their recommendations with due deliberative speed. We must act quickly, but more importantly, we must act right. But throughout our deliberations, Mr. Speaker, we must maintain our steadfastness to keep the promise of Social Security. We should not raise Social Security taxes and we should not cut benefits. We must use the innovative spirit that is America's hallmark to meet this challenge and find a way to strengthen and improve Social Security. Building upon the Social Security lock box legislation that this body has already approved, this resolution lays the groundwork for our coming debate, reaffirming our commitment to Social Security's beneficiaries, in particular, the most vulnerable beneficiaries--the low-income, the women, and minorities. I look forward to reviewing these issues with my colleagues and developing a real solution to this challenge. I urge all my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 282.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 280, which extends our deepest sympathies to the people of Israel for the recent string of deadly terrorist attacks in their nation and expresses our sense of solidarity with them in this difficult time. The people of Israel have long had to live with terror on their street, and the world has largely stood by and felt great sympathy but little need to act upon it. But these attacks come at a time of heightened awareness around the globe of the necessary of riding our communities of the evil face of terrorism. Peaceful people have been made prisoners in their own communities by those who give no thought to the deadly consequences of their actions and who spread venomous hatred for their fellow man. On September 11th, those free and peaceful people said with one resounding voice that they would no longer allow that kind of evil to destroy our world. The war against terrorism is not America's war alone. It is a fight that we lead for freedom-loving people everywhere. Though there may be fewer dead and less extensive damage, the horrific attacks that occurred over a 14-hour period this weekend in Israel are no less atrocious than the attacks our nation suffered on September 11th. The mothers and fathers who lost their children in each of those attacks cry the same tears and feel the same pain. We, as a nation, must stand beside our friend, Israel, in this time of need and support her in the fight to provide a prosperous, peaceful, and secure future for her people. I urge my colleagues to support Israel by supporting this resolution.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong opposition to human cloning. The announcement over the weekend that an American company had cloned the first human life is a profoundly disturbing step toward a brave new world for which none of us are prepared. My father suffers from Parkinson's disease; and while I recognize the agony of so many Americans with devastating illnesses and injuries, I cannot countenance the creation and destruction of human life as a potential means to ease their suffering. There are other methods of scientific research using adult stem cells and umbilical cord blood that can lead to medical breakthroughs for Alzheimer's, spinal cord injury, and more. These alternatives promote the quality of human life without forsaking the value of human life in its most vulnerable form. Mr. Speaker, it is clear that science has overtaken the law in this instance. The House, in a strong bipartisan vote, has said we should not proceed down this path. The President has stated his opposition to human cloning. And in poll after poll, the American people overwhelmingly object to it as well. The other body must act, and act soon to ban human cloning.

Mr. FORBES

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of two important resolutions the House is considering today, both honoring America's veterans. Since 1994, we have set aside December 7th of each year to remember the more than 3,600 soldiers, sailors, Marines, and civilians who were wounded or killed at Pearl Harbor. This year, however, on the 60th anniversary of that horrible attack, the occasion seems somehow more solemn. That attack awoke a sleeping giant, spurring the United States into World War II and reviving a sense of patriotic purpose in men, women, and children across the nation. The tragic events of September 11th evoke an eerie parallel. Again, the sleeping giant has been aroused from slumber and patriotism reigns supreme in all corners of this great nation. S. Con. Res. 44 reminds us both of what we lost and what we gained on that infamous day sixty years ago. And, it is a reminder that we should hold in our hearts now as our brave servicemembers face our new enemy abroad. The veterans of Pearl Harbor--indeed, all our veterans--deserve special recognition for the sacrifices that they make on our behalf. And, it is for this reason that I also rise in support of H. Res. 293. Since 1918, November 11th has been a day to honor all those who served their nation in peace and in war. Now, some are suggesting that another grand American tradition, voting, share this day of remembrance. The right to vote and participate in our democracy is cherished by all--as it should be. But, we should not honor it at the cost of the respect we show our nation's veterans. Let Election Day stand as it does and let Veterans Day stand as it does. Let these be two separate days in which to participate in our democracy and honor those veterans who have secured the very freedoms exercised in that democracy.