Jeff Fortenberry

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. I thank the gentleman from Georgia for coordinating tonight's discussion, and I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania as well for his beautiful insights that he read that, as you so well said, have helped us create an opportunity not just tonight but through the events of the day, the difficult tensions, nonetheless, maybe there is a moment here which will allow us to explore, to unpack the inextricable link between faith and reason. I would like to tell a story, though, that might augment some of these reflections. As a much younger man, I spent a considerable amount of time in the Middle East and I was in a country that was predominantly Moslem and was being hosted by a Moslem family who were extraordinarily generous to me in welcoming me into their home. They lived in an oasis area that was just rich in agricultural production. Their neighbor was a Christian man. My host made a point to introduce me to him, knowing of my own faith tradition. He very humbly showed me, because I did not understand the language, the nature of their community, the nature of the way they lived. If I recall correctly, he took his Christian neighbor's hand, bowed down and gave it a kiss to show again the unity, in spite of the distinctions that are their faith tradition, the ability to live next to one another out of respect and humility, out of respect perhaps for a higher good, a higher calling to be a member of the human family. And perhaps again what has already been discussed tonight in terms of the Pope's comments, it gives us an opportunity to explore that beautiful wedding of faith and reason as it flows out of the very nature of the divine. If you recall, though, the Pope's very first writing, his first encyclical, was Deus Caritas Est, God is Love. If I could read some reflections on that, they are these: ``The Holy Father has already made clear in Deus Caritas Est that love of our neighbor is not primarily a government project, that justice is not enough, and often is not even a beginning. We simply cannot just talk of faith and justice without beginning and ending in charity and the reasons for it.'' In other words, the reasonableness of acting in faith or acting out faith in love and the unreasonableness or the irrationality of imposing the faith, particularly, or enforcing a faith particularly through violence. I think again the opportunity to unpack that discussion tonight is extraordinary. I appreciate the gentleman's allowing me a little bits of time to speak.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, today we remember those who died tragically on September 11, 2001--and the family members who continue to mourn such terrible loss. We honor the strength of these Americans and we also thank the brave men and women defending America today from those who continue to seek to do us harm. We live in a very special place. We live in a country that is built on the fundamental principle that all persons have inherent dignity and rights. The freedoms we enjoy depend on this fundamental principle. As many did in the immediate aftermath of the 9-11 attacks, Americans are willing to risk their lives for the sake of their fellow citizens--for the good of country, family, and community. Last week I had the privilege of formally welcoming home the soldiers of the 67th Area Support Group of the Nebraska National Guard as they all returned home safely from a yearlong deployment. What a beautiful scene! Families reunited . . . husbands and wives in loving embraces, children scrambling to greet the mom or dad they'd known only through letters and photos the year before. Parents taking up young children in their arms, some perhaps for the first time. In their commitment and patriotism, these soldiers had given a year away from families and homes to serve their country. Many of our military service personnel will tell you that their service is driven by the events of that fateful day 5 years ago. They sacrifice so much personally to help protect our Nation. Fortunately there has not been an attack on America for five years. This is not due to wishful thinking. This is due to the extraordinary effort to rethink and reform our national security efforts. Our military, our homeland security forces, police officers, firefighters, and emergency first responders have all played a very important role in protecting America. Their work helps make America safer--their sacrifice keeps our families more secure. And the compassion, sacrifice, and resolve of the American people help make our Nation great. We have faced difficult challenges of worldwide significance in the past--World War II and the Cold War. We prevailed then and we must now prevail for the good of our country and the hope of a more peaceful world.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, today we remember those who died tragically on September 11, 2001, and the family members who continue to mourn such terrible loss. We honor the strength of these Americans, and we also thank the brave men and women defending America today from those who continue to seek to do us harm. Mr. Speaker, we live in a very special place. We live in a country that is built on the fundamental principle that all persons have inherent dignity and rights. The freedoms we enjoy depend upon this fundamental principle. And as many did in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Americans are willing to risk their lives for the sake of their fellow citizens, for the good of the country, family, and community. Last week, I had the privilege of formally welcoming home the soldiers of the 67th Area Support Group of the Nebraska National Guard as they all returned home safely from over a year-long deployment. What a beautiful scene, families reunited, husbands and wives in loving embraces, children scrambling to meet the mom or dad they had known only through letters or photos for the past year, parents taking up young children in their arms perhaps for the very first time. In their commitment and patriotism, these soldiers had given more than a year away to family and home to serve their country. Many of our military service personnel will tell you that their service is driven by the events of that fateful day 5 years ago. They sacrifice so much personally to help protect our Nation. Fortunately, there has not been another attack on America for 5 years. This is not due to wishful thinking. This is due to the extraordinary effort to rethink and reform our national security efforts. Our military, our homeland security forces, police officers, firefighters, and emergency first responders have all played a very important role in protecting our country. Their work helps make America safer. Their sacrifice keeps our families more secure, and the compassion, resolve and support from the American people give their work all the more meaning and help keep our Nation strong. We have faced difficult challenges of worldwide significance in the recent past: World War II and the Cold War. We prevailed then, and we must prevail now for the good of our country and the hope of a more peaceful world.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

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

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consumed. (Mr. FORTENBERRY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to modify the amendment with the modification placed at the desk.

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to offer this amendment to H.R. 5682, the United States and India Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act of 2006. The purpose of this amendment is to provide Congress with the ability to assess, to the extent possible, whether U.S. civilian nuclear cooperation with India may potentially contribute to growth in India's military fissile material production. The amendment is straightforward. It simply calls for a report each year to ensure that the United States is not unintentionally complicit in the growth of India's nuclear weapons capabilities. First of all, let me express my appreciation to Chairman Hyde and Ranking Member Lantos and the House International Relations Committee staff for their efforts to address a wide variety of concerns expressed by members of the International Relations Committee. Given the global significance of this potential agreement, I believe it is important to remain diligent in the conduct of our oversight responsibilities. Mr. Chairman, civil nuclear cooperation with India is a bilateral initiative with wide-ranging multilateral implications. The nonproliferation, energy and environmental objectives of this proposed agreement with India are laudable; and the Committee on International Relations has emphasized the need to ensure that such an agreement would not result in unintended consequences which may undermine its purpose and directly or indirectly result in boosting India's military nuclear capabilities. It is my expectation that the International Relations Committee will avail itself of this opportunity to hold as many hearings as necessary to examine the content of this report and the potential implications for the U.S. compliance with Article I of the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons as referenced in the bill. This is particularly important in light of the recent news regarding the discovery of a reactor project which would enable Pakistan to make many more nuclear weapons each year. This news highlights very real concerns about a potential arms race in South Asia. It is up to Congress to ensure that any U.S.-India civil nuclear agreement remains just that, a civil nuclear agreement which will have no impact on the production of nuclear weapons. Mr. Chairman, I understand that Chairman Hyde and Ranking Member Lantos are in support of this amendment, and I am grateful for their support. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. FORTENBERRY. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. FORTENBERRY. I thank the gentleman and appreciate all of his hard work. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, July 20, 2006, I was unavoidably detained and thus I missed rollcall votes Nos. 389, 390, and 391. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all three votes.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I do rise in support of this amendment as well offered by my colleague, Mr. Kennedy. In every congressional district throughout the country, narcotics does take on a sinister but very unique face. In rural communities that span the First District of Nebraska, that ugly face is methamphetamine abuse, production, and trafficking. Throughout my district, local law enforcement agencies are using as much as 85 percent of their resources to battle meth. Broken families, child abuse, gang violence, and environmental decay are other consequences that this poison imposes on our communities. In other districts maybe the problem isn't meth, but perhaps something just as sinister like cocaine or heroin. But no matter what face narcotics takes in any particular district, I would like to remind my colleagues that we must, in good conscience, support the men and women of local law enforcement. These are the courageous men and woman who risk their lives daily to better the communities, and they deserve our gratitude, but also our efforts to assist them in the difficult and dangerous work they do. I urge my colleagues to vote for the Kennedy amendment.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, on June 6 we commemorated D-day, the day that American military forces stormed the coast of France 62 years ago to turn the tide in one of the most brutal conflicts the world has ever known. The United States sustained 6,603 casualties that day, yet the final victory over the forces of fascism remained nearly a year away. Rows of silent graves at the American Military Cemetery in Normandy bear witness to the high price of freedom. They solemnly remind us that there is no substitute for perseverance and sacrifice if we are to prevail over threats which challenge this Nation and the world today. The Global War on Terror is a different war from the wars of the past. This is not a war of uniformed armies on clearly defined battlefields. It is a war that invades tranquil space and time without warning, carried out by those who hide among and behind civilian populations, seeking to exploit the vulnerable for ruthless purposes. While we have endured the sacrifice of global wars during the past, we have never before waged such a war in an age of globalization, in an age when technology eviscerates the concept of distance, magnifies our losses, trivializes our accomplishments, and places our adversaries in a far better position to leverage the freedoms of our society against us. In seeking to prevent another 9-11, the President and the United States Congress would have been utterly irresponsible to ignore the threat posed by Saddam Hussein in Iraq. It is important to note that in 1998, President Clinton ordered U.S. armed forces to strike military and security targets in Iraq because Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs posed a credible and serious threat. But I am not here to argue the case for war today. The United States and our coalition partners made judgments to enter Iraq based on the best available evidence, and now the commitment is ours to complete. We are all in this together. The successful progression of our commitment in Iraq, from which I remain convinced that an abrupt withdrawal of U.S. troops would do more harm than good, is vital to achieving national security for America, stability and hope for all peoples of the Middle East, and establishing the prospects for civil reform and long-term peace throughout the world. While our mission continues to be dangerous and costly, it continues to make strong progress as well. The recent establishment of democratic institutions in Iraq is without cultural or historical precedent. This fact, combined with rapid progress on the deployment of Iraqi security forces, gives us realistic hope of diminishing conflict and a stable foundation for the prospects of long-term peace. As we proceed with our obligation, may each one of us endeavor to discharge our responsibilities in a manner that is worthy of the sacrifices of the United States Armed Forces. And may each of us recall that this obligation is ultimately connected to the mantle of leadership that has fallen to the United States--not only for our own welfare, but for the welfare of the entire world.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, on June 6 we commemorated D Day, the day that American military forces stormed the coast of France 62 years ago to turn the tide in one of the most brutal conflicts the world has ever known. The United States sustained 6,603 casualties that day, yet the final victory over the forces of fascism remained nearly a year away. Rows of silent graves at the American Military Cemetery in Normandy bear witness to the high price of freedom. They solemnly remind us that there is no substitute for perseverance and sacrifice if we are to prevail over the threats which challenge this Nation and the world today. The global war on terror is a different war from the wars of the past. This is not a war of uniformed armies on clearly defined battlefields. It is a war that invades tranquil space and time without warning, carried out by those who hide among and behind civilian populations, seeking to exploit the vulnerable for ruthless purposes. While we have endured the sacrifice of global wars during the past, we have never waged a war in an age of globalization, in an age when technology eviscerates the concept of distance, magnifies our losses, trivializes our accomplishments, and places our adversaries in a far better position to leverage the freedoms of our society against us. In seeking to prevent another 9/11, the President and the United States Congress would have been utterly irresponsible to ignore the threat posed by Saddam Hussein in Iraq. It is important to note that in 1998 President Clinton ordered U.S. Armed Forces to strike military and security targets in Iraq because Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs posed a credible and serious threat. But I am not here to argue the case for war today. The United States and our coalition partners made judgments to enter Iraq based upon the best available evidence, and now the commitment is ours to complete. We are all in this together, and the successful progression of our commitment in Iraq, from which I remain convinced that an abrupt withdrawal of U.S. troops would do more harm than good, is vital to achieving national security for America, stability and hope for all peoples of the Middle East, and establishing the prospects for civil reforms and long-term peace throughout the entire world. While our mission continues to be dangerous and costly, it continues to make strong progress as well. The recent establishment of democratic institutions in Iraq is without cultural or historical precedent. This fact, combined with rapid progress in the deployment of Iraqi security forces, gives us realistic hope of diminishing conflict and a stable foundation for the prospects of long-term peace. As we proceed with our obligation, may each one of us endeavor to discharge our responsibilities in a manner that is worthy of the sacrifices of the United States Armed Forces. And may each of us recall that this obligation is ultimately connected to the mantle of leadership that has fallen to the United States, not only for our own welfare, but for the welfare of the entire world.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Chairman, the purpose of United States foreign assistance is to strengthen the foundation for international stability by fostering civil society, supporting the development of free markets and institutions that foster self-determination, and helping the vulnerable by bringing healing, hope, and sustainable basic sustenance to those in need. As the leading provider of foreign assistance worldwide, the United States has made extraordinary strides toward alleviating suffering throughout the world. I would like to thank Chairman Kolbe for his hard work on this legislation to further this mission. He has shown great leadership and outstanding commitment to promoting our international initiatives. I also wish to bring attention to the fact that this year's report on the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill confirms violations of the Tiahrt Amendment by an organization funded by the United States in Guatemala. In passing the Tiahrt Amendment, which sets out clear criteria for voluntarism in family planning, the United States Congress worked to protect families throughout the world from the humiliation and indignity of coercion. I commend my colleague, Congressman Tiahrt, for his foresight in developing this amendment, which serves the important purpose of preventing the imposition of procedures under duress and without an explanation to participants of the potential risks involved. Apparently the organization referenced in the report aggressively targeted women for sterilization, setting out numerical targets and offering financial incentives contrary to U.S. law. Although the system of financial incentives that occasioned the violations discovered in June 2005 has been terminated, we must work to ensure that this type of episode is not repeated and that investigations of such potential violations are vigorously thorough and unquestionably objective. I believe that U.S. foreign assistance should not be used as a vehicle for imposing programs which potentially compromise the health of recipients, violate their consciences, or break laws of recipient nations which aim to affirm human dignity. On behalf of those we strive to assist, I urge my colleagues in Congress, the Administration, and the United States Agency for International Development, as well as the constituents we serve, to work earnestly to uphold this purpose. And thank you again, Congressman Kolbe, for your leadership in international affairs, and for your selfless dedication to leveraging the gifts of our great country for the betterment of the international community.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, thank you for this opportunity to support Mr. Kolbe in opposing this amendment to decrease economic support to the government of Egypt. I think it is important to note that I fully appreciate the concerns raised by the sponsors of this amendment and their commitment to political and human rights reform in Egypt. The imprisonment of Mr. Noor, a presidential candidate, other prisoners of conscience, as well as serious violations of religious freedom, are very serious affronts to human dignity and freedom. I believe that we have a responsibility to raise the issue of reform with the Egyptian Government which the United States has done on numerous occasions and continues to do. However, it is also important to note that Egypt has borne significant sacrifices for the cause of peace and freedom in the Middle East. President Sadat paid a very high price for Egypt's rapprochement with Israel. More recently, Ambassador Ihab al-Sherif paid with his life for daring to defy the foes of peace in Iraq. When I visited the Sinai as an 18-year-old in the aftermath of the 1973 war, I was struck by the graffiti scrawled on a twisted heap of concrete, a scene so typical throughout the Middle East. The message in Arabic and English read: ``Here was the war. Here is the peace.'' For close to 30 years now, Egypt has stood by a courageous choice, daring to chart a new course. President Sadat could have made another choice. While no government is perfect, this choice has been consistent with a march toward democratic reform. Much is left to do. Many challenges remain. But the loosening of our hand of friendship with Egypt will potentially harm that which this amendment seeks to achieve. Egypt is one of our most important strategic allies in the Middle East, and a cultural and historical leader of the Arab world. I believe this amendment would achieve nothing short of damaging an important relationship at a critical time.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) who chairs the International Relations Subcommittee for Middle East and Central Asia Affairs on which I serve, for organizing this time to honor an extraordinary legislator, an extraordinary statesman, Mr. Henry Hyde. It is a rare privilege in the course of a lifetime to know someone who possesses equal portions of wisdom, intellectual brilliance, robust humor, and great humility. I consider it a tremendous honor to serve on the House International Relations Committee under the Chairmanship of such a man, Representative Henry Hyde. Since 1975, the people of Illinois' Sixth District have enriched the United States by their wise choice for a Member of Congress. During his long and distinguished tenure in the House, Chairman Hyde has provided decisive leadership at pivotal moments in the recent history of U.S. foreign policy and on many issues of principle which determined the character of our great Nation. In particular, I would like to honor his commitment to protect the lives of vulnerable persons, particularly the unborn in the United States and throughout the world. Also I would like to thank Mr. Hyde for his sage counsel nurtured through years of experience and tempered by some of the most grueling episodes of the 20th century. As a member of the Greatest Generation, he served his country in the United States Navy during World War II, and knows firsthand the sacrifice that it took to prevail in that struggle against the enemies of freedom and human dignity. While we face different challenges today, they require no less vision, commitment, and perseverance. As a careful student of history, Chairman Hyde cautioned us in a recent speech that he entitled, the Perils of the Golden Theory. He reminds us of the need to tread carefully as we seek to promote our ideas in a world where the values we cherish may often be considered alien and are subject to frequent unrelenting assaults. As we look to the remainder of this session and consider the opportunities and challenges before us, I am grateful that we will continue to benefit from the leadership of Chairman Hyde. Just this week, Mr. Speaker, I asked the chairman if he would do me a favor and meet with a group of college students interested in international diplomacy. Despite the rigors of his calendar, he enthusiastically agreed, and this small act of generosity alone speaks volumes about the nature and character of our chairman. His ability to command the respect of both Democrats and Republicans remains an invaluable asset to this Congress. I am confident that his legacy will continue to inform and inspire many generations of Members to come. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to express my support for H.R. 5427, the Fiscal Year 2007 Energy and Water Appropriations bill and I urge my colleagues to vote for it. I would like to begin by commending the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hobson), the chairman of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, and the distinguished gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), the ranking member of the subcommittee, for their outstanding work in bringing this bill to the Floor. I recognize that extremely tight budgetary constraints this year made the job of the subcommittee much more difficult. Therefore, I believe the subcommittee should be commended for its diligence in creating this fiscally responsible measure. In light of these fiscal constraints, I am very pleased that the bill includes $7.5 million for the Antelope Creek Flood Damage Reduction Project, an integral component of a flood control, transportation and community revitalization project known as the Antelope Valley Project in Lincoln, Nebraska. Critical to progress on the entire Antelope Valley Project is the completion of the drainage work. This multi- purpose project is a partnership of Lincoln, the University of Nebraska, the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, the Corps of Engineers, and the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development. The first segment of the project was completed in 2004 under a $4 million Corps of Engineers contract. Delay of the next project segment would cause a delay in the transportation improvements already under construction. Completion of the flood control portion is necessary before community renewal can proceed. It is also important to note that this bill includes $190,000 to complete the Fremont South Section 205 Flood Control Study. The total cost of the study is $733,500 and the total federal share is $366,750, of which $177,000 has been received over the past two study years. The goal of this project is to provide urgent feasibility planning in connection with upgrading an existing levee in order to keep a portion of south Fremont out of flooding in the 100-year floodplain. This Fremont South area is not currently identified by the Federal Management Agency (FEMA) as being in the designated floodplain. However, a revision to the FEMA Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map will include this Fremont South area when printed and approved in the near future. Finally, I am pleased that this bill includes $175,000 for the Lower Platte Natural Resource Districts under the Lower Platte River and Tributaries authority and Section 503 authority. This provision was included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 for a carrying capacity assessment for protection of water resources in the critical Lower Platte basin, including planning to expand to a water resource monitoring program. Key to protection of water resources in the basin is a carrying capacity assessment to support watershed management resource protection including the strengthening of related resource monitoring programs. Again Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the Subcommittee's inclusion of funding for these projects of great importance to my district. I support passage of H.R. 5427 and urge my colleagues to vote for it.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to express my support for H.R. 5386, the fiscal year 2007 Interior-Environment appropriations bill and I urge my colleagues to vote for it. I would like to begin by commending the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor), the chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, and the distinguished gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks), the ranking member of the subcommittee, for their outstanding work in bringing this bill to the Floor. I recognize that extremely tight budgetary constraints this year made the job of the subcommittee much more difficult. Therefore, I believe the subcommittee should be commended for its diligence in creating this fiscally responsible measure. In light of these fiscal constraints, I am very pleased that the bill includes $1 million for a sanitary sewer crossing between Nebraska and Iowa. This new crossing is a very immediate need for the community of South Sioux City, NE. The existing crossing is more than 40 years old and 3 years ago, the pipe carrying sewage between South Sioux City to the treatment plant in Sioux City, IA, broke. For several weeks, about 1.6 million gallons of raw sewage each day was dumped into the Missouri River. The pipe was eventually replaced, but the incident highlighted the need for a second crossing. The new crossing that is proposed, to be located south of the city, would provide a more direct link to the regional treatment plant in Sioux City. Since the original sewer pipe was installed in the early 1960s, South Sioux City's population has increased more than 60 percent. Also, the community's economic base continues to grow, which places an additional burden on the sewer system. In an effort to meet the growing needs for an improved sewer system, the city's residents have seen significant rate increases over the past several years. However, it is now clear that Federal assistance is necessary. Again Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the subcommittee's inclusion of $1 million for the South Sioux City sanitary sewer crossing project. I support passage of H.R. 5386 and urge my colleagues to vote for it.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall no. 138 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Chairman, thank you for this opportunity to join my colleagues in challenging this amendment which has been defeated by the full House for 10 consecutive years. The core purpose of our military hospitals is to care for servicemen and women, particularly those who are wounded in the line of duty defending our country. U.S. taxpayers should not be forced by the government to have their hard-earned funds used for the taking of innocent human lives. They should continue to have the free choice to say ``no'' to funding abortions. The U.S. military health care facilities overseas witness more than their fair share of violence. Military health care personnel understand that the Hippocratic Oath is a solemn commitment to heal and nurture life. Let's not abandon this legacy and force our constituents to foot the bill. Women deserve better than abortion. As a people, we should strive to be a just and loving society that does not abandon persons to the choice for abortion, particularly at taxpayer expense, but helps women even through the most difficult circumstances.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the right to object. (Mr. FORTENBERRY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, in 1872 an outstanding Nebraskan, J. Sterling Morton, began the tradition of Arbor Day to encourage tree planting. One hundred years later, another outstanding Nebraskan, John Rosenow, founded the National Arbor Day Foundation to promote Morton's original goals. Today, I have the pleasure of honoring the fruits of their labor. There are over 1 million members of this organization nationwide. These two visionary leaders recognized that the simple action of planting a tree can protect the environment and provide resources and beauty for generations to come. Thanks to their efforts and inspiration, today America is a much greener, healthier, and more beautiful place. Because of their foresight, people from around the world enjoy a better quality of life. The planting of trees is a great reminder of our duty to take responsible actions now that will benefit our children and our grandchildren later. As J. Sterling Morton noted, ``Each generation of humanity takes the Earth as trustees.'' The resolution I introduced, House Concurrent Resolution 383, supports the goals and ideals of National Arbor Day and the National Arbor Day Foundation. I would like to begin expressing my sincere appreciation to the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis), the chairman of the Committee on Government Reform; and the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the ranking member of the committee, for their help in bringing this resolution to the floor. This resolution honors National Arbor Day, which our country will celebrate tomorrow. I encourage my colleagues and others to join in the celebration by planting a tree or by taking part in Arbor Day activities nationwide. By doing so, we can carry on the spirit and the tradition of J. Sterling Morton, who once observed, ``Other holidays repose on the past. Arbor Day proposes for the future.'' I urge support for this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Chairman, on Thursday, March 16, 2006, I was inadvertently detained and thus missed rollcall vote No. 46. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Madam Speaker, I want to take a moment to honor the life of a very generous man whose service to his family and community made him extraordinary to those of us privileged to know him. Mr. Leroy Robbins passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2006 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Mr. Robbins leaves behind his wife, Bernice, nine children, 28 grandchildren and 52 great grandchildren. Yet his legacy extend far beyond his own family. Mr. Robbins was extraordinary because of his faithfulness in the simple and precious things in life. For more than 50 years, he served as a 4-H Livestock Club Leader. As a child, I lost my own father and Mr. Robbins' mentorship helped to fill the profound loss created by that particular event. His kindness shined through as he opened his home, lovingly called ``Robbins Roost'' to 30 4-H club Members. He and Mrs. Robbins patiently taught us how to make things, how to improve ourselves and how to be leaders. He just helped us participate in the joy of discovery through the wonderful array of 4-H club opportunities. Mr. Robbins was a man of generosity, compassion and integrity. In life he demonstrated what it meant to be extraordinary and undoubtedly, his legacy will live on in the lives of those he touched, particularly mine.

Mr. FORTENBERRY

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, First Lieutenant Garrison Avery died Wednesday, February 1, from injuries he sustained while serving in Iraq. The personnel carrier in which he was traveling hit a roadside bomb, killing him and two fellow soldiers. He was 23 years old. He leaves behind his wife Kayla, his bride of just 8 months. Garrison was the son of Gary and Susan Avery of Lincoln, Nebraska. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 2000 and from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, in 2004. He then signed up for Army Ranger training, and with his strong intellect and fierce dedication, Garrison Avery became a decorated member of the United States Army. He served in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In his service and in his life, Garrison exemplified the solemn virtues of the great American soldier: The drive and purpose that compelled him at 17 years old to earn his parents' permission to join the Army; the seriousness and excellence that propelled his decorated graduation from West Point; the humility and dignity that kept him from speaking of his numerous special honors awarded for excellent service; the compassion and justice that drove him beyond the call of duty to help Iraqi children, orphaned by the war; the strength, honor and courage he displayed as an officer, leading his troops in the midst of battle; and the faith, love and respect he gave to God, to his family and to his country. We are also indebted to Garrison's beautiful family. Their love, their nurturing, and their support formed him, guided him and steadied him. His memory will live on through his family and friends, but also in the hearts of the community he bravely protected. First Lieutenant Garrison Avery died an American soldier, and America will be eternally grateful for his sacrifice.