Elton Gallegly

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, January 26, 2005, I was unable to be present during consideration of H.R. 54, to amend title 31, United States Code, to provide reasonable standards for congressional gold medals. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on the Crowley amendment No. 2 (rollcall 10); ``no'' on the Crowley amendment No. 3 (rollcall 11); ``nay'' on the Motion to Recommit with Instructions (rollcall 12); and ``aye'' on passage of H.R. 54 (rollcall 13).

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, January 25, I was unable to be present during consideration of H. Con. Res. 16, Congratulating the people of the Ukraine and Victor Yushchenko on his election as President of Ukraine and his commitment to democracy and reform (rollcall 8); and H. Res. 39, Commending Countries and Organizations for Marking the 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz and Urging a Strengthening of the Fight Against Racism, Intolerance, Bigotry, Prejudice, Discrimination and Anti-Semitism (rollcall 9). Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on both measures.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, January 6, I was unable to be present during the counting of the electoral ballots and missed the vote on Agreeing to the Objection to counting the ballots of the state of Ohio. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mike Tracy, a Ventura, California, native who joined the Ventura Police Department as a patrol officer in 1975 and who has been chief of police since February 1999. After a distinguished career protecting and nurturing his hometown, he will retire on December 4. Mike Tracy is a seasoned law enforcement officer with a reputation for innovation and community outreach. During the 24 years in which he worked his way up the ranks from officer to police chief, Mike Tracy worked in or was in command of every aspect of the department, including patrol, detectives, administration, training and crime prevention. That experience gave him an insight into his department that few chiefs achieve. At the same time, Mike Tracy earned a reputation far beyond city boundaries as someone in the forefront of law enforcement who reached out to other departments to share resources and knowledge. Under his leadership, the department initiated the Crisis Intervention Team program, which trains personnel to better deal with the mentally ill and individuals in crisis--a program that subsequently was adopted countywide. He was the chief architect of Ventura's Community Problem Oriented Policing Program and instrumental in establishing four police storefronts and acquiring several state grants for gang violence suppression and school safety. Equally important, Mike Tracy continued to contribute to his community outside the walls of the Ventura Police Department. In addition to his involvement with the Police Activities League, Mike has also worked with the Boys & Girls Club and Salvation Army. He has run in several marathons, the Special Olympics Torch Run and the Baker to Vegas run. His wife, Linda, recently retired as an elementary school teacher. Their son Matthew is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and lives in Arizona with his wife, Christine, and their 3-year-old son, Nathan. Mike and Linda plan to stay in Ventura and remain active in the community. His continued support will be appreciated. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating Ventura Police Chief Mike Tracy on his retirement; will thank him for a lifetime of dedication to his profession and community; and wish him many years of health and prosperity, both for him and his family.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, on October 8, 2004, I was unable to vote on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 843, waiving points of order against the conference report to accompany H.R. 4200, the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2005 (rollcall 524); had I been present I would have voted ``yea.'' Also, I was unable to vote on a motion to instruct conferees on S. 2845, to reform the intelligence community and the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States government (rollcall 525); had I been present I would have voted ``nay.'' Additionally, I was unable to vote on the motion to table H. Res 845 (rollcall 526); had I been present I would have voted ``aye.'' Mr. Speaker, on October 9, 2004, I was unable to vote on several measures before the House: H. Con. Res. 518, providing for an adjournment of the two Houses (rollcall 527); had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; On agreeing to the conference report on H.R. 4200, the DOD Authorization for fiscal year 2005 (rollcall 528); had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; on agreeing to the conference report on H.R. 4837, the Military Construction Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2005 (rollcall 529); had I been present, I would have voted ``yea''; and on agreeing to the conference report on H.R. 4567, the Homeland Security Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2005 (rollcall 530); had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. I rise in opposition to the amendment proposed by the gentleman from New Jersey. The substitute offered by the gentleman from New Jersey lacks or waters down many of the important provisions recommended by the 9/11 Commission and included in H.R. 10 in its current form. Border security is essential to national security. The 9/11 Commission recognized this truth. H.R. 10, in its current form, does justice to the 9/11 recommendations by proposing reasonable, meaningful immigration reforms to shore up border and travel security. These provisions would speed up implementation of our entry and exit tracking system and increase the number of border patrol officers. Another provision would help ``push out the border'' by expanding the program for pre-screening passengers before they can embark to the United States to additional countries. The 9/11 Commission also stressed the importance of secure identity. The 9/11 Commission makes clear that without the regulation of identification documents, those who wish to harm us can use false identities to evade detection or use false identities to enter secure spaces, such as airplanes or nuclear facilities. H.R. 10 would regulate which forms of identification can be accepted as proof of identity by Federal officials--a reform I have long fought for--so that non-secure foreign IDs cannot be utilized by terrorists or violent criminals wishing to evade the law or enter secure spaces undetected. Importantly, it would also set standards for states to ensure state driver's licenses and state identification cards are secure. I take particular pride of authorship in the provisions that would set immigrant identification standards, expand pre-inspection efforts at foreign airports, reform the designation process for foreign terrorist organizations, increase penalties for identification fraud and for false claims of citizenship, and support creation of a unified system for transliteration of names into the roman alphabet. I am pleased that these initiatives have become part of this landmark legislation. Each of the Title III, ``Border Security and Terrorist Travel,'' provisions are essential to the national security and should be retained in their current form. Therefore, I urge a ``no'' vote on the Menendez substitute amendment.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the memory of Thomas Laubacher, community leader and elected official from my district who passed away September 26 at the age of 91. Tom Laubacher was a native son of Ventura County, California, having been born to a pioneering Oxnard family on August 29, 1913. During his life, Tom Laubacher was a farmer on his family's 150-acre farm, located between Doris Avenue and Teal Club Road; an oilman for Union Oil Company; and a B-26 pilot instructor for the U.S. Army Air Corps. In 1954 he took over Laubacher Insurance Agency and Real Estate, which his father had founded in 1903. It remains in the family today. Tom Laubacher's son, Thomas Laubacher, Jr., now runs the business. In 1964, Tom Laubacher ran for the Board of Supervisors for the same reason I ran for the Simi Valley City Council 15 years later: a belief that the business community needed better representation in government. He served three terms on the Board of Supervisors and I had the privilege of serving with him on the Regional Sanitation Board about 25 years ago. Integrity is the word most associated with his public service, his business dealings and his community work. A devout Catholic--his Uncle John was the first assistant pastor at Santa Clara Parish--Tom was a member of Oxnard Council 750 of the Knights of Columbus and served as the grand knight and district deputy. In 2002, he received the cardinal's award in recognition of a lifetime of service to his church and community. Tom Laubacher also maintained a long relationship with the Sisters of Mercy and St. John's Regional Medical Center. He became the first lay member of its board of directors and later the board's first lay president. Tom Laubacher is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen, four children and 17 grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in sending our condolences to Helen ``Holly'' Laubacher, their children and grandchildren, and pause in remembering a man for whom integrity was a way of life. Godspeed, Tom.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, October 4, I was unable to vote on the motion to suspend the Rules and agree to S. Con. Res. 76, (rollcall No. 487), on the motion to suspend the Rules and pass S. 1814 (rollcall No. 488), and on the motion to suspend the Rules and agree to H. Res. 567 (rollcall No. 489). Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all three measures.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize David Pollock, a school board member for the Moorpark Unified School District in my district, for his service as the 2003-2004 president of the California School Boards Association. David Pollock has served on Moorpark's board of education since 1994 and was board president in 1998-1999. He also served as president of the Ventura County School Boards Association from 1999-2002. He represented Region 11 as a member of the California School Boards Association's Delegate Assembly and served as a member and chair of the California School Boards Association's Nominating Committee from 1999- 2002. He has also served on the Legislative Committee, the Federal Issues Council, the Collective Bargaining Task Force and as a governmental relations chair and Golden Bell onsite validator. As president-elect, David Pollock served as chair of the Legislative Committee, a board member of the CCS Partnership and a delegate to the National School Boards Association. David Pollock completed his undergraduate work at Pepperdine University and earned a master's in business administration from the University of California, Los Angeles. He holds a commercial pilot's license and is the manager of market planning for Rocketdyne, a business unit of The Boeing Company. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will thank David Pollock for his service to the Moorpark, Ventura County and California school board associations and congratulate him for his year as president of the California School Boards Association.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, September 15, I was unable to vote on the Hefley amendment (rollcall 455) and on the Moran amendment (rollcall 456) to H.R. 5025, the Transportation, Treasury and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2005. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on both amendments.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. The amendment guts the section of the PATRIOT Act that Congress enacted to restrict terrorists' ability to open bank accounts, transfer funds, and otherwise use the banking system to further terrorist acts. This amendment would uphold ill-advised Treasury regulations that permit banks to accept nonsecure identification, including the matricula consular, to meet the requirements of the PATRIOT Act. Unfortunately, nonsecure IDs do not establish identity, at all, rendering identification requirements to the PATRIOT Act useless. The FBI and Department of Justice have concluded that matricula consular is not a reliable form of identification. Forgeries are rampant. An Iranian national trying to cross a U.S.-Mexican border was caught with one. Smugglers have been caught carrying several matriculas, each with the same photo with different names. Because matricula consulars are not reliable identification, a terrorist can use them to assume an alias, or several. He can use the banking system to further terrorist plans. PATRIOT Act requirements that banks check customer names against terrorist lists become useless. Money is key in carrying out the acts of terrorism. The 9/11 terrorists had to pay tuition. They had to rent apartments. They had to rent cars and eventually had to buy plane tickets. It is absurd for Congress to pass laws that attempt to cut off the funding of terrorist groups, as we did in the PATRIOT Act, and then allow regulations to create an end run around the law through tax identity requirements. Mr. Chairman, in my 18 years in this body, I have seen no piece of legislation that presents a greater threat to national security than this amendment, and I urge the defeat of this amendment.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, September 7, I was unable to vote on H.R. 4381, the Harvey and Bernice Jones Post Office Building (rollcall 422) and H.R. 4556, the General William Cary Lee Post Office Building (rollcall 423). Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on both measures.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the coaches and players of the Conejo Valley Little League team, who won 22 consecutive postseason games on their way to earning the title of U.S. Champions on August 30. To emphasize the enormity of this accomplishment by a dozen 11- and 12-year-old ballplayers from my district, allow me to cite some stats. About 7,400 teams and more than 88,800 players started the post-season quest. It was a two-month odyssey that began on June 29. The boys from Thousand Oaks, California, outscored their opponents 165-29. They played their final games thousands of miles from home, in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, before an international television audience and more than 30,000 people in the stands. Talk about pressure. They also lost their final game, and the world championship, to the Pabao Little League team of Willemstad, Curacao. But they turned that loss into a victory of respect when they circled the field with the Curacao players, tipped their hats to the Curacao fans and threw baseballs into the stands for souvenirs. The Conejo Valley Little League team displayed class, talent, drive and true sportsmanship in a long string of wins on their way to becoming U.S. Champions, and during a single loss to Curacao. As manager Tim Ginther told a reporter: ``Now we're No. 2 in the world overall. That's not bad.'' Political columnist and baseball fanatic George Will once observed that ``sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence.'' The members of the Conejo Valley Little League team are vivid examples of excellence. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating manager Tim Ginther; coaches Jim Barrett, Rick Brower and Frank Leon; the players, James Brady, Jordan Brower, Hayden Cronenbold, Derrick Francis, Timmy Ginther, Adam Justinlano, Tyler Karp, Danny Leon, John Lister, Sean McIntyre, Evan Ocello and Cody Thomson; and their families, for winning the U.S. championship with drive, talent and true sportsmanship.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the memory of Neil Havens, former postmaster of my hometown of Simi Valley, California, and a man for whom community was family and who epitomized the spirit of Simi Valley. Neil Havens died peacefully Friday at the age of 74 in his favorite chair in the home he and his wife, Pat, moved into soon after they married in 1951. A fourth-generation Simi Valley native, Neil was appointed postmaster by President Dwight Eisenhower, taking over from his father, Charles Reuben Havens. His grandfather, Charles Albert Havens, also delivered the post in Simi Valley. And while his 30-year reign as postmaster guaranteed him a place in Simi Valley's history, it was Neil's commitment to community that guaranteed him a place in the hearts of all who knew him. Neil Havens was a longtime Rotarian. He served as president of the Rotary Club of Simi Valley twice. He was one of the founding members of the Simi Valley Education Foundation. He served on the board of the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation. He was a member of the Salvation Army Disaster Team. He raised money for Simi Valley Hospital. He was active in the U.S. Naval Reserve. And the list goes on. But that is not what people talk about when they talk about Neil Havens. They talk about his firm handshake and his ready smile framed by a trademark jawline beard. They talk about how many friends he had and how he called every week. They talk about how their lawn was mysteriously mowed when they fell ill, to find out later that it was Neil who wielded the mysterious mower. They talk about how he visited sick friends every day they were ill and looked after their family once they passed. Neil Havens defined community as family. And Neil looked after his family. Neil is survived by his wife, Pat, herself a community icon. She and Neil graduated together from Simi Valley High School in 1947 and raised three children in Simi Valley, Debra, Barbara and Russ. The City Council named Pat as Simi Valley's first City Historian while I was mayor of the city, a post she still holds along with Director of the Strathearn Historical Park and Museum. In addition, Neil is survived by four grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in sending our condolences to Pat Havens, their children and grandchildren, and pause in remembering a man whose family extended far beyond the bonds of blood and whose life embraced all who knew him. Godspeed, Neil.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the memory of Helen Gulbranson, a longtime close friend and patriot, who died Tuesday at 96 years young. I met Helen and her late husband, Dick, in 1986 when I first ran for Congress. At the time they were supporting my primary opponent, the late Tony Hope, who was the son of their neighbors in Toluca Lake, Bob and Dolores Hope. After I won the primary, Helen and Dick supported my candidacy, as they have ever since. While I valued their support, I treasured the personal relationship we developed over the past 18 years even more. Helen Gulbranson was born in 1908 in Hammond, Wisconsin, and moved to California in 1936. It was there that she met Dick. They married in 1940 and opened up the North Hollywood Glass and Paint Company. The two were married for 54 years when Dick died in 1994. Helen's daughter-in-law, Colleen, remembers weekly parties at Helen's and Dick's Toluca Lake home. If they weren't throwing a political bash for such candidates as Ronald Reagan, there was always a wedding or other social event to celebrate. Later, they moved to Camarillo, in my congressional district, where they continued to enjoy life to its fullest. Helen was an avid golfer and golfed up until a few months ago. Just last Saturday, she took her great-grandson to the golf course so he could play. She also loved to play table games: Scrabble, bridge and the like. If it weren't for the calendar, you would never guess Helen's age. She remained independent in her own home and was alert and fit right up to the end. Helen is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Colleen, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in sending condolences to the Gulbranson family and by remembering a life well-lived.

Mr. GALLEGLY

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

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, my amendment is very important to the question of how our government spends its resources fighting international terrorism. The amendment streamlines the very burdensome and time-consuming procedure for redesignating a group as a foreign terrorist organization, thereby allowing the Federal Government to focus on actually fighting terrorism and preventing new attacks. Under existing law, the U.S. Government must devote significant amounts of its counterterrorist resources to the terrorist organization redesignation effort. This bureaucratic process must take place every 2 years, even though the vast majority of these groups do not even dispute their designation. And, as we all know, some groups, such as al Qaeda, openly boast of their terrorist activity. This amendment would make two principle changes to the law. First, it would replace the requirement to formally redesignate terrorist organizations every 2 years with a procedure that allows the groups to petition the Secretary of State at 2-year intervals to have their designation revoked. It would also require the Secretary to review each group's designation every 6 years. Let me be clear. This amendment does not change the procedure for placing a group on the foreign terrorist organization list. The government must still undergo the same lengthy process that exists today. What changes under the amendment is the every 2 year redesignation process. Currently, the burden is on the State Department and other agencies to demonstrate that a group should stay on the list. This amendment shifts the burden to the terrorist organization to petition the government to be removed from the list. A terrorist group can petition the government every 2 years. Even if a terrorist group does not petition for formal removal from the terrorist list, the government must still review the designation every 6 years. By streamlining the process, the State Department and other agencies, including our intelligence services, can focus on designating new groups as terrorist organizations and focus on preventing new attacks. For example, last year, 29 of the 37 organizations on the foreign terrorist list were due for redesignation. As a result, the State, Justice, Treasury and the intelligence community spent thousands of hours in preparing a detailed administrative record for each of these groups. Meanwhile, back in March, the State Department designated for the first time the group, Ansar al-Islam, as a foreign terrorist organization based in north Iraq. The group has been linked to al Qaeda and is known to have participated in attacks on both U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians. The designation of Ansar al-Islam took longer than it should have, because over the preceding 6 months, Federal counterterrorism groups were bogged down in the redesignation of large numbers of terrorist groups. The modified redesignation requirement proposed by the amendment will still provide designated terrorist groups with plenty of procedural safeguards. For example, a group can still request a court review of designation within 30 days after its first designation. In addition, the amendment allows organizations to petition the Secretary every 2 years to revoke its designation. If that review is not to the group's satisfaction, the designation can still be challenged in court. The amendment also establishes a new, expedited procedure for handling the situation in which a terrorist group changes its name or uses new aliases. The language on foreign terrorist organizations is identical to the provisions contained in an en bloc amendment to the Department of State authorization bill that was passed by a voice vote here on the floor. Given the importance of this measure, I introduced it as a separate bill. It was approved by the Subcommittee on International Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Human Rights on March 17. In addition, this provision has the support of both the State Department and the Department of Justice. Lastly, section 702 of my amendment requires that the State Department's annual report on terrorism include information on countries and terrorist groups that are seeking to obtain weapons of mass destruction. Experts on terrorism, both within and outside the government, agree that the nexus between terrorism and weapons of mass destruction is the most dangerous security threat faced by the United States and our allies. Therefore, it makes absolute sense to have the State Department's main report on terrorism discuss this linkage. Mr. Chairman, I urge passage of this important amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith).

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my friend, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman), for her positive comments and for the support. Mr. Chairman, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to praise the City of Simi Valley, California, for its role in paying tribute last week to the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. Many county, State and Federal agencies, Nancy Reagan and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library joined in planning and implementing the tribute to and national mourning for President Reagan. But as the host city, the burden of limiting the impact on the surrounding community, accommodating mourners from throughout the Nation, and ensuring a respectful good-bye to one of America's greatest presidents largely fell on the City of Simi Valley. As a resident of the city for more than 35 years, its former mayor, and a neighbor of the presidential library, I applaud the city for a job well done. I arrived at the presidential library within 2 hours of the announcement of President Reagan's death. Simi Valley police and Ventura County Sheriff's deputies were already on hand to provide crowd control. A place for people to leave flowers and tributes was already established. At the library, 50 to 60 people were already working in crews to ready the place for the arrival of President Reagan's casket and the more than 100,000 mourners who would file past it in the coming days. Simi Valley dedicated nearly half its police force specifically to duties associated with the viewing and internment. Volunteers were brought in to answer telephones. Other volunteers were dispatched to the Wood Ranch development with fliers to inform residents on what they could expect and why. The top-notch planning and execution ensured that the tribute to President Reagan was dignified, secure and smooth from beginning to end. Visitors from across the country and television viewers throughout the world marveled at the peaceful and orderly scenes. Working closely with Duke Blackwood, director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Mayor Bill Davis and the entire City Council, City Manager Mike Sedell and Police Chief Mark Layhew displayed to the world the heart and spirit of Reagan country. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in expressing to Simi Valley's officials that they have the thanks of a grateful Nation.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Franca P. Dornan, who is retiring after nearly 20 years of teaching kindergarten students in my congressional district at St. Jude the Apostle School in Westlake Village, California. Franca Dornan was born Franca Peirina Amalia Maria Bendi on March 2, 1940, in Rapallo on the Italian Riviera. During five of her first six years, until Americans liberated the city, Franca Dornan lived under Nazi occupation. In 1946 she moved with her mother and father to White Plains, New York. Then, in 1961, she moved to California, where she graduated from Marymount College in Los Angeles with her teaching credential and a bachelor's degree in English. Her first five years of teaching were spent instructing fifth-graders at Darby Avenue School in Northridge. In 1963, she met her husband, Dick Dornan, at St. Paul the Apostle Church. They married in the same church on June 24, 1967. Two years later, on Thanksgiving 1969, they moved to Westlake Village, which they have called home ever since. In addition to inspiring the minds and souls of other families' children, Dick and Franca raised five children of their own, Dick, John, Timothy, Gina and Patrick. Mr. Speaker, today will be Franca P. Dornan's last kindergarten graduation as a teacher. Fondly known by many as ``Mrs. Love, Care and Share,'' it is her motto and will continue to resonate among the hundreds of children to whom she taught love of God, family and country. I know my colleagues will join me in recognizing Franca P. Dornan for starting hundreds of young children on a lifelong quest of knowledge and love, and for serving as a yardstick by which we can measure a caring wife, mother and educator.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis) for bringing this resolution to the floor today. President Reagan's impact on America and the world is immeasurable. He ended the Cold War and restored America's confidence. His Republican administration rebuilt our economy with the help and support of a Democratic House of Representatives. President Reagan achieved such successes because when you sat in a room with him, there could be over 1,000 people in the room, yet you felt like there was only the two of you, and his wonderful wit would put you at ease. That was a tremendous gift. That is why some of his biggest political enemies were among his closest personal friends. It is why a staunch anti-Communist could negotiate with the President of the Soviet Union. President Reagan reached across and President Reagan connected with people. President Reagan is now at rest. We mourn his passing, but we are grateful for the gifts he gave us: a safer world, strong economic base, and a renewed belief in America's greatness. Mr. Speaker, President Reagan will be laid to rest at his Presidential library in Simi Valley, California. It is where I began my political career as mayor and city councilman. It has been my home for more than 35 years. President Reagan often spoke about a shining city on a hill. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is such a place. President Reagan will be laid to rest at the edge of a high hill where his library stands. His grave overlooks the farmlands, ranches and chaparral of the Tierra Rejada Valley. On a clear day, one can see the Channel Islands in the Pacific Ocean more than 30 miles away. It is a fitting place for America's greatest son. Mr. Speaker, it is the end of an era, but it is the beginning of a legacy that will last forever. We will miss him.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, May 20, 2004, I was unable to vote on the Levin Substitute amendment to H.R. 4359, the Child Care Preservation and Expansion Act (rollcall 208). Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.'' Additionally Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, May 20, 2004, I was unable to vote on passage of H.R. 4359 (rollcall 209). Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, on May 12, I was unable to vote on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 637, providing for the consideration of H.R. 4275 (rollcall 156); and on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 638, providing for the consideration of H.R. 4279, H.R. 4280 and H.R. 4281 (rollcall 157). Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on both measures.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Jack Broome and John W. Borchard, Jr., the first recipients of the Catherine McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award presented by St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, California, and St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo, California. Catherine McAuley founded Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland, in the early 1800s, serving those who suffered from poverty, illness and a lack of education. In 1912, a small band of Sisters of Mercy began caring for the sick and suffering in Ventura County, California. St. John's Regional Medical Center and St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital are the modern-day manifestations of those early seeds. The Catherine McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award pays tribute to members of the community for their contributions and volunteerism, commitment to society, and espousal of the charisma and values exemplified by Catherine McAuley. Jack Broome and John W. Borchard, Jr., epitomize that charisma and those values. Jack Broome was born in Chicago, but came to California early in his adult life to pursue farming opportunities in Ventura, Kern and Monterery counties. He is one of the key founders of Casa Pacifica and continues as a director. Jack currently serves on the University Board at Pepperdine University and the Board of Trustees of the House Ear Institute. He is chairman of the Ventura County Harbor Commission and the Pleasant Valley County Water District. Jack's service to St. John's includes chairmanship of St. John's Regional Medical Center Foundation, director of the hospital board and longtime membership in The Humanitarians. He and his wife; Patricia, have three children and eight grandchildren. John W. Borchard, Jr., was born at St. John's Hospital and raised on an Oxnard farm owned by his family in the 1860s. He left Ventura County long enough to graduate from the University of Notre Dame and serve a short stint at Eastman Kodak in New York before returning to his roots. John has had leadership roles on boards and committees of no less than 25 organizations. He served the Oxnard Elementary and High Schools, the City of Oxnard, the Oxnard Elks, lima bean and citrus cooperatives, and for 20 years served as a director on the Ventura County Farm Bureau. After 16 years, he recently retired his post as chairman of the Saticoy Lemon Association. During that time he also served on the Sunkist Growers, Inc., board, including 9 years on its executive board. John has also served on the boards of St. John's Seminary and Seminary College in Camarillo. John's service to St. John's began early, knocking on doors with his parents to raise money for the building. In 1968 he became a Humanitarian and served 7 years as chairman. He served as a trustee of St. John's Regional Medical Center Foundation through two building campaigns. John and his wife, Nancy, have six children and 11 grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating Jack Broome and John W. Borchard, Jr., for earning this prestigious distinction and join the Foundations of St. John's Regional Medical Center and St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital in honoring them for a lifetime of service to their community.