Elton Gallegly

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name as a cosponsor of H.R. 3547.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of my longtime friend, Cherie Willard Love. She passed away a couple of weeks ago but she will always be remembered by those she touched. And she touched many. Cherie was a Ventura County, California, native, having been born in Oxnard 76 years ago. After earning a bachelor's degree from Whittier College and a master's from La Verne College. Cherie embarked on a career as a kindergarten teacher. For the first twelve years, she taught in Oceano and San Luis Obispo, but then returned to her roots and taught in the Ventura Unified School District for the next 26 years. Teaching was not a job to Cherie; it was her passion. That passion for her students and profession earned her recognition in October 1986 as the top teacher of the month by the Greater Ventura Chamber of Commerce's Youth and Education Committee. Outside the classroom, Cherie was an active member of the Philanthropic Education Organization, Alpha Delta Kappa, Delta Kappa Gamma, and the California Retired Teacher's Association. Cherie also served as president of the Ventura Retired Teachers Association Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to local college students studying for a career in education. As a final act toward her beloved profession. Cherie directed friends and relatives to donate to the fund in her memory. Cherie outlived two husbands. Don Crinklaw and Don Love, and a son, Bruce Crinklaw, but is survived by a host of other family, including her twin sister, Charlene Blalock-Carlson, and three other sisters, Carrie Perkins, Cyndie Huntsberger, and Sandy Elkhardt; daughters, Sharlee Villa and Carla Dennis; cousin, George Cady; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in remembering Cherie Love's lifelong passion for education and her love of family and community and in offering our condolences to her family and friends.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of Emilienne Desnoyers ``Mimi'' Schmidt, with whom I enjoyed a warm personal relationship for about 30 years. Mimi died in her sleep a couple of weeks ago. She leaves behind a legacy of nurturing a fine family of outstanding citizens while also helping to nurture a growing community. Her son Dominic is a close family friend, as are her grandchildren Brandon and Brianna. Mimi and her husband, Glen, moved to my hometown of Simi Valley, California, in 1962. Mimi was then pregnant with their seventh son and Simi Valley was a rural community of apricot and walnut groves. Others joined the Schmidts in moving to the valley and a cityhood drive was launched in 1966. Fifty-five citizens placed their names on the ballot. Mimi was the only woman. That effort failed but three years later the citizens of the two communities of Simi Valley and Santa Susana voted to incorporate into the City of Simi Valley. Glen's chairmanship of the incorporation study committee catapulted him into a four- year term on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors in 1970, which put his career as an aerospace engineer on hold. It also forced him to take a pay cut. With seven boys to feed, Mimi reentered the workforce. Before commuting ``over the hill'' to work each day, Mimi took the time to pack her sons lunches, using a whole loaf of bread to do so. She also helped form Cub Scout Pack 3621 and was active in the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church's bereavement ministry. In 1979, with her family mostly grown, Mimi again ran for the Simi Valley City Council. Not getting elected did not diminish her passion for politics. She was a life member of the Simi Valley Republican Women's Club, serving one term as its president, and helped organize its annual garden tour. In addition, she served as a poll worker at her neighborhood precinct for many years and volunteered as a docent at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. She never forgot, however, that she was a mother and grandmother first. In addition to Dominic and his wife, Teresa, and their children, Brandon and Brianna, Mimi is survived by her six other sons and their families: David and Carol and their daughters, Samantha and Michelle; Dan and Phyllis; Damian and Karen and their sons, Ryan and Cameron; Douglas and Patricia and their son, Morgan, and twin daughters, Riley and Madison; Darren and Theresa and their son, Ken, and daughter, Stephanie; and Dennis and Julia and their twin daughters, Elizabeth and Melissa. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in remembering Mimi Schmidt's lifelong love of family and community and in offering our condolences to her family and friends.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to my longtime friend and one-time colleague Robert Huber in recognition of being awarded the Strathearn Lifetime Achievement Award by the Simi Valley Community Foundation. Bob Huber has been involved in my hometown of Simi Valley, California, for more than 40 years, and I have known him for more than 30 of those years. We worked together on many community projects over the years and served together some decades ago on the Simi Valley City Council. In addition to his service on the City Council, Bob is past chairman of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce, an active member of Rotary Noon Time, and an elected member of the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees. He is also a charter Board Member of the Simi Valley Community Foundation. It's his passion for the community, and the Community Foundation in particular, for which he is being honored with the Strathearn Lifetime Achievement Award. Several years ago the Community Foundation nearly closed due to a lack of community identity. Bob is credited with turning that around. His ideas, passion, and drive helped refocus the foundation. Today, it is again growing and thriving. One of Bob's inspirations was the foundation's successful Mayor's Dinner, which he has chaired for the past 3 years. This and other successful events have enabled the foundation to raise and grant monies to other charities annually. Bob is also a trial lawyer, but nobody's perfect. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in thanking my friend Bob Huber for his decades of service to the community and join the Simi Valley Community Foundation in tribute to a job well done.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I was unable to make the following rollcall votes on December 17, 2007: H. Res. 856, Resolution expressing heartfelt sympathy for the victims and families of the shootings in Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday, December 5, 2007. On the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree (rollcall No. 1163), I would have voted ``aye.'' H. Res. 851, Resolution honoring local and State first responders, and the citizens of the Pacific Northwest in facing the severe winter storm of December 2 and 3, 2007. On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree (rollcall No. 1164), I would have voted ``aye.'' H. Res. 873, Resolution waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules. On Ordering the Previous Question (rollcall No. 1165), I would have voted ``no.'' H. Res. 873, Resolution waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules. On Agreeing to the Resolution (rollcall No. 1166), I would have voted ``no.'' H. Con. Res. 271, Sine Die Adjournment resolution of the 1st Session of the 110th Congress. On Agreeing to the Resolution (rollcall No. 1167), I would have voted ``no.'' H. Res. 878, Resolution providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2764, State, foreign operations appropriations, FY 2008. On Ordering the Previous Question (rollcall No. 1168), I would have voted ``no.'' H. Res. 878, Resolution providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2764, State, foreign operations appropriations, FY 2008. On Agreeing to the Resolution (rollcall No. 1169), I would have voted ``no.'' H.R. 4286, To award a congressional gold medal to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in recognition of her courageous and unwavering commitment to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and democracy in Burma. On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass (rollcall No. 1170), I would have voted ``aye.'' H.R. 2764, Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations for FY 2008. On agreeing to Senate amendment with 1st House amendment (rollcall No. 1171), I would have voted ``no.'' H.R. 2764, Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations for FY 2008. On agreeing to Senate amendment with 2nd House amendment (rollcall No. 1172), I would have voted ``no.'' H. Con. Res. 254, Resolution recognizing and celebrating the centennial of Oklahoma statehood. On the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree (rollcall No. 1173), I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of Gary Galloway, who passed away November 21 at the age of 56. Gary Galloway was a detective at the Simi Valley, California, Police Department, which is an understatement of the important work he performed there. For 21 of the 29 years Gary served the Simi Valley community, he investigated child sexual abuse cases and other crimes against persons. Twenty-one years is a long time for a detective to investigate child sex abuse cases. Most officers suffer from an understandable burnout confronting the worse a criminal can do to a child. But Gary was passionate about protecting children. He was equally a skilled and hardworking detective. Countless lives have been protected because of Gary's diligence and professionalism. Equally, many individuals were cleared of false allegations because of Gary's dedication to the truth. I met Gary when I was elected to the Simi Valley City Council and he was a new officer, and got to know him through many ride-alongs with him on patrol. I followed his career through my years as mayor and as congressman. He was a respected friend who I visited with just a few weeks ago during the Simi Valley Days Parade. Gary served as a reserve officer before joining the Police Department full time in 1980. He quickly made his mark as a patrol officer and a field training officer. Then he joined the detective ranks and was assigned to child sex abuse cases. He never looked back. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in honoring the memory of Gary Galloway and his decades of service to public safety and particularly in his work to protect our children. In addition, I know my colleagues join me in extending our condolences to his wife, Victoria, and his adult sons, Gregory, Robert, and Darren, and to all whose lives Gary touched privately and professionally. Godspeed, Gary.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of Henry ``Hank'' Springer, who passed away Sunday at age 84. When Hank Springer became my football and track and field coach 45 years ago at Huntington Park High School in Southern California, little did I know that I also was gaining a mentor and a lifelong friend. Of all the teachers I have ever had, no one had a greater impact on me than Coach Springer. Standing at about 6 foot 5 inches and weighing about 255 pounds, Coach Springer was nonetheless a gentle man who always put his students' education before their athletics. In spite of that--or perhaps because of it--he brought out the best in his athletes, bringing us to championship after championship. We stayed close over the years, and he would recall decades later things I had done as his student. Even his wife, Doris, recalled just months ago how I would call in the school's sports scores to the Signal newspaper for a dollar a week. Teachers, mentors, and friends like that are very special. Coach Springer was himself a champion athlete, having won the National Championship as a shotputter at Compton Junior College, a feat he repeated at the University of Southern California, where he earned his teaching credential and obtained a master's degree. Once at Huntington Park High School, he brought both football and track and field league championships to the school. In 1959, Coach Springer led his football team to the pinnacle of success by winning the Los Angeles City Schools Championship. Many of his students went on to collegiate and professional success. Included in Coach Springer's accolades, championships, achievements, and awards was a life achievement award from the California Scholastic Federation. Coach Springer retired in 1983 and became an avid fisherman. He was already an avid family man and friend. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in honoring Hank Springer for his positive impact on student athletes and in mentoring them to be as competitive in their studies as they were on the field. In addition, I know my colleagues join me in extending our condolences to Doris, their sons, Mark and Brian, and to all who called Coach Springer a friend. Godspeed, Coach.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of my friend John Boething, who died August 11 at 89 years young. It would be easier to list what J.B. didn't accomplish in his life than to list what he did. A college student at age 16, J.B. bicycled across Europe and explored South America as part of his master's thesis; was a U.S. Army captain during World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater; wrote a sports column; and was a freelance cartoonist for the New Yorker and other publications. But it was as one of the founding fathers of the wholesale horticulture industry that J.B. made his public mark. He founded Boething Treeland Farms as a retail operation on 35 acres in Woodland Hills, CA, in 1952, and grew it into one of the largest and most successful wholesale nurseries in California. Today, Boething Treeland Farms grows trees and shrubs on about 800 acres across the State. Not bad, considering J.B. knew little about the tree business when he started on money he borrowed from his father. J.B.'s success can be ascribed to him being the epitome of a people person. He had a wonderful sense of humor and, for all his successes, still lived in the house he built in Woodland Hills and added onto as his family grew. Having sought the advice of other nurserymen when starting Boething Treeland Farms, he freely gave advice later to others in the business--including those who started with him and went on to be competitors. While personable and fair, J.B. also maintained high standards and expected the best from his employees. With his motivation and example, they rarely disappointed. J.B. also supported the American Red Cross, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Doctors Without Borders, and Pepperdine University. He served on the Board of Directors of Sunset Magazine and for many years sponsored a lecture through the Center for Conservation Biology at Stanford University. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in remembering J.B. and his contributions to horticulture and to all who knew him, and in offering our condolences to his wife of 54 years, Susan; their daughters, Sally Painter, Haydi Danielson, Cathy Pherson, and Marji Boething; their six grandchildren; and his extended family and wealth of friends.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I was unable to make the following roll call votes on September 4, 2007: H.R. 694, the Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act. On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, a Amended, I would have voted ``nay.'' H.R. 3020, the Microloan Amendments and Modernization Act. On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, I would have voted ``aye.'' H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007. On Motion to Instruct Conferees, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I was unable to make the following rollcall votes on July 30, 2007: H.R. 2750, the NASA 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act. On motion to suspend the Rules and pass, as amended, rollcall 758, I would have voted ``aye.'' H. Res. 580, providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 986, to designate the Eight Mile River in the State of Connecticut. On ordering the previous question, rollcall 759, I would have voted ``nay.'' H. Res. 580, providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 986, to designate the Eight Mile River in the State of Connecticut. On agreeing to the resolution, rollcall 760, I would have voted ``nay.'' H. Res. 579, providing for consideration of the bill, H.R. 2831, to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the American With Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision. On ordering the previous question, rollcall 761, I would have voted ``nay.'' H. Res. 579, providing for consideration of the bill, H.R. 2831, to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the American With Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision. On agreeing to the resolution, rollcall 762, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 757, because of a family commitment I was not present for rollcall vote 757. Had I been present I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, while there are many good reasons to support this bill I feel I must oppose the bill because of the Visa Waiver provision.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding achievements of Ventura County Stand Down, which this weekend will mark 15 years of helping homeless veterans combat life on the streets. During the three-day, two-night Stand Down, veterans will live on the campus of the California Army National Guard Armory in military-style tents erected by the Seabees. They will have access to shower facilities, toiletries, new and used clean clothing, and hot meals each day. Working in conjunction with dozens of public and private agencies, Stand Down 2007 will provide homeless veterans with a myriad of services such as medical treatment, legal services, prescription lenses, employment counseling and referrals, VA benefits, drug and alcohol counseling, general relief information, transitional housing information, along with a range of other government and social services. It's a monumental undertaking. Ventura County Stand Down would not be a success--or have even been launched--without the skill and perseverance of Claire Hope, the founder and executive committee chairperson of Ventura County Stand Down. The daughter of a World War II veteran and mother of a veteran of Desert Storm, Claire Hope has a soft heart for veterans and a strong will to help those in need. She is not alone. About 300 volunteers help each year with the efforts. Another nearly 300 companies, corporations, and non-profit organizations are on board. About 20 service providers take part and 20 committees oversee all aspects of the event, from planning, to execution, to cleanup, to follow-up. Many of the volunteers have been with Claire since the beginning. While I can't name them all, I would be remiss without noting several key people whose efforts have meant so much to our veterans. They include: Duane Dammeyer, Public Defender; J. Roger Myers, Legal Counsel; Bob Reeves, Grounds; Hal Nachenberg, VA Benefits and Services; Joseph Narkevitz and Robert Reed, PTSD & Intervention Counseling; Herb Williams, On-Site Activities; Bob Adams, Job Placement; Betty Zamost, Homeless Program VA Administration; Judge John Dobroth, Superior Court; Dr. Cal Farmer, Entertainment/Ambiance; Madeline Lee, Toiletries; Marie Williams, Transportation; Gene Ogden, Adopt-A-Veteran Program; and, Mary Ann Foushee, Social Security Administration. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in recognizing the importance of Ventura County Stand Down and in thanking Claire Hope and her myriad of volunteers for their selfless efforts in helping those who served our country and who fell on hard times to have a fighting chance to resume a life of stability and peace. It's a yeoman's effort, and one worth undertaking.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I was unable to make the following rollcall votes on July 16, 2007: H.R. 1980, to authorize appropriations for the Housing Assistance Council. On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, I would have voted ``aye.'' H.R. 1982, the Rural Housing and Economic Development Improvement Act of 2007. On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, I would have voted ``aye.'' H.R. 799, Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments. On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. GALLEGLY

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

Mr. GALLEGLY. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 482, which I introduced on June 12, expresses the support of the House of Representatives for one of the most successful efforts in peacemaking in modern European history. The resolution recognizes the success of the Northern Irish peace process that had its first major breakthrough with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. While the Good Friday Agreement provided the blueprint for lasting peace, it took years of negotiation and compromise by both communities in Northern Ireland for the agreement to be fully implemented. This occurred on May 8 with the formation of a government based on a power-sharing arrangement involving the largest unionist and nationalist parties in Northern Ireland. The May 8 accord translated the general principles of the Good Friday Agreement into a concrete political settlement with important powers being transferred from London to Belfast. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 482 expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should strongly support the new power-sharing government in Northern Ireland. The legislation also commends the Northern Irish political leaders, both of those who represent the Catholic and Protestant communities, as well as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish leader Bertie Ahern for their leadership in the formation of this new government. Lastly, House Resolution 482 states that the U.S. stands ready to support the new government and to work with the people of Northern Ireland to achieve their goal of a long-lasting peace. Madam Speaker, the restoration of power-sharing institutions, the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive Committee, will not ensure lasting peace in Northern Ireland. Much work remains to be done in terms of bringing the two communities even closer together. And Congress must stay engaged with Northern Ireland as an honest broker in the years to come. However, the May 8 agreement represents major progress in resolving a sectarian conflict that has plagued Northern Ireland for over 400 years and has claimed over 3,200 lives just since 1969. Madam Speaker, this legislation is cosponsored, I believe, by every one of my colleagues that have taken a legislative or leadership role in the Congress in resolving sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. I urge the passage of House Resolution 482.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to make the following rollcall votes on June 7, 2007: H.R. 65, The Lumbee Recognition Act. On the Motion to Recommit with Instructions, I would have voted ``yea.'' H.R. 65, The Lumbee Recognition Act. On passage, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of my friend Colonel Mary Gene Ryan, who is retiring after 31 years of military service. Colonel Ryan has served at both military bases in my district, Vandenberg Air Force Base and Naval Base Ventura County. She is retiring from the 30th Medical Group at Vandenberg as the Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Commander. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in nursing, Colonel Ryan entered the U.S. Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. She earned her master's degree in public health 4 years later as she worked her way up the ranks and gained experience and accreditation as a second flight nurse, a medical crew director and flight nurse instructor in the C-9, C-141 and C-130 while stationed at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany. She returned to the states as Officer In Charge of Environmental Health at Wilford Hall Medical Center in Texas, then made her transition to California as Chief of Environmental Health at Edwards Air Force Flight Test Center. By this time she had been promoted to captain and soon after, to major. When the Air Force dissolved the Environmental Health Nurse career field, Colonel Ryan transferred to the California Air National Guard at what is now Naval Base Ventura County. She served at Naval Base Ventura County as Nurse Executive and Executive Officer and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. She later transferred to the Air Force Reserve and became Chief of Nursing Services at March Air Reserve Base. She was promoted to full Colonel on April 1, 2004. While pursuing a successful medical military career, Colonel Ryan also worked in the civilian field and co-founded her own business, MGRyan & Co., Inc., a full-service safety and health consulting firm. She also served as Manager of Health & Safety for the County of Ventura and as Director of Occupational Health at Peterson Medical Clinic in Oxnard, California. And, if that were not enough, Colonel Ryan is also a successful wife and mother. She and Dr. Robert E. Ryan III have three children, 24- year-old Michael, 21-year-old Jessica, and 16-year-old Matthew. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in congratulating Colonel Mary Gene Ryan on her retirement from military service and thank her for her many years of dedication to the military and the health and welfare of the men and women who serve in the Air Force, Air Force Reserves, and California Air National Guard.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of my friend Ralph Bering Busch, Jr., MD, who passed away on May 23 at age 84. Dr. Busch was a medical pioneer in Ventura County, California. In the 1960s, Dr. Busch and his partner, M. Kathleen Belton, MD, became the first anesthesiologists to practice in Ventura County. They covered St. John's Hospital in Oxnard, Santa Paula Memorial Hospital, Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, and occasionally Ojai Valley Community Hospital. Dr. Busch served at Santa Paula Memorial Hospital for twenty years and retired from Community Memorial Hospital in 1989. Dr. Busch came to California after serving in the South Pacific with the U.S. Navy for four years, after graduating from high school, college, and medical school in the Midwest. He interned at University of Southern California, Los Angeles County Hospital and then practiced at St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank for the next ten years. In 1959, he married Deborah ``Deedee'' Bennett of Palm Springs. As their family grew, they decided to seek the country life of Ventura County. It was a good choice for them and for Ventura County. Ralph and Deedee have been blessed with six children and eighteen grandchildren. In addition to his dedication to his practice and his family, Dr. Busch dedicated himself to the greater medical community and the community in which he lived. He was a past member of the California and American Societies of Anesthesiology, Ventura County Medical Society, Community Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, Ventura County Museum of History and Art Board of Directors, and Berry Petroleum Co. Board of Directors. He was a forty-five-year member of Saticoy Country Club. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in remembering Dr. Ralph Bering Busch, Jr., as a good friend, a loving family man, a pioneer in Ventura County medicine, and one who worked to make his community stronger. In addition, I know my colleagues join me in extending our condolences to Deedee and their family and to all who called Ralph a friend. Godspeed, Ralph.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of my friend, Bill Bennett, who died last week at 84 years young. I met Bill and his wife, Marty, when I decided to run for Congress more than 20 years ago. We shared a love of politics, a dedication to our communities and country, and a love and dedication to our families. Born in West Virginia, Bill Bennett came to California while serving in the U.S. Navy. Like many who venture to the Golden State, he fell in love and stayed. After being discharged from the Navy, Bill joined the Los Angeles City Fire Department. It would prove to be one of his long- term commitments. He retired from the Department 31 years later as Assistant Chief, in 1980. Another of his long-term commitments was to Marty. They married in 1951 and partnered in life for the next 56 years. In 1965, Bill and Marty moved with their children to Thousand Oaks, which I have represented for the better part of my congressional career. They became involved in their church, Emmanuel Presbyterian, and many other aspects of their community. Bill served on the board of the former Timber School District, Community Leaders Club, Republican Central Committee, Ventura County Grand Jury, Ventura County Planning Committee, Neighborhood Watch, and many other community organizations, for which he was duly recognized. He also became a supporter and friend to me. At the same time Bill was making his community a better place, he dedicated himself to being a loving father and husband. In addition to Marty, Bill leaves behind daughter, Sue and her husband, Kim Force; daughter, Nancy and her husband, Jim Berg; daughter, Bonnie; and son Tom and his wife, Jane. Bill and Marty also have seven grandchildren, Michael, Christopher, Joshua, Brian, Janelle, Jilee and Justine; and two great-grandchildren, Hannah and Emily. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in remembering William Thomas Bennett as a good friend, a loving family man, and a lover of life, whose talents helped to make our community stronger. In addition, I know they join me in extending our condolences to Marty and their family and to all who called Bill a friend. Godspeed, Bill.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I was unable to make the following rollcall votes on May 14, 2007: H.R. 1124, To extend the District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, I would have voted ``nay.'' H. Res. 223, Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, I would have voted ``aye.'' H. Res. 385, Recognizing National AmeriCorps Week, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, as you know, I, along with Mr. Blumenauer and Mr. Bartlett, have been trying to federally criminalize the brutal, inhumane practice of animal fighting for the past several Congresses. A few years ago, Congress enacted legislation to tighten Federal laws with regard to animal fighting; however, this law created some loopholes that allowed the barbaric practices of animal fighting to thrive nationwide, in spite of bans in virtually every State. We left in place weak penalties that have proven ineffective. Misdemeanor penalties simply don't provide a meaningful deterrent. We've heard from U.S. Attorneys that they are reluctant to pursue animal fighting cases with just a misdemeanor penalty. Those involved in animal fighting ventures consider misdemeanor penalties a ``slap on the wrist'' or merely a ``cost of doing business.'' In recent years, we've seen a marked rise in the frequency of animal fighting busts in communities across the country. Local police and sheriffs are increasingly concerned about animal fighting, not only because of the animal cruelty involved, but also because of the other crimes that often go hand-in-hand, including illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and acts of human violence. In the last 6 months, every reported bust of an animal fight also led to additional arrests for at least one of these criminal activities. Furthermore, there is an inherent danger for the children of animal fighters to be close to these animals. Children are often brought to these gruesome spectacles. Some dog fighters steal pets to use as bait for training their dogs; some allow trained fighting dogs to roam neighborhoods and endanger the public. There is the additional concern that cockfighters spread diseases that jeopardize poultry flocks and even public health. We in California experienced this first-hand, when cockfighters spread exotic Newcastle disease, which was so devastating to many of our poultry producers in 2002 and 2003. That outbreak cost U.S. taxpayers nearly $200 million to eradicate, and cost the U.S. poultry industry many millions more in lost export markets. Cockfighting has been identified as the major contributor of the spread of avian flu throughout Thailand and other parts of Asia, where the strain originated. At least nine people who contracted avian flu and died from it reportedly contracted it from fighting birds. Among those who are reported to have died from avian influenza as a result of exposure through cockfighting, include 4-year-old, 6-year-old, and 18- year-old boys in Thailand and a 6-year-old girl in Vietnam. Fortunately, bird flu has not yet jumped the species barrier in this country, but we ought to do all we can to minimize the risk. Opponents of H.R. 137 have said this bill should be blocked because it will drive them underground, increasing the public health risks. That's a ludicrous argument. They're already underground (it's illegal in 49 States and various localities in the remaining State, Louisiana). They're coaching each other, as documented in chat rooms and other communications that have been intercepted, to hide their birds to avoid detection in the event of an outbreak. We're not talking about stellar citizens who are planning to contact health officials to ``do their part'' in stemming a pandemic. We'll be much better off cracking down on illegal cockfighting than allowing this high-risk industry to continue thriving and hoping they'll work with the government cooperatively to stem the threat of disease. We need to help State and local law enforcement officials who have requested this strengthening of Federal laws to rid animal fighting from communities that do not want it. This legislation makes violations of federal animal fighting law a felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison, makes it a felony to transport an animal across State or international borders for the purpose of animal fighting, and prohibits the interstate and foreign commerce in knives and gaffs designed for use in cockfighting. This bill simply promotes meaningful enforcement of current Federal law that bars interstate and foreign movement of animals for fighting purposes, including both dog fighting and cockfighting, by upgrading current misdemeanor penalties to a felony level. The bill is explicitly limited to interstate and foreign commerce, so it protects States' rights in the 2 States where cockfighting is allowed, yet further protects States' rights in the other 48 States where weak Federal law compromises the ability to keep animal fighting outside their borders. I also wanted to clarify for the Record that subsection (c) of section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act, which is about interstate instrumentalities and commercial speech, prohibits the websites and the magazines where fighting animals are advertised for sale. These publications are commercial speech, and also clearly promote animal fighting. They advertise fighting animals and weapons for sale in interstate commerce. For example, over the last 12 months, there have been over 1,600 pages worth of advertisements for illegal interstate commercial transactions in the two main cockfighting magazines. Subsection (d) is meant to limit subsection (c) with respect to the magazines and other commercial speech promoting cockfights in States where that is legal. It acts as a limitation upon subsection (c), but, as under current law, only if the effect of that promotion is limited to cockfights in the one State where cockfighting is still legal. So as a practical matter, (d) does not limit enforcement of (c) against the cockfighting magazines and website advertisements, because these materials promote animal fights in every State--they are sent to or read by buyers in many States, who buy the fighting animals and implements and then use them in animal fights in States where cockfighting is illegal. Finally, I also want to say that these provisions in current law, which are mirrored in H.R. 137, pose no problem in terms of the First Amendment. Animal fighting magazines and websites aren't protected by the First Amendment. The Supreme Court has been clear on this score-- there is no First Amendment protection for commercial speech where the underlying commercial transaction is lawfully prohibited, as is the case here. Subsection (c) is clearly constitutional. It is narrowly tailored with this in mind. First Amendment consideration is built right into the language. It only prohibits ``commercial speech''--like the cockfighting magazines with all of their advertisements for contraband. These animal fighting magazines are not political speech, they are basically just catalogs, with hundreds of advertisements per issue for illegal transactions. The sellers are just soliciting the buyers to commit criminal acts. They can't cloak it in the First Amendment just by throwing a little bit of non-commercial speech in there either, and the Supreme Court has been clear on that as well. This is the perfect example of a bipartisan bill. The bill I cosponsored in the last Congress, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Act of 2006, had 324 cosponsors and was passed through the Senate by unanimous consent. Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Bartlett, and I rounded up 300 Democrat and Republican co-sponsors in just a few weeks. I want to express my sincere thanks to Mr. Blumenauer and Mr. Bartlett for their work on this legislation. We have all been working on this legislation for quite some time. I also want to commend Mr. Conyers, Mr. Smith, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Forbes for recognizing the importance of this issue and thank them for moving H.R. 137 through the Judiciary Committee so quickly. I also want to thank Mr. Peterson of the Agriculture Committee for his assistance on this matter. Finally, I want to thank my 300+ colleagues who cosponsored H.R. 137. Without your help, we would not have been able to show the amount of support this Congress has for ending this deplorable practice and all of the destructive behavior associated with it.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. As you know, along with my good friend Earl Blumenauer and Roscoe Bartlett, we have been trying to federally criminalize this brutal, inhumane practice of animal fighting for the past several Congresses. When Congress enacted legislation to tighten Federal animal fighting laws, we left in place weak penalties that have proven ineffective and allowed the barbaric practice to thrive, in spite of bans in virtually every State. Misdemeanor penalties simply don't provide a meaningful deterrent. Animal fighters consider misdemeanor penalties as a ``slap on the wrist'' or merely the ``cost of doing business.'' State and local law enforcement officials are increasingly concerned about animal fighting not only because of the animal cruelty involved but because of the other crimes that often go hand in hand with animal fighting, including illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and acts of human violence. In the last 6 months, virtually every reported arrest in an animal fight has also led to additional arrests for at least one of these criminal activities. Cockfighting has also spread diseases that jeopardize poultry and even public health. California experienced this firsthand when cockfighters spread exotic Newcastle disease in 2002 and 2003. That outbreak cost U.S. taxpayers nearly $200 million to eradicate, and the cost to the U.S. poultry industry was in the millions. Cockfighting has been identified as the major contributor to the spread of avian flu throughout Thailand and other parts of Asia, where the strain originated. I want to express my sincere thanks to you, Earl Blumenauer, and to Roscoe Bartlett for their work on this legislation. I also commend and thank my good friend and neighbor Mr. John Conyers, the chairman of the committee; Lamar Smith, the ranking member; Bobby Scott, the chairman of the subcommittee; and Randy Forbes, the ranking member, for recognizing the importance of this issue and moving H.R. 137 through the Judiciary Committee so quickly. Also I want to recognize Collin Peterson on the Ag Committee for his assistance. Finally, more important than all, is recognizing the 303-plus Members that have co-sponsored this legislation. It is hard to believe that we have that many people agreeing on something like this when it is not often that we have that many people in the House agreeing on what day of the week it is. So I want to thank all of them for their support. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with all of us in passing this legislation when we bring it to a vote here in a couple of minutes.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor my good friend, Richard Linsday, who is being recognized this week at the American Heart Association's Ventura County Gala as its 2007 Honoree. Richard Linsday is a retired U.S. Marine Corps major who incorporates the Marine attitude of the impossible only takes a little longer in everything he does. He has helped the American Heart Association with that attitude for more than twenty years. Over the years he has chaired many Heart Association committees in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties and currently serves as a member of the Association's Ventura County Division Board of Directors. It is appropriate that Richard is being honored by the American Heart Association at its Ventura County Gala, which has been described as an event dedicated to the ``celebration of life,'' because Richard is the epitome of the celebration of life. In addition to his service in the Marines, Richard has built a successful career in the financial services industry, including positions as executive vice president and general manager of major financial companies. He has since opened his own firm, Planned Estate Services, based in my congressional district. Richard is an adjunct professor of finance at California State University, Northridge, and sits on the Board of Advisors to the university's School of Business. In addition to receiving numerous professional awards, he has authored two books. Aside from his dedication to the American Heart Association, Richard donates his time, energy, and resources to many other nonprofit organizations, including one founded by a fellow Marine officer, Devil Pups. At the same time he is a loving and devoted husband to his wife of twenty-seven years, Laura, and their children, Heather and Brandon. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join the American Heart Association and me in honoring Richard H. Linsday for his dedication and contributions to his community and nation through his tireless efforts and can-do attitude.

Mr. GALLEGLY

Mr. GALLEGLY. I thank the gentlelady for yielding. Mr. Speaker, my concern about the Iraq resolution offered by my friends on the other side of the aisle is what impact it will have on our troops and our mission and its consequences on our mission. How can you say support our troops when you don't support sending in the people necessary to back them up to do the job that we sent them there to do to start with? Let's be clear, Mr. Speaker, about who the real enemy is. We are at war with the Islamic jihadists. Jihadists have vowed to destroy America, the West and all sympathizers with democracy. We are at war for our very existence against jihadists who have vowed to enslave us with a fundamentalist philosophy that rejects all human rights. The consequences of failure in Iraq are not just failure in Iraq. Iraq's stability has direct repercussions on Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel and all of the Middle East. If our efforts to bring peace and stability to Iraq are successful, we will accomplish a great deal. If not, if Iraq fails, it will provide Islamic jihadists with a sanctuary similar to the one we removed from Afghanistan, only the sanctuary in Iraq would be many times worse, as the terrorists would have access to billions of dollars of oil resources to carry out their evil plans. Such a sanctuary would threaten Europe and the United States. If we are in support of our military men and women, we must support their mission against Islamic jihadists. The alternative is defeat in Iraq and a greater threat of attack here at home. A defeat in Iraq would not just be a defeat for the United States. It would also set back any chance for peace and stability in the Middle East. It would empower terrorists to unleash greater sectarian violence, which would draw all of Iraq's neighbors into a Sunni versus Shi'a conflict for control of Iraq. I am also concerned about the resolution because it does not offer any alternative whatsoever that could lead to a successful outcome for the United States in Iraq. All the resolution does is to criticize the President's plan to augment our existing force in Iraq by 21,000-plus troops. The Democratic resolution offers no other plan. It does not address what should be the right strategy or the right tactics. In effect, and I think this is the real issue, it endorses the status quo in Iraq, a position that I certainly can't support, and I hear lots of those that are supporting this say they can't support either, but they are de facto supporting the status quo by supporting this resolution. I look forward to the majority offering a comprehensive proposal that would set forth a specific course of action. Then we could have a real debate on the pros and cons of the Democratic plan versus the President's plan to secure Iraq and defeat the terrorists in that country. Unfortunately, the resolution before us fails to do this, and therefore I can't support it. It should be rejected.