Kay Granger

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Petty Officer Special Warfare Operator Jason Ray Workman who died August 6th in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Chief Workman was a patriot and a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring the security of our nation. He will be greatly missed. Chief Workman was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including two Bronze Star Medals with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Joint Service Achievement Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons, two Presidential Unit Citations, Navy Unit Commendation, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and numerous other personal and unit decorations. Chief Workman is survived by his loving family, friends, and teammates. His nation owes Chief Workman an enormous debt of gratitude. We are honored to have had such an exemplary American fighting for his country. I wish to extend my condolences to Chief Workman's family, friends, and teammates and hope they continue to find solace in his lasting impact on his grateful nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Petty Officer Special Warfare Operator Jon Thomas Tumilson who died August 6th in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Chief Tumilson was a patriot and a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring the security of our nation. He will be greatly missed. Chief Tumilson was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including two Bronze Star Medals with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and numerous other personal and unit decorations. Chief Tumilson is survived by his loving family, friends, and teammates. His nation owes Chief Tumilson an enormous debt of gratitude. We are honored to have had such an exemplary American fighting for his country. I wish to extend my condolences to Chief Tumilson's family, friends, and teammates and hope they continue to find solace in his lasting impact on his grateful nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Petty Officer Special Warfare Operator Aaron Carson Vaughn who died August 6th in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Chief Petty Officer Vaughn was a patriot and a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring the security of our nation. He will be greatly missed. Chief Vaughn was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Valor, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and numerous other personal and unit decorations. Chief Vaughn is survived by his loving family, friends, and teammates. His nation owes Chief Vaughn an enormous debt of gratitude. We are honored to have had such an exemplary American fighting for his country. I wish to extend my condolences to Chief Vaughn's family, friends, and teammates and hope they continue to find solace in his lasting impact on his grateful nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Petty Officer Explosive Ordnance Disposal Nicholas Heath Null who died August 6th in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Chief Null was a patriot and a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring the security of our nation. He will be greatly missed. Chief Null was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including two Bronze Star Medals with Valor, including one for extraordinary heroism, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals with Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Valor, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Combat Action Ribbons, Presidential Unit Citation, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, two Iraqi Campaign Medals, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and numerous other personal and unit decorations. Chief Null is survived by his loving family, friends, and teammates. His nation owes Chief Null an enormous debt of gratitude. We are honored to have had such an exemplary American fighting for his country. I wish to extend my condolences to Chief Null's family, friends, and teammates and hope they continue to find solace in his lasting impact on his grateful nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Petty Officer Special Warfare Operator Brian Robert Bill who died August 6th in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Chief Bill was a patriot and a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring the security of our nation. He will be greatly missed. Chief Bill was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including four Bronze Star Medals with Valor, including one for extraordinary heroism, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons, two Presidential Unit Citations, Navy Unit Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and numerous other personal and unit decorations. Chief Bill is survived by his loving family, friends, and teammates. His nation owes Chief Bill an enormous debt of gratitude. We are honored to have had such an exemplary American fighting for his country. I wish to extend my condolences to Chief Bill's family, friends, and teammates and hope they continue to find solace in his lasting impact on his grateful nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Senior Chief Petty Officer Explosive Ordnance Disposal Kraig Michael Kaleolani Vickers who died August 6th in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Senior Chief Vickers was a patriot and a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring the security of our nation. He will be greatly missed. Senior Chief Vickers was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including four Bronze Star Medals with Valor, two Purple Heart Medals, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Combat Action Ribbons, Presidential Unit Citation, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and numerous other personal and unit decorations. Senior Chief Vickers is survived by his loving family, friends, and teammates. His nation owes Senior Chief Vickers an enormous debt of gratitude. We are honored to have had such an exemplary American fighting for his country. I wish to extend my condolences to Senior Chief Vickers' family, friends, and teammates and hope they continue to find solace in his lasting impact on his grateful nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Petty Officer Special Warfare Officer John Weston Faas who died August 6th in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Chief Faas was a patriot and a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring the security of our nation. He will be greatly missed. Chief Faas was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including four Bronze Star Medals with Valor, including one for extraordinary heroism, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Joint Service Commendation Medals with Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons, two Presidential Unit Citations, Navy Unit Commendation, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, two Iraq Campaign Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and numerous other personal and unit decorations. Chief Faas is survived by his loving family, friends, and teammates. His nation owes Chief Faas an enormous debt of gratitude. We are honored to have had such an exemplary American fighting for his country. I wish to extend my condolences to Chief Faas' family, friends, and teammates and hope they continue to find solace in his lasting impact on his grateful nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Petty Officer Special Warfare Operator Christopher George Campbell who died August 6th in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Chief Campbell was a patriot and a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring the security of our nation. He will be greatly missed. Chief Campbell was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including three Bronze Star Medals with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons, two Presidential Unit Citations, Navy Unit Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and numerous other personal and unit decorations. Chief Campbell is survived by his loving family, friends, and teammates. His nation owes Chief Campbell an enormous debt of gratitude. We are honored to have had such an exemplary American fighting for his country. I wish to extend my condolences to Chief Campbell's family, friends, and teammates and hope they continue to find solace in his lasting impact on his grateful nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Senior Chief Petty Officer Special Warfare Operator Robert James Reeves who died August 6th in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Senior Chief Reeves was a patriot and a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring the security of our nation. He will be greatly missed. Senior Chief Reeves was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards including five Bronze Star Medals with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Valor, Combat Action Ribbon, three Presidential Unit Citations, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and other personal and unit decorations. Senior Chief Reeves is survived by his loving family, friends, and teammates. His nation owes Senior Chief Reeves an enormous debt of gratitude. We are honored to have had such an exemplary American fighting for his country. I wish to extend my condolences to Senior Chief Reeves' family, friends, and teammates and hope they continue to find solace in his lasting impact on his grateful nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Master Chief Petty Officer Special Warfare Operator Louis James Langlais who died August 6th in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Master Chief Langlais was a patriot and a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring the security of our nation. He will be greatly missed. Master Chief Langlais was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including six Bronze Star Medals with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, three Combat Action Ribbons, three Presidential Unit Citations, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and numerous other personal and unit decorations. Master Chief Langlais is survived by his loving family, friends, and teammates. His nation owes Master Chief Langlais an enormous debt of gratitude. We are honored to have had such an exemplary American fighting for his country. I wish to extend my condolences to Master Chief Langlais' family, friends, and teammates and hope they continue to find solace in his lasting impact on his grateful nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lieutenant Commander Jonas Benton Kelsall who died August 6th in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. LCDR Kelsall was a patriot and a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring the security of our nation. He will be greatly missed. LCDR Kelsall was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit, three Bronze Star Medals with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Joint Service Achievement Medals, two Combat Action Ribbons, two Presidential Unit Citations, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and numerous other personal and unit decorations. LCDR Kelsall is survived by his loving family, friends, and teammates. His nation owes LCDR Kelsall an enormous debt of gratitude. We are honored to have had such an exemplary American fighting for his country. I wish to extend my condolences to LCDR Kelsall's family, friends, and teammates and hope they continue to find solace in his lasting impact on his grateful nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Senior Chief Petty Officer Special Warfare Operator Thomas Arthur Ratzlaff who died August 6th in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Senior Chief Ratzlaff was a patriot and a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring the security of our nation. He will be greatly missed. Senior Chief Ratzlaff was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards and decorations, including five Bronze Star Medals with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Joint Service Commendation Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Combat Action Ribbons, Presidential Unit Citation, and numerous other personal and unit decorations. Additionally, Senior Chief Ratzlaff was awarded the Star of Military Valor, for actions in Afghanistan while supporting Canadian Soldiers. He is only the second American since World War I to have this honor bestowed upon him. Senior Chief Ratzlaff is survived by his loving family, friends, and teammates. His nation owes Senior Chief Ratzlaff an enormous debt of gratitude. We are honored to have had such an exemplary American fighting for his country. I wish to extend my condolences to Senior Chief Ratzlaff's family, friends and teammates and hope they continue to find solace in his lasting impact on his grateful nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Petty Officer Special Warfare Operator Darrik Carlyle Benson who died August 6th in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Chief Benson was a patriot and a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring the security of our nation. He will be greatly missed. Chief Benson was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including two Bronze Star Medals with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and numerous other personal and unit decorations. Chief Benson is survived by his loving family, friends, and teammates. His nation owes Chief Benson an enormous debt of gratitude. We are honored to have had such an exemplary American fighting for his country. I wish to extend my condolences to Chief Benson's family, friends, and teammates and hope they continue to find solace in his lasting impact on his grateful nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Senior Chief Petty Officer Special Warfare Operator Heath Michael Robinson who died August 6th in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Senior Chief Robinson was a patriot and a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring the security of our nation. He will be greatly missed. Senior Chief Robinson was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including four Bronze Star Medals with Valor, including one for extraordinary heroism, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals with Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Combat Action Ribbons, two Presidential Unit Citations, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and numerous other personal and unit decorations. Senior Chief Robinson is survived by his loving family, friends, and teammates. His nation owes Senior Chief Robinson an enormous debt of gratitude. We are honored to have had such an exemplary American fighting for his country. I wish to extend my condolences to Senior Chief Robinson's family, friends, and teammates and hope they continue to find solace in his lasting impact on his grateful nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, I want to talk a little bit about my experience balancing budgets because I had to manage many different kinds of budgets, and some all at the same time. As a business owner for 23 years, I had to balance my insurance company's budget. As the mayor of Fort Worth, I had to balance the city's budget. And as the mother of three, I had to balance the household budget. What is the same about every budget I have ever balanced is that there was never any choice. There were very serious consequences for not being fiscally responsible, whether it was in my business, at city hall, or at home. Most Americans have had the same experience I've had. We all sit around the kitchen table and figure out how to make ends meet, and then we ask why can't Washington do the same thing? Families and businesses have to balance their budgets every single day. It's only right that the Federal Government, with $14.3 trillion in debt, should finally have to do what all Americans already do. But when Washington is asked to balance the budget for the American people, this seems to be too tall an order. Washington could learn a thing or two from the women in Congress: 10.6 million businesses owned in the United States are owned by women, and women now make up the majority of the workforce. We're the leaders of Fortune 500 companies. But as we've taken an even greater responsibility, we haven't given anything up. We're balancing budgets at our business during the day, and when we get home, we're taking care of our families' finances, and many of us care for our aging parents and their budgets too. We know what it means to make ends meet, and we've lived up to that responsibility in every part of our lives. It's now time for Washington to do the same.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Lieutenant Commander Stephen A. Marty as he prepares to leave the Navy's Appropriations Matters Office (FMBE) after three years of dedicated service to my distinguished colleagues of the House Appropriations Committee. Lieutenant Commander Marty's high energy approach and solid effort to foster relationships with Members of Congress and Congressional Staff ensured my staff received timely and accurate information on the Department of the Navy's medical programs. This account is especially important to me because it directly impacts our nation's wounded warriors. I have worked with Lieutenant Commander Marty throughout his tenure in FMBE. His expertise in representing Navy Medical programs worth over $6 billion annually helped the Department of the Navy achieve strategic and budgetary objectives for all medical accounts, including critical supplies and equipment for our nation's war fighters and wounded warriors. Additionally, Lieutenant Commander Marty meticulously planned and executed several challenging international Congressional Delegations for the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. Throughout each trip he ensured that the Subcommittee achieved its aims. Lieutenant Commander Marty's outstanding tenure in FMBE exemplified the dedicated leadership, superb professionalism, and unwavering integrity that is the hallmark of a fine Naval officer. Through his duties as a Congressional Appropriations Liaison, he has had a positive influence on the Navy, its Sailors and Officers. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues today in saying thank you to Lieutenant Commander Stephen A. Marty for his dedication and service throughout his distinguished tour in FMBE.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Captain Tracy D. (T.D.) Smyers for his 27 years of dedicated and distinguished service to our nation on the occasion of his retirement from the United States Navy. It is an honor to join the people of Texas' 12th Congressional District in honoring one of our own, Captain Smyers, upon his retirement as Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base for the past three years. Locally appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy by Representative Charles Stenholm of Texas' old 17th district, he graduated from the academy in 1984 and attended flight school. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) in September of 1985. Spending the majority of his career in a P-3 Orion aircraft, Captain Smyers succeeded in all leadership roles in multiple squadrons during his career. The most notable position was as the Commanding Officer of the VP-62 Broad Arrows. Captain Smyers led this squadron during Operation Enduring Freedom in three different operational theaters. Additionally, Captain Smyers attended the National Defense University's Industrial College of the Armed Forces earning a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Resourcing. On April 11, 2008, Captain Smyers reported as the eighth Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, which provides support for units from every service and over 11,000 active duty, guard, reserve, and civilian employees. It has truly been an honor to work with Captain Smyers. He is respected by all for his true professionalism. While Captain Smyers has remained focused on the mission, his dedication to the sailors under his command has been exceptional. He epitomizes the phrase ``Mission First, People Always'' and I know the thousands of officers, sailors, and civilians he has led hold him in the highest regard. Captain Smyers has upheld the highest traditions of the United States Navy. We will miss his leadership as Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, but we look forward to the contributions he will make to our community as he and his family transition to civilian life in our area.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, as a long-time friend of Taiwan and as a Member of Congress who has frequent interaction with Taiwanese American constituents, I rise today to bring a timely issue to your attention. My support for Taiwan, and especially for arms sales to Taiwan, is well-known and well-documented. As a matter of fact, I inserted a statement into the Congressional Record last spring calling for the expedient sale of F-16s to Taiwan. Recently, I read an article in the Taipei Times that left me rattled. On February 20, 2011, the director of the American Enterprise Institute's Program on Advanced Strategic Studies, Mr. Gary Schmitt, wrote in the Taipei Times, ``When your girlfriend refuses to set a date for a wedding, and does so over several years, it's probably a good idea to start looking around for another fiance. So it is today with Taiwan's efforts to procure more than five dozen F-16s from the U.S. This is a courtship from Taipei's end that has been going on since 2006. After nearly five years, it's time to consider moving on.'' I believe it is critical that we do not drive Taiwan to the point where they have to start looking for fighters elsewhere. This situation is especially concerning because it will cost the U.S. jobs at a time when the domestic economy--particularly my home state of Texas--could use all the help it can get. Mr. Speaker, let's not forget that today's Taiwan continues to be under an ominous shadow cast by the over 1,600 short- and medium-range ballistic missiles that the People's Republic of China (PRC) has aimed at it. The PRC continues to refuse to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, continues to claim Taiwan as a renegade province, and, to add insult to injury, passed an ``Anti-Secession Law'' on March 14, 2005, mandating military action if Taiwan moves toward formal de jure independence. We strongly condemned passage of this ``Anti-Secession Law'' when we passed House Concurrent Resolution 98 on March 16, 2005. Section 3(a) and (b) of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which is the cornerstone of United States-Taiwan relations and the law of the land, stipulates that both the President and the Congress shall determine the nature and quantity of defense articles and services that we are legally bound to provide to Taiwan, based solely upon their judgment of the needs of Taiwan. Mr. Speaker, let me conclude my remarks by urging my esteemed colleagues to join me in requesting the President move ahead with the sale of F-16s to Taiwan at this time.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this Continuing Resolution. We must pass this bill today to begin to get this Nation on a path of fiscal stability. I want to make a few brief remarks about the State-Foreign Operations title of the bill. State-Foreign Operations is reduced by 8.4 billion dollars from the fiscal year 2011 request. While some of my colleagues might say these funding levels mean that diplomacy and development take a large reduction, we need to keep in mind that the State-Foreign Operations bill grew by more than 33% from FY08 to FY10. We simply cannot allow these programs to continue to grow at this rate. The reductions taken in this bill are targeted, so that we can remain focused on our highest national security priorities. The bill provides critical funds for the frontline States of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It supports security assistance to some of our strongest allies--like Israel, Jordan, Mexico, and Colombia. It also addresses unexpected humanitarian crises around the world. I want to thank my colleague, Ranking Member Lowey, for working with me to address these high priority needs. I know we will continue to work together to address problems of bipartisan concern.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations to the 30th anniversary of Billy Bob's Texas, which opened on April 1, 1981 and is proud to be known as the World's Largest Honky-Tonk. The building known as Billy Bob's was built over a century ago in 1910 as a cattle barn in Fort Worth's historic Stockyards. This Fort Worth landmark has been an invaluable attraction for both local residents and visitors from around the world. But this iconic building does not only contribute to the Texas culture in Fort Worth, but also to the economic prosperity of the neighborhood and the city. It has entertained more than 17 million visitors, served as a venue to tens of thousands of music artists including the greatest names in country and classic rock, and is proud to have bucked more than 46,000 bulls in its indoor arena. Billy Bob's truly does preserve Fort Worth's western heritage. I want to congratulate owners Holt Hickman, Don Jury, Steve Murrin, and Billy and Pam Minick.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. I know it's late and people are tired, but it's not too late to right a wrong--the wrong that was done was against the schoolchildren of Texas to the tune of $830 million. The Congress is asking the Governor of Texas to do something that he is constitutionally unable to do. What is happening to our schools is the same as in many States, but Texas has this extra burden of scrambling to find ways to afford to keep those classrooms open and the teachers there. What we are asking you to do is to release Texas from this burden that only Texas has which was put on Texas by this Congress, I think unintentionally by most of the people in this Congress. So I would say tonight this is an issue that deals with Texas but that it affects every schoolchild and every teacher in our State.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Ms. GRANGER. The underlying FY10 bill already prohibits assistance to Saudi Arabia, unless the Secretary of State determines that it is in our U.S. national interest. Maintaining a relationship with Saudi Arabia is critical to our national security, and I am concerned this amendment could jeopardize that relationship. Our two countries enjoy robust counterterrorism intelligence sharing. Saudi-U.S. collaboration helped thwart the package bomb from Yemen. Saudi Arabia is a critical strategic ally with whom we share mutual enemies and mutual threats. I believe this amendment goes too far, and I urge a ``no'' vote. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chairwoman, I rise in opposition to the Jordan amendment. This amendment would cut an additional $2.5 billion from the State, Foreign Operations title of the CR after the subcommittee has brought significant and thoughtful cuts to the table. This title is already $10 billion below 2010, including supplementals. To achieve that, we put lower priority programs on pause, reduced and eliminated underperforming, wasteful and duplicative programs and zeroed out administrative priorities like climate change. The programs that are funded in the State, Foreign Operations title of this bill protect our top national security priorities. The gentleman claims his amendment exempts national security, but it does not exempt the national security provisions in the State, Foreign Operations title. The Jordan amendment reduces U.S. operations in frontline states including Afghanistan and Iraq. The subcommittee has tried to responsibly protect these funds from drastic reductions in the State, Foreign Operations title, given that we have men and women in harm's way in our civilian forces just as we do in our military forces. Aside from cutting $450 million from security assistance, the amendment would cut $55 million from the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund. Israel is protected from this amendment's cuts, but Egypt, Jordan, Afghanistan, and Iraq are not. Given the fragile situation in these frontline states and in the Middle East, I believe cutting these funds would undermine our security. Mr. Chairman, for these reasons I must oppose the amendment.

Ms. GRANGER

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.