H. Griffith

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, each year, the McGlothlin Foundation of Bristol, Virginia awards one kindergarten through fifth grade teacher and one sixth through twelfth grade teacher from selected areas of Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kentucky with its Award for Teaching Excellence. I am pleased to say that both 2013 award recipients teach in the district I am proud to represent, the Ninth District of Virginia Today, I extend my congratulations and also my gratitude to Pamela MacDonald, a fifth-grade teacher at Pearisburg's Macy McClaugherty Elementary School, and to Steve Ahn, a biology and earth science teacher at Abingdon High School. For their efforts in the classroom, both of these educators won a monetary prize, a portion of which must be used on an international trip so they can ultimately bring the world back into their classrooms. Reports indicate that Ms. MacDonald intends to travel to Europe with her winnings, and that Mr. Ahn will head to Norway and Finland. On behalf of other parents in our area, thank you, Ms. MacDonald and Mr. Ahn, for all that you do for children of Virginia's Ninth District, and congratulations on receiving the McGlothlin Foundation's 2013 Award for Teaching Excellence.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Thank you so much for yielding as we talk about the importance of American energy independence and using all of our fuels and all of the above. I know that we all want to use all of the above, but there are a lot of people who want to put regulations so strict on coal that you can't use it anymore. I hold up for you tonight the commemorative scissors that I used to cut the ribbon, along with a number of other people, at the Dominion Resources power plant in Virginia City, Virginia. And it wasn't 10 years ago; it wasn't 5 years ago. It was last September. That plant would not be able to be built today if the regulations proposed by the EPA are actually adopted. Those would be the regulations relating to greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide. When that plant was opened, they were so proud, and rightfully so. They had spent a lot of money, and they had the best technology available--the best technology available in the world--one of the cleanest plants ever opened to create electric power at a reasonable cost using the natural resources that God gave the United States of America, to use our coal supply in an appropriate, efficient manner. Now, everybody says coal is dirty and we shouldn't use it; but we can use it in clean ways, like they're doing in the Dominion plant. I would also point out to you that as we send jobs away, are we really making any progress? I note from one of the reports we've gotten from the Energy and Commerce Committee that at one point in time not too long ago the United Mine Workers estimated that job losses with the EPA targeting coal units due to utility MACT and tighter greenhouse gas standards could cost us more than 50,000 direct jobs in the coal, utility, and rail industries; and indirectly, a figure costing us jobs of more than 250,000 jobs lost. That doesn't make a lot of sense because what we're doing is we're making it impossible to use our coal, where we, in fact, have the largest reserves of anyplace in the world. We are the Saudi Arabia of coal, and we don't want to use it, but many of the other nations of the world, including China, do want to use coal, and they are using coal. What's interesting about that is, when you look at that, looking at a report from the Sustainable Use of Coal and Pollution Control Policy in China, dated 2009--and this was a group of folks looking at what they can to do to continue to use coal in China; it's an international group trying to figure out what to do--they point out that, in China, the fraction of power capacity with unit scale smaller than 100 megawatts is 24.8 percent in 2007, while it is only 7 percent in the U.S. in 2007. The average coal consumption per unit powered electricity supply in China is 11 percent higher than that of Japan. So what we're looking at is a situation where they're using more coal to produce the same power than we are, by about 24.8 percent for them and 7 percent in the United States. And when you get down to the pollution, you're looking at 30 percent to 150 percent higher than that in the United States. Further, they go on to talk about the boilers, related to the maximum achievable control technology in boilers. And it says normally the thermal efficiency for boilers is between 72 and 80 percent, which is close to the design level of developed countries. But, in reality, most of the actual thermal efficiencies are between 60 to 65 percent, which means they're 10 to 15 percent lower than the identified thermal efficiencies of boilers, which means, in effect, they're 30 to 40 percent less efficient, 30 to 50 percent less efficient than boilers in most of the developed countries. So here's what we're doing, folks. We're taking the jobs from the United States; we're sending them over to China and other countries like India and so forth. They're producing the electricity to produce the goods that we used to produce in the United States. They're doing it less efficiently; they're creating more pollution. And, as a NASA study showed, it takes 10 days to get from the middle of the Gobi Desert, for that air to transport across the Pacific, 10 days from the middle of the Gobi Desert in China to the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Folks, we have to be careful with the policies we make here. We all want clean air. We all want clean water. But we also want jobs, and we have to recognize the United States cannot solve this problem by itself. We must solve it with others working with us; and when they're not willing to start down that path and to make a good-faith effort, we have to recognize that we should be as efficient as we can be. But we shouldn't be killing American jobs based on American energy when we know we can do it better and have less pollution than they can do it in other parts of the world.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Ladies and gentlemen, I join you today to share an amusing note that one of my constituents posted on Facebook recently. He said: I carved my pumpkin, and it was snowing outside. Today, I dyed Easter eggs, and it's snowing outside. Congratulations, Mr. President. You've solved global warming. Now, that's amusing. Climate change is a serious issue, but we must recognize that we do not have this planet all to ourselves and that, when the Chinese are increasing elevenfold their profits on the production of coal, when they, in fact, have become the number one coal producer, when their equipment is about 30 to 50 percent less efficient than ours, we cannot solve this problem without a global solution, and we must have the Chinese act. We've done our part in going down this road to solve problems. We need the Chinese to act as well.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and Representative Bob Goodlatte, I am saddened to report the passing of a former colleague in the Virginia General Assembly and the grandson of a former Member of this body. On February 19, 2013, former 16th House District Delegate Clifton Alexander ``Chip'' Woodrum III passed away in Naples, FL. A man who was dedicated to serving the Commonwealth and the Roanoke Valley. Virginia has lost a great public servant. Born on July 23, 1938, in Washington, DC, Chip graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va., in 1957. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1961 before returning home to the Commonwealth to graduate from the University of Virginia Law School in 1964. The grandson of former 6th District Congressman Clifton A. Woodrum, Chip was a longtime, loyal activist of the Democratic Party, which included serving as chairman of the 6th District Democratic Committee from 1972-1976 and as a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention in Miami, Florida. Chip was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1979 and served in Richmond until 2003. He represented the 16th House District, which included Roanoke City and Roanoke County. Among Chip's accomplishments in the House of Delegates, he was most proud of legislation he sponsored in 1985 to establish the Virginia Birth- Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program, which covered medical bills and other expenses for children who suffer from neurological injuries at birth. He also was an advocate for openness and transparency in government by increasing access to government meetings and public records as the head of the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council. Providing a voice for low income families, Chip also was a fierce opponent of any deregulation of Virginia's electric utilities. Upon his retirement from the House of Delegates in 2003, he remained active in his community and state by serving on the boards of the Library of Virginia, the Virginia Historical Society, the Educational Foundation of Virginia Western Community College, and Home Town Bank. Chip also remained very active in the Democratic Party of Roanoke and regularly appeared at campaign events in the city. Chip was a skilled, effective, and accomplished legislator. Beginning in 1994, I had the pleasure of serving with Chip in the Virginia House of Delegates and working with him on many important matters impacting our neighboring constituencies in the Roanoke Valley. While we served together on opposite sides of the aisle, I fondly remember Chip's sharp wit and our many spirited exchanges debating legislation in the House of Delegates. He is a good man and will be missed. As Representative Goodlatte said, Chip's contributions to the Virginia House of Delegates are storied and will not be forgotten. The Roanoke Valley's many citizens and institutions are thankful that he chose public service as the avenue to better his community. Representative Goodlatte and I are honored to pay tribute to Chip's many contributions to our community, our region, and our nation. He was a courageous public servant. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife of almost 50 years, Emily; his children; grandchildren; friends; and loved ones. May God give them comfort during this difficult time.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks in honor of Miss Rose Rush of Clintwood, Virginia, who celebrated her 108th birthday on Thursday, February 7. Miss Rush was born in 1905 in the house her father built in Dickenson County, the very home she lives in today. She was valedictorian of her graduating class at Honaker High School, and attended the University of Virginia, Emory and Henry College, my alma mater, and she also attended Vanderbilt University so she could receive her teaching license. Miss Rush taught various subjects in different school systems in Virginia until her retirement. She didn't rest for long, though--the year after she ``retired,'' Miss Rush returned to the classroom as a substitute teacher. To this day, Miss Rush remains up to speed on current events and politics. I have been told Miss Rush is a huge fan of our political system, and that she particularly enjoys voting on the new voting machines. She has never been seriously ill or hospitalized, nor has she been married or had children. Some in Clintwood even say that's the secret to her longevity! Miss Rush has been approached from time to time for interviews or photos since she turned 100. The Coalfield Progress notes that she has refused them all, ``stating with a sense of humbleness that she has done nothing to receive recognition.'' Well, here's to Miss Rose Rush, and to her family, friends, and students in Virginia whose lives she changed. Happy 108th birthday, Miss Rush.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise and submit remarks in honor of Virginia State Trooper Jay Ferland, a devoted public servant, who along with Trooper Philip Battel saved a family of three from a house fire in Saltville, Virginia. When I first learned of their bravery, news reports failed to mention Trooper Ferland's involvement. On January 2, I spoke of this incident and only mentioned Trooper Battel. However, both men are deserving of our recognition. To recap, in the early hours of Friday, December 28, 2012, Trooper Ferland and Trooper Battel were in search of a stolen car that had been involved in an earlier police chase when they noticed off in the distance an orange hue. They decided to investigate. When they reached the area in question, much to their surprise, Troopers Ferland and Battel saw a home engulfed in flames. They banged on the door, but when there was no answer, they made the selfless decision to enter the home and investigate. Their actions in the house awoke its three residents who had no idea that their home was burning down around them, leading to their ultimate escape from the burning house and from the fire. Because of their bravery, the family was saved, and all are in good health. Their lives were saved, and the lives of two of their pets were also saved. The heroic actions of Trooper Ferland and Trooper Battel in service to the community are to be commended, and I am honored to be here today to pay tribute to them. Please join me in thanking Trooper Jay Ferland and Trooper Philip Battel for all they have done for the people of southwest Virginia. The Virginia State Police, as my experience has shown over the years, always respond in fine fashion and rise to the occasion. Trooper Ferland and Trooper Battel are among just two of the many law enforcement officers to note in the long and proud history of the Virginia State Police. Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend the Virginia State Police, Trooper Ferland, Trooper Battel, and the good work and heroism of all the officers in the Virginia State Police.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. `` . . . to provide and maintain a navy; to make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces; to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions; to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress; . . .''

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on a different subject, one that I think we can all be pleased about. I rise in honor of Virginia State Police Trooper Philip Battel, a devoted public servant. In the early hours of Friday, December 28, 2012, Trooper Battel saved three lives from a burning home. Trooper Battel was actually assisting the Saltville Police and Smyth County deputies in the search for a stolen car, which had been involved in an earlier police chase, when he noticed an orange hue off in the distance. He decided to investigate. When Trooper Battel reached the area in question, much to his surprise he saw a home completely engulfed in flames. He banged on the door, but there was no answer. He made the selfless decision to enter the burning home and investigate. He began yelling and making noise. His activity in the house awoke the three residents, who had no idea that their home was burning down around them. His actions led to their ultimate escape from the home and from the fire. They're all in good health. Their lives were saved, and the lives of two of their pets were saved. Trooper Battel's heroic actions and service to the community are to be commended. I am honored to pay tribute to him. Please join me in thanking Trooper Battel for all that he has done for the people of southwest Virginia. Mr. Speaker, if I may, it has been my experience in working with the State police over many decades that they always respond in fine fashion and that they rise to the occasion. Trooper Battel is just another example in a long history of the good work and heroism of the Virginia State police.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I, along with Representatives Bob Goodlatte and Robert Hurt, honor U.S. District Judge Glen Williams, a devoted public servant to the Commonwealth of Virginia, who passed away on November 4, 2012. Born in Jonesville, Virginia, Judge Williams spent his childhood in his father's grocery store listening to stories of coal miners and farmers from across the region. It was these stories which helped instill Judge Williams with an understanding about the lives of everyday people. Undoubtedly, he maintained this foundation throughout his life and career. Judge Williams courageously put his college education on hold when we were attacked at Pearl Harbor. The day after that horrible event, he joined the U.S. Navy. He served in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean theaters as well as in the Allied invasion of southern France during WWII. After the war, he went back to school and received his bachelor's degree from Milligan College, and in 1948 received his law degree from the University of Virginia's School of Law. Above all else, Judge Williams was dedicated to his work. He was a Commonwealth's Attorney for Lee County, Virginia, and later served as a Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia from 1963 until 1975. In 1976, he was nominated by President Gerald Ford to serve as a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, where he served until 2010. He also served as a member of the Virginia State Senate from 1953-1955. Judge Williams had a tremendous impact on our communities--in the Ninth District, the Sixth District, and the Fifth District--as well as upon countless individuals all across the region. Judge Williams was a man we all greatly respected, a courageous public servant, and an honorable defender of the rule of law. May his spirit of strength and resilience continue with us. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy and influence will be long remembered across the entire western region of Virginia. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Judge Williams' wife, Jane; his four daughters, Susan, Judith, Rebecca, and Melinda; his family, friends, and many loved ones. May God give them comfort during this difficult time.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and Representative Phil Roe, I submit these remarks in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Bill Rhea Starnes, a veteran and distinguished pilot, who was prematurely taken from us on August 24, 2012. As a member of both the United States Air Force and the Tennessee Army National Guard, Bill gallantly served our country for 39 years. At the ripe old age of 14, his love for aviation was first cultivated when his father taught him how to fly a plane. After graduating from East Tennessee State University, Bill continued his flight training at Fort Rucker in Alabama. Following flight school, Bill served in Vietnam, where he flew approximately 800 combat hours. In 2005 and 2006, he was deployed to Kosovo. Throughout his military career, Bill demonstrated the courage, fortitude, and wisdom that a nation prays for and a military dreams of having. He was the recipient of nearly 50 awards including the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and air medals with valor and army commendation. Even down to his voicemail--``Hello, it's Bill. Learn as if you will live forever, and live as if you will die tomorrow,''--Bill embodied a strong desire to live life to the fullest. Though he didn't reside in the Ninth District, I assure you, Bill was an active member of our community. As the chief pilot for K-VA-T Food Stores and Central Coal Company, he was even said to be a ``fixture'' at the Virginia Highlands Airport. A committed family man, a man who loved God and his country, and a friend of many, Bill will be greatly missed by his colleagues and those he served. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Lisa; his two sons; his father; his family; and his friends. Well known for his exceptional goodwill and dedication to the United States military and our community, I am honored to pay tribute to this man's many contributions. His legacy and influence will be long remembered throughout our region.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, today I rise to offer an amendment that would prohibit the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development from issuing any new livable or sustainable community grants. While the Appropriations Committee did not include any new funds for these grants, my amendment goes a step further to ensure that neither the Department of Transportation nor the Housing Secretary can attempt to transfer any of their Department's discretionary funding. In 2009, under the direction of President Obama, EPA, Department of Transportation, and HUD began the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, a joint venture to provide millions of dollars to local communities to entice them to buy into the President's sustainable development agenda. Over 2010 and 2011, DOT and HUD awarded approximately $96 million in grant funding for sustainable and livable community initiatives; however, these programs were never authorized by Congress. In fact, the Financial Services Committee, who has authority over HUD programs, said that the: Sustainable Communities Initiative, which has yet to be authorized by the Committee, should not be funded at the expense of other critical affordable housing programs. This opinion of the sustainable communities program by the Financial Services Committee, was bipartisan and unanimous. Last year, thankfully, no new funding was provided for sustainable community grants, but the conference committee reminded the Secretary that these efforts were eligible activities under other programs, meaning funding for the sustainable community grants could have been obtained by shifting funding. This amendment would prevent that shifting. I do not believe the Federal Government should be enticing our local and State governments with this money to get them to buy into the President's sustainable development agenda that cedes some local or State authority to Federal or international bureaucracies and governing boards. I commend the Appropriations Committee for not giving any new funds to these unauthorized grants. This amendment makes it clear that these activities should not be continued at DOT or at HUD under any circumstances. As Robert Frost wrote, ``Good fences make good neighbors.'' This amendment will put up a fence to prevent shifting funding to a program this Congress has not approved, and it sends a message that our various States and local communities should be in control of their housing, transportation and zoning policies. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. I yield back the balance of my time, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. I yield to Chairman Latham.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks in honor of Captain Francis Gary Powers, a loyal, devoted citizen of the United States, who was posthumously awarded the Silver Star last week. A native of Virginia's Ninth Congressional District, Captain Powers grew up in Pound, Virginia. According to the official award citation, from May 1, 1960 to February 10, 1962, Captain Powers served in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States. While assigned to the Joint U.S. Air Force, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), U 2 Reconnaissance Squadron, Detachment 10 10, Captain Powers was held captive in solitary confinement in the infamous Lubyanka Prison in Moscow after his U 2 aircraft had been shot down by a Soviet surface to air missile. For almost 107 days, Captain Powers endured interrogations, harassment, and unmentionable hardships on a continuous basis by numerous top Soviet Secret Police interrogating teams. Although greatly weakened physically by the lack of food, denial of sleep and the mental rigors of constant interrogation, Captain Powers steadfastly refused all attempts to give sensitive defense information or be exploited for propaganda purposes. Captain Powers resisted all Soviet efforts through cajolery, trickery, and threats of death to obtain the information they sought. Captain Powers was subjected to a trial and was sentenced to an additional 542 days of captivity in Vladimir Prison before finally being released to the United States in 1962. As a result of his unconquerable spirit, exceptional loyalty, and continuous heroic actions, Russian intelligence gained no vital information from him. For his sustained courage in an exceptionally hostile environment, Captain Powers was publicly recognized by the Director of the CIA and the Senate Armed Services Committee. By his gallantry and devotion to duty in the dedication of his service to his country, Captain Powers has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. It is with great admiration, respect, and appreciation that I stand before you to honor such a courageous American. I know I speak for so many when I say, we're proud of our native son, Captain Francis Gary Powers.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks in honor of Steven Andrew Mullins, a devoted businessman and member of the Salem and greater Roanoke Valley communities, who passed away Saturday, June 9th at the age of 62. Born on November 8, 1949, Steven was an athlete, student, and great friend to those around him. Everyone seemed to know Steve or know of him. In 1968, he graduated from Andrew Lewis High School, and then went on to obtain a Business Degree from the University of Georgia in 1973. His first attempt at running a small business came in 1973 in Salem, VA when he and his father, Harold, opened Steve's Famous Hot Dogs with only $500 in initial capital. Doing what he loved most, serving his community, Steve's business exploded with success and spread throughout the region to 17 different locations. Later, Steve helped open Famous Anthony's in 1986. These business ventures helped Steve discover his interest in real estate, and he eventually became known as one of the best commercial realtors in the Roanoke Valley. Despite all of Steve's business success, his brother Brad found only one accolade in his brother's lock box. It was a printout of the motion Steve made to form Salem City Schools. At the time, the schools were part of Roanoke County schools, so--as a member of the Salem City School Board--Steve made the motion to form Salem's independent school district. Described by many as a man with a passion that is hard to understand, this is just another example of Steve wanting to do well for his community. My thoughts and prayers go out to Steve's family and loved ones. His love for his family, neighbors, community, and contributions will always be remembered and cherished in Salem and throughout the Roanoke Valley.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself, Representatives Bob Goodlatte, and Robert Hurt, I am deeply saddened to report the passing of a former Member of this body. On May 23, 2012, former Ninth District United States Congressman William Wampler passed away at his home in Bristol, Virginia. A man of principle, integrity, and courage, our Nation has truly lost a great man. Born in Pennington Gap and raised in Bristol, Bill attended the Bristol public schools. The son of a hardware store businessman and a schoolteacher, Bill was a budding leader even in his youth. He was voted class president each of his 4 years at Virginia High School. At the height of World War II in May of 1943, Bill, just 17 years old, enlisted in the United States Navy. For the next 27 months, Bill served as a seaman until the end of the war. Upon returning to southwest Virginia, Bill resumed his studies, pursuing his undergraduate degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1948 and then his law degree from the University of Virginia. A Republican by birth, Bill joined the party his family supported because of its opposition to slavery. His first foray into politics came in 1948 while working as the Republican assistant campaign manager for the Ninth District congressional elections. Shortly thereafter, in 1953, at the ripe old age of 26, Bill was elected to the 83rd Congress. For the next 2 years, Bill had the distinction of being the youngest Member of Congress. Though Bill spent nearly 20 years in office, one incident from the 83rd Congress stayed with him for the rest of his life. On May 1, 1954, four Puerto Rican nationalists, apparently on a tour of this very congressional gallery, pulled out pistols and fired 41 rounds of ammunition at Members of Congress. When the shooting ceased, five Representatives were wounded in the attack. By an act of God, none were killed. After a short period of time in the private sector, Bill returned to Congress in 1967. He went on to serve in seven succeeding Congresses until 1983. The ranking Republican member of the House Agriculture Committee, a member of the Committee on Aging and the Committee on Committees, Bill always considered it a great privilege to serve the people of the ``Fighting Ninth.'' Fondly known as ``The Bald Eagle of the Cumberlands,'' I assure you and the people of the Ninth District that his legend will never die. Even though he was in failing health, I was greatly honored, when I was elected in 2010, to have Bill Wampler show up at our victory party in Bristol and hand me his No. 9 license plate as a part of his legacy. I hope that I can achieve the greatness that he achieved and have the abilities that he had. He was truly a great man. His legacy and influence will long be remembered across the Ninth and throughout southwest Virginia. I am honored to pay tribute to Bill's many contributions to our community, our region, and our Nation. He was a friend and a courageous public servant. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Lee; his children; friends; and loved ones. May God give them comfort during this difficult time.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Madam Speaker, later today, we will debate the National Defense Authorization Act. Just yesterday evening, section 1021 of last year's bill was given an injunction by U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest when she stated: In the face of what could be indeterminate military detention, due process requires more. As we debate this bill, we will have an opportunity to act on several amendments which will make due process a key part of this bill and eliminate the concerns that the judge had when granting that preliminary injunction. I take the opportunity today to remind us of some history. Dateline: Paris, December 20, 1787. In a letter to James Madison, Thomas Jefferson wrote, in regard to the Constitution of the United States that was being proposed: I will tell you now what I do not like. First, the omission of a Bill of Rights providing clearly and without aid of sophism, for freedom of religion, freedom of the press, protection against standing armies, restriction of monopolies, the eternal and unremitting force of the habeas corpus laws, and trials by jury in all matters of fact triable by the laws of the land, and not by the laws of nations. To say, as Mr. Wilson does, that a Bill of Rights was not necessary because all is reserved in the case of the general government, which is not given, while in the particular ones, all is given which is not reserved, might do for the audience to which it was addressed; but it is surely a gratis dictum, the reverse of which might just as well be said; and it is opposed by strong inferences from the body of the instrument, as well as from the omission of the cause of our present Confederation--that would be the Articles of Confederation-- which had made the reservation in express terms. It was hard to conclude, because there has been a want of uniformity among the States as to the cases triable by jury, because some have been so incautious as to dispense with this mode of trial in certain cases; therefore, the more prudent States shall be reduced to the same level of calamity. It would have been much more just and wise to have concluded the other way, that, as most of the States had preserved with jealousy this sacred palladium of liberty, those who have wandered should be brought back to it, and to have established general right rather than general wrong. He goes on: For I consider all the ill as established, which may be established. I have a right to nothing which another has a right to take away. And he goes on: Let me add that a Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on Earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference. There are those, in regard to the debate on the NDAA and particularly section 1021 of last year's bill and the similar language this year, that it is inferred that those rights are not given away. Jefferson was not willing to allow us to rest on the rights of inference, nor should we in this Congress also not be willing to rest on the rights of inference. And when particularly you have language such as this coming out of the court yesterday evening, this court finds the plaintiffs who are, as discussed below, have reasonable fear of future government action sufficient to confer standing. Ladies and gentlemen, many of you cannot see it, but behind me here in the desk is the word ``liberty stands,'' it is written in. It was not left to inference. It's right here for us to look at every day. And, ladies and gentlemen, as long as I serve in Congress, I will stand up for liberty and make sure that no citizen of the United States has their due process removed. I will support the Amash amendment, the Smith amendment, and the Goodlatte amendment. Thank you very much. I hope you do the same.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Ladies and gentlemen, the problem is that folks want to always talk about the terrorists, and absolutely we all should be concerned about the terrorists. But how about the citizens of the United States who have to worry about now being arrested when they don't know what it is they've done wrong? In the court case that set aside 1021 just yesterday, the court points out that, they ask: Can you tell me what it means to substantially support associated forces? The representative of the government says: I'm not in a position to give specific examples. The court says: Give me one. And the gentleman, the representative of the government, says: I'm not in a position to give one specific example. The problem is that we have citizens who may be caught up unintentionally by this bill or by 1021. We must protect the citizens of the United States from an overreaching bill that has been ruled unconstitutional. And what else is interesting is the definitions aren't in 1021. The court points out in that case that in 18 U.S.C. 2339 and 2339(a) there are definitions. We need definitions. We cannot leave liberty to inference.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I honor Howard Chapman Morris, a devoted public servant to the people of Giles and the Greater New River Valley, who passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2012. A World War II Army Veteran, the first Giles County Voter Registrar, an active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Pearisburg, and a member of the American Legion Post in Narrows, the American Legion Post in Pembroke and the VFW Post in Narrows, Howard truly loved to serve. He was active in the Giles County community serving as a member and past chairman of both the Giles County Board of Supervisors and the Giles County Republican Party. He was a proud member, volunteer, and past president of the Giles County Chamber of Commerce. He was named the Giles County Citizen of the Year in 2006. And, he served on the Agency On Aging Board, the New River Valley Airport Commission. Howard also spent time on the Board at the Fairview Home in Dublin, where the dining room was dedicated in his honor. A man whose legacy and influence will be long remembered across the Greater New River Valley and throughout Southwest Virginia, Howard will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to Howard's wife, Brenda; his four daughters; and all his family and friends. A husband, father, grandfather, public servant, and veteran, I am honored to pay tribute to Howard's many contributions to the community.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks in honor of Gerald Michael Pace, Sr., a devoted public servant to the people of Salem and the Greater Roanoke Valley, who passed away suddenly on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. Born and raised in Pulaski, Jerry attended Pulaski High School, and graduated from Hampden-Sydney College. A committed student himself, Jerry was truly passionate about education. He was instrumental in helping to establish the Community College Access Program--a partnership between the Virginia Western Community College (VWCC), Salem Public Schools, and Roanoke City Public Schools, which allows high school graduates to attend VWCC without paying tuition. He was a scholar of the writings of the Apostle Paul and the Dead Sea Scrolls. And, he taught Sunday school classes on these topics at First United Methodist Church in Salem, and to civic and other community groups. Jerry served on the Salem School Board for 15 years and one term on the Salem City Council. He was a very proud, active member of the Board of Trustees of Virginia Intermont College in Bristol and of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Western Community College Foundation. A true go-getter, Jerry even spent time working as an adjunct professor at Virginia Western Community College, where he taught sales and marketing, industrial safety, algebra, and manufacturing processes. I am honored to pay tribute to his many contributions to the community. A husband, father, grandfather, businessman, community servant, educator, cancer survivor, friend to me and so many others, and storyteller to all, Jerry will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jerry's family and friends. His legacy and influence will be long remembered across the Roanoke Valley and throughout Southwest Virginia.

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia

Mr. GRIFFITH of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I submit these remarks in honor of Richard Lee Lawrence, a devoted servant to the Roanoke Valley and the legal community of western Virginia, who passed away unexpectedly on March 19, 2012. Born and raised in Roanoke, Richard was an active member of Scout Troop 21, where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He was always proud of this achievement. He regularly spoke about how important his scouting skills were to his overall education. A graduate of Jefferson High School, Roanoke College, and Washington and Lee School of Law, Richard also served in the United States Marine Corps. He was a passionate student of American history, particularly the American Civil War, and also greatly enjoyed immersing himself in the various cultures of the world. Above all else, Richard was dedicated to his work. He took great pride in the fact that he worked each day since his first newspaper job as a young boy. Despite being a pillar of the legal bar in the Roanoke Valley, Richard was never too busy to mentor young lawyers, including myself and my wife. As a boy, Richard was unfortunately the target of many bullies. Thankfully, he turned that resentment into a desire to fight for the ``little guy.'' Many contend he will be best remembered for his dedication to the people who did not have an advocate or a voice. While I knew Richard as a lawyer and friend, I was unaware of his dedication to attending church on Sundays. The priest at Richard's funeral made note that over the last five years he could count the number of times Richard had missed church on one hand. Always open and candid about his shortcomings, Richard's faithful devotion is humbling. My thoughts and prayers go out to Richard's family and friends. I am honored to pay tribute to his many contributions to the community. His legacy and influence will be long remembered across the Roanoke Valley and throughout Southwest Virginia.