Darlene Hooley

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Mayor Sharon Branstiter of Toledo, Oregon. A dedicated public servant and one who committed her entire life to enriching the Toledo community, Mayor Branstiter lost her life this past Sunday at her home due to complications associated with a double bypass surgery. Sharon moved to Toledo from Nebraska when she was 7 years old. She attended Toledo High School and earned a degree in education from Oregon State University. Before serving as Mayor, she earned her master's degree and worked as a guidance counselor. What is most remarkable is the passion Sharon had for serving her community. From a young age, she was active in city government and served on a multitude of committees and clubs. Her friends and family will attest that she never forwent an opportunity to voice her concerns or stand up for what she saw as just. Sharon worked hard to increase the aesthetic landscape of Toledo. As her colleagues recall, Sharon always included flowers and trees in city projects and spent countless hours gardening and weeding public places. The streets of Toledo are lined with beautiful hanging flower baskets that Sharon secured with donations from the community. As a memory to Sharon, let us always think of her contributions to Toledo when we see and enjoy the flower baskets. I was reminded of the closeness of communities like Toledo when I recently attended the funeral for one of our young men who lost his life in Iraq. The young Marine grew up in Toledo. At the service, Sharon shared her heartfelt memories of this young man and emotionally explained that the entire community of Toledo was losing a son. I have no doubt that the community is now grieving the loss of a woman who was not only their mayor, but was their sister, their mother, their daughter and their friend. I join Oregonians from across the state in mourning the passing of Mayor Sharon Branstiter.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Madam Speaker, rise today to honor and recognize the 70 Oregonian workers who died on the job in 2006. In addition, I would also like to pay tribute to the 19 brave Oregonians who died last year while wearing the uniform and defending our freedoms. On this 19th anniversary of Workers Memorial Day, let us acknowledge the steps that have been taken to address workplace safety but let us never overlook the obstacles and challenges that remain. We have an obligation in this Chamber to do everything in our power to ensure that hardworking Americans are protected from unsafe workplaces. These men and women have worked to make our Nation great and now we must recommit ourselves to ensuring their safety. Andrew Acevedo, Kenneth Babcock, Leslie Bealer, Terry Berkey, PVl Joseph R. Blake, Dwight Boris, Carlos Bravo, PFC Dean R. Bright, Donald Brown, Debra Chapman, Abel Cinto, James Clark, Roland Couch, Iven Cox, Scott Cox, SPC Douglas C. Desjardins, Randall Dillon, Burl Eastman, James Edson, Ronald Engelsman, SSG Jason M. Evey, CPL Billy B. Farris, Kevin Fink, Carol Forest, Sgt. Brennan C. Gibson, Kenneth Graves, Trona Griffin, Floyd Grisham, CPL Chase A. Haag, Kenneth Harper, Lori Hayes- Kotter, SFC Richard J. Henkes II, Terry Hughes, Daryl Jepson, LCpl Derek W. Jones, SPC Robert L. Jones, Pedro Juarez de la Cruz, Michael Kallis, Jeffrey King, Aaron Lambert, Craig Larsen, PO2 Marc A. Lee, James Lester, Kenneth Lewis, Howard Lichtig, SSG Nathaniel B. (Brad) Lindsey, Michael Lilburn, Louis Lobo, SPC Jeremy M. Loveless, Kyle Lowe, David Mac Donald, Devin Malmore, P03 Marques J. Nettles, LCpl. Randy L. Newman, Sean Mc Quillan, Eric Metzler, Pablo Montecinos, Douglas Mullen, Donald Mustoe, James Naillon, Brad Niemeyer, Ezequiel Osoria-Oliver, Captain Christopher T. Pate, SSG Robert J. Paul, Gary Percell, Henry Ploeg, Franklin, Pugh, Lewis Purcell, Leta Ramerman, Jose Ramirez, Anthony Rizzo, Douglas Sauter, Dale Seiders, Peter Simpson, Leland Smith, Quin Stone, Robert Thomas, Eddie Tol, PFC Thomas L. Tucker, Mark Wagner, SPC Ryan Doran Walker, Shane Watson, Lynn Webb, Jeffery Wilson, Louis Wofford, Robert Wolfe, Richard Woodworth, Howard Workman, and Ston Yackamouih.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Thank you, Chairman Gordon, for giving me time to speak on this important and crucial piece of legislation. I also want to applaud you for your leadership on this issue, and the expediency that you moved this through committee, along with Ranking Member Hall. This initiative was identified by the Academies as being the most important step to increase America's talent pool by vastly improving K- 12 science and mathematics education. Among the findings of the National Academies' ``Gathering Storm'' report, was a statistic that in 2000 more than 85 percent of students in grades 5-9 were taught physical science by a teacher lacking a major or certification in the physical sciences. As a former teacher, I can appreciate how difficult it is to teach a subject when you are not comfortable with it, and this discomfort translates in discomfort for the subject to the students. The key to the United States maintaining its position at the forefront of global innovation and technology is to get more students interested in the science and math fields. Our Nation's economic vitality is derived in large part from the productivity of well-trained people and the steady stream of scientific and technical innovations they produce. After years of inattention and neglect, this legislation is an important first step towards a reinvestment in our Nation's science and math education. It will, in turn, positively benefit the American Competitive Initiative. Once again, I applaud Chairman Gordon for his leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Madam Speaker, last month the Democratic Congress showed the commitment to expanding health care coverage to millions of children who are currently uninsured. In our budget for the upcoming fiscal year, we included a $50 billion funding increase for the SCHIP program so that we can provide health to millions of additional children. After SCHIP was created 10 years ago, the number of uninsured children began to fall every year. But last year, for the first time since 1998, the number of uninsured actually went up. As we recognize Cover the Uninsured Week, it is important to highlight the growing number of families without access to affordable health insurance and the need for this Congress to strengthen SCHIP now. For 6 long years, this problem of the growing number of uninsured has been ignored. This new Democratic Congress will not ignore the problem. We are committed to expanding health insurance to millions of children who need insurance, and our budget gives us the opportunity to achieve this worthy goal this year.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on the legislative day of Thursday, March 29, 2007, or Friday, March 30, 2007, on a motion offered pursuant to this order, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on the third constitutional day thereafter, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in House Concurrent Resolution 103, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Calendar Wednesday. Unanimous consent that the business in order under the Calendar Wednesday rule be dispensed with on Wednesday, April 18.

Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the business in order under the Calendar Wednesday rule be dispensed with on Wednesday, April 18, 2007.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Madam Chairman, on rollcall 210, on House Concurrent Resolution 99, on the budget for the fiscal year 2008, had I been present I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. I thank my friend from Texas for yielding, and I thank the chairman of the Budget Committee for the fabulous job he did. I rise today to speak on the budget, a budget I am very proud of. This budget keeps our promise to our veterans, gives us the tools to defend our country, grows our economy, provides American children health care, and much more. All of it is done in a fiscally responsible way, ensuring a balanced budget by 2012, and all the while not raising taxes. This budget before us sets priorities and ensures that a promise made to our brave veterans will truly be a promise kept. Too often over the last 6 years we failed to meet our basic obligation to our veterans. American veterans who served with honor and distinction deserve better. This budget is a step towards making sure our veterans get what they have earned. We also have to remember that today's soldiers are tomorrow's veterans. At a time when we are asking our men and women in uniform to sacrifice so much, it is inexcusable not to honor their service by providing the benefits and health care our veterans were promised. This budget, Mr. Chairman, puts us back on track. I am proud to say that the $5.4 billion increase in funding for veterans is a record 18 percent increase. We are sending a strong statement to our veterans and service men and women of today that we as a Nation will not forget their sacrifices. I have three letters that I would like to submit for the Record, and I would like to quote from them. First of all, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Gary Kurpius, Commander-in- Chief, says: ``We have long argued that the price of health care and benefits for this Nation's veterans are the ongoing costs of war. The $3.5 billion increase above the President's request is a strong acknowledgment that you agree and that this Nation must do more to live up to its sacred obligation to those who have defended her. The costs of war are not just about buying bombs or tanks, but about providing for our sick and disabled when they return and helping those heroes care for families and independents. The members of the VFW stand firmly behind you.'' From the Disabled American Veterans, National Commander Bradley Barton says: ``The budget recommendations that came out of the House and Senate Budget Committee will make a real difference in the lives of America's sick and disabled veterans. This is especially important as our Nation is at war.'' And finally, from Steve Robertson, director, National Legislative Commission of the American Legion says: ``The American Legion and its 2.8 million members applaud the Budget Committee. As a Nation at war, this funding will help cover the ongoing cost of war to care for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their families.'' I support this budget. I support our veterans. This is a good budget. Again, I want to remind people, it does not raise taxes. But if you want to support our veterans, you should vote for this budget. March 21, 2007. Hon. John Spratt, Chairman, Committee on the Budget, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Spratt: On behalf of the 2.4 million men and women of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW), and our Auxiliaries, I would like to offer our gratitude for the leadership you have demonstrated on veterans' issues through your dramatic increase above and beyond the President's request for fiscal year 2008 funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We have long argued at the price of health care and benefits for this Nation's veterans are the ongoing costs of war. The $3.5 billion increase above the President's request is a strong acknowledgement that you agree and that this Nation must do more to live up to its sacred obligations to those who have defended her. The costs of war are not just about buying bombs or tanks, but about providing for our sick and disabled when they return, and helping these heroes care for their families and dependents. The dramatic increase in this budget recommendation will help to ensure that all veterans--those from Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom and those from all our previous conflicts--have access to the high-quality health care VA provides, and quicker resolution to their veterans' disability compensation decisions. The members of the VFW stand firmly behind you, in support of your strong advocacy for this Nation's veterans. We thank you for your strong leadership on veterans' health care and benefits, and we look forward to working with you to ensure the success of this budget. Sincerely, Gary Kurpius, Commander-in-Chief.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Chairman, with four in 10 members of the military in Iraq and Afghanistan serving in the Reserve component, it is clear that our National Guard is no longer a strategic reserve, but an operational reserve. And as such, we must change the way we treat the Guard if we want to maintain recruitment and retention because it is the right and fair thing to do. After 5 years of mobilization, both involuntary and voluntary, our National Guardsmen are still navigating the system that was intended for use by the active duty rather than our current nearly even blend of Reserve and active components. My amendment to H.R. 1538, the Wounded Warriors Act, is simple. It allows members of the National Guard and Reserve who are returning from theater with minor injuries or other outpatient care needs the option to seek treatment at the military medical treatment facility closest to the member's home rather than closest to the base from which the member was deployed. When an active duty soldier with certain injuries comes back to the United States, he gets treated at the medical facility closest at his home base where his family lives. But for Oregon Guardsmen and Reservists and soldiers from about a dozen other States that have no bases, our troops must remain for weeks at the base they deployed from for follow-up care. These can be hundreds or even thousands of miles away from home and family. In 2004, I spoke with Monica Davey of the New York Times about the problem as she covered the issues in a series of front-page news stories. She quoted one spouse as saying, ``Having him in Iraq was hard enough. When he got hurt, I said, `Well, at least he can come home now and get better here with us.' But it is a strange thing. He came home, but he is not home at all.'' This problem is old news and no longer on the front page, but it still goes on. Here are a couple examples of what happens when these Guard troops request treatment upon demobilization: An Oregon Guardsman who returned months ago is still on the east coast base with medical issues. He and his wife have several young children; and, as can happen with lengthy deployments, the separation has strained their relationship to the breaking point. He has seen his family only once in the last 3 months. That soldier should have the option of seeking treatment at Fort Lewis in Washington State, much closer to his home. Another story involves an enlisted man with a wife and young children who has seen his young family stateside only three times in the last 3 months, once because the Army sent him home for convalescent leave, and the other two times over the holidays because his wife drove their children out to the east coast military treatment facility where he was awaiting care because they couldn't afford to fly. These stories are heartbreaking; and, despite years of work on trying to get the problem fixed, little progress has been made. Since the start of the Iraq war in 2003, tens of thousands of Reservists and Guardsmen have been placed on medical hold. As the New York Times reporter Ms. Davey aptly put it 3 years ago, ``Unlike the most gravely injured soldiers receiving around-the-clock treatment at the finest military hospitals, these are ordinary soldiers with more ordinary wounds. The loneliest and the impatient can elect to go home even if they still need medical attention, but that could be a very expensive trade-off. Military rules dictate that they lose their active duty salaries, even though they may still be too injured or ill to return to their civilian jobs.'' Today, four out of 10 soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are Guard or Reserve, and it is long past time for the DOD to adjust their policies and make improvements to the demobilization process for Guard members in States like mine that have no military treatment facilities. I ask for your support of this amendment so we can finally give soldiers from the Reserve component the flexibility to be treated for certain injuries at military medical treatment facilities nearest their homes and families just like the active component. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.

Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Madam Speaker, I ask this chamber to pause today and reflect upon the life of Sergeant Nicholas J. Lightner, United States Army. Nicholas served proudly with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the famed 1st Cavalry Division. Sergeant Lightner was known by his peers as a tough soldier; to his men he was known as the kind of leader that people followed. He set an example of courage and valor that will stand the strains of memory and time. For much of his twenty-nine years, Nicholas Lightner wore the uniform of our country because he believed there was no higher calling. He took his profession seriously, and Sergeant Lightner reflected great credit upon himself, the Army, and the State of Oregon. Sadly, Sergeant Lightner died just a few days ago, just a few miles from the Capitol at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Most of his patrol perished in the attack on March 15, 2007. Nicholas Lightner survived Baghdad, and fought for his life with the same bravery he showed in the field. But the wounds were too severe; his devotion to duty ultimately was paid in full with his last measure. I am here today to ask us all to remember. Remember the sacrifice of those we send onto foreign soil for our benefit; to pledge to ourselves and to the families forever altered by this sacrifice that they will not have perished in vain. America is a great nation: great, because it is defended by volunteers that answer the call of service and stand in our stead; great, because our values are important enough to the men and women of our Armed Forces that they willingly sacrifice their sweat, their labor, and sometimes their lives. Nicholas Lightner died because he took upon himself the burden of protecting the Nation, State, and community he loved. Newport, Toledo, in fact all of Oregon, are now forever less than we would have been had Nicholas survived. Let us begin anew to dedicate ourselves to a cause that Nicholas Lightner believed in; let us begin today.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Speaker, as a strong proponent of the American Heart Association's GO-Red campaign aimed at educating women about heart disease and stroke, I am proud to be a cosponsor of the Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention Act. This legislation will help reduce the 150,000 deaths that occur each year from stroke. Every 3 minutes someone dies of a stroke according to the American Heart Association. To a stroke victim, delay means more dead brain cells. The most common type of strokes kills 1.9 million brain cells every minute. One study estimated that for every 12 minutes a stroke victim delays treatment, a pea-sized portion of the brain dies. Fortunately, educating people about when to seek treatment makes a difference. And I want to tell a story about a friend of mine. About 6 months ago, young woman, she happened to have another friend visiting her. And she woke up one morning and said, I don't feel very good. I can hardly lift my arm. And her friend that was visiting said, we are going straight to the hospital. She is doing very well in recovery, not only because she is a very determined person, but she can also thank her friend for recognizing what was happening and getting her to a hospital immediately. By educating people about stroke symptoms and strengthening training programs for physicians, this legislation will save lives and limit the damage to stroke survivors. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 477.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding and for all the work that he has done on this. I also thank Ms. Baldwin and Mrs. Myrick for all of their hard work and their commitment to this. The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program is vital to help promote the well-being of low-income and uninsured women throughout the country. The 5.8 million screening examinations provided under the program have saved lives. More than 22,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and over 1,500 with cervical cancer through the program's screening. Early detection of breast and cervical cancer can mean the difference between life or death. For breast cancer, the 5-year survival rate is 95 percent when caught early. Given what we know about the importance of early detection, I believe it is critical to provide this screening assistance to low-income or uninsured women. I am also pleased that this reauthorization gives more flexibility to rural communities as they try to use these funds. The situation is so different in rural communities. Their outreach has to be different, and the fact that this bill acknowledges that, I am very pleased about it. This is an important, life-saving measure. It needs all of our support, and I thank the gentleman for the time.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a fallen American hero. Last Saturday, Lance Corporal Nathan Windsor made his final sacrifice on behalf of a grateful nation while on patrol in the Anbar province of Iraq. Nathan understood that citizenship meant responsibility and that great sacrifices would be required in order to secure our freedoms and to serve our country in its time of need. Well aware of the danger and more than willing to endure the risks, Nathan selflessly charged into chaos to help the people of Iraq secure a peace and work toward a self-governing society. It saddens me, Madam Speaker, to come before you again to ask that my colleagues join in mourning the loss of yet another young American who has made the ultimate sacrifice. Nathan gave his all before fully experiencing the many freedoms for which he fought. His aspirations to become a movie producer will never be realized because his life and dreams were tragically cut short. Words alone cannot express the anger, frustration and pain felt by the thousands whose lives he touched, but we have an obligation to ensure that future generations of Americans inherit a land worthy of his sacrifice. We are all indebted to Nathan's spirit and sacrifice. It is now, and will be forever, our turn to repay the debt. Let us recommit ourselves in this chamber to work even harder and to do our part to make sound decisions about matters of peace and war. I join all Oregonians, and all Americans, in expressing my deepest condolences to the family of Nathan Windsor for their loss. Our community is greater because of Nathan's short presence and we are certainly lessened by his passing.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to Oregon's last World War I veteran, Mr. Howard V. Ramsey. On February 22, 2007, our country lost one of our bravest, one of our favorite sons. Howard V. Ramsey was born in 1898 in Rico, Colorado. As a student at Washington High in Portland, Oregon, Mr. Ramsey enrolled in the Oregon Naval Militia. After a failed attempt to enroll in the United States Army because he was underweight, Mr. Ramsey's perseverance and dedication to serve showed true as he was accepted later that year. Mr. Ramsey served as an Army corporal in France. Armed with the highly sought-after skill of driving, Mr. Ramsey was charged with providing transportation for officers, providing water for soldiers on the front lines and returning the bodies of soldiers killed in combat. After completing his service, Mr. Ramsey returned to Portland, Oregon, around 1920 and worked for Hudson-Essex, which later became Hudson Motor Car Company. In 1922 he went to work for Western Electric, which later became AT&T, and retired in 1963 at the age of 65. I join all Oregonians, and all Americans, in expressing my sincere condolences to the family of Howard V. Ramsey for their loss. Our state, and our nation, is greater because of Mr. Ramsey's presence and we are lessened by his passing. It is a true honor and privilege to be here today to remember one of the last World War I veterans. Madam Speaker, our country is honored by his service and thankful for all that he gave to ensure our freedom.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Madam Speaker, today I rise to praise the courage, dedication, and selflessness of the following 116th Air Control Squadron volunteers. The ``Fighting Longracks'' from Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon answered the call of service and stood up, so their active duty counterparts could temporarily stand down for the holidays. From September 2006 through January 2007 the Oregon Air National Guard in association with citizen-airmen from Air National Guard units from Hawaii, Ohio, Puerto Rico, and Wisconsin provided tactical command and control for all combat assets within Afghanistan. Unfortunately, too often we stand here in this chamber to publicly acknowledge the contribution of our military and their families after a tragedy--we honor our fallen--and often forget the living, our veterans. Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Olson, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Gregory, Major Paul Evans, Major Keith Townsend, Captain Leon McGuire, Captain Bryan Habas, Captain Victoria Habas, Senior Master Sergeant Robert Birman, Senior Master Sergeant Ralph Lehman, Senior Master Sergeant Leslie Wright, Master Sergeant William Baer, Master Sergeant Randy Dickenson, Master Sergeant Donald Hillgaertner, Master Sergeant Gary Gudge, Master Sergeant Cory Jackson, Master Sergeant Albert Luquette, Master Sergeant Adam Melerski, Master Sergeant Troy Mitchell, Master Sergeant Richard Murren, Technical Sergeant Ann Chancey, Technical Sergeant Edwin Corcoran, Technical Sergeant Carl Domingo, Technical Robert Foreman, Technical Sergeant Bryan Garret, Technical Sergeant Matthew Gudge, Technical Sergeant George McMahan, Staff Sergeant Michelle Nelson, and Staff Sergeant Laurence Rose raised their hands, willingly accepted duties in war-torn Afghanistan, and served us with honor. These airmen worked with our allies in the region to provide command and control that sustained complex, time critical air sovereignty missions in support of Intemational Stabilization Assistance Force (ISAF) priorities. Their contributions cannot be overstated, nor in truth measured. As a Congresswoman from Oregon, I am proud of what these citizen- airmen accomplished, and humbled by their continued willingness to answer the call of a nation that is in need far more often than anyone expected. I ask this chamber to recognize and applaud these airmen who like hundreds of thousands of their peers ask for little, give everything they can, and believe our America is worth the sacrifice. Thank you for standing a post that few even know exists.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Madam Speaker, today I rise to praise the courage, dedication, and selflessness of the following 116th Air Control Squadron volunteers. The ``Fighting Longracks'' from Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon answered the call of service and stood up, so their active duty counterparts could temporarily stand down for the holidays. From September 2006 through January 2007 the Oregon Air National Guard in association with citizen-airmen from Air National Guard units from Hawaii, Ohio, Puerto Rico, and Wisconsin provided tactical command and control for all combat assets within Afghanistan. Unfortunately, too often we stand here in this chamber to publicly acknowledge the contribution of our military and their families after a tragedy--we honor our fallen--and often forget the living, our veterans. Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Olson, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Gregory, Major Paul Evans, Major Keith Townsend, Captain Leon McGuire, Captain Bryan Habas, Captain Victoria Habas, Senior Master Sergeant Robert Birman, Senior Master Sergeant Ralph Lehman, Senior Master Sergeant Leslie Wright, Master Sergeant William Baer, Master Sergeant Randy Dickenson, Master Sergeant Donald Hillgaertner, Master Sergeant Gary Gudge, Master Sergeant Cory Jackson, Master Sergeant Albert Luquette, Master Sergeant Adam Melerski, Master Sergeant Troy Mitchell, Master Sergeant Richard Murren, Technical Sergeant Ann Chancey, Technical Sergeant Edwin Corcoran, Technical Sergeant Carl Domingo, Technical Sergeant Robert Foreman, Technical Sergeant Bryan Garret, Technical Sergeant Matthew Gudge, Technical Sergeant George McMahan, Staff Sergeant Michelle Nelson, and Staff Sergeant Laurence Rose raised their hands, willingly accepted duties in wartorn Afghanistan, and served us with honor. These airmen worked with our allies in the region to provide command and control that sustained complex, time critical air sovereignty missions in support of International Stabilization Assistance Force (ISAF) priorities. Their contributions cannot be overstated, nor in truth measured. As a Congresswoman from Oregon, I am proud of what these citizen- airmen accomplished, and humbled by their continued willingness to answer the call of a nation that is in need far more often than anyone expected. I ask this chamber to recognize and applaud these airmen who like hundreds of thousands of their peers ask for little, give everything they can, and believe our America is worth the sacrifice. Thank you for standing a post that few even know exists.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the discussion on Iraq that is taking place in this Chamber, across this country, in classrooms, coffee shops, living rooms and across back fences. This resolution asks whether the House of Representatives believes with regard to the war in Iraq that doing more of the same is a correct strategy to adopt. Since this war began, 3,125 American soldiers have died and 23,417 have been wounded. There have been over 100,000 Iraqi casualties and nearly $500 billion has been spent. We have tried troop surges before in this war and we have seen the results. In November of 2004, the United States increased the troop levels by approximately 18,000. And guess what happened? Insurgent attacks went up by 17 percent. Did that surge work? No. In June of 2005, we increased troop levels again, this time by 21,500 troops. Guess what happened? Insurgent attacks went up 29 percent. Did that surge work? No. If we allow to surge troop levels again, by how much can we expect insurgent attacks to rise this time? Einstein once suggested that insanity is doing something over and over and over again and expecting different results. Mr. Speaker, I voted against going to war in Iraq, but ever since the President committed our first soldier, I have done everything in my power to support our troops and give them equipment to keep them safe. Our warrior soldiers have done everything we have asked of them and more, and I remain committed to our troops until the very last soldier leaves Iraq, and I will do whatever it takes to protect our soldiers. But putting an additional 37,000 American troops in harm's way when there hasn't been a change in strategy is not how we as a country support our troops. Last November, the American people spoke loud and clear. They said that the current tactics in Iraq weren't working and they don't support more of the same. An escalation of troops will not quell the violence, but will lead to increased violence, more American casualties and a further destabilized Iraq. There is a moment when wisdom requires change, and I believe that the time has come to say enough is enough. America's military involvement in Iraq needs to draw to a close and it is time for the Iraqi people to assume control over their own country. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on this resolution.

Ms. HOOLEY

Ms. HOOLEY. I just want to add to the whole, when you are talking about drug problems and meth problems, we were one of the States that had, the west coast was hit the hardest with meth. It has now moved east. But I was just going to say, it is the rural counties that are hit more by meth than are the urban counties because they can go out in the forest, they can make meth, cook meth out in the forestlands, grow marijuana. But we spend a lot of our time out there looking for drug problems, and it is a huge issue in all of our rural counties.

Ms. HOOLEY. It is hard to have a house boat in the ocean.

Ms. HOOLEY. Well, this is a program that has worked well over the last 6 years. It has helped bridge that budget gap created due to the lack of timber harvested from our forest. And, again, I want to remind people this is distributed to over 42 States; 4,400 rural school districts receive funding. If we want to support our rural communities, if we want to make sure that we have roads to drive on, if we believe law enforcement is important to every part of our State, then we have to figure out how to solve this problem. And I thank you and Representative DeFazio for all the work that you have done. But we have a full blown crisis on our hands. That is what this is. This is a crisis. And it will take support from our colleagues from both sides of the aisle to help our rural communities that are, frankly, in dire straits. This is not just a little problem. This is a great big huge problem for our rural communities. So I would urge my friends to join us in our effort to reauthorize this program and pass a 1-year extension to give us a chance to work through these difficult issues. And, again, I thank you for all the work that you have done on it.

Ms. HOOLEY. I just want to remind people too in trying to get our colleagues to understand, this is not an Oregon problem, it is not just a Washington problem, it is not just a northern California problem, this is a problem across the United States. We are hit specifically very hard because of the amount of Federal forests that we have in our State. But this cuts across, I think it is 4,400 different school districts benefit from this program. It is absolutely critical.

Ms. HOOLEY. I am sure you could