Darrell Issa

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the City of Temecula, on the celebration of its 20th Anniversary as a City on December 1, 2009. Since its founding, the City of Temecula has quadrupled in population and continues to provide improvements and amenities to its citizens to ensure a high quality of life. Temecula has also prioritized the protection of its citizens, instigating both regional and federal projects like the Murrieta Creek Flood Control Project. Furthermore, the city has partnered regionally to create jobs through economic development, road improvements, and funding to enhance the community's ability to serve its citizens. As one of California's pioneering communities, the City of Temecula diligently works to preserve its rich historical culture, providing a wealth of cultural opportunities to its citizens through establishments like the Temecula Theater, History Museum, and Children's Museum. The city also values its strong relationship with the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians. On the occasion of its 20th Anniversary as a City, I encourage the citizens of Temecula to reflect on both the present and historical significance of their community and how it makes the City of Temecula one of America's most livable cities.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, today the House of Representatives recognizes the service and sacrifice of the members of the United States Coast Guard and the United States Marine Corps who were tragically killed during exercises off the coast of California three weeks ago. On October 29, 2009, a Coast Guard C-130 plane and a Marine AH-1 Cobra helicopter collided off the coast of Southern California. The Marine pilots were conducting training about 15 miles off San Clemente Island when they collided with the U.S. Coast Guard plane, which was based out of the Coast Guard Air Station in Sacramento, CA. These brave Marines and Coast Guardsmen dedicated their lives to protecting our freedom and safety. Such tragedies are a reminder of the dangers all men and women of our armed forces face, whether they are stationed in Afghanistan, California, or anywhere else in the world. H. Res. 891 offers Members of the House of Representatives an appropriate opportunity to express our thoughts and prayers to families and friends of these service members. Our hearts are with them during this difficult period.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, today I will vote in strong opposition to H.R. 3962, the ``Affordable Health Care for America Act.'' This government takeover of health care is filled with tax increases, job killing mandates, Medicare cuts, bureaucrat additions, and entitlement expansions. This bill will lead to higher health care premiums and a growth in long-term health care costs. Despite this bill's many faults, I support the bill's language establishing a market for biosimilars which balances the desire to provide cheaper biologics with the need to continue incentivizing investment in research and development. The bipartisan language approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee earlier this year would create an FDA approval process that allows for the continued development of biosimilar products. This language appropriately protects intellectual property rights by encouraging the creation of new technologies and helps protect patients from possibly dangerous, insufficiently tested biosimilars. Because biologics are more complex and susceptible to change during formulation, it is of the utmost importance that we only support a process that provides for a safe biosimilar market. It is critical at this time of 10.2 percent nationwide unemployment that the federal government allow job creating industries, like biotechnology, to continue to invest and create jobs. It is unfortunate that the Majority wrapped up a good biosimilar bill in a bad health care bill, but I hope that we have the opportunity to support the Eshoo-Inslee-Barton biosimilar provisions in a separate legislative vote.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an individual whose dedication and contributions to the United States Marine Corps are exceptional. Our country has been fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated leaders who willingly and unselfishly give their time and talent to keep this country free and safe. United States Marine Lieutenant General Samuel T. Helland is one of these individuals. Lt. General Helland earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and holds a Master of Science Degree from Troy State University. He is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Lt. General Helland started his military career by enlisting in the Army in 1968. He served three years with the U.S. Army Special Forces, leaving after a combat tour of duty in Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces Group (ABN), Military Advisory Command (Special Observations Group). Lt. General Helland graduated from Marine Officer Candidate School in 1973, and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1974. He is qualified as a CH-53 pilot. Lt. General Helland has served in many different capacities over the years; Lt. General Helland served with the Amphibious Units, Aviation Combat Elements, and Joint Task Forces. He has participated in exercises and contingency operations ranging from the Arctic Circle, throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas, the Persian Gulf, and the Horn of Africa. His assignments include Staff Officer for the Logistics Officer for the Marine Aircraft Group 26, Operations Officer for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, MAG 40, Joint Staff Officer in the J-7, Command of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Deputy Commander JTF-Shining Hope, US Joint Forces Command, Norfolk VA, US Marine Corps Forces South, Commanding General Fleet Marine Forces South, Assistant Deputy Commandant for Aviation. In May 2004, Lt. General Helland assumed command of Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa. From August 2005 to July 2007, Lt. General Helland commanded the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Miramar San Diego, California. In July 2007, he assumed duty as Deputy Commanding General I MEF Camp Pendleton, CA before assuming his present assignment as Commanding General I MEF; Commander, Marine Corps Forces Central Command. His decorations include the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with one star, and various service and unit awards. Lt. General Helland's tireless passion for service has contributed to the betterment of this country. On the occasion of his retirement and on behalf of the people of the United States whom he has served with courage and honor, we commemorate the service of Lieutenant General Samuel T. Helland.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many of us have concerns for family and friends impacted by breast cancer. This month we must take those concerns and turn the emotion into action. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in women in California and the United States as a whole. It is the second most common cause of cancer death. The California Cancer Registry estimates that each year, more than 25,000 California women develop breast cancer and over 4,000 die as a result. California represents a large portion of the 192,370 new cases of breast cancer that have been diagnosed in 2009 alone. This disease is not gender specific; it will develop in approximately almost 2,000 men this year as well. Early detection and treatment for both sexes has resulted in 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. We must continue to encourage all women and men to undergo mammography screening, as it is the most effective test to determine the presence of breast cancer. To do so, I have joined with my colleagues to cosponsor the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009. This bill will enhance efforts to increase public awareness regarding the threats posed by breast cancer to young women and men, as well as to enhance campaigns that will further educate the community on the risk factors of breast cancer and the importance of early detection. I am proud to stand today with my colleagues to recognize the importance of continuing efforts to enhance awareness and preventative actions.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an individual whose dedication and contributions to the United States Marine Corps are exceptional. For more than thirty-five years this man has served our nation in the most outstanding and dedicated manner. On the occasion of his retirement, I feel it only right to recognize the magnificent service Major General Michael R. Lehnert has performed for our country. Major General Lehnert graduated from Central Michigan University in 1973 with an undergraduate degree in History and commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the PLC program. After attending the Marine Officers Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, he was transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Assignments at Camp Lejeune included engineer platoon commander and maintenance officer LSU-32 and S-4, H&S Battalion, 2nd FSSG. Assigned to 9th Engineer Support Battalion in Okinawa Japan, he served as Bn Operations Officer and finished his tour as commander Company A, 9th Engineers. In 1977, he was ordered to Marine Barracks, Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines as the Operations Officer. In 1978, he took command of Company A, Marine Barracks, Subic Bay. In 1979, Major General Lehnert attended the U.S. Army Advanced Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. After graduation, he served as Executive Officer, USMC Recruiting Station, San Antonio, Texas. He was transferred to Camp Pendleton, California in 1983 and held the following assignments from 1983 to 1986. Company Commander, Company C, 1st Landing Support Battalion Commanding Officer, Combat Service Support Detachment 11 Commanding Officer, Combat Service Support Detachment 16 Executive Officer, MAU Service Support Group 17 Landing Force Support Party Cdr, BSSG 7 MEF Engineer, First Marine Amphibious Force. In 1987, he was selected for Armed Forces Staff College. After graduation, he was assigned to the United States Southern Command in the J-3 Operations Directorate as Chief, Central American Exercise Branch. During the Panama crisis, he participated in Operation Just Cause and Operation Promote Liberty. Major General Lehnert was reassigned in 1990 as Inspector-Instructor, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, Portland, Oregon. He was selected for top level school, completed the Naval War College in 1993 and was awarded a masters degree in International and Strategic Studies. In 1993, he was assigned to the Joint Warfighting Center in Norfolk, Virginia where he served as the Chief of the Futures Branch, Doctrine Division. In 1995, he reported to 2d MAW and participated in Operation Sea Signal, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as Commander, Joint Task Group Bulkeley, JTF 160, where he commanded the security forces responsible for operation of Cuban and Haitian migrant camps. Major General Lehnert commanded Marine Wing Support Group 27 at Cherry Point, North Carolina from 23 May 1996 to 28 May 1998. He was reassigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4 II MEF. In 1999, he deployed to Panama as the Chief of Staff, Joint Task Force Panama to oversee the final turnover of the Canal and the remaining military bases. His first tour as a general officer was at Headquarters Marine Corps, where he served as the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics. He took command of 2d Force Service Support Group in July 2001 and in January 2002, he deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as Commander, Joint Task Force 160. JTF 160's mission was to construct and operate the detention facilities for Taliban and Al Queda detainees. In 2003, he deployed with the 2d FSSG to the CENTCOM theater and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom as Commander, Marine Logistics Command. His most recent assignment was as Chief of Staff, United States Southern Command, Miami, Florida. Decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with Gold Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Navy Commendation Medal with gold star and the Navy Achievement Medal. Major General Lehnert has consistently shown genuine concern for those who serve in his command, regularly placing their comfort and support above his own. He and his wife, Denise, are a prototype for general officers who have the honor to follow them in command. On the occasion of his retirement, and on behalf of the people of the United States whom he has served with courage and honor, we commemorate the exceptional service of Major General Michael R. Lehnert.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. ISSA. I am, in its current form.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, this motion to recommit is critical at this time. As many people in this body realize, the scandals surrounding the criminal activities of ACORN have called into question their role in all aspects of government, including aspects covered in this bill. The funding they've received under Health and Human Services, title IV, which is covered in this bill, and other areas make it extremely important that we consider it at this time. ACORN, as our committee had previously reported, is an organization with a long history of criminal indictments and activities, so much so that in fact the Census Bureau has, on its own, removed its funding. The Senate has voted 83-7 to remove funding; we must do the same thing. This motion to recommit deliberately is here because in fact this is a funding-related activity. This is one in which we understand that the very fundamental of taxpayer dollars being properly used and supported is at stake. There is no question as to where ACORN stands, where the administration and multiple Governors, including my own Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, have called for this investigation; 130 Members of this body have called on the President in fact to defund. So the motion to recommit, narrow in scope, simply makes the defunding of ACORN a portion of this bill, makes it clear that the Members of this House do not support ACORN's activities, including child trafficking, prostitution, and in fact a great many other criminal activities, including voter fraud. This is timely, it is targeted, and it is time that this House act. I move the motion, and ask for it to be voted positively. Mr. Speaker, this motion to recommit is simple. It's about protecting students and taxpayers. Earlier this week, more than 130 House Republicans wrote to President Obama requesting that he take immediate action to cut off all federal funding of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN. ACORN has been linked to multiple instances of voter registration fraud and other illicit activity. In recent days, media accounts have detailed ACORN employees' alleged complicity in illegal schemes too unseemly to discuss in this chamber. To continue funding this organization would not just be indefensible--it would be an outrage. An analysis of federal data shows that ACORN has received more than $53 million in direct funding from the Federal Government since 1994, and has likely received substantially more indirectly through States and localities that receive Federal block grants. The Census Bureau recently decided to sever all ties with ACORN to ensure the integrity of their operations. This was the right decision. Unfortunately, ACORN's links to the Federal Government do not stop with the Census Bureau. This organization has infiltrated a host of federal programs, consuming taxpayer dollars even as it has repeatedly been found to engage in criminal activity. To fully protect taxpayers, we must enact a comprehensive ban on Federal funding for this corrupt and criminal organization. This motion to recommit will do exactly that. Republicans have introduced legislation--the Defund ACORN Act--to put an immediate stop to Federal funding for this crooked bunch. U.S. International Agreements: The iron and steel section states: ``This section shall be applied in a manner consistent with United States obligations under international agreements.'' This applies government-wide. Any and all Federal agencies: Section 505(a) is open to other entities the Secretary deems appropriate--an open-ended inclusion that could apply to any Federal agency. The tentacles of this legislation reach into the economy, our education system, our workforce system, and a host of other areas. It is truly a comprehensive bill--and a comprehensive ban on funding for ACORN, such as that included in this motion, is what is needed. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an individual who selflessly risked his life to save the life of a terribly injured Marine, former Staff Sergeant Irving Saunders. Our country has been fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated Marines who willingly and unselfishly risk their lives to keep our country safe. We recognize Vernon R. Buss for his meritorious actions on the Guiana Airstrip, Samar Island, Republic of the Philippines on the 24 January 1945, while serving as a ground maintenance mechanic, aircraft wing. On this day while performing maintenance duties in connection with operation against Japanese forces in the Philippines, Corporal Vernon Robert Buss, United States Marine, put the life of another Marine over his own. While assisting in the rescue attempt of a crashed aircraft and its crew, Corporal Buss singlehandedly extracted the unconscious and burning body of Staff Sergeant Irving Saunders from the wreckage of a burning F4-U Corsair. With total disregard for his own safety, Corporal Buss rushed to the side of Staff Sergeant Irving Saunders and carried him away from the burning aircraft, the burning pools of gasoline, and the random detonation of .50 caliber ammunition as it ``cooked off'' from the Corsair's burning ammunition supply. Corporal Buss carried Staff Sergeant Saunders to safety, rendered first aid to him, and facilitated his evacuation to a hospital where he was treated for life threatening third degree burns over an estimated forty percent of his body. We recognize Corporal Vernon Robert Buss for his fearless personal initiative, professional dedication and sagacious bravery on 24 January 1945. His actions reflect the meritorious credit upon his person and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. On behalf of the people of the United States, Congressman Darrell E. Issa, Major General Michael R. Lehnert, Commanding General Marine Corps Installations West, and all veterans who have served with courage and honor, we commemorate your service.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise to urge passage of this resolution supporting the goals and ideals of American Legion Day. ``For God and country.'' These four words eulogize and introduce the preamble of the American Legion's constitution, which has been recited by its members at every meeting in its 90-year history. The history of the American Legion began when it was established as a mutual aid veterans' organization in September 1919. The organization is a congressionally chartered organization and was established so that returning soldiers of World War I would not suffer the same hardships that those from other wars had endured. Mr. Speaker, they have grown far beyond that original charter, and today they represent a consolidated organization that looks after veterans from all wars and issues that are so important. Through thick and thin, through popular and unpopular wars, they stay out of the politics of the day and focus on the veterans of yesterday. So, Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise with the chairman to support this, because the American Legion, in its work in supporting not only veterans, but also youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Boys State, Boys Nation, and others, puts together the veterans of yesterday with the youth and future of tomorrow. That is an important issue and one that I think all of us can appreciate. We have all seen it. Not one Member of Congress can say that they haven't been touched and they haven't seen the work done by the American Legion in their district. I urge strong support for this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, it is so good to be back on the House floor, doing the people's work. But once again, I hear the word ``crisis'' used constantly--energy is a crisis, the health care crisis. When will this body deal with the problems in many cases created by government in a way that the American people can have the confidence that, in fact, we view problems as something which gets solved, and it gets solved by having the private sector able to do what it does best and the public sector doing only the minimum necessary? When I hear my colleagues talk about how we have to make insurance companies do this or that, I recognize that we still don't get it. The crises are created in Washington, and we must change to help solve problems with the American people and not make everything a crisis to justify our pet projects.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the introduction of this bill on January 6, the first legislative day, was appropriate. This is a problem for an organization, the United States Post Office, which is, in fact, 15 times larger than General Motors. The United States Post Office is not only a constitutional obligation but, in fact, an organization which has existed for the service of the United States of America since our founding. But since the 1970s, the United States Post Office has had a problem. The problem is our own success. Alternate efficiencies have reduced the need for the United States Post Office to deliver mail. Invoices, payments, and certainly many other emails instead of paper mails are being delivered electronically today. The United States Post Office is also suffering from a recession that we all are suffering under. Therefore, the committee has worked on a bipartisan basis to recognize that we must reform the post office again. Having just passed the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act in 2006, we are faced with another crisis; but rather than having that crisis lead to haphazard reductions, the chairman and I have worked together with Members on both sides of the aisle, as the chairman said, 339 cosponsors, to create a soft landing for the post office. It will not be that soft, Mr. Speaker. It will, in fact, require that they accelerate the reduction in their force. It will require that they look at all costs and services. It will require without a doubt the closing of post offices around our Nation. Mr. Speaker, as you know, these are difficult decisions. They are both financial and they're political. They impact the communities who have for so long allowed people to go to their corner post office to maintain a postal mailbox, to do other services. These services will be further away in the future. So for that reason, although I would have preferred a major reform, I would have preferred that we were able to do some of these hard steps, I'm supporting an alternate course, one in which we use these last 2 weeks and only these last 2 weeks of the fiscal year to move this bill with a cost, as the chairman said, of zero because there is so little time left in the year. However, we are committed on this side of the aisle and I know the chairman shares this, to work with the postal service to find ways to reduce their costs, their overhead, and many of the legacy items that today make it difficult. Mr. Speaker, I want to repeat something the chairman said because it's noteworthy for my conservative friends. The post office's money that we are talking about today is the money they have put aside. This is the only agency that works in this way. So although this could have scored, it does not score, and although people will often say that we are being fiscal conservatives if we vote against this, the truth is the postal service operates within its own funds. The funds that will be used in H.R. 22 are their funds. Ultimately the American people will look to the post office to make the corrections. This committee on a bipartisan basis will oversee the post office to see that they come in line for the future so they continue to operate on their own revenue and not on any revenue provided by Congress. So, Mr. Speaker, I hope my friends are listening. I hope this will go far behind the 339 cosponsors, and I hope that everyone on both sides of the aisle will put down their mark today to make sure that we commit ourselves working with the post office to do the necessary reforms so we will not be back here again in the same way next year. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, at this time it is my honor to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz), a member of the committee.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute. I would like to comment on the Delegate's statement because it is quite true. Just in the last approximately 18 months, we have added almost 200,000 net Federal workers on the Federal side. The post office is continuing to reduce its workforce, anticipating reducing its workforce by about 30,000, or more than 5 percent per year. We have to do better. I look forward to working with the majority on finding ways that we can integrate more postal workers into other Federal opportunities so we can retain these good Federal servants, but at the same time right- size the post office. Having said that, it is very clear, as Ms. Norton said, that only the post office is really cutting itself in the Federal Government, and that is an unusual situation. They are right-sizing themselves, and I hope all of our Members will be sensitive that we have to right-size them at a rate that allows our high quality service to continue.

Mr. ISSA. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire from the chairman how many more speakers he has.

Mr. ISSA. I reserve the balance of my time to close before the chairman closes.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. All that need be said has more or less been said. This is necessary. It scores no cost. It is a reality of our recession and the ongoing reduction in the number of pieces of mail being carried by the post office. I might note in closing, the United Parcel Service, FedEx, DHL and others have experienced even greater reductions in their package carrying. That is part of this recession. This recession will end. But when this recession ends, the use of email and advertising over the Internet rather than your mailbox will continue. So I look forward to working with the chairman. He and I have forged a very good relationship on these bipartisan issues. We need to create the right size postal system. We need to convert and retain postal workers as Federal employees where there are opportunities. That is what we really need the time to do. As the chairman and I close, I want to urge all of my colleagues to understand, I am putting down a marker here today that I will not be bringing back the exact same bill next year simply to forestall it. We will monitor the usage at the post office and work with them, work with the Postmaster, and we will work with each other to make sure that we begin in a very, very quick order the kinds of reforms that may cost money but ultimately will right-size the post office. That is a commitment the American people expect us to make and one we will make. But at the same time, I recognize that the postal service is right-sized to perform an incredibly important constitutional duty, one that none of us would want to see go away. Certainly at a time when a number of States have gone to postal voting, they now represent a key element of democracy even beyond what they have historically done. I thank the chairman for this bipartisan work, and I thank Mr. McHugh who could not be here today for his relentless support and work. I urge strong support that we vote this out of the House on a unanimous basis. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the chairman for bringing this bill to the floor today. The genesis of this bill was in fact a recognition that the Postal Service funds all of its operations out of its own revenue. In no other area would the Federal Government essentially mandate a burden on a government agency over which it provides no funding, and yet here we do. More importantly, most post offices are either named after fallen heroes in our own district, former Members of the House or Senate, or, in some cases, other notable people, and even, once in a while, a postmaster. The fact is we make those decisions. We name those post offices. Those plaques cost money to procure and to maintain, and a recognition that in fact communities' involvement should be there, there should be a real upswelling of support. Myself, I named a post office after the first Indo American Member of Congress, Dalip Singh Saund. I was proud to do it. And on the day that we put the plaque up, I had Members from all over California, and actually a few outside of the Indo American community, proud that the first Indo American--and the only one, except for Bobby Jindal--was being honored at a post office. The fact is, that community would have been more than happy to not only pay for the plaque, but to help design it and to be more involved in it. That kind of support is something that we're missing because we didn't take this opportunity. The legislation is relatively small. It perhaps would only save a few hundred thousand dollars a year to the post office, but I think it makes the kind of statement that the post offices and the names on them are important community activities and that in the future the procurement and perhaps the ongoing support will come from the community, with the enabling language here. It also is a small but meaningful step toward the kind of reform of the post office that they want to do and that we want to help them do, and, that is, if they're going to have to live on their own revenue, Congress should not be adding to their cost of doing business. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA. I have no further speakers at this time, I would urge all Members to vote for the bill, and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1165 2nd Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa, as the ``Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Memorial Post Office.'' Mr. Speaker, this is a particularly appropriate naming. Often we name post offices in honor of one individual whose service may have been in the Postal Service, here in Congress, or perhaps an individual who gave their last full measure to the country. In this case, we're recognizing a conflict--a conflict that has been difficult and has cost the lives of a great many American men and women--and this broad recognition that we should pay honor to them is particularly noteworthy when you realize that more than 11,000 Iowa National Guard members have been called to Active Duty in the past 8 years and that in fact more than 70 have died in combat. So I join with Mr. Boswell in support for this bill. It's well thought out. It's unusual for a Member to forgo perhaps the gratification of naming something after a former colleague or after somebody by name in their district and to look beyond that--to look to the brave men and women who have served nobly in this crisis and recognize them in a broader way and one that I think will be enduring in Iowa for generations to come. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.