Darrell Issa

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I know you join with Mr. Hunter and myself in recognizing the importance of California, and particularly San Diego as the golf club production and design capital of America. But a club is just what it sounds like unless you put it in the hands of somebody like Billy Casper, somebody who can do what Duncan Hunter cannot do, and I guarantee I cannot do with a club and that is make it send a ball straight and true or hook it if you need to hook it to make that special shot. Billy Casper had that talent, used that talent and was a great ambassador for our country here and around the world. I think it is very appropriate that we honor him here on the floor of the House tonight.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 729) supporting National Tourism Week.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I, too, urge passage and thank the gentleman from Illinois. It is a pleasure working on the Committee on Government Reform. It is also a privilege serving on the International Relations Committee, in which public diplomacy has been a major initiative that Chairman Hyde and Ranking Member Lantos have been reaching out and trying to have done. There is no better public diplomacy than for Americans to reach out to people, perhaps from their ancestry or simply from an area of interest, by visiting. So I too encourage all the Members to vote for this, to travel themselves and to be the diplomats in public diplomacy that we need so badly in this time of strife throughout the world.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 422, offered by the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), the committee chairman. This resolution would support the goals and ideals of the Vigil for Lost Promise Day. Mr. Speaker, drug use and abuse is a national crisis that affects the health of many of our citizens and affects all our communities. Drugs affect people from all walks of life, and addiction does not discriminate. Millions of families and friends have experienced the loss of a loved one to drug use. Addiction has many dimensions and disrupts multiple aspects in an individual's life. Drugs rob users, their families and their friends of dreams, promises and their ambition, their talents and their vitality. This resolution honors those family members and friends who feel the pain and tragedy each day from the loss of life to drugs. The Vigil for Lost Promise is a national event which brings together parents and friends who have lost someone to drugs and for those who are dedicated to the promise and potential of our Nation's youths. The stigma attached to drug use causes many friends and families to feel ashamed to acknowledge the death of their loved ones. However, this event offers an opportunity for families to remember those and is dedicated to the education of others on the importance of keeping our youth drug free. I ask that all Members join with me in supporting H. Con. Res. 422 in the hope that we can offer support to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones to the perils of addiction. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the adoption of H. Con. Res. 422, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 763, which will support the goals and ideals of National Children and Families Day. H. Res. 763, which currently has 54 bipartisan cosponsors, passed the full Government Reform Committee with unanimous consent on May 4, 2006. Too often we overlook the importance of a strong family in our everyday lives and most importantly its impact on our children. Our children are our country's most vital resource, and we should strive to do everything possible to prepare them to lead healthy, productive lives as they mature into adulthood. There is nothing more important to any of us, whether we are adult or child, than to have a sense of family and tradition, but most important, to have a feeling of belonging. Too often here in this great country, we hear about the breakdown of the family. A nationally proclaimed family and children's day will be a bridge to our future and will help us restore the Nation's greatness. Mr. Speaker, this day can serve to be a reminder to all of us to encourage children everywhere to achieve their hopes and dreams. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, I urge passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 753) commending American craft brewers.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I will close in two important ways. One is to, first, urge all of my colleagues here and already at home tonight to vote for this resolution. I think it sets the right balance on an important segment of our craft industry. Much more than an alcohol industry, this is about the right of the small operation to do something that is a time-honored tradition. Secondly, I would like to reiterate in the best possible terms why this time we spend here in the evening is different. Most of our colleagues have gone home for the evening or gone to their dinners, but, in fact, Members will choose to come here and take time that otherwise these Chambers would be dark to talk about issues that don't affect all of America but affect some part of America or their district, and I believe that this is the right balance. I continue to support the idea that we should bring resolutions on suspensions to the floor when they are not controversial but important to segments of our economy. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution now under consideration.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I appreciate that this resolution is being taken out of order, but one might say it is being taken in the correct order. One might even say that it is being taken one after its correct order. As a Member from California, with my colleague from California on the other side of the aisle, it is important to note that California wines are, in fact, the finest in the world; that they enjoy a special place and a personal honor around the world. So although we came after beer tonight, I would certainly say not far after beer this evening. Mr. Speaker, until 1976, France was generally regarded as having an unchallenged reputation as the foremost producer of the world's best wines. In that year, a wine merchant in Paris, Steven Spurrier, organized a prestigious wine tasting, now known as the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976. The blind tasting contest was judged by eight of France's top wine tasting experts. In the white wine as well as red wine consumption, California wines took first place, ending the French wine domination of that industry. Mr. Speaker, I will include the rest of my statement for the Record. I respect so much the co-chairman of the Wine Caucus that I do not want to take the thunder that likely belongs to him and all of the good work my colleague from California has done. Time Magazine's Paris correspondent was on hand for the tasting and broke the news to the world. Less might have been made of the contest had the renowned French tasters been less disdainful toward the California selections as they tasted. The French tasters were stunned when the names of the wines were revealed. The impact of the tasting for California wines was immediate, showing people everywhere that exceptional wines could come from somewhere other than France. The 1976 Paris tasting has been duplicated over the years with many times the same result. Today, California wines continue to demand respect and admiration of wine experts all over the world. I urge all members to come together to support adoption of this resolution on the 30th anniversary of that historic tasting. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time, and I might remind the gentleman from Illinois that wine tasting is a full- participation sport available to all over the age of 21. Mr. Speaker, I would just close by noting that many, many times California's superiority as the grape wine capital of the world has been repeated in Paris. With that, I close by saying I eat French fries and drink California wine. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned about the effects that this bill or the absence of this bill might have on my own region of California where we are, I believe in many cases at our major centers, to be at about 80 percent staffing, meaning that we have overtime because of shortages. What will be the effect of either having or not having this bill on the staffing levels that we need to have to get to full staffing in California?

Mr. ISSA. I thank the gentleman.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that House Resolution 517 be amended as follows: in the first Resolved clause, strike ``61 years'' and insert in lieu thereof ``51 years''.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 30 years of dedicated service of Col John C. Coleman, USMC. Col John C. Coleman assumed duties as Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton on 21 October 2005. Colonel Coleman was born 11 February 1954 and is a native of Warner Robins, Georgia. He was commissioned through the PLC Program following graduation from the Virginia Military Institute in May of 1976. Since commissioning, he has completed seven tours of duty in the Corps' operating forces, two in the supporting establishment, and two with the joint community. As a Company Grade Officer, Colonel Coleman served tours of duty with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, and with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines. Assignments during these tours included Rifle Platoon Commander, 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer, Assistant Battalion Operations Officer, H&S Company Commander, Rifle Company Commander, Weapons Company Commander, and Rifle Company Inspector/Instructor. In addition to these assignments, he served in the supporting establishment as the Training Support Officer, Officer Candidate School, and as a Company Grade Monitor, Headquarters Marine Corps. As a Field Grade Officer, Colonel Coleman served tours of duty with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 2nd and 6th Marine Regimental Headquarters, 1st and 2nd Marine Division Headquarters, and I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters. Assignments during these tours included Battalion Operations Officer, Battalion Executive Officer, Regimental Operations Officer, Assistant Division Personnel Officer, Battalion Commander, MEF (Fwd) Operations Officer, Division Operations Officer, and Regimental Commander. In addition to these assignments, he completed two joint tours. The first of these was with U.S. Central Command serving in the J-3, Command Control, and then Joint Exercise Division. Later he served with the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C., in the Office of the Vice Chairman. On 23 August 2002, Colonel Coleman assumed the duty as Chief of Staff, I Marine Expeditionary Force. He initially deployed to Kuwait and Iraq with Headquarters, I MEF in conjunction with Operation Iraqi Freedom from November 2002 to October 2003. He returned to Iraq with I MEF in March 2004 serving there until the MEF redeployed to the U.S. in March 2005. Colonel Coleman is a graduate of Amphibious Warfare School, U.S. Army Command and Staff College, Armed Forces Staff College, U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies, and the U.S. Naval War College. He is a designated Joint Specialty Officer and has been awarded two masters of arts degrees, the first in Military Arts and Science, and the second in National Security and Strategic Studies. His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (second award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (second and third awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Colonel Coleman and his wife Teri were married in 1976 and have four children, Christina, Jay, Robby, and Lara. On behalf of the people of the United States whom Colonel Coleman spent a career serving, I thank him for his service and commitment to the defense of our Nation.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I have had the honor of serving under Chairman Hyde on the House International Relations Committee since I came to Congress in 2001. From my very first day on the Committee I have witnessed firsthand the wit, humor and brilliance that are trademarks of my party's elder statesman. Henry has succeeded in bringing sensibility and strength to one of the House's most important and internationally scrutinized committees in the wake of September 11. While my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have occasionally attempted to use the International Relations Committee as a venue to push forward partisan ideology; Chairman Hyde and his fine staff have worked hard to ensure that resolutions that leave his committee are based on fairness, the promotion of our democratic ideals, the protection of human rights, and American interests throughout the world. I appreciate the guidance and mentorship that Henry provided to me when I first came to Congress. As a freshman member I had many legislative and policy ideas that I wanted to pursue. Henry taught me to cool my heels and recognize the nature of the process in accomplishing my legislative goals. The advice that he gave me back then was certainly the right advice, and it still resonates with me today. I admire the strength that Chairman Hyde continues to show. At 82 years of age and limited in his personal mobility he is still very much a workhorse in the House. We continue to maintain a busy schedule in the International Relations committee and Henry travels around the world meeting with foreign dignitaries and protecting American foreign policy at an amazing pace. I only hope that when I reach Henry's age that my mind will still be as sharp as his. I continue to be amazed at the many things that Henry has accomplished during his 30 years in this body. I'm also amazed by the fact that he has survived in this body for more than 30 years. That is no small feat by any means. It has been an honor and pleasure to serve with Chairman Hyde in the House and under him on the International Relations Committee. I thank him for his leadership and guidance. I look forward to working with him through the remainder of this Congress and I wish him the best in his endeavors thereafter.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Centennial Anniversary of the American Community School at Beirut. The American Community School was founded in 1905 as the Faculty School by a group of American missionary families living in Lebanon. The school was supported by the American University of Beirut, the American Presbyterian Mission and Aramco. It was the first American K- 12 school in Lebanon and is an independent, non-profit, co-educational school chartered in the state of New York. Today, the school's enrollment exceeds 1,000 and the school is an ambassador of American education to the Middle East. The American Community School's student population has changed over the years and is now composed of a diverse community made up of students from American, Lebanese and international families. The school offers numerous activities to supplement the education of its students. Alumni of the school have gone on to do great things, with many of them excelling in careers serving the United States government and Lebanese- American relations. I would like to commend the American Community School's leadership for their innovative vision in implementing and carrying out the school's mission of providing quality American-style education. The school's teachers should be recognized for their consistent dedication and for inspiring their students to pursue a well-rounded, life-long education. Finally, past and present students of the school should be applauded for their success in such an independent, challenging environment. The school is appreciative of the support of the United States Congress. America's direct support of this and other educational institutions in the Middle East plays an important role in our public diplomacy efforts. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to pay tribute to the American Community School at Beirut in this year of its Centennial Anniversary. I congratulate the school on its distinguished history and look forward to its promising future.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall vote No. 81 because I was on official travel. Had I been present, I would have voted in favor of H.R. 609, the College Access and Opportunity Act of 2005.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2064) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 122 South Bill Street in Francesville, Indiana, as the Malcolm Melville ``Mac'' Lawrence Post Office.