Darrell Issa

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members support Senate 2064, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer).

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Senate 2064 introduced by the distinguished gentleman from Indiana, Senator Lugar, would designate the Post Office in Francesville, Indiana, as the Malcolm Melville ``Mac'' Lawrence Post Office. Mac Lawrence was a true leader in every sense of the word. After graduating from Purdue University in 1943, Mac was drafted into the Army and, with the First Medical Battalion, he participated in the D- Day landing at Normandy. For his heroics as an Army medic in World War II, Mac was awarded the Silver Star for valor, two Purple Hearts, and two Bronze Stars. After the war, Mac and his wife moved to Francesville, Indiana, where they were again teaching at the Francesville High School in 1946. He taught vocational agriculture and industrial arts and was greatly admired by his students for his dedication to his craft and for his encouraging and optimistic nature. After 30 years of service, he retired as administrator of the high school, whose students he spent a large part of his life educating. In addition, his service to his community did not go unnoticed. He served on the Francesville library board, was active in the Future Farmers of America, and participated in 4-H for 25 years. Mac's service to his country, State, and community were unparalleled, and I ask that all Members come together and honor this pillar of the Francesville, Indiana, community and pass Senate 2064. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Gen-Probe Incorporated in recognition of their recent receipt of a 2004 National Medal of Technology Laureate. On February 13, 2006, President George W. Bush presented Gen-Probe, a San Diego-based company, with our Nation's most prestigious technological innovation award, the National Medal of Technology Laureate. This award is in recognition of Gen-Probe's pioneering work to develop revolutionary nucleic acid tests to protect the Nation's blood supply from dangerous HIV-1 and hepatitis C viruses. Gen-Probe collaborated with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration among others, to create improved technologies and systems for the detection of viral diseases. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos joined the President in his praises, stating, ``Their creativity and willingness to take risks to achieve technological breakthroughs have helped make America the leader in innovation.'' The National Medal of Technology is the Nation's highest honor for technological innovation. As established by Congress in 1980, recognition is given to individuals, teams, and/or companies who ``embody the spirit of American innovation and who have advanced the Nation's global competitiveness.'' This award highlights contributions which will have made a lasting contribution to the Nation's workforce and quality of life. Mr. Speaker, I would like to join the President and the Commerce Secretary in personally recognizing the dedication and commitment of the researchers, engineers, lab analysts and assistants, and management who contributed to safeguarding our Nation's blood supply.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Fallbrook People to People Services on the occasion of 24 years of outstanding services to the North County San Diego community. On January 29, 2006, Fallbrook People to People Services celebrated 24 years of providing nonprofit, volunteer run, free employment and counseling resources to under served members of North San Diego County. The volunteers have served the community by matching citizens with needs with individuals whom can assist. As a result, over 11,300 jobs have been identified and filled. Mr. Speaker, with the dedication of Fallbrook People to People Service volunteers, many elderly or incapacitated clients are able to find affordable home health care, housekeeping, and home maintenance assistance that they would otherwise be unable to locate. Many local businesses also take advantage of this resource to staff sales, service, office and maintenance positions. Young mothers, first time workers, and middle-aged women are given assistance to support their families and find meaningful employment in order to become self- sufficient citizens. On the occasion of Fallbrook People to People Service's 24th anniversary, I would like to personally recognize the work of those who have served as volunteers, staff and board members of this exceptional, nonprofit organization.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4246) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8135 Forest Lane in Dallas, Texas, as the ``Dr. Robert E. Price Post Office Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4108) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3000 Homewood Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland, as the ``State Senator Verda Welcome and Dr. Henry Welcome Post Office Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk be authorized, if necessary, to produce a duplicate engrossment of H.R. 4525.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 483) supporting the goals and ideals of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4109) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6101 Liberty Road in Baltimore, Maryland, as the ``United States Representative Parren J. Mitchell Post Office,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 586) commemorating the life, achievements, and contributions of Alan Reich, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment to the preamble.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4515) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4422 West Sciota Street in Scio, New York, as the ``Corporal Jason L. Dunham Post Office,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 284, a resolution expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the 2005 presidential and parliamentary elections in Egypt. I consider myself a friend of Egypt and while I believe Egypt deserves praise and recognition for the steps toward democracy it has made this year by moving to a direct vote on the election for the office of President and the reforms that followed I must also, as a friend, express some disappointment and concern about missed opportunities. Specifically, I was disappointed to see that more was not done to ensure that domestic election monitoring officials would be granted full access to polling and counting stations. I have also been disappointed to learn about the continued severe limitations placed on respected international election observing organizations to gain accreditation and reasonable access to polling and counting sites. The International Republican Institute, which had a team of international election experts on the ground for the recent parliamentary elections reported, ``The November 2005 parliamentary election process does not support the claim that Egypt is in a process of democratic transformation.'' Mr. Speaker, this resolution rightfully focuses Congress's attention on a number of different aspects of the electoral process in Egypt. While there are many areas where improvement is needed in Egypt, I would like to give credit to Egypt where credit is due. The International Republican Institute made the following assessment in the conclusion section of its ``2005 Parliamentary Election Assessment in Egypt'' about positive developments in the most recent round of elections: Despite negative aspects of the 2005 Parliamentary elections, it is possible to highlight several notable achievements when compared with elections in the past. First, the role played by the domestic monitoring groups and the Judges' Club--as with the Presidential election--has been important, as elements of civil society begin to take a more active role in advocating for greater democratic freedom and pluralism. In addition, between monitoring groups and independent media, the government has permitted a new level of scrutiny from the domestic and international community. Several of IRI's delegates had spent time in Egypt in the late 1980's and early 1990's, and noted that the public debate about political reform and criticism of the ruling party and the government would have been unthinkable 10 or 15 years ago. The relative freedom with which state-run and independent press can debate these issues is an indicator of progress that should not go unmentioned. In closing, I stand ready to support Egypt as it moves toward truly competitive democratic elections. This movement is rarely easy, and I will be among the first to recognize progress made by Egypt as it occurs. I would also note that despite all shortcomings in the recent elections, Egypt--despite the work that needs to be done--remains a leader in the Middle East when it comes to democracy, its relationship with the United States, and its positive relationship with Israel. I believe it is, in fact, Egypt's close relationship with the United States that gives this Congress the responsibility to ensure that this relationship enhances the security, prosperity, and the democratic freedoms of both peoples. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 1287) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 332 South Main Street in Flora, Illinois, as the ``Robert T. Ferguson Post Office Building,'' and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. The passage of this legislation is fundamental to the security of our citizens and to reducing the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States. The number one issue that my constituents contact me about is securing our borders and fighting illegal immigration. This bill does both. Among the bill's provisions are greater cooperation between border sheriffs and Federal law enforcement, increased penalties for human smugglers, elimination of ``catch and release'' policies, and a requirement that employers screen for illegal applicants. This legislation is the outgrowth of a movement within Congress to address enforcement of our immigration laws prior to looking at any need for temporary worker provisions. I, along with dozens of my colleagues, signed the letter to President George Bush stressing the importance of addressing enforcement first. Today we accomplish that goal. I want to thank House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner and House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King for their hard work in bringing this legislation before the House, but I want to especially thank Chairman Sensenbrenner for incorporating my bill, the Criminal Alien Accountability Act, into the broader bill. Providing a strong disincentive to criminal aliens and human smugglers is integral to protecting our communities, and by strengthening penalties for these groups, the legislation effects such an end. We have a great deal of work left to do with regard to strengthening our borders and enforcing our workplace immigration laws, but this legislation is a strong start. I look forward to working with my fellow members of the Judiciary Committee and my constituents as we continue to improve our Nation's immigration enforcement policies.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Madam Chairman for the time, but also as the subcommittee chairwoman, you were instrumental in our ability to be able to bring this legislation to the floor quickly. Mr. Lantos particularly not only aided in bringing this to the floor, but, Mr. Speaker, this was a piece of legislation that was drafted and then aid was given on a bipartisan basis to make it a better, more comprehensive piece of legislation, and I am grateful for that. Mr. Speaker, it is a difficult task to keep coming to the well and asking for Congress to help in a war of words, a war of diplomacy that now wages in Lebanon and in Syria, but it is a better war to fight than a war with tanks and blood. What we are doing here with this resolution is we are saying to Syria that we want to avoid war; we are saying to Lebanon that we want to avoid war; but with the help of the French, the Germans, the United Nations, the entire world, we will in fact see that the murderers of Rafiq Hariri are brought to justice. But, more importantly, I think we send the message that diplomacy is in fact an alternative to war, but it is not an alternative to war forever. President Bush should be commended for the years of work that first Secretary Powell and now Secretary Rice have done in order to try to convince and cajole Syria to come in to the world of nations, to abandon its occupation of Lebanon, which it did not do without global pressure, and further to come clean about its support for Hezbollah, to certainly come clean for its support of various groups that have committed at least 12 separate bombings in Lebanon. I do not believe that Syria will hear this. I believe I am here tonight speaking, Mr. Speaker, to the American people and to the rest of the world in saying that, yes, we are using diplomacy to anyone who would possibly hear it. We are doing it with the United Nations, we are doing it in concert with every nation, every nation that rejects terrorism we are doing it with. But I think it is very clear that on a bipartisan basis, the House of Representatives in voting for this resolution is making it clear that we stand together against the kinds of activities that it is clear Syria has been implicated with. I have met with Bashar Assad. I met with him in 2001 and 2002 and 2003 and 2004. My hope was that he would embrace the West. He had been educated in the West, he had all that it would take to understand the benefits that would come from that, and he said he wanted them. But at the same time I met with Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, both here in the United States on his many trips and in Lebanon, and you could see how he was unable to enjoy the fruits of a democracy and a people that were able to bring an economy, even under adverse conditions, to more than twice the GDP of the region, and certainly far greater than Syria has ever had. In fact, Prime Minister Hariri had a model for Syria, but Syria would not follow it, and ultimately that schism between the two cultures led to people who were adverse to what Prime Minister Hariri stood for killing him. Today we do want to bring them to justice, but today, Mr. Speaker, it is very clear that we are using diplomacy. The Bush administration and this Congress is using diplomacy as an alternative to war, but as someone who recognizes that today, in President Bush's speech at about 11 o'clock today, he talked about there being one democracy in the Arab world. Mr. Speaker, I do not normally correct the President, but there are two democracies in the Arab world. Clearly Lebanon is a democracy, with a long history of being a democracy. Mr. Speaker, it will not be a functional democracy, it will not be a democracy that people like our President will speak of in those terms, until the outside forces that have dominated their very ability to exercise that democracy are pushed out, by diplomacy, if possible, by greater measures of the UN and the rest of the world if necessary. Mr. Speaker, I call for all of my fellow Members to vote for this resolution and to stand tall in support of Lebanon's attempt to be a real democracy in the Arab world.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank House Resources committee Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Rahall for allowing this bill to come to the floor today. I would also like to thank the Resources committee staff for all of their hard work on this bill. The Santa Margarita Conjunctive Use Project, authorized by this bill will provide safe, reliable, drought-and earthquake-proof water supply for more than 35,000 families. It will provide for enhanced recharge and recovery from the underground basin on Camp Pendleton to provide a constant water supply for both Camp Pendleton and the Fallbrook Public Utility District. While this bill passed the House in the second session of the 108th Congress it ended up running out of time in the other body. I am hopeful that this time around we will see quick movement of this legislation.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the chairman, the full committee chairman, and my cosponsor of this bill, Congresswoman Watson. We traveled to Russia earlier this year. We saw firsthand that it is not just about piracy; it is about a complete absence of a willingness to enforce that. On the main streets of Moscow, in fact, within sight of Red Square, one can every day see advertisements for movies, DVDs of movies that have not yet been released, impossible to exist, literally not existing in the United States; and yet they exist in Russia, already translated into Russian and, yes, as the chairman said earlier, into many other languages and exported around the world. The Russians admit that they have more than four times as many optical disk producers as they could possibly justify. And although we often talk about DVDs and music, we also need to recognize that Microsoft and other major software producers are being robbed of countless billions in this process. Many talk of the WTO accession and whether or not it is appropriate for Russia to be granted that, and I certainly agree it needs to be withheld until there is a showing of a willingness and a proven track record of enforcing these laws. But I want to make one other closing remark here. We pay, we the world pay world-class prices for oil no matter where we buy it in the world, and today that is $60 a barrel. Russia is one of the largest exporters of oil to Western Europe; and yet in a time when they are receiving $60 a barrel on what costs them less than $2 a barrel to get out of the ground, they will tell you they cannot afford the intellectual property produced by Neil Diamond, Steven Spielberg or from Bill Gates' company. This is disingenuous. Mr. Speaker, if they want to be part of a World Trading Organization, they have to recognize that value is not determined by what you are willing to pay; value is determined by what you are willing to pay for the legitimate goods in an arm's length relationship. We pay world- class prices for oil. They should pay world-class prices for intellectual property and not literally steal it from the inventors here in America and in Europe.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer H.R. 3507, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2005, for final passage in the House. This bill will transfer approximately 990 acres of land currently being held by the Bureau of Land Management to the United States to be held in trust for the Pechanga tribe as apart of their reservation. The Pechanga people have called the Temecula Valley, which is located in my district, their home for more than 10,000 years. They like to say that they have governed themselves and cared for their lands since time immemorial. This bill transfers into trust land that has immense historical, archaeological, and cultural significance for the Pechanga tribe. It also includes a memorandum of understanding that has been agreed upon by the Pechanga Tribe and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This M.O.U. provides restrictions that limit the use of this land to only preservation, protection and maintenance of its historical and cultural artifacts and its resources. It is widely agreed that the BLM currently has more land in its possession than it can properly care for and maintain. I view the opportunity to return this mostly rocky hillside area to those who are willing and have the resources to provide proper maintenance and care for the land. Mr. Speaker, the Pechanga have done an exemplary job of integrating and investing in their community, both on their reservation land and beyond. They have been good neighbors to the City of Temecula, and have demonstrated that they can properly care for and maintain Federal land transferred to their care. I hope that my colleagues will join me today in voting to pass this bill out of the House.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Firefighter Charles W. ``Chuck'' Perkins for his twenty-three years of dedicated service to the North County Fire Protection District and his commitment to serving his community. Chuck Perkins and his fellow firefighters from the North County Fire Protection District have served the Fallbrook, Bonsall and Rainbow areas with honor since the district was chartered in 1925. Classified an ``all-risk'' fire, rescue and hazard mitigation agency, it serves over 150 square miles in the northern-most portion of San Diego County. Chuck Perkins' service to his community began in 1982, as a Reserve Firefighter. On July 20, 1987, he was hired as a full-time Fire/EMS Dispatcher. His hard work and dedication were recognized on April 5, 1988, when he was hired as a full-time Firefighter. His contributions to the agency led to his promotion to the rank of Engineer on March 15, 1999. Engineer Perkins was actively involved in fire, rescue, emergency services and fire prevention programs. He managed the Engine Company's Fire Inspection Program for over ten years. The Fire Inspection Program, along with Engineer Perkins' skilled management resulted in a significant reduction in fire loss to the business community of the greater Fallbrook, Bonsall and Rainbow areas. Engineer Perkins is regarded as a humble and generous man by his fellow San Diegans. His involvement in the community is not limited to his work as an Engineer in the North County Fire Protection District. For the last fifteen years, Engineer Perkins has volunteered his time as a leader in the district's public education efforts. He demonstrated his passion for fire prevention and safety education by portraying ``Smokey the Bear,'' performing for thousands of school children during his career, promoting Smokey's fire prevention message, ``Only you can prevent forest fires.'' Engineer Perkins continues to share his time as a ``Partner in Prevention,'' by traveling to local schools, teaching kids to ``Stop, Drop and Roll'' as well as the ``Exit Drill in the Home'' (EDITH) exercise. In addition to his portrayal of Smokey the Bear, he also warns school children about the dangers of fire and smoke as ``Evil Mr. Smoke.'' Engineer Chuck Perkins will retire from the North County Fire Protection District on October 28, 2005, after more than 23 years of esteemed service, though he will continue to remain a leader in fire safety education. Chuck Perkins is due our respect and gratitude for his tireless service and genuine commitment to his community now, and in the future.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I was present in the Chamber and voted ``yea'' on H. Con. Res. 245. However, due to a malfunction, my vote was not recorded. As the author of the legislation, you can rest assured that I am a ``yea'' vote.

Mr. ISSA

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, this is not a de minimis issue, and those who would say that a constitutional question is ever inappropriate I am afraid do not understand the importance of millions of American children not knowing, depending upon where they live, how they should recite the Pledge of Allegiance. More importantly, it is not about religion. It is about from where our power comes. Our Founding Fathers rightfully said that our power came from the laws of nature and of nature's God in the Declaration of Independence. I do not know what Thomas Jefferson exactly meant; I was not there. What I do know is that our Founding Fathers believed that the power of the Almighty came to the American people and they loaned to government the right to govern them, rather than the sovereign that they had served in England, the sovereign who said that the powers of God came to him or her and that they then doled it out to the people they chose to. That difference is profound. It is the difference in American government that we are not the governed of our government but, in fact, the owners of our government. More importantly, I want the Members on both sides of the aisle to understand that this is not about raising or lowering the importance, it is not about deciding what is appropriate in the Pledge of Allegiance. What it is about is having the indecision between the Ninth and the Fourth Circuit appropriately decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Once decided by the Supreme Court, it would then be up to the people of the United States to decide if they wanted to change the Constitution, because the Supreme Court is in fact the final decision point. It is inappropriate, it is always inappropriate for the Supreme Court to allow an important issue to remain undecided and different in different parts of the United States. Therefore, appropriately, my bill asks the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the House and the Senate to take up this important issue, an appropriate issue, and to decide it. We do not determine how it is to be decided by the vote. Those who vote for this are simply asking the Supreme Court to decide an important issue to end the undecided issue between the Ninth and the Fourth and, for that matter, all the other circuits.

Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, in closing, in the past, over 300, sometimes over 400, Members of Congress have affirmed the Pledge as it is. I do not think this is a question about whether or not God is appropriate to be used at times. I think that has been decided within this body. Certainly ``In God We Trust'' above the Speaker's head says a great deal about the role of God in our deliberation. This resolution is about asking, albeit with a bent in favor of past votes, asking the Supreme Court to decide an issue. Ultimately, when we ask the Supreme Court to decide an issue, we are not deciding it. We are not binding them to some decision. Just the opposite. This is a free and independent judiciary that will decide the issue as it sees fit. But it is appropriate both for us to ask them to do it and, when appropriate as an amicus, enter into the debate at the Supreme Court. I expect we will do that if and when the Supreme Court takes this issue up. Mr. Speaker, I move strongly that the Members support the opportunity and the insistence to the extent of our authority that the Supreme Court take this unreconciled difference between two circuits up and decide one way or the other, one time, for the youth of America. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 245. It is time to settle the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance. America's circuit courts are currently split on the issue, and I introduced this resolution to encourage the Supreme Court to resolve this conflict on the side of patriotism. We come to this juncture because of an attempt by a very few to scour the public space of religious symbols and expression. They have targeted federal, state and local governments in a determined effort to erase every single reference to the existence of a higher power from public life. While they claim to be fighting the establishment of religion, what they are really doing is eliminating the freedom of religious expression. They have forgotten that the inclusion of ``under God'' in the Pledge is no more egregious than Thomas Jefferson including the phrase ``Laws of Nature and of Nature's God'' in the Declaration of Independence. In 2002, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in classrooms is unconstitutional. Far be it for we in Congress to criticize the wisdom of the 9th Circuit. I would rather compliment the 4th Circuit's ruling last month that the Pledge is constitutional. The 4th Circuit noted that the primary reason for the Establishment Clause within the First Amendment was to combat the practice of European nations compelling individuals to support government favored churches. The 4th Circuit stated that the inclusion of the words ``under God'' in the Pledge of Allegiance does not pose a threat to freedom of religion. We are left with two divergent interpretations of the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance. Two weeks ago, a U.S. District Court within the 9th Circuit judge stated that he was bound by precedent of the 9th Circuit and held that the Pledge is unconstitutional in another school district. The Supreme Court must decide the issue to ensure that our children have the right to express their patriotism through recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The Court had the opportunity to resolve this issue last year but failed to do so. It is time for the Supreme Court to step in and support the Pledge. I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of H. Con. Res. 245.