Walter Jones

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona for yielding me this time, and I thank my good friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) for his comments. He well stated the case for this land transfer. Mr. Speaker, I think many times that we all, no matter which side we are on, Democrat or Republican, we want to do what we think is right for the people of this country, as well as the environment. And as the gentleman from New Jersey said, my friend, and the gentleman from Arizona previously, this is a win-win for the Park Service and the taxpayers. Very seldom do we have debates on the floor where we can have both parties coming together and saying that this is a win for the taxpayer and this is a win for the Park Service. I want to just share with my colleagues, I have three or four photographs I would like to show. I have had the pleasure of getting to know these wonderful people from the Cherokee Tribe in Cherokee, North Carolina, the home of the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor), who wanted to be here today, but is running late because of his flight. These are the people that I think, and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) can speak to this better than I when he speaks in a few minutes, that of all of the people in this country that have been neglected, it has to be the Indians. I have never met such nice people, and meek and easy-going, intelligent people. As was said by the gentleman from Arizona, the young student from Cherokee High School that came down and testified before the committee, I had an opportunity to meet with Cory and some of his classmates in my office in the Cannon Building. They were saying to me, Congressman, it does not make any sense about this land transfer. We have tried to transfer this land for 3 or 4 years now, and nothing has ever come of it. And it is time that our kids, our children, K through 12, have a better environment to learn. This photograph, Mr. Speaker, to my left is a gym wall that is cracked and pushing inward. I will hold this up. This, in itself, shows us that the buildings are in a terrible situation. This is just one of three or four photographs I would like to show. Mr. Speaker, this is a photograph, it says, high school, major cracks in walls. This is just a regular classroom, and we can see the major cracks that have already developed in this building. As the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) said, this school is over 40 years old, 40 years old. All we are asking for today is a land swap. The Indians, by God, have given the Federal Government more than they have ever received from the Federal Government. That is a known history of this country. But in this case, this is a swap that is to the benefit of the environment and to the Park Service. But there again, I want to show this to the Members on the House Floor today, this is a major structural problem that the high school has in Cherokee, North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, this is another, if you will, crack at the school that I want everyone to see. I imagine anyone that is watching today can see that fairly well. But to my friends on the Democratic side, that is just another example of just how deplorable this school is and why this land swap needs to take place. Again, this land swap is supported by the majority on both sides. We all know about trailers. The Cherokee Indians are spending a lot of their time in trailers, but we know that is true outside of the Cherokee Tribe. That is one of the problems that we as a Nation need to address as it relates to other schools. But, Mr. Speaker, this actually comes down to the fact that these school buildings are structurally unsafe and have been condemned. I am not sure if the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), my friend, might have said that, but I want to reaffirm if he did say it, these buildings have been condemned. So this is the only opportunity and option that these students have. The Cherokee leadership has been for 4 and 5 years coming here to Washington, meeting with the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor) and the two Senators from North Carolina, just asking the Interior Department to just transfer this land, to swap it. And we, the American Government, get a better deal when it comes to the cost and the price of the land. As the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) said, and I will close in just a second, that 218 acres of pristine land that contains two endangered species, that is now owned by the Cherokees, will be transferred to the Federal Government. In turn, the Federal Government will transfer 143 acres of nonpristine land and has no endangered species on that land. So, Mr. Speaker, I see this as a win.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, this is a very important issue that I bring to the floor. As you can see behind me, these are the faces of just a few of the men and women who have died for this country, both in Afghanistan and Iraq. I bring this to the floor because last year I introduced a bill to repeal the tax on the death gratuity. The death gratuity, Mr. Speaker, is a ``thank you,'' if you will, not enough, but it is a check that is given to the families of those who have given loved ones in uniform that have died for this country. I want to say to the leadership on both sides that last year you did, and I thank both sides, put the language from that bill into a larger bill to bring tax relief to our men and women in uniform, but the other body did not pass the bill. This year, I put the bill back in as H.R. 693, to repeal the tax on the death gratuity. It was put into a larger bill known as the Military Tax Fairness Act, supported by both sides, sent to the other body, known as the Senate, and they still have not moved that bill. So I am coming to the floor as much as possible to ask the leadership on the House side, both Republican and Democrat, to please bring up as a stand-alone bill, H.R. 693. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to show you another photograph. This is a young fellow whose father was killed in Iraq. His name is Tyler Jordan. His father was a Gunnery Sergeant killed while fighting for freedom in Iraq. Mr. Speaker, I bring this to the floor because this next year, his mother will receive a tax bill from Uncle Sam. Mr. Speaker, how much does a family have to give? It gives a loved one, who has died for freedom, to protect the American people. Why can we not, as a Congress, send to the President, before we leave in November, a bill to say that we are going to repeal the tax on the death gratuity? Mr. Speaker, I hope that the leadership on the House side, both Republican and Democrat, will join me in bringing this bill to the floor as a stand-alone bill, and let us send it to the other body and ask them to please look into their own hearts and pass that legislation and send it to the President. No family that has given a loved one, and in many cases a child, a father, a husband, should be asked next year by Uncle Sam to pay a tax on that gift. So, with that, Mr. Speaker, I am going to close, as I do all over my district, the Third District of North Carolina, the home of Camp Lejeune Marine Base, Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Mr. Speaker, I ask God to please bless the men and women in uniform; I ask God to please bless the families of the men and women in uniform; I ask God to please hold the families who have lost loved ones in His loving arms. I ask God to please bless the House and Senate, that we will do what is right in the eyes of the Lord; and I ask God to please bless the President of the United States, that will he have courage and wisdom to what is right for this Nation, today and tomorrow. Mr. Speaker, I close three times by asking God, God please, God please, God please continue to bless America.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am back on the floor tonight to say to the House and to the other body, the Senate, that we need to pass legislation to remove the tax that is sent to the families of those who have given their loved one to die for this country. Mr. Speaker, I want to introduce my colleagues to a young man whose name is Tyler Jordan. Tyler's father, gunny sergeant Phillip Jordan, died for this country. He died in Iraq. He gave his life for this country. Yet, Mr. Speaker, because we have not removed a tax on the death gratuity that will be sent to his family this year, next year his family will have to pay a tax on $6,000. Last year I put a bill in that would remove this tax; and it was supported by both parties, Democrat and Republican. It was sent in a larger bill to the Senate, but the Senate could not find the time to pass the legislation. This year again, the House, in a bipartisan way, Democrat and Republican, have sent to the Senate a larger bill with this provision in it to remove this tax on this death gratuity, and the Senate still has not taken the time to pass it. Behind me are faces of those who have given their lives for this country. Their families next year will receive a tax bill from Uncle Sam. Mr. Speaker, I think when a family gives a loved one dying for freedom, the least that the House and the Senate can do is to repeal this tax. The history of this is that in the early 1990s, there was a $3,000 death gratuity sent to the family. It was increased to $6,000, but the Congress did not take off the tax on the additional $3,000, so that means on the $6,000 death gratuity that is sent to the family, a tax will have to be paid. Mr. Speaker, I am going to call on the House leadership, both Republican and Democrat, the Senate leadership, and the President of the United States that we not leave here in November of this year and say to the families who have given a loved one that you are going to receive a tax bill from Uncle Sam. I look at this young man that I hold up again, his name is Tyler Jordan. His father, Phillip, a Marine, gunny sergeant, died for this country. Yet not only did he give up his father, but also his family is going to be asked to pay a tax. This is unacceptable. There are many issues that we debate here in the House of Representatives, many issues that are so important; but is there anything more important than to say to a family, you gave a loved one for this country. The least we can do is to eliminate this tax. So I am asking my colleagues on both sides of the political aisle to please help me encourage the House leadership, both Republican and Democrat, that we not leave this year without sending to the floor of the House H.R. 693, a bill that I have introduced supported by both sides, the military death gratuity tax repeal, get it to the floor and pass it. Because I do not want to come back here in 2004 and think that we have asked a family that gave a loved one that they had to pay a tax. Let me give my colleagues a quick example. On September 11 of 2001, over 292 military families paid a tax on the gift of a loved one. In the year 2002, if this bill had passed last year, but since it did not pass, 1,700 families had to pay a tax on the gift of a loved one who died for freedom in America. So, Mr. Speaker, it is my hope as I conclude tonight that as we look at the faces of these who have given their lives for America, we look at the little boy who gave his father for this country, that we will not leave here in November without passing H.R. 693 on the floor of this House and let us send it to the other body and ask them to pass that legislation. I am going to write a letter to the President of the United States, send it tomorrow, and ask the President to please get behind this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I close as I do in my district and I did last night: I ask God to please bless our men and women in uniform, to please bless their families, and I ask God to please in his loving way in his arms to hold the families who have given their loved ones dying for freedom. I ask God to please bless the American people, to bless the House and Senate that we will do what is right in the eyes of God Almighty. I ask God to please be with the President of the United States so that he will do what is right for the future of this country. And I ask three times, God please, God please, God please continue to bless America.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of one of the most compassionate people to have walked the earth: Mother Teresa of Calcutta. I was not fortunate enough to personally know Mother Teresa, but I have been blessed to stand within twenty feet of this incredible woman. A few years ago, we presented Mother Teresa with the Congressional Gold Medal. Arriving early, I was able to sit near enough that I could see every detail of Mother Teresa's face. Though she was old and weathered, one thought struck me as I stared at this living saint, ``What a beautiful face.'' Through her years in Calcutta she had seen illness and death, mourning and tragedy. She was rugged and aging, but, Mr. Speaker, she still possessed a perfectly beautiful face of love. Were she still with us today, Mother Teresa would have celebrated her birthday on August 27. This year, Pope John Paul II will honor the life and service of Mother Teresa by beatifying her on October 19. Mr. Speaker, to be honest, words cannot do this holy servant justice. I am convicted of my own inability to serve as selflessly as she did. This saint did the Lord's work on a daily basis, with no desire to be recognized, thanked or applauded. I am certain that when she went Home to meet her Maker, she was greeted at the gates of heaven by the Father, with arms open wide, saying to her, ``Well done, my good and faithful servant.'' Each of us should seek to serve with even one-third of the heart that Mother Teresa had. She is an example to us all of what a difference one life can make to so many millions. Mother Teresa used to say, ``There is joy in transcending self to serve others.'' Mr. Speaker, to all of us in Congress, I truly pray we can find such joy--such pure and selfless joy. Happy Birthday, Mother Teresa. And may God bless the souls of those who still remain on this earth, seeking to carry on the tradition of servitude you left behind.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I came to the floor today because let me first explain the posters on my left and right are the faces of young men and women who have died fighting for freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan, and also, Mr. Speaker, I hold up a photograph of a young man from Connecticut whose name is Tyler Jordan, 6 years old. He has the American flag folded under his arm, and he is looking at the casket of his father who died for freedom. Gunny Sergeant Phillip Jordan from Connecticut died for freedom. Mr. Speaker, the reason I am on the floor today is that last year I introduced a bill that would repeal the tax on the death gratuity. The American military family receives when a loved one dies a small amount of money. It is $6,000, and there is a tax on $3,000 of the $6,000. And last year we passed in a larger bill a repeal, and it was sent to the other body and they did nothing with it. This year again the House has passed the same language which was in H.R. 693, the Military Death Gratuity Tax Repeal, the bill I put in. It was put into a larger bill that went to the Senate, and they still have taken no action. Let me tell the Members what that means. From September 11, 2001, to December 31, 2001, over 292 military were killed and their families paid a tax on the gift of their son or loved one fighting for freedom. That is absolutely horrible in my opinion, Mr. Speaker. And in the year 2002, 1,007 families had to pay a tax on the death of a loved one. Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to say that we, the House, have done our part and we have sent to the other body legislation to repeal this tax. It is unacceptable that any family in this country who has a loved one who has died for freedom would get a bill tax due from Uncle Sam. And, Mr. Speaker, I am calling on the House leadership to bring up H.R. 693, bring it to the floor as a stand-alone bill, let us pass it and send it over to the other body, because if we will do that, Mr. Speaker, I will go on every radio show I can get on, every TV show I can get on, and ask that we not leave this October/November without passing this bill to eliminate the tax on the death gratuity. $6,000 is not enough. We need to raise that, but there is one thing we can do, take off the tax. Again I hold up the photograph of this young man, Tyler Jordan, who gave his father to this country, and why in the world should his family, in the year 2004, get a tax due bill from Uncle Sam? Is not giving the life of a loved one fighting for freedom enough? So, again, Mr. Speaker, I ask the House leadership, both Republican and Democrat, to join me and bring to the floor H.R. 693. Let us repeal this death tax and send it over to the other body, and let us put pressure on them to get it to the President so that the other Phillip Jordans throughout this country will not have a mother or father saying I owe Uncle Sam tax on the gift of my loved one. Mr. Speaker, with that, I want to close by asking God to please bless our men and women in uniform. I ask God to please bless the families of our men and women in uniform, and I ask God in His loving way to hold in his arms those who have lost ones fighting for freedom, and I ask God to bless the American people, the House and Senate that we will do what is right. I ask God to give strength and wisdom to the President of the United States. And I ask God three times, please, God; please, God; please, God, continue to bless America.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend my friend and a fellow North Carolinian, W. Cloyce Anders of Raleigh, who is completing his highly successful term as President of the nation's largest insurance association--the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA)--later this month in Las Vegas. He was elected to IIABA's Executive Committee in September 1997. Cloyce is president of VFIS of North Carolina and Anders, Ireland & Marshall, Inc., both of Raleigh as well as a managing partner of Independent Agency Services, LLC, of Durham. Even before his service as IIABA president, Cloyce's career as an independent insurance agent was marked with distinguished service and dedication to his clients, community, IIABA, the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC), and his colleagues across the country. His service to his peers began with his involvement at the state level with IIANC. He served as IIANC president for a year beginning in 1989 and represented the state on IIABA's National Board of State Directors from 1992 to 1997. In recognition of his outstanding service, he was honored by the North Carolina association as its Agent of the Year, Young Agent of the Year, Educator of the Year, and Committee Chairman of the Year. Cloyce also is a concerned and highly active member of his community. He has served as president of several community organizations, including the Craven County Chamber of Commerce, New Bern Jaycees, Craven County Committee of 100; and as chairman of the Salvation Army Craven County Board, Craven County March of Dimes, Craven County Heart Fund, Craven County Cancer Drive, Craven County Committee of 100, and Salvation Army Building Fund Drive. He is a member of the North Carolina Fire & Rescue Commission and is the facilitator for the Wake County Fire Commission. He also is chairman of the North Carolina Safety Workers Compensation Fund. I laud Cloyce for his tireless and selfless leadership of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America and the many accomplishments benefiting all independent insurance agents and brokers realized during his tenure as President. I know that even though Cloyce will step aside as IIABA leader soon, he will remain involved with the Association because he is a concerned leader and wants to continue helping his colleagues build for a strong and secure future. Congratulations on a job well done, Cloyce!

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act. This legislation is a simple provision aimed to provide a small amount of relief to surviving beneficiaries of military retirees. As my colleagues may be aware, federal regulations require the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) to terminate payment of the retired pay upon notification of the retiree's death. Once the surviving spouse or beneficiary notifies the finance center, DFAS then electronically withdraws the entirety of the last payment from the deceased retiree's checking account. Then several weeks later, the retiree's beneficiary will receive a check in the mail containing a pro-rated portion of the military pay for the days for which the retiree was still living. The current process rightfully and sensibly seeks to only pay military retirees for when they are alive, but it can and often does have an adverse impact on the retiree's beneficiary. Many of these surviving spouses or caregivers are living on fixed incomes. When the retirement pay is deposited, they use those funds to pay things like rent, medical expenses, or other living expenses. Automatically withdrawing those funds can inadvertently cause rent checks to bounce and place great additional financial strain on a beneficiary when they are already faced with great loss and the prospect of additional costs associated with the military retiree's death. In many respects, a military spouse has provided equal service and sacrifices as the military members themselves. While they may not face the perils of combat, they often raise families alone, endure long separations, and provide a mutual safety net for other military families. This legislation seeks to recognize that sacrifice by forgiving the overpayment made to the surviving beneficiary if that beneficiary has a joint bank account with the military retiree. In order to offset some of the minimal cost, the recipient receiving the overpayment would forgo the first month of Survivor Benefit Plan payments. The individual amounts will be small, but they will provide great comfort to those who are already losing much. In closing, I would like to thank the Fleet Reserve Association for their great assistance in working with me on this legislation. They are dedicated advocates for military personnel and their families, and this is just one more example of their efforts. I look forward to working with the Fleet Reserve Association and many other colleagues in seeing enactment of this legislation.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, we know it is a very difficult budget year and lots of decisions have to be made. I have 61,000 retired veterans and military retirees, combined, that live in the Third District of North Carolina, the home of Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. And like each and every one of my colleagues, I know we all care about our vets, but let me say that sometimes, for all of us who serve, you get a little bit wondering, what are our priorities? And with all of the responsibilities we have, should those vets be number one for this country? I believe those of us who had the privilege to serve--and no, I do not have a military background, but Members do not need a military background to appreciate those who put the uniform on for this country. Mr. Chairman, I think about those young kids at Walter Reed and those young kids at Bethesda who lost a limb, many are paralyzed, and in the short term they will be taken care of, but how about 3 and 4 and 5 years down the road? We are losing beds and losing care. America is too great to let this happen. Let me say, Mr. Chairman, in closing, that many of my vets ask me, we find this money for foreign aid, we find $15 billion for Africa, and they want to help the AIDS victims in Africa, but they agree and I agree, they should come first. Then if we have extra money, let us help the other people; but for God's sake, let us not forget our vets. We made a promise a few months ago that it would be $1.8 billion. I know the chairman and the ranking member are two of the finest men here in the House, and this is not their doing or their fault, but let us reestablish our priorities and let us take care of those who are willing to give their lives for us.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce legislation aimed at honoring American Prisoners of War from the Greatest Generation. Over two years ago, two of my constituents who were POWs during World War II in the Pacific Theatre approached me about awards they felt they should have received. The Japanese has imprisoned each of the men, one of whom was a survivor of the Bataan Death March. These men were beaten, tortured and starved--one weighed 70 pounds when he was liberated. After their release, each of them was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal because of their internment. However, despite the harsh and sometimes violent treatment received at the hands of their captors, neither received the Purple Heart. Current law for POWs held prior to 1962 requires documentation from the camps or detailed statements from former POW commanding officers in order to be eligible for the Purple Heart. But the Japanese, and later the North Koreans, certainly provided no documentation. Now when World War II and Korean war vets are dying by the thousands every day, it is becoming even harder to find survivors from specific camps. The bill I am introducing recognizes the hardships borne by World War II and Korean war POWs by providing additional assistance to those who would have earned the award if they had today's record keeping. It requires the Department to provide some additional historical information from the period and gives them some benefit of the doubt with respect to injuries. This legislation is not about lowering the standard for a sacred award--the Purple Heart. Instead it is about properly recognizing the realities of the horrible suffering endured in the Japanese and North Korean POW camps for a small number of surviving heroes.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2427 to allow affordable prescription drugs to be sold in this country. American consumers continue to pay drug prices that are 30 to 300 percent more than in Europe and other industrialized nations and this is wrong. The citizens of the 3rd District of North Carolina are like the citizens across this nation--they are looking to the Congress for help--prescription drugs in this country must be more affordable. H.R. 2427 would allow individuals, pharmacists and wholesalers in America access to FDA approved drugs from FDA approved facilities in industrialized nations. Studies show that over 50 percent of our nation's current drug supply comes from FDA approved laboratories overseas; the only difference is that American consumers do not benefit from the lower prices available in these foreign countries. Those outside of Congress who are opposed to this bill have spent millions of dollars to keep American consumers from benefiting from H.R. 2427. In my opinion they have taken the low road in this debate. Mr. Speaker I will close by saying that the citizens of America have the right to have access to affordable prescription drugs. The costs of research and development by pharmaceutical companies should not be on the backs of American consumers. Like President Reagan said, ``markets are more powerful than armies.'' Allow for prescription drug importation and let the R&D costs be bourn by all the countries who are benefiting from these drugs. It is my sincere hope that we can pass this legislation.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, Members can see beside me and behind me are photographs of men and women who have died in Operation Freedom; and the reason I come to the floor with these photographs, I do not want us as Members of Congress to ever forget, not that we ever would, the high cost of freedom, because someone has given a life to ensure that the American people as well as the people of Iraq can have the freedom that we in America are guaranteed by our Constitution. The reason I wanted to come to the floor is because many of my colleagues, as well as people throughout this country, do not realize that each and every family that has a loved one killed in the military receives what is called a death gratuity. It is a small amount of money, I do not think it is enough, but it is a check for $6,000. What makes it even worse than the amount is a tax on part of the $6,000. In the 107th Congress, I introduced legislation to eliminate the tax, and let me say that the House did its job in a bipartisan way and passed the legislation, sent it over to the other body and they failed to act on that legislation. Because of that, Mr. Speaker, families throughout this country, actually 292 military families, had to pay a tax on the death gratuity they received on the death of a loved one serving this Nation and possibly fighting for freedom. Mr. Speaker, if the other body does not pass this legislation that we have sent over there again this year, meaning 2003, very possibly in 2004 there could be as many as 200 to 300 families in this country that will receive from Uncle Sam a notice that they owe tax on the death gratuity. I think this is unacceptable. I think it is deplorable that any family that would give a loved one to serve this Nation who has given their life to protect freedom would next year receive a tax notice from Uncle Sam. Mr. Speaker, I think that is unacceptable. I think the other body needs to do its job and pass legislation to ensure that in the year 2004 the families who lose loved ones serving this Nation will not have to pay a tax on a $6,000 death gratuity. I think we as Congress must ensure that the families who have lost those loved ones will not be asked by Uncle Sam to pay a tax on the small amount of $6,000 for that loved one who has given their life. I close by encouraging the other body to do its job and not leave this fall and not have passed this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I close as I always do in my district, I ask God to please bless our men and women in uniform, I ask God to please bless their families, I ask God to please bless the families who have lost loved ones, I ask God to please bless the House and Senate that we will do what is right in the eyes of God, I ask God to please bless the President of the United States that he will do what is right in the eyes of God, and I ask three times, God please, God please, God please continue to bless America.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a public servant who has given a great deal not only to his home state of North Carolina, but to his country as a whole. Since 1969, Mr. A. Lance Emory has been a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In August, Mr. Lance will retire from the FBI. He leaves behind a legacy of great achievements and his departure will create quite a void in our nation's highly revered investigative bureau. A. Lance Emory was born on June 6, 1946 in Greensboro, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of Miami in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in education. He completed his graduate studies in business at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York. Beginning his career as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in December 1969, his first assignment was the Springfield office in Illinois where he investigated general criminal matters. Just two years later he was transferred to New York City. Mr. Emory spent six busy years investigating organized crime and drug matters in the FBI office in New York. In 1977, Mr. Emory was transferred back home to the Tarheel state where he joined the Charlotte office. While in Charlotte, he continued investigating organized crime/drug matters and gained extensive experience in the use of undercover techniques. In 1983, Mr. Emory received the United States Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service for his investigative accomplishments. In 1985, as a Supervisory Special Agent, Mr. Emory oversaw the Organized Crime, Drug, Interstate Theft and Government Crime programs. He is recognized as a subject matter expert in the organized crime/drug arena and has represented the FBI in numerous forums. A short tour in the Legal Attache's office in Canberra, Australia followed . . . and that time abroad would lead to an international assignment for Mr. Emory. In June 1995, Mr. Emory began his assignment as the Assistant Legal Attache in London. His primary responsibilities were for FBI operations in the Nordic countries. In August 1999, Mr. Emory assumed his present position as Legal Attache London. When not travelling the world as a world class FBI associate, Mr. Emory tries to find time to work on his golf game as so many North Carolinians do. When not on the links, he spends as much time as he can with his lovely wife, the former Susan Lierk of Alliance, Nebraska. It is with a sincere heart that I rise today to thank Mr. Emory for his great service for our nation. Lance Emory, I salute you for your dedication to your country and to the FBI. May God bless you and your wife as you begin your next adventure together. May you wake each morning and enjoy the immense amount of time you now have together . . . and may this new journey be just as exhilarating. Thank you, Lance Emory. From all of us.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, if my colleagues will yield, I would say that the comments of both these gentlemen are correct. Free markets are more powerful than armies, and I think my colleague's quote from former President Ronald Reagan, and everything else that has been said tonight by my friend, is so true. The whole thing is that this is a critical issue to so many people throughout this country and we need to do what is right. The right thing to do is to look at the gentleman's bill, put this bill on the floor, let it be debated, let it pass or fail, but do not bottle this bill up. Too many people throughout this country need this relief. And so, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues, and I yield back to the gentleman from Illinois.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel) for being on the floor tonight and allowing me to be part of this because I think, as both have said, this is not a political partisan issue, because we have on my colleague's bill numerous Republicans and Democrats who have joined to open markets up to the citizens, not just senior citizens, but they are the first in our mind, but citizens that can buy drugs at a much cheaper price and still have the same quality. I must tell my colleagues, I represent the 3rd Congressional District of North Carolina. It is a great district for me to represent, and every time I do a town meeting, I am not kidding you, for the last 3 years they have said to me, Congressman, what are y'all going to do in Washington to help bring the costs down? I am talking about senior citizens who are 65 and 70 and 80, and many of these people truthfully are living on a very small amount of money, Social Security and what they might receive from Medicare. It bothers me to know that we who are sent here by the people, and they trust us to do what is right, and many times politics gets such that we have people that participate in the process, which is good that we do, not just voting, but also contributing to candidates and to parties, and I am afraid that this issue really has gotten bottled up into an area that concerns me greatly. If I might take just a moment, and then I will yield back to the gentleman from Illinois. We have a dear friend that came with us in 1994. That was the year that the Republicans took over the House. His name is Tom Coburn. He is an M.D., and Tom retired 3 or 4 years ago, and quite frankly, we miss him if he should be watching tonight. We miss him in many ways. But as my colleagues well know, both you gentlemen know that certain prolife groups have gotten involved in this issue who are opposed to your legislation, and I hate to say it, but I am afraid there might be some outside group helping them fight your legislation. I will let you and the gentleman from Illinois maybe pick up on that in a minute, but let me read, and I will submit this entire letter for the Record, but I want to read two paragraphs very quickly. This is to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht). It says: ``Dear Gil: I was shocked to learn that some opponents of free-market access for prescription drugs have begun arguing that your legislation, H.R. 2427, the `Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of 2003,' somehow promotes abortion and, more specifically, the availability of abortion drugs such as RU-486.'' Second paragraph and last one, ``As you may recall, while in the House I was the author of not only provisions to permit the reimportation of FDA-approved drugs, but also the author of the House- approved proposal to block FDA approval of RU-486.'' Tom Coburn again, ``As a prolife practicing physician who earned a 100 percent prolife voting record while serving in Congress, I find it ludicrous that those who oppose your legislation would resort to ad hominem attacks with no basis in reality.'' I will insert the entire letter at this point. July 10, 2003. Hon. Gil Gutknecht, Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Gil: I was shocked to learn that some opponents of free-market access for prescription drugs have begun arguing that your legislation, H.R. 2427, the ``Pharmaceutical Market Access Act of 2003'' somehow promotes abortion and, more specifically, the availability of abortion drugs such as RU- 486. As you may recall, while in the House I was the author of not only provisions to permit the reimportation of FDA- approved drugs, but also the author of the House-approved proposal to block FDA approval of RU-486. As a pro-life practicing physician who earned a 100 percent pro-life voting record while serving in Congress, I find it ludicrous that those who oppose your legislation would resort to ad hominem attacks with no basis in reality. I can state unequivocally that your legislation in no way, shape, or form promotes abortion. (Many pro-life members are original cosponsors of your legislation and, quite obviously, do not believe your bill violates their deeply held convictions about the sanctity of life.) Those who argue that your legislation makes abortion drugs more accessible by lowering overall drug prices necessitate the conclusion that in order to be pro-life one must be in favor of increasing all drug costs. I suppose the argument would be the higher the drug costs the more fervent your pro-life beliefs. In Washington, it was always sad to see organizations drift from their core principles and take positions that defied common sense and logic. Any organization that links your legislation with the abortion debate will, in the long-term, undermine their credibility and relevancy in Washington. While the pharmaceutical industry has produced many wonderful life-saving drugs, it would be unwise for anyone to believe that the industry that developed and fought for FDA approval of RU-486 is now motivated by a passion for the pro-life cause. The fact that opponents of your legislation have resorted to these attacks is shameful, yet the obtuseness of their logic ultimately serves to highlight the soundness of your argument. Sincerely yours, Tom A. Coburn, M.D., Former Member of Congress. I want to share that with you and Mr. Emanuel just to say that this is a very critical, vital issue to the senior citizens and also the people of this country who must have drugs to have a quality of life.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, to my left are photographs of just a few of the men and women that were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan in the last year and a half. And the reason I came to the floor is because we passed the House in a very bipartisan way legislation to bring some tax relief to our men and women in uniform, and I came to the floor because the other body has not taken this legislation up. I happen to have a bill, H.R. 693, it is called the Military Death Gratuity Improvement Act of 2003. A lot of people do not know this throughout this country, but every time a man or woman in uniform, whether it is wartime or non-wartime, is killed, the family gets what is called a death gratuity. Quite frankly it is not enough, but it is $6,000 that is given to the family. In 1991 they raised the death gratuity from $3,000 to $6,000, but they failed to take the tax off $3,000. So therefore at the end of the year the family who has lost a loved one fighting for freedom to protect us and this great Nation will probably get a tax bill from the IRS. And I must say, Mr. Speaker, I think it is absolutely unacceptable that this Congress would allow the family of a deceased man or woman in uniform who has died fighting for this country to get a bill from Uncle Sam saying they owe a tax on a small amount of money, $6,000. So I wanted to come to the floor tonight because I have three bases in my district, Camp Lejeune Marine Base and Cherry Point Marine Station and also Seymour Johnson Air Force Base; and I have a great affection for our men and women in uniform, all services, not just those that I named, the Marines and Air Force, but all. And, again, I think that as we debate these large issues here in Washington, and they are very important issues no matter which side of the political aisle one is on, the least we can do is to take this tax off for the family who has lost a loved one fighting for freedom in Iraq, fighting in Operation Enduring Freedom, and I just hope that the other body, Mr. Speaker, very soon will pass this legislation, not just the bill I put in, which is part of a bigger package, but we need to make sure that in the year 2004 when the families who have lost loved ones receive their tax bill that they are not going to see a tax on the death gratuity that was given to family. So, Mr. Speaker, I must say as I begin to close that my staff, and I want to compliment my staff, we have a photograph outside my office of everyone that has died in this fight for freedom in Operation Freedom in Iraq and also those that were killed in Afghanistan. So I hope, and again I am being repetitious but I do not apologize for it, that the Senate will do their job and make sure that the family that receives not only the notice that their son or daughter has given their life for this great Nation but also to make sure that at the end of the year that family does not receive a notice from Uncle Sam that they owe a tax on $6,000. So, Mr. Speaker, I close the way I do all over my district. I ask God to please bless the men and women in uniform. I ask God to please bless the families of those who have men and women in uniform. And I ask God to please in his loving arms hold the families who have lost loved ones dying for freedom, and I ask God to please bless the House and Senate that we will do what is right in the eyes of God. I ask God to bless the President, that he will have the strength and the wisdom to lead this great Nation. And I ask three times, God, please, God, please, God, please continue to bless America.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to introduce to you the TREA Senior Citizens League and its new leadership. The TREA Senior Citizens League (TSCL) is a national group of politically active seniors concerned about the protection of their earned Social Security, Medicare, military, and other retirement benefits. TSCL originated as a group of retired enlisted servicemen and women. TSCL is among the largest seniors groups with over 1.2 million active members. It is a non-partisan, non-profit educational and advocacy organization. Key issues for TSCL include Social Security COLA fairness; using a separate CPI-E consumer price index for the elderly to calculate COLA for seniors; Notch reform; and a fair medicare and prescription drug coverage. One of the main issues continues to center on Notch reform and providing either a lump sum benefit over four years or an improved benefit calculation for those individuals born in the years 1917-1926. It is also important to ensure that future generations do not receive lower benefits because of the year in which they were born or because of government miscalculations in the Social Security system. Since 2001 TSCL has been under the leadership of Board of Trustees Chairman George Smith with board members Ms. Dottie Holmes, Mr. Fred Athans, Mr. Richard Brogan, and more recently Mr. Ralph McCutchen. The elected TSCL Board of Trustees is a volunteer board governing the organization. Retirees and near-retirees make up the board and volunteer their services with the goal of improving the lives of fellow seniors. It was a pleasure for me to meet with their fine Board of Trustees Members List October at their offices in Alexandria, Virginia. Under the forward-looking leadership of George Smith, the organization is determined to gain greater credibility and respectability both in Congress and in the country as a whole. In this regard Chairman Smith is to be commended for enlisting my good friend and former colleague in Congress Former Ambassador David Funderburk as TSCL's Legislative Consultant. The legislative program for the organization for the 108th Congress includes plans for personal meetings with over half of the Members of Congress to try to gain support for issues of interest to seniors and TSCL members. TSCL efforts in these tasks have been boosted by the recent scholarly study of noted economist Dr. John Haldi that verifies the viability of the Notch. The organization has an active website, newsletter and direct mail communication with its members. Just in the first half of 2003, TSCL has hosted a press conference in the Capitol, and worked with Members of Congress and the White House on the prescription drug issue. A Dear Colleague letter from six Members of Congress has introduced the organization and its issues to the whole Congress. Several Members of the House and Senate have recently contributed articles on seniors issues to the TSCL newsletter: The Social Security & Medicare Advisor. And I am pleased to say that TSCL strongly supports my bill: The Social Security Guarantee Act. Since Mr. Smith took over leadership of the TSCL Board of Trustees he has brought a seriousness of purpose and a determination to build credibility and respect for the organization. He insisted that the group's educational efforts through direct mail be well researched and documented. As Chairman Smith says, TSCL does not sell anything. Rather it strives to educate the public about issues important to senior citizens. Since so many of them have served their country in the military and in so many other ways, they are especially deserving of fair treatment. When Mr. Smith one day completes his voluntary stint as Chairman of the TSCL Board of Trustees he should be able to say that he has left the organization much better off than he found it. He is to be commended for his vision and his desire to help some of the most worthy and needy of all of our citizens: our senior citizens including many who served the military and fought for their country. I am happy to pay tribute to the organization and its leadership.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to submit this letter to the Editor for the Congressional Record. The letter was written by a man for whom I have endless respect my friend Ray Flynn, the President of the American Catholic Alliance, former Mayor of Boston and U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican. Like myself, Ambassador Flynn believes strongly in fighting for increased human rights and religious freedom throughout the world. I support Ambassador Flynn and the entire American Catholic Alliance in their efforts to right the wrongs in Cuba. I would like to enter this document from Ambassador Flynn, entitled, ``Human Rights in Cuba'' for the Record. Human Rights in Cuba Dear Editor: Pope John Paul II publicly released a letter that the Vatican sent to Fidel Castro a couple of weeks ago expressing dismay at Cuba's crackdown on political dissent. The pope personally appealed to Castro to show leniency with dissidents recently given harsh prison sentences and denounced the execution of the men who seized a ferry to reach the United States. The letter, which was signed by the Vatican Secretary of State Angelo Cardinal Sodano, stated in part, ``The Holy Father felt deeply pained when he learned of the harsh sentences recently imposed on numerous Cuban citizens. And even, for some of them, the death penalty.'' Thus far, Castro has not acknowledged the letter. Speaking at a political luncheon in Boston and also later on MSNBC national television on Saturday, I said, ``Castro has a human rights record of shame. He has oppressed and persecuted many Cubans including those in the Catholic Church and priests whose only objective was to teach the world about God.'' The U.S. Government and the international community have closed their eyes to this injustice and terror in Cuba for forty years. Cuba sits only ninety miles off the United States coast, but it continues to be one of the world's worst violators of human rights. When you see what has been happening in Cuba these many years, you have to be concerned about whether we have lost our moral compass. Our government policy of looking the other way when it comes to human rights abuses must be changed. When members of the U.S. Congress visit Castro in the future, they should demand that the Cuban leader recognize and respect the God given rights of all individuals. Our policy in Cuba has been a failure. Economic boycotts and expanding business opportunities have not worked. Pope John Paul II has been a clear and consistent moral voice on human rights issues throughout the world, but the international community must be equally committed.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time, and I want to thank the chairman of this committee and the ranking member for working with me on H.R. 1799, the Fallen Heroes Immigrant Spouse Fairness Act. Mr. Speaker, this came to my attention when I attended the funeral of a Marine who was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His name was Michael Bitz. Sergeant Bitz was married to a lady, Janina Bitz, who was from Australia, and at the time we were concerned with the fact that he had lost his life, that his wife might have to start the process again of becoming a naturalized citizen. When I attended the funeral down at Camp Lejeune of Sergeant Bitz, I met Pat Millush, the military liaison to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service at Camp Lejeune. Pat said to me the immigrant spouses of military personnel were treated unfairly under current immigration law. By knowing that, Mr. Speaker, I decided that I would put this legislation in that would allow the spouse of a member of the military who had lost their life, whether it be in war or by accident or in training, that if they had not reached that 2-year period of time, that they would still be able to continue the naturalization process without being penalized. I am delighted and want to thank again the chairman of the committee and the ranking member for not only working with me on this issue but other Members who have been named today, because the men and women who serve this great Nation and their families need to be honored; and I think this bill itself is a way to honor those who have given their lives for this great Nation. Basically what 1799 did, which has been included in this bill, allows the immigrant spouse of military personnel who die as a result of a service-connected injury or disease to continue the immigration process regardless of the number of years of the marriage. Mr. Speaker, I have outside of my office, 422 Cannon, a photograph of everyone who has died in the war for freedom in Iraq, and I am pleased and honored that this committee would accept the language in 1799 and encompass it in this naturalization bill to honor our men and women in uniform. Mr. Speaker, again, I will close by saying I ask God to please bless our men and women in uniform. I ask God to please bless the families of the loved ones fighting for freedom; and again, I thank the leadership, the Republican leadership and the Democratic leadership, for this honor that they have given to Michael Bitz who gave his life for America.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, may I make a parliamentary inquiry first?

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, if I need 2 minutes, can I yield back 1 minute? I do not want to take away from the total time. I just need 2 minutes.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this amendment from the gentleman from Virginia, troops on the border. This amendment addresses a national security issue, and it also addresses an economic issue. To my good friends, and they are my good friends, on the other side, the American people want those who want to come to this country by the legal process to come, and they are welcome; but we must remember this country is at war. That war started on September 11 of 2001, and last year we had about 1 million people come to this country illegally, and I agree with the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goode). And maybe the gentleman from Texas's idea is good that we could find a middle ground on this issue, but I will say this, that the people that I have a chance to talk to and to represent are saying to me this Congress and this government, this administration need to do a better job of protecting our borders; and it does not matter if the borders are America and Canada or America and Mexico. We are talking about this Nation being at war, and we have to do a better job. And I think this amendment that has been proposed is an answer to a real problem; and if this is one way to force an answer, then this amendment is good. I will say in closing that I have read numerous polls in the last 3 years on this issue, and the American people have said, and said in loud numbers, meaning 80 percent, 85 percent, that we want to see the borders of this great Nation secured. So I compliment the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goode), and I am going to support this amendment, and I am going to encourage my friends to support this amendment because the American people want our borders to be secure. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. And, again, God bless America.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my dear friend from California, Mr. Gallegly, to introduce the Military Family Peace of Mind Act. We believe this is simple, but important legislation for the loved ones of military personnel who have died in the service of our nation. It goes without saying that the loss of a loved one is difficult no matter what the situation. Despite knowing the potential risks associated with the military service of their family member, the burden can be even more difficult when it occurs suddenly such as when our men and women are killed on the field of battle. Families need time to grieve for their loved ones and that need is particularly acute when the spouse or parent of one of our fallen heroes must tell dependent children of the loss. Unfortunately the process for providing notice to the media about military personnel killed allows for that critical time to grieve. The current process for notifying next of kin about the loss of their cherished family member falls to the individual services. Once the casualty assistance officer of the respective service notifies the family members, the officer then forwards notice of the visit to the Office of Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, who in turn promptly issues a release to the media identifying the individual. Although this is done with an eye towards providing full and open access to information about military operations as practical, we have heard from family members that this notification has actually resulted in swarms of media harassing family members trying to get a story. One spouse commented that she had had little time to grieve because her entire energies were being spent trying to fend off aggressive press inquiries. The need for open access to information aside, that is no way to respect a family who has just learned that their spouse, son, or daughter was killed while defending our country. It is true the Department of Defense does not and cannot control the conduct of members of the media, but actions can be taken to help these grieving families. One specific step that can be taken is to implement a minimum 24-hour delay from the time a casualty assistance officer notifies the next of kin about their loss until the time that name is released to the media and the public. A 24-hour delay would not unreasonably impair the public's access to information about military activities, but could provide an immeasurable amount of relief to those who have endured the loss. That is what this bill seeks to do. Mr. Speaker, these families have already paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country's freedom. A 24-hour waiting period prior to public notification is not too much for the families of our fallen heroes to ask of us.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today is the National Day of Prayer. On the first Thursday of each May, people across our Nation gather together to pray to the God who is the very foundation of this great country. Without any court challenge or liberal protestors to avoid, praying Americans meet on courthouse steps, town squares, and in local parks to praise God for his blessing and ask God to continue to bless America. This year I can assure my colleagues that millions of prayers will be offered in appreciation for our men and women in uniform who have paid the highest price for our freedom. Yet even as we stand today in prayer for our heroes, there are those who stand against the freedom that we enjoy. Even though the Founding Fathers spoke of ``Nature's God'' and of the ``Creator'' in the Declaration of Independence, the Federal courts are increasingly trying to drive every vestige of faith from public life. Yesterday, April 30, was the most recent example, coming from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. And I will read from the Boston Globe, which said, ``Judges bar prayer at public colleges. In a precedent- setting ruling against prayer at a State college, a Federal appeals court has barred the Virginia Military Institute from writing and reciting a prayer before cadets eat their evening meals.'' In addition, Mr. Speaker, the Citadel, down in South Carolina, is reviewing its policy since that Federal court ruling. And also, Mr. Speaker, I hate to even mention this, but the academy in Annapolis is also reviewing its policy. The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland is calling on the academy to review its practices of leading the students in prayer. Mr. Speaker, let me also share with my colleagues that it was just a few months ago that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to have ``under God'' taken from our Pledge of Allegiance. How much longer will we stand by and allow others to ignore the very God upon whom our Nation was founded? Our Constitution demands the freedom to worship freely; and our future leaders, our men and women in the military academies across the country, are now being denied the very freedom that many have died to ensure for all of us. Mr. Speaker, it is not just sad; it is completely detestable. And on this National Day of Prayer, let us honor our heroes, those who have returned home and those who sacrificed their lives, by standing against those liberals who would seek to challenge their God-given right to pray for a living Lord. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I believe this quote says it best, and it comes from the days of Jefferson and Adams. And the quote is this, Mr. Speaker: ``Religion can survive in the absence of freedom. But freedom without religion is dangerous and unstable.'' Mr. Speaker, I have three military bases in my district, Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. I want to close by asking God to please bless our men and women in uniform and their families, and the families of those who have lost loved ones defending freedom in this country. I close by asking three times, ``God, please, God, please, God, please continue to bless America.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation, the Fallen Heroes Immigrant Spouse Fairness Act, to address a situation of fundamental unfairness under current immigration law. Many of our active duty military are married to alien spouses who have applications pending for permanent legal residence. As the current law is written, should the U.S. citizen spouse die before a 2-year period of marriage is reached, the pending application of the non- citizen spouse is vacated. Widows and widowers of our men and women in uniform who are in the process of applying for a green card should not have their application process terminated if they are unfortunate enough to have lost their loved one prior to reaching the 2 year threshold. In the 3rd District of North Carolina, where there are numerous military installations and facilities, one of my constituents, a Marine, was killed in the line of duty during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The spouse of this Marine is a legal immigrant seeking to become a citizen and had been living in the 3rd District for 2 years and one month prior to her husband's death. Consequently her paperwork for a green card will proceed. However, it is incomprehensible to me that should this foreign spouse have been married for 1 year and 364 days her paper work would have been voided due to the death of her husband. That is wrong. The time limit should be eliminated for foreign spouses whose loved ones have given their life serving our Nation. The Fallen Heroes Immigrant Spouse Fairness Act would amend Section 201(b)2(A)(i) of Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the 2 year marriage requirement for foreign spouses of U.S. citizens who die while serving. Additionally this legislation seeks to remedy a practice of charging families of non-citizen soldiers who are killed in the line of duty an $80 fee for processing an application for posthumous citizenship. These brave men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the freedom and interests of the United States. There is no action more patriotic than dying for one's country. As such, the imposition of a fee to restart the application process for posthumous citizenship is an insult to the contribution these service men and women made to our national defense. Please join me in supporting these common sense changes to our immigration process. We should not punish the families of our soldiers simply because they are unfortunate enough to have incurred the greatest loss of all with the death of their loved one in the service of our country.