Pete King

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Chairman, I once again am proud to urge adoption of his amendment. It is very a constructive addition to the bill. It certainly deserves the support of all Members, and I urge its adoption.

Mr. KING of New York. No, I cannot enlighten the gentlewoman at all. As soon I find out, you will be the first to know.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.J. Res. 38, a resolution which honors and recognizes Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of the United States Navy. An American merchant marine captain and native of County Wexford, Ireland, John Barry volunteered for the Continental Navy during the American Revolution. During his 17 years of service, Commodore Barry's naval expertise was instrumental in defeating the British as well as building and leading our new Nation's infant Navy. In addition, he commanded the first U.S. Naval squadron, served as the senior officer in the U.S. Navy (the equivalent of the current position of Chief of Naval Operations) under Presidents George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, and supervised the construction of the USS United States. Throughout his career, from taking command of the Lexington to participating in the victorious Trenton and Princeton campaigns, Barry's contributions to the American war effort were monumental. Dubbed the ``Father of the American Navy,'' Commodore Barry continued his service to our country by supervising the construction of the first Naval frigates and urging the creation of the Department of the Navy. I urge the House of Representatives to pass H. J. Res. 38 and recognize Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of the United States Navy.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter into a colloquy with the gentleman from Texas, the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, regarding the Digital Television Transition Act of 2005 which is included in title III of H.R. 4241. Section 3406 of this bill directs the NTIA to establish a new $500 million interoperability grant program for first responders. Chairman Barton, I strongly believe the Department of Homeland Security should be given, at the very least, a strong consultative role in the administration of these grant funds. Given the Department's expertise in administering first responder grant programs and its responsibility for establishing and implementing the national policy on interoperable communications, I would ask the chairman to ensure that this new grant program uses standards, grant guidance and technical assistance established by the Offices for Domestic Preparedness and Interoperability and Compatibility. I would ask the chairman to seek such a resolution in conference.

Mr. KING of New York. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. KING of New York. Reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman for his comments. I appreciate your willingness to address our policy concerns.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give thanks to Thomas DiLenge, Chief Counsel DiLenge, Chief Counsel and Policy Director of the Committee on Homeland Security. Tom has been a dedicated and accomplished public servant throughout his 9 years on Capitol Hill--2 years in his current position, and 7 years before that on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Tom has had a truly impressive career of government service. Most recently, he managed the successful House passage of major legislation to reform our system of homeland security grants--the Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act of 2005--and the first-ever Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. He also was actively involved in drafting and negotiating the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act last year, the bill that codified into law many of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Perhaps most important, however, Tom worked to establish a permanent Homeland Security Committee in the House of Representatives. He joined the fledgling Select Committee on Homeland Security 2 years ago, and worked tirelessly to ensure the transition of the Select Committee to the now permanent Committee on Homeland Security in the 109th Congress. During his tour with the Select Committee, Tom's keen mind, legislative expertise, and dogged determination helped to firmly establish the Committee as a force on Capitol Hill, and contributed greatly to the establishment of the permanent Committee on Homeland Security. Tom was always the first to arrive and the last to leave. As the Select Committee's primary interface with other Congressional committees and the House Leadership, and in the face of significant resistance, he helped craft the jurisdiction of the new Committee to ensure that it could provide meaningful authorization and guidance to, and oversight of, the critical new Department of Homeland Security. As the largest reorganization of the Congressional branch in over 50 years, and as the first creation of a permanent congressional committee in over 30 years, this is an accomplishment of major significance--with real and lasting impact on the future of this House and the citizens of this great Nation. It is appropriate that Tom should end this phase of his Hill career on such a high note with the youngest committee in the House of Representatives, but I would be remiss if I did not note some of Tom's other major accomplishments over the years. As the Deputy Chief Counsel for Oversight and Investigations, and a principal national security policy advisor, for the oldest standing committee in the House, the Energy and Commerce Committee, Tom led numerous successful investigations and helped pass important consumer protection and homeland security legislation, including the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which created the Department of Homeland Security. Tom was an invaluable and talented member of the Energy and Commerce Committee's oversight and investigations staff, and played a key role in landmark Congressional investigations. In 2000, Bridgestone/ Firestone announced a voluntary recall of 14.4 million tires following an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), spurred on by reports and complaints of tread separation of certain tire models, mostly on Ford Explorers. Approximately 271 fatalities and more than 800 injuries were linked to tread separation and rollover incidents involving under-inflated Firestone tires and Ford vehicles. Tom's tireless work during this Congressional investigation, and the nationally-recognized hearings he organized on this topic, uncovered the extent to which Firestone and Ford knew of these safety problems and kept them hidden from the public and from Federal regulators. This investigation also highlighted serious deficiencies in NHTSA's ability to adequately detect and investigate safety-related defects in motor vehicles and related equipment. The Ford-Firestone investigation led to swift Congressional legislative action to protect American motorists. The Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act became law in the Fall of 2000. The legislation required that auto and tire makers promptly report serious safety concerns with their products, and gave NHTSA new authority to require improvements in auto and tire safety, including the tire pressure monitoring systems that many new vehicles now have. Tom's work on this investigation that resulted in the TREAD Act undoubtedly improved public safety on our roads and highways. Tom also played a lead part in the Committee's vital investigation of the Enron and Arthur Andersen corporate fraud and accounting scandal, including the controversy surrounding the accounting firm's shredding of relevant documents just as government investigations got underway. Through a comprehensive investigation and series of public hearings, the Committee revealed a web of corporate fraud aided and abetted by auditors too willing to look the other way. The astonishing discoveries contributed to Andersen's indictment on federal felony charges, and led to Congressional passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act--the single most important piece of legislation affecting corporate governance, financial disclosure, and the practice of public accounting since the U.S. securities laws of the early 1930s. The Act helps to protect average investors and shareholders, and ensure the independence of auditors on which they rely. Even before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Tom took a keen interest in homeland security issues. In 1999, he led an investigation into the lack of security controls on the possession and use of deadly biological agents such as anthrax by private and academic laboratories and research facilities all across the country. After the anthrax mail attacks of October 2001, Tom's knowledge of the issue led to his involvement as a key drafter of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002--which, among other things, imposed registration and security requirements on those obtaining and using deadly biological agents in legitimate research. Shortly thereafter, Tom was called upon again to lead the effort to draft and enact President Bush's signature initiative to combat bioterrorism, the Project BioShield Act. This Act, which passed in 2004, aims to spur the development and availability of next generation countermeasures against biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological weapons. As the President noted at the bill's Rose Garden signing ceremony, ``America is stronger and better as a result of the BioShield law.'' No man stands alone, and Tom would be the first to acknowledge that his amazing success is the result of the teamwork of many people. Ask anyone on the Hill about Tom, however, and you will hear a unanimous opinion attesting to Tom's intellect, photographic memory, leadership, and ability to build strong teams and find consensus. On behalf of the Committee, I want to thank Tom's wife of 12 years, Linda, and his three children, Madison (7), Maguire (5), and Donovan (2), for all the hours Tom spent away from them. Clearly, they are Tom's inspiration, and his success is their success. Finally, I want to thank Tom for his hard work, tireless service, and steadfast determination. We will miss Tom. He helped to build the Committee on Homeland Security. He now leaves it a stronger and better place than when he arrived. And his efforts have helped make America a more safe and secure place for us all.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an exceptional man, Mr. Delford Boyer, who passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2005. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his wife of 63 years, Dona Boyer, his son and daughter-in-law, Reg and Nancy Boyer, daughter and son-in-law, Jody and Roger Durand, daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Jim Maenner, his beloved grandchildren, Kristin, Molly, Aaron, Nick, Katie, Colin, Joslyn, and Marne and his brother Don and sister Shirley. He was born in Cheney Nebraska on May 29, 1917 and served as a pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force and with the U.S. Army Air Force in the China, Burma, India Theater during World War II. He was a recipient of the APTO Ribbon, Victory Medal, one Overseas Bar, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation I join all my colleagues today in expressing our sorrow and our thanks for the life and the service of Delford Boyer. His was a life full of love and grace. Words cannot express the grief of those whose lives he touched. He will be missed.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, the American people proudly stand in solidarity with the people of Great Britain in the wake of last Thursday's murderous attacks in the city of London. It is tragic whenever anyone, anywhere is brutally and senselessly murdered. The carnage and bloodshed in London last week, however, were particularly poignant and moving to Americans because we have had no more resolute ally or steadfast friend in the war against terrorism than the British people and their leader, Prime Minister Tony Blair. Prime Minister Blair has been there from the start, visiting Ground Zero just days after the tragic attacks of September 11, 2001 and then sitting in the gallery of the House of Representatives when President Bush addressed a joint session of Congress on September 20, 2001. That was America's darkest hour and Tony Blair stood by us. For that and more America will always be in his debt. Today's world is brutal and treacherous, We are engaged in a struggle which could well determine our survival as a civilization. British troops fight beside American troops in every theatre of that struggle and British police, law enforcement and intelligence agencies work in full concert with their American counterparts. Just as Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill stood as one to lead the world through the ravages of Nazism and fascism, George Bush and Tony Blair stand shoulder to shoulder in the war against terrorism. And just as the British people mourned with us on September 11, we assure them that our thoughts and prayers go out to all those good people in London who were murdered as well as those who were injured and all of their families. They will always be remembered.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, as always, I appreciate the kind words of the gentleman from California who, again, I am proud to call my friend, and I certainly accept his support of the amendment.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman.

Mr. KING of New York. I yield to the gentleman from Illinois.

Mr. KING of New York. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as may consume. At the outset, Mr. Chairman, let me join with my other colleagues in commending the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) for the outstanding leadership he has demonstrated on this bill. It caps a tremendous career in this body and is just one further shining example of how much we owe him and how we are indebted to him for his years of service to the United States Congress. Mr. Chairman, my amendment should be noncontroversial. As both sides have acknowledged, there have been enormous scandals at the United Nations. Its reputation has suffered dramatically. For those who do wish the United Nations to be reformed, and for the United Nations to reform itself, it is essential that it restore or regain some modicum of credibility from the American public and, indeed, from the world community. To do that, my amendment urges or directs the President of the United States to urge our permanent representative to the U.N. to call upon the Secretary General to waive immunity in those instances where U.N. officials have committed serious offenses. We have heard descriptions of various alleged misconduct by officials such as Benon Sevan, who is head of the Oil-for-Food program. Also, other individuals have been relieved of their duties at the U.N., such as the official charged with supervising contractor selection. To me, it just makes elemental sense that the Secretary General under section 20 exercise his discretion to waive immunity in those cases so that criminal action, if necessary, can be brought, and it would be imperative upon our upcoming representative to the United Nations to call upon him to do that. It is an amendment on which I urge its adoption. I believe it is essential, again, a significant step, and yet one which is a common- sense step to restoring the credibility that the U.N. deserves.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. KING of New York. I yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I would agree with the gentleman. In my remarks, I particularly did not direct my remarks to the Secretary General, and, in fact, the remarks are directed to our Ambassador to the United Nations, that in the future he continue that policy. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to be here today to strongly urge the support of this legislation. It is absolutely vital for our Nation's interests and for the interests of first responders throughout the country that this legislation be adopted and that we do all we can to have it implemented and signed into law. At the outset, I want to commend the gentleman from California (Chairman Cox) for the leadership he has given to the Committee on Homeland Security; the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), ranking member, who has demonstrated the ultimate in bipartisanship; and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), my old friend and ranking member on our subcommittee, who fully appreciates and understands just how vital this is. He was there with President Bush and a number of us just 3 days after the attacks of September 11 at the World Trade Center, at Ground Zero. We saw the terrible devastation, and all of us promised that day and afterwards never ever to allow our first responders to be put in a position where they were not adequately equipped, adequately ready, and suitably trained and prepared to cope with such a mammoth attack as that and also that they have all the equipment and everything that has to be done to be prepared. I think it is a tribute to the fact that our committee is now a permanent committee. The Committee on Homeland Security is now a permanent committee that will be able to marshal these resources and bring about such a bipartisan effort. Those of us who come from the area of near Ground Zero, certainly in my district and the adjoining districts, we lost many, many hundreds of people on that day. People from the financial services community and fire service, police service, all of them lost their lives. We promised never ever to put them in that position again. Unfortunately, for the last 3\1/2\ years, we have had a situation where money has not gone where it is needed. It has been spread far and wide. And as a result, the protection that those people need was not given. This bill we are passing today is based on threat analysis. I wish that my State was not such a high target, but it is. And so long as it is, it is important that we get the funding that is needed. But there are States around the country, there are agricultural areas, rural areas, all of whom are also high targets, and they must be compensated. And that is what this bill does. It provides a threat analysis for the entire country, for areas that need it, whether they be urban, suburban, rural, agricultural. The fact is they will get the assistance they need if they need it. And that is what this has to be about. It has to be a question of emergency preparedness for those who are the targets, those who are in the cross hairs, those of us who are directly threatened by al Qaeda. So in the aftermath of 9/11, we said our lives will never again be the same. Unfortunately, for 3\1/2\ years, we never really faced up to that challenge. We never stood up and did what had to be done. We are doing it today. This is the first major step since September 11 in adequately and effectively responding to the needs of our first responders who are there to respond for us. And now we are finally responding for them the way they responded for us on 9/11. It is not just Ground Zero. It was the Pentagon. And it could be any city or State or locality afterwards. But if we are going to be effective in coming up with defenses, it must be based on threat analysis. That is what this does. It took heroic efforts on both sides of the aisle to bring this about. Today's vote will be the culmination of that in the House, a first major step. So I urge the adoption of H.R. 1544. I again commend both sides of the aisle and especially the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), my ranking member, for the energy and the drive and dedication that was put in to bring about this legislation. Again, I urge adoption of the legislation.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 686, to provide for the relief of Terri Schiavo's family. In 1990, Terri Schiavo suffered a heart attack and subsequent brain damage due to lack of oxygen. She is not in a coma, and with the exception of the feeding tube, requires no artificial life support to keep her alive. Removal of the feeding tube, as was done this past Friday, will result in Terri's death by starvation and dehydration. By some estimates, she could be left to suffer for up to a month. This is a drawn out and painful process and Terri can feel pain. In a case like this one, where there is a clear dispute between Terri's parents and husband as to her wishes, the presumption should always be on the side of life. Every effort should be made to ensure that no mistakes have been made in this case. I urge support of this important legislation.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the tragic and untimely passing of Stephen Leiter who was an outstanding attorney and business leader in the Long Island community. Most importantly, however, Steve Leiter was a close friend to me and countless other Long Island residents. I had the privilege of knowing Steve Leiter and his wife Glenda for more than thirty years. During that time I always marveled how Steve could be so active in so many businesses, community, political and sports endeavors, be a loving husband and father, and still have so much time for his friends. Steve Leiter was extraordinarily successful in his professional life, but even more so in his personal friendships. He was always there for those who needed him and he always had a ready smile and warm greeting for you. I express my sincere condolences to Steve's widow Glenda, his son David, who worked for me several years ago, and his daughter Lindsay. As tragic as Steve's passing is, I hope that Glenda, David and Lindsay will find consolation in the knowledge that Steve Leiter's memory will be cherished by so many. May he rest in peace.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong opposition to an Anti-Secession Law that is being proposed by the People's Republic of China. While some positive developments in cross-strait relations between China and Taiwan have occurred recently, the consideration of an Anti-Secession Law by Beijing threatens to disrupt the status-quo. Recently, an agreement was reached by both governments to allow historic non-stop charter flights between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan during February's Lunar New Year holiday. And the arrival on February 1 of a delegation from China to pay their respects to the late negotiator Koo Chen-fu, former Chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation, has been a welcome development as well. Unfortunately, China's National People's Congress Standing Committee is considering a bill that is expected to set up a legal framework to provide for the incorporation of Taiwan by China. This legislation, however, could be interpreted to legally require Beijing to move unilaterally against Taiwan in the event Beijing construed any acts or statements by Taipei as a move toward independence. I have deep reservations about an Anti-Secession Law. Beijing until now has considered Taiwan to be a part of China but has refrained from attempting to legally extend its sovereignty over it. While this position leaves some flexibility for negotiations on unification, I fear that the enactment of this new measure will restrict the debate. In addition, there would also be great uncertainty among the thousands of Taiwanese who work on the mainland. Would Taiwanese businessmen in China run the risk of being jailed for actions interpreted as being supportive of Taiwanese authorities? Reactions from Taiwan to the proposed law have been universally negative among all of Taiwan's political parties and leaders. At a time when the differences between Beijing and Taipei can best be resolved through dialogue, the enactment of this legislation would make the resumption of these negotiations more difficult and inevitably increase tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Both the People's Republic of China and Taiwan have a vital interest in maintaining peace in the region. My hope is that China will not enact an Anti-Secession Law or take any step, for that matter, which might prompt a confrontation in the Taiwan Strait.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 110. This joint resolution recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge and honors those who sacrificed their lives in the European theater of operations during World War II. From December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945, 600,000 American troops and 55,000 British, Belgian, Canadian and other soldiers fought honorably in this battle. The defeat of Nazi Germany 4 months after the conflict would not have been possible without the success of the Allied forces during this crucial battle. The Battle of the Bulge was a surprise German offensive against Allied forces and was intended to permanently defeat the Allied forces. The battle began before dawn on the morning of December 16, and the soldiers faced treacherous conditions of subfreezing temperatures, snow, rough terrain, limited supplies and limited manpower, but they never ceased to fight valiantly against the Nazi Army. During this battle, Mr. Speaker, there were 81,000 U.S. casualties, including 19,000 Americans who were killed. Additionally, 1,400 British soldiers were killed. There were many outstanding successes during this battle. For instance, the 101st Airborne captured Bastogne before the Germans could launch a siege of the city, and this was very strategic for this battle. Mr. Speaker, it is also to be noted, though, that this legislation was introduced by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), the Speaker of the House, who has a supreme interest in all matters involving World War II. In fact, this past summer, I had the privilege of traveling to Normandy to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day, and I know of the intense interest the Speaker has in honoring all the men and women of the Greatest Generation who sacrificed so much to defeat the Nazis and the Japanese during World War II. Also, it should be noted that the Speaker's ancestors come from Luxembourg, and he has a special interest in this legislation because the Battle of the Bulge forged distinctly close relationships between the Americans and the people of Belgium and Luxembourg. In fact, to this day, Luxembourg has numerous memorials and monuments honoring the great sacrifices made by the United States during World War II and specifically after the Battle of the Bulge. So this joint resolution recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, authorizes the President to issue a proclamation calling upon American citizens to honor the veterans of the Battle of the Bulge with appropriate programs and ceremonies and activities. This joint resolution not only reaffirms the bonds of friendship between the citizens of the United States, Belgium and Luxembourg, but encourages citizens of all countries to honor those who bravely fought for world peace in the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to thank my good friend from New York (Mr. Crowley) for his supporting comments and for the great work he does on behalf of our veterans, certainly World War II veterans.