John Kline

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in asking the leadership of this House to bring the Military Construction and VA funding bill to the floor for a stand-alone vote. Earlier this year, many of us felt the pain when a young marine in my district committed suicide after honorably serving in Iraq after he visited two VA hospitals. We recognize, as a body here, that we need to provide the funding for our VA. We passed the bill in this House, 409- 2. This is a bill with bipartisan support. We have heard rhetoric from the other side of the floor that says this is so important that we should pass this legislation no matter what pork-laden legislation it's tied to. That's what is the trouble here, my colleagues, is that the leadership of this House has taken a cynical action to attach an important bill that has strong bipartisan support to a piece of legislation they know that many of us did not support and the President has promised a veto. I ask the leadership to reach out, as one of my colleagues said, and work in a bipartisan way, which is easily done by separating this legislation. Let's get it done today.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in opposition to this legislation, Mr. Speaker. I have been and continue to be a major proponent of trade, but this Trade Adjustment Assistance program that we have today has, seems to me, gone astray. There are a number of reasons why I would urge my colleagues to oppose this bill, from the massive expansion of what was intended to be a targeted Trade Adjustment Assistance program to the dramatic increase in litigation and liability employers will face under the WARN Act provisions contained in this bill. The gentleman from California mentioned COBRA eligibility in his remarks. I'd like to talk about that for just a minute. Under the law as it stands today, when a worker loses his or her job, he or she is generally able to elect to continue health care coverage under COBRA for 18, or sometimes as long as 36, months. This balances the legitimate need of the workers to obtain gap or bridge health insurance coverage, while recognizing the administrative needs of employers and, in particular, the need for employers who voluntarily offer health benefits to manage costs and risk. The bill before us dramatically expands COBRA benefits for certain classes of workers potentially at the expense of others. Under the Rangel substitute, a worker who loses his or her job ``because of trade'' is afforded significantly more COBRA rights than an employee who simply loses his or her job because, for example, his employer closes shop. Indeed, for some of these workers, expansion of COBRA rights can last for decades, plainly not what was intended under the original law. The bill also includes provisions extending COBRA benefits for PBGC beneficiaries without any regard to the issue of trade. Individuals pay for COBRA, but because of the nature of how this was put together, the provisions are paid for through an increase in the taxpayer-funded health care tax credit, at least through the period of TAA eligibility, again, extending and complicating it in a way that was never intended in the original law. Just a couple of more things that come under the WARN provision of this. This bill expands the WARN Act coverage to apply to businesses which employ 100 or more employees, including part-time workers. It expands the definitions of plant closures and mass layoffs. It increases the notice requirements so that employers must provide 90 days' notice of an intended plant closure or mass layoff. It expands damages for lost wages and benefits to include double wages, benefits and interest for up to 90 calendar days. It includes new requirements that employers post notice of WARN Act requirements and information on how to file a complaint and provide notice of benefits and services available to employees. It expands enforcement to allow the Secretary of Labor to investigate alleged violations. Some of these are probably very worthwhile, but clearly, a tremendous expansion and opportunity for almost unlimited litigation, placing a very large burden on employers, and I don't think we want to do that at a time when we're trying to preserve jobs for our employees. So I oppose this legislation. It reaches too far. It is too complicated. It opens up employers to too much litigation. We can do better than this.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I, like my colleagues, have come here today to condemn in the strongest possible terms the actions which damaged the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. And as always when I am in the same room with my colleague Mr. Johnson from Texas, I am humbled to be in the presence of a real hero of the Vietnam War. And I don't know that I can add to the passion and to the caring that he has already conveyed for us, but I just have to say that I can't remember being so outraged by such a cowardly act. Visitors from around the world who come to visit the Memorial are moved by the simple but powerful image of the etched granite wall. For those of us who served in Vietnam, however, the names on the wall hold an even stronger significance. Those names bolster our sometimes failing memories of the friends and comrades who didn't return with us. It is with these memories in minds that I express my complete, my total, utter outrage at this recent desecration. The person or persons who did this have violated a sacred trust, and I consider their actions deplorable. Their cowardice, yes, their cowardice, stands in sharp contrast to the bravery and valor of those for whom this memorial was erected, and we as a country will simply not tolerate such behavior. Just as we honor and pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed so much, so too must we condemn, we as a Congress, we as a people, we as a Nation, those who would denigrate that sacrifice through such cowardly actions. If there are those who applaud or somehow justify this desecration, I would only remind them of the hypocrisy of their beliefs and their actions. Our freedom was won and maintained by brave men and women such as those honored on this wall, and we should all hold them reverently in our hearts. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague Mr. Carter for bringing this important resolution to the floor, to the chairman and ranking member of the committee for bringing it to the floor. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill. Let's support it unanimously.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 185, which commends the men and women of the 1st Brigade Combat Team/34th Infantry Division, Minnesota National Guard, for completing the longest continuous deployment of any United States combat team in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mr. Speaker, these men and women did not want to set this record. They didn't seek this record. In fact, when they left these shores, they had no idea this record was going to be theirs: 16 months in a combat zone, 22 months of mobilization. But when the word came, they didn't flinch. They set forward, they did their duty and they set a record, one which I certainly hope no other unit will ever be asked to surpass. The men and women of the 1st Brigade Combat Team are some of this Nation's finest soldiers. Their first-rate service in Iraq carries on the tradition of excellence established by previous generations of the 1st Brigade, through service in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and both world wars. The more than 2,200 Minnesotans and 1,300 more Midwestern soldiers who served in the 1st Brigade in Iraq performed remarkably during their unrivaled tour of duty. These soldiers completed more than 5,200 combat logistics patrols, secured 2.4 million convoy miles, captured over 400 suspected insurgents, and discovered 462 improvised explosive devices prior to detonation. They also helped to start two Iraqi newspapers and completed 137 reconstruction projects. As a mark of their commitment to the unit and to this Nation, more than 1,400 members of the brigade reenlisted, reenlisted, while in Iraq, and 21 members became United States citizens. Throughout their long tour of duty, their historic tour of duty, the soldiers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team had the steady support of families and employers. The soldiers are now home and beginning the process of reintegration through the Minnesota National Guard's extensive Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program. Mr. Speaker, given their admirable and courageous service over so long a period of time, and in recognition of their willingness to put service to country over personal interest, it is only fitting that we take this opportunity to commend the men and women of the 1st Brigade Combat Team. I want to thank my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Walz) for bringing this measure forward and for his service with the National Guard. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in strong support of this concurrent resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself a moment to say that I urge all of my colleagues to support this important resolution. The service that these men and women performed is truly historic and commendable. Again, I thank Mr. Walz for bringing this measure forward. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solemn observance of ``Gold Star Mother's Day'', on Sunday, September 30th. More than 75 years ago, one mother's determination to transform her personal loss into good works led to the creation of the American Gold Star Mothers. After receiving notice of her son's death in aerial combat during World War I, Grace Darling Seibold devoted her energy to volunteering in a local hospital. She began reaching out to other mothers whose sons had died in military service to our Nation, and these women organized into a local group. Their organization was named after the gold star service flag that families hung in their windows for family members who had died in military service. After years of planning, it became a national organization in 1928. In 1936, Congress designated the last Sunday of September as ``Gold Star Mother's Day.'' Since then, brave women have continued to come together as Gold Star Mothers to ease the burden of their loss and to serve others. The cost of America's freedom is often personal. Few pay more dearly than our Gold Star Mothers, who have endured the death of a son or daughter in service to our country.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I do not have any more speakers. I would just like to urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton).

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 590, supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should raise awareness of domestic violence in the United States and its devastating effects on families and communities. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and is recognized as such in communities across the country. This designation helps to focus public attention on this widespread and devastating crime. The problem of domestic violence is centuries old, and our attention to the matter has grown, but we need to do more to raise awareness of this problem. One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their partners and children when they become adults. The cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $5.8 billion each year. As evidenced by these staggering statistics, domestic violence has far-reaching effects on society. Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, assault, battery, sexual assault and/or other abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another. It is an epidemic that affects men, women and children in every community regardless of age, economic status, religion, nationality, educational background, or gender. When we think of domestic violence, we often think of women being the victims. However, men are victimized by violence as well. Male victims are less likely than women to report violence and seek services due to concerns over the stigma associated with being a male victim, or not being believed. Both men and women experience the same dynamics of interpersonal violence including experiences of disbelief, ridicule, and shame that only enhance their silence. Unfortunately, the youngest victims are the children who witness the abuse. Research has shown that children witnessing domestic violence and living in an environment where violence occurs may experience some of the same trauma as abused children. They may become fearful, aggressive, or withdrawn. Adolescents may act out or exhibit risk- taking behaviors such as drug and alcohol use, running away, sexual promiscuity, and criminal behavior. All of this behavior has an effect on society as a whole, and we must continue to keep domestic violence in the forefront so this cycle can be broken now. Domestic violence harms the victim, children, the abuser and the entire health of American families and communities. Nearly 20 years ago, Congress passed legislation recognizing the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month allows organizations and communities concerned about domestic violence to leverage this public recognition for activities that raise awareness and link victims to services. In our role as Members of Congress, we can help galvanize public awareness for the victims of domestic violence. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 590. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I was sitting here listening to my distinguished colleagues speak and looking at my own notes, and, again, I just find it incredible that you have this wonderful competition which espouses the goals of heightening the appreciation of the principle of equal justice for all stated, a stated goal, and yet it couldn't make accommodation to respect the religious beliefs and practices of the competitors. Again, I urge all my colleagues to join in support of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield balance the balance of my time.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 25. I thank my colleague for his opening remarks. This resolution calls on the board of directors of the National High School Mock Trial Championship to accommodate students of all religious faiths. Among our most basic human rights, the right to follow one's conscience in matters of religion and belief, is undoubtedly one of the most cherished, so much so that people have been willing to endure the severest trials and even to lay down their lives rather than surrender this fundamental right. Throughout history, men and women of religion have fought for the natural right of all individuals to practice their own faith and beliefs free from harassment, suppression and persecution. One can also point to many shining examples of established religions tolerating each other's beliefs and practices. The National High School Mock Trial Championship, which is based on constitutional law, is a prestigious event that requires a tremendous amount of preparation, skill and dedication on behalf of those students who are competing. The competition espouses the goals of heightening ``appreciation of the principle of equal justice for all'' and promoting the ``exchange of ideas among students from throughout the United States.'' This participatory program engages students, legal professionals and the educational community to advance the understanding of the American justice system and the important role of lawyers. I have to admit sometimes that I have a prejudice against some of my lawyer friends. Nevertheless, they are clearly an integral part of our system of the rule of law and justice for all. On October 15, 2005, the board of directors of the National High School Mock Trial Championship voted to refuse any future accommodations for students who observe the Sabbath on Friday and/or Saturday. This decision of the board of directors to refuse any future accommodations adversely and wrongly impacts observant Jewish, Muslim and Seventh Day Adventist students and is inconsistent with the spirit of freedom of religion and equal protection guaranteed by our Constitution. During the 2005 championships, satisfactory accommodations were made to allow Torah Academy of Teaneck, New Jersey, to compete at the National High School Mock Trial Championship held in Charlotte, North Carolina. A review of the post-host report compiled afterward showed a majority of the comments supported the accommodations made for the Torah Academy students and the benefit of competing with the Torah Academy students. I think that is an important point in this debate. All the other participants, even recognizing the challenge from a significant competitor, thought this was the right thing to do. One respondent replied, ``The compromise demonstrated fairness, tolerance and problem- solving, all values that I try to encourage in my students.'' The simple fact is that all students should be allowed to both compete fully in the National High School Mock Trial Championship and uphold the practice of their religion. We stand here today calling the National Board of Directors to accommodate the religious beliefs of students participating in the competition and urge the Board of Directors of the National High School Mock Trial Championship to restructure the rules of the competition to allow qualifying students of all faiths to compete fully in this national championship without betraying their religious beliefs. I thank my colleague, Mr. Rothman, for bringing this matter to the floor today, and I ask my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of permanently extending the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003, or HEROES. This extension will ensure that all of our men and women serving in the military will always receive the flexibility they need in dealing with their student loans and post-secondary education commitments. Mr. Speaker, I have championed this act since coming to Congress, and support for this legislation has always transcended party lines. I appreciate that Members on both sides of the aisle have joined together once again this year. I would like to thank senior Republican Member McKeon and Chairmen Miller and Hinojosa for their continued support for higher education and this legislation. And I extend my personal thanks to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sestak) with his many years of distinguished naval service for joining me in this effort to protect the higher education interest of members of the Armed Forces. The HEROES Act will ensure support for military personnel by continuing to allow the U.S. Secretary of Education to provide the appropriate assistance and flexibility to men and women in uniform as they transfer in and out of post-secondary education during time of war. I must say, this has worked very well and successfully, giving the Secretary the flexibility, but we in Congress need to provide that flexibility. Throughout our involvement in this war on terrorism, many thousands of men and women who serve our Nation in the Reserves or National Guard have been called to active duty. Many of these men and women are also college and university students who are called away from their families, class work and studies to defend the Nation. Unfortunately, due to a number of restrictions in the Higher Education Act, these individuals are at risk of losing financial assistance and educational credit as a result of their service. Such a scenario is clearly not acceptable. The HEROES Act provides assurance to our men and women in uniform that they will not face education-related financial or administrative difficulties while they defend our Nation. This bill is specific in its intent to insure that, as a result of a war or military contingency operation or national emergency, our men and women in uniform are protected. By granting flexibility to the Secretary of Education, the HEROES Act will protect recipients of student financial assistance from further financial difficulty generated when they are called to serve, minimize administrative requirements without affecting the integrity of the programs, adjust the calculation used to determine financial need to accurately reflect the financial condition of the individual and his or her family, and provide the Secretary with the authority to address issues not yet foreseen. I think all of us recognize the absurdity of a young man or woman being deployed to a foreign shore, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, while they are a student and getting in financial difficulties because of that service. I am pleased to offer this legislation which provides a permanent extension of the HEROES Act. By permanently extending this act, we not only send a strong message of support to our troops, but we also provide them with the peace of mind that this program will continue throughout the duration of their current or any subsequent deployment. The legislation before us today is an indication of Congress's commitment to our military, our students, our families and our schools. I urge my colleagues to stand in strong support of the HEROES Act and join me in voting ``yes'' on H.R. 3625. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the ranking Republican member on the House Education and Labor Committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon).

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sestak), for stepping into the breach here and providing the leadership he has provided on this important legislation, and urge all of my colleagues to get behind this legislation and let's vote ``yes'' and permanently extend this flexibility. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. I have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 95, a measure to support the goals and ideals of Campus Fire Safety Month. We passed a similar resolution last Congress promoting the establishment of September as Campus Fire Safety Month. Since that time, 31 States have issued proclamations recognizing September as Campus Fire Safety Month. Our Nation's college students should be able to live on campus with the confidence that they will be safe in their dorms, apartments or other housing. This measure will take a key step toward ensuring greater awareness of campus fire prevention and safety. I thank my colleagues, Representatives Tubbs Jones and Whitfield, for taking the lead on this important topic. There are numerous examples nationwide that demonstrate a renewed commitment to campus fire safety. In my home State of Minnesota, the University of Minnesota system equips dorms with smoke detectors and is working now to ensure that residence halls and individual dormitory rooms have sprinkler systems. They use flame-resistant mattresses and other materials to provide students with the safest furniture available. In another example, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control trains college officials and distributes materials that can be used in training college students on campus fire safety. These are just two examples of the good work being done at the State level to increase awareness of fire safety on college campuses. The legislation before us today is sure to raise awareness even further. This is not the first time that campus safety has been discussed in the House. In the 109th Congress, we passed the College Access and Opportunity Act which endorsed an effort to ask colleges and universities to report annually on fire safety efforts. The report would include information such as a list of all student housing facilities and whether or not each is equipped with a sprinkler system or other fire safety system, statistics on occurrences of fires and false alarms, information on various fire safety rules and regulations, and information about training provided to students, faculty and staff. Moreover, the measure asks schools to keep a publicly available log of all on-campus fires and false alarms. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, as a lifetime member of VFW Post 210 in Lakeville, Minnesota, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 663, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW traces its roots back to 1899, when veterans of the Spanish- American War and the Philippine Insurrection founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service. Before that time, many of our veterans would return home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves. The founders of the VFW sought to remedy that and provide support and encouragement to all of our veterans who had served in foreign wars. Their mission statement was straightforward, ``to honor the dead by helping the living.'' Over time their mission expanded to ``ensuring rights, remembering sacrifices, promoting patriotism, performing community services, and advocating for a strong national defense.'' They have a rich history of advocacy. The VFW has been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 20th century, the development of the national cemetery system, and the fight to ensure combat wounded veterans from all wars receive proper compensation. In addition, they have been a powerful force behind the creation of the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and Women in Military Service Memorials. Today, the organization has grown to more than 2.3 million members worldwide and continues to advocate for all of our foreign veterans. I applaud the work of these individuals. Their continued commitment to each other and this great country of ours is truly inspirational. I am humbled by the work they have done for our veterans and I am honored to be bringing this resolution to the floor. Today, as we stand to celebrate the establishment and achievements of an organization that was born of patriotism, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, I would ask each of my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 663.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 46th anniversary of the United States Peace Corps. Saturday, September 22, marks the date on which Congress approved legislation formally authorizing the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship. Since that time, more than 187,000 Peace Corps volunteers have been invited by 139 host countries to work on issues ranging from education to agricultural support and environmental preservation. Today's Peace Corps is more vital than ever, working and emerging in essential areas such as information technology and business development, and committing more than 1,000 new volunteers as part of the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief. I am proud that Minnesota's Second District is home to Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges. Both schools, located in Northfield, Minnesota have been recognized nationally for the large number of their graduates serving in the Peace Corps. These volunteers continue to help countless individuals who want to build a better life for themselves, their children, and their communities. It is an honor to stand before you to recognize the Corps and their volunteers.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, along with my colleagues. Though the memorial stands primarily as a tribute to the 58,000 who were killed in Vietnam, the Wall, as it is more commonly known, continues to surpass its original purpose by acting as a quiet reminder of the price of our freedom and honoring the more than 153,000 men and women wounded in action. Perhaps most importantly, it serves as a source of healing for the 3 million men and women who served in the United States military during this war. The design was inspired by a need to bring reconciliation and healing to a country that was deeply divided. Its simplicity is transcended by a powerful message of remembrance. Each name is a person with a story. These soldiers served with honor and distinction, and the memorial helps us to remember them with the highest regard. As a Vietnam veteran myself, the memorial carries particular significance. I am reminded of the friends and comrades who gave their lives and of a far different time and place in my life. It is with these memories in mind that I express my sadness and disappointment at the reports of the recent desecration of the Wall. The people who did this have violated a sacred trust, and I consider their actions deplorable. If there are those who applaud this behavior, I would only remind them of the hypocrisy of their beliefs. Our freedom was won by brave men and women such as those honored on this Wall, and we should hold them all reverently in our hearts, as I know that we do when we visit that very powerful memorial. Frankly, Mr. Speaker, I hope these reports are not true or are exaggerated. I was appalled to hear them. I cannot help but draw parallels between the Vietnam war and the situation in Iraq. We have men and women today who are carrying the mantle for this generation. We must be mindful to accord them the respect that they deserve and honor their service. After 25 years, the memorial is unparalleled in terms of the sheer power of its presence. And there is irony because it was built into the ground. I remember the great debate that was taking place in this city and around the country when that memorial was put into place. There were those who thought it was a dishonor, frankly, to the men and women who served, to have this memorial be in the ground. But I know that every Vietnam veteran and their family and friends and Americans who have taken that walk down and stood at that powerful wall has reevaluated that opinion. Everyone who has been there has been moved, and for that I am very thankful.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. If the gentleman would yield for just a minute, that's what struck me is that, very much like General Petraeus' testimony today, the media discussion and the political discussion and the partisan discussion that led up to the testimony simply didn't match the testimony that we heard in either of these hearings. For example, I'm sure that many of our colleagues were surprised, and frankly I was, to hear General Petraeus say that it's tough but we're making progress, and we're making progress to the point where I'm going to recommend that we draw down our forces to the presurge level of brigade combat teams and we do it by next July. I was surprised that he put that date in there and that certainty in there when he made that statement. He said we're going to start drawing down this year, brigade combat team is going to come back, Marine expeditionary unit is going to come back, and we're going to continue to draw down through the spring and into the summer. And that is consistent with the original intent of the surge. It was temporary with what the Iraq Study Group said about a temporary surge, and in fact, I think it's very consistent with what the Jones commission said as well.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. I thank the gentleman for that. Reclaiming my time, if it's mine to reclaim, I'm not sure sometimes in these Special Orders whose time it is. I think it's the gentleman from Georgia's, but I don't want to have my colleagues or Americans believe that General Jones or General Petraeus came with nothing but good news. That's not the case. As we discussed earlier, the Jones commission recommended some major changes in how the police is trained and equipped and how it functions and how it's organized, that they were highly critical of the Ministry of the Interior and how they're functioning and, in many cases, failing to function. So there are clearly problems, but the Jones report, the Jones commission did not come back and say that all is lost and Iraqi security forces are all failing. In fact, that paragraph that I read quoting General Jones talking about how he was pleasantly surprised about the terrific progress of the Iraqi Army underscores that some good things are happening. I thought it was interesting in that hearing, as my colleague from Georgia no doubt remembers, during the question-and-answer period, the former Deputy Secretary John Hamre, former Deputy Secretary of Defense, was asked some questions about what we should do in Iraq, should we leave or should we leave quickly or were things too bad. And he said in part, and again I'm quoting, but we have strategic interests that are larger than just Iraq. I mean our continued influence and presence in the region, the ability to get continued access to energy resources, providing a counterweight to Iran. We have large strategic interests. Every one of those interests would be seriously diminished if we had to crawl out of Iraq or run out of Iraq. I think that is significant, Mr. Speaker. He made the point that when we leave Iraq, we walk out of Iraq on our terms, having defeated in large measure al Qaeda and left an Iraq with a promising future with the violence under control and political progress being made. And so I just think that we have seen some unfortunate, really strident partisan statements made in the last week or so, and I guess it's unavoidable that people tend to go to sources that match their perspective. But I thought that the constant referring to the Jones Commission's report as somehow undermining what General Petraeus was saying or not consistent with it or indicating that all was lost in Iraq was simply not correct. And these quotes were part of many in what I thought was a very thorough, complete testimony and thorough hearing when we had the members of that commission in before the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. I believe that's right.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. I thank the gentleman. I have a remark I would like to make in a few minutes. I know our friend and colleague, the gentleman from Tennessee, has some comments he would like to make. But I was struck, in view of the discussion we are having right here, that today in that hearing that the gentleman was just talking about, the Joint House Armed Services Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, that General Petraeus was forced, I believe is the right word, to do something that I find absolutely extraordinary. I have got his report right here to Congress on the situation in Iraq. In the second paragraph, after he thanks the chairmen and ranking members, he says, ``At the outset, I would like to note that this is my testimony. Although I have briefed my assessment and recommendations to my chain of command, I wrote this testimony myself. It has not been cleared by nor shared with anyone in the Pentagon, the White House or Congress.'' To think, one of the finest officers in the American Armed Forces felt it necessary to put this in the opening two sentences of his testimony, I find shocking and distressing. I am sure we will have more to say about that later. But it is not only in response to this scurrilous ad, unforgivable ad that moveon.org has written, but, frankly, as my colleagues here know, there have been comments made by some of our colleagues directly challenging and questioning the integrity of General Petraeus. And when I saw this today, I was just appalled that we have reached that point.

Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to pick up on some of the comments that our friend and colleague, the gentleman from Mississippi, was addressing when he was talking about some of the information in the testimony that we heard today from both General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker. I have the testimony from General Petraeus here in my hand. Mr. Speaker, I thought I would touch on a couple of the points that he made. He says that the progress our forces have achieved with the Iraqi counterparts has been substantial. He says, I see improvements in the security environment. The level of security incidents has decreased significantly since the start of the surge of offensive operations in mid-June. Civilian deaths have declined considerably. He says locals have increasingly supported our efforts. While he says al Qaeda certainly is not defeated, it is off balance and we are pursuing its leaders and operators aggressively. This report is not all rosy. General Petraeus made the point several times during the over 6 hours of testimony that we had today that he doesn't want to look at this from a rosy standpoint or a pessimistic standpoint or an optimistic standpoint, but from a realistic standpoint; and I believe that this great leader, this great general, this man of great integrity and competence and capability did just that for us today. One of the things that came up repeatedly during the hearing today was a reference to another report and another hearing that we on the Armed Services Committee heard about last week. General James Jones, a former commandant of the Marine Corps, the former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, was the head of a commission, a very distinguished commission, I might add, one of the most experienced I have ever seen, that had military officers and senior noncommissioned officers and experienced law enforcement personnel go over to Iraq with the charge to evaluate the Iraqi security forces. Repeatedly today, and sometimes last week, we heard our colleagues saying, well, General Jones came with a very pessimistic report, and he had great concerns that things aren't going well. And one of our colleagues actually asked the question, General Petraeus, how do you square, how do you reconcile, if you will, these differences in reports. And I remember thinking, Mr. Speaker, when I was in that Armed Services Committee hearing and listening to General Jones and his exceptionally well-qualified colleagues, that the hearing that we were experiencing was not at all like the news reports, perhaps like the ads we saw earlier today, but was not at all like the news reports we had seen before the testimony in the Armed Services Committee. And just as an example, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to quote just a few things that General Jones and some of his colleagues said during that hearing. He said, our first conclusion is that the Iraqi security forces as a whole cannot yet defend the territorial integrity of Iraq. This is not necessarily an alarming conclusion, he said. They're able to do more in terms of combating the internal security threats to Iraq, and that's positive. He said, we've noted improvement in the internal security missions such as denying the safe haven to terrorists, and this progress is likely to continue in the months ahead. He says, the Iraqi security forces can bring greater security to the provinces in the next 12 to 18 months, assuming a continuing rate of progress. He said, the impact of the surge has had a tactical success for both Iraqi and coalition forces in the Baghdad region. That doesn't sound like a pessimistic report or out of step with what General Petraeus said today. It's what we have known for some time, and I'm sure that my colleagues on their trips to Iraq have had the same experiences and reports that I have, and that is, that the Iraqi Army has been making steady progress but the police forces are in some disarray and need of major improvements. In fact, General Jones and his commission recommended that the national police force, a relatively small group of 25,000, be disbanded and distributed to other forces and that the much larger Iraqi security police be strengthened. Again, not at all out of sync with what we heard today. And in fact, because I had heard in previous trips to Iraq that the Iraqi Army was doing well and the Iraqi police was not doing well, I said to General Jones, well, this seems very consistent with the message that we have heard for some time. So I'm not surprised to hear you say that, and you probably weren't surprised to find that yourself. And I thought this was amazing. He said, and I will check my notes here to make sure that I've got this right, he says, I was pleasantly surprised. I'd been going to Iraq off and on since 2003 in my NATO hat, and again, he was the commander of NATO, but I think I did not expect to see the will that I saw in the Iraqi Armed Forces to take the fight to the enemy. I did not expect to see the length and breadth of the institutions that are functioning that you need to support an emerging army, the training bases, the recruiting, the recruit training, NCO schools, counterintelligence schools, training corpsmen. All of those things exist. We know that because we saw them. This was a very highly experienced group of four-star and three-star generals, sergeants major, police chiefs that went, and this was their assessment when they came back. And again, this seems to me very consistent with General Petraeus' report today that said, well, things are still tough over there, but the surge is working and we're making progress. I know my colleague wants to talk about some of those recommendations in a bit, but I just want to go to one more.