Jerry Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize for 3 minutes the gentleman from California, the former chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Duncan Hunter.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to instruct conferees.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In doing so, I rise to offer a very simple, straightforward motion to instruct conferees on the fiscal year 2007 emergency supplemental appropriations bill. The motion to instruct simply insists that House conferees support the previously adopted House position with regard to a timetable for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. This motion, which I will oppose, puts Members on record as either fully supporting our troops or agreeing to a surrender date in Iraq. It is that simple. It is no secret that many Members of the House, both Republicans and Democrats, have strong reservations about the manner in which this legislation undermines the authority of the President, our commander in chief. Members are also rightly concerned about how this legislation places military decisions in the hands of politicians rather than the military commanders in the field. This legislation ought to focus on our troops. It ought to focus on providing those in harm's way with the resources they need to complete their mission successfully. It ought to respect, not micromanage, our combatant commanders in whom we place the ultimate responsibility for prosecuting military actions. Mr. Speaker, Members of Congress are many things. We are elected to represent the interests of our constituents from our congressional districts. However, as presently written, this legislation makes the dangerous assumption that Congress also has an on-the-ground role in prosecuting the war in Iraq. In closing, let me remind my colleagues of this: We are not generals. We are not the Secretary of State. And we are most certainly not the commander in chief. The vote on this motion to instruct will signal whether Members of the House are willing to provide our men and women in uniform with our unqualified support or whether Members will fully embrace a timetable for withdrawal and surrender. I urge a ``no'' vote on this motion to instruct. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert), a distinguished member of our committee.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield 2 minutes to a member of the committee, the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Granger).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton), a distinguished member of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, could you give me an idea of what amount of time is left on both sides?

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut, Chris Shays.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman from Wisconsin has no additional speakers, I am ready to close.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the courtesy of my colleague dealing with this time and circumstance. I do not intend to take a lot of time. But it is important for all those listening, and who were concerned about this issue, to know that we take this matter very, very seriously, and our motion is a serious one. It is my view that a ``yes'' vote for this bill is a bill that will undermine the potential effectiveness of our troops for the remainder of the time that they remain in Iraq, and that a ``no'' vote is the only way, the only way to express support for our troops' efforts and guarantee, in many ways, the opportunity for success. This legislation ought to focus on those troops. As I said earlier, it ought to focus on providing those in harm's way with the resources they need to complete their mission successfully. Further, it ought to respect, not micromanage, our combatant commanders who have the responsibility for carrying forward this war successfully. It's no secret that many Members of the House, both Republicans and Democrats, have strong reservations about the manner in which this legislation undermines the authority of the President and the Commander in Chief. It is not acceptable that we find ourselves suddenly presuming that we can afford to have 435 Commanders in Chief by way of this House. It breaks, in my judgment, some of the fundamental traditions of the Appropriations Committee, which calls for an open process whereby we can deal with each other in as close as a nonpartisan way as possible. Indeed, a ``no'' vote on this legislation expresses strongly our concern for allowing our troops to do their work, to do it effectively, and to get home as soon as possible as we continue to be the voice, the significant voice for freedom remaining in this world. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, as I go about recognizing another of my colleagues, let me just take a moment to say that if indeed we had had a traditional open rule on this process, we would not have had the problem that the gentleman has just alluded to. An up-or- down vote on whether we withdraw our troops or not would have been available. We would have satisfied many of the questions. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra), the former chairman of the Intelligence Committee.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to stand today in recognition of the Mountain Fifes and Drums, a volunteer music program located in Lake Arrowhead, California, that specializes in providing unique instruction, history, and leadership skills to 60 young people. I am delighted to report that on May 12, members of the Mountain Fifes and Drums will be leading the processional march at the America's 400th anniversary celebration in Jamestown, Virginia. This celebration will be chaired by Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Conner, and is expected to feature guest appearances by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. Is it an honor to be recognized at a historical event of such a high caliber, and I congratulate the Mountain Fifes and Drums for representing California at this national celebration. Founded in 2001 by Lake Arrowhead residents Cindy Olson and Kevin Garland, the Mountain Fifes and Drums has become one of the premiere living history music groups in my district. The repertoire focuses on 18th and 19th century martial music, and the corps has excelled at presenting their music as accurately and authentically as possible. The group also provides character-building lessons in responsibility and discipline. There is no fee for the program and no prior musical knowledge is required, which encourages students of all levels to join. Like many privately organized musical groups in my district, the Mountain Fifes and Drums offers instruction in music technique, theory, and history. But the group also fosters character development of each member of the corps. By providing incentives for achieving higher ranks in music, and offering a point system for disciplined behavior, members are encouraged to engage in healthy competition and to consistently perfect their music techniques. Students are taught lessons in self-sufficiency, by engaging in fundraising activities in order to pay for trips around the United States. These fundraising projects help the performers hone their skills and teach invaluable lessons about hard work and responsibility. At the same time, they create ties to many community groups that encourage youth to stay active in local organizations. Most of the members of the Mountain Fifes and Drums are home schooled, and their participation provides friendships that extend beyond the rehearsal hall. Group members come from a number of mountain communities, including Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, Running Springs, and Twin Peaks. I am pleased to see that residents in each of these areas have provided generous contributions to the Mountain Fifes and Drums. Madam Speaker, I look forward with pride to watching these talented and dedicated young people take part in our national Jamestown celebration. I ask my colleagues to join with me in wishing them success and thanking Cindy Olson and Kevin Garland for creating and fostering such a unique group.

Mr. LEWIS of California

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, may we hear what the time left is on both sides, please.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hobson), a member of the Defense Subcommittee.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to yield time to my Speaker, the gentleman from Illinois, Dennis Hastert, 3 minutes.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would not want the gentleman from Wisconsin to think, since I don't have an opening statement, that I don't feel as passionately about this issue as he does. We just happen to disagree about how we support the troops, whether we make an effort to support them by providing adequate and flexible funding for the commanders, or have a mandatory withdrawal Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon) a member of the committee, for 2 minutes.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/4\ minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Neugebauer). (Mr. NEUGEBAUER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I recognize the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Price) for 1 minute. (Mr. PRICE of Georgia asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Flake).

Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I can count on one hand the number of times I voted with this gentleman. He is on the other side of the aisle, but he couldn't get any time on that side. So I am pleased to recognize that all of us have the right to speak regardless of whether we agree with one or not. I recognize Mr. Kucinich of Ohio for 1 minute.