Rick Larsen

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, Andy Anderson's passing is a tragic loss for Washington state, Whatcom County and for me personally. My thoughts and prayers are with Andy's loved ones during this difficult time. Andy's commitment to public service is legendary and his contributions to Washington state have been many and varied. While serving as District Manager for Congressman Al Swift, Andy was instrumental in creating the PACE (now NEXUS) lane for frequent travelers between the United States and Canada. Andy's efforts to expand trade and reduce wait times helped thousands of families and businesses on both sides of the border. After I was elected to Congress in 2000, I asked Andy to come out of retirement to join my team. For 3 years, he served as director of my Bellingham office, representing me in Whatcom County. I am honored to have worked with Andy Anderson. He was a true friend and a tireless advocate for my constituents. He was always available to answer a question, investigate and solve a problem and look for new ways to make life a little easier for the people he served. Andy will be missed, but his contributions to our community, our State and our country will be felt for many decades to come.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam 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. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the business in order under the Calendar Wednesday rule be dispensed with today.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the North Cascades National Park. On October 2, 1968, President Johnson signed the North Cascades Act and 680,000 acres of peaks, glaciers, old growth forest and salmon- bearing streams were protected. North Cascades National Park became a reality thanks to the tireless efforts of local activists and bipartisan support from elected officials, including former Senator Henry Scoop Jackson, Representative Lloyd Meeds and Governor Daniel Evans. The North Cascades are home to numerous species, including the Bald Eagle, Spotted Owl and grizzly bear. The park is also home to world- class recreation areas. Families can hunt, fish and boat in and around scenic mountain lakes. During the last four decades, millions of Americans have experienced the beauty of the North Cascades. I want to thank all of the men and women who have worked so hard to create the North Cascades National Park, and I invite all Americans to come visit this national treasure.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the nation of Israel and her people on the recent 60th Anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. The United States stood with Israel in 1948 as it took the first steps forward as a new nation and we proudly stand with her today. The United States and Israel are bound together by a shared history and shared values. We share thriving, plurastic democracies that allow for--and encourage--open political discourse and opposition. Both counties are governed by the rule of law and share fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of speech and religion. And our economies share an entrepreneurial spirit which gives those from all walks of life the opportunity to succeed. The United States has no better ally and friend in the Middle East than Israel. Both peoples strive to live in peace and protect our communities from those who would do us harm. The United States stands with Israel against any threats to the security and existence of your country, and we stand with you as you strive to secure a peaceful and lasting relationship with your neighbors. Madam Speaker, as we join with Israel to celebrate 60 years as an independent and free state, now is the time for the United States to reaffirm our support for our ally and friend. Thank you.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today I stand in recognition of National Drug Court Month and the important work done by drug courts in my district and around the country. Drug courts combine intense judicial supervision and comprehensive treatment in community-wide approaches to rehabilitation. They bring together teams of judges, attorneys, treatment providers, child advocates and law enforcement officers. Their tireless work gives nonviolent offenders a second chance to get clean and take back their lives. In my district, drug court programs have enhanced public safety, saved taxpayer dollars and, most importantly, saved lives. Since 1999, the Snohomish County Drug Court in Everett, Washington, has graduated over 300 participants, of whom 94 percent have remained clean. Drug courts are widely recognized as the most effective solution for reducing crime and recidivism among drug-addicted offenders. They come at a fraction of the cost of standard incarceration, and they work. It is our responsibility at the Federal level to provide the funds necessary to ensure that their services are available to people that need them. So congratulations to dedicated drug court professionals and graduates from Washington State and around the country on a job well done. Thank you for your hard work and your dedication.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I too rise in opposition to the Tierney amendment. Just a little bit different focus here. The bill, as it stands, includes provisions to improve oversight and accountability for MDA, including required independent studies of boost phase ballistic missile defense systems, and requires strategy to increase the frequency and rigor of testing for mid course defense systems. Large increases would undercut the prudent path forward established in this bill, and undermine the accountability provisions. Large additional decreases would undercut deployment of mature systems, and could lead to increased missile defense spending in the future if important demonstrations are postponed from fiscal year 2009 to 2010. This is already a well-balanced budget within the missile defense budget, and well balanced with other needs, such as readiness, strategic programs and nonproliferation. So I'm asking my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this proposed amendment. As we have noted, this amendment seeks to increase fiscal year 2009 funding for the Missile Defense Agency by $719 million to the level of the budget request. The administration did in fact request $9.3 billion in fiscal year 2009 for MDA, an increase of $680 million above the 2008 funded level. This bill authorizes $8.6 billion in 2009 for the Missile Defense Agency, roughly equivalent to the 2008 level. Furthermore, this bill provides our warfighters with the capabilities that they need to respond to the real missile threats to our homeland, our deployed forces and our allies. For example, this bill increases funding for systems geared to near- term threats such as Aegis BMD and THAAD. And to clear up that misunderstanding that I believe we heard on this side of the aisle, this bill actually increases Aegis and THAAD $75 million each above the President's request; not a total of $75 million, but $75 million above the request each for Aegis and THAAD. Also, we improve the missile defense testing program and cooperation with Israel. I have a number of concerns about the proposed amendment. First, this amendment is an attempt to restore the reduction to the MDA, but this is at a time when we have so many other unmet national security needs that equally meet the standard of providing for the common defense, and the House defeated a similar floor amendment last year. Second, the proposed offset would come from the RDT&E account, except for the Missile Defense Agency, unfairly placing that agency above all other critical RDT&E priorities. Third, it is my understanding as well that it is unlikely that the proposed increase in funding for the programs outlined in this amendment are even executable in fiscal year 2009. Fourth, the amendment is inconsistent with section 223 of the 2008 Defense Authorization Act, which states that RDT&E funding in 2009 may not be used for ``procurement or advance procurement of long-lead items for THAAD firing units 3 and 4, and for Standard Missile-3 Block 1A interceptors.'' Therefore, as written, the amendment would not allow any of the funding to be used for THAAD, additional THAAD, or SM-3 Block 1A. Mr. Chairman, this bill provides a well-balanced approach to missile defense, and it provides a well-balanced approach when balanced against other key national security needs overall in our defense budget such as readiness, strategic programs and nonproliferation, all of which are well-funded as well. I urge my colleagues to defeat the proposed amendment.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the bipartisan Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, which includes legislation I introduced to create the first new wilderness area in Washington State in over 20 years. The Wild Sky Wilderness will be unique, protecting 106,000 acres of pristine forests and streams in my district, while providing a clean and accessible place to hunt, to fish, and to hike. My staff first met on this issue on February 20, 2001, 48 days into my first term. And now 2,625 or so days later, we are ready to pass the Wild Sky Wilderness bill as part of the broader bill and send it to the President's desk. The Wild Sky Wilderness Act is a carefully crafted piece of legislation that reflects years of community input. It will protect the peaks, the forests, and the lakes of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, as well as thousands of acres of lower-elevation forests and salmon-bearing streams. The bill has been vetted through a 7-year process of hearings, debate, local town hall meetings. It started out as a much larger bill, but through a series of compromises and through a process of inclusiveness, we came up with the bill that now stands before you today as part of the larger bill. And it would not have been possible without the help of many people here in Congress and in the Second District. Large businesses like REI, smaller businesses like a small bed and breakfast located in Index support this bill. It garners the support of Democrats and Republicans alike in Washington State. But deserving special recognition here in Congress are people like Chairman Nick Rahall and his staff, led by Jim Zoia and Rick Healy. This proposal went through a 7-year process and is soon to become law as it goes to the President's desk. I also want to thank my partner on the Senate side, Senator Patty Murray. Creating the Wild Sky Wilderness bill would not have been possible without her hard work and strong leadership in the Senate. So I ask my colleagues today to support the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 and know that when you do that, you will be helping to create the first wilderness bill for Washington State in over 20 years. I urge passage of this legislation.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a woman who spent more than 20 years working for the people of the 2nd District of Washington State. Janet Elizabeth Thiessen, who passed away last month at the age of 78, was at the side of former Congressman Al Swift, throughout the years he represented the 2nd District from 1978 until 1995. Ms. Thiessen's service to the 2nd District didn't begin with Rep. Swift; she first worked for his predecessor, Congressman Lloyd Meeds, as a caseworker in the district office and later as a member of his DC staff. After graduating from Western Washington State College, Ms. Thiessen started out her career as a teacher. When she and her husband moved to Skagit County, she turned her attention to raising sons Kyle and Scott and volunteering in the community. One of her volunteer projects she was most proud of was helping to bring childcare to migrant families in Skagit County so children wouldn't have to be in the fields while their parents were in the fields picking fruit and vegetables. It was during her years as a volunteer for the local Democratic Party that she met Lloyd Meeds. Her volunteer efforts for Rep. Meeds led to a job helping his constituents, first in the district office and then in Washington. DC. Ms. Thiessen and Swift both worked for Rep. Meeds and when Swift was elected, she became office manager and ultimately his Chief of Staff. Ms. Thiessen was respected and admired by all who worked in the office. She set high standards and expected top-quality work from all staff in the Swift office. Her hand was in nearly every issue that Swift worked on throughout his tenure in Congress, from his Motor Voter bill, which eventually became law, to the various projects that he sponsored around the 2nd District, such as the 88th Street Interchange on I-5 and the return of passenger rail service between Seattle and Vancouver, BC. She knew the issues, she knew the district, and she made sure everything ran smoothly for Rep. Swift and his legislative staff. Her writing and grammatical skills were the envy of the entire office. I've been told that both she and Rep. Swift were terrific editors, but her eagle eyes would rarely let a misspelled word or typo slip by in any of the correspondence that went out of the office. Outside of the office, her ability to work a crossword or any type of word puzzle was legendary! She was one of the first to arrive in the office each day and usually the last to leave at night. She took young staffers under her wing and often pushed them to better themselves in their careers--whether that meant going back to school or taking another job. Many of Swift's former staffers whom Ms. Thiessen helped nurture have gone on to become state legislators, CEOs, judges, attorneys, public affairs officers, top congressional staff, archivists, and teachers. I am fortunate that my own district director for many years worked with and was mentored by Ms. Thiessen. Janet Thiessen was an independent woman who made her way in a world that was, at that time, often dominated by men. She rose from an unpaid volunteer to the Chief of Staff for a veteran congressman, all on her own. Her intellect, political skills, loyalty, sense of humor and kindness served her well in her career on Capitol Hill and in life. She will be greatly missed.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, on April 9th, 1958, Skagit Valley Hospital opened its doors and began a tradition of providing high-quality healthcare to the residents of Northwest Washington. I rise today to commend Skagit Valley Hospital on its 50th Anniversary and thank the more than 1,200 employees, 250 physicians, 450 volunteers and countless community supporters who continue to work to fulfill the hospital's goal of being ``the best regional, community hospital in the Northwest.'' Over the last fifty years, Skagit Valley Hospital has grown dramatically and expanded the services it offers to patients. After opening a 220,000 square foot expansion in June of 2007, the hospital now boasts 137 beds, a Level III Trauma Center, and cutting-edge Kidney, Diagnostic Imaging and Comprehensive Cancer Care Centers. Most of Skagit Valley Hospital's facilities are located in Mount Vernon, Washington, but in recent years the hospital has expanded geographically to serve more families in rural and underserved areas. Its Community Health Centers in Stanwood, Washington and Camano Island, Washington bring healthcare services closer to patients who need them. The fine work of Skagit Valley Hospital has been supported by the generosity of both the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation and the Skagit Hospice Foundation. Together, these organizations have raised and donated over $9 million to improve Skagit Valley Hospital and support patients and their families. For fifty years, Skagit Valley Hospital has been a pillar of our community and the Northwest Washington healthcare system. Please join me in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Skagit Valley Hospital and thanking its dedicated staff for their tireless efforts.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H. Res. 106.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, our society tends to think of drugs only as illicit, illegal products sold on the street. Yet there are other dangers closer to home, in our own medicine cabinets and a click of the mouse away. Common household products, such as cough syrup, contain ingredients that can provide a high if taken in large enough doses. The Partnership for a Drug Free America estimates that 1 in 10 teenagers or approximately 2.4 million young people have intentionally abused cough medicine in order to get high. The primary active ingredient in most cough medicines is dextromethorphan, also known as DXM. While medicines containing DXM are used safely by millions of Americans each year, some teenagers are taking excessive amounts of over-the-counter cough medications in order to get high. Moreover, many teens are abusing the unfinished, pure form of DXM which under current law can be obtained legally over the Internet. Pure DXM is extremely dangerous when taken in large amounts, and can cause hallucinations, seizures, brain damage, and even death. In 2005, two teenagers in my district died from overdosing on unfinished DXM, which they had obtained from a company over the Internet. In the same year three boys from Virginia and Florida died as a result of abusing unfinished DXM, which they had acquired through the same means. The loss of these children is a tragedy that will forever be felt by their families and their communities. There is no need to risk the reoccurrence of these tragic events in the future. H.R. 970, the Dextromethorphan Distribution Act, will prohibit the distribution of unfinished DXM to anyone not registered to possess it. It will cut off the supply of unfinished DXM to those looking to use it to get high or sell it as a street drug. This commonsense legislation will eliminate the abuse of unfinished DXM, while still allowing drug manufacturers and registered pharmacists to use the substance as it was intended. I would like to thank my friend and colleague Fred Upton for his leadership on this issue, and I applaud the House leadership for sending this bill to the House floor. I urge the Senate to act quickly to turn this commonsense bill into law.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Ms. Herseth Sandlin for speaking on behalf of this critical legislation. I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member of the Committee on Agriculture as well for helping bring H.R. 3184 to the floor. The livelihoods of many families in Washington State depend upon the health and vitality of the Puget Sound. Unfortunately, as we already heard, there is no denying the health of the Puget Sound has been declining. Salmon and other species call the sound home and are either threatened or endangered. Water quality is extremely poor in certain places, and some aquatic species have shown harmful levels of toxins. Agriculture is a large and important part of the economy in the Puget Sound region, and I represent much of it; and we do not want to see our ag economy decline either. Ag producers face the constant challenge of keeping good ag land in production while being responsible stewards of the land and of the Puget Sound watershed. That is why the State of Washington and our State's Governor Chris Gregoire have led the charge in pulling together ag producers, business, industry, and local nonprofits and many others to develop long-term strategies to restore the Puget Sound. However, our State cannot do it alone. This legislation takes a first step, and only a first step, to provide critical Federal support to those efforts by developing a competitive, comprehensive, conservation program to help determine the right conservation planning efforts for local agriculture producers. As well, again, this is only a small piece of the puzzle. Most of that puzzle will come from State and local governments. These types of efforts have been done or are being done in other areas of the country. The results of comprehensive conservation planning helps ag producers make smart conservation decisions and investments, and, in turn, takes important steps restoring the health of the Puget Sound. This bill will provide the capacity that local conservation districts simply do not have in meeting the unique challenges of this critical watershed. Ag producers in Washington State have a role to play in protecting the health of the Puget Sound, and they are more than willing to do their part, but we need a comprehensive conservation strategy to get that job done, and that is what H.R. 3184 helps us do. I urge the passage of H.R. 3184 and again thank the chairman and the ranking member of the committee for helping to bring this to the floor

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of Hunger Awareness Day. Each day millions of our fellow Americans will go to bed hungry. In my home State of Washington, around 95,000 families suffer from hunger. Each day, approximately 300,000 families in Washington State are forced to choose between putting food on the table and paying their bills. Worst of all, 39 percent of those served by Washington's largest hunger relief agency are children. In the wealthiest and most agriculture-rich nation in this world, this is simply unacceptable. As Americans, we all must do our part to make sure everyone in our communities, young and old, get enough to eat. In my district, organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of Monroe, Washington, are using today to hold food drives and benefit dinners to support local food banks. Many organizations across the State and Nation are doing their part to fight the hunger epidemic. We need to match their efforts in Congress. So as Congress works to reauthorize the farm bill this year, we need to make sure that Federal anti-hunger programs and emergency food assistance programs get the resources they need. I want to thank our local leaders in Washington State and across the country for their work fighting hunger, and I call on my colleagues in Congress to join their efforts.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I am pleased today that the House will vote to reauthorize the successful COPS program, and I commend our leadership for bringing H.R. 1700 to the floor. The Community Oriented Policing Services program has allowed our law enforcement agencies to hire over 100,000 police officers nationwide. This has led to significantly reduced crime rates between 1995 and 2005. Unfortunately, the hiring component of this grant program has not been funded in recent years and the program overall has taken severe cuts. Post-9/11, we have asked our State and local law enforcement agencies to protect not only our communities from crime, but to protect our homeland as well. We cannot continue to put unfunded mandates on our local police forces and expect them to also provide protection from terrorism if we are not willing to provide the Federal aid for them to do so. If Congress fails to fund the hiring of additional peace officers, we risk losing the progress we have made in crime reduction. We must keep pressure up on crime. By helping to hire local police officers, the COPS program helps our State and local law enforcement bust drug-trafficking rings, take down domestic meth labs, and keep our communities safe. I encourage my colleagues to vote for H.R. 1700, the COPS Reauthorization Act of 2007.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of creating the first wilderness area for Washington State in over 20 years. The Wild Sky Wilderness will be unique, protecting 106,000 acres of the most pristine forests and streams in my district, while providing a clean and accessible place to hike, hunt, and fish. The Wild Sky Wilderness Act has been carefully crafted, and it reflects years of community input. It will protect the peaks, forests and lakes of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, as well as thousands of acres of lower-elevation forest and salmon-bearing streams. Wild Sky will protect more lower-elevation acres than any other wilderness area in Washington State, bringing wilderness closer to our communities and benefiting Washington families and businesses for generations to come. Congress passed the last national forest wilderness act in 1984 when a bipartisan effort brought a bill to President Ronald Reagan for signature that created, among other areas, the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. This Wild Sky Wilderness Act has strong bipartisan support as well. This bill has received strong support from local Republican and Democratic legislators, former Republican Governors, and our current Democratic Governor, Christine Gregoire. Additionally, State legislators and the Snohomish County Executive have expressed their support. The Wild Sky Wilderness Act has local support. The former mayor of the town of Index, the closest local government to the proposed wilderness, has said that ``the Wild Sky Wilderness will be the best thing that ever happened in the valley.'' The cities of Monroe and Snohomish, both located on Highway 2 on the way to the Wild Sky, have passed resolutions of support. The Wild Sky Wilderness Act has strong business support. REI, Inc., the Nation's largest consumer cooperative with its focus on the outdoor adventure, is an endorser, as are David and Lynn Meier, co-owners of A Stone's Throw Bed and Breakfast and A Cabin in the Sky vacation rental just down the way from the wild Skykomish wilderness. Additionally, the Snohomish County Economic Development Council supports this proposal. This bill again marks the summit of a 5-year process of inclusiveness and compromise. My staff and the staff of Senator Patty Murray, who is the bill's prime sponsor in the Senate, have worked over the last 5 years to address local concerns. As a result of this community input, the original idea of a 120,000-acre proposal has been whittled down to the 106,000-acre bill that we are voting on today. The spirit of compromise has been a constant in this bill's development over the last 5 years. This past winter, as an example, massive floods altered the path of the Skykomish River, displacing and destroying parts of the primary road that snakes through the proposed wilderness area. Immediately, Senator Murray and I brought together Snohomish County, the Forest Service and local advocates to responsibly adjust the boundaries of the proposed wilderness to ensure that the road could be repaired and remain open in the future. The spirit of compromise has earned the support of groups such as the Washington Sea Plane Pilots Association, local tribes, the Wild Steelhead Coalition, the Back Country Horsemen and the Washington Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities. Additionally, my office has received approximately 4,000 letters and e-mails in support of the Wild Sky and a petition with over 10,000 names in support. Over 5 years of collaboration and compromise has resulted in a bill that has gained broad support in the best tradition of past Washington State wilderness areas. It is time to create the next generation of Washington State wilderness. Finally, I want to thank Chairman Rahall and his staff, Jim Zoia and Rick Healy, for their tremendous help and unwavering support for the Wild Sky Wilderness Act. Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to submit the following names for the Record. These people conceived, fine-tuned, negotiated, along with many other people, the boundaries of the Wild Sky. Without their tireless effort, we would not be here today, and we owe them our thanks as well. Mike Town, John Leary, Larry Romans, Tom Uniack, Rick McGuire, Mark Lawler, Harry Romberg, Norm Winn, Don Parks, Charlie Raines, Jon Owen, Michael Carroll, Jill Mckinnie, Brandon Hall, Christian Gunter, Jasper MacSlarrow, Louis Lauter, Doug Clapp, Abbey Levenshus, Charla Newman, Amanda Mahnke, Kim Johnston, Jeff Bjornstad, Jaime Shimek, Karen Waters, John Engber, Rachelle Hein, Cindy Lewis, Christy Gullion, Nalani Askov, Michelle Ackerman, Jennifer Ekstrom, Doug Scott, Bill Arthur, Doug Walker, Bill & Sue Cross, Bob Hubbard, Conway Leovy, Mark Heckert, Kem Hunter, Aaron Reardon, Peter Jackson, Tracy Nagelbush, Brian Bonlender, Michelle Koppes, Dave Sommers, Amit Ronen, Carrie Desmond. Finally I would like to thank the late Karen M. Fant, 1949-2006. Throughout her adult life Karen spurred thousands of citizens across the State of Washington to speak up for the protection of wild places and wilderness. Early on Karen recognized the need to bring together and involve local people in efforts to protect wilderness. To do so she cofounded and directed the Washington Wilderness Coalition. She was instrumental in forming an effective statewide community of wilderness advocates. To those who knew her, she provided never-ending inspiration and enthusiasm to keep working for the goal of protecting wilderness and wildlands in Washington State. Above all, Karen saw the potential and opportunity in everyone to be involved, play an important role, and make a difference.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from eastern Washington for yielding. I rise today to pay tribute to the Honorable Jack Metcalf, who was my predecessor in Washington State's Second Congressional District. Before Jack was a Congressman, and we have heard about his running for office, but he was a teacher for 30 years. Public service was more than a profession for Jack. It was very much a passion. He placed a premium on honesty and hard work, and he was admired for being a person of his word. He built relationships not only with traditional allies, but with anyone concerned with improving the quality of life for his constituents. Jack forged a bipartisan alliance with Senator Patty Murray to protect our marine habitat in Washington State. The work done by the Murray-Metcalf Commission continues today to benefit the people of Washington State. Jack's dedication to protecting our marine resources stands as a challenge to his successors and as a legacy to our State. I personally had the pleasure of working with Jack on flood issues when I was a local elected official. Flooding had created terrible problems for Snohomish County, and Jack brought people together and harnessed Federal, State, and local resources to find solutions. We will miss ``Gentleman Jack'' Metcalf. He had no need for partnership or grandstanding, and he stood out for his commitment to the people that he represented. And certainly tonight our hearts go out to Jack's wife Norma and to their children.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my friend and colleague from Texas (Mr. Al Green).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Snyder).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Skelton for yielding time, and I rise today certainly in support of this resolution. I rise also today in support of a strong U.S. military, a military that is ready to combat terrorists and a military that is ready for the challenges of this century. And for these reasons, I have to oppose the President's plan to escalate the war in Iraq and support the resolution before us. The President's announcement to add 21,500 U.S. troops to Iraq is a step in the wrong direction. The American public does not want an escalation of the Iraq war, especially without an explanation of what we are trying to achieve. The President promised a new approach, but more troops does not equal a new way forward. The United States has a choice. We can stay in Iraq to keep a lid on Iraq's civil war or we can devote enough time and attention to fighting terrorists wherever they are and securing a military that is prepared to protect our national security. I choose the latter. At a time when we need to manage our strategic risk in the face of terrorists and nuclear uncertainty, at a time when our enemies are numerous, unpredictable and dangerous, this administration has made the wrong choice. I believe this approach damages our military readiness today and damages our ability to prepare for threats in the future. This war has strained our ability to train here at home with functional equipment. It has strained the ability of our services to recruit for the future. It has strained our ability to prepare a defense budget that can prepare us for 21st century threats. Every State in this Union, including Washington State, has National Guard units that are depleted. They do not have the equipment that they need to train and are forced to leave equipment in theater, making it harder to do their job at home. In Washington State, 90 percent of the Army National Guard and 65 percent of the Air National Guard have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and performed admirably and honorably; but at home, they only have 55 percent of their required equipment on hand, equipment that is integral to the training of these Guardsmen. The President's escalation plan will not solve these problems. It will make them worse. The President's plan will not decrease our strategic risk. It will exacerbate it. Units at home are struggling just to meet the training requirements necessary to deploy to Iraq. With this escalation plan, units at home will suffer as the Army and Marine Corps are forced to take more of their equipment to supply the additional brigades going into Iraq, depleting their training opportunities. Equipment shortages at home are what we hear about most, but the war's effect on our prepositioned equipment abroad may be as serious a threat. The Army relies on prepositioned sets of equipment in strategic locations around the world. This equipment ensures that our troops are able to deploy at a moment's notice. A large portion of this equipment has been taken to support the troop increase, increasing the chance that equipment will not be available in the case of an emerging crisis. I personally have lost confidence in the Iraqi Government to fulfill its commitments to the United States. I want our women and men in the military to know that we have a strategy that is worthy of their individual actions and sacrifice and that they will have the resources necessary to do their job. But most of all, I am concerned that the President's decisions have led us away from our greatest national security threat; that is, fighting terrorists who will do us harm. Make no mistake, while some of us support this escalation and some of us oppose it, all of us can agree on the need to support our women and men in the military, honor their commitment, and make sure they get the resources they need to do their jobs. I recently heard from a friend of mine who, I will conclude with this, who served in the Army Reserve in Iraq and likely will return. This is what he said. ``Here I am, socially and culturally aware of the greater world. I am educated and a father of two beautiful children, children who have not been touched by war or tragedy. People tell me I should get out of the military because I have done my part, I don't need to serve again; but I do because if not me, then whom? I serve as an instrument of the State because I believe in the institution which is the Army and in turn with what that institution supports. As an officer, I have a duty to provide leadership to those under my command, and if it means I give my life at the expense of my children and all the things I love and hold so dear in life, then that is what I will have to do. I do not seek this action blindly. I am cognizant of the dangers inherent in soldiering and understand the risks and rewards involved. As a soldier, I will always pray for peace, but in a time of war, I am willing to move towards the sounds of the guns. I will fight for the Army and I will fight for my country, but most importantly, I will fight so others will not have to experience the mental anguish and soul-crushing reality which is war. For in the end, I know that I can love the Army all I want, but the Army and this country will never love me back, no matter what the sacrifice. I am at peace with this dichotomy.'' We owe my friend and his brothers-in-arms the training and equipment he deserves, and we owe him a national strategy that honors our military and our safety. That is why I ask everyone to vote for H. Con. Res. 63 to show that this escalation is a step in the wrong direction.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of H.R. 365, and I want to thank Chairman Gordon, Mr. Hall and my fellow cochairs of the Meth Caucus, Mr. Calvert, Mr. Boswell and Mr. Cannon for their work in drafting this bill, getting it to the floor here today. Meth is literally a chemical cocktail. It is made from hazardous caustic substances. In the process of cooking a batch of meth, those chemicals seep into the interior of a home, and often innocent families move into these houses and apartments completely unaware that their new home was once used to cook meth. It isn't until they become ill that they know something is terribly wrong. The DEA reported over 12,000 meth lab busts in 2005 in 49 States. There are currently no Federal standards or health-based guidelines to determine when a former lab is safe to inhabit. This bill will create the research both to know when a home is safe to reinhabit and the health impacts of exposure to a lab. We owe it the children found in meth labs each year to know how their health has been affected and how best to treat them. This bill does that. As a cochair of the Meth Caucus, I am very pleased to see an important meth bill like this one brought to the floor, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. I rise in full support of the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement and Safety Act of 2006. This bill is the result of months of hard work. I want to commend Chairmen Young and Barton and Ranking Members Oberstar and Dingell, as well as committee staff for the countless hours they put in to get this bill done. It was over 7 years ago, on June 10, 1999, that a pipeline explosion claimed the lives of two 10-year-old boys and an 18-year-old young man in my district in Bellingham, Washington. Since that time we have made excellent progress in ensuring the safety of our Nation's pipelines. The 2002 Pipeline Safety Improvement Act did a lot of good things. It increased penalty fines, improved pipeline testing timelines, and allowed for state oversight. This bill is another step forward. As a body, we can all be proud that we'll now be regulating low- stress liquid pipelines just as we regulate all other hazardous liquid pipes. What happened with BP lines in Alaska this summer shouldn't have happened and this bill will ensure operators are properly maintaining their low-stress lines. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this bill.