Mike McIntyre

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, Mary McLeod Bethune once said, ``We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward good ends.'' As one of the most influential African-American educators of our time, Mary McLeod Bethune knew this better than most, dedicating her life to the principle that learning is a lifelong process and as a result, knows no bounds in the difference it can make. Another woman who dedicated her life to this principal was Dorothy Washington of Lumberton, North Carolina, who recently passed away. Ms. Washington entered graduate school in 1947, a time when many African-American women were prohibited from attending universities and segregation in public schools was widespread. Despite these intimidating barriers, Ms. Washington remained steadfastly determined to pursue her dream of a higher education and became a role model for those in her community. She instilled this very same determination in every life she touched. My wife recently attended Ms. Washington's funeral and was impressed by the number of people who expressed how Ms. Washington had touched their lives. Ms. Washington had touched my family's life during her retirement years, when she was kind enough to care for our two sons (who were toddlers at the time) so that we could participate in a weekly Bible study luncheon. She was always gracious, kind, patient, and understanding--ever ready to help. We were blessed by her kindness. During her four decades teaching in Robeson County, Ms. Washington cared deeply for her students, sharing with them her passion for Greek and Roman mythological literature, often buying textbooks with money out of her own pocket. She had a genuine appreciation for the arts and humanities, serving as choir director and school librarian. Ms. Washington was determined to educate her students on the adventures that could be found outside the municipal lines of a small, rural town, while simultaneously cultivating an appreciation for the treasures that could be found in their own backyards. She received her undergraduate degree from Saint Augustine College in Raleigh, North Carolina, and went on to earn her master's at the University of Michigan. Madam Speaker, what an amazing place the world would be if we all had the influence of a Dorothy Washington in our lives! This small-town educator has left behind a deep legacy that spans generations and will surely continue for many years to come. May God bless to our memories the work of Dorothy Washington and the lives she touched.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in commemoration of the 33rd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which occurred on July 20, 1974. Many lost their lives and livelihoods as a result of that invasion. It is disappointing that 33 years later the island of Cyprus remains divided and contentious. A United Nations Security Council resolution states ``a Cyprus settlement must be based on a State of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded and comprising two politically equal communities as described in the relevant Security Council resolutions, in a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation and that such a settlement must exclude union in whole or in part with any other country or any form of partition or secession.'' I look forward to the day when such a settlement is realized. Cyprus has been a staunch ally of the United States. It has aided our efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq by allowing the United States over- flight and landing rights, as well as port access for our ships. In addition, Cyprus provided valuable assistance for our evacuation and rescue efforts after the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing and the 2006 hostilities in Lebanon. Also, it is important that we ensure the protection of human rights in Cyprus and work to preserve the Cypriots' religious and cultural heritage. I am troubled by reports that religious sites, including Greek Orthodox churches, have been pillaged, destroyed, or in any way harmed. I am encouraged that efforts are underway to facilitate the integration of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, specifically the opening of crossing points on this divided island. After 33 years of division and contention, it is time to reach a just and lasting peace that will unify Cyprus and allow it to grow politically, socially, and economically. I encourage my colleagues to support any efforts to reach such a settlement.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Chairman, during rollcall vote No. 673 on H.R. 3043, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``no'' when I should have voted ``aye.'' Stated against:

Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Chairman, during rollcall vote No. 674 on H.R. 3043, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``aye'' when I should have voted ``no.'' Amendment Offered by Mr. Camp of Michigan

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Capitol Guides Service, I would like to enter into the Congressional Record a tribute to Mrs. Tina Pearson of Wilmington, NC. For almost 3 years, Tina has faithfully and exceptionally served as assistant director for training for the United States Capitol Guide Service and Congressional Special Services Office. In this capacity, Tina has assisted in the management of the operations of the day-to-day operations of Visitor Services. In addition, she has developed and implemented training policies for Capitol Guides, worked with the Congressional Leadership on special events, and participated in the planning of the Capitol Visitor Center. Prior to her work with the Guide Services, Tina worked in my congressional office where she exceptionally performed a wide range of duties including legislative correspondence, intern coordinator, and special events. A former teacher of the year at Eugene Ashley High School in 2003, Tina's love for education, her ability to communicate effectively, and her passion for serving her nation will be our loss. We wish her and her family the best as they move to the next chapter in their lives. In closing, let me enter into the record a poem written by Bert Caswell, one of the Capitol Guide Service employees that capsulates the admiration for a job well done by Tina. This poem was penned in honor of Tina Peason, of The United States Capitol Guides Service by Albert Caswell. Tina is moving back to North Carolina to be with her family for the most important job one could have . . . to raise a family. We will miss you, Tina. . . You pulled us up but, never down! As in all of us, but the good you found! You made us better, you made us sound. . . You showed us all how to lead, as you gave to us all that we need! All so we could succeed! All in your quiet grace, all in your kind and caring face. . . There for us! As you cared for us! For you, we wanted to succeed! But, when that baby came. . . I'd knew for sure so soon we'd miss your name! For an artist can but paint one canvas at a time! And greatest gift to our world to find! Is to but to give to this our world, a happy, healthy, and wonderful little girl to find. . . Who will grow up to be, a treasure in our world you see! Marleigh . . . Marleigh Our loss is now but your fine gain. . . A wonderful Mother to love you, and paint your life scenes! And Tina, today as you leave, look back, on Freedom's face a tear you'll see! You pulled us up!

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson took the field as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team and broke the color barrier as the first African American to play in the major leagues. His courage, determination, and integrity have served as an inspiration to generations and opened the door for thousands to play our national pastime. Rightly, our Nation recently stopped to celebrate the 60th anniversary of this historic milestone. However, as many know, the practice of discrimination and racism continued many years after Mr. Robinson's historic first game. Indeed, there were other courageous individuals who joined in the fight for equality and justice for all. One such man was W. Horace Carter of Tabor City, North Carolina. On a July night in 1950--thick with heat and the humidity of the Deep South--Horace Carter watched as Ku Klux Klansmen made their violent way through his hometown. One hundred Klansmen, in 29 cars, robbed and terrorized this small community of farmers and merchants with threats of racism. Although just 29 years old and the new publisher, editor, and newsman for the Tabor City Tribune, Carter knew this was his moment of decision. He said, ``I searched my soul that evening and on into the next week. Was it worth sacrificing our happiness, shattering the tranquil life of running a little newspaper in a small town and taking part in Red Cross Drives, church covered dish suppers, and the Annual Yam Festival promotion just because I believed in a principle? Was it worth the risk that the print shop might be burned, our home dynamited? I could be dragged from our house with the frantic screams of my family ringing in my ears. I might suffer a brutal lashing by a band of masked hoodlums or even death if I dared to oppose them. Is it the time to stand up for principles even before I am fully aware of what this Klan proposes? I didn't want to sound pious or self-righteous, but I reasoned that if I were ever to campaign against this Klan reorganization, I should do it from its inception. That was now. I sat down at my used fifteen-dollar Royal typewriter and with my experienced hunt-and-peck typing style, and I wrote an editorial.'' Thus began a 3-year crusade against the Klan in the editorial pages of this small Southeastern North Carolina newspaper. Carter's courage, determination, and words helped in the convictions and prison time for Ku Klux Klansmen. For his conviction of doing the right thing, Mr. Carter catapulted the Tabor City Tribune into national prominence, which received the Pulitzer Prize for Meritorious Community Service, the most prestigious of the Pulitzers. Madam Speaker, Jackie Robinson once said, ``A life is not important except in the impact it has on others' lives.'' Although Mr. Robinson did not know W. Horace Carter, there is no doubt that his words were about persons just like him. Mr. Carter's life has continued to be one of honor, leadership, and service. He was elected Mayor of Tabor City in 1954 and was judge in the weekly city court. He has served as President of the Tabor City Chamber of Commerce, Tabor City Rotary Club, Columbus County Economic Development Commission, County Library Board, Tabor Industrial Development, Inc., Tabor City Recreation Commission, and a Sunday School teacher in the Baptist church. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a World War II Navy veteran, Mr. Carter and his wife Lucille have three children, Rusty Carter, Linda Carter Metzger, and Velda Carter Hughes. May God's blessings continue to shine upon this most special man and his enduring legacy.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about the situation in Darfur in western Sudan. As you know, nearly 450,000 people have been killed and over two million have been displaced as the violence continues to rage in this region. Neighboring nations have absorbed hundreds of thousands of refugees who fled their homes to escape the carnage that has unfortunately become a way of life in Darfur. Even humanitarian aid workers have become targets of the violence. I am encouraged by the recent agreement between the United Nations and the African Union on the make up of a peacekeeping force to patrol the region. This agreement is a step in the right direction, but it is vital that the peacekeeping mission begins soon and the peacekeepers are allowed to carry out their mission effectively. It is important that we support those who are working to restore peace to the millions of innocent people caught in the tragedy in Darfur. Nearly 3 years ago, on July 22, 2004, the U.S. House of Representatives declared the atrocities in Darfur to be genocide. The vote was bipartisan and unanimous. In the 110th Congress, we have already passed resolutions addressing the situation in Darfur with overwhelming bipartisan majorities. This issue is not one of partisan politics or ideological differences. It is a moral issue, and we in the House of Representatives are united in our efforts to stop the violence and end the suffering in Darfur. We can still do more. It is important that we divest funds from companies that do business with the government of Sudan. Divestment is an effective policy tool that would prevent the government of Sudan from receiving financial resources it is using to fund these atrocities. In addition, divestment is the right thing to do. It does not make sense to fund indirectly the very genocide we seek to end. The crisis in Darfur is a tragedy of our times. I am pleased that the House of Representatives has taken action to ease the suffering of the innocent people in Darfur, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the House to bring this terrible chapter of history to a close with a just and lasting peace in Sudan. May God help us all do the right thing.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson took the field as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team and broke the color barrier as the first African American to play in the major leagues. His courage, determination and integrity have served as an inspiration to generations, and opened the door to thousands to play our national pastime. Rightly, our Nation stopped recently to celebrate the 60th anniversary of this historic milestone. However, as many of us know, the practice of discrimination and racism continued for many years, unfortunately, even after Mr. Robinson's historic first game. Indeed, there were other courageous individuals who joined in the fight for equality and justice for all. One such man was W. Horace Carter of Tabor City, North Carolina. On a July night in 1950, thick with the heat and humidity of the deep south, Horace Carter watched as Ku Klux Klansmen made their violent way through his hometown of Tabor City, North Carolina. One hundred Klansmen in 29 cars robbed and terrorized this small community of farmers and merchants with threats and racism. Although just 29 years old at the time and the new publisher, editor and newsman for the Tabor City Tribune, Mr. Carter knew this was his moment of decision. He wrote, ``I searched my soul that evening and on into the next week. Was it worth sacrificing our happiness, shattering the tranquil life of running a little newspaper in a small town, taking part in Red Cross drives, church covered-dish suppers and annual yam festival promotion, just because I believed in a principle? Was it worth the risk that the print shop might be burned, our home dynamited? I could be dragged from our house with the frantic screams of my family ringing in my ears. I might suffer a brutal lashing by a band of masked hoodlums or even death if I dared to oppose them. Is it the time to stand up for principles, even before I am fully aware of what this Klan proposes,'' he wrote. ``I didn't want to sound pious or self-righteous,'' he said, ``but I reasoned that if I were ever to campaign against this Klan reorganization, I should do it from its inception. That was now. I sat down at my used $15 Royal typewriter with my experienced hunt-and-peck typing skill and I wrote an editorial.'' Thus began a 3-year crusade Horace Carter took against the Klan in the editorial pages of this small, southeastern North Carolina newspaper. Mr. Carter's courage, determination and words helped in the convictions and prison time for Ku Klux Klansmen. From his doing the right thing, Mr. Carter catapulted the Tabor City Tribune into national prominence, which received the Pulitzer Prize for Meritorious Community Service, the most prestigious of the Pulitzers. Madam Speaker, Jackie Robinson once said, ``A life is not important except in the impact it has on others' lives.'' Well, Mr. Carter's life has continued to be one of honor, leadership and service. And although Mr. Robinson didn't know W. Horace Carter, there is no doubt that his words were about persons just like him. Mr. Carter was elected mayor of Tabor City in 1954 and was a judge in the weekly city court. He served as president of the Tabor City Chamber of Commerce, the Tabor City Rotary Club, the Columbus County Economic Development Commission, the County Library Board, Tabor Industrial Development, Inc., Tabor City Recreation Commission and a Sunday school teacher in the Baptist Church. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a World War II Navy veteran, Mr. Carter and his wife Lucille have three children: Rusty Carter, Linda Carter Metzger and Velda Carter Hughes. May God's blessings continue to shine upon this most special man and his enduring legacy, a man who stood for equality, a man who stood for justice.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today in strong support of H. Res. 474, recognizing the immeasurable contributions of fathers in the healthy development of children, supporting responsible fatherhood, and encouraging greater involvement of fathers in the lives of our children, especially on this coming Father's Day. I want to thank Chairman George Miller, Ranking Member McKeon, and all of the members on the Education and Labor Committee. And I would like to thank Mr. Hare for supporting this resolution and helping to bring it to the floor this week. I also want to thank the staff of the National Fatherhood Initiative for their assistance with this resolution and their tireless efforts on a year-around basis to promote responsible fatherhood across this great Nation. Father's Day was first conceived in 1909 by Sonora Dodd in Spokane, Washington. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson issued a Presidential proclamation designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. And in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a public law making that public designation permanent. Here in Congress I am grateful we have an opportunity to have a task force on fatherhood promotion that also works on a year-round basis with the National Fatherhood Initiative and with many Members of Congress on a bipartisan basis to support the positive initiatives of involving fathers in their children's lives and honoring those fathers on a national basis who have been upheld for making a difference in children's lives everywhere. This is a task force that Congressman Joe Pitts and I started 11 years ago when we first came to Congress, and I am thrilled that over the last decade and past year that it has gone well, and we have an opportunity each year to come to the floor with a resolution such as this one. This Sunday, June 17, Americans will celebrate Father's Day once again. We use this day to honor the contributions made by the estimated 64.3 million fathers in the United States. We also use this day to encourage all fathers to reflect on the responsibility fathering a child requires and the importance of their involvement in the lives of their children. With two sons of my own, Joshua and Stephen, who have been here often on this floor, I know firsthand the rewards and responsibilities of being a father; and I am grateful, indeed, to my own father, Dr. Douglas McIntyre, back home in Lumberton, North Carolina, for his impact upon my life. It is only appropriate that Father's Day be a tribute, that we here in the U.S. House of Representatives pass this resolution in recognition of the contributions of fathers everywhere. I strongly encourage all of my colleagues to support this.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the rule for H.R. 65, legislation to grant the Lumbee Indians Federal recognition. In the late 1500s, when English ships landed on the shores of Roanoke Island off the coast of North Carolina, the English discovered native Americans. Included among those native Americans were both the Cheraw and Pee Dee Indians, who were direct ancestors of the Lumbee Indians. Later, in 1888, the Lumbees made their first effort at gaining Federal recognition. For at least 500 years, the Lumbee Indians have been inhabitants of this land; and for over half of that time that our country has been in existence, 119 of the 231 years of our country's history, the Lumbee Indians have been seeking the recognition and respect that they deserve. As the largest tribe east of the Mississippi and the largest nonrecognized tribe in America, it is unfathomable that this tribe of 55,000 people has never been fully recognized by our government. H.R. 65 would provide equal treatment to the Lumbee tribe by correcting a half-measure that was adopted by this Congress in 1956, 51 years ago on this very day. The 1956 half-measure acknowledged the Lumbees as Indians but cut off the tribe from the Federal statutes that apply to all other Federally recognized tribes. Every other tribe subjected by Congress to such a half-measure has since been fully recognized by a special act of Congress. This would only apply to the Lumbees. It will not apply to the other tribes. You may hear arguments to the contrary, but this refers to correcting an injustice done by the Lumbee Act of 1956. So it is applicable only to this tribe. H.R. 65 would do the same thing for the Lumbee tribe as it has done for two other tribes that were put in a similar circumstance. Thus, H.R. 65 is a long-overdue act of justice that would treat this tribe just like every other tribe in the same position has been treated. There is no question that the Lumbee Indians constitute an Indian tribe. The State of North Carolina has consistently recognized that since 1885 under a series of State statutes, using different names for the tribe, until 1952, when the tribe held a referendum to decide upon its own name and not take a name imposed on it. They adopted the name Lumbee, drawn from the name of the river that the tribe was found at the time of the first white contact with these Indians in the 1730s. The State amended its law to recognize the tribe under the name Lumbee in 1953, and that same bill was introduced in Congress to obtain Federal recognition under that same name. Before the Federal bill was enacted, though, Congress amended the bill to include termination language; and, as a result, Congress recognized the tribe in name only at the same time in 1956. Because of this 1956 half-measure, the Solicitor General of the United States has ruled that the Lumbee tribe is not eligible for the tribal recognition process currently administered by the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Solicitor General has already ruled that the tribe has to come back to Congress to correct this injustice. Congress did it; Congress needs to correct it. In any case, there's no need to send this back to the BIA. Why? Because the Department of Interior has already studied this tribe 11 separate times and each time has concluded that the Lumbees are indeed Indian, and they are descended principally from the Aboriginal Cheraw Tribe. The Department's own records also show that the modern day Lumbees are the same Indians first recognized by the State of North Carolina back in 1885 and by Congress by name in 1956. So Congress itself has put the Lumbee tribe in the Indian ``No Man's Land'' with the enactment of the 1956 half measure. Congress has done this in the past to two other tribes, the Tiwas of Texas and the Pascua Yaqui of Arizona. In both cases, Congress has since gone back, passed special statutes extending full recognition to those tribes. So there is direct precedent for this action today, and it only is applicable to the Lumbees, and in all fairness, Congress should do the same for the Lumbees that they've done for other tribes that were in this unique position. This is all that we're asking, for the Lumbee tribe to be treated equally and fairly like every other tribe in this situation has been treated. If this is not done, the Lumbees will continue to be the only tribe in America left in this legal limbo, and that's fundamentally unfair to the Lumbee tribe. The recognition of an Indian tribe has always been done by the United States. Ultimately it's Congress's responsibility. More than half of the 565 tribes now federally recognized were recognized by Congress. And even after the Department of Interior established a separate procedure in 1978, Congress itself has still taken the effort to recognize nine tribes by special legislation when there were special circumstances, which is what we have here, special circumstances. In 1935, D'Arcy McNickle, the Special Indian Agent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, reported to Congress; this Special Indian Agent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs back in 1935 concluded, ``that they are Indians cannot be doubted,'' and I quote. So now, in 2007, I trust that you and my colleagues will agree it is time for discrimination to end and recognition to begin. Join me in finally rectifying this wrong. Vote for the rule and vote for recognition for the Lumbee tribe.

Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, in answer quickly to the questions raised by my colleague from Connecticut when he says they don't want to go before the BIA because they do the research, that is absolutely incorrect. We have records of 11 studies that the BIA has done and every time concluded this was an Indian tribe. Secondly, he says this is opening a Pandora's box; what do we say to the other tribes? This deals with one tribe with a specific statute that the Congress of the United States passed 51 years ago today called the Lumbee Act of 1956. That is what we answer. We are dealing with that specific law dealing with this specific tribe, and we have a specific bill today to answer the injustice Congress has done to this specific tribe that only deals with the Lumbee Tribe. Third, there must be something, I guess, magical about going to the BIA. He asks, what are we afraid of? The answer is nothing. Not only have 11 studies already been done by the BIA, but the General Accounting Office itself says in conclusion in their own regulations under the law that authorized the BIA, the BIA's recognition process was never intended to be the only way groups could receive Federal recognition, and that is in statutory language itself. So what are we afraid of? Nothing. They have been through 11 examinations. We are ready to rectify an injustice that occurred 51 years ago today. I believe it is long overdue that Congress do the right thing.

Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, I would like to place in the Record at this point three letters which Mr. Rahall referred to from North Carolina's three governors over the last 31 years, both Democrat and Republican, including a former Member of this body, Congressman Jim Martin, who later became governor, as well as Governors Jim Hunt and Mike Easley, who support this effort for the Lumbees. State of North Carolina, April 18, 2007. Hon. Nick J. Rahall, II, Chair, Natural Resources Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Don Young, Ranking Member, Natural Resources Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Congressman Rahall and Congressman Young: Thank you for the opportunity to submit written comments about pending legislation for federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina by the Congress of the United States of America. I believe full federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe by Congress is long overdue. Recognition of and interaction with the Lumbee people as a unique, distinct Indian tribe began when settlers from Virginia, South Carolina and Europe first arrived in the Cape Fear and Pee Dee River Basins after the Tuscarora War (1711- 1715). There, the settlers encountered a well-populated, cohesive American Indian tribal group situated mostly along and to the west of what is now known as the Lumber River in Robeson County. As early as 1890, the U.S. Department of Interior acknowledged this fact among others as evidence that the Lumbee people are American Indians. A proclamation by colonial Governor Matthew Rowan on May 10, 1753 stated that Drowning Creek (Lumber River in Robeson County) was ``the Indian Frontier.'' Other historical records of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, including Revolutionary War pensions for Lumbees who fought for American independence, attest to the Lumbees as American Indians. In 1885, North Carolina's General Assembly passed a bill recognizing and naming the Lumbee tribe ``Croatan.'' In 1911 the General Assembly changed their name to the ``Indians of Robeson County'' and in 1913 to ``Cherokee Indians of Robeson County.'' None of these names was chosen by the tribe. In 1953, the State officially changed the tribe's name to ``Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina'' following a 1952 tribal referendum requested by the Lumbees and paid for by the State in which this name was overwhelmingly chosen. These names all apply to the same American Indian tribe. For more than a century, North Carolina's Governors, various state legislators and Members of the North Carolina Congressional delegation have supported the effort by the Lumbee Tribe to obtain federal recognition, beginning with a petition to Congress in 1888. Enclosed are copies of letters by former Governors James G. Martin (R) and James B. Hunt, Jr. (D)--my immediate predecessors--attesting to the strong bipartisan support for federal recognition that the Lumbee Tribe has enjoyed during the last generation. In the past, federal recognition has been denied because of opposition by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Department of Interior on budgetary grounds. Each of several federal investigations into the Lumbees' history, genealogy and ethnicity has concluded that the Lumbees are in fact American Indians. It follows that federal recognition should be authorized for this long-standing American Indian Tribe. Personally and on behalf of North Carolina, I offer to our fellow Lumbee citizens and to the Congress our full, unqualified support for Congressional recognition of the Lumbee Tribe. I encourage your support for the Lumbee Tribe and for the adoption of this bill. I thank the House and the Natural Resources Committee for holding this hearing and for allowing me to offer written comments about the Lumbee Tribe recognition bill. With warm personal regards, I remain Very truly yours, Michael F. Easley, Governor.

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, just in reference to some of the comments that have been made by those who are hindering the efforts to move forward with recognition of the tribe, let me answer those, because I think it's only in fairness that all of our colleagues who are listening to this debate understand this. Number one, there is an accusation of bypassing the process. This is not bypassing the process. There have been 11 investigations done, ordered through the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs. The tribe itself was ordered not to go any further with this process by the Solicitor General of the United States. The Solicitor General said to the Lumbees, because of the 1956 Lumbee Act, that specific act of Congress, you have got to specifically go back to Congress and get this situation corrected. Secondly, there's been some comments about the name of the Lumbees. The name was chosen by the tribe prior to ever coming to Congress. The name was ratified by the State of North Carolina, after other names had been imposed upon the tribe. The tribe chose its own name, and when it came to Congress, it was the Lumbee, and that name was acknowledged by virtue of the very title, the Lumbee Act of 1956. So we're not hear today debating the name. Third, in making any comment that the tribe is uncomfortable with going through the process and then there were comments about no reservation, no language. Well, those are not requirements, even under the BIA process. Those are not criteria. I mean, that's why the Lumbees have made such great contributions to our society. They have been fully integrated, as I outlined in my opening remarks. Medicine and law, banks and business, farms and factories, military, entertainment, athletic accomplishments, like the great Kelvin Samson, coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, who testified in a hearing about this. And then, fourth, again, the accusation was made, as it was during the Rules debate, that this would open up problems with other tribes. Well, no, my friends, it won't. And please hear this clearly to all those who are listening. This is dealing with a specific act, the Lumbee Act of 1956. That's why other tribes will not come in here and open the flood gates and demand that we do for them. The Lumbees are the only tribe in America in this situation created because of the 1956 act which the Solicitor General has told them to go back to Congress to correct. There were two other tribes in this situation, the Tiwas of Texas and the Pascua Yaqui of Arizona. They were in the same situation. They came back to Congress; Congress rectified it. So what does that mean? Quite simply, the only tribe in America in this situation are the Lumbee tribe. It is high time for us to let this discrimination and injustice end. They've waited 51 years. Today is our opportunity to correct the injustice and proceed with recognition.

Mr. McINTYRE. If the gentleman would yield.

Mr. McINTYRE. Twice it passed the House, H.R. 334 on October 28, 1993; prior to that, H.R. 1426 on September 26, 1991. No action was taken in the Senate at that time. Senator Jesse Helms decided to block any passage. Senator Dole, to her credit, when she was elected, the first bill Senator Dole dropped as a U.S. Senator was to recognize this tribe, because she realized this bill had been held up for those 32 years over in the Senate, even though the U.S. House had passed it twice. So that is why this is a bipartisan, bicameral effort. Senator Dole's bill tracks the same language that we have here in the House. This is an effort we all recognize to correct an injustice that should have never happened.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today in strong support of H.R. 67, the Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007, a bill which I filed on the first day of this 110th Congress back in January. I want to thank Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for their support, as well as Mr. Hall, the chairman of the subcommittee, and the gentleman who just spoke, Mr. Lamborn, the ranking member of the subcommittee. This truly has been a bipartisan effort. H.R. 67 will help our veterans cut through the bureaucratic red tape. You know, as we approach Memorial Day this coming weekend, there can be no greater tribute that we pay to our veterans than ensuring that they receive the benefits that they need and deserve. H.R. 67 would allow the VA to partner with State and local governments to reach out to veterans and their families, to ensure that they receive the benefits for which they are eligible, and assisting them in completing their benefits claims. The Veterans Outreach Improvement Act would require the Secretary of the VA to establish and annually review a plan to coordinate outreach activities within the Department so that local veterans service officers can better serve our veterans. Unfortunately, many veterans, their spouses, or, in some cases, their surviving spouses, are unaware of the benefits to which they are entitled through the VA. In fact, according to a Knight-Ridder report, as many as 2 million poor veterans or their widows may not be receiving up to $22 billion annually in pensions to which they are entitled. Other estimates suggest that only 30 percent of our veterans receive the benefits for which they are eligible. Under this bill, the Secretary of the VA would establish a grant program to fund outreach at the State and local levels with accompanying performance measures to ensure that the Federal funds are effectively promoting outreach. This bill would authorize $25 million annually in fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010 to fund this grant program. That is $1 for each veteran in America, just $1 to make sure that we are reaching out to these brave men and women who fought for our country to know about the benefits they have earned and have assistance in applying for them. It would be $25 million well spent, well directed. It's the least that we can do for those who have put their lives on the line for our country to make sure they know, understand and, in fact, receive the benefits for which they are eligible. By providing these vital resources to veterans service offices at the State and Federal level, we will indeed get more bang for our buck to locate veterans and assist them in receiving the benefits they deserve. This legislation is supported by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Military Officers Association of America, the National Association of Veterans' Advocates and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers. My special thanks to Ms. Ann Knowles of Sampson County, North Carolina, who has worked with us on this important bill in her role as national president of the County Veterans Service Officers. As Memorial Day approaches, it's important that we demonstrate to this Nation's veterans our commitment to provide them the benefits that they need and deserve. By passing the Veterans Outreach Improvement Act, we will do just that.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to introduce the Reverend Rick Astle, who just delivered the invocation for the U.S. House as we begin this National Day of Prayer, a time when communities across America will be joining in prayer for our country today. And what better person to begin this day than a man whose prayer ministry has carried him across our country and who has written a book on this very subject. Born and reared in Oklahoma, now residing in Whiteville, North Carolina, he is married to the former Donna Strickland of Lumberton, who is with us today; and they have one son, John, who is a law student at North Carolina Central. Rick was educated at the University of Kentucky and at Southern Baptist Seminary, and he has served Southern Baptist churches for over 30 years, has spoken in over 20 States, and is author of the book, The Priority of Kingdom-Focused Prayer, and now is the Director of Missions for the Waccamaw Baptist Association in Conway, South Carolina. And as his brother-in-law, I am particularly honored to have him open us on this very special National Day of Prayer.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.J. Res. 40.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the commitment, dedication and sacrifice of the men, women and the extended family of the Special Operations Command (SOCOM). This week marks the 20-year anniversary of the Command's establishment, and I am pleased to support H. Res. 305, which honors the 53,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and civilians that comprise the Nation's special operations forces community. As one of the founders and Co-Chairman of the House Special Operations Forces (SOF) Caucus, I know firsthand how important these warriors are to our military efforts. During my tenure in Congress, I have represented all or parts of Fort Bragg, which is home to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command and the Joint Special Operations Command--vital components of the U.S. Special Operations Command. I have also represented Camp Lejeune, which is now home to the Marine Special Operations Command. As you know, the Special Operations Command, which was established on April 16, 1987, is unique--it ensures joint training, equipping, planning and operations of our SOF forces. Before 1987, U.S. Special Operations Forces operated on an impromptu basis and were often used to the point of exhaustion and then disbanded once a specific crisis had passed. Since then, however, they have participated in a wide range of global military operations, including peacetime engagement and a major theater war, Operation Desert Storm. Today, our SOF forces are embedded in the most important operation since their inception--the Global War on Terrorism. Their core tasks include counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, special reconnaissance, psychological and information operations, civil-military operations and unconventional warfare. SOF forces are truly at the forefront of our current military operations, and, it is important that we draw our attention to them today and recognize their tremendous efforts and sacrifices, including leaving their families and friends for deployments to several countries throughout the world at months at a time. As a member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Terrorism and Unconventional Threats, which has jurisdiction over our SOF forces, I am committed to ensuring that we do our part to meet the needs of our special operators and the officials who are charged with leading them into the battlefield. It is essential that we recognize and support their efforts, and I am confident that this resolution does just that! Thank you Mr. Speaker, may God bless you and our fine men and women who serve in our Special Operations Forces.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to be speaking today about an extremely important piece of legislation that my good friend, Representative Sue Myrick, and I are introducing. The Scott Gardner Act strengthens our national immigration laws and preserves our public safety. On July 16, 2005, 33-year-old husband and father, Scott Gardner, was killed by a drunk driver while his family was driving to the beach located in my congressional district. His wife was critically injured and his two children were robbed of their father for the rest of their lives. The drunk driver was a repeat offender and an illegal immigrant, an individual who should never have been in this country in the first place. This tragedy was completely preventable, but our broken borders allowed an illegal immigrant with four prior drunk driving charges to remain in the United States. This situation must change so that we never lose another life to a criminal who doesn't deserve rightfully to be in our country. This act, the Scott Gardner Act, would ensure that DWI is grounds for mandatory detention and deportation of illegal aliens. It would improve communications between Federal, State and local agencies. And it would allow those agencies and law enforcement to collect immigration information in the course of their normal duties.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Private Joshua ``Josh'' Roy Mozingo, who passed away after a car accident on Thursday, January 11, 2007. Josh's legacy and contributions to the U.S. military will live on in the hearts and minds of many for generations to come, and we are forever grateful for his service to our country. Having grown up in both Lumberton and Fayetteville, North Carolina, Josh embodied the true spirit of a dedicated and determined soldier. When he was a youngster, I had the privilege of coaching Josh in Lumberton's T-ball recreation league. After graduating from high school in Fayetteville, Josh joined the Army and faithfully served his country in Iraq. During this time, he received several military honors including the Parachutist Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal before he was honorably discharged. Josh loved history, music, family dinners and trips to the beach. He also charmed those who knew him with his quick wit and great sense of humor. Josh loved his family and is survived by his father, Jim; mother, Paula Ryan of Little River, S.C.; stepmother, Debra; brothers, Jeff, Jarad and Jordan, and Jason Miller of Wilmington; grandmother, Pauline Justice of Lumberton; sister-in-law, Tracy; and neice, Kayla. President Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, ``If we make ourselves worthy of America's ideals, if we do not forget that our nation was founded on the premise that all men are creatures of God's making, the world will come to know that it is free men who carry forward the true promise of human progress and dignity.'' Indeed, Josh's life was the embodiment of this. He was a man who was known by persons of all races, ages, and religions for both his kind deeds and his loving, unselfish heart. Madam Speaker, dedicated service to others has been the embodiment of Josh's life. May we all use his wisdom and selflessness as a beacon of direction and a source of true enlightenment. Indeed, may God bless to all of our memories the life and legacy of Private Joshua Mozingo.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight in support of the resolution before us that disapproves of the President's recent announcement to deploy more than 20,000 additional U.S. combat troops to Iraq. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I am committed to supporting our troops and making sure that they have the resources they need. I always have and I always will. There is no debate about supporting our troops. This resolution clearly and unequivocally states that both the Congress and the American people support our valiant men and women in uniform. Our troops have been and are continuing to do an excellent job, and they deserve our support. Yet, overall, our military is being stretched thin, and now we face the prospect of not only sending over 20,000 more combat troops into Iraq, but also another 15,000 troops on top of that, at minimum, to support those troops, with additional military police, intelligence units and supply function personnel. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that it might take even more troops than that. So reality is that we are now looking at a total of 35,000 or more troops actually involved in this potential surge. We need to be moving toward a successful conclusion in Iraq; not with a timetable, but with definite benchmarks of accountability that are meant to ensure that the Iraqis are taking control of their own security and future. The Iraqi army, the national police and the local police in Iraq must take responsibility for their own country and communities, and only by lessening the American footprint in Iraq will we empower the Iraqi people to take responsibility for their own self- governance and ultimately their own destiny. Is not just my opinion or the opinion of some here, it is exactly what General John Abizaid, our U.S. Commander said, when I visited Iraq and when he testified before Congress. We cannot continue to increase troop levels in Iraq at the expense of allowing the Taliban to come back into power in Afghanistan. The Global War on Terrorism is exactly what the name says. It is a global war, not just an Iraqi war, and we cannot let our troop strength be so focused on what is becoming a civil war in Iraq that we lose focus on threats that face us elsewhere in the world. Previous surges have not solved the problems in Iraq. Let us not be fooled into thinking that this one will.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor North Carolina Representative Edd Nye and to thank him for more than 30 years of loyal public service to the people of Southeastern North Carolina. Representative Nye began his career in public service by joining the United States Air Force and launched his political career in 1966 as a Bladen County Commissioner. Mr. Nye served one term in the North Carolina State Senate before moving on to the N.C. House of Representatives, where he would go on to serve as a Representative for 30 years. As a loyal and dedicated North Carolina lawmaker, Representative Nye received ``Legislator of the Year'' awards from numerous advocacy groups, including the Autism Society, the Easter Seals, the Health Directors' Association, and the Mental Health Association. Such distinguished commitment and work are true signs of his dedication to his constituents. Indeed, Representative Nye is a role model for us all. In addition to his political service, Mr. Nye is also an active member of his community in Bladen County. He has taught Sunday School and served as a deacon at the Elizabethtown Baptist Church. He is a past moderator of the Bladen Baptist Association, a former trustee of both Bladen Community College and Southeastern Mental Health, and an active member of the Bladen Masonic Lodge. Madam Speaker, I commend Edd Nye for his leadership, longevity, and love for the people of Bladen County and North Carolina. He has performed his civic duty with grace, and he has been ever mindful of the people he represents. May God's strength, joy, and peace be with him always.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Women's Soccer Team. Under the leadership of Head Coach Anson Dorrance, the team won its 18th National Championship on Sunday, December 3, defeating Notre Dame 2-1. The Lady Tar Heels won 27 games in a row on their way to claiming the championship trophy. Led by senior Heather O'Reilly and freshman Casey Nogueira, this outstanding group of athletes was the embodiment of tenacity, determination, and teamwork. Their passion, talent, and success have inspired us all, and they have been the perfect role models for younger female athletes all across our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize Coach Anson Dorrance. In the 27 years that women's soccer has been an official NCAA Division 1 collegiate sport, Coach Dorrance has led the UNC women's soccer team to an astounding 18 National Championships. To put this number in perspective, John Wooden, legendary coach of the UCLA men's basketball team and one of the greatest coaches of all time in any sport, coached his team to 10 National Championships. Coach Anson Dorrance's success is truly unprecedented, and it is a testament to his remarkable leadership, vision, and skills. The women's soccer program at UNC-Chapel Hill has a long and distinguished history of winning and producing some of the best soccer talent in the world. Mia Hamm, Cindy Parlow, Lori Chalupny, and a host of other players started at UNC before going on to excel in national and international competitions like the FIFA World Cup. The players on the 2006 team are no exception. Today, I officially congratulate the Lady Tar Heels for winning the 2006 NCAA Championship, and I wish them the best as they continue to be leaders of women's collegiate soccer.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a true gentleman, wonderful father, and a leader in the Armed Forces, First Lieutenant Joshua Deese, who passed away while on patrol near Kirkuk, Iraq when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb on October 15, 2006. Josh's legacy and contributions will live on in the hearts and minds of many for generations to come, and we are forever grateful for his service to our country. Born and raised in Rowland, North Carolina, Josh embodied the true spirit of a dedicated and determined leader. He graduated from South Robeson High School in 1999 and joined the Army shortly after his graduation from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 2003. Described as a natural leader by his family, Josh served as a platoon leader in the infantry and had recently become an executive officer of his unit. He had been deployed to Iraq in August after serving in Afghanistan. As someone who grew up in a military family, Josh always dreamed of serving in the Army as a paratrooper. In addition to his uncle, Dexter Clark, his older sister Ronnean Collins, and his two grandfathers, served in the military. Josh loved his family and is survived by his parents, Ronnie and Regina Deese; his sisters, Ronnean Collins and Myra Deese; his 2-year- old son Jacob and his girlfriend Andrea Anderson. President Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, ``If we make ourselves worthy of America's ideals, if we do not forget that our nation was founded on the premise that all men are creatures of God's making, the world will come to know that it is free men who carry forward the true promise of human progress and dignity.'' Indeed, Josh's life was the embodiment of this. He was a man who was known by persons of all races, ages, and religions for both his kind deeds and his loving, unselfish heart. Mr. Speaker, dedicated service to others combined with dynamic leadership has been the embodiment of Josh's life. May we all use his wisdom, selflessness, and integrity as a beacon of direction and a source of true enlightenment. Indeed, may God bless to all of our memories the tremendous life and legacy of First Lieutenant Joshua Deese.