John Murtha

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1243, which will award a Congressional Gold Medal; to my good friend Arnold Palmer, recognizing his service to our nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf. Arnold Palmer, who was born and raised in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, is an extraordinary individual who has achieved greatness. Mr. Palmer's father, Deacon Palmer, taught him to play golf at an early age and he quickly excelled at the game. He continued playing while attending Wake Forest University on a golf scholarship and while serving in the United States Coast Guard. After winning the U.S. Amateur Championship in 1954, Mr. Palmer turned pro. Since then he has won seven major championships, including winning the U.S. Open and the Open Championship twice, and was the first golfer to win the Masters Tournament four times. In addition to winning 61 tournaments between 1954 and 1975, he represented the United States by playing in the Ryder Cup six times between 1961 and 1973 and by serving as captain in 1963 and 1975. In 1963 he was the last player to also serve simultaneously as captain. He also served as the Presidents Cup captain in 1996. Over the course of his career, Mr. Palmer was honored with many accolades. He was the PGA Player of the Year in 1960 and 1962, he won the Vardon Trophy four times, was named Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year in 1960, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004. Mr. Speaker, in addition to golf, Mr. Palmer is an extraordinary businessman, a skilled aviator, and a devoted family man. He founded the Arnold Palmer Pavilion at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, which is helping many western Pennsylvanians in their battles with cancer. Arnold Palmer is a favorite son of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, inspiring many to work hard and follow their dreams. He is truly deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of philanthropist Michael Stern and to pay tribute to his life of helping others and supporting our military families. Michael Stern began his career as a journalist, writing for newspapers and magazines before joining the U.S. Army in 1943 as a war correspondent. He traveled with American forces through Sicily and southern Italy; entering Rome a day before the Allies took control in June of 1944. He remained in Italy for the next 50 years, continuing to write articles, publishing a book, and producing several Italian-made films. Through his friendship with developer Zachary Fisher, the two men started the Intrepid Museum Foundation in 1978. The USS Intrepid (CVS- 11), a World War II aircraft carrier in the Pacific Theater, was decommissioned in 1974 and planned to be scrapped. Stern and Fisher led a fundraising campaign to save the carrier, and in 1982 the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum opened to the public. It became a National Historic Landmark four years later. In the early 1990s, the men established the Fisher House program to provide our service members and their families with temporary lodging at military bases and VA medical facilities all across the United States. This unique private-public partnership enables families to stay together while undergoing long-term medical treatment from injury or illness. Over 10,000 military families are guests at a Fisher House every year, and their expenses are taken care of by the Foundation. Stern and Fisher also created the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation at Rockefeller University, where Stern served as President and CEO of the Board of Trustees. Since 1995, the Foundation has been on the cutting-edge of Alzheimer's treatment and research. Shortly after Mr. Fisher's death in 2001, Stern created the Michael Stern Parkinson's Research Foundation, which has provided over $18 million for Parkinson's research. Madam Speaker, I knew Michael Stern through his work with the Fisher House program and the Intrepid Museum. I've had the privilege of visiting Fisher Houses throughout our nation, and speaking with hundreds of our military families who are forever grateful because of their generosity and support. At 98 years old, Michael Stern lived a full and envious life. My thoughts and prayers are with his children, Margaret and Michael Jr., who are truly blessed by knowing that their father dedicated his entire life to helping others, and inspiring us all with his story.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge a great American and extraordinary explorer, Admiral Robert Edwin Peary, and the one hundredth anniversary of his expedition to the North Pole. Peary was born on May 6, 1856 in Cresson, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Bowdoin College and joined the United States Navy in 1881. Peary made several expeditions throughout the Arctic, including Greenland, during this lifetime. On April 6, 1909 Peary concluded his journey to the North Pole. He was accompanied by his longtime companion Matthew Henson and four Inuit men. Throughout his life, he received many awards, honors, and honorary degrees. In 1911 Peary retired from the Navy with the rank of Rear Admiral. He died on February 20, 1920 in Washington, DC. Madam Speaker, at this time in history when the North Pole is so important to geopolitics, I hope that our nation will reflect on the hundredth anniversary of Admiral Peary's great accomplishment.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to include in the Congressional Record the following article written by Capitol Hill correspondent David Rogers. Although a conscientious objector, he is a decorated veteran who was wounded while serving as an Army medic in Vietnam. In his article, Rogers vividly describes the devastating impact of war on children and how American service members create bonds of mutual friendship and curiosity with the children who become victims of conflict and war. ``Children in the Field'' (By David Rogers) ``The old French fort was nothing more than an open area encircled by a berm, dirt piled into a wall. There was gaping holes where the fortification had eroded, and when the ground attack came, the enemy rocket grenades and automatic fire were able to hit the sleeping positions. Some AK rounds came from an outlying hamlet and Jose opened up with the machine gun. In the morning there was crying from one home, for a child had been killed. ``The women and old men would only stare sorrowfully at the patrols, but the children, looking for food or being curious, would come up to the soldiers. It was an uneasy truce between them: the infantry sweating under their packs and still wary after coming from the jungle; and the children, pulling on the men's gear, begging for food, but resisting even a gentle hand wanting to touch them. For the platoon medic, breaking through this distance was easier, and the children would finally come to him. He was the only one without a weapon and just the name ``Doc'' was simpler to remember. They--the medic and children--never knew each other's real names. It didn't matter. After all the months in the field and in and out of the villages, many would know him on sight and call ``Doc.'' One would start and then the others would join in. He would want to go back and stay with them. ``The platoon was securing the road when the enemy hit the third squad's position. AK fire caught Wesley in the stomach, and a rocket grenade wounded two other men. The medic had to go back for them and, afterwards, blood was all over his fatigues and hands. The children were again on the road, looking where the firing had been. They also looked at him, standing there in the stink of the heat and burned powder and blood. He wanted them to go away, but they had seen it all before. It was he who was new. Later, the Vietnamese soldiers would bring their kills out to the road. The children on the way to market would have to pass the bodies. ``She was twelve years old but had a wiser, more reserved way about her than the other children living in the villages or selling sodas along the red clay road. When candy was thrown from the convoys, she never ran, but only watched out for her younger sister and brother. The medic always looked for her but never brought the Cokes she teased him with. When the infantry closed the road and no more sodas could be sold, he saw her fishing occasionally or carrying firewood from where the American bulldozers had cleared the jungle. They seemed better friends then. He brought her presents at Tet, and she gave him paper flowers when he came the next time. After the battalion moved out, they never saw one another again. Before returning to the United States, he went back to the village, but she was away for the day. Instead, he sat with her brother and sister, who invited him into their thatched home. The village had a solemn quiet and they talked in near whispers. He stayed an hour with them. ``The children were so light compared to the weight of the Americans that the medics had to be careful not to turn too quickly when they carried the stretchers from the helicopters. The thin bodies, smaller still on the green hard canvas, rocked back and forth with each jolt and appeared in danger of sliding off. One night, two girls brought in with shrapnel wounds. The youngest lay without a sound, her stomach hard but only slightly torn. He stayed with her until she went into the operating room, but she did not cry during the long wait. Just the staring eyes, stunned by the pain and unable to close in the glare of the overhead light. She had been asleep when the shells came. In the morning she was dead. ``The children, so young and constant, would have the effect of confronting the soldiers with themselves. Coming back from an operation and seeing them running out to the road, the platoon was faced with something more alive than itself, against which each man would account himself. The dead in the jungle, those the platoon had lost or those it had killed, would come back for that moment. It was an anxious time, waiting for the smile or shout to pull them through the memories. ``After a contact the soldiers would search the bodies looking for souvenirs or materials which might be turned over to some distant information officer. Equipment such as hammocks or shell pouches were distributed according to who had been most involved in the fighting. Once there was a picture of the dead man's child and the medic took that himself. It was a little girl holding a flower and on the back was a delicate sketch of a dove.''

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the valor and determination of Army Sergeant Ted Wade and his wife Sarah. An American hero, Ted served his country in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne in 2002, and later deployed to Iraq with his unit in July of 2003. On February 14, 2004, the Humvee Ted was riding in hit an improvised explosive device (IED), throwing Ted from the vehicle, severing his right arm, and causing significant traumatic brain injury. Ted, unconscious and in a coma, was evacuated to the Landstuhl Regional Army Medical Center in Germany and later transferred to a civilian hospital in Germany that specialized in the care he needed. On March 2, 2004, Ted and Sarah came back to the states for recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I first met Ted and Sarah while visiting with our wounded soldiers recovering at Walter Reed. Years later I sat with them at the 2007 Capitol Memorial Day Concert, where I learned of Ted's ongoing recovery and Sarah's fight to ensure that he receives the best possible treatment and care. You see, military and VA doctors said that because of Ted's injuries, he would have little chance of ever walking and talking again. He was shuffled back and forth between doctors at VA facilities in North Carolina and doctors at Walter Reed. Sarah fought through the bureaucratic red tape and forced the VA to allow Ted to see one of the nation's premier traumatic brain injury specialists. Sarah never gave up on Ted's recovery, and Ted was determined to prove his doctors wrong. Ted has achieved incredible results through his ongoing rehabilitation. He's beaten the odds for recovery, and he's proven that through persistence and perseverance individuals can overcome insurmountable odds in confronting their injuries. Today, Ted and Sarah continue to press lawmakers and military leaders for better health care for our wounded warriors and for additional funds for the research and treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Through their work, Congress has appropriated over $1.2 billion in just the past two years for TBI programs. Sarah also works closely with the Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health-Traumatic Brain Injury to ensure that other wounded service members with Ted's injuries have access to the utmost care. Madam Speaker, Ted and Sarah Wade are an inspiration to us all. Their courage, commitment, and extraordinary story have shown us the spirit that exemplifies our military families.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to David S. Gallatin, Chief Executive Officer of Excela Health. I would like at this time to draw attention to some of his accomplishments and contributions to our health system and the community of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. David S. Gallatin has long been associated with Excela Health and its predecessors, Westmoreland Health System and Westmoreland Hospital. He served, in a voluntary capacity, on the Board of Trustees from 1982 through 2004. During his time on the Board, he was a member of the Executive Committee (1985 to 2004); served as a member of the Finance Committee (1990 to 2004); filled the role of Vice Chairman (1994 to 1999), was named Chairman from 1999 to 2004. In January 2003, the Westmoreland Health System Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name David S. Gallatin as its Chief Executive Officer, after having served as Interim Chief Executive Officer, while continuing his role as Board of Trustees Chairman until his term expired June 30, 2004. David S. Gallatin, cited for his leadership skills and vision, helped devise and implement a turnaround plan for the health system, one that resulted in meaningful growth, capital strength, physician recruitment, and retention of a professional work force. He championed the acquisition of the latest clinical technologies, thereby advancing the quality of care for the residents of Westmoreland County and beyond. Further, he, among others, spearheaded the successful merger of Westmoreland Health System with Latrobe Area Hospital, and later, Mercy Jeannette Hospital, creating and expanding the county's largest and only health care provider, Excela Health. His vision of a distributed delivery model assures local access to advanced health care, which is evident in Excela Health's Centers for Excellence, state of the art Emergency Departments and nationally recognized Stroke Prevention programs. Therefore, I join in commending David S. Gallatin for his history of hard work and service to our health system and the communities it serves.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the valor of someone who is no stranger to good deeds and heroic actions. For those of us who have the pleasure of knowing her, Beverly Young is an activist at heart, and a go-getter by reputation. Beverly, wife of our good friend and colleague Bill Young, has never backed down from an obstacle or challenge standing in her way. She is universally recognized for getting things done. On a US Airways flight from Tampa, FL to Washington, DC this week, an elderly woman collapsed in the airplane lavatory and lost consciousness. When no one with medical training stepped forward to help, Beverly, a former firefighter and medic, rushed to her side. Using her skills in CPR, Beverly revived the woman and remained with her to make sure she kept awake and alert. Others on the flight that day probably thought that this was just the one-time act of a Good Samaritan. But for those of us who know her, her quick action to help someone in need was far from ordinary. Madam Speaker, since the beginning of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Beverly Young has been a fixture in the halls of our nation's military medical centers. She's not there to receive fanfare or to seek recognition; she's there to support the thousands of our nation's best and brightest who have been injured serving our great country. Beverly is not an occasional visitor; she is there constantly for these young men and women and their families, becoming as familiar to them as anyone else they encounter during their recovery. She listens to each and every one of them, and she makes sure that they get what they need, whether it's food or supplies or fighting the Washington bureaucracy on their behalf. Madam Speaker, our country is a better place because of people like Beverly Young. Her selfless service has earned her the respect and gratitude of all those she has helped, and all those who have witnessed her good deeds in action.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an individual who has generously donated his land, his money, and his time to feeding thousands of needy individuals and families in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. For nearly fifteen years, Mr. Richard Shaver, of Madison, Pennsylvania, has operated the ``Hunger Garden.'' The garden is 100 percent volunteer driven, planting and harvesting thousands of pounds of vegetables for the Westmoreland County Food Bank every year. Hundreds of volunteers work evenings and weekends producing sweet corn, tomatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, peppers, and zucchini for the food bank and its Operation Fresh Express program, which provides fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income families. Mr. Shaver served his country in the U.S. Army, built a successful career, and at a time when he could sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labor, he set out to help those in need. Mr. Shaver says he began growing vegetables for the food bank because, ``Business was good. I went to country clubs, I was even flying my own airplane, but I just didn't feel right. My daughter suggested that maybe I ought to try to help somebody.'' His determination to ``help somebody'' has resulted in the donation of over 145,000 pounds of fresh vegetables over the years, greatly assisting Westmoreland County Food Bank and its service to 6,000 local families. Madam Speaker, in a struggling economy where millions of Americans have lost their jobs and are struggling to make ends meet, it gives me great pleasure to honor people like Mr. Shaver and the volunteers of the ``Hunger Garden.'' Their extraordinary work and generosity has a tremendous impact on the lives of many, and are an inspiration to us all.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Chair, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes a total of $4.9 billion to address critical facility maintenance and repair issues within the Department of Defense; invests in energy efficiency at DoD facilities; and provides much needed research into alternative energy sources for the Department.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, on November 12, 2008, Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll succumbed to a four month long battle with neuroendocrine cancer. I've known Catherine for 30 years. She was a remarkable woman who never stopped fighting to better our Commonwealth and to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians. She was one of the most hard-working and determined individuals to ever serve in state government, and her passion and dedication to both the Democratic Party and to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was unparalleled. Catherine was a transformational figure--one of the first women to run for statewide office, she served as Pennsylvania State Treasurer (1989-1997) and later became the first woman to serve as Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor (2003-2008). She never stopped fighting for what she believed in, and this determination placed her at the forefront of so many important issues. Catherine's kindness and friendship touched the lives of many. Over the past few months, people from all across Pennsylvania asked me how she was doing, and how she was coping with the disease. I reminded them that Catherine Baker Knoll was made of ``steel'' and that she was fighting this disease with the same strength and fortitude she fought every other challenge in life. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the career and life of someone who devoted both to serving the interests of her fellow Pennsylvanians. I rise to thank and commend her four children, Charles, Mina, Albert, and Kim Eric, for always being by her side and giving her constant strength. Madam Speaker, all of us will miss the friendship and great leadership of Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Larry M. Wade, Sr., a distinguished individual who recently became the State Commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, Department of Pennsylvania. As State Commander, he is responsible for Pennsylvania's 29 districts and over 550 posts. He works with Pennsylvania's line officers to ensure the operations and programs of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Pennsylvania. He also represents Pennsylvania's V.F.W. on a national level and serves on a number of commissions working tirelessly on behalf of our Nation's veterans. Mr. Wade has also served his country honorably in the United States Navy, where he served three tours of duty in Vietnam. Madam Speaker, Mr. Wade started working in the V.F.W. Post 7377 in Sankertown, Pennsylvania, where he still lives with his wife Debra. As Post Commander, he was honored as an All-State Commander for five consecutive years. Furthermore, he was previously honored as the Cambria County Veteran of the Year. In addition to holding positions at the post level, Mr. Wade has also held office at the county, district, and State levels. Before being named the State Commander, he held the positions of Department Senior Vice Commander, Department Junior Vice Commander, and Community Activities Chairman. Madam Speaker, the Veterans of Foreign Wars is a strong advocate on behalf of our Nation's veterans and is particularly strong in Pennsylvania. Mr. Wade's leadership will help to ensure that the V.F.W. will continue in its central mission. I wish to conclude my remarks by congratulating Mr. Wade on his outstanding accomplishment.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the hard work of two great Americans, Mr. John Roth and Ms. Mary Tompkey. These two dedicated civil servants have been the glue in the resource management community of the Department of Defense since the start of the War on Terror. They have been tremendous assets in assisting the staff of the Defense Subcommittee in their review of the defense budget and have worked tirelessly in the service of their country. Madam Speaker, Mr. Roth is the Deputy Comptroller (Program/Budget) within the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller). As such, he is responsible for all aspects of the Department of Defense budget's preparation, defense, and execution. The FY 2009 budget alone totaled $515 billion in over 50 appropriations and accounts in addition to $70 billion to support operations for the War on Terror. Before taking his current position in 2001, Mr. Roth was the Deputy Director for Investment with the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller). Mr. Roth entered civil service as a trainee in the Department of the Navy's Centralized Financial Management Training Program. He has completed tours of duty at the Norfolk Naval Supply Center, the Naval Data Automation Command, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). He started in the Defense Comptroller's office as a budget analyst in 1984 and has, over the years, reviewed a wide variety of weapon system programs across all Defense components. Madam Speaker, since 2005 Ms. Tompkey has been the Assistant Deputy Director of the Program Budget Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (OSD) Comptroller. In this position she has helped to lead during a time of significant organizational change and has assisted the Under Secretary Comptroller during noteworthy periods of transition. From 2002 to 2005, Ms. Tompkey worked as Director of Operations and Personnel in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (OSD) Comptroller and was previously the Deputy Director for Military Construction and Classified Activities, Under Secretary of Defense (OSD) Comptroller. She has also worked as an Associate Director for Investment, a Budget Analyst for the Directorate for Plans and Systems, a Budget Analyst for the Directorate for Operations and Personnel, and a Budget Analyst in the Department of the Air Force where she started in 1975. Together, these two have been instrumental in the formulation and passage of all of the Department of Defense Appropriations bills and War Supplemental Appropriations bills since the War on Terror began in 2002. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the hard work and selfless service of these two outstanding individuals. On behalf of the United States Congress, I say ``thank you'' for their over fifty years of combined service and experience, for their dedication to the Department of Defense, and for their work on behalf of our brave men and women in uniform. I would like to conclude my remarks by saying that I look forward to working with them for many more years.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of Mr. George Arcurio, Jr., ``Junior.'' Mr. Arcurio is a selfless human being who, over the last forty years has constantly put the best interests of others ahead of his own. He has been a valuable asset to the greater Johnstown, Pennsylvania community. Madam Speaker, Mr. Arcurio worked hard during his long and varied career which included working in the Johnstown School District from 1952 through 1968. It was at this point that Mr. Arcurio became interested in politics. Starting in 1969, Mr. Arcurio held elected and appointed positions including Johnstown City Councilman, Director of Public Works and the Police Commissioner in the City of Johnstown, Treasurer of Cambria County, Chief Investigator for the Cambria County District Attorney and finally as an Investigator for the Pennsylvania Auditor General's office from 1984 until his retirement. As if work and politics weren't enough, Mr. Arcurio has also served since 1981 as the President of the Johnstown Oldtimer's Baseball Association which sponsors the All American Amateur Baseball Association's (AAABA) national tournament in Johnstown every August. Bringing some of the finest amateur baseball talent to Johnstown each year has been Mr. Arcurio's mission for nearly thirty years. Mr. Arcurio also served as President of the AAABA's national board from 1994-1995 and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1994. Mr. Arcurio, ``Junior,'' has served on many commissions and boards over the last thirty years and has always worked to make the Johnstown area a better place to live. He remains active in the community and currently serves on the local airport authority. Madam Speaker, Mr. George Arcurio, Jr. is truly a great and caring American. I wish to end my remarks by congratulating and thanking him for his service to the Johnstown community.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Mr. Patrick M. Graczyk, Principal of Grandview Elementary School in Tarentum, Pennsylvania. Mr. Graczyk was recently honored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals as one of the recipients of the 2008 National Distinguished Principals Award. The award recognizes principals who establish high standards for character, teaching, and student accomplishment. Mr. Graczyk was first nominated by his peers in Pennsylvania and then was chosen for the award by the NAESP Pennsylvania affiliate. In being chosen for the award, Mr. Graczyk has demonstrated his commitment to excellence, has implemented programs designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students, and has established firm ties with his community. Mr. Graczyk works hard on behalf of the students, teachers, and families in his school district. He became principal of Grandview Elementary in 2002 and had previously taught for 5 years. During his tenure, the school has seen a rise in scoring on Pennsylvania's academic tests, including among students from low-income families. In addition to directly serving the needs of his school, Mr. Graczyk also helps to train novice teachers in addressing the needs of students from low-income families. Madam Speaker, Mr. Patrick M. Graczyk is truly deserving of the National Distinguished Principals Award and Pennsylvania is fortunate to have him among its fine educators.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense has held 22 hearings and our members and staff have visited over 100 military bases and facilities, both here at home and throughout the world. The result is a $487.7 billion fiscal year 2009 Defense Appropriations bill that supports our troops and their families; invests in equipment needed to support the force; imposes fiscal discipline necessary to manage the department's resources; and addresses flaws in the U.S. national security policy. Earlier this year, I was disappointed to hear the Secretary of Defense say that the U.S. military must prepare for fighting wars against insurgents and militias, he is talking about the future, such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan, rather than spend time and resources preparing for future conventional conflicts. I find these comments to be misguided and lacking in strategic vision, and the subcommittee agrees. When 90 percent of our ground combat units are rated as not fully mission capable and with what happened in Georgia, we need to be prepared for a contingency to prevent war. This lack of strategic foresight has left our Armed Forces in a degraded state of readiness, has left our military facilities in disrepair, and has left many defense acquisition programs broken or badly damaged. That is in spite the fact that under Jerry Lewis and under Bill Young we put all the money we could put into the products in order to get them upgraded. The bill addresses our future military needs and provides the resources urgently needed by the Department of Defense to prepare the United States military forces for threats to our national security beyond the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am inspired by our troops and their families. Their sacrifice and service to this great country are applauded by both the American people and this Congress. We may disagree on matters of policy, but we can all agree on the need to take care of our troops and tend to the needs of their families. This bill addresses these needs in many ways. For medical treatment and research, the bill adds $1 billion over the budget request within the Defense Health Program. Some of the recommendations include $300 million for traumatic brain injury and psychological help. Our subcommittee has been in the forefront of making sure that we have PTSD in mind; $40 million for medical care centers of excellence at Walter Reed Army Medical Center; $150 million for breast cancer research; $80 million for prostate cancer research; $20 million for ovarian cancer research; and $20 million for lung cancer. We found that 20 percent more military families have lung cancer than nonmilitary families, so we put money in trying to detect it early, which is how we prevent it. For Family Advocacy Programs, the bill includes $102 million above the budget request, for a total of $410 million. The bill provides $72 million to compensate servicemembers for Stop- Loss. We originally had more money in, but we couldn't figure out exactly how many people we had with Stop-Loss, so we said to the military, okay, we put $72 million in. After October 1st, anybody that has Stop-Loss gets paid, but you have to go back, do a study, and then tell us how much money you need for the period after that. The bill provides $734 million above the budget request for the renovation and repair of barracks, military hospitals and other O&M funding for these facilities. The bill includes language to ensure that the DOD takes steps necessary to ensure that Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Fort Belvoir remain the gold standard of military medicine. The bill expresses concern over the frequency of troop deployments and the stress this places on the servicemembers and their families. All of us have seen the stress on the families. Equipment and support of the forces. Key to improving U.S. military posture is to maintain our domestic industrial base. Shipbuilding, $14.1 billion. The bill provides an additional $523 million for the F-22. The bill more efficiently aligns funding of the Joint Strike Fighter, $6.3 billion. The bill includes $750 million for the National Guard, and we put $750 million in the supplemental unanimously. The bill includes $3.6 billion for the Army's Future Combat Systems. Improving fiscal responsibility. This bill reduces programs which have experienced uncontrolled cost growth due to poor management and designed instability while increasing funding for oversight activities. The bill cuts $650 million from unjustified and uncontrolled growth in outsourcing, and adds $24 million for additional personnel required by the DOD Inspector General to oversee growth of DOD contracts. For instance, I just saw in the news media, and that doesn't mean it is true, but there is $13 billion that has gotten lost someplace in the Iraq spending, $9 billion of it U.S. funds, according to the newspaper. The bill reduces the presidential helicopter program, but we kept it alive, hoping we can get the cost down for the individual. It cuts $197 million and 16 aircraft from the Armed Recognizance Helicopter. I recommend that the Members vote for this bill. It is an entire bill. When the bill is signed by the President, it will be money for the rest of the year. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH24SE08.286 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH24SE08.287 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH24SE08.288 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH24SE08.289

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the heroes who died seven years ago today in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in the Congressional district that I represented, Shanksville, Pennsylvania. On September 11, 2001, I was in the U.S. Capitol, where the subcommittee I now chair was marking up the annual Defense Appropriations Bill. After the order was given to evacuate, I headed back to Pennsylvania. The next day, September 12, 2001, I visited the crash site of United Flight 93 in Shanksville, only 30 miles south of my home. We all owe a deep debt of gratitude to those heroic passengers who foiled the terrorists' plan and saved the lives of countless Americans working and visiting in the U.S. Capitol. In our darkest hour, Americans everywhere joined together in acts of bravery, compassion and hope. Our first responders worked round-the- clock to help those in need, and millions of us gave our time and resources to relief organizations like the American Red Cross. In the months following September 11th we found comfort and pride in each other. We were all Americans, and we were determined to move our great Nation forward. Madam Speaker, our number one duty is to ensure the safety and security of the American people. Our brave men and women in uniform are fighting around the globe so that our children can grow up in a world absent of war and terrorism. We pay tribute to their bravery and to their sacrifice on this anniversary of September 11th, 2001.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Richland Township in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, as it celebrates its 175th Anniversary and to commend the township on its first annual Richland Community Days. Madam Speaker, Richland's history dates back to the second half of the 18th Century when the area was still part of Bedford County. Some of the area's earliest settlers were the Adams family, which included Samuel, Rachel, and Solomon. Their legacy lives on through the various landmarks in the area that were named after the members of the family. Richland Township was officially formed in 1833 out of land from Conemaugh Township in the new Cambria County. The township was given the name of ``Richland'' because of the quality of its land. Over the last 175 years, Richland Township has seen tremendous growth, and, in the last 2 decades in particular, has transformed itself into a hub of commercial, educational, retail, and high-tech opportunities. I'm proud of these accomplishments and I look forward to working to ensure continued growth and a brighter future for both Richland and our region. The Richland Community Days are an extraordinary way for the citizens of Richland to recognize their township's history as well as to look forward to its future. Madam Speaker, I finish my remarks by congratulating Richland Township on its 175th Anniversary and to recognize the many volunteers who have worked hard to make the first annual Richland Community Days a success.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, on August 15 of this year, the Observer- Reporter will celebrate its 200th anniversary of providing accurate and reliable news to the people of Southwestern Pennsylvania. In 1808, printers William Sample and William B. Brown were on their way to Kentucky when they stopped in The Sign of the Swan Tavern in the small village of Washington, Pennsylvania. There, they were convinced to set up shop, and on August 15, 1808, The Reporter, a weekly newspaper, was born. Ownership of the paper, as well as its name, changed hands over the next century, until John L. (Jack) Stewart and George E. Acheson formed the Observer Publishing Company on July 24, 1902. Acheson retired in 1912, turning over ownership and the presidency to Stewart. When Stewart died in 1940, the company was turned over to his wife, Margaretta. Her grandsons John L.S. and William B. Northrop became co-owners and president and vice president, respectively, following her death in May 1966. In 1967, the Observer Publishing Company merged its morning paper, The Washington Observer, and its afternoon paper, The Washington Reporter, into the Observer-Reporter. Over the last three decades, the Observer Publishing Company acquired additional newspapers throughout Washington and Greene Counties. On April 17, 2000, John and Bill Northrop's sons, Tom and Bill Jr., became co-publishers of the company. Tom became sole publisher and president of the Observer Publishing Company in 2004. Madam Speaker, today the Observer Publishing Company is one of the largest employers in Washington County. Their talented and hardworking staff produces a daily paper that reaches tens-of-thousands of subscribers in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The company is active in both the local community and the newspaper industry. I would like to acknowledge and congratulate the award-winning Observer-Reporter for printing a quality news product that has been part of Southwestern Pennsylvania since 1808.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, on August 4 of this year, the name of one of the great military leaders of our time will pass on to the retirement rolls. I am speaking of my good friend, GEN Richard Cody, the 31st vice chief of staff of the United States Army. On August 4 our Armed Forces will lose one of its greatest warriors. GEN Dick Cody has commanded American soldiers for 20 of his 36 years of service. In 1991, then Lieutenant Colonel Cody personally led Task Force Normandy, the joint aviation task force that fired the opening salvoes of the gulf war, and, as GEN H. Norman Schwarzkopf recounted, ``plucked out the eyes'' of Saddam Hussein's air defenses. Cody went on to command the First Cavalry Division's Aviation Brigade; the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment; the fabled 101st Airborne Division ``Screaming Eagles''; as well as commanding in our Nation's most elite special operations unit. On August 4 our Armed Forces will lose a gifted strategic leader. With 1.3 million men and women serving around the globe, there are few organizations in the world as large and complex as the United States Army. For 6 years, spanning the tenures of 3 Army Chiefs of Staff, 4 Secretaries of the Army, and 3 Chairmen of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, Dick Cody has provided stalwart leadership to our Army. He has overseen the day-to-day details of a plethora of daunting tasks. He oversaw the Army's transformation from a Cold War-era, division-based force, to a modular, brigade-centric force. He revitalized and modernized the Army's aviation forces. He supervised the transformation of the reserve component from a strategic reserve to a part of the operational Army. He is the architect of the Army's growth and restationing plans, which will eventually relocate over one-third of the Army. He has also completely revitalized the outpatient care systems for our wounded warriors and their families. On August 4 our Armed Forces will lose one of its ``straightest shooters.'' We in Congress rely on senior uniformed leaders to give us apolitical, straight forward assessments based on their years of military experience. No one shoots straighter with the Congress and the American people than Dick Cody. Going back to his first testimony before the Congress in 1999, when he warned the Nation to ``beware of a 14 division mission with a 12 division Army,'' he has never flinched from hard questions, and he never sugar coats the truth. On August 4 the head of a wonderful Army family will retire, a man who is just as proud to be known as ``Vicki's husband'' and ``Tyler and Clint's Dad'' as he is proud of the stars on this shoulders. The Cody boys, with six combat tours between them, will continue to serve. Vicki Cody will never stop advocating for soldiers and their families, and Dick Cody's own personal ``Rendezvous with Destiny'' will continue. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge a 36 year career of heroic and selfless service, one that reflects all that is good and right about our Nation and her Armed Forces. On behalf of the United States Congress, we say ``thank you'' to a man and a family who place the well-being of the American soldier ahead of their own ambitions and dreams. God Bless Dick and Vicki Cody, their sons Tyler and Clint, and God Bless the American soldier who they love so much.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of Mrs. Nancy Sutton, as she celebrates her 93rd birthday on June 29. Mrs. Sutton is a selfless volunteer who constantly puts others ahead of herself. She is a valuable asset to Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, Mrs. Sutton worked hard during her long and varied career, which included working in retail in Uniontown. Following her retirement, she began to volunteer at her local Social Security Office during the 1980s and 1990s for a period of over 10 years. She still actively volunteers for the American Cancer Society, where she has volunteered for many years. In addition, Mrs. Sutton has been an active member of the Marshall Manor Resident Council since she became a resident in February 1973. She has served as president of the council and has coordinated and cooked monthly dinners for the manor's residents. Mrs. Sutton helps her fellow residents by driving them to medical appointments, picking up prescriptions, and helping with grocery shopping. Mrs. Sutton was appointed as the tenant representative to the Fayette County Housing Authority's Board of Directors on February 8, 2001. She has served as the secretary of the board since her appointment. Madam Speaker, Mrs. Nancy Sutton is truly a great and caring American. I wish to end my remarks by congratulating her on her 93rd birthday and for all of her community accomplishments.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, Mr. Skelton and I rise to honor the life of King George Pittman, who, at the age of 87, passed away on Tuesday, June 10, 2008. A man who was extremely proud of his heritage and the military, King George Pittman lived a full and eventful life. A native of Florida, Mr. Pittman was the fourth youngest of twelve children born in Tallahassee to Williams Pittman and Carrie Tansy Pittman. There he attended Lincoln High School and was a member of Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church. At the age of 21, he joined the U.S. Army. Mr. Pittman served in the U.S. Army from May 22, 1941 to December 14, 1956. He fought in World War II and the Korean War. He earned eight different awards for his service. He received the Good Conduct Medal Bronze Clasp with Three Loops for his loyalty, knowledge, vigilance and merit. He received the Purple Heart for his bravery. In addition to these, he received the World War II Victory Medal, the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation badge and the Honorable Service Lapel Button World War II. Although he received all of these awards, his family never knew of his many accomplishments. He served his country with distinction, and was modest to say the least. A brother, uncle, great uncle, friend and neighbor, Mr. Pittman was a proud man who leaves behind his sister, and our former colleague, retired U.S. Representative Carrie P. Meek, a constant source of his pride. He also leaves a nephew, and our current colleague, Congressman Kendrick B. Meek of Florida, who proudly serves on the House Armed Services Committee, an assignment that surely put a smile on King's face. King found pride in all of his family, including nephews Samuel Pittman and Charles Bellamy, nieces, Lucia Raiford, Sheila Kinui, Betty Jean Pittman and Katrina Presley. For his patriotic efforts in the Korean War in particular, King has rated burial at Arlington National Cemetery, a high honor and memorial for a war hero. The Korean War was too significant to neglect, too momentous to ignore, too pivotal to be disregarded, and far too costly to be forgotten. And, so we take this moment to honor King, one of its many heroes. And, he is honored even more by the great family he leaves behind with us. King George Pittman lived a long and fulfilling time. He can now rest in the arms of the God he cherished and served. Mr. Pittman will truly be missed.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, today we once again consider a supplemental spending bill for our troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The spending bill before us represents a compromise between both the House and Senate. It provides funding to take care of our troops in the field through the balance of fiscal year 2008, and through June 2009. The funding in this bill closely follows our vision of ``looking beyond the war in Iraq.'' For fiscal year 2008 this supplemental includes: $825 million for National Guard and Reserve Equipment; $1.6 billion for HMMWVs; $3.1 billion for Medium and Heavy Tactical Trucks; $102 million for Land Warrior equipment sets for next-to-deploy units; $1.2 billion for various Joint Unmet Operational Needs as identified by the Department of Defense, but not included in the budget request; $500 million for Army and Marine Corps Facility Maintenance and Repairs (this includes barracks); $300 million for Facility Maintenance and Repairs at DoD medical treatment facilities; $94.9 million for Wounded Warrior efforts; $50 million for Family Advocacy Programs; $570 million for treatment and research activities within the Defense Health Program; and $3.5 billion to address the increasing cost of fuel that was not included in the budget request. For fiscal year 2009 this supplemental includes: $1.2 billion for military personnel and $51.9 billion for operation and maintenance. This is sufficient funding to maintain all anticipated military operations through June 2009; $394.8 million for Bradley base sustainment; $390.2 million for HMMWV recapitalization; $1.1 billion for the Defense Health Program; and $2.0 billion for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Fund. This is a good piece of legislation, and I'd ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote for this bill.

Mr. MURTHA

Mr. MURTHA. Absolutely.

Mr. MURTHA. Okay.

Mr. MURTHA. Well, as Bill Young said, we worked together when he was chairman. When Jerry was chairman, we worked together. The only thing I disagree with, when it comes to the floor, I am not sure I like to hear a lot about amendments. I mean, you know, I like to see it try to work in a hurry. But, anyway, I am concerned, when I heard the other day the Secretary of Defense say that the United States military must prepare for more fighting, future wars against insurgents and militias, such as in Iraq and Afghanistan, rather than spend money and time preparing for conventional conflicts. Overemphasizing the Department's focus on training and equipment for counterinsurgency missions appears to be simply a rationalization of a short-term budget decision made in the waning months of this administration. I am worried because we have been saying over and over again, let's look beyond Iraq, let's make sure we get the military back to the position where it should be. These decisions have left the Armed Forces in a degraded state of readiness. Both of us, when Jerry was chairman, when Bill was chairman, we have tried to increase the amount of money for the military to increase our readiness without the support of the administration in many cases. They have let the facilities, which directly impact service personnel, quality of life, in disrepair. Every place we have gone we have seen the disrepair. They have left many defense acquisition programs broken or badly damaged. I sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense saying, Mr. Secretary, we have got some real problems here. We have got to fix these procedures by sending a budget up to it. We have got to stop the supplementals, put it in one budget so we can have some semblance of order when we look at these decisions. These decisions fail to take into account the potential missions the U.S. armed forces must prepare for and may have to undertake in the years ahead. I find these comments questionable that he has made at a time when not one combat unit in the United States is rated as combat ready. We need a national strategy. We have tried to provide a national strategy to identify both near term and long-term threats to this country. We need a vigorous debate to achieve this strategy, and it hasn't happened since the Cold War. Now, I hope that in the base bill and this supplemental we are moving in that direction. I hope that's what we are going to be able to accomplish. Now, we spend more money on intelligence than any other country in the world. Put them all together, and we spend more money. I have got Punxsutawney Phil in my district. Punxsutawney Phil comes out once a year, he sees his shadow, and 50 percent of the time he is right. Well, I will tell you, I wouldn't say that the intelligence effort that we spend so much money on is any more than that, because so many things have not been right. I am concerned that if we don't pay attention to what we know, we who have been here a long time, we are not going to be prepared not only to fight a war, but to prevent a war. We can no longer be the world's policeman, and I think all of us understand that. We need to rebuild our diplomatic alliances, and we need to restore our international credibility. Our military and diplomatic force must include the strengths of our allies. We cannot do it alone. Now, let me say in this bill we have $3.6 billion for C-17s. We produced 34 C-130s. We went through it with the subcommittee in detail. We had to make some changes because the full committee wanted us to make some changes, $3 billion for medium and heavy trucks. I remember when we went to Saudi Arabia the first time, we asked General Schwarzkopf, what was the biggest shortage, and he said trucks. We have tried to take care of the things we realize need to be done. We put money in for Humvees and Marine Corps facility maintenance, and we put in for medical maintenance. We transferred money to the military construction committee, and they made the decision where that money should go--and $570 billion--no one in Congress, probably in the history of Congress, paid more attention to medical care for the military than Mr. Lewis, Mr. Young and myself. We have tried to be in the forefront in making sure that they have what they need in order to take care of the troops. As a matter of fact, we put money in some years ago for a center to take care of the amputees, and it took them awhile to understand that we were serious about it, but it happened. I am proud to say that is working very effectively. So what we have done under the Constitution is appropriate the money where we think it will do the most good, and we will continue to do that. This is a good bill, and I hope Members vote for it so we can get the money to the troops that they need.