Dennis Moore

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mission, Kansas, Mayor Laura McConwell, who recently was named ``Kansas Mayor of the Year'' by the Kansas Mayors Association. The Mayor of the Year award is based on leadership and contributions by the nominee in promoting intergovernmental relations and the impact of the nominee on his or her community and its citizens. Mayor McConwell is one of only a few Johnson County mayors to ever receive this honor. Laura McConwell has served as the City of Mission's mayor since 2002. During her tenure as mayor, she has provided thoughtful leadership for the city in extensive redevelopment projects, stormwater remediation, and infrastructure planning and maintenance, all accomplished through energizing citizens and businesses through public processes. Mayor McConwell has also been a leader in the Kansas City areas in promoting sustainability issues not only in Mission, but throughout the region. She spearheaded the Kansas City Area Mayors Sustainability and Climate Protection Conference in November 2007, which set the national record for the most mayors to sign the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement for a region in a single day. Currently, Mayor McConwell is active in a variety of community and professional associations, including: Vice Chair of the Johnson/ Wyandotte Counties Council of Mayors: Co-chair, Mid America Regional Council First Suburbs Coalition; Vice-chair, National League of Cities First Tier Suburbs Steering Committee; National League of Cities Community and Economic Development Steering Committee; Leadership Kansas Class of 2008; Shawnee Mission School District Committee for Excellence; United Community Services Board Member; Northeast Johnson County Chamber of Commerce; Shawnee Mission North Parent Teacher Student Association; and Boy Scouts of America. Madam Speaker, I know that all members of the House of Representatives join with me in commending Mayor Laura McConwell on this well deserved recognition. I am proud to have her as a constituent in the Third Congressional District of Kansas and I am proud to represent the City of Mission and all other communities within our congressional district.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Taiwan's proposed membership in the World Health Organization, WHO. In today's global community, health is a shared responsibility, as the whole world is vulnerable to transnational diseases. Given the tremendous volume of international travel and global trade, the transmission of communicable diseases between borders has been heightened. This reality necessitates both global collaboration and a global response to prevent and control the spread of these diseases. The World Health Organization is the organization tasked with this duty. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends. Currently, there are over 190 participants in the WHO. Taiwan is not one of them, however, which means that the 23 million citizens of Taiwan do not have access to the critical health service and information the WHO provides. As a strong democracy and one of the world's most robust economics, Taiwan should be allowed to benefit from the health services and medical protections offered by the WHO, including direct and immediate access to up-to-date disease information. Taiwan's exclusion from the WHO also prevents the country from taking part in the WHO mechanism for the allocation of vaccines and other disease control supplies. Taiwan's inability to make use of these allocation mechanisms during international outbreaks hampers its disease control efforts and has a strong negative impact on the health of the people in Taiwan. Taiwan's membership in the WHO is not only in the interest of the people of Taiwan, it is in the interest of the international community and the WHO itself: as the WHO stands to benefit significantly from the financial and technological contributions that Taiwan has to offer. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of Taiwan's inclusion in the World Health Organization.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a young constituent whose life tragically ended way too early, as the result of an automobile accident. Meghan North Lampo of Fairway, Kansas, was killed on May 15, 2008, in an automobile accident in Overland Park, Kansas. She was born on February 12, 1979, in Kansas City, Missouri. She was a graduate of St. Paul's Episcopal Day School and St. Theresa's Academy. Meghan earned a bachelor of arts in Japanese studies at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, and spent her junior year in Morioka, Japan. She was a student ambassador to Kansas City's sister city in Kurashiki, Japan, a Rotary International scholar in Myaboshi, Japan, and participated in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme, a Japanese governmental program in Nagano, Japan. Meghan was a beautiful young woman who loved people from every walk of life and has been described as a creative and free spirit who loved and lived life to the fullest. She described herself as someone who colored outside the lines in order to make a masterpiece. She had boundless energy and her own sense of style, a strong will, a huge heart, and a desire to help others in any way she could. Meghan particularly enjoyed volunteering for Bacchus Foundation, a philanthropic, social and service organization which introduces and integrates young adults into Kansas City's civic, cultural and educational communities. As Meghan said, ``A little sparkle goes a long way these days.'' She is survived by many friends and her family, including her mother, Jane Lampo and stepfather, Rick Welsch, of Fairway, and her father Joe Lampo of Little Rock, Arkansas. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have this opportunity to pay tribute to a very special young constituent whose life was tragically snuffed out when she was much too young. I thank you for this opportunity and I know that all members of the House of Representatives join with me in paying tribute to Meghan North Lampo.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5787, the Federal Real Property Disposal Enhancement Act, a bill that I introduced with Representative Jimmy Duncan of Tennessee to address the disincentives that are currently keeping some agencies from disposing of properties they no longer need. Last June the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a report which found that there is currently a backlog of more than 21,000 excess and surplus Federal properties worth a total of $18 billion. Holding onto these properties has serious implications for the American taxpayer, as it costs Federal agencies millions of dollars per year to maintain and secure properties that are underutilized or simply unneeded. Investigations by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) have also pointed out that the administrative requirements and costs of preparing a property for transfer or sale continue to hamper some agencies' efforts to address their backlog of unneeded properties. Because it can be difficult for agencies to secure the resources that they need to prepare a property for disposal, these costs serve as a disincentive because it makes more sense, in the short-term, for them to simply hold onto a property, particularly if they do not expect to receive the proceeds of a transfer or sale. Fortunately, over the past several years the administration and Federal agencies have made progress toward strategically managing Federal real property by establishing asset management plans, standardizing data reporting, and adopting performance measures. But there are also commonsense steps that we can take now to ensure that Federal agencies have the proper incentives to dispose of property they no longer need. H.R. 5787 is designed to do just this. First, the legislation would move to help agencies deal with the administrative requirements and costs of preparing underutilized properties for transfer or sale by allowing the General Services Administration (GSA), in cooperation with agencies, to use its resources and expertise to cover these up-front costs and help agencies ensure that title records, property descriptions, and environmental clearances are in order so that properties can be classified as excess. GSA would then be reimbursed for the costs it incurs from the proceeds that agencies receive from the transfer or sale of such properties. The legislation would also provide agencies with another incentive to reduce their inventory of unneeded properties by allowing them to keep all the proceeds received from the sale of surplus properties, which would then be available, subject to appropriations, to fund future asset management and disposal activities. Many landholding agencies, including the three largest landholding agencies--the Department of Defense, GSA, and the Department of Veterans Affairs--already have the authority to retain 100 percent of proceeds, and it has been shown to be a tremendous incentive for some agencies to dispose of property they no longer need. H.R. 5787 would simply extend this authority to landholding agencies that currently do not have it, and allow the proceeds agencies would receive to be used for future disposal and asset management efforts. Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage my colleagues to support this common sense effort to help Federal agencies more efficiently manage their Federal real property assets. As we are all well aware, the Federal government faces many short and long-term fiscal challenges, which is why we must increase our efforts both to manage our existing assets more effectively and to significantly reduce the backlog of underutilized and unused Federal properties. We should no longer waste precious taxpayer funds on maintaining and holding properties that are not needed.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bob Regnier, who recently was named Philanthropist of the Year by the Kansas City Council on Philanthropy. I was honored to attend a luncheon on May 9th at which he received this very well-deserved honor, which prompted me to consider Bob Regnier's lifetime of service to Johnson County and the entire Kansas City metropolitan area. Bob is the living embodiment of the anonymous saying, ``Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.'' I have been privileged to know Bob Regnier for many years. He embodies the observation of leadership consultant Don Blohowiak: ``A balanced life is the centered intersection of your values, time and action. That's where integrity resides.'' Starting in 1970 as a safe deposit clerk and teller at Baltimore Bank in Johnson County, he rose within the Boatmen's Bank organization and, in 1989, he left that organization following a merger and founded the Bank of Blue Valley, meeting with his first customers in a doublewide mobile home. The Bank of Blue Valley developed from its initial asset base of $2,150,000 to an organization with total assets in excess of $700 million total loans in excess of $550 million and total deposits in excess of $550 million. Just as importantly, however, Bob Regnier has been a tireless volunteer and source of strength for the Kansas City metropolitan area. As he said in a 2006 column in the Kansas City Business Journal, ``There is no question that Kansas City is a good place to live and raise a family. The question for all of us is, will this be a `great' place to live? The choice is up to each one of us.'' Phrased differently by Dr. Seuss, the keystone of Bob Regnier's service to our community is based upon this idea: ``Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.'' Madam Speaker, a cursory review of the many, many ways Bob Regnier has served our Kansas City community as a dedicated volunteer simply would not do him justice. Below I've listed his past civic commitments and current civic activities, as well as the numerous other public recognitions he has earned over the years for his good works. I thank you and the U.S. House of Representatives for joining me in taking note of this distinguished history. civic--past commitments Heart of American United Way, 1977-1988, Member of Campaign Cabinet in 1987-1988; UMKC Banking Advisory Panel, 1986-2000; UMKC Bloch School Alumni Board, 1990-1996; Blue Valley Educational Foundation, 1993- 1997, Treasurer, 1994-1995; Health Partnership of Johnson County, 1994-1995, Treasurer, 1994-1995; Blue Valley School District Board, Member 1995-2003, President 1998-2000; Blue Valley School District Bond Campaigns, Campaign Co-Chairman 1998, 2005; Johnson County Sales Tax for Benefit of Public Schools Campaign, Campaign Co-Chairman 2002, 2005; Menorah Medical Center Foundation, 1998-2003; Enterprise Center of Johnson County Board, 1998-2006, Vice Chairman, 2002-2003, Chairman 2003-2005. Overland Park Chamber Research & Development Foundation, 2000-2004; Health Midwest Johnson County Board, 2001-2003; United Community Services ``Navigating the Future'' Task Force, 2002-2003; Salvation Army Christmas Campaign Chairperson, 2003; Honorary Co-chairman Ronald McDonald Hope Is Building Campaign, 2003-2006; Honorary Vice Chairman Avila College Capital Campaign, 2003-2006; Menorah Medical Center Board of Trustees, 2003-2007, Vice Chairman, 2005-2007; Menorah Legacy Foundation Board, 2003-2006; Co-Chairman of Development Committee, 2004-2006; Truman Medical Center Foundation, Co-Chairman, Capital Campaign for Behavioral Health Network, 2005-2007; Honorary Dinner Co-chair 30th Annual Jewish Community Relations Bureau/American Jewish Committee Human Relations Dinner, 2006; Arts Council of Johnson County, Shooting Stars Gala, Honorary Chairperson, 2007. Civic--Present Commitments Johnson County Community College Foundation Board, 1996- Present, Some Enchanted Evening Scholarship Dinner, 1996- 2001, Executive Committee, 1999-Present, Some Enchanted Evening Chair Couple-2000, Chairman Technology Center ``Blue Ribbon Task Force''-2002, Chairman Business & Technology Center Capital Campaign, 2003-Present, Vice Chairman 2005- Present, Chairman 2007-Present; Kansas University Edward's Campus Board of Advisors, 2000-Present; Greater Kansas City Chamber Johnson County Leadership Council, 2001-Present, Chairman, 2004-2007; Community Foundation of Johnson County Board, 2002-Present, Vice Chairman, 2005-2006; Union Station Kansas City Board, 2003-Present, Vice Chairman, 2005-Present; REACH Foundation, 2003-Present, Secretary 2003-2006, Chairman 2006-Present; Greater Kansas City Chamber Board of Directors, 2003-Present, Co-Chairman of Annual Meeting, 2004, Vice Chairman & Treasurer, 2004-2005, 2nd Vice Chairman, 2005-2006 1st Vice Chairman, 2006-2007; Chairman 2007-Present. Civic Council of Kansas City, 2003-Present, Regional Infrastructure Task Force, 2003-Present, P-12 Education Task Force, 2004-Present, Board of Directors, 2004-Present, Vice Chairman, 2007-Present; Arts Council of Greater Kansas City, 2004-Present, Vice Chairman, 2005-Present; Greater Kansas City Community Foundation Board, 2005-Present; Midwest Research Institute, Board of Trustees, 2005-Present; University of Kansas Medical Center & Hospital Advancement Board, 2006-Present; United Way of Greater Kansas City, Board of Directors, 2007-Present, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Board of Trustees, 2007-Present; University of Kansas Hospital Authority, Board of Directors, 2007-Present.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, from May 3-5, 2008, more than 1,200 students from across the country visited Washington, DC, to take part in the national finals of We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, the most extensive educational program in the country developed to educate young people about the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Administered by the Center for Civic Education, the We the People program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education by act of Congress. I am proud to announce that a group of outstanding students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, Kansas, through their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, won the statewide competition, earning the chance to come to our Nation's capital and compete at the national level. While in Washington, the students participated in a three-day academic competition that simulates a congressional hearing in which they ``testify'' before a panel of judges. Students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of constitutional principles as they evaluate, take, and defend positions on relevant historical and contemporary issues. It is important to note that independent studies of the We the People program indicate that alumni of this nationally- acclaimed program display a greater political tolerance and commitment to the principles and values of the Constitution and Bill of Rights than do students using traditional textbooks and approaches. With various reports and surveys that reveal the lack of civic knowledge and engagement, I am pleased to support such an outstanding program that continues to produce enlightened and responsible citizens. Madam Speaker, the names of these outstanding students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School are: Hillary Bourquin, Rosemarie Boyles, Annie Clark, Michelle Coombs, Alexander Davidson, Blair Donahue, Maria Dudley, Jillian Falbre, Lauren Hannifan, Lisa Hartung, Sarah Hermes, Veronica Holton, Erin Jolley, Emily Majerie, Arica Maurer, Kirsten Milliard, Theresa Nelson, Angela Nigro, Daniel Obermeier, Courtney Pigott, Rose Reynolds, Amanda Schnieders, Jonathan Shoulta, Emily Stone, David Sullivan, Bryan Thelen, Brittany Wilderson, and Jerry Wohletz. I also wish to commend the teachers of the class, Tim Lillis and Amy Person, who are responsible for preparing these young constitutional experts for the statewide competition and national finals. Also worthy of special recognition is Lynn Stanley, the State coordinator, and Ken Thomas, the district coordinator, who are among those responsible for implementing the We the People program in my State. I congratulate these students on their exceptional achievements at the We the People national finals.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Dr. Marjorie Kaplan, Superintendent of the Shawnee Mission School District, who is retiring at the end of this school year, after 16 years of extraordinary leadership for her district, and for the greater Kansas City area. Dr. Kaplan came to Shawnee Mission in 1992 after a distinguished career in Arizona. She is returning to the Phoenix area where she will be close to her children and grandchildren. My congressional district is blessed with some of the best schools in the country. I know many Members of Congress feel that way, but I know this is the case. Where I live, among many outstanding school districts, Shawnee Mission schools remain the gold standard in our area. During her tenure, Dr. Kaplan has reinforced this perception and continually raised this standard. I have come to admire and respect Dr. Kaplan, who has never been shy about giving me very good advice on education issues and legislation. I know how much good schools mean to my constituents, so I have always heeded her expertise and guidance. The Shawnee Mission district includes older suburban areas and is surrounded by newer, fast growing areas. Under Dr. Kaplan's leadership, and thanks to confidence in the district, Shawnee Mission patrons have passed a series of school bond issues which allowed the district to renew its building stock, while combining some elementary school populations. During the past 16 years, Dr. Kaplan and Shawnee Mission schools have: Brought rigorous International Baccalaureate programming to area high school students since 1996, and greatly increased advanced placement classes; Strengthened the district's Center for International Studies and further developed the languages offered through the program; Transformed career and technical education courses and programs with award winning programs in culinary arts, commercial baking, graphic design, multimedia, and computer training; Brought in engineering technology, biotechnology, and biomedical health science programs; Introduced the Open Court reading program; and Continually produced students who outperform their Kansas and US peers on standardized tests, including the ACT and the SAT. For several years, Shawnee Mission produces about 20 percent of the Kansas National Merit finalists, despite having only 6 percent of the state's population. Although a talented administrator, Dr. Kaplan has made it a point to substitute teach in every building throughout the school year. Perhaps because of this, her teachers and administrators know how much she cares, and understands their difficulties and joys at the classroom level. Educators today face new challenges, with increasing numbers of children who do not speak English at home and with problems of school funding and federal education programs. Despite it all, this district has continued to succeed. Madam Speaker, thank you for allowing me the time to pay tribute to an outstanding educator who I am proud to call a friend, Dr. Marjorie Kaplan.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, it's my great privilege today to honor the 2008 NCAA men's Division I basketball champions, the University of Kansas Jayhawks, and to encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 1096. The University of Kansas men's basketball team began their season by winning 20 straight games on their way to a final regular season record of 28-3, a share of the Big 12 regular season title and the Big 12 Conference tournament title. Upon being selected a number one seed in the NCAA tournament, the Jayhawks defeated their first three opponents by 24 points, 19 points and 15 points, respectively. When challenged by Davidson in the regional final and the University of North Carolina in the national semifinal game, Kansas won these competitive, emotionally charged games by emphasizing teamwork, persistence, and focus, three qualities they displayed all season long. And finally, the Jayhawks won the national title by besting a skilled Memphis team in one of the most dramatic games in Final Four history, 20 years after another Kansas team lead by Danny Manning also won the national championship in dramatic fashion. As a proud alum of the University of Kansas, I was proud that through the entire season the students, athletes, coaches and everyone associated with the University of Kansas men's basketball team represented the university and the State of Kansas in great fashion by demonstrating sportsmanship, skill, and the ability to overcome adversity. They deserve praise and credit for their efforts and for their dedication of the common goal of winning the NCAA championship. It should also be said that the students of the University of Kansas, the members of the Lawrence, Kansas community and Jayhawk fans everywhere showed tremendous class in the celebration of the Jayhawks' historic win. And, friends, this is a Jayhawk. Students and fans take great pride in Kansas basketball, and I believe that this commitment and passion was demonstrated by the fact that nearly 80,000 people showed up on a chilly spring afternoon for the team's championship parade and celebration. Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to stand here today to pay tribute to the hard work and success of this championship team, its coaches and its fans, and I ask my colleagues to please support House Resolution 1096. Rock Chalk Jayhawks!

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2739, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008. This measure, recently approved by the Senate, includes a number of measures that earlier had been approved by the House of Representatives, including H.R. 2094, a bill that I sponsored with Representatives Jerry Moran, Todd Tiahrt, Nancy Boyda, Leonard Boswell, and Mac Thornberry. As an Executive Committee member of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission, I know that this legislation is important to our continuing efforts to establish a National, permanent memorial to President Eisenhower. H.R. 2094 would make important amendments to the statute establishing the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, so that it can more effectively discharge its duties. Congress created the Eisenhower Memorial Commission in 1999 and charged the Commission with establishing a National memorial to Dwight David Eisenhower to honor his memory and commemorate his contributions to the nation. The Commission is completely bipartisan, consisting of four Senators, four Representatives, and four private citizens. The Commission keeps an office in Washington, DC, with four full-time staff, including an Executive Director and Executive Architect. Since determining a preferred site in June 2005, the Commission has worked tirelessly to speed the progress of the memorialization. In September 2006, only fifteen months later, the Commission received final site approval from the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. The National Eisenhower Memorial will be located across the street from the National Air and Space Museum at the intersection of Maryland and Independence Avenues, SW. The site is surrounded by institutions Ike either created or profoundly influenced, including the Department of Education. The Commission is now engaged in Pre-Design Programming, a concerted effort to determine what the memorial should be. Eisenhower family members, Eisenhower contemporaries, historians, Kansans, and many others have been interviewed on their vision for the memorial. A voluntary online questionnaire is available to the public. Although there are many diverse opinions on Ike's greatest achievement and the appropriate focus for his memorial, all agree that Eisenhower is, as Michael Korda presents in his new biography, ``an American hero.'' I am particularly proud to claim one of the greatest 20th-century Americans as a fellow Kansan. He ranks as one of the preeminent figures in the global history of the 20th century. Dwight Eisenhower spent his entire life in public service. His most well-known contributions include serving as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in World War II and as 34th President of the United States, but Eisenhower also served as the first commander of NATO and as President of Columbia University. Dramatic changes occurred in America during his lifetime, many of which he participated in and influenced through his extraordinary leadership as President. Although Ike grew up before automobiles existed, he created the Interstate Highway System and took America into space. He created NASA, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Federal Aviation Administration. He added Hawaii and Alaska to the United States and ended the Korean War. President Eisenhower desegregated the District of Columbia and sent federal troops into Little Rock, Arkansas, to enforce school integration. He defused international crises and inaugurated the national security policies that guided the nation for the next three decades, leading to the peaceful end of the Cold War. A career soldier, Eisenhower championed peace, freedom, justice and security, and as President he stressed the interdependence of those goals. He spent a lifetime fulfilling his duty to his country, always remembering to ask what's best for America. The development of the Pre-Design Program will produce three books to serve as an information packet for potential designers and the eventual design team for the memorial. The reasons for building a memorial to Eisenhower are only one part of the challenge set out in the Pre-Design Program. Technical considerations and guidance from the National Park Service are also included. Issues from preserving the historic view to the U.S. Capitol to providing a National Park Service Ranger station at the site are presented. This stage is the last major step prior to procuring a design team. While the Eisenhower Memorial Commission has so far been able to efficiently manage the memorialization process, the tasks involved in design and construction require revised administrative and operational authority. H.R. 2094 provides the needed revisions and will enable the Commission to work more efficiently and effectively during design and construction when quick turnaround times are vital and daily decisions must be made. The authority provided in this legislation is based on the authority given to temporary commissions in existence for up to three years. The Eisenhower Memorial Commission has similar needs, but exists for no set time period. The Commission will exist until the completion of the memorial. For example, H.R. 2094 will enable the Commission to hire temporary federal employees instead of contract consultants, simplifying administration of staffing and covering the liability of its employees. H.R. 2094 will also provide for the Executive Architect to represent the Commission on the panels that will select the design team for the memorial. As currently written, the Commission's legislation prohibits its staff or members from participating in the determination of the design team. H.R. 2094 will enable the Commission to continue working not only to ensure that the National Eisenhower Memorial is an inspiration to future generations, but also to ensure that the memorialization process is an example of responsible public work. I urge my colleagues to support passage of S. 2739 today, and with it, the language included in H.R. 2094.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the service and sacrifice of my constituent, Mr. Torrel Huskey. Mr. Huskey is a 91- year-old World War II veteran living in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1943, Mr. Huskey was assigned to the 3496th Quartermaster Brigade as a truck driver on the ``Red Ball Express,'' ferrying men, supplies and equipment to the front lines of battle as part of Operation Overlord. During these missions, Mr. Huskey often dodged obstacles such as barbed wire and land mines and repeatedly came under attack from enemy small arms fire, mortar fire, artillery barrages and strafing runs by the German Luftwaffe. It was during one of these attacks that Mr. Huskey was wounded from enemy mortar fire. With shrapnel embedded in his legs, and at the insistence of his commanding officer, Mr. Huskey bandaged his own wounds and carried on with his duties. He continued driving, despite his wounds, risking death or permanent injury because that was his job--to keep the wheels of the battlefront moving forward as the Allies raced to the Rhine. When the ``Red Ball Express'' ended in September 1944, Mr. Huskey was assigned the arduous task of locating hastily buried comrades and transporting them to the U.S. gravesites sprinkled throughout France, Belgium and elsewhere in Europe. In June 2006, I was contacted by Mr. Huskey's oldest daughter, Lynda McClelland, with a request for assistance to obtain the Purple Heart medal for her father. After nearly 2 years of researching medical records, reviewing morning reports and hearings before the Army Board for the Correction of Military Records, I learned that Mr. Huskey's files were destroyed during the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center. There exists no record of Mr. Huskey's injuries or treatment for the wounds he sustained in action either in his medical records file or in existing morning reports. Therefore, the recommendation for the award of the Purple Heart was denied. It is a shame that Mr. Huskey is still without the Purple Heart Medal, despite the fact that the Department of Veterans Affairs has found Mr. Husky to be service-connected for both Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and scars from the residuals of shrapnel embedded in his legs and knees. It is for these reasons that I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Torrel Huskey. Without the service and sacrifice of Mr. Huskey, and all of the men and women of the ``greatest generation,'' our Nation would not be the resilient and flourishing country it is today. By continuing his mission, despite being wounded, Mr. Huskey lent great credit to himself, the Army Motor Transport Brigade and the United States of America.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to note an important event in the Third Congressional District of Kansas. On April 28, 2008, the Volunteer Center of Johnson County in Overland Park, KS, will honor outstanding youth volunteers. Eighty young people have been nominated by school personnel and nonprofit organizations for their dedication and service to the community. Youth volunteerism continues to grow and be a strong force in Johnson County. These 104 young people exemplify the true meaning of volunteerism and giving back to their community. It is my honor to recognize each student volunteer and their schools by listing them in the Congressional Record. Ben Ackerman, Blue Valley North, Leawood; Molly Allison- Gallimore, Home School, Spring Hill; Miriah Anderson, Olathe Northwest, Olathe; Sydney Ayers, Barstow, Leawood; Amir Bachelani, Olathe Northwest, Olathe; Elizabeth Baldwin, Blue Valley High School, Stilwell; Leah Barber, Westridge Middle School, Shawnee Mission; Derek Bradshaw, Frontier Trail Jr. High, Olathe; Kristina Buchanan, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Shawnee Mission; Alexx Burnside, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Olathe. Julie Bywater, Pleasant Ridge Middle School, Olathe; Sally Carmichael, Shawnee Mission West, Lenexa; Jasmine Carr, Westridge Middle School, Lenexa; Kristy Carter, Olathe North, Olathe; Abigail Cattron, Notre Dame de Sion, Leawood; Carter Clause, Rockhurst, Leawood; Bryce Cooke, Olathe South, Olathe; Bradley Cooper, Olathe Northwest, Lenexa; Daniel Cooper, Olathe Northwest, Lenexa; Daniel Cooper, Olathe Northwest, Lenexa. Steven Cooper, Olathe Northwest, Lenexa; Jacob Doles, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Olathe; Kathryn Duroe, Olathe Northwest, Olathe; Allison Ens, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Olathe; Rindy Fairchild, Midland Adventist Academy, Shawnee; Amber Fedor, Olathe Northwest, Lenexa; Emily Ann Ferbezar, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Shawnee Mission; Stephen Fowler, Shawnee Mission East, Shawnee Mission; Evan Gage, Blue Valley Northwest, Overland Park; Christy Garren, Westridge Middle School, Overland Park. Jennifer Garren, Shawnee Mission West, Overland Park; Kevin Garrett, Shawnee Mission West, Lenexa; Michael Garrett, Shawnee Mission West, Lenexa; Finley Gates, Shawnee Mission East, Fairway; Victoria Gaughan, Olathe South, Olathe; Enaam Gettino, Shawnee Mission West, Shawnee Mission; Caroline Godfrey, Blue Valley North, Leawood; Jenna Gottschalk, Shawnee Mission West, Shawnee Mission; Jonathan Gregory, Maranatha Academy, Lenexa. Lauren Gregory, Home School, Lenexa; Cameron Gunter, Chisholm Trail Jr. High, Olathe; Eileen Hail, Blue Valley West, Olathe; Stephanie Haynes, Olathe South, Olathe; Vienesse Homan, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Olathe; Lauren Hoobler, Olathe North, Olathe; Tyler Howard, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Olathe; Lisa Imgrund, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Shawnee Mission; Katie Kelter, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Olathe; Chris Kennedy, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Lenexa. Jadhken Kerr, Olathe South, Olathe; Nicole Knapp, Shawnee Mission West, Shawnee Mission; Rachel Knapp, Westridge Middle School, Shawnee Mission; J. Paul Knightly, Olathe Northwest, Olathe; Laura Knowles, Shawnee Mission West, Overland Park; Allison Kohn, Blue Valley High School, Overland Park; Connor Lambert, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Lenexa; Angela Lee, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Olathe; Garrett Leiker, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Lenexa. Terrell Mace, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Shawnee; Ciara Malone, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Shawnee; Kathryn Martin, Westridge Middle School, Shawnee Mission; Annie McBee, Shawnee Mission East, Leawood; Caleb McKay, Westridge Middle School, Shawnee Mission; Molly Miller, Olathe South, Olathe; Ashley Murry, St. Thomas Aquinas, Olathe; Paige Nawalany, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Shawnee Mission; Jack Nelson, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Olathe; Derek O'Grady, Shawnee Mission East, Prairie Village; Addie Orpin, Bishop Miege, Roeland Park. Nisha Patel, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Olathe; Kristine Plankers, Olathe South, Olathe; Justin Pohl, Blue Valley Northwest, Overland Park; Ryan Pohl, Oxford Middle School, Overland Park; Lindsey Pollock, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Olathe; Justin Prelogar, Blue Valley High School, Overland Park; Jamie Purcell, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Olathe; Rebecca Queen, Pembroke Hill, Shawnee Mission. Kristen Ramsdale, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Olathe; Kelly Regan, Blue Valley West, Overland Park; Rebecca Renteria, Santa Fe Trail Jr. High, Olathe; Bryce Reynolds, Olathe Northwest, Olathe; Cassie Rhodes, Spring Hill High School, Spring Hill; Rachael Riedel, Westridge Middle School, Shawnee Mission; Peter Rogers, Olathe North, Olathe; Laura Lynn Schneller, Bishop Miege, Shawnee; Justin Scott, Shawnee Mission West, Shawnee Mission; Hannah See, Home School, Merriam; Ryan Shelton, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Shawnee. Cassie Slocum, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Shawnee Mission; Megan Smith, Westridge Middle School, Lenexa; Jennifer Sommerfeld, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Shawnee Mission; Joe Stack, Prairie Trail Jr. High, Lenexa; Jessica Storm, Shawnee Mission West, Overland Park; Rebeka Stowe, Olathe Northwest, Olathe; Maggie Stubbs, Olathe North, Olathe; Anna Sturman, Olathe South, Olathe. Michelle Sudac, Mill Valley, Shawnee; Marissa Titus, Shawnee Mission East, Prairie Village; Cody Tousey, Olathe South, Olathe; Ashley Vaughan, Olathe Northwest, Olathe; Monica Vezendan, Olathe South, Olathe; Sarah Wacker, Home School, Merriam; Austin Walter, Bishop Miege, Shawnee; Russell Walter, Bishop Miege, Shawnee; Matt Wedel, Blue Valley West, Overland Park.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my cautious support for this House amendment to the Senate-approved version of H.R. 3773, the FISA Amendments Act of 2008. I extend my gratitude for the hard work that Chairmen Conyers and Reyes have put into this legislation, as well as Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer for their efforts to negotiate with the Senate to work out the differences between the different approaches to update the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act [FISA] of 1978. We will never forget the awful terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, on our country. And we must keep in mind there are still those who wish to do us harm as we authorize essential surveillance authorities balanced by the civil liberty protections ensured by our Constitution. It is disappointing that the Bush Administration and our Republican colleagues have refused to participate in negotiations to date, but I am hopeful that with this new bill approved by the House, we can quickly work out our honest differences to provide our intelligence and law enforcement agencies with the tools required to monitor potential agents with terrorist intentions against the United States. This bill is a step in the right direction, but I have serious reservations with certain provisions that I urge Congress to promptly resolve in the coming weeks. I strongly believe in the merits of the Senate-approved FISA legislation drafted by Chairman Rockefeller and Ranking Member Bond, and I support a final bill that includes the following provisions: Require individualized warrants for surveillance of U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad; clarify no court order is required to conduct surveillance of foreign-to-foreign communications that are routed through the United States; provide enhanced oversight by Congress of surveillance laws and procedures; compel compliance by private sector partners; review by FISA Court of minimization procedures; and targeted immunity for carriers that allegedly participated in anti-terrorism surveillance programs. As a District Attorney for 12 years, I understand the importance of cooperation with private-sector partners in law enforcement matters. Without their cooperation in times of emergency, the community I was sworn to protect would be less safe and secure. The National Sheriffs' Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Fraternal Order of Police and the National Troopers Coalition have all expressed their support for the targeted immunity that the Rockefeller- Bond FISA bill would provide. Key members of the 9/11 Commission have also voiced their support for the Rockefeller-Bond FISA bill. 9/11 Commission Co-Chair and former Congressman Lee Hamilton wrote that: ``To the extent that companies helped the government, they were acting out of a sense of patriotic duty and in the belief that their actions were legal. Dragging them through litigation would set a bad precedent. It would deter companies and private citizens from helping in future emergencies. . . .'' 9/11 Commissioner and former Senator Bob Kerrey affirmed that sentiment when he stated: ``We wrote in the 9/11 Commission report that `unity of purpose and unity of effort are the way that we will defeat this enemy and make America safer for our children and our grandchildren.' We cannot hope to achieve such unity of effort if on the one hand we call upon private industry to aid us in this fight, and on the other allow them to be sued for their good-faith efforts to help.'' I agree with the 21 state attorneys general who wrote in a December 11, 2007, letter to Senate leadership: ``The provisions of [Rockefeller-Bond] are consistent with existing, long-standing law and policy. Congress has long provided legal immunity for carriers when, in reliance on government assurances of legality or otherwise in good faith, they cooperate with law enforcement and intelligence agencies . . . provisions of S. 2248 would . . . establish a thoughtful, multi-step process involving independent review by the Attorney General and the courts that, only when completed, would lead to dismissal of the claims.'' Congress must continue the hard work of negotiating a suitable compromise that equips our intelligence agents with the tools they need to protect our country, while ensuring that our civil liberties--which make us the greatest nation in the world--remain protected.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Hannelore Brown, my constituent in the Third Congressional District of Kansas. Hannelore is an active school volunteer whose children attend Leawood Elementary School, Leawood Middle School, and Blue Valley North, in the Blue Valley School District. About 5 years ago, Hannelore organized a campaign to urge Leawood's elementary schoolchildren to write Kansas servicemen and women stationed overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. That campaign has since expanded into the middle school and the high school, and teachers have incorporated the letter writing into their lesson plans. Thousands and thousands of letters have been sent, thanks to her efforts. Artwork, posters, and Girl Scout cookies have also been mailed. Many, many soldiers have written back to the schoolchildren, and have emailed photos of themselves with the items sent by the schools. Other soldiers have visited the school when they returned home, to thank their new pen pals for the mail and caring sent to lonely troops on foreign soil. Hannelore has also organized an annual patriotic school assembly to honor servicemen and women and veterans. Every year, she gathers uniforms, memorabilia, and other artifacts, to create museum-style exhibits. On Friday, March 28, 2008, the fourth such assembly is set for Leawood Elementary School, to be preceded by a breakfast honoring servicemen, -women, and their families, again organized by Hannelore Brown. With Hannelore's help, Leawood Middle School has published a book of letters sent to and from the soldiers. It comes as no surprise to learn that Hannelore Brown has also assisted the school in its annual Veterans Day observance every fall. On behalf of the thousands of lonely troops stationed overseas, I want to thank Hannelore for all she has done to help them. In turn, these personal connections have instilled a true sense of patriotism in all those involved, and have given students, parents, and staff a new appreciation for the service and dedication of these soldiers. One person can make a difference in the lives of many others, and Hannelore Brown is the perfect example.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend, Ron Deffenbaugh, of Shawnee, Kansas, the founder of Deffenbaugh Industries. Recently, the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce presented its 2007 Citizen of the Year Award to Ron Deffenbaugh, who moved to the Kansas City area at age 9 and started a trash collection business with one truck at age 15 in 1957. Since that modest beginning, Deffenbaugh Industries became the largest privately owned refuse firm in the Midwest, including the Johnson County landfill, Deffenbaugh Disposal Service, Shawnee Rock and Johnny on the Spot. Deffenbaugh sponsors annual city events, including Old Shawnee Days, Fields for Freedom, Tidy Town, Shawnee Christmas Around Town,, and the Great Grillers barbecue competition. In 2007, Deffenbaugh sold his company to DLJ Merchant Banking Partners. At the conclusion of the annual Chamber dinner, Deffenbaugh Industries President Mark Rosenau announced a $500,000 donation from Deffenbaugh to the Shawnee Town renovation project. As Rosenau said, ``Ron started Deffenbaugh Disposal Service 50 years ago, and he always had a special affection for Shawnee. He was always quietly generous when it came to requests for services, donations and support from Shawnee groups and individuals. When Ron was informed he had been selected for this most prestigious award, he said he wanted to give something back to his city. He knew the city planned to rebuild Shawnee Town and he decided he wanted to help with that effort.'' The City of Shawnee recently issued a press release commending Ron Deffenbaugh for his recent gift to the city and for his lifetime of service and support. Madam Speaker, I include that statement with my remarks and know that all members of the U.S. House of Representatives join with me in commending this outstanding community leader: Deffenbaugh Donates to Shawnee Town What a wonderful Night in Casablanca, shared by Shawnee City Officials and business leaders at the Sheraton this past Saturday! The Shawnee Chamber of Commerce hosted their Annual Dinner, which is a gala event honoring civic and business leaders in the community and celebrating a year of great achievement. The theme of Casablanca was apparent through the fashionable attendees and tropical atmosphere of the event. Many leaders were honored at the event including past Chairman and former Shawnee Mayor Jim Allen for his 2007 leadership of the Chamber, Councilmember Dawn Kuhn for the 2007 Ambassador of the year and Ron Deffenbaugh was named 2007 Citizen of the Year. The citizen of the year honor was well deserved by Ron Deffenbaugh for his countless contributions to the Shawnee community. Deffenbaugh moved to the Kansas City area at the age of nine and started his trash collection business with one truck at the age of 15 in 1957. Since those modest beginnings, Deffenbaugh Industries, Inc. has grown to become the largest privately-owned refuse firm in the Midwest. Deffenbaugh Industries has expanded over the years to include the Johnson County Landfill, Deffenbaugh Disposal Service, Shawnee Rock and Johnny on the Spot. Deffenbaugh saw significant success and this has been shared with the Shawnee community through donations to the City and countless organizations in the community. Deffenbaugh annually sponsors many of the City events including Old Shawnee Days, Fields for Freedom, Tidy Town, Shawnee Christmas Around Town, St. Patrick's Parade, Sister Cities Program, Great Grillers BBQ Competition and various other events and programs. They have been a wonderful community partner always generously contributing to Shawnee. Deffenbaugh executives, Tom Coffman and Mark Rosenau accepted the award on behalf of Ron on Saturday and announced that he was pledging $500, 000 to the renovation of Shawnee Town. Shawnee Town is an outdoor museum interpreting small town rural life from the 1920s, which includes a museum grounds featuring a home, barn, school, post office, chapel, fire station, various businesses, and gardens. The strategic plan for the renovation of the area was approved in 2007, and this donation will be a tremendous help in getting the project started The City is extremely grateful to Ron Deffenbaugh and applauds his honor of being named 2007 Citizen of the Year!

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Kansas City Chorale, which was recently recognized with four Grammy nominations, including best classical album, best choral performance, best engineered classical album, and best surround-sound album. The producer was also nominated for a fifth Grammy, for classical producer of the year. The Kansas City Chorale is a professional vocal ensemble that is been a strong part of Kansas City's vibrant arts community for 25 years. Despite the fact that many of them have other full-time jobs, the members of the Chorale work year-round on their craft and are dedicated to sharing their beautiful music with the entire community. Among its members is tenor Paul Davidson, who served on my staff as constituent services aide for veterans and military affairs for 5 years--from 1999, my first year in office, until 2004. The Kansas City Chorale works under the direction of founder Charles Bruffy. The Kansas City Chorale and the Phoenix Back Choir perform together on the nominated albums, ``Eternal Rest'' and ``Grechaniov: Passion Week.'' Congratulations to the Kansas City Chorale on this well-deserved honor and thank you for sharing your music with us.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Thank you, Congressman Ross, for the time this evening to speak to the American people about what's happening in our country with our deficit, with our debt, and what we need to do to correct this problem for future generations in our country. You've heard several speakers talk tonight about the debt that our Nation has accumulated, $9.1 trillion. That's gone up almost $3.4 trillion in the past 6 years since President Bush took office. As policy co-Chair, I had an opportunity to go with about eight other Democrats to the White House to meet with the President a few months ago. We each had 2 minutes to speak. And when it was my turn, I said, Mr. President, I'm a year older than you are. I had 7\1/2\ grandchildren at the time, eight now, and I said, Mr. President, we have mortgaged their future. I said, We've got to start living like most American families living within a budget. This should not be about Democrats and Republicans. We have got to be responsible. It's our moral duty to our kids and grandkids. And he looked at me and he said, You've got a point. Well, I know I have a point, but we need to work on this together. That's what we are all saying here tonight is we have mortgaged the future of our children and grandchildren, and that's absolutely the wrong thing to do. In the first days of this new Congress this year, Congress, at least the House, passed a pay-as-you-go rule and reinstated a rule that expired in 2002. And for several years without that rule, our deficit and our debt rose dramatically. That's why all of us, the 47 Blue Dog Democrats here, think it is so important that we reinstate that rule, and it has been reinstated now, but that we follow this rule and make sure that we don't spend more money as a Nation than we take in; that we live within our means like most American families do. You've been told by other speakers here tonight that China, Japan, and other foreign nations own more than $1 trillion of United States debt. That is a disgrace. It's something that we have got to change. We can't afford to let other nations make important decisions about our future. It's our future. It belongs to future generations in this country. And we have got to make sure that we are in control and not other nations in this world. And I will just stop by saying this: PAYGO sounds funny. All it is, is pay-as-you-go. If you have a new spending proposal, a new program proposal, or a tax cut, section 1 is here is my proposal and section 2 is here's how it's paid for so it's revenue neutral, doesn't add to our deficit or our debt. Again, Madam Speaker, we need to start living like most American families do within a budget. It's the right thing to do for our country, and it's certainly the right thing to do for future generations in our country. Thank you, Congressman Ross.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my constituent, Victor Berline, who died on October 29, at the age of 92. A well-respected Kansas City photographer, Victor Berline was born in a poor neighborhood of Paris, France, to Simon and Luba Berline on April 8, 1915. He lost his parents and beloved sister, Rissa, during the Nazi occupation. Although his formal education ended with grammar school, he was well versed in English, French and German classical music, theater, and literature. His keen intelligence and quick thinking helped him survive five years as a World War II prisoner of war in Germany. In 1946, Victor established himself in Kansas City, the home of his sister, Cecile Berline Bortnick, and her husband Joseph. Shortly thereafter, he married Miriam Gottlieb and they had two sons: Steven and Gary [the husband of Sharon Terdeman and stepfather of Jessica Terdeman]. Victor and Miriam would have celebrated their 61st anniversary on December 29. Victor Berline's family, friends and neighbors will remember him for his amazing ability to connect with both young and old, as well as for his sense of humor, vibrant creativity, and joie de vivre. As a former Nazi POW who immigrated to the United States, he always said that he went from hell to paradise! Madam Speaker, I know that all members of the U.S. House of Representatives join me in paying tribute to the life of this remarkable man.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. I thank Congressman Ross, and Mr. Speaker, for letting us speak this evening. The Blue Dogs, as Congressman Ross said, have introduced H. Res. 97, Providing for Operation Iraqi Freedom Cost Accountability, to address the lack of oversight and accountability with regard to our Federal Government's funding of the war in Iraq. H. Res. 97 currently has 63 cosponsors, myself included, and puts forward commonsense proposals that ensure future transparency and accountability in the funding of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This, I believe, is an important first step toward making sure that more resources get to our troops in the field and are not wasted on other things. We want to make sure that our brave men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan have what they need to do their job. H. Res. 97 focuses on four crucial points for demanding fiscal responsibility in Iraq: number 1, a call for transparency on how Iraq War funds are spent; number 2, the creation of a Truman Commission to investigate the awarding of contracts to make sure they are fairly awarded and get what they're intended to secure; number 3, a requirement to fund the Iraq war through the normal appropriations process and not through emergency supplementals as we have done throughout this whole war; and number 4, using American resources to improve Iraqi assumption of internal policing operations. Recently, Mr. Speaker, members of the Blue Dog Coalition worked together with House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton of Missouri to include key provisions of H. Res. 97 in the fiscal year 2008 national defense authorization bill. In doing so, we took the first step toward ensuring complete fiscal transparency in the funding of the war in Iraq. The American people deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent and that they're being spent wisely and that our troops have the resources they need to do their job and to protect themselves in the field. The Blue Dogs, Mr. Speaker, are committed to passing legislation that accomplishes this goal, to give our troops what they need and make sure they have the resources they need to protect themselves as well. Mr. Speaker, I've been a member of the Blue Dog group for more than 9 years now, and in that period of time I have learned, and I've said this to my folks back home over and over and over again, 80 percent, 85 percent of what we do up here in Congress should not be about Democrats and Republicans. We ought to be working for our people and for our country. And when I say that back home, I see people every time and in the audience sitting there shaking their heads yes. They're tired of the partisanship up here. They want us working together to do what's right for our people and our country. I have now eight grandchildren, Mr. Speaker, and we have mortgaged their future. Mr. Ross had a chart up here just a few minutes ago that showed we have a national debt in excess of $9 trillion, and we're passing that debt, Mr. Speaker, on to our children and grandchildren. To me that is immoral. We ought to change the way we're doing business here in Congress and do like most families. Most American families live within a budget, not all but most, and we should be doing the same thing. That's what our Blue Dog organization is all about, making sure that we, as a Nation, try to live and do live within the resources that we have and not pass this debt on to our children and grandchildren. I thank Congressman Ross.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a bill that I sponsored with Representatives Jerry Moran, Todd Tiahrt, Nancy Boyda, Leonard Boswell, and Mac Thornberry. As an Executive Committee member of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission, I know that this legislation is important to our continuing efforts to establish a national, permanent memorial to President Eisenhower. H.R. 2094 would make important amendments to the statute establishing the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, so that it can more effectively discharge its duties. Congress created the Eisenhower Memorial Commission in 1999 and charged the Commission with establishing a national memorial to Dwight David Eisenhower to honor his memory and commemorate his contributions to the Nation. The Commission is completely bipartisan, consisting of four Senators, four Representatives, and four private citizens. The Commission keeps an office in Washington, D.C., with four full-time staff, including an Executive Director and Executive Architect. Since determining a preferred site in June 2005, the Commission has worked tirelessly to speed the progress of the memorialization. In September 2006, only fifteen months later, the Commission received final site approval from the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. The National Eisenhower Memorial will be located across the street from the National Air and Space Museum at the intersection of Maryland and Independence Avenues, SW. The site is surrounded by institutions Ike either created or profoundly influenced, including the Department of Education. The Commission is now engaged in Pre-Design Programming, a concerted effort to determine what the memorial should be. Eisenhower family members, Eisenhower contemporaries, historians, Kansans, and many others have been interviewed on their vision for the memorial. A voluntary online questionnaire is available to the public. Although there are many diverse opinions on Ike's greatest achievement and the appropriate focus for his memorial, all agree that Eisenhower is, as Michael Korda presents in his new biography, ``an American hero.'' I am particularly proud to claim one of the greatest 20th-century Americans as a fellow Kansan. He ranks as one of the preeminent figures in the global history of the 20th century. Dwight Eisenhower spent his entire life in public service. His most well-known contributions include serving as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in World War II and as 34th President of the United States, but Eisenhower also served as the first commander of NATO and as President of Columbia University. Dramatic changes occurred in America during his lifetime, many of which he participated in and influenced through his extraordinary leadership as President. Although Ike grew up before automobiles existed, he created the Interstate Highway System and took America into space. He created NASA, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Federal Aviation Administration. He added Hawaii and Alaska to the United States and ended the Korean War. President Eisenhower desegregated the District of Columbia and sent federal troops into Little Rock, Arkansas, to enforce school integration. He defused international crises and inaugurated the national security policies that guided the nation for the next three decades, leading to the peaceful end of the Cold War. A career soldier, Eisenhower championed peace, freedom, justice and security, and as President he stressed the interdependence of those goals. He spent a lifetime fulfilling his duty to his country, always remembering to ask what's best for America. The development of the Pre-Design Program will produce three books to serve as an information packet for potential designers and the eventual design team for the memorial. The reasons for building a memorial to Eisenhower are only one part of the challenge set out in the Pre-Design Program. Technical considerations and guidance from the National Park Service are also included. Issues from preserving the historic view to the U.S. Capitol to providing a National Park Service Ranger station at the site are presented. This stage is the last major step prior to procuring a design team. While the Eisenhower Memorial Commission has so far been able to efficiently manage the memorialization process, the tasks involved in design and construction require revised administrative and operational authority. H.R. 2094 provides the needed revisions and will enable the Commission to work more efficiently and effectively during design and construction when quick turnaround times are vital and daily decisions must be made. The authority provided in this legislation is based on the authority given to temporary commissions in existence for up to three years. The Eisenhower Memorial Commission has similar needs, but exists for no set time period. The Commission will exist until the completion of the memorial. For example, H.R. 2094 will enable the Commission to hire temporary federal employees instead of contract consultants, simplifying administration of staffing and covering the liability of its employees. H.R. 2094 will also provide for the Executive Architect to represent the Commission on the panels that will select the design team for the memorial. As currently written, the Commission's legislation prohibits its staff or members from participating in the determination of the design team. H.R. 2094 will enable the Commission to continue working not only to ensure that the National Eisenhower Memorial is an inspiration to future generations, but also to ensure that the memorialization process is an example of responsible public work. I urge my colleagues to support passage of this measure today and I thank the leadership of the House Natural Resources Committee and of the House, as a whole, for bringing this bill before us today.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 814, the Children's Gasoline Burn Prevention Act. While they say that good things come to those who wait, victims of a gasoline burn due to non-child-resistant gasoline container closures and their families would disagree. This is the fourth Congress in which I have introduced this measure. For the past two, I have been joined by my friend and colleague from Alabama, Representative Spencer Bachus. Our children have waited long enough for this common sense consumer protection. The 1973 Poison Packaging Prevention Act requires items containing dangerous or poisonous materials, such as pill bottles, to be sold with child-resistant caps. Gasoline cans, however, are exempt from this requirement because they are sold empty, even though they are designed solely to contain one very hazardous, highly flammable liquid. H.R. 814 would simply amend section 9 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2058), to include child-resistance standards for closures on all portable gasoline containers. Allowing these cans to be sold with simple twist-off caps is dangerous and causes tragic accidents when children come into contact with them. Unfortunately, these accidents occur all too frequently. In 2003, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC, released a report estimating that in a single year; more than 1,200 children under the age of five were treated in emergency rooms for injuries resulting from unsecured gas cans, either through fires or inhalation of fumes. Using a different data set, the CPSC confirmed 19 deaths over eleven years due to children interacting with gas cans. H.R. 814 has been endorsed by the American Society of Testing and Materials' Task Group of Standards for Flammable Liquid Containers, the World Burn Foundation, the National Safety Council, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Fire Protection Association, Public Citizen, and the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal. I In addition, H.R. 814 would not cost the taxpayers any money and is strongly bipartisan. During the 109th Congress, the Children's Gasoline Burn Prevention Act garnered 119 cosponsors, 14 of whom were Republicans. This Congress, it is again a strongly bipartisan bill. Thank you again, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to vote on this proposal in the full House. I hope that we can work together to enact this simple, common-sense measure that will protect young children, and help put their parents' minds at ease with regard to gasoline cans stored in garages, basements, and back porches. The Consumer Product Safety Commission must be allowed to adequately protect consumers and ensure public safety. This measure will help do that.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the city of Eudora, Kansas, located in the Third Congressional District, which will celebrate its 150th anniversary on October 5th and 6th of this year. In 1856, three members of a German Immigrant Settlement Company [called Deutsche-Neusiedlungsverein] from Chicago sent out a location committee to choose a town site in the new Indian Territory, which had been opened up to settlement by the Kansas-Nebraska Act, enacted in 1854. Both pro- and anti-slavery groups flocked to this territory. The three Germans sent to the present site were H. Heimann, F. Barteldes and C. Scheifer. Favoring the Eudora area, they drew up contracts with Shawnee Chief Paschal Fish for 774\1/2\ acres, from the Kansas River to the south for about a mile [over 200 blocks total], with two public squares and a park. In February 1857, Chief Fish entered into contracts with the Trustees of the Chicago Verein for purchase of land ``to secure a more perfect title'' for a price of $10,000. Chief Fish bought back on the same day the old numbered lots of at least three blocks between the Kansas and Wakarusa Rivers. The Shawnee Reservation had been opened up for settlement; Chief Fish was a cousin of Chief Tecumseh, a businessman and a Methodist minister who had been educated at a Mission School. A map of Douglas County drawn up in early 1857, before Eudora was a town, shows only four townships in the county with Eudora included in the Wakarusa Township. A group of 16 men, four women and some children had come in the spring of 1857 to begin settling at the site. Peter Hartig, age 34, was the leader of this Chicago group, and was accompanied by his wife. The Society paid expenses for the settlers. Eight more men, who paid their own way, came later. The formal title, signed by an Indian Agent named Newsom, was drawn up on February 4, 1860. The town's name was derived from the name of Chief Paschal Fish's 13- year-old daughter; it is a name of Greek derivation meaning ``giving'' or ``generous.'' Chief Fish said that if they did this, a tornado would never touch down in Eudora. There has not been a tornado there to this day! A circular saw and a corn cracker worth $2,200 were soon purchased for the new town. The first house built by the settlers was a one-story log cabin, 18' x 20', which was shared by all of the inhabitants during the first summer, of 1857. The first sawmill was set up in the same year, and by fall, the first post office was operating and converted into a money order office the next year. The first hotel was probably The America House on Main Street, or near the 5th and 6th Street area. The first baby born in the new town was a daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. Chris Epple, soon after their arrival; she was named Eudora. The first marriage occurred between Mrs. George Harboldt and Freid Deichmann in the spring of 1858. The first death was in the fall of 1857 when J. Loederlie died. The captain of the original Townsiters, Hartig, lived until 1902, when he was killed by a Santa Fe train; his wife had died the previous year. The first public building was a frame town hall and school house built in 1860 and used as a polling place, dance hall and community room. It was sited at 6th and Main Streets and later moved to 7th and Main Streets. There was a jail under it in the mid-1860s; it was used as the city hall until 1955 and is now a private residence. In 1859, the town's first election selected Fred Faerber as mayor and councilmembers were also elected. In March of that year the council commissioned the Chicago Secretary of the Immigrant Company to furnish a city seal with a white man and an Indian shaking hands. In 1886, Eudora's first newspaper, The Eudora News, was published, and in 1894, Charles Pilla, who also served as mayor and postmaster, helped organize the Eudora State Bank. Eudora's first picnic was recorded in 1901. In 1927, the Central Protective Association, also known as the Cattlemens Association, reorganized from its antihorsetheft roots to become the City Picnic Association. The city's annual picnic traditionally held on the third weekend of July, features carnival rides, games, parades, dancing and food. This tradition of community celebration continues on October 5th of this year, when the city will have a genuine cake and ice cream birthday party. Eudora High School culinary arts students will be showing their talents in a cake decorating contest. Guests will have an opportunity to sample buffalo burgers. A recognition ceremony will feature community volunteer organizations. On the following day, Eudora Fest will feature arts, crafts, and food booths, along with a kid's homegrown carnival, contests, music and entertainment. The main event, however, will be the unveiling of the Eudora Statue--a historic statue of Chief Paschal Fish and his daughter, Eudora. The statue, sculpted by internationally known local sculptor Jim Brothers, will be placed in the city's historic downtown park with a historic kiosk. Madam Speaker, I know that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join with me in honoring the city of Eudora on its 150th anniversary, as we commemorate its rich history and outstanding way of life for all Eudorans. I am proud to represent this community and its people within the Third Congressional District of Kansas.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, Ohev Sholom is the oldest continuously operating Jewish House of Worship in the state of Kansas. Congregation Ohev Sholom was founded in 1877 and is currently a Member of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. The first building erected by Gomel Chesed Synagogue, at 925 State Line, was dedicated by Rabbi M. Gershonowitz on September 3, 1893. Congregation Ohev Sholom was the result of a merger between Gomel Chesed and Shearith Israel Synagogues. Congregation Ohev Sholom's first building was at 7th and Sandusky in Kansas City, Kansas and they moved into that building in 1925. Ohev Sholom began the transition from 7th and Sandusky, Wyandotte County, Kansas, to 75th and Nall, Johnson County, Kansas, in the 1950s. The current location was completed in two stages. The school building was finished in 1961, while the remaining structure was finished about a decade later. Congregation Ohev Sholom offers a schedule of programs that include Regular Daily Morning Services, Weekly Sabbath Services, an Active and Vibrant Sisterhood, a Robust Breakfast Club, Social Action Activities, and Programs for Adult Education, and Community Action including participation in building a Habitat for Humanity House. Congregation Ohev Sholom's Religious School is an exciting part of programming and spans kindergarten to tenth grade. Congregation Ohev Sholom also offers an Adult Education Program that includes Torah Study, lectures and minicourses, lunches, brunches, and speakers. Additionally, Congregation Ohev Sholom conceived and executed the metro Kansas City area's first KosherFest--A Celebration of Jewish Food--and will continue that tradition on June 1, 2008 and thereafter. Congregation Ohev Sholom will celebrate its 130th Anniversary, October 27, 2007. Madam Speaker, I know that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join with me in taking note of this special and important occasion.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my disappointment regarding the House of Representatives' approval of S. 1927, legislation greatly expanding the Bush Administration's eavesdropping authority beyond even what Administration officials requested. I urge the House Judiciary Committee to promptly consider and report improved legislation that will provide the necessary surveillance authority our intelligence services need to protect our nation, while protecting our citizens' most basic expectation of privacy and fundamental civil liberties that are guaranteed by our constitution. Specifically, the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states plainly: ``The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.'' I have been a longstanding supporter of efforts to provide our intelligence and law enforcement agencies with all the necessary tools they need to monitor potential agents with terrorist intentions against the United States. Following the awful terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, on our country, I joined 356 of my House colleagues to vote for the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (P.L. 107-56). The legislation gave federal officials greater authority to track and intercept communications, both for law enforcement and foreign intelligence gathering purposes. Among other additional provisions, the law also created new crimes, new penalties, and new procedural efficiencies for use against domestic and international terrorists. The law contained, however, provisions that allowed for enhanced surveillance procedures that many citizens were concerned restricted civil liberties. I subsequently supported several amendments to various appropriations measures that would have improved civil liberties protections, namely: (1) Rep. Bernie Sanders' amendment to fiscal year 2006 Science, State, Justice and Commerce Appropriations Act which would have exempted libraries and bookstores from section 215 of the PATRIOT Act while increasing congressional oversight; and (2) Rep. Butch Otter's amendment to a fiscal year 2004 appropriations measure that would have prevented the use off section 213 of the PATRIOT Act that extended so-called ``sneak and peek'' authority to local police that previously was made available only to foreign intelligence investigators. Previously, police had to ``knock and announce'' their intention of searching before executing any warrant. Even though the Sanders amendment passed the House by a vote of 238-187, and the Otter amendment passed by a vote of 309-118, they both were unfortunately pulled from their respective appropriations measures before they were signed into law by the President. Several sections of the PATRIOT Act were set to expire on December 31, 2005, unless they were extended. These ``sunset provisions'' included wiretapping privileges, sharing wiretap and foreign intelligence information, FISA authority and jurisdiction, voicemail warrants, and various other powers. On July 21, 2005, the House approved H.R. 3199 by a vote of 257-171. This legislation would have made permanent 14 of the 16 provisions that were set to expire in 2005. The remaining two provisions, involving the government's ability to use roving wiretaps and the government's access to business and library records, were assigned 10-year sunsets, at which point they will either be renewed or will expire. While the majority of the sections remained unchanged, during consideration of this legislation, the House adopted a few measures that would help protect government abuses of civil liberties. Among these were amendments that would require the Director of the FBI to personally review any and all requests for library or bookstore records under Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act, as well as an amendment that would allow the recipient of a national security letter (NSL) to consult with an attorney and challenge the issuance of the letter in court. I voted for both of these amendments. I voted against H.R. 3199, however, because I didn't believe it was a good idea to make permanent policy for the United States concerning our fundamental rights and freedoms during extraordinary times of war. We must never allow terrorists to alter the freedoms that define our country and make us the greatest nation in the world. On July 29, 2005, the Senate approved legislation that would also make permanent 14 of the 16 provisions set to expire in 2005; however, it would have placed 4-year sunsets on the two remaining provisions and would have placed additional checks on government power that would help ensure the preservation of our valuable civil liberties. These two pieces of legislation were sent to a House-Senate conference committee to resolve their differences; In December 2005, a new agreement was reached in conference proposing 4-year expiration dates for the two provisions involving the government's ability to use roving wiretaps and the government's access to business and library records, as well as a 4-year sunset to a provision in the 2004 intelligence overhaul law (P.L. 108-458) that allows law enforcement to seek warrants against ``lone wolf'' terrorists not connected to foreign powers. On December 14, 2005, the House agreed to the conference report by a vote of 251- 174. I voted for the final version of the legislation because I was satisfied with the shorter expirations on some of the more contentious provisions and I was concerned about the possible effect on our national security if these provisions of the PATRIOT Act were allowed to expire. After being approved in the House, however, several members of the Senate remained concerned about the government's ability to acquire records and obtain administrative search warrants. Several Senators later announced an agreement they had reached with the White House, to make three changes to the previously agreed-to conference report relating to the government seizure of records. Specifically, these changes: (1) Allow recipients of a business records request to challenge a gag order, although to overturn it they would have to wait one year and prove the government acted in ``bad faith''; (2) remove a requirement that recipients of national security letters, which do not require court approval, disclose the name of any attorney they consult or intend to consult; and (3) clarify language in the 2001 law to ensure that libraries operating in traditional roles and not as Internet service providers would not be subject to national security letters. The House later agreed to these amendments by a vote of 280- 138, which I supported. On March 9, 2006, President Bush signed the final version of H.R. 3199 (P.L. 109-177) and the S. 2271 amendments (P.L. 109-178) into law. In order to effectively fight the war on terror we need intelligence, but this intelligence should be gathered in a legal manner and consistent with our constitution. Traditionally, the NSA's intelligence-gathering role has been limited to intercepting international communications as part of the government's foreign spying activities. Under the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA, P.L. 95-511), the federal government is required to obtain a warrant to conduct domestic wiretaps, but the NSA program disclosed by President Bush and his administration appears to have operated outside the FISA law. In the 109th Congress, Rep. Heather Wilson introduced H.R. 5825, the Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act. This legislation would have given the President expanded authority to authorize electronic surveillance of communications by suspected terrorists without first obtaining approval from the FISA court. Specifically, it allowed the President to authorize warrantless electronic surveillance for up to 90 days in three circumstances--an armed attack against the United States, a terrorist attack against the United States, or if there is an ``imminent threat'' that is likely to cause death or widespread harm. The measure also would have extended the amount of time intelligence agencies can conduct warrantless electronic surveillance in ``emergency situations'' to seven days, from the current three-day limit. The FISA law then contained certain exceptions for intelligence operations on U.S. soil--it permitted the president to authorize the Justice Department to conduct electronic surveillance or physical searches without approval by the FISA court to gather foreign intelligence for up to 15 days after Congress enacted a declaration of war. In addition, it allowed the federal government to conduct electronic surveillance without the court's approval in ``emergency situations,'' provided that the government seeks approval from the FISA court within three days of initiating emergency surveillance. The Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act, however, represented a significant departure from the protections put in place under FISA in 1978. Nowhere in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act does it state that the president can bypass the process of seeking a court order to spy on American citizens through an executive order. I was concerned that this legislation was a political attempt to retroactively justify the President breaking the law. I fully believe that if the President followed the law and approached the FISA court and Congress for approval of such programs, that Congress and the FISA court would gladly give the President the powers he needs to combat terrorism. For these reasons, I voted against H.R. 5825 when it was brought to the House floor for a vote on September 28, 2006. This legislation was approved in the House by a vote of 232-191, but did not receive a vote in the Senate, effectively killing the legislation in the last Congress. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced on January 17, 2007, that the FISA court authorized and issued orders on January 10, 2007, granting wiretaps that the Administration requested. Subsequently, the Justice Department has shared those classified documents with the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, as well as the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General released a 126-page audit report on March 9, 2007, entitled ``A Review of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Use of National Security Letters.'' In this report, it was revealed that FBI agents were using national security letters to obtain personal information such as phone, internet, and financial records of individuals without court orders. The audit also found that 22 percent of these letters were not recorded and of those that were recorded, some were issued without proper authority. Senators Arlen Specter and Patrick Leahy have voiced concern over the findings of this report. I am deeply troubled by this report and strongly believe vital intelligence should be gathered in a manner that is fully consistent with our laws and constitution. The congressional leadership spent many months in 2007 negotiating a reauthorization of the FISA law with the Bush Administration and Admiral Michael McConnell, Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Both Democrats and Republicans agree that we need to update the FISA law to incorporate new technologies, such as cell phones and e-mail, which did not exist when the original FISA law was written. Prior to the August District Work Period, the Bush Administration pressed the congressional leadership to pass a short-term FISA update. During negotiations, Director McConnell told the congressional leadership that he supported several technical changes that: (1) allowed foreign targets to be added a ``basket warrant'' after the warrant was approved; (2) expanded the draft bill to apply to ``all foreign intelligence'' from only intelligence ``relating to terrorism''; and (3) eliminated the requirement that the FISA court adjudicate how recurring communications into the United States from foreign targets would be handled. Following these improvements to the draft bill, the DNI told congressional leadership that with these changes, he could support the bill because it would ``significantly enhance America's security.'' I voted for the final version of this legislation, H.R. 3356, the Improving Foreign Intelligence Surveillance to Defend the Nation and the Constitution Act of 2007. Even though a majority (218- 207) voted in favor of H.R. 3356, the bill did not pass as it was considered under suspension of the rules (2/3 vote to approve required). The Senate passed a much different version of FISA legislation, S. 1927, the Protect America Act sponsored by Senators Mitch McConnell and Kit Bond. This legislation greatly exceeds what the Bush Administration requested in legislation, providing a virtual blank check for intelligence agencies to eavesdrop, including on the conversations of U.S. citizens, with essentially no oversight by the FISA court or Congress. The legislation allows the U.S. Attorney General to decide when to eavesdrop on any e-mail message or phone call without a warrant, so long as one of the people communicating is ``reasonably believed'' to be outside the country. That is a vague term that the Administration is allowed to interpret however they want, greatly expanding its surveillance powers, while the legislation does not provide the courts with any real power to supervise this surveillance. Proponents of S. 1927 point out that the legislation has a six month sunset and will expire in February 2009. This sunset is artificial, as the orders in effect in February 2009 could last for up to a year, essentially for the remainder of the Bush Administration with no oversight. For these reasons, I voted against S. 1927 when the House considered the measure on August 4, 2007. The House approved the legislation by a vote of 227-183, and the President signed it into law on August 5, 2007 (P.L. 110-55). Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote a letter to Judiciary Chairman John Conyers and Select Intelligence Chairman Silvestre Reyes on August 4, 2007, urging that the House of Representatives should consider comprehensive FISA reauthorization legislation. I agree with her statement that: ``Many provisions of this legislation are unacceptable, and although the bill has a six-month sunset clause, I do not believe the American people will want to wait that long before corrective action is taken.'' As a co-equal branch of government, it is necessary that Congress fully understand how the Bush Administration executes intelligence activities in order to exercise proper oversight. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that law enforcement agencies have strong, flexible tools to intercept the communications of terrorists, and at the same time protect our citizens' civil liberties from unwarranted government probing.

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, on March 28, 2007, I inadvertently failed to cast a recorded vote on rollcall vote 204, concerning H. Res. 274. Had I cast my vote, I would have voted ``aye.'' On May 14, I inadvertently failed to cast a recorded vote on rollcall vote 344, concerning H. Res. 385. Had I cast my vote, I would have voted ``aye.'' On August 3, I inadvertently failed to cast a recorded vote on rollcall vote 822, concerning H. Res. 612. Had I cast my vote, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. MOORE of Kansas

Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, the week of September 17-23 has been officially designated as Constitution Week. This marks the 220th anniversary of the signing of our Constitution. The guardian of our liberties, our Constitution established our republic as a self-governing nation dedicated to rule by law. This document is the cornerstone of our freedom. It was written to protect every American from the abuse of power by government. Without that restraint, our founders believed the republic would perish. The ideals upon which our Constitution is based are reinforced each day by the success of our political system to which it gave birth. The success of our way of government requires an enlightened citizenry. Constitution Week provides an opportunity for all Americans to recall the achievements of our founders, the nature of limited government, and the rights, privileges and responsibilities of citizenship. It provides us the opportunity to be better informed about our rights, freedoms and duties as citizens. Madam Speaker, at this time I particularly want to take note of the outstanding work of the Prairie Rose Chapter of the Kansas Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which is actively involved in the Third Congressional District in events this week commemorating Constitution Week. The Prairie Rose Chapter has been involved with this effort in our communities for a number of years and I commend them for doing so. Our Constitution has served us well for over 200 years, but it will continue as a strong, vibrant, and vital foundation for freedom only so long as the American people remain dedicated to the basic principles on which it rests. Thus, as the United States continues into its third century of constitutional democracy, let us renew our commitment to, in the words of our Constitution's preamble: ``form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity . . .'' I know that the Prairie Rose Chapter of the Kansas Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution joins with me in urging all Americans to renew their commitment to, and understanding of, our Constitution, particularly during our current time of crisis, when Americans are fighting overseas to defend our liberties here at home.