Betty McCollum

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the motion to recommit because AHPs are awful health plans. AHPs roll back State benefit standards that protect women and children. They are awful for women; they are awful for children. Our motion protects Americans who have access to mental health benefits. It protects families' access to maternity care and well-baby checks. Maternity coverage is critical for women. It should not be optional. Fortunately, many States require health plans to cover maternity care and well-baby checks for their children. The bottom line is healthy moms equal healthy children. Healthy children, valuing children's lives, should be a goal we all share. Children deserve a healthy start in life with regular visits to the doctor and necessary immunizations. Preventive care makes economic sense. It can prevent avoidable illness and reduce future health care costs. I encourage all Members to reject awful health plans and to support the motion to recommit.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I appreciate the opportunity to speak on House Resolution 376. I would like to commend the resolution's author, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton). I agree with the previous remarks made by him. Let me start by commending an organization, however, I have worked with over the past 3 years, the National Institute on Media and the Family, and its founder Dr. David Walsh, for uncovering and exposing this video game scandal. Dr. Walsh and the Institute on Media and the Family have for years been calling for an independent rating system on interactive video games. They have been national leaders on calling on retail stores across the country to ensure age-specific ratings are enforced. I agree, and I support an independent rating system and retailer responsibility. The video game industry has a scandal on its hands, and parents across America have been given a wake-up call. Video games can be fun, but they can also be very powerful tools for exposing children to violence, sex and inappropriate material. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is not a video game. It is a violent and sexually explicit tool to train virtual victimizers in crime and sexual violence, and this was before the current pornographic scenes were exposed. In a review of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on Amazon.com, it is described as ``even more bloody, violent and sadistic than its popular predecessors, offering up an enormous 3-D city in which nearly any criminal act is possible. Players are free to steal cars, beat up the local population for their money or weapons, to make time with prostitutes, or to simply roam to their heart's content.'' That was a review before the pornographic scenes were made known. Dr. Walsh has been, as I said, outspoken on this issue. Even before the pornographic scenes were exposed, Dr. Walsh, and I quote him as saying, this was not an appropriate game for our children, this violence training tool was rated ``M'' for mature, meaning the material was suitable for persons age 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual conduct, and/or strong language. The shooting of police officers, the killing of senior citizens for sport and winning points for sleeping with prostitutes and then killing them is not a game for 17-year-olds. It is disgusting, and it is a vile example of an industry with enormous potential being hijacked. However, I would like to applaud two Minnesota-based retailers, Best Buy and Target, for their responsible and prudent decision to remove this so-called ``game'' from their shelves. I strongly support the intent of this resolution. I would also like to enter for the Record two editorials, one from the Minneapolis Star Tribune and one from the New York Times, calling on action because of this game. [From the Minneapolis Star Tribune, July 25, 2005] Grand Theft/Absent Porn, Still Not for Teens Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games must have thought they were pulling a fast one on parents. Hidden in the bestselling video game ``Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas''-- activated by an Internet download and a code--are scenes that allow players to engage in virtual sex acts. But the inside joke eventually went public. And people didn't laugh. Last week, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) slapped an AO (adults only 18-plus) rating on the popular video game. Immediately, Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy and several other retailers pulled it from their shelves. Rockstar, the game's developer, which for weeks blamed ``outsiders'' for the sexually explicit modifications, now admits that the retail version was produced with them on the game. It has now ceased production of that version and will produce one minus the pornography. Before someone is tempted to nominate either company for a Good Citizenship Award, keep in mind what will remain on the game. ``Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'' is definitely not ``Ms. Pacman.'' An amazon.com review describes it as ``even more bloody, violent, and sadistic than its popular predecessors, offering up an enormous 3-D city in which nearly any criminal act is possible. Players are free to steal cars, beat up the local population for their money (or weapons), make time with prostitutes, or simply roam to their heart's content.'' The ``toned-down'' version will be rated Mature, making it available for anyone 17 or older. The violence in ``Grand Theft Auto'' is not an aberration. Take-Two is excited about its upcoming release, ``Bully.'' Take-Two says ``you'll laugh and cringe as you stand up to bullies, get picked on by teachers, play pranks on malicious kids, win or lose the girl, and ultimately learn to navigate the obstacles of the fictitious reform school, Bullworth Academy.'' Given its track record with other games, it is safe to assume gunplay will be featured prominently in ``Bully.'' We wonder if the folks in Littleton, Colo., or Cold Spring, Minn., will laugh. This all alarms David Walsh, president and founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family. His research shows that the teen brain is still a work in progress, struggling to manage sexual and violent impulses. These games, which are marketed toward teens, should not be in the hands of teens, he believes. We agree. The rating system for video games simply doesn't work. The ESRB was established by the Entertainment Software Association. Advising the ESA is an executive from Take-Two Entertainment, which owns Rockstar, which makes of ``Grand Theft Auto.'' It's comparable to letting the defense attorney serve as the jury foreman. This industry repeatedly has shown it can't be trusted to monitor itself. There is too much money to be made from young people by keeping ratings standards relaxed, and there are no penalties for companies that skirt the rules. Parents aren't off the hook. They need to take more of an interest in the kinds of games their children are playing. But a truly independent oversight body is necessary. By evaluating and rating these games, a proper oversight panel would help arm parents with the information they need to ensure the video games their children are playing are age- appropriate.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 739, H.R. 740, H.R. 741, and H.R. 742. Today, America's workers need the protections provided under the Occupational Safety and Health Act more than ever. Each year, 6,000 workers die in workplace-related accidents, and 50,000-60,000 people die from illnesses caused by their jobs. The protections in OSHA ensure what our Nation's workforce has fought for and deserves--a safe and healthy workplace. Instead of strengthening these worker protections, the bills before us today are an attack on the very intent of these important safeguards. The first bill, H.R. 739, excuses employers that fail to respond to OSHA citations within the 15-day deadline. The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) already has the authority to review missed deadlines on a case-by-case basis. This change removes the incentive for employers to quickly respond to hazards. Meanwhile, the safety and health of workers hang in the balance. H.R. 740 seeks to expand OSHRC to five members and require that all members be lawyers. Since the Comnission was established in 1970, it has been composed of three members and has benefited from the expertise of those not holding law degrees. This change inaccurately reflects the workload and responsibilities of OSHRC and unfairly excludes the contributions of members with strong backgrounds in safety and health. H.R. 741 transfers the authority to bring cases to the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court from the Secretary of Labor to OSHRC. This modification overturns a 1991 Supreme Court decision and undermines the Secretary's responsibility to enforce OSHA policies. The biggest blow delivered by H.R. 742 requires OSHA to pay attorney's fees for every case it does not win, regardless of why the case lost or how well-justified it was. This places the burden of these cases squarely on the taxpayer and leaves America's workforce more vulnerable than ever. The substitute amendment offered by Congressman George Miller to raise the minimum wage has my full support. It is unacceptable that employees working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, for minimum wage earn only $10,700 a year--$3,400 below the poverty line for a family of three. American full-time, full-year workers should not be forced to raise their families in poverty. It is unfortunate that this amendment was not made in order by the Republican leadership, as this raise would have benefited over 11 million American workers and their families. The hard-working men and women of this country deserve to be protected and safe in the workplace, Mr. Speaker. That is why I urge my colleagues to vote against these ill-conceived bills.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, it is unfortunate that we were unable to have a full hearing on this. It is most unfortunate that it is on the floor without a hearing. There is nowhere in current law the word ``vested'' is used with the Governors. This is a radical change. This amendment is a radical change to current law. Thirty-five million people whose water source is not only for drinking but for working and their way of life is dependent upon a quality that has jointly been maintained in the Great Lakes. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. As a fellow Member of a Great Lakes state, I appreciate what a valuable resource the Great Lakes are to my state, our region, our country and the world. I regret that this amendment does not share those sentiments. This amendment gives broad and unconditional authority over the management of the Great Lakes to the governors and premiers of the Great Lakes states and provinces. While I support the role these governors and premiers play in developing a common standard for water withdrawal, the authority granted by this resolution is too vast and the responsibility too great to cede to ten individuals. I believe there is a better model for honoring the diverse interests of the 35 million people whose water, work, and way of life depend on the Great Lakes. Two weeks ago, in my home state of Minnesota, local, state, federal, tribal, and other diverse stakeholders came together to develop a Great Lakes Regional Collaborative Strategy. This is the kind of approach I believe is needed for the issues facing this large and complex ecosystem. Instead, this amendment, on which no public hearings have been held, calls for a simplistic and unilateral approach. I have serious concerns with the implications of this amendment and urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this amendment.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, I stand to offer my strong support for the Hooley-Souder-Baird amendment. The meth crisis is taken very seriously in Minnesota, and I am proud of the work our local law enforcement officials are doing. They know very well how difficult this problem is, both the local production of methamphetamine and the explosion in trafficking. While I support efforts to attack local labs and local meth production, we all know it is not enough. The meth epidemic, as I said, is poisoning and polluting Minnesota, where as much as 80 percent of the methamphetamine is produced in superlabs trafficked by Mexican narcoterrorist gangs. The Bush administration and Congress must work with Mexico and apply real pressure to the Mexican government to attack meth production and the trafficking on their side of the border. This amendment is a good start. While States like Minnesota continue to limit and ban pseudoephedrine, these superlabs operating outside of our boarders are continuing to put the chemicals that are destroying families on our streets. Banning pseudoephedrine will not stop the problem, but banning meth in Mexico could.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong opposition to H.R. 2745, the Henry J. Hyde United Nations Reform Act of 2005. The United Nations is a critical multilateral organization that provides a vital and necessary forum for the U.S. to advance our Nation's foreign policy priorities as well as to improve and strengthen development, security and human rights around the globe. As an original founder and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the U.S. has an opportunity to shape the direction of future reforms and continue our important role of pursuing multilateral solution to the world's most challenging problems. Or, as this legislation appears intent upon achieving, the U.S. can withdraw support from the United Nations and watch from the sidelines as the world body withers, leaving our Nation isolated and at risk. The latter approach, I believe, would be a dangerous and foolish mistake. For sixty years, the organizations and programs operating under the umbrella of the United Nations have been working to improve health, food security and human rights around the world; combating terrorism, narcotics trafficking and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; encouraging and empowering the protection of rights for women, workers, ethnic and religious minorities and persons with disabilities; and enhancing the security and upholding peace in areas devastated by conflict. The feeding, sheltering, and protection of millions of refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide, many of whom might not be alive today without such help, has also be a vital United Nations function. The sum of this work carried out by the United Nations, this very difficult work, has been a monumental achievement, much of it funded by the generosity of the American tax payer, that has improved the lives of billions of people and made our world safer, healthier, more peaceful and more just. This legislation before the House, H.R. 2745, is deeply flawed. It would mandate drastic cuts to the U.S. funding obligation to the United Nations, unless the U.S. Secretary of State can certify compliance with 39 far-reaching, and detailed, reforms. Unfortunately, many of these reforms apply to related agencies that are out of the management authority of the United Nations Secretariat. In addition, this bill would put ongoing peacekeeping missions, and U.S. involvement in future missions integral to our national security, in jeopardy. Reforms are needed at the United Nations. The debate on the floor clearly reflects that Democrats and Republicans agree on this fact. However, the U.S. has an opportunity, and I would say a responsibility, to play a positive and constructive role in reforming the United Nations, in a way that promotes greater transparency, more effective decision making, greater emphasis on oversight of the bureaucracy and a clear standard of accountability among member states for their conduct with relations to human rights. The Henry J. Hyde United Nations Reform Act fails to provide the resources, the time, and the flexibility to allow reform to be carried out correctly, as needed to sustain this great organization. This legislation blatantly puts politics before peace keeping and threatens to undermine the important leadership of the U.S. in the eyes of the international community. The State Department strongly objects to key provisions of this bill including the key principle of linking of U.S. dues to United Nations reforms. Rather than starve the United Nations by unilaterally cutting support, I support the rational and reasonable alternative legislation, the bipartisan Lantos-Shays alternative to H.R. 2745, that would eliminate the mandate for funding cuts and empower the Secretary of State to withhold funds if suggested reforms are not met. This substitute appropriate encourages the U.S. to work with other nations to achieve real and lasting United Nations reform.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I believe burning the flag is an offensive and disrespectful act. However, I oppose H.J. Res. 10, a resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution authorizing the Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. Rather, I rise in support of the amendment offered in the form of a substitute, H. Amdt. 337, which would ensure that the First Amendment right to free speech is protected and that any statute enacted by Congress attempting to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag would remain consistent with the First Amendment. I have confidence my colleagues on both sides of the aisle can agree that the liberty and freedom guaranteed by our Constitution, and symbolized by our grand old flag, is our Nation's greatest strength. Everyday, the freedoms that surround us in our homes, schools and places of work here in this chamber, are a constant reminder of what out flag means, and what has been sacrificed to ensure its lasting stability and continuity in our Nation. Every day Congress is in session, we pledge allegiance to this flag, ``and to the republic for which it stands.'' The willful destruction of our Nation's flag is, indeed, deeply offensive. The flag is a symbol of our national unity and a source of national pride, and our flag deserves to be treated with respect at all times. Yet, despite my love for my Nation and the flag, and my deep appreciation for the men and women who yesterday and today fight and live their lives defending our Nation, I cannot support this resolution. We must take heed of the constitutional parameters that will be reduced as a result of this amendment. One of our most cherished liberties is our freedom of expression. Every individual in America is truly free to express his or her opinions, without threat of hindrance or persecution. From time to time we undoubtedly may disagree with another's opinion. However, this does not mean that their views should be constricted by the Constitution. If we place any limits on this freedom, we are opening the possibility that further limitation can be placed on our freedom of expression at a later time. This resolution, H.J. Res. 10, will indeed serve to reduce that freedom which is so crucial and essential to the maintenance of a strong, vibrant democracy.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the Republican Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill. This legislation clearly illustrates the Republican party's values. The cuts to education, job training and health care in this bill are necessary because the majority's top priority is tax breaks for corporations and those making more than $1 million a year. This bill is the consequence of the irresponsible Republican budget resolution passed earlier this year, and the American people will pay the price. This bill provides $1.6 billion less than the amount necessary to maintain current services and among its many mistakes, contains three major flaws: painful cuts in education, health care, and job training. Republicans have cut No Child Left Behind and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, reducing funds for students and schools already struggling with Federal testing mandates. It slashes funding for health care training programs while we face a shortage of health care workers and the Preventive Health Block grant, which in Minnesota is used to address health care disparities. This bill cuts funding for job training, while we continue to have a faltering economy in which 7.6 million Americans are out of work. The Republicans claim to have provided an increase for the National Institutes of Health, NIH. However, this paltry increase of 0.5 percent is far less than the NIH needs to keep up with current research costs. This disinvestment threatens future life-saving breakthroughs which have the possibility of improving the health of our country and saving limited health care dollars. The Republican bill takes particular aim at the most vulnerable in our communities. Even with gas prices skyrocketing, this bill cuts funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. It essentially freezes funding for Head Start and the Child Care Block Grant, and provides only a 1 percent increase for senior nutrition programs. Our priority as members of Congress should be the well-being of American families. We are not prioritizing children when we decrease the ability of schools to provide a quality education for all. We Are not putting families first when we reduce the access to health care. And we are not on the side of the working men and women when we limit opportunities to provide for their families. I support the Democratic alternative offered by Ranking Member Obey. This amendment reflects the values of Minnesotans by investing in the American people's education, health and future. For example, the Democratic alternative would have increased funding for Pell grants to improve access to higher education, increased the Federal Government's contribution to special education, provided additional funding for reading and math for 1 million more students, funded community health centers and invested in biomedical research. My constituents know that our competitiveness, quality of life, and the health of our communities are at risk under the Republican plan. I will continue to fight to put families, and our future, first.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express the overwhelming support that hundreds of my constituents have demonstrated for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. I share their concern about the partisan attacks to eliminate funding and undermine the Corporation's commitment to providing objective and educational programming. As a member of the Congressional Public Broadcasting Caucus, I have learned how critical Federal funding is for CPB in order to ensure the continued availability of educational, innovative, objective, and locally-relevant programming provided by public radio and television stations across the country. This Republican appropriations bill proposes to strip 51 percent of CPB's total Federal funding--a cut so drastic it will negatively impact every public television and radio station's ability to provide the free and unbiased programs that millions of Americans count on every day. Currently, Federal funding for CPB totals just $1.50 per American per year. In addition, this Federal funding successfully leverages more than five additional dollars from private sources. For these reasons, I am pleased to support Mr. Obey's amendment to restore $100 million to CPB. Public broadcasting is an essential source of information for millions of Americans. America's educators depend on public broadcasting--it's their top choice for classroom video, and a leading source of online lesson plans. Nationwide surveys find that public broadcasting is the single most trusted national institution. And, public broadcasting is exceptional because it's local. Unlike the large media conglomerates that dominate commercial TV, the 348 PBS stations across the country are locally owned and operated--accountable to the local communities they serve. In my home State of Minnesota, we are proud of the high quality public broadcasting our State has known for years. Minnesota Public Radio and Twin Cities Public Television are treasures that provide balanced news, insightful information, and exceptional entertainment over the public airwaves. They deserve our support and the support of the Federal Government. Nearly 900 constituents have e-mailed, phoned, and written to my office regarding their support for public broadcasting. It is with a commitment to ensuring that my constituents continue to have access to high quality, unbiased information, as well as thoughtful and educational programming, that I rise today in support of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Ms. McCOLLUM

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the 33rd anniversary of the day Congress passed Title IX, in support of the landmark legislation that prohibited gender discrimination in education programs and activities receiving federal funds. Title IX provides for equal opportunity for women and girls in areas related to access to higher education, athletics, career education, education for pregnant and parenting students, employment, learning environment, math and science education, sexual harassment, standardized testing, and technology. Unfortunately, recent action by the Bush Administration and Secretary Spellings has threatened provisions providing for equal opportunities for girls and women in sports. This new interpretation of Title IX compliance now only requires that schools survey current female students regarding their interest in sports. A lack of response can be assumed a lack of interest. This process has several flaws, including the reliance on using only email as an effective tool for soliciting feedback on such an important law. Unfortunately, because this interpretation was deemed a simple ``clarification'' by the Bush administration, there will be no public comment period, despite the serious concerns the public has raised regarding this change. This is not the first time the American people have raised concerns regarding this issue, nor is it the first time this Administration has tried to weaken Title IX. In 2002, the Administration attempted to change this policy through the establishment of the Commission on Opportunity in Athletics. The Commission made several negative recommendations that weakened the goals of Title IX, but significant public outcry prevented these misguided policy changes. Given this kind of public commitment to this issue, I am very concerned about the way in which this most recent ``clarification'' has happened--late on a Friday afternoon, without any consultation or time for feedback despite a clear history of interest in this issue. Over the past 30 years, significant movements have ensured more opportunities for women and girls. In fact young women's participation in athletics has increased by 400 percent at the college level and by 800 percent in high schools. Title IX has provided opportunities for female I athletes; however, they continue to be shortchanged in terms of athletic scholarship opportunities, facilities, and other benefits and services. Women and girls receive only 41 percent of athletic opportunities today, despite the fact that they constitute more than half of student enrollments. Vigorous enforcement of Title IX, rather than the weakening of compliance measures, must be the goal of the Department of Education. This is a time to continue to ensure women and girls are offered equal athletic opportunities at all levels of their abilities. Last month, I convened a roundtable discussion in my district with nearly 50 students, coaches, Title IX compliance officers, and athletic directors regarding the ``clarification.'' They shared their stories about what sporting opportunities were like before Title IX compared to the opportunities girls and women have now, their commitment to Title IX, and their concerns regarding efforts to weaken it. In fact, some schools shared that because this particular measure of Title IX compliance is so weak in demonstrating equal opportunities, they do not plan to use it, but rather they will use other measures. I am proud of the female athletes in Minnesota--not only for their accomplishments but for their willingness to stand up and ensure these opportunities remain for generations of women to come. It is in their honor that I rise today in recognition of these women trailblazers in athletics and education to call on President Bush and Secretary Spellings to immediately withdraw this harmful ``clarification'' and to support efforts that strengthen, rather than weaken, Title IX.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, the McGovern amendment to cut $100 million from Plan Colombia is about accountability and sending the message that cutting deals with narcotic traffickers who pose as politicians will not be tolerated by the American taxpayer. After 6 years and over $400 billion, Plan Colombia is not reducing the supply of cocaine on our streets. But it has succeeded in making cocaine in America cheaper, more available, and more potent than ever before. The drug war in Colombia is failing, failing the people of Colombia and the American taxpayer. Spending another $735 million to stay the wrong course and to continue to finance failure is irresponsible. Let us send a message to Colombia that there are no more blank checks in the American taxpayers' checkbook. Unfortunately, Plan Colombia has not made the Colombian people safer. More than 2 million Colombians have been forced to flee their homes. Ninety percent of the violent crime, murders, and rapes go unpunished. Human rights abuses among Colombia's military and law enforcement are all too common. These are deeply disturbing trends: cheaper cocaine on American streets, millions of innocent people fleeing for their lives, lawlessness. This is hardly what we would call good governance. In return for the narcoterrorism and corruption, the American taxpayers are being asked to reward the Colombian Government. Now, a law passed by Colombia's congress and supported by President Uribe provides immunity and protection for right wing death squads and narcoterrorists. For ending their participation in death squads, Colombia will be giving virtual immunity and protection from extradition to narcotraffickers, many who are sought by the United States. One paramilitary death squad, the AUC, earns 70 percent of its income from narcotics trafficking. And the AUC is listed as an official terrorist organization by the U.S. Government. The AUC's leader, Diego Murillo, is described as a brutal paramilitarian warlord who made a fortune in the drug trade. Under the plan for disarmament supported by our allies in Bogota, Murillo and terrorists like him who have committed massacres, kidnappings, drug trafficking, and murders of elected officials received freedom from prosecution. They get to keep their possession of riches. In Colombia, if crime pays, if drug trafficking pays and terrorism pays, let us not have the American taxpayer pay for it. Congress needs to cut funding to Plan Colombia and save the American taxpayers $100 million and send a message that Colombia cannot protect narcoterrorists with our tax dollars. I strongly urge my colleagues to support the McGovern amendment.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to recognize and honor the life of U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey. Matt Lourey, son of Minnesota State Senator Becky Lourey, was an Army helicopter pilot under the command of the Tikrit-based 42nd Infantry Division. He died May 26, 2005, from injuries received when the Kiowa Warrior helicopter he was piloting was shot down in Baqouba, Iraq, while he was serving his second combat tour in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Matt was born July 28, 1964, in Laurel, Maryland, grew up in Kerrick, Minnesota, and graduated from Askov High School in 1982. He had always wanted be in the military as a child, and after graduating from high school, joined the U.S. Marine Corps. When he was not able to fly for the Marines, he left the military, trained as a private pilot in northern Minnesota, and joined the Army as an officer. Matt Lourey flew Kiowa reconnaissance missions in Bosnia and elsewhere prior to going to Iraq. Matt was preceded in death by his brothers, Jay and Fernando. Matt Lourey grew up in a large, loving family, with 11 brothers and sisters, many of whom were adopted, in northern Minnesota. Matt was Sen. Becky and father Eugene Lourey's second son. Three years ago, Matt Lourey married a fellow soldier, Army Capt. Lisa Lourey. They lived in Lorton, Virginia. There have been 22 members of the military from Minnesota who have died in Iraq since 2003. I honor Matthew Lourey for his courageous service to this country, and his commitment to protecting our freedom.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. 1. Specialist Corey A. Hubbell 2. Corporal Tomas Sotelo Jr. 3. Sergeant Timothy M. Conneway 4. First Sergeant Christopher D. Coffin 5. Corporal Travis J. Bradachnall 6. Private First Class Edward J. Herrgott 7. Private First Class Corey L. Small 8. Specialist Jeffrey M. Wershow 9. Sergeant David B. Parson 10. Staff Sergeant Barry Sanford Sr. 11. Specialist Chad L. Keith 12. Private Robert L. McKinley 13. Sergeant First Class Craig A. Boling 14. Sergeant Melissa Valles 15. Lance Corporal Jason Tetrault 16. Sergeant Roger Dale Rowe 17. Sergeant First Class Dan H. Gabrielson 18. Specialist Christian C. Schultz 19. Specialist Joshua M. Neusche 20. Captain Paul J. Cassidy 21. Sergeant Jaror C. Puello-Coronado 22. Sergeant Michael T. Crockett 23. Lance Corporal Cory Ryan Geurin 24. Specialist Ramon Reyes Torres 25. Petty Officer Third Class David J. Moreno 26. Sergeant Mason Douglas Whetstone 27. Specialist Joel L. Bertoldie 28. Second Lieutenant Jonathan D. Rozier 29. Sergeant First Class Christopher R. Willoughby 30. Sergeant Jason D. Jordan 31. Sergeant Justin W. Garvey 32. Corporal Mark Anthony Bibby 33. Specialist Jon P. Fettig 34. Specialist Brett T. Christian 35. Captain Joshua T. Byers 36. Staff Sergeant Hector R. Perez 37. Private First Class Raheen Tyson Heighter 38. Corporal Evan Asa Ashcraft 39. Sergeant Juan M. Serrano 40. Specialist Wilfredo Perez Jr. 41. Sergeant Daniel K. Methvin 42. Private First Class Jonathan M. Cheatham 43. Specialist Jonathan P. Barnes 44. Sergeant Heath A. McMillin 45. Specialist William J. Maher III 46. Sergeant Nathaniel Hart Jr. 47. Captain Leif E. Nott 48. Specialist James I. Lambert III 49. Private Michael J. Deutsch 50. Specialist Justin W. Hebert 51. Staff Sergeant David L. Loyd 52. Specialist Ronald D. Allen Jr. 53. Specialist Farao K. Letufuga 54. Sergeant Leonard D. Simmons 55. Staff Sergeant Brian R. Hellerman 56. Private Kyle C. Gilbert 57. Specialist Zeferino E. Colunga 58. Private First Class Duane E. Longstreth 59. Private First Class Brandon Ramsey 60. Private Matthew D. Bush 61. Sergeant Floyd G. Knighten Jr. 62. Specialist Levi B. Kinchen 63. Staff Sergeant David S. Perry 64. Private First Class Daniel R. Parker 65. Staff Sergeant Richard S. Eaton Jr. 66. Private First Class Timmy R. Brown Jr. 67. Sergeant Taft V. Williams 68. Sergeant Steven W. White 69. Private First Class David M. Kirchhoff 70. Specialist Eric R. Hull 71. Specialist Kenneth W. Harris Jr. 72. Staff Sergeant Bobby C. Franklin 73. Lieutenant Kylan A. Jones-Huffman 74. Private First Class Michael S. Adams 75. Specialist Stephen M. Scott 76. Private First Class Vorn J. Mack 77. Private First Class Pablo Manzano 78. Specialist Darryl T. Dent 79. Lieutenant Colonel Anthony L. Sherman 80. Specialist Rafael L. Navea 81. Sergeant Gregory A. Belanger 82. Staff Sergeant Mark A. Lawton 83. Kristian E. Parker 84. Sergeant Sean K. Cataudella

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Congressional Arts Caucus, I rise today in support of the amendment to increase funds by $10 million to the National Endowment for the Arts and $5 million to the National Endowment for the Humanities. The value of Federal arts programs lies in their ability to nurture the growth and artistic excellence of thousands of arts organizations and millions of artists throughout the Nation, making a variety of arts--performance, graphic, literature, and media--available to millions of Americans. The NEA is the Nation's largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art--both new and established--to all 50 States, including rural communities, inner-city neighborhoods, schools, and military bases. Support for the arts is a critical investment in the economic growth of every community in this country. The nonprofit arts industry generates $134 billion annually in economic activity, supports 4.85 million jobs, and returns $10.5 billion to the Federal government in income taxes. Minnesota's 4th Congressional District alone is home to over 1,200 arts-related businesses that employ nearly 9,000 people. These businesses range from theaters, arts schools, museums, architecture firms, and advertising agencies. In addition, unnumbered individual and freelance artists call my district their home. I am proud to represent these artists and their families. I appreciate how the arts deeply enrich Minnesota. The educational, cultural, and economic impact of the arts is very measurable. Not only do 95% of Minnesotans believe that the arts are an important or essential part of the education of Minnesota children, but 67% of Minnesotans have attended an arts activity themselves within the past year. In addition, the arts in Minnesota have over a $1 billion economic impact annually. Arts education has also been proven to help students increase cognitive development, inspire creativity, and enhance problem-solving skills. At a time when students are expected to take more high stakes tests, we must support the activities, such as the arts, that encourage their success. It is with a commitment to the economic, social, and cultural well- being of my district, and of the Nation, that I rise today in support of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to represent in the U.S. Congress thousands and thousands of refugees who live in St. Paul and the East Metro area. Whether they are originally from East Asia, East Africa, Eastern Europe or Central America, Minnesota is now their home and we call them our neighbors, our co-workers and our friends. The resettlement of refugees in Minnesota is a success story. We should all celebrate the economic, social and cultural contributions made over the past generation who found peace, hope and opportunity in Minnesota. For the refugees and the communities that welcomed them it has not always been easy, but it has worked and worked to the benefit of our state. Let me acknowledge the state, county and local government officials as well as the staff and educators from our school districts who work so hard to get families settled and transitioned to life in Minnesota. Let me also thank the resettlement agencies, community based non- profits, the faith community and the many families and volunteers. This collective effort has kept the refugee resettlement experience positive for both new Minnesotans as well as long-time residents. While today is a celebration of sorts, I do not want anyone here to forget that suffering also continues for the more than 19 million people around the world fleeing persecution. The fact that more than nine million people are refugees and almost eight million more are internally displaced inside their own country due to violence--while millions more are stateless or seeking asylum. Earlier this year I traveled to Eastern Chad to visit refugees in camps along the border of Sudan's Darfur region. The men, women and children I met had escaped the horrors of mass murder, mass rape, the burning of their villages, the killing of their animals and the poisoning of their wells. These exhausted souls were the survivors a genocide that continues to go on today--at this very moment. Just as Minnesota has been a refuge--a place of safe, I want to publicly commend the people of Chad, a very, very poor nation with difficult geography, little water and few resources, for providing nearly a million Sudanese survivors of genocide a safe place. In normal times the people of Chad have very little, now they are sharing what they have with the Darfur refugees. In Darfur, at least 180,000 people have been killed, starved to death or died of disease because of the intentional campaign of cleansing by the militias sponsored by the government of Sudan. Tens of thousand of women and girls have been raped and tortured in this campaign of terror. Inside Sudan almost 2 million people are displaced--driven from their homes. Let me praise the work that Hugh Parmer and his staff at the American Refugee Committee are doing to keep people alive in Sudan-- they are true heroes. In the camp I visited in Chad the women were exhausted, the children were restless and the men were few--most had been killed. The struggles of daily life were unimaginable--little water, little food, almost no shelter and only very limited health services. The trauma of escaping genocide, surviving rape, watching one's family be murdered is almost too much to comprehend. Yet, these brave souls fight on to care for their children, hope for the future and work together to make the most of every day. The people of the U.S. are helping--and helping a lot. More than $1 billion in aid and emergency humanitarian relief has been provided to keep people alive. The courageous humanitarian workers who help deliver this relief take big risks and work tirelessly and they deserve both our praise and our prayers. The crisis in Darfur is man-made, not some natural catastrophe. This is genocide--mass, planned murder of thousands. This is a horror. Ending the genocide in Darfur requires more than humanitarian aid--it requires the political will of nations--especially the United States willing to stand up and say these lives have value--this killing must be stopped. Every diplomatic, political, and if necessary--military tool--must be used to stop the killing. This brings me to a disturbing and shameful recent episode. For all the good the U.S. has done with humanitarian relief for the victims of Darfur--our government also appears committed to working with the perpetrators of the genocide. It was recently reported that in April of this year, a U.S. government jet owned by the CIA flew Major General Salah Abdullah Gosh--the head of Sudan's intelligence agency--to Washington for meetings with high level CIA officials. This was a reward for his government's work with the U.S. on the war on terrorism. The government of Sudan is officially designated a ``state sponsor of terrorism.'' The government of Sudan has participated in the murder and terrorizing of tens of thousands of their own citizens. The women and children I met in the refugee camps were victims of the Sudanese government's terror. It is beyond my belief that a senior official complicit in this terror, this genocide could be jetted to Washington with our tax dollars to be commended for his ``counter-terrorism'' efforts. This episode is offensive, a slap in the face to every survivor of this horrible ethnic cleansing and is truly a betrayal of the value we share as Americans. A likely perpetrator of genocide should never be the dinner guest of our government. As a superpower, as a free people, as a people who will generously reach out anywhere in the world to help people in need, we cannot be on the side of the victims and the murders at the same time. The terror the people of Darfur are experiencing every day must be the same War on Terror our Nation is fighting--those people's lives have value and it is wrong for the CIA or anyone else in Washington to sell them out. Let me say in conclusion, that I respect and admire the courage, the determination and amazing spirit of the refugees I have had the privilege to meet and know--both in Minnesota and in Chad. The struggle and journey to find peace, security, hope and opportunity is real for refugees and anyone forced to flee their home. This is exactly what all human beings seek in life. It is my hope and it will be my determined commitment to myself, the families I work for in Washington, and the women and children I met from Darfur, that our government work tirelessly to make sure there are fewer refugees, fewer displaced persons and much, much more peace, security, hope and opportunity over the next twenty-five years. This is truly the world I hope we can build together.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my disappointment with H.R. 1279, the Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act. The Gang Deterrence and Community Protection Act will neither deter youth from entering gangs nor add protections to our community. This legislation increases the use of the death penalty, creates new mandatory minimum sentences, and subjects more juveniles to trial as adults. I believe strongly that criminals must be punished and that we need to do more to deter our youth from entering gangs. However, research shows that these measures do not have their intended effect of reducing crime, have been misapplied based on race, are not the assistance requested by law enforcement, and do not address the reasons given by youth for their participation in gangs. In fact, this bill does nothing to address the real problems facing our youth or the needs of local law enforcement working with youth on a daily basis. This year, in order to make room for tax cuts for the wealthy, the President and House Republicans have chosen to cut the very programs that provide hope and opportunity for youth. In his Fiscal Year 2006 budget, the President proposed eliminating funding for Safe and Drug Free Schools and freezing funding for after school programs. He also proposed eliminating funding for TRIO programs, which offer the opportunity for disadvantaged students to access higher education and for many job training programs currently serving youth in our communities. Republicans have also chosen to cut funding for local law enforcement by eliminating funding for the COPS program and Byrne grant dollars which are vital to ensuring our peace officers have the training and manpower they need to keep our communities safe. In addition, Republican Leadership has failed to keep promises to fund juvenile justice programs that promote prevention and early intervention. Investments in our youth and in local law enforcement will reduce crime and improve the safety of our neighborhoods. Law enforcement needs adequate equipment, training, and personnel. In order to succeed, children need recreational opportunities, a quality education, and role models to provide a positive example. Families need to have safe housing, access to health care, and the opportunities for good-paying jobs. Our priority should be investing in families--not prisons. For these reasons, I opposed H.R. 1279.

Mrs. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Mrs. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to recognize and honor the life U.S./Marine Corps Capt. Kelly C. Hinz. Capt. Hinz was a Marine Corps fighter pilot who died May 2, 2005, from injuries received when the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft he was piloting crashed in Iraq while flying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Capt. Hinz was a native of Woodbury, Minn., and a 1993 graduate of St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights, Minn., where he was a member of the State championship downhill ski team, and where his family remained active after their sons had graduated. Capt. Hinz was also a graduate of the University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, Minn., in the District I represent. Capt. Hinz earned his wings as an aviator in March 2002, after which he and his wife Molly were stationed in San Diego. Capt. Hinz and his wife have one daughter, Abby. Capt. Hinz comes from a military, and flying, family. Donald Hinz was a retired naval and commercial pilot who died in a plane crash in 2004. In his retirement, Donald Hinz had committed himself to restoring a P- 51 C Mustang fighter plane in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen. His brother, Ben Hinz, is also a Marine pilot. His brother Kurt has his private pilot's license, and brother Luke will earn his this summer. Capt. Hinz inherited a strong sense of duty to his country from his father, and reminds us of the human face of Operation Iraqi Freedom. There have been 19 members of the military from Minnesota who have died in Iraq since 2003. I honor Capt. Hinz for his courageous service to this country, and his commitment to protecting our freedom.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important legislation, which expands stem cell research and ensures that the Federal Government can implement ethical guidelines. This bill will provide hope and opportunity for millions of Americans suffering from chronic and life threatening health conditions. This legislation will also ensure that the Federal Government can implement ethical guidelines over this research. On August 9, 2001, President Bush announced that for the first time, Federal funds would be used to support research on human embryonic stem cells, but funding was to be limited to ``existing stem cell lines where the life and death decision has already been made.'' Prior to this decision, no Federal funds had been used to support research on stem cells derived from either embryos or fetal tissue. Previous experiments involving stem cells were conducted privately, with no ovesight or public input. I believe that the expansion of funding to stem cell research is an effective way of moving this science forward. Stem cells offer remarkable potential contributions to medical science and improve the lives of millions of people who suffer from incurable diseases such as juvenile diabetes, Alzheimers's, Parkinson's, AIDS, and spinal cord injuries. It may also help us to understand abnormal cell growth that occurs in cancer and birth defects and change the way we develop drugs and test them for safety and potential efficacy. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan and 69 percent of Americans are in favor of the expansion of stem cell research. This effort is supported by over 200 patient groups, universities, and scientific societies, and has been endorsed by more than 75 national and local newspapers and eighty Nobel Laureates. It is imperative that we support efforts to improve the quality of life. I am pleased that we have the opportunity to move this important bill forward today, and it is my hope that the Senate will do the same. Unfortunately, the President has indicated that he will veto efforts to expand stem cell research--even H.R. 810 which only proposes to allow stem cell research on discarded embryos with the donor's consent. In this case, the President is clearly choosing radical ideology over American lives.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, it is a fact. It is a fact that international delegations have visited the UNFPA's programs consistently in China, and it is a fact that they have said that the UNFPA is part of the solution in China, helping to promote voluntary family planning. It is a fact that, since 1999, 60 delegations, 145 diplomats from around the world, have visited UNFPA's China program, and not one of them has found any evidence to suggest that the UNFPA is doing anything other than making the situation better. Every year the world's poorest nations have millions of mothers dying needlessly during childbirth. Millions of infants die every year in these same countries. These deaths, most of them, can be prevented. It is the mission of UNFPA to save lives, to promote healthy women, healthy babies, and healthy families by allowing voluntary family planning.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, torture is a crime. It is an international crime, and it is a violation of U.S. law. The state- sponsored exportation or outsourcing of torture called ``extraordinary rendition'' is repugnant and it is immoral. Outsourcing torture threatens America's security. It destroys our Nation's moral authority in the world, and it is the height of hypocrisy. The fact that this country, through the Bush administration, has been sending detainees, including innocent individuals, to countries like Syria to be tortured and abused is a stain on America's reputation, and it is a shameful rejection of our national values. Extraordinary rendition is indefensible. It is legally and morally to be condemned by this Congress. I am pleased that it is to be incorporated into the bill. I strongly urge all Members of Congress to watch this issue carefully. Those of us who value human rights want to end the use of our tax dollars to fund the outsourcing of torture. And I am very pleased that this has been included in the bill.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to honor and to recognize Katherine McMonagle--a devoted educator and a life-long learner. Katherine has announced her plans to retire after thirty-four year of service. Katherine has dedicated her professional career to thousands of students in the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale school district, located in Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District. From Carver Elementary School to North Saint Paul High School, Kathie has been an inspiring teacher to her students and a caring mentor to her colleagues. In her first year as a teacher she taught physical education to elementary students and for the following eight years she continued in this subject area and taught middle schoolers the benefits of physical activity. As her portfolio changed to include health studies over 20 years ago, she became committed to helping students learn about the dangers of smoking and helping student smokers to quit. In fact, she developed a program in conjunction with the Ramsey County chapter of the American Lung Association and her high school. A few years later her idea expanded to include a district-wide K-12 program committed to smoking prevention. Her idea continued to grow as the Lung Association started to move the program to other school districts. And her ideas and commitment didn't stop there. Kathie also developed and implemented a service learning course where high school students-- freshmen through seniors--work with communities to identify and address a need and develop a plan to solve the problem. The students use marketing, communication, math and other skills to come up with an implementation plan. This kind of creativity and innovation in curriculum is admired and supported not only by the students, but also by their parents, the communities, and other teachers who participate. Kathie's skill and determination to create new and exciting opportunities for students is a consistent theme in her esteemed teaching career. She ensured that her school district would not be the only one to not provide a competitive golf team for girls. She also started up the high school's Knowledge and Quiz bowl teams and she's been their coach for the past eight years. Over the course of Katherine's career, she has grown and developed confidence, grace, and skill in working with teenagers about personal health and development issues--which can be difficult subjects to broach with teens. Her desire to bring out the best in people and to encourage them to find new ways to lead healthy, successful, and enriching lives echoes through her work and will have a lasting impact on all those lucky enough to have been her student. She has encouraged mutual respect, honesty, and integrity in the classroom--important attributes that students have taken with them. It is with respect and thanks that I rise to salute a teacher who will be missed, and whose legacy and ideas will continue long after she says her goodbyes to her students and colleagues.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, every member of this House supports providing our troops, their families and the veterans who have returned from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The on-going wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other active military and intelligence operations in other countries require planning, budgeting and congressional oversight to ensure the best and most effective use of taxpayer dollars in order to keep our troops and all Americans safe and protected. Unfortunately, the Conference Agreement on the Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriation, H.R. 1268, is a testament to poor planning, the complete absence of competent budgeting and, worst of all, the exploitation by this Congress of the needs of our troops to pass a grab bag of political pork and exploitive public policy. To add insult to injury, every dollar in this $82 billion bill is borrowed and will be added to our nation's debt--eventually paid for by future generations. My vote against this bill is a reflection of the inept, incompetent and deliberately misleading policies of the Bush Administration and the Republican controlled Congress. At every point in this war in Iraq, from pre-emptive war to the on-going occupation, there has been a shameless disregard for honesty and a complete failure of meaningful, constructive congressional oversight. With, almost 1,700 lives lost, thousands wounded, some $212 billion spent in Iraq and at least $65 billion spent in Afghanistan to date, Americans should expect Congress to be engaged and conducting vigorous oversight, not playing political games. Where is the courage, or at least the outrage, among members of this House to stand up and say enough is enough. Let us pass an appropriations bill to provide the courageous U.S. servicemen and women risking their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan with the tools to protect themselves, achieve their mission and come home safely. Let us have the courage and discipline to dump the extraneous billions and the excessively extraneous policy add-ons. Instead, Congress has passed a pork-barrel bill that, for example, restores $592 million in funding to construct a new U.S. embassy in Baghdad that is not an emergency, could not be constructed during the on-going insecurity and was previously defeated in a vote in the House by a wide margin. Our nation is now in its third year with almost 160,000 troops occupying both Iraq and Afghanistan. Why was the $78 billion for military operations included in this emergency supplemental appropriation not included in the regular $400 billion FY2005 defense budget passed only months ago. That would have raised defense spending to almost $500 billion, but at least it would have honestly met our obligations to our troops. But foresight and proper planning are not the strengths of this White House and by budgeting properly it would have stripped the Republicans in Congress of a convenient legislative vehicle, a ``must pass'' bill as they refer to it, by which to supporting our troops is cover for attaching pork projects and politically motivated policies. This bill, regardless of the margin by which it has passed Congress, is a shameful example of politicians exploiting the needs of a nation at war and the warriors who are fighting this war to advance a narrow, ideological and exclusive political agenda. Since there is no money for Iraq in the 2006 federal budget we can expect another ``emergency wartime supplemental'' again in the near future and with it the same abusive process. Among the most egregious and offensive provisions of this bill is the attachment of disgraceful provision call the ``REAL ID.'' The provision adds a de facto national identification card to be paid for by state and local taxpayers. It is another multi-billion dollar unfunded mandate on taxpayers, as well as another example of Republican excess and complete disregard for competent policy making. The REAL ID will make it easier for the immigration officials to send persons fleeing political or religious persecution back to their persecutors and it builds a wall along portions of the U.S.-Mexico border with complete disregard for all laws, including environmental regulations. Furthermore, because the legislation calls for national driver license standards to be implemented by states, it all but guarantees that more untrained and tested drivers will be driving on our streets, roads and freeways. This is not an anti-terrorism provision, it is simply more political grandstanding at the expense of the American taxpayer and hard working families. There are some good aspects of this bill which I do support strongly. In addition to the needed funding for our troops, there is critical foreign assistance which I support. This includes funds for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami, humanitarian assistance to the victims of the genocide in Darfur, funds to support the African Union peacekeeping operation in Sudan, economic development for the Palestinian people, international food aid and other bilateral assistance to critical allies. These are proper and needed uses of America's wealth to create stability, security and save lives around the world. We are at a critical time in our nation's history. The current levels of deficit spending to sustain the wars, occupations and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq, almost $300 billion to date, plus the long-term needs of veterans, is not sustainable and is fiscally dangerous. My strong and unwavering support for America's fighting men and women, as well as for our veterans remains steadfast. My opposition to this legislation is a demonstration of my lack of confidence in the Iraq policy and my disgust with the irresponsible fiscal policies of this White House and Republican controlled Congress. The needs and priorities of the American people must come before the shortsighted political advantages of the majority party. The priorities in Washington must change and I will continue to fight to put our troops and our families first, not use them as a political excuse.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the many police and peace officers across this country who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our families and our communities safe, and to lend my support to H. Con. Res. 135, which authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service. During this year's service, on May 15, our nation will honor one more fallen hero from Minnesota's Capital City. Last week my community was stunned and saddened by the death of St. Paul Police Sgt. Gerald Vick, who was killed in an act of senseless violence in the line of duty. Sgt. Vick knew well the dangers of his job, yet he exemplified the great bravery and selfless commitment of our city's finest. After graduating from St. Paul's police academy in 1989, Sgt. Vick's career had ``upward mobility,'' written all over it, according to the city's former chief of police. His personnel file was filled with approving letters from the chief. Sgt. Vick went above and beyond to protect our community and keep it a safe and healthy place to raise a family, After being promoted to sergeant in 1999 where he could have taken a much safer desk job, he only wanted to get back on the streets to the part of the job he love the most--working with the community. Twice Sgt. Vick was awarded the St. Paul Police Department's highest honor, the Medal of Valor. The first time was in 1990 when he saved an infant from a burning building, then again in 1997 when he shot and killed an armed robbery suspect who pulled a gun on him. Sgt. Vick served for 16 years on the Saint Paul police force and was a true public servant. Jerry died on May 6, 2005 protecting the community--the job he loved so much. He will be deeply missed by his family, his friends, and his fellow officers. I wish to express my sincere condolences as well as my thoughts and prayers to all those who loved and worked with Sgt. Gerald Vick.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, the month of May marks Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and I am pleased to recognize the more than 172,000 Asian Pacific Americans living in Minnesota. My state is home to a vibrant and diverse community, which includes prominent elected officials as well as business and civic leaders. The fourth congressional district is home to nearly 47,000 Asian Pacific Americans and one of the largest Hmong populations in the United States. The many thriving businesses on University Avenue in St. Paul are a great example of the positive changes and contributions of Asian Pacific Americans. Today, the avenue is a vibrant commercial corridor largely due to the investment of Hmong, Lao, Cambodian and Vietnamese Americans who came as refugees and now own businesses. Although the Asian Pacific American community has made great strides, obstacles to success remain. I am committed to removing barriers by improving access to education, creating jobs and eliminating health disparities. By working together to increase opportunities for all, we work toward this year's theme, ``Liberty and Freedom for All.'' As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we salute the pioneers who paved the way and renew our commitment to those who follow in their footsteps. I am very proud of the vibrant Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in my district, throughout the state of Minnesota and across the country.

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota

Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend Barbara West, the superintendent of Voyageurs National Park, as she prepares to leave Minnesota for America's southwest. I thank her for her hard work and know that she will be missed, not only as one who has dedicated her life to preserving our nation's natural treasures, but as a friend. Voyageurs National Park is one of the crown jewels in our national park system. It contains four large lakes covering forty percent of the park with a series of beautiful islands for one to explore. Voyageurs was named for the French-Canadian canoemen who traveled these waters in their birch-bark canoes. The park's waterways were an important stretch of the ``voyageurs' highway'' from the Great Lakes into the interior of the western United States and Canada. With grace and confidence, Superintendent West has done an outstanding job of overseeing and protecting this area so future generations can enjoy its history and beauty. Minnesotans and visitors to our state have benefited from her stewardship of the park and her dedication to community and our natural resources. Superintendent West, thank you for your years of service. I, along with many who treasure and love our national parks, wish you the very best in your new assignment at the Chaco Culture National Historic Park in New Mexico.