Jeff Miller

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Crestview High School Marching Band in Crestview, Florida for their remarkable performance in the 79th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Big Red Machine, directed by David Cadle, was chosen as one of six high school bands to perform in the renowned parade. As everyone knows, Macy's saves the best for last with Santa Claus arriving in Herald Square. This holds true for marching bands as Crestview was honored to celebrate Santa's yearly anticipated arrival in to Herald Square, while millions of Americans were at home watching with excitement. The band's dedication and hard work was apparent throughout the show. Awakening the holiday spirit in each and every one of us, they welcomed in the holiday season with warmth and joy as they performed a colorful rendition of ``We Wish You a Merry Christmas.'' Watching their smiling faces as they marched into the Square reminded me of how proud I am to represent the people of Northwest Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize and congratulate the Crestview High School Marching Band for their outstanding performance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1234, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2005. This bill would provide a 4.1 percent cost-of-living adjustment to disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and other VA beneficiaries in receipt of monetary VA benefits. This is the same COLA increase provided to Social Security recipients and will apply to benefits beginning on December 1 of this year. Congress has provided these increases every fiscal year since 1976. More than 2.6 million veterans are receiving service-connected disability compensation. These benefits are paid monthly, and range from $108 for a 10-percent disability to $2,299 for a 100-percent disability. Additional monetary benefits are available for our most severely disabled veterans, as well as those with dependents. Spouses of veterans who died on active duty or as the result of a service-connected disability likewise are entitled to monetary compensation. Additional amounts are paid to survivors who are housebound or in need of aid and attendance, or have minor children. Currently more than 336,000 surviving spouses and children are receiving survivors' benefits. I want to thank the subcommittee's ranking member, Ms. Berkley, as well as all the members of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, for their work this year. I also commend Chairman Buyer and Ranking Member Evans for their leadership in bringing the bill to the floor today, as well as committee staff on both sides of the aisle for their hard work. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 1234.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I rise today to note the passing of a man whose legacy will forever be remembered. In 1970, Reverend Hollice T. Williams became the first black city councilman in Pensacola, a city in my district in Northwest Florida. For more than twelve years, Rev. Williams served on the city council, re-elected six times to the council. However, his service to Northwest Florida extended far beyond elected office. For nearly 50 years, Rev. Williams worked at the local YMCA, eventually becoming executive director in 1969. Through his different positions at the YMCA, he became known as a man with a genuine sense of caring who fostered that sense into those with whom he came into contact. The Reverend Hollice Williams was also known in areas of the community as he continuously addressed civic issues for the black community as well as the faith-based community. His love for God was readily apparent in his conduct for individuals and groups. He put in long hours for youth groups throughout the area, sang in the choir at Emanuel Baptist Church, and was the pastor at Mount Lily Baptist Church for nearly ten years at the end of his working career. While suffering a stroke two years ago may have slowed the Reverend's activities, the lessons he had instilled and the inspiration he had brought to those around him continued to thrive. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the family of Reverend Williams. They, along with their community, have suffered a great loss. Reverend Hollice T. Williams served as a model for so many, and I am confident that many will remember him fondly and model their actions in life on what he showed them through his life.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Marine Corporal Jonathan ``J.R.'' Spears, was lost to us in Iraq on October 23. He was a proud Marine and an exceptionally fine man who joined the greatest military service in the world. I had the solemn honor of attending Corporal Spears funeral today and meeting his incredible family and friends. I now know how blessed they are to have known such a fine man. His parents, Timothy and Marie and his sisters Jennifer and Jessica display courage, dignity and strength that is moving and inspirational. I wish I could have known him as they did as he seemed like a truly amazing person. J.R. used to work in a sandwich shop and he selflessly gave a portion of each pay check he received to buy food for the homeless. While playing football in high school he got up to 265 pounds. In order to fulfill one of his life dreams, joining the Marines, he had to lose nearly eighty pounds, which he did. He was a young man who, by the time of his death at 21, had already planned out his life. He wanted to go to college after leaving the Marines Corps and then go on to be an FBI or Secret Service Agent. I know very few young people who have their life plan set by the time they reach 30, let alone 21. J.R. was a driven man who knew what he wanted and made it happen. A stanza in the Marine Hymn written over a century ago says: ``If the Army and the Navy ever gaze on Heaven's scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines.'' I know that J.R. is up in heaven guarding the streets for all of us. I am certain he has been welcomed with God's saving grace. His sacrifice is a solemn reminder to us of the risks that all of our men and women in uniform make every day to keep us safe. I know that our Marine Corps will hold him in their hearts forever, as will we all. May God bless Corporal Spears, his family and all of our men and women in uniform.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer a personal explanation of the reason I missed rollcall votes Nos. 559, 560, and 561 on November 2, 2005. It was suspension votes on H.R. 1606, the Online Freedom of Speech Act, H.R. 4061, the V.A. Information Technology Management Improvement Act, and H.R. 1691, the John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic Designation.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, President Reagan once said, ``We don't have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven't taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much.'' I wish others would heed his words and begin exercising more fiscal constraint. We should start with our own paychecks and truly lead the American people by actions and not words. I have introduced a bill--Rescind the Congressional Pay Raise Act, which rescinds Members' salaries back to last year's pay level. We cannot, in good conscience, entitle ourselves to more money while others continue to willingly make sacrifices for the sake of our Nation's future. Mr. Speaker, now is the critical time for Congress to step up to the plate and do what is necessary to control this spending gone awry. Let us start with ourselves.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to rise today to recognize Cherry Fitch, Florida's High School Principal of the Year. For over 30 years Mrs. Fitch has served Gulf Breeze High School, improving students' lives working as both a teacher and an administrator. She began her career at Gulf Breeze High School in 1970 as an English teacher and 27 years of dedication later she became the principal. She is an excellent principal, concerned not only with the academic wellbeing of her students but their social success as well. Although Mrs. Fitch left the classroom, she remained deeply involved in her students' lives. There is no doubt that Cherry Fitch has positively influenced thousands of students during her time at Gulf Breeze High School. Her love of community and school has been apparent throughout her career. It is fitting that in her last year at Gulf Breeze High School that Mrs. Fitch is recognized with this great honor for all her dedication. Under her leadership, Gulf Breeze High School has been the recipient of numerous accolades including being named an A+ school for the past 4 years. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to an educator who could serve as a role model to us all. Over three decades of service to education is something to truly be admired, and I am thankful for her commitment to Gulf Breeze High School.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer a personal explanation of the reason I missed roll call Vote No. 508 on September 29, 2005. It was a suspension vote on H. Con. Res. 178, of which I am a cosponsor. Due to circumstances, I could not make it to the floor for this vote. I respectfully request that it be entered into the Congressional Record that if present, I would have voted rollcall vote No. 508, recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, treatment, and an eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, supporting the goals and ideals of National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week, ``aye.''

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of Wallace Baptist Church in my district. Through several locations and many pastors, the church has continuously provided a place of worship for the people of northwest Florida. Originally founded as the New Smyrna Baptist Church, a small congregation first met in Bagdad, Florida, in 1905. For nearly 40 years, the church met in that location, constantly adding new members to their congregation and establishing a reputation as a house where all were welcome. The original 40 years added many people to the original congregation, and recognizing the need for more land, a group of 32 people in 1942 began meeting a short distance away in the Wallace Schoolhouse. The land had been donated to them by a local family interested in seeing the local community prosper. Less than a year later, the church had its own building constructed and continued to use the pulpit from their first building. The pulpit still exists to this day, though it is no longer used. In addition, wood from the original building was used for construction of the new podium, instilling a physical sense of tradition that the church carries with it as it continues into the future. Approximately 20 years later, now under the name of Wallace Baptist Church, a larger auditorium was constructed to accommodate the increasing size of the church's membership. The previous building, adjacent to the auditorium, remained in use as a meeting place for Sunday School. A few years later, recognizing their long-term stability and consistent growth both in congregation size as well as services offered, the church voted to incorporate as Wallace Baptist Church. The church continued to add facilities over the next several decades as it continued to flourish, so I much so that in 2003 the more than 300 members of the church saw the pressing need for a larger main sanctuary and voted to have one built. The groundbreaking on the new site occurred earlier this year. Under the present leadership of Rev. Lee Botts and having already shown consistent growth, I am confident that the church and its mission will continue to be recognized by many as a great place to worship, continuing to serve the community well into the future. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the U.S. Congress, I am proud of the success of Wallace Baptist Church over the last 100 years and look forward to its next century of service.

Mr. GEORGE MILLER of Florida

Mr. GEORGE MILLER of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), the cosponsor of this legislation, and all the rest of the cosponsors for their support of this amendment. I want to thank all of my colleagues who joined in this debate today, and I think that it is important that we adopt this substitute. Earlier the gentleman from California (Mr. Cardoza) got up on the floor, and he was upset that somebody had said that the underlying bill would eviscerate the Endangered Species Act. Yesterday, that statement would have been true. He had a right to be upset. But today when the manager's amendment was offered and was accepted, the Endangered Species Act was eviscerated and let me tell you why: Because the bill, prior to that amendment, contained this language: The term to jeopardize the continued existence means, with respect to any agency action, that action reasonably that would be expected to significantly impede directly or indirectly the conservation long-term of the species in the wild. That language was struck in the manager's amendment when you struck on page 4, strike lines 3 through 11 and redesignate. The point is this, there is now no statutory protection in law if this bill is passed for the protection of this species because there is no standard of jeopardy. That was not true last night, it was not true this morning, but it is true this afternoon. You can shake your head until the cows come home. The fact of the matter is, that is what took place in this amendment. So the evisceration is now complete because there is no standard in the bill for jeopardy. Ladies and gentlemen, it is important that we accept this amendment, this bipartisan substitute, because this is our last best chance to hold on to what this Nation holds dear, and that is the protection and the diversity of the species that inhabit this Nation, and the effort that we have made as a Nation to make sure that our actions and governmental actions, and the actions of others, do not destroy and bring to extinction these species. Those protections that we have provided since the inception of this act when the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) and others were here to support it, those protections have served this Nation well. We have a chance today to have a commonsense reform of that effort. Yes, this act should be changed; it is 30 years old, and we are about to do that with this substitute, because we provide the balance for the protection of these species and the protection of the landowners. What we do not do is what they do in the underlying bill; that, if a landowner has a proposal and a notion of how he might want to use his or her land, the Secretary then has to make a determination of whether or not a take might be possible. No take is required. The Secretary makes no scientific study, makes no scientific investigation, just makes a determination. Does the landowner sue on that? Does the government sue to protect themselves? Then, if the Secretary says so, the landowner is compensated no longer by fair appraisals, because appraisals only bind the Secretary, they do not bind the landowner. Pretty soon, the U.S. Attorney is going to have to go in to protect the treasury of the United States because, as the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk) pointed out, this is a new entitlement with direct spending. That is why the Bush administration says that it will generate new litigation, further divert agency resources, and have significant budgetary impact, because that is what they have done. That is why the substitute provides you the means by which to reform, streamline, and make more efficient the Endangered Species Act at the same time, while protecting not only the landowners, but also protecting the taxpayers of this Nation from a raid on their Treasury when, in fact, no take has taken place. We all share the gentleman from California's concerns and beliefs that, when your land is taken, you should be reimbursed; when your land is not taken, you should not be reimbursed. I ask support of the Boehlert/Miller substitute.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, like my colleague, I would like to say thank you to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer), the chairman of the committee, and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), the ranking member, for their cooperation in this legislation. I also commend the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley), the ranking member on our subcommittee, as well as the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bradley), for working with me and drafting this compromise agreement. I particularly want to thank those on the Senate side, Senator Craig and Senator Akaka, for ensuring that this important legislation was considered in the Senate and returned to the House to allow for final passage. Congress has to act promptly to ensure permanent SGLI authorization is enacted before September 30, or else insurance coverage levels will revert to $250,000 on the 1st of October of this year. I do not think any Member of this body wants to see this happen. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3200, as amended. For the benefit of my colleagues, the following is a joint explanatory statement describing the compromise agreement which we have reached with the other body. Joint Explanatory Statement on Senate Amendments to H.R. 3200 H.R. 3200, as amended, the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Enhancement Act of 2005, reflects a Compromise Agreement reached by the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs (the Committees) on the following bills considered in the House and Senate during the 109th Congress: H.R. 2046, as amended; H.R. 3200 (House Bills); and S. 1235, as amended (Senate Bill). H.R. 2046, as amended, passed the House on May 23, 2005; H.R. 3200 passed the House on July 26, 2005; and S. 1235, as amended, reported to the Senate on September 21, 2005. The Committees have prepared the following explanation of H.R. 3200, as amended (Compromise Agreement). Differences between the provisions contained in the Compromise Agreement and the related provisions of H.R. 2046, as amended; H.R. 3200; and S. 1235, as amended, are noted in this document, except for clerical corrections, conforming changes made necessary by the Compromise Agreement, and minor drafting, technical, and clarifying changes.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. MILLER of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3200) to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program, and for other purposes.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on July 14 of this year, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs reported H.R. 3200, the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Enhancement Act of 2005. On July 26 of this year, the House passed the bill by a vote of 424-0. Among other things, this bill would provide a permanent authorization for increases in maximum life insurance covered under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Program and the Veterans Group Life Insurance Program from $250,000 to $400,000. Public Law 109-13, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act For Defense, the Global War on Terror, and the Tsunami Relief, 2005, increased the maximum coverage to $400,000 under these programs; however, the authorization expires in just 2 days, that is, September 30. It is my understanding that during negotiations on the supplemental that the Senate included the termination date which was approved in the conference report to afford the legislative committees of jurisdiction the opportunity to hold hearings and further consider the specifics of the emergency authorization before it was made permanent. The increased level of coverage was requested by the President because of concerns that death benefits for survivors of servicemembers were inadequate as our Nation fights the global war on terrorism. Further, Public Law 109-13 mandated spousal consent even in cases where the couple is estranged, as long as they are still legally married. The committee does not believe providing the spouse such a ``veto'' authority over life insurance elections is good public policy. The spousal consent requirement could also result, for example, in a servicemember's spouse excluding stepchildren as beneficiaries. The government should not interfere legally in a servicemember's highly personal choices about such family matters as this. H.R. 3200, as amended, which the Senate passed yesterday, would instead require the military service secretary concerned to provide written notification to the spouse. In an effort to expedite the passage of this bill as amended, we concur with the Senate's decision to drop the provisions stating that in cases of an unmarried servicemember, or a servicemember who marries while on active duty, notification be made to the next of kin or new spouse as to their insurance election. The Committee believes notification is the preferable way of ensuring that the spouse is informed about this important financial decision while preserving the individual right of the servicemember to make decisions about life insurance coverage themselves. Finally, Public Law 109-13 also provided for a new Traumatic Injury Protection program which goes into effect on the 1st of December this year. The committee has agreed to review this proposal in the coming year after having an opportunity to monitor the existing program. As amended, H.R. 3200 does not include this provision. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 3200.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I missed rollcall vote No. 472 on September 15, 2005. This was a suspension vote on agreeing to the resolution H.J. Res. 439--a resolution to establish the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina. If present, I would have voted rollcall vote No. 472, Establish the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina--``aye''.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon, the House passed an amended version of H.R. 3132, The Children's Safety Act of 2005. The bill as sent to the floor by the Judiciary Committee represented a tough crackdown on pedophilia and other sex offenses. The bill modifies the national sex offender registration program, expands the use of DNA to identify and prosecute sex offenders, increases penalties for sexual offenses against America's children, and makes other much-needed modifications and expansions of federal law relating to child safety. Before the bill passed, however, an amendment by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) was added, drastically altering this bill. I voted against the Conyers amendment, and its passage forced me to vote against final passage of the bill. The Conyers amendment creates a Federal offense for hate crimes. I believe that the proponents of hate crimes legislation have good and honorable intentions. They would like to see less bigotry and more good will in American society. While I share that goal, I believe Congress should decline the invitation to enact hate crimes legislation for both constitutional and practical reasons. The U.S. Constitution created a federal government of limited powers. Most of the federal government's ``delegated powers'' are set forth in Article I, Section 8. The Tenth Amendment was added to make it clear that the powers not delegated to the federal government ``are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.'' Crime is serious problem, but under the U.S. Constitution it is a matter to be handled by state and local government. In recent years, Congress has federalized the crimes of gun possession within a school zone, carjacking, and wife beating. All of that and more has been rationalized under the Commerce Clause. The Commerce Clause is not a blank check for Congress to enact whatever legislation it deems to be ``good and proper for America.'' The Conyers Amendment is simply beyond the powers that are delegated to Congress. Today, the House exacerbated the errors of past Congresses by federalizing more criminal offenses Not to mention the fact that the Conyers language isn't going to prevent anything. Any thug that is already inclined to hurt another human being is not going to lay down the gun or knife because of some new law passed by Congress; they've already made a conscious decision to disregard basic homicide statutes. The notion that any federal hate crime law will prevent brutal killings is preposterous. For the proponents of hate crime laws, the dilemma is this: if some groups (women, gays, vegans, runners, whatever) are left out of the ``hate crime'' definition, they will resent the selective depreciation of their victimization. On the other hand, if all victim groups are included, the hate crime category will be no different than ``ordinary'' criminal law. Federalizing hate crime law will not increase tolerance in our society or reduce intergroup conflict. I believe hate crime laws may well have the opposite effect. The men and women who will be administering the hate crime laws (e.g. police, prosecutors) will likely encounter a never-ending series of complaints with respect to their official decisions. When a U.S. Attorney declines to prosecute a certain offense as a hate crime, some will complain that he is favoring the groups to which the accused belongs (e.g. Hispanic males). And when a U.S. Attorney does prosecute an offense as a hate crime, some will complain that the decision was based upon politics and that the government is favoring the groups to which the victim belongs (e.g. Asian Americans). Perhaps the most dangerous element of federalized hate crime law is its approach to the notion of thought crimes. But once hate crime laws are on the books, the law enforcement apparatus will be delving into the accused's life and thoughts in order to show that he or she was motivated by bigotry. What kind of books and magazines were found in the home? What internet sites were bookmarked in the computer? Friends and co-workers will be interviewed to discern the accused's politics and worldview. The point here is that such chilling examples of state intrusion are avoidable because, as noted above, hate crime laws are unnecessary in the first place. But above all else, I cannot comprehend why anyone would believe that the Conyers hate crimes language makes our children any safer from sexual predators. Would it have prevented John Couey from assaulting and heinously murdering Jessica Lunsford? I don't believe it would have. Our children deserve strong anti-pedophilia laws that meet basic constitutional thresholds and it's our responsibility to deliver that to them. Therefore I implore my Senate colleagues to step up and give the presence of the Conyers language in H.R. 3132 the scrutiny that it warrants. Should they pass a clean Children's Safety Act, I look forward to removing the Conyers language in conference and supporting the clean Conference Report.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize and pay tribute to General William L. ``Spider'' Nyland, United States Marine Corps, on the occasion of his retirement from active duty. General Nyland has served our great Nation for more than 37 years. The departure of General Nyland marks not only the end of an illustrious career replete with many honors, it also marks the beginning of several initiatives which, by virtue of his strategic vision, dynamic leadership and accomplished diplomatic skills, will ensure that U.S. national strategy is prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century. General Nyland was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps under the NROTC program upon graduation from the University of New Mexico in 1968. In addition to attaining a M.S. degree from the University of Southern California, his formal military education includes The Basic School (1968), Naval Aviation Flight Training (NFO) (1969), Amphibious Warfare School (1975), Navy Fighter Weapons School (TopGun) (1977), College of Naval Command and Staff, Naval War College (1981), and Air War College (1988). After being assigned to VMFA-531, General Nyland was ordered to Vietnam where he flew 122 combat missions with VMFA-314 and VMFA-115. General Nyland's other tours included Instructor RIO, VMFAT-101; Squadron Assistant Operations Officer and Operations Officer, VMFA-115; and Brigade FORSTAT and Electronic Warfare Officer, 1st Marine Brigade. He also served as Operations Officer and Director of Safety and Standardization, VMFA-212; Aviation Safety Officer and Congressional Liaison/Budget Officer, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, DC; and Operations Officer, Marine Aircraft Group-24, 1st Marine Amphibious Brigade. He commanded VMFA-232, the Marine Corps' oldest and most decorated fighter squadron, from July 1985 to July 1987. General Nyland subsequently served as section chief for the Central Command section, European Command/Central Command Branch, Joint Operations Division, Directorate of Operations (J-3), Joint Staff, Washington, DC. In July 1990, he assumed command of Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG), Pensacola. Following his command of MATSG he assumed duties as Chief of Staff, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing on July 5, 1992, and assumed additional duties as Assistant Wing Commander on November 10, 1992. He was promoted to Brigadier General on September 1, 1994 and was assigned as Assistant Wing Commander, 2nd MAW serving in that billet until December 1, 1995. He served next on the Joint Staff, J-8, as the Deputy Director for Force Structure and Resources, completing that tour on June 30, 1997. General Nyland was advanced to Major General on July 2, 1997, and assumed duties as the Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He served next as the Commanding General, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina from July 1998 to June 2000. He was advanced to Lieutenant General on 30 June 2000 and assumed duties as the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. He next served as the Deputy Commandant for Aviation on 3 August 2001. He was advanced to the grade of General on September 4,2002 and assumed his current duties shortly thereafter. General Nyland's personal decorations include: Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with eight Strike/Flight awards, and Joint Service Commendation Medal. Throughout his career as a United States Marine, General Nyland has demonstrated uncompromising character, discerning wisdom, and a sincere, selfless sense of duty to his Marines and members of other services assigned to his numerous joint commands. His powerful leadership inspired the Marines to tremendous success no matter the task, and achieved results which will assure the United States' security in this hemisphere and overseas. General Nyland concludes his illustrious career as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. In this capacity, he has been the principal advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps on all decisions of major consequence. His extensive and diverse background in operational and joint planning, professional military education and training, and budgetary and programmatic policy issues have been given wide credibility by decision makers in the Department of the Navy, the Joint Staff, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the United States Congress. General Nyland has made a lasting contribution to the capabilities of today's Marine Corps and the future shape of tomorrow's Corps. We are grateful for General Nyland's dedication, sense of duty, advice and counsel. The Marine Corps will miss him, but General Nyland leaves a tremendous legacy for others to follow and emulate. I wish General Nyland and his lovely wife, Brenda, daughters, Brandy and Leslie, and son, Matthew, congratulations and all best wishes as they enter this new chapter of their lives.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the distinguished Chairman of this Subcommittee as well as Chairman Lewis of the full Committee for their hard work and dedication to our Nation's service members and veterans. Working with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the conference report accompanying H.R. 2361, the fiscal year 2006 appropriations act for the Department of Interior, addresses the urgent need in VA with an additional $1.5 billion allocated to the Veterans Health Administration. These funds are especially critical for VA to treat new veterans, those returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans. Year after year, the annual budget for the Veterans Health Administration is the subject of great debate. On February 16, 2005, VA Secretary Nicholson and other VA officials stood before the VA Committee and justified the Administration's budget request. Subsequently, we learned that all the hard work and tough choices Congress has made to increase VA health care funding--by no less than 42 percent in just the last four years--has now been overshadowed by a ``discovery'' of inadequate funding. Since then, the VA Committee has held three separate hearings over the past month and a half to understand and examine VA's methodologies for forecasting health care costs and utilization projections, to identify the breakdown in the budget process, and to bring to light the serious flaws in VA's usage assumptions. Equally important, the conference report demands new levels of accountability inside VA. In fact, the VA Committee is seeking to institutionalize accountability in the budget process at VA to ensure that similar circumstances can be averted in the future. There is but one constant we can all agree upon: the VA must ensure a continuity of care for our severely disabled veterans. While $1.5 billion seems to be the right figure at this point in time, there are only two months left in the fiscal year. This means that the Department of Veterans Affairs has the ability to roll over into fiscal year 2006 whatever sums remain unspent in fiscal year 2005; I expect department officials to spend wisely. With this particular provision, we are not only seeking to meet the urgent needs for the remainder of this year, but are providing a significant down payment on the shortfall we anticipate in fiscal year 2006. Mr. Speaker, again, I applaud the work of Chairman Lewis and Chairman Taylor of the Appropriations Committee, as well as the leadership of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize and pay tribute to General William L. ``Spider'' Nyland, United States Marine Corps, on the occasion of his retirement from active duty. General Nyland has served our great Nation for more than 37 years. The departure of General Nyland marks not only the end of an illustrious career replete with many honors, it also marks the beginning of several initiatives which, by virtue of his strategic vision, dynamic leadership and accomplished diplomatic skills, will ensure that U.S. national strategy is prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century. General Nyland was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps under the NROTC program upon graduation from the University of New Mexico in 1968. In addition to attaining a M.S. degree from the University of Southern California, his formal military education includes The Basic School (1968), Naval Aviation Flight Training (NFO) (1969), Amphibious Warfare School (1975), Navy Fighter Weapons School (TopGun) (1977), College of Naval Command and Staff, Naval War College (1981), and Air War-College (1988). After being assigned to VMFA-531, General Nyland was ordered to Vietnam where he flew 122 combat missions with VMFA-314 and VMFA-115. General Nyland's other tours included Instructor RIO, VMFAT-101; Squadron Assistant Operations Officer and Operations Officer, VMFA-115; and Brigade FORSTAT and Electronic Warfare Officer, 1st Marine Brigade. He also served as Operations Officer and Director of Safety and Standardization, VMF A-212; Aviation Safety Officer and Congressional LiaisonlBudget Officer, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.; and Operations Officer, Marine Aircraft Group-24, 1st Marine Amphibious Brigade. He commanded VMFA-232, the Marine Corps' oldest and most decorated fighter squadron, from July 1985 to July 1987. General Nyland subsequently served as section chief for the Central Command section, European Command/Central Command Branch, Joint Operations Division, Directorate of Operations (J-3), Joint Staff, Washington, D.C. In July 1990, he assumed command of Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG), Pensacola. Following his command of MATSG he assumed duties as Chief of Staff, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing on July 5, 1992, and assumed additional duties as Assistant Wing Commander on November 10, 1992. He was promoted to Brigadier General on September 1, 1994 and was assigned as Assistant Wing Commander, 2nd MAW serving in that billet until December 1, 1995. He served next on the Joint Staff, J-8, as the Deputy Director for Force Structure and Resources, completing that tour on June 30, 1997. General Nyland was advanced to I Major General on July 2, 1997, and assumed duties as the Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He served next as the Commanding General, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina from July 1998 to June 2000. He was advanced to Lieutenant General on 30 June 2000 and assumed duties as the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. He next served as the Deputy Commandant for Aviation on 3 August 2001. He. was advanced to the grade of General on September 4, 2002 and assumed his current duties shortly thereafter. General Nyland's personal decorations include: Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with eight Strike/Flight awards, and Joint Service Commendation Medal. Throughout his career as a United States Marine, General Nyland has demonstrated uncompromising character, discerning wisdom, and a sincere, selfless sense of duty to his Marines and members of other services assigned to his numerous joint commands. His powerful leadership inspired the Marines to tremendous success no matter the task, and achieved results which will assure the United States' security in this hemisphere and overseas. General Nyland concludes his illustrious career as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. In this capacity, he has been the principal advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps on all decisions of major consequence. His extensive and diverse background in operational and joint planning, professional military education and training, and budgetary and programmatic policy issues have been given wide credibility by decision makers in the Department of the Navy, the Joint Staff, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the United States Congress. General Nyland has made a lasting contribution to the capabilities of today's Marine Corps and the future shape of tomorrow's Corps. We are grateful for General Nyland's dedication, sense of duty, advice and counsel. The Marine Corps will miss him, but General Nyland leaves a tremendous legacy for others to follow and emulate. I wish General Nyland and his lovely wife, Brenda, daughters, Brandy and Leslie, and son, Matthew, congratulations and all best wishes as they enter this new chapter of their lives.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to rise today to extend my congratulations to Pastor Bernard Yates for having served as the pastor to the Zion Hope Baptist Church in my district for 20 years. Since 1985, Pastor Yates has led the growth of the Zion Hope congregation from approximately 300 to over 2,000 members, with three Sunday services and a major midweek service as well. Pastor Yates initiated the Zion Hope Centre for Training and Biblical Study, founded the Hope Christian Academy, and launched the Young-at-Heart ministry. These three ministries are just a few examples of the many ministries that he has helped start within the church. Pastor Yates is joined in much of his work by Vonda Yates, his wife of 23 years. Together, they have worked diligently through Bible studies and writing to help families live Godly lives. Vonda is known for her work with women's conferences as well, while Bernard is called upon to speak at men's conferences and retreats across the Nation. The selfless contributions of this man are not limited to just one church; Pastor Yates has also been a civic leader, dedicating time to the Boys and Girls Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletics, a special community advisory board for the county commissioners, advisory for the Escambia County Sheriffs Office, and the Escambia County School District. His wisdom is regarded just as highly at a meeting table as it is at the pulpit. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to a man who could serve as a role model to us all. A deep sense of personal service to a congregation for 20 years is something to truly be admired, and I am thankful for his dedication to the Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Public Law 109-13, the Emergency Supplemental, included provisions which made changes to VA's insurance program for active duty servicemembers. However, these changes expire on September 30, 2005. H.R 3200 would: Repeal section 1012 of the Supplemental, the section dealing with the insurance changes, and replace it with the text of H.R. 3200. This will reduce the administrative burden on the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense who are currently promulgating regulations that are to be in effect for one month before the law expires; Make permanent the increase from $250,000 to $400,000 in maximum Servicemembers' Group and Veterans' Group Life Insurance coverage; Make permanent the increments of SGLI coverage from $10,000 to $50,000; and Require the military service Secretary concerned to notify a servicemember's spouse or unmarried servicemember's next-of-kin, in writing, if the servicemember declines SGLI or chooses an amount less than the maximum, and also require the military service Secretary concerned to notify a spouse if someone other than the spouse or child is designated as the policyholders' beneficiary. This language was included in H.R. 2046, which passed the House on May 23: Clarify that spousal notification requirement does not apply to Veterans' Group Life Insurance; and Permit a servicemember to decline Traumatic Injury Protection coverage established by section 1032 of Public Law 109-13. There were no public hearings regarding the servicemembers' and veterans' insurance changes prior to House and Senate passage of the defense emergency supplemental. However, on March 6, 2005, the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a roundtable briefing on these provisions with officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and private sector insurance representatives. Last month, the Subcommittee held a hearing on these proposals and this bill is a response to issues and concerns I and others had with the insurance provisions contained in the Supplemental. In addition to the provisions noted above, the Supplemental also provided for a new Traumatic Injury Protection program. As Chairman Buyer indicated in his opening statement, this program-- which goes into effect on December 1 of this year but is retroactive to October 7, 2001--will provide financial assistance from $25,000 to $100,000 to servicemembers who suffer certain traumatic injuries. Under current law, participation in the new program is mandatory and those covered must pay premiums. Although the Department of Veterans Affairs estimate the premium to be as Iowa $1 a month, I do not believe Congress should be making financial decisions for the men and women who serve in our armed forces, Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service--all of whom are covered under this new program. Therefore, section 6 of H.R. 3200 would allow a servicemember to decline traumatic injury coverage. I view our role as ensuring that our servicemembers have a variety of options to assist them in planning for the future. If at a later date someone wants to participate, they would be able to elect coverage upon written application, and coverage would apply with respect to injuries occurring after the subsequent election. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Ms. Berkley, the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, for her active participation in crafting this bill, as well as the subcommittee vice chairman, Jeb Bradley, and a former member of the Committee, Rick Renzi. This has indeed been a team effort. I also want to thank the subcommittee staffs on both sides of the aisle, and the Office of Legislative Counsel for their technical assistance. Finally, I commend Chairman Buyer and Ranking Member Evans for their continuing leadership. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Enhancement Act.

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 403, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.'' Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Issa

Mr. MILLER of Florida

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to rise today to extend congratulations to the Jimmy W. Nelson family for being selected the 2005 Santa Rosa County Outstanding Farm Family. The Nelson family has been involved in farming in Northwest Florida through four generations. Both Jimmy and his wife Wynell are fourth generation farmers born in Santa Rosa County in my district. Their extensive history with working the land has helped them instill in their children the same love and appreciation of farming. Their son and two daughters helped with the family's farmwork up until the time they went off to college, and they still frequently visit to make sure the family business is still going strong. Active in farming through all of his school years, Jimmy was also a member of the FFA in high school. In 1967, Jimmy began working as a pilot with Jay Flying Service, which he and his wife Wynell now own. The company has been the longest running crop spraying business in the Jay area, and Jimmy has helped with spraying crops since his first day with the business in addition to farming the 80 acres that he and his wife live on. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like to offer my sincere commendation to a family that could serve as a role model to us all. A deep sense of work ethic and values has been instilled through all the generations of the Jimmy W. Nelson family. It is my hope that this family tradition continues for many generations to come.