Kendrick Meek

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as the 109th Congress comes to an end, I rise to honor the Congressional service of four outstanding members of our Florida Congressional Delegation; Jim Davis, Clay Shaw, Michael Bilirakis and Katherine Harris. Together, these outstanding Members have decades of experience in public service and have worked on a broad range of issues of lasting importance to the great State of Florida. I believe that public service is a truly a noble calling. Any person who assumes the challenges and responsibilities associated with this profession, and who makes the sacrifices necessary to achieve the success of these Members of Congress, merits the respect of our nation, and our thanks. Legislating in the Congress requires men and women who are masters of the traditional skills of American government--compromise, negotiation and bargaining. While we may disagree at times on policy and share different political philosophies, our objective should always be to serve the best interests of our constituents, our state and our nation. It is part of the genius of American government that the institution of Congress continues on and is not dependent on any particular individuals. Still, there is no doubt that the quality of people elected to Congress has a lot to do with the kinds and quality of legislation that becomes law. Each of these Members has, in his or her own way, left their mark on our laws and our nation. I am therefore proud to join with my colleagues in the Florida Delegation and, indeed, the entire Congress, in thanking you all for your service and wishing you much happiness and success in all your future endeavors.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with great sadness to memorialize the late M. Athalie Range, who, at age 91, died on Tuesday, November 14, 2006. I join our community, now saddened by the passing of this great civil rights icon, who represented all that is decent and honorable about our common humanity. A genuine legend, this eloquent and courageous lady held our disenfranchised community together when access to equal justice was denied to us. She led the struggle of reason and conscience in righting this wrong. She was barely 5 feet tall, but she stood indomitable against the forces of segregation and racism. She was a pioneer in forcing equal opportunity and justice for all. M. Athalie Range was a beacon who showed the way for us in fighting for the rights of others. The magnitude of her courage and the strength of her heart defined her will to end inequality and discrimination everywhere she found their evil vestiges. A native Floridian, Ms. Range was born in Key West, was educated in Miami, and graduated from the Booker T. Washington High School. Her achievements were numerous, but a prominent accomplishment was her election as the first African-American to the Miami City Commission. She was the first Black woman ever to head a State agency, appointed by then-Florida Governor Reuben Askew as Secretary of Community Affairs, and she was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the National Board of AMTRAK. Her humanitarianism was duly recognized when she was given the Silver Medallion Award by the Florida chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, followed by the Spirit of Excellence Award by The Miami Herald. ``She knew more about politics than anyone I knew,'' said former U.S. Rep. Carrie P. Meek. ``She taught me humility, first and foremost. She taught me to go out and talk with the little people in the community, who no one else thought about.'' Mr. Speaker, I find it difficult to write these statements on behalf of this ``Grande Dame of Public Service'' without thinking of my many wonderful memories of her. The most appropriate way I can describe her was that her life was as gentle as her words were gracious, purposeful and elegant. Her descriptions of our challenges as a people were insightful--so simple and yet so impeccable that no one doubted that we were in the presence of an awesome leader whose promise of liberation was inspiring. This is the legacy left by M. Athalie Range. With humble faith, we will now consign her back to the God she loved and served. I am glad that leaders like M. Athalie Range never have to say goodbye, because she will truly live on with us.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the 93rd Street Community Missionary Baptist Church on the occasion of its 45th church anniversary celebration, from Monday, October 16 until Sunday, October 22, 2006. Pastor Carl Johnson led his congregation in celebrating the milestone in the history of this beloved church, which has become a citadel of faith in Miami's Miami-Dade County community. Pastor Larry Lovett II of the Antioch Baptist Church of Brownsville and Pastor Jeffrey Mack of the Second Canaan Baptist Church joined Pastor Johnson on the climax services on October 22 with the theme: ``Coming Out of the Comfort Zone.'' Indeed, it is fitting and proper to give praise to Almighty God for blessing this church with its longevity of service to its members and to all those who seek comfort and solace in its sanctuary. In 1961, a group of dedicated Christians committed themselves to laying down the foundation of this church. Reverend Alonzo Anderson sought a place of worship that was located on Northwest 22nd Avenue and 76th Street. In 1968, he sought a larger place of worship, which was subsequently named the 93rd Street Community Missionary Baptist Church--a name that has continued on to this day. In March 1971, the church was duly incorporated. The congregation suffered a great loss with the passing of Reverand Anderson on November 22, 1992. In January 1993, Minister Carl Johnson was appointed pastor of the church. This visionary pastor became God's shepherd par excellence, as he guided and well-served the congregation, which grew from 200 congregants to its current 3,000 members. He has led his church with a good mixture of old-time religion and civic responsibility that continues to strengthen church members and our entire community. In the year 2000, God led Reverend Johnson into the challenge of the Millennium Revival, to help bring churches together. Through his creative efforts and hard work, the faith-action service that now defines the 93rd Street Community Baptist Church has truly persevered in showing its congregation the truth that emanates from the study of Holy Scripture. As a servant of God and as a deeply spiritual leader immersed in scriptural commitment, Pastor Carl Johnson has earned our deepest respect and commendation. This is the legacy with which he now guides the church, and we now congratulate his pastoral ministry and extend our heartfelt congratulation on the 45th church anniversary celebration of the 93rd Street Community Missionary Baptist Church.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Bishop-Elect Randall E. Holts on the occasion of his recent election and appointment as Bishop last Sunday, November 12, 2006. He is currently serving as the senior Pastor of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of Miami. Deeply devoted to his vocation, Bishop Holts has spearheaded many spiritual revival symposia that have enlightened the community through his insightful theological teachings and preaching of God's Word. Guided by the motto, ``Building Strong Families for the 21st Century,'' he has admirably paved the way for a clearer understanding and deeper commitment on the part of his Congregation toward the Sacred Scriptures. In 1997, he formed a leadership team that focused on the emergence of the ``New Hope Development Center, Inc.,'' a 501c3 non-profit corporation, to ensure self-sufficiency of families through economic empowerment to enhance the quality of life of both Church members and other people from surrounding neighborhoods. Indeed, it is fitting and proper to give praise to Almighty God for blessing this Church with the longevity of Bishop-Elect Holt's service to his Congregation, and to all those who seek comfort and solace in its Church Sanctuary. A native of Miami, Florida, Bishop-Elect Holts obtained his early education from the Miami-Dade County Public Schools and went on to get his Bachelor's degree in 1976 from the University of Florida's School of Business majoring in Banking and Finance. He worked in the banking profession for the next 20 years, for which he obtained praise and tribute from his colleagues. As he retired from his professional banking ventures, he committed his full-time service as Pastor of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. He now also serves on the Board of Directors for North Shore Medical Center, as well as on the Collective Banking Group of Miami-Dade & Vicinity, and other community-based organizations. He is married to Prophetess Sharlene Denise Holts and has been blessed in this Holy Matrimony for over 30 years. Three children were born out of this happy union--Shontel, Ericka and Randall II--along with two grandsons, Jaelyn and Justin. He has led his Church with a good mixture of old-time religion and civic responsibility that continues to strengthen the members, not only to become spiritual and moral leaders, but also responsible and conscientious guardians of good government and civic pride. Indeed, his inspiring leadership is genuinely admirable. As a servant of God and as a spiritual leader he has earned the community's deepest respect. This is the legacy with which he now guides his Church, and I extend to him my heartfelt congratulations.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and to mourn the passing of James Lamar Shuler, a civic leader, successful entrepreneur, talented businessman, community role model, devoted husband, beloved family man and loyal friend. Mr. Shuler will be remembered as a selfless individual who spearheaded economic development and neighborhood revitalization programs within the community. What Mr. Shuler practiced, he preached; vision was followed by action. I grieve with Mr. Shuler's wife, Barbara Carey-Shuler, a former Miami-Dade Commissioner and political icon in South Florida. During this difficult time, the Carey and Shuler families do not mourn alone: They are joined in prayer by a saddened and indebted community. James Lamar Shuler was born on August 14, 1953 to Marian Steward Shuler and Cleveland Shuler of Delray Beach, Florida. Mr. Shuler attended S.D. Spady Elementary School and graduated from Atlantic High School in 1971. He then graduated from Miami-Dade Community College in 1976 with a degree in Mortuary Science and became a Licensed Funeral Director in 1977. Mr. Shuler soon purchased the House of Albert Funeral Home on West Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, then renovated and dedicated Shuler's Memorial Chapel Inc. on May 26, 1985. An institution that served the community was borne. Mr. Shuler was a professional who provided funeral services to all, irrespective of their economic status. Mr. Shuler hosted a re-dedication celebration on May 21, 2001 to recognize the renovation and expansion of his funeral home. The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by approximately 800 well wishers, including government officials and celebrities. Mr. Shuler achieved iconic status within the community. Personal successes were coupled with community leadership activities. Mr. Shuler served as chairman of the West Atlantic Redevelopment Coalition which supported business and investment activities along the West Atlantic corridor. Mr. Shuler also served actively as chair of the Community Redevelopment Agency, guiding neighborhood renewal projects throughout Delray Beach. Mr. Shuler was named 1998 Mortician of the Year and served as 1st Vice President of the Florida Mortician Association. He attended Saint Paul AME Church in Delray Beach. He was also a member of the Delray Beach Masonic Lodge #275, the Zeta Iota Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary fraternity, the Vision 2000 Committee for Delray Beach. Mr. Shuler is survived by his wife, Barbara Carey-Shuler; sons, Victor Shuler and Wesley Potts; daughter, Jessica Coogle; stepson, Archie Carey; two brothers, Jerry Shuler and Cleveland Shuler; and a sister, Marion Stewart. When families throughout Delray Beach and South Florida experienced the passing of a loved one, they came to Shuler's Memorial Chapel for funeral arrangements. It was James Lamar Shuler who would comfort the bereaved, in a manner that bespoke his grace, empathy and humanity. We stand united as one community honoring this remarkable man.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jerry A. Howard on his retirement from the United States Capitol Police. Securing the United States Capitol Building and ensuring the safety of all individuals who work and visit here is a great responsibility that Officer Howard faithfully undertook for 33 years of honorable and dedicated service. While Officer Howard's presence on Capitol Hill will be missed, his retirement is a celebratory occasion and I wish him and his family continued success as they embark upon this next chapter in life. Officer Howard began his career with the United States Capitol Police on November 12, 1973 with the House Division Second Relief, working traffic duty until 1994. He was then transferred to inside details until his retirement. Officer Howard received numerous awards and citations during his years of service. Officer Howard is a charter member of the U.S. Capitol Black Police Association, where he served as Chaplain, and for the last six years was Vice President of that association. Prior to working for the United States Capitol Police, Officer Howard served two years in the United States Marine Corps from 1968 to 1970, including 13 months in Viet Nam. He joined the Marine Corp Reserves in 1975 and retired in 1995 as a Gunnery Sergeant in the VFMA-321 Air Wing. Officer Howard and his wife Gloria will celebrate their retirement years in the new family home in Goldsboro, North Carolina. This is a special occasion for Jerry and Gloria's five children; Frank, Trey, Larry, Sherry and Shannon, and their four grandchildren; DaJuan, Jayme, Taveon, and Kameron, two daughters-in-law; Gloria and Quianna and their extended family members; Lorie and Paul Southern. Officer Howard is thankful to his parents, the late Robert and Alean Howard, who encouraged him to succeed in life, and his nine siblings for their continued support and encouragement. Officer Howard protected this Nation during wartime overseas and at home, here at the U.S. Capitol. He is a patriot, guided by loyalty, honor and duty. This Nation is indebted to Officer Howard for a lifetime of service. His retirement is well deserved, and I congratulate him on achieving this milestone.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of our community's indefatigable church leaders, Rev. Dr. G. David Horton, Pastor of Greater New Bethel Baptist Church, as he celebrates his 27th Pastoral Anniversary. Rev. Horton is married to Modena Smith Horton and is the father of five sons: Gregory, Eldrick, Reginald, Michael, and Thomas, and one daughter, Ava Rena. Rev. Horton represents the vocation of a Good Shepherd who attends to his flock in ways we can never understand. As pastor and teacher, he exudes the knowledge and pragmatism of a visionary who goes about teaching the ways of God. He has tirelessly worked to enlighten our community on the agenda of spiritual wisdom and good governance, impacting our duties and responsibilities to the less fortunate. I want to commend his tremendous work in guiding not only the members of Greater New Bethel Baptist Church, but also the members of the larger community. Through the longevity of his pastorate, he has truly persevered in showing us the Way and expounding for us the Truth that emanates from the teachings of the Gospels. Having completed his religious studies at the Easonian Theological Seminary in Birmingham, Alabama, he went on to pursue and obtain his Doctorate of Ministry from the South Florida Center for Theological Studies. In the midst of his studies, he continued to serve as the CEO of Bethel's Family Life Center and Bethel's Child Care Center. He emphasizes the sanctity of the family and the importance of responding to the needs of children. This commitment truly underscores his unshakeable belief that ``. . . the ruin of a nation starts in the homes of its people.'' Rev. Horton continues to be involved in the Baptist Church on both the state and national level. He is currently Moderator of the Seaboard Baptist Association, Inc. and President of the Moderator Auxiliary, Florida General Baptist State Convention, Inc. He has previously served in several other capacities within the Seaboard Baptist Association and the State Congress of Christian Education. Rev. Horton's timely and persevering leadership at Greater New Bethel Baptist Church for 27 years is genuinely admirable. As a man of God and as a deeply spiritual leader immersed in Scriptural commitment, he has earned our deepest respect and commendation. This is the legacy of Rev. Dr. G. David Horton. I am truly privileged in thanking him for his many years of service. My pride in sharing his friendship is only exceeded by my utmost gratitude for everything he has sacrificed on behalf of our community. He continues to teach us to live by the noble ethic of loving God by serving our fellow man.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sorrow that Mr. Ryan of Ohio and I rise to pay tribute to the late Simon Green Woodard, a dedicated public servant devoted to his family, religion, community, and country. Mr. Woodard is the father of Kimberly Annette Woodard of Washington, DC. We mourn alongside Kimberly in this time of family sorrow. Simon Green Woodard was born on March 3, 1943, to the late Charles and late Ida Harrington Woodard in Columbia, South Carolina. He was educated in the public schools of Richland County District One in Columbia, and after graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, he served in the United States Navy for 4 years. Mr. Woodard moved to Washington, DC, in 1963. He received a B.A. in public management from the University of the District of Columbia. He began his 25 years of service in the Federal Government as an entry level contract specialist with the National Aeronautics Space Administration, NASA. Following his time at NASA, Simon worked for the National Science Foundation. At the time he retired from the Federal Government, Simon served as a Procurement Executive at the Corporation for National and Community Service, AmeriCorps. Simon's ``retirement'' lasted less than a week and in April 2003 he joined the Washington Convention Center as manager of the Contracts and Procurement Services Department. Mr. Woodard was a man of faith who dedicated his life to Jehovah's Witnesses. He attended the Ft. Chaplin Park North Congregation for more than 20 years and for the past 3 years, belonged to the Mt. Pleasant Congregation. Mr. Woodard was the loyal and loving husband of Iris Woodard. They wed on September 23, 1972. Together they had one daughter, Kimberly Annette Woodard; and two sons, Lamar Simon Woodard of Champaign, Illinois, and Mark Christopher Woodard of Washington, DC. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Woodard was loved and admired by his family and friends. He will be sorely missed. We offer our sincere condolences to his family and all who were touched by his kindness and service.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I think we have identified the true essence of this bill; and I think also that it is very, very important. I want to take from not only Ms. Jackson-Lee but also Mr. Rogers and Ranking Member Bennie Thompson in saying in this area, when we look at management and oversight of one of the fastest-growing Departments and the largest Department in the history of the world, that we have to put these parameters in place because we have the responsibility of article I, section 1 of the U.S. Constitution to make sure that we have the level of oversight that is needed. I think the record reflects for itself that when oversight is not paramount the taxpayers lose; and I hope, like Mr. Thompson said, that we can expand this kind of theme throughout other programs in the Department of Homeland Security. Now, the people that are happy today are members on this committee and, hopefully, the Members when they vote for this piece of legislation. But the Inspector General is very happy because the Inspector General, especially in the Department of Homeland Security, writes these reports, submits them to Congress, and then there is a foot-dragging process at the Department of Homeland Security. Within this piece of legislation within 30 days they have to respond as it relates to corrective action. And it would hopefully bring about the kind of accountability not only that we look for on the economic side, Mr. Speaker, but also look for as it relates to protecting our borders. Two programs before this program, well over $400 million, $429 million, was spent. We are going back again with a contract with a different company that would take us to $2.5 billion. We had the Secretary before the full committee just yesterday, or the day before last, and this was the line of my questioning. Because we do not want to be after the fact; we want to be before it. So, Mr. Speaker, I encourage the Members to vote an affirmative on this very good piece of legislation; and hopefully, just hopefully, Mr. Speaker, we could head further into other contracting matters not only within the Department of Homeland Security but I would also add the Department of Defense and other departments like it so we can do away with waste and having individuals watching over the shoulders of individuals that may not hold the taxpayers' dollars as high as we do as it relates to accountability. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from the great State of Texas, Ms. Sheila Jackson-Lee.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, the ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sorrow that I rise to pay tribute to the late Mayor John Lyons of Pembroke Park, FL. Mayor Lyons was a great community leader and role model, and his passing will be mourned throughout the community. Mayor Lyons passed away on Thursday, September 21, 2006. The funeral Mass to celebrate his life will be held today beginning at 11 a.m. at Nativity Catholic Church, 5200 Johnson St., Hollywood, FL. Mayor Lyons was a World War II veteran and a Chicago native. For over 20 years he worked for the Chicago Fire Department, from which he retired as a lieutenant. He moved to South Florida and continued his career of community leadership. He served as chairman of Pembroke Park's code-enforcement board for 4 years. In 1991, Mayor Lyons was elected to the Pembroke Park Town Commission and was a member there for the rest of his life. In 2003, his colleagues elected him mayor. Mayor Lyons was the loving and devoted husband of Mrs. Eleanor Lyons. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Kimberly, and her husband John Hasenberg; great-grandchildren Elinor and Binyamin; brother Leo Lyons; and brother and sister-in-law Raymond and Nan Lyons. Mr. Speaker, Mayor Lyons was an institution in Pembroke Park, FL. He was a kind and giving man who dedicated his life to community service, and he will be sorely missed. Both Pembroke Park and Broward County have lost a great leader. I offer my sincere condolences to his family and all who were touched by his kindness and service.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5347 the HOPE VI Reauthorization Act of 2006. Public housing is a necessity in communities throughout this country. With the stock of affordable housing declining nationwide because of the rising cost of land, materials and labor, many families cannot afford to buy or even rent homes. A study in Broward County alone showed the county needs 15,000 new affordable units a year to keep pace with demand. A Miami-Dade study, based on the 2000 U.S. Census, found the county needs to construct an additional 81,400 housing units for very low- and middle-income residents between 2000 and 2015. At the same time, the number of Americans living in poverty has risen for 4 straight years in a row. Today, about 37 million Americans live at or below the poverty level. The hardest hit are women and children, over 12 million children live in poverty. For many of these people, public housing is often the only option available to them. We know this is true because the sad truth is that public housing stocks are often in terrible condition. I have visited public housing units in my district with peeling paint, broken floor boards and windows, dilapidated appliances and defective wiring. This kind of neglect is not unique; the are many such housing units. Mr. Speaker, that is why the HOPE VI program is so important. H.R. 5347, the HOPE VI Reauthorization Act of 2006, will continue for an additional 5 years the program begun in 1990 to demolish run-down housing projects and to replace them with attractive, safe, fully functioning and affordable housing in mixed income communities. Even as we reauthorize the HOPE VI program and recognize its potential to revitalize neighborhoods and communities and provide quality housing to people who need it, we must also acknowledge the need to make sure that HOPE VI does not destroy neighborhoods in the name of revitalizing them and that we extract from HOPE VI dollars the maximum amount of housing for local residents. Because successful HOPE VI grants require such a high percentage of local funding, they are a good way to stretch scarce Federal housing dollars. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is an outright shame what the Republican majority has done. They have expressed themselves as the rubber-stamp Republican majority to the Bush White House. As you know, yesterday we took a vote here on this floor as relates to going into closed session to talk about the findings of the National Intelligence Estimate. I will tell you these are professionals that are working in clandestine agencies not only in this country, but throughout the world, and it is very, very important that the American people understand what is going on in Iraq. We can only come to the floor and try to put forth some sort of representation on behalf of the American people on the Democratic side. Mr. Speaker, the facts are right here. When it came down to voting for us to go into closed session to talk about national security, talk about the loss of our troops in Iraq, talk about those that are wounded, you want to talk about honor. The bottom line is that one Republican voted to go into closed session to talk about this National Intelligence Estimate; and 215 Republicans voted against it; 14 didn't even show up to vote. The bottom line is that the Democrats are willing to secure this country as we were voted and federalized to come up here and to do so. So when you walk up to this well here and see this word ``justice,'' give the American people some justice so we can go into closed session and protect the United States of America and not come to this floor and just talk. We are about action.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Chairman Rogers for both of us working together, along with the members of our subcommittee and also full committee. I think that this bill is about retention, recruitment and respect for the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol. Specifically, this bill will allow bonuses and recruitment and retention of the additional Border Patrol agents that are needed. Just today in committee we heard from the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Mr. Chertoff, who talked about our SpyNet program that is now ongoing and was just awarded to the Boeing Company. We are going to need Border Patrol agents that can be on the border that can respond to what is seen on television on this recorded and tour system that they are going to put along the borders. I think it is also important to recognize that the flexibility as it relates to this piece of legislation is going to be very, very important for us to make sure that we have enough border agents. It would also allow the Department to rehire retired Border Patrol agents that are willing to serve their country. I think that is very, very important. I think it is important that we have enough individuals on the border and also make sure that we take advantage of their full law enforcement capabilities. I think it is important also to recognize that our Customs border protection officers who secure our borders and conduct inspections of people in vehicles and cargo are also facing staffing shortages. I think if we are going to protect our borders, I think it is important we don't leave these individuals behind. But I do want to recognize the fact that I am excited and encouraged that we are moving this bill forward today, tonight, to make sure that at least we have the individuals in question funded to the level that they need to be funded, maybe higher, but making sure that we are moving towards real security here in the United States of America. I can tell you that it has been very, very fortunate for me to work with not only the chairman but also the full committee on this piece of legislation. We have had many hearings on it. We have also had those men and women on the front line, members of our committee have gone to the front line and met with these individuals. I think it is important as we move along with the SpyNet program that we have retired members that are willing to come back and serve. And also put forth the kind of bonuses for retention and break down on attrition on border protection. I would also like to say that when we look at national security, Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that we work in a bipartisan way. I would like to see more of this spirit as we move on, hopefully implementing the full 9/11 recommendations. This is one part of it, and moving in that direction. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from the great State of Texas (Mr. Al Green).

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to respond to the chairman by saying I appreciate his recognition of our Customs border protection officers and their need of being able to be a part of something good and something in protecting America. I think that it is important that not only on the minority side but on the majority side we make a commitment to these very fine men and women. They put their lives on the line every day serving our country. These are individuals that are conducting inspections of people, vehicles, and cargo. As long as we hold them in our heart and also in our mind, as we move forward from this point on, I think it will protect America even further. I join Mr. Green and also Mr. Rogers in encouraging all of our Members to vote in the affirmative in making sure that we pass this very important piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Command Sergeant Major Teresa V. King on her retirement from the U.S. Army after a distinguished record of military service that spanned over 32 years. I know that I speak for all of my colleagues in thanking her for her service. Command Sergeant Major Teresa V. King is a native of my home state, Florida. She entered the Army in August 1974 as a clerk typist and completed 3 years of active duty before leaving the Army in 1977. After a brief departure, she returned to active duty as a Motor Transport Operator in 1978. She has been assigned to Fort Eustis, Virginia; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Dix, New Jersey as a Drill Sergeant in Charlie, Delta and Alpha Companies, 2nd Battalion, 5th Training Brigade; Wiesbaden, Germany; and Baumholder, Germany as a PLDC Instructor. After her tour in the Federal Republic of Germany, she was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, with the 15th Supply and Transport Battalion, now the 27th Main Support Battalion, as a squad leader. In 1986 she volunteered for Drill Sergeant duty at the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School at Fort Knox, Kentucky, as a Drill Sergeant Leader. In 1991, she was reassigned to the Republic of Korea as a Transportation Coordinator with the 227th Maintenance Battalion, Yongson, Korea. Upon completion of her tour, CSM King was reassigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, as a Platoon Sergeant in Bravo Company, 724th Main Support Battalion; given the opportunity to serve as a First Sergeant, she was reassigned to 24th Forward Support Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia. After completion of First Sergeant duties, she attended the First Sergeant Course and was selected to work as a active duty advisor to the National Guard, 1454th Transportation Battalion, Concord, North Carolina; assigned to Readiness Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, from 1993-1995. Her next assignment was with the 2nd Infantry Division; Camp Red Cloud, Korea, as the NCOIC of the Division Transportation Office. She was reassigned to Fort Story, Virginia, serving as both First Sergeant and Battalion Command Sergeant Major. In 1998 she attended the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 49 with a subsequent assignment in 1999 to Advanced Individual Training Battalion, 58th Transportation Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. CSM King served as the Brigade Command Sergeant Major in Kaiserslautern, Germany, with the 1st Transportation Movement Control Agency from May 18, 2001 to June 20, 2003. She currently serves as the Command Sergeant Major for Installation Management Agency-Europe, Heidelberg, Germany. Her awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, 4th OLC, Army Commendation Medal, 3rd OLC, Army Achievement Medal, 3rd OLC, Good Conduct Ribbon, 10th Award, National Defense Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, 3, and the NCOES Ribbon. CSM King is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnie King of Fernandina Beach, Florida. She has two children, Tiffany, a graduate of Georgia Southern University and Nathan, a member of the Florida National Guard and a junior at Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, Florida. Mr. Speaker, CSM King has set a high standard of service, and her career embodies the commitment to honor, duty and service to country. I wish her well on her retirement and every happiness and success in her future endeavors.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. They want it.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Delahunt, I am going to yield after I mention something, about 2 minutes, to Ms. Wasserman Schultz, because the facts are what they are. It is what it is. We are highlighting these. Because we are using third-party validators, Mr. Delahunt, we are highlighting these with third-party validators, just in case the Republican majority, and like I told you, for the 109th Congress, I am done with trying to get the Republican majority to see it the way not only that the experts see it, that are bipartisan, or nonpartisan, when it comes down to national security, and the American people. We can talk about energy, we can talk about safety of America, we can talk about our operations overseas, all of these things are by third- party validators. Mr. Delahunt, the real issue is when you have a situation like we have in Iraq, you call in those individuals that are speaking out. Who? These major generals and these brigadier generals and individuals that are retired now, and retired because they couldn't say it when they were enlisted. What, they are not longer useful to country? We don't want to know what they have to share with us, to help us learn, to help us protect America? When I was in the State legislature for 8 years, when someone would come to my office, and even here now in Washington, I want to talk to the man or the woman that is in the drop program, those individuals that are already getting ready to retire, because they are going to tell you the truth. They are not concerned about what is going to happen. I want a sergeant major in the military to come talk to me, because a sergeant major, a command sergeant major is the highest enlisted individual in the armed services. You can't touch them, because they are respected by the men and women that serve under them and with them. They will tell you the truth. Those are the kind of individuals that we need before the full Armed Services Committee. Those are the kind of individuals that we need to highlight under the dome here, be it House or Senate. That is what we need. But, Mr. Speaker, that is not what is happening in this Congress. So just because the Republican majority says it or the President says it doesn't necessarily mean that it is true. We are saying that we are going to bring balance, we are going to bring oversight. Ms. Wasserman Schultz, as I yield to you, if there was a Democratic President in the White House, they would be challenged by the Democrats in Congress. Challenged. Not just, oh, well, you know, we are Democrats first and then Members of Congress second. That has never been the case, Mr. Delahunt. There has always been oversight. President Clinton used to have fits because of what Members of Congress were saying and doing as relates to their oversight responsibilities on issues that they disagreed with him on. So to bring balance to this government, we need this House to be Democratic-controlled.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. I would just say, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, we will have the appropriate fire, with all fire codes, because we have to do away with this. Mr. Ryan, I want to thank you for taking on the additional couple of minutes so that we can fully share with the Members. Of course, we need more time to do it, but to share with them even more about the level of frustration, not only that Americans have, but professionals that are in national security business here in this country.

Mr. MEEK of Florida

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Very quickly, I just say that here is another article, September 25, 2006, by I believe it is Peter Spiegel. I mean, the bottom line is that the Army has now alerted or withheld or what have you or the Pentagon withheld, we do not know, because even as Members of Congress this has been noted as one of the most secretive administrations in the history of the United States of America. The reason why they have been very secretive in classifying everything is that the Congress has not demanded more, not only for Members of Congress such as myself who serve on two national security committees here, either be Homeland Security Committee as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Oversight or a member of several subcommittees in Armed Services. So, when we read about these things, we have to read about it in the paper. They did not elect us to come up here and read the paper just like the average American and expect us to govern because we do not have an opportunity to govern here because the Republicans are in the majority, and they continue this kind of atmosphere. The Army right now, they need additional billions to be able to keep up with what is happening in the war in Iraq and other commitments not only throughout the world but domestically. So, if something were to happen, whether it be China or Iran, there would be serious issues for us. So, when you see these two leaders of not only Iraq and Iran come together at the U.S. taxpayers' expense, I mean this is something we need to pay very close attention to. I am going to keep it very simple and I am going to yield because there is not a lot that I want to say tonight because I am truly upset about the fact that this continues to happen. The only disruption in this streamline of policy-making or lack thereof is that we have the majority in this House. There has to be a Democratic majority in this House to bring balance to our democracy. Stay the course just because they say it does not mean it is the truth. We are winning in Iraq. Okay. They have said it so it means we are winning in Iraq, okay, even though you have national experts as it relates to the clandestine organizations not only in this country but abroad that are saying we are stimulating more terrorism than we are tearing down terrorism. We have the 9/11 Commission that has put forth recommendations to make America safer, but this Republican majority will not adopt those recommendations. We have individuals that are on their fifth and sixth deployment, need it be a soldier or a Marine or a Coast Guard or a sailor or a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, on their fourth and fifth deployment, and then we have the administration say stay the course, and we have the rubber stamp Congress say, yeah, yeah, stay the course. Then we come up with recommendations on redeployment and hopefully working with other countries in securing not only Iraq but telling Iraq, listen, you have to secure your own country. You have on average 60 Iraqis dying a day, three to four U.S. Armed Forces dying a day. And so we are saying stay the course? It is very simple. What more do we need? We are borrowing more from foreign Nations than we ever borrowed before, $1.05 trillion versus $1.01 trillion, 42 Presidents, 224 years of history before us. We have got the past Speaker, Republican Speaker, it is not a Democrat, that is saying, ``They are seen by the country as being in charge of a government that cannot function.'' Mr. Speaker, Speaker Gingrich is the individual who brought about, quote, unquote, the Republican revolution that is calling the Republican majority ``they,'' and it goes on and on and on, need it be the gas companies that are making record profits. Look, rubber stamp Congress, $113 billion. Or need it be in congressional increases in salaries like Mr. Ryan pointed out. Individuals are being rewarded for mediocrity, for saying, okay, well, as long as I am with the team and I am loyal to the President of the United States and I am loyal to the Republican majority, I am going to move up in the company. Well, guess what, this is not a company. This is the government of the United States of America.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Of the people. The U.S. taxpayer. We have individuals that are being placed in new positions. What do you think in the Pentagon? Well, if you go with your training, with your education and your experience and talk about a post-Iraq plan or talk about standing up to the boss or talk about maybe saying, well, excuse me, I know that you have your plan and all, but you know, we need X, that you are making a career decision in this government? So just for balance we need a Democratic House. We need a Democratic Congress that will bring balance and will ask the ``but'' question or maybe we need to call this individual in and understand more about things because we are the individuals that are elected to represent the people of the United States of America, not Republican, not Democrats, not Independents, but the people of the United States of America. Until we have that, we are not going to have a true democracy. We are not going to have balance. We are not going to have level thinking. We are not going to have the direction that our men and women need on the ground. We are not going to have the accountability that the Constitution calls for, that Mr. Ryan always talks about in article I, section 1. We are not going to have that until we do away with this Republican rubber stamp Congress. I do not care if individuals who want to follow me, Mr. Speaker, in a 30-second ad to talk about somebody voted one way or another. The facts are that America is more in danger than it was prior to the invasion of Iraq and fiscally in a worse situation in borrowing from nations that we have never borrowed from at the level that we are borrowing from at this present time. We can talk about articles. We can talk about all these things. The facts are that the experts are saying one thing. It is like going to the doctor and the doctor said, you know, you have a really bad virus. Are you going to stand there and question the doctor? Are you going to say, well, you know, well, I do not have a virus, Republican majority tells me it is just an allergy, I am going to be okay? No. You are not. So we have the 9/11 Commission that is saying one thing, that are professionals that spent months and months and months, staff, millions of dollars, had the President and other folks going to testify before them. We have this National Security Council that have pulled themselves together, that have released this report, and we have Members on the Republican side, oh, they do not know what they are doing; it is just a draft report. It is going to be a draft until after the election. So I think the American people, Mr. Speaker, are going to be paying attention to the obvious. This is not just party rhetoric. We are far beyond that at this point.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. Could you give the web site, Mr. Ryan.

Mr. MEEK of Florida. I am just going to put it to you this way. Anyone that speaks the truth, some may say truth to power, those individuals that are trained, that are educated, that have been in the Armed Services as the two-star general has been, and has anything to say about the Pentagon or the direction that we are going in will not and have not, since making that statement, anything to say before the Committee on Armed Services. Do we want to call them in to kind of learn from them individuals, not the Republican majority? The Republican majority are loyal to the rubber stamp, not to the truth.