Candice Miller

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. June 15, 2004, is a date to be remembered throughout the metropolitan Detroit area and the entire great State of Michigan. On this Tuesday night, the underdog Detroit Pistons ended a phenomenal season by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 100-87 to win the 2004 NBA championship four games to one. Heading into the series, the Lakers were the overwhelming favorites to defeat the Pistons, but the Pistons possessed one defining characteristic which did not show up on paper: they were a group of dedicated teammates working toward a common goal. This team, under the great leadership of Coach Larry Brown, showed unprecedented teamwork and desire. And it was a beautiful thing to watch. The Pistons are really fitting representatives for the people of Southeast Michigan. They might not be media superstars. They might not have the Hollywood elite watching them from their courtside, but they have a blue-collar work ethic and they thrive on great teamwork. And when everything is working against them and their backs are up against the wall, they rise to the occasion. The Pistons proved that strong defense and selfless play can deliver overwhelming victory. Mr. Speaker, the ``Bad Boys'' of Detroit are back; and the people of Michigan are proud to call this team our own. The Pistons motto is ``Going to work.'' Their spirit and their desire is a reflection of Michigan. This attitude is not pretty. It is not flashy. It is gritty. It leads to scraped elbows, bloody noses. But most importantly, it conceives a desire to get the job done. Team president Joe Dumars, a great champion as a Pistons player himself, took control of the team when a championship was really only a dream. He brought in players who display the same work ethic as he was known for as a player. He hired coaches who understand the role of individuals within a team and who could get these players to perform to their full potential, and despite the critics, the results speak for themselves. Well done Joey D. Mr. Speaker, prior to the championship series, people around the Nation were not giving the Detroit Pistons a chance. But as the series progressed, it became apparent who was the best team in the NBA. Finals MVP Chauncey Billups was scoring and passing with the heart of a champion. Rip Hamilton ran circles around defenders. Ben Wallace defended and rebounded like a man possessed. Fear the 'fro, NBA. Rasheed Wallace provided veteran leadership and intimidation like no one else. Tayshaun Prince scored and defended with an elegance that seemed effortless. And when the Detroit bench was called to duty, the players answered the call. Each and every player knew that as a team, they would be successful, they knew that the work would not be done until the final buzzer. Mr. Speaker, the entire team showed what teamwork and hard work can do, and Larry Brown was the perfect coach. No coach in sports is more respected than Larry Brown, and I can speak for all Pistons fans in hoping that he will call himself a Detroit Piston for many years to come. And, finally, Mr. Speaker, we cannot honor the Pistons without mentioning their owner, Bill Davidson. He is a great man who is renowned for his generosity in his charitable works, not just in Michigan or in Southeast Michigan, but throughout our entire Nation and, in fact, the world. His players are a reflection of him, hard working, selfless, and they care about their communities. I congratulate and thank Mr. Davidson. So, Mr. Speaker, the House solutes the Detroit Pistons for winning the 2004 NBA championship, and after the fireworks have gone off and the parades are over, one team stands above all the rest, the Detroit Pistons. I encourage all Members to agree to House Resolution 679. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me also say that we certainly honor the gentleman from Georgia as well as the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia. They have earned all the respect of every American. They certainly are some of the greatest civil rights leaders that this Nation will ever have seen. Let me say that we honor them both as well.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Martin Luther King once said, ``Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'' And during the Freedom Summer of 1964, a great injustice took place outside the small town of Philadelphia, Mississippi. On June 21 of 1964, members of the Ku Klux Klan attacked and murdered three participants of the Freedom Summer project, an African American voter registration drive. Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner were attacked after driving away from the scene of a firebombed church. The murders drew national attention to the civil rights movement taking place in the deep south. Today, 40 years to the day after their murders, we remember the contributions to America and to the Civil Rights movement by Andrew Goodman, James Chaney and Michael Schwerner. Mr. Speaker, four decades ago, poll taxes, overly-complex voting tests, and mental and physical attacks terribly discouraged African Americans from voting in Mississippi during the 1960s. The Freedom Summer project was launched to help combat this reality, and Goodman, Chaney and Schwerner were active organizers of this effort. Sadly, it was not until news coverage of their murders that many Americans became aware of the unbelievable violence that was taking place here in our own country. The brutal murder of these three brave men was indeed a momentous event. In fact, it provided the basis for the 1988 film ``Mississippi Burning.'' Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Owens), for his work to bring this solemn anniversary to all of our attention. House Concurrent Resolution 450 is an important reminder of America's volatile past, and it aims to help all Americans work to assure that such atrocities will never happen again. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge the resolution's adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Con. Res. 450, and to include extraneous material on the concurrent resolution under consideration.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 450) recognizing the 40th anniversary of the day civil rights organizers Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner gave their lives in the struggle to guarantee the right to vote for every citizen of the United States and encouraging all Americans to observe the anniversary of the deaths of the 3 men by committing themselves to ensuring equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal justice for all people.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in support of H.R. 4222, which names the postal facility in Kansas City after former Congressman Newell George. Congressman George represented the second district of Kansas for one term in this House, from 1959 to 1961. Congressman George was the last resident of the City of Kansas City, actually, to represent the State of Kansas in the Congress. He later served as United States Attorney for the District of Kansas during the 1960s, after being appointed by President John F. Kennedy. Newell George was a devoted, caring, vigorous public servant, who is highly deserving of this post office naming. It is a pleasure to support this meaningful measure, and I am hopeful and confident the entire House will as well. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. 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. 4222, and to include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, as we mourn the loss of President Ronald Reagan, let us also celebrate the absolutely incredible life that he lived, a life that had such a positive impact certainly on our Nation and, in fact, the entire world. Madam Speaker, I live in Macomb County, Michigan. That is the home of the so-called ``Reagan Democrats.'' That term really had its genesis in Macomb County and has become certainly part of our nomenclature. It describes a huge block of citizens, average Americans, principally ethnic, blue collar, who had voted Democratic for literally generations. And then along came Ronald Reagan, and he captured their hearts and he captured their minds with the power of his ideas and the vision for America, ideas that were powerful, yet very, very simple: that freedom is a universal right of every human being; ideas about personal responsibility and the fundamental values that built our Nation, and the eternally optimistic idea that America is a great Nation whose best days continually lie in our future. President Reagan never wavered, never backed down from his defense of freedom, of his belief that we could achieve peace through strength. Of course, his strong stand created countless critics, and yet today those critics must recognize the rightness of his cause and his methods. History has certainly proven him to be right. Because of the leadership of President Reagan, Soviet communism collapsed and hundreds of millions of people who lived under Soviet domination now live as free people. Because of the leadership of President Reagan, our national spirit and the spirit of free enterprise rose up and has spread across the entire globe. Because of his leadership, the world continues to look to America to continue to export liberty and freedom and democracy. Our Nation and the world owe a debt to President Reagan that can really only be repaid in one way: We must continue to fight for democracy, for freedom, and for liberty, and so we shall. God bless President Ronald Wilson Reagan. May he rest in peace.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this resolution, which is proposing to amend our Constitution by allowing for the appointment of Members of the United States House of Representatives in the event of a national emergency. For over 225 years, the House of Representatives has been the people's House; and I say that I think that is so important, as we think about that, we have been known as the people's House. Members of Congress are required by the Constitution to be elected directly by the people. This requirement, of course, allows for all citizens to truly have a voice in their government and provides probably the most important of all of our checks and balances. Under this resolution we are debating here today, elected representatives would be replaced by non-elected appointees, in a complete counter to the intent of our Founding Fathers. In a very strange irony, this provision would kick in at precisely the time when our citizens need to be heard the most, at a time of crisis. As well, provisions of this resolution call for sitting Members of Congress to provide the names of two people to replace them in the event of their own death or incapacitation. One of these two people would then be appointed to the seat by the Governor of the appropriate State. This nonelected Member of Congress would then serve out the remainder of the relevant 2-year term, with all of the rights and privileges of an elected Member. Yet appointing legislators who were not voted on by the public would negate the entire purpose of this House, which is to represent the people directly. Just last month, this Chamber passed H.R. 2844, The Continuity in Representation Act of 2004, of which I was a very proud cosponsor. H.R. 2844 was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support because it puts forth a very clear, concise plan to deal with the now-real possibilities that we once considered unthinkable, quite frankly. It calls for expedited elections; and as the chairman had said here, as a former Secretary of State of a State of about 10 million people, I feel the timelines we outlined in that H.R. 2844 were very, very realistic. Every Member of this House is an elected official who earns the right to come here to Washington and represent our constituents because we were voted in by a majority of the people in our respective districts. Rather than tinker with one of the pillars of our democracy via a reckless change to our Constitution, we should vote this amendment down and continue to press for the full adoption of H.R. 2844. I urge a ``no'' vote on this resolution.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I would say impeachment could be a possibility there. I do believe as you read the Constitution, the operative phrase, the operative theme, as we try to determine and decipher exactly what the intent of our Founding Fathers was, is that every Member of this House needs to be directly elected by the people. While I appreciate the gentleman's insistence on a constitutional amendment, it is obviously well thought out, the gentleman feels very passionately about it, I could not disagree more strongly.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield further, I am not an expert in this part of the law, but I do believe Federalist Paper No. 47 addresses principally the gentleman's argument there. I will tell you though, as I mentioned, I was the Secretary of State for 8 years in one of our largest States, and I really looked at this bill and talked to a number of my colleagues, as well as many members involved in the elections industry, to make sure we had a reasonable time frame that we set out for expedited elections.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will continue to yield, my understanding is that the gentleman's amendment here today, the resolution we are talking about here today, actually would override the bill we have already passed in a bipartisan way. That is really my intent, to make sure we focus on that as well. I think that is very, very important.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield further, no, I do not share the gentleman's consternation with that particular facet of it. But as the gentleman has outlined, as I say, we are now dealing with a situation which we previously before 9/11 thought was absolutely unthinkable. So it is difficult for us all to stand up here and think about our own demise, numerically how many would have to be incapacitated or whatever before we would move forward with something like this. I think the gentleman has laid out in a very speculative way a number of different scenarios. The gentleman and I, along with many others, had an opportunity to debate this at a hearing in front of the Committee on House Administration. We went through all of these different kinds of things. I think we have just different approaches to what needs to happen here. But I feel very, very strongly, a vast majority, a bipartisan majority of this House feel that all of us should be directly elected by the people. I think the bill we passed previously does address that in a realistic way.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 413. It is certainly an honor to stand here and publicly thank the women who worked on the home front as this Nation fought World War II. As the years go by, our Nation has become, I think, more able to fully understand the incredible contribution of both the men and the women who have been rightfully called our Greatest Generation. Certainly the World War II memorial which we dedicated just this past weekend honors this Greatest Generation and all of those who fought in the deadliest war in the history of mankind. With the adoption of this resolution, we can honor the women who were instrumental in winning that war and securing the freedom, not only of our Nation, but in fact of the entire world. It seems that it is hard to believe sometimes that it has actually been 60 years since the end of World War II. As the great leaders of America and war machine were actually developing their plans of engagement, here in the United States literally millions of Americans were preparing for the invasion by building the greatest force the world has ever known. Among that workforce were more than 6 million American women, women who were faced with enormous challenges, women who met that challenge in the defense of freedom. There was a very famous Saturday Evening Post cover, actually painted by Normal Rockwell, I think in 1943, and it showed an American woman who was carrying a rake, a hoe, an oil can, a pipe wrench, a sewing machine, bottles of milk, as well as air-raid warning equipment. Along with her red, white and blue outfit, she also wore a civil defense cap under a nurse's cap. That is how it was during World War II. American women were expected to hold down the home front and do all of the jobs left behind by the men who were off fighting the war. Certainly today it is our great privilege to honor these American women, women who symbolize an icon known as Rosie the Riveter. And because of the contributions of millions of Rosies, our wartime factories were transformed into the arsenal of democracy, as they literally built the armaments that led the entire world to peace. American women became welders, riggers, crane operators, and dock workers; and they provided the American war machine with the tools that we needed to win the war. And we are truly, truly grateful. Their service to our Nation and to the freedom- loving people of the world cannot be repaid. They are great Americans, and may God bless them.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 612) recognizing and honoring the firefighters, police, public servants, civilians, and private businesses who responded to the devastating fire in Richmond, Virginia, on March 26, 2004, as amended.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 612 recognizes those who responded to the tremendous fire in downtown Richmond, Virginia, on March 26, 2004. On that day, a colossal fire ripped through Richmond and the Virginia Commonwealth University campus area as well. The wind-fueled blaze damned more than 30 buildings in the downtown Richmond area and several more buildings, and about 50 nearby homes were evacuated. Fortunately, no one was killed, and there were only a handful of reports of minor injuries. This resolution commends those citizens in the Richmond area who helped to minimize the effects of this terrible fire. Mr. Speaker, our Nation's first responders provide an invaluable and largely thankless service, sometimes, to many of our citizens. The scene in Richmond on March 26 and the days that followed proved a stirring testament to that fact. Firefighters from Richmond and several neighboring counties rallied to extinguish the incredible fire. Law enforcement officers went door to door insisting that residents leave their homes. Many members of the downtown workforce, private organizations, and just your everyday average citizens helped to protect lives and defend property to limit the damage and the loss from the blaze. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor) for his work on House Resolution 612. And on behalf of the gentleman from Virginia and all the Members of this House, I want to thank the firefighters, the police, the businesses, organizations, civilians, and others who aided residents affected by the fire on March 26, 2004. But even beyond the fine men and women from Richmond, Virginia, I want to thank all emergency responders across the country who protect every one of us every day. First responders routinely put their lives at risk to promote the general welfare of all Americans. I am pleased that the consideration of this resolution gives us a chance to praise medical services personnel, firefighters, law enforcement officials, as well as others who serve and protect all of us each and every day, and I urge support for this important resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from the great State of Virginia (Mr. Cantor), who authorized House Resolution 612.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 612.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to urge all Members to support the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 295.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, in the wake of the 1967 terrible Detroit riots, Father William Cunningham and Eleanor Josaitis founded Focus: HOPE as an organization to fight racism and poverty in the metropolitan Detroit area. This resolution congratulates and salutes Focus: HOPE for its remarkable commitment and contributions to Detroit, to the State of Michigan, and to the entire United States. I commend my colleague, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), for introducing this resolution. The entire Michigan delegation has cosponsored the resolution, and I am pleased that we can recognize Focus: HOPE and all of the great things that this organization has done for its surrounding communities. Mr. Speaker, outside of the metropolitan Detroit area, Focus: HOPE may not be well known to our average citizen, but people who are familiar with this organization know how great an organization it is. In 1971, Focus: HOPE began providing food for children, as well as pregnant and post-partum women. The program soon expanded to include senior citizens; and today, with food that is provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Focus: HOPE provides food to an incredible number, 43,000 children, women and senior citizens, each month in the Detroit metropolitan area. Focus: HOPE has provided hope to individuals and families for over 35 years. In addition to providing food for those in immediate need, the organization's revolutionary job-training and education programs provide people with the tools and the resources necessary to pull themselves and their families out of the brutal cycle of poverty. Mr. Speaker, Focus: HOPE opened its Machinists Training Institute in 1981. It is a 31-week program in which students receive over 1,100 contact hours. The training is very comprehensive and at a fraction of the cost of traditional job training. Along with their FAST TRACK program and First Step programs, students develop necessary skills to enter the workforce. In 1993, Focus: HOPE developed the Center for Advanced Technologies to form a coalition of universities and corporations to design a 21st century curriculum for manufacturing engineering education. Very sadly, Father Cunningham passed away in 1997. But along with the incredible Eleanor Josaitis, who still acts as the Chief Executive Officer, their great visions and hard work has provided people with an opportunity which would not exist otherwise. Mr. Speaker, Focus: HOPE's value to the poor and disadvantaged of the Detroit metropolitan area cannot be measured. It is a great organization run by individuals who truly care about our Nation's citizens. This resolution, 295, will bring much-deserved attention to Focus: HOPE and its dedicated employees and volunteers. The work they do is sometimes thankless and sometimes goes unnoticed, but I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 295 and to thank these outstanding individuals for their great work. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 295) congratulating and saluting Focus: HOPE on the occasion of its 35th anniversary and for its remarkable commitment and contributions to Detroit, the State of Michigan, and the United States.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, America's energy needs are changing, and our current situation is certainly different than the oil shocks that we all saw in the 1970s, because there has not been a disruption in supply but an increase in demand from emerging economies such as China. And what kind of leadership on energy issues do we get from the Democrats and their Presidential nominee, Senator John Kerry? Nothing but finger-pointing and continued bowing to the radical environmentalists that will not allow America to retrieve our own energy reserves. The result of this lack of leadership is higher prices at the gasoline pumps, higher prices for families to heat their homes, and greater dependence on foreign sources of energy. In ANWR, we have huge supplies of oil and natural gas that if we were to retrieve would have great benefit for America: greater energy independence, lower prices at the pump, lower prices to heat our homes, and hundreds of thousands of new jobs. These policies from the Democrats do nothing more than to lead us permanently into high prices and greater reliance on Middle Eastern oil. These are policies that our Nation simply cannot afford.