Candice Miller

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri), a very good friend of the Garden Club, who also sponsored an identical piece of legislation, House Concurrent Resolution 368, here in the House.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

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

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that we are in the midst of an election year. As a matter of fact, judging from the intensity of the campaign so far, one might think that we are at the end of October instead of the end of March. Part of the reason for this intensity is the news organizations who are captivated not by the issues at hand but by the horse race, who is ahead and who is behind; and reporters and pundits are the ones calling the race. But, clearly, some of these pundits are wearing political blinders, suggesting nothing less than partisan bias. In mid February, CBS News and The New York Times conducted a poll. That night, Dan Rather rather gleefully reported the results, that the Democratic nominee held a five-point lead over President Bush, on the CBS evening news. The next CBS News/New York Times poll was conducted and again Dan Rather reported that the Democratic nominee had a one-point lead. Two weeks after that, a third CBS poll showed President Bush leading the Democratic nominee by three percentage points, and what did Dan Rather report on this poll? Nothing. Not a mention. I would say that is not quite fair and certainly not balanced.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 3059. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3059) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 304 West Michigan Street in Stuttgart, Arkansas, as the ``Lloyd L. Burke Post Office''.

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 H.R. 3059.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3059 designates the Stuttgart, Arkansas, postal facility as the Lloyd L. Burke Post Office. All members of the Arkansas congressional delegation have signed on as cosponsors to this legislation. Mr. Speaker, through this point in the 108th Congress, the House has passed 43 meaningful bills that name post offices after physicians, after political leaders, athletes, military servicemen and certainly other worthy individuals as well, but we may never consider a commemorative piece of legislation that honors a braver person than Lloyd Burke. Colonel Lloyd Burke served in the Army during World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars. Most notably, he was a legitimate hero of the Korean War. Facing a battle over a strategic hill outside of Seoul, then Lieutenant Burke led a group of only 35 battle-weary American soldiers toward a brigade of over 300 Korean fighters in December of 1951. On this day, Lloyd Burke practically defeated this overwhelming enemy force with only his bare hands. Lloyd Burke led the charge against the Korean brigade by firing his rifle and throwing grenades. He attacked enemy trenches all by himself, clearing out enemy machine gun positions. During his attack, his rifle jammed, and then he was forced to catch three grenades thrown at him and hurled them back at the enemy soldiers. He ultimately manipulated his rifle and returned it to working order, firing it until he ran out of ammunition. At that point, he used only his pistol to attack the heavily armed Korean soldiers. Burke's bravery inspired his fellow troops. When the dust settled, most of the 300 enemy soldiers had been killed and the remaining Army troops had captured the hill. It was estimated that Lloyd Burke had killed 100 of the enemy himself. It was an unbelievable scene, and an important strategic victory for the 5th Cavalry Regiment that day. Mr. Speaker, when Lloyd Burke returned home the following spring, President Harry S. Truman awarded him the Medal of Honor at the White House on April 11, 1952. Many years later, Colonel Burke was a guest of another President here in Washington, President Bill Clinton, at the dedication of the Korean War Memorial in July of 1995. These were two highly deserved honors for a serviceman to whom all Americans owe a debt of gratitude. Mr. Speaker, Lloyd Burke passed away in his sleep at the age of 74 at his home in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on June 1, 1999. Therefore, I want to commend the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Berry) for working to permanently honor Colonel Lloyd L. Burke with this post office dedication. Colonel Burke's bravery and commitment to his country was above and beyond the call of duty, and therefore I am pleased today that the House remembers his service today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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 move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 328) recognizing and honoring the United States Armed Forces and supporting the designation of a National Military Appreciation Month, as amended.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I simply would urge all Members to support the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 328, and I yield back 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 and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 328, as amended

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

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as may consume. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Government Reform, I am very pleased that the House is considering House Concurrent Resolution 328. During the 106th Congress, on April 30, 1999, the United States Senate passed Senate Resolution 99 that called for May of 1999 to be signified as National Military Appreciation Month. Today's resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 328, supports the goals and ideals of National Military Appreciation Month. As the war on terror continues, this is an appropriate piece of legislation for the House to pass today. The Members of our Armed Forces have fought to preserve freedom for the American people for over 200 years. Recently, new challenges have confronted our brave military men and women since the horrific attacks on our Nation of September 11, 2001. Our soldiers have courageously and effectively carried out remarkable missions in Afghanistan and Iraq that respectively intended to disrupt the terrorist networks and to end the regime of dictator Saddam Hussein. In addition, Mr. Speaker, the United States Armed Forces have dramatically expanded their presence in the Middle East and Central Asia into once unthinkable locations, such as former Soviet republics. These new bases seek to strengthen American alliances with friendly countries and to protect the citizens of countless nations across the globe. Indeed, the war on terror has tested our armed services, and I am proud to reported that our servicemen and women have responded very honorably. In addition to the war on terror, nearly 1,800 United States soldiers have defended the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince in recent weeks as well. Unquestionably, our great Nation and, indeed, the entire world is a safer place because of their commitment and their sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, I know that the sponsor of this resolution, the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, wanted to be here for consideration of this legislation. Consistent with my earlier request for general leave, I will submit his statement on House Concurrent Resolution 328 in writing. I commend the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Tom Davis) for this important resolution, and I urge every Member of this House to support its adoption. I salute all of our Nation's gallant servicemen and women. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, we in the Congress have been working hard to improve the economy and to help to create an environment that allows for new jobs. This morning we received some more good news that shows that the economy is improving and that the President's economic growth package is working. The Labor Department reported that initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 6,000 last week. This is the lowest level in more than 3 years. By cutting taxes for every American taxpayer and job provider, we are making it easier for employers to create new jobs and certainly to help our families meet their needs. We cannot turn back the momentum in the recovery as some on the other side have suggested. No tax increase ever created a job. The only way to continue to grow our economy and to create new jobs is to hold the line on taxes. Today's good news is welcome, and we will continue the fight for lower taxes and for more jobs.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, no one can ever forget the horrific attacks on our Nation of 9/11. Our lives changed that day; the world changed that day; and America looked for answers and we looked for justice. And we looked, most importantly, for leadership. I think the terrorists, recognizing the very limp response that America had made to terrorist activities during the 1990s, probably thought we would make a lot of noise, we would be out here rattling our sabers, and then go back to our comfortable lifestyles and that we would not respond in any meaningful way. Well, these cowards, these terrorists who prey on the weak and innocent, seriously underestimated the will of the American people, and they certainly did not understand the political resolve of our great President George W. Bush, our President who understands that his constitutional responsibilities are to protect the homeland, to protect Americans. And so we went to Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban. We went into Iraq where we liberated the Iraqi people from the oppression of Saddam Hussein. Mr. Speaker, recently I had the opportunity to travel to Libya where we met with Moammar Qaddafi, and as we all know, he has opened up the borders to Libya to let the Atomic Energy Commission come in and voluntarily dismantle his nuclear program. Apparently he watched Saddam Hussein get drug out of a rat hole and thought this regime change is not all it is cracked up to be. Clearly the Bush doctrine is working. Mr. Speaker, we recognize the brave Americans who have lost their lives fighting for freedom, fighting the war on terror. We recognize that battle is not over yet. Every one of them is a hero, every American who puts on the uniform is a hero, and we thank our partners in the coalition as well. God bless them all, God bless our Commander in Chief, and God bless America.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 433 honors Luis A. Ferre, perhaps the greatest political figure in Puerto Rico during the last half century. Luis Ferre passed away in San Juan at the age of 99 on October 21, 2003, and this resolution recognizes his lifelong devotion to the United States, and to social justice in his native Puerto Rico. Luis Ferre spent his life as a successful businessman and a human rights advocate for people on the small Caribbean island. He was elected to terms as Governor and to Representative in Puerto Rico. Madam Speaker, Luis Ferre loved the United States and his greatest hope was to see his native Puerto Rico become an American State. In 1917, at the age of 13 years old, Ferre and the Puerto Rican population were granted United States citizenship. In the year of 2000, Ferre once recounted that he could not distinctly remember the event but, he said, ``Ever since I have been very proud of that day. I feel it is a great privilege and a great honor to be a citizen of the greatest republic that we have had in the history of the world.'' In 1951, Ferre was elected delegate to the Puerto Rican Constitutional Convention and he was able to directly contribute to the island becoming an official United States Commonwealth in 1952. In 1968, Ferre was elected Governor and he continued to work towards Puerto Rican Statehood. He remained active in politics up to his death, most notably as the chairman of the Republican Party in Puerto Rico. To recognize Luis Ferre's life of public service, former President George H.W. Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest government award a civilian can receive, in 1991. Ferre is one of four Puerto Ricans to ever receive this Presidential honor. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for his efforts to bring House Resolution 433 to the floor today, and I urge its adoption. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam 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. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 433) honoring the life and legacy of Luis A. Ferre.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers at this time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I urge Members to support the adoption of House Resolution 433, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 87) honoring the life and legacy of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and recognizing his contributions on the anniversary of the date of his birth.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I have no further speakers at this time and I support the adoption of House Joint Resolution 87.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I support the adoption of House Joint Resolution 87 that honors President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I urge that all Members support the passage of H.R. 3733. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3733) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 410 Huston Street in Altamont, Kansas, as the ``Myron V. George Post Office''.