Butch Otter

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, it is reassuring to hear the gentleman who just spoke from California now willing to use the Bush administration figures on the economy when for weeks, maybe months, I have sat on this very floor on all issues relative to the economy and unemployment and how bad things were, how wrong the Bush administration has been. But now, all of a sudden, we have a report that the gentleman from California is willing to adhere to, and it will only affect the economy of Yellowstone by 1 percent. I would ask the gentleman from California that if we should come up with a national policy which would only affect the economy of California by 1 percent, would the gentleman from California then be most willing to accept that without any argument?

Mr. OTTER. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, it is not unusual, as the gentleman just represented and as the potential leader of the gentleman's party, it is not unusual for him to flip-flop back and forth, depending upon how the argument will fit the present issue. But getting to the issue that we are debating here on the Yellowstone National Park, not too long ago, perhaps far too long ago for certain people to recall, someone once said, ``and they sent hither swarms of agents to harass our people and eat out their substance.'' And that is precisely what these swarms of people from New Jersey and from other places east of the Mississippi River, and a few other misguided souls that have found their way west, perhaps are doing with this issue. I want to remind the gentleman from New Jersey that when that report was written there was no such thing as a 4-stroke engine in a snow machine. So how convenient to use that argument when there was no 4- stroke engine. The EPA report dealt only with 2-stroke engines, not 4- stroke engines. So I would just like to remind all of those who have argued today that let us set the standard right here and now, and that is what we are doing, because I know of at least three potential national monuments, three wilderness areas that are coming up in my State for consideration, and if this is the way my colleagues are going to treat a well-compromised agreement over the course of 10 years and finalized within the last three, that with every new whim and every new Congress and every idea that somebody east of the Mississippi River comes up with wants to come and then change the order in which we agreed to that compromise, then I am going to start voting not only against this amendment, but I will vote against each and every compromise that comes down on anything, many of those which I was willing to at least accept because they were a compromise made in good faith. But if every time we want to change something, we decide well, this is our generation's turn and even though it was compromised out in 1980s on the Frank Church- River of No Return Wilderness Area, now all of a sudden we are wanting to change that compromise. Which other compromise will we change today? So what we do today, Mr. Chairman, what we do today, I should say will set the order for every compromise that we should ever consider on this floor. Because once these compromises are reached, we thought they were agreements that were made in good faith and not to be changed at the whim of every new environmental organization that may need to raise some funds and, therefore, create a clause appropriate to raising those kinds of funds. So with that, I would say to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt), if he wants to stop, if he wants to erase all traces of mankind in a national park, he is just a couple of thousand years too late.

Mr. OTTER. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.

Mr. OTTER. Reclaiming my time, I would remind the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) that it was the agreement in the compromise that they were looking to at the time that caused the snowmobile industry to engage in research on the four-stroke engine.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, we are a Nation of families, and for good reason. The family unit is the foundation of society. And America's future depends on the success of our families. Our jobs as Members of Congress should be to nurture an environment in America where families can flourish and provide and support the opportunity of freedom and the sense of civic virtue that children need to become responsible citizens. We did the right thing by increasing the child tax credit in 2001. We did the right thing by accelerating that process last year. And now, by making the child tax credit permanent, we ensure that families continue to retain more control over their own money and we enable them to plan for the future, and we give them the freedom to help their children accomplish their dreams. There are almost a quarter of a million children in my State whose families will benefit if we pass H.R. 4359. But without this legislation, those families will feel the weight of a significantly increased burden next year. In fact, under current law, tax-paying families in Idaho will pay $757 million more in taxes than they did last year. That money should be staying in their pockets. They should continue to enjoy the fruits of their labors, planning for tomorrow's doctors and teachers and scientists and leaders. This legislation is about creating an environment that enables those families to take care of their own. It is about time we let them take care of their own.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately I missed the vote on H. Con. Res. 409 ``Recognizing with humble gratitude the more than 16,000,000 veterans who served in the United States Armed forces during World War II and the Americans who supported the war effort on the home front and celebrating the completion of the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall in the District of Columbia''. Had I been present I would have voted for this bill.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of my colleagues to the wisdom of a child. One of my constituents, an 11-year-old girl from Post Falls, Idaho, named Dori Thompson, recently delivered a simple but compelling speech about the Pledge of Allegiance, about American values, and about the source of the freedoms we enjoy. I'd like to share it with you now: Our nation's Pledge of Allegiance is 31 words. ``I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.'' Are all those words important? I have been saying those words ever since I was in preschool and wanted to know what those words meant, where those words came from, and why our courts want to take ``under God'' away. In 1892 our country was planning for the 400th anniversary of America's discovery. Two men, Francis Bellamy and James Upham, were interested in education and the planning of Columbus Day celebrations. To this day it is still not known which of the two men actually wrote the pledge, but it was published in ``The Youth's Companion'' September 8, 1892. One month later more than 12 million school children said those words for the first time in schools around the nation. The pledge went through several changes over the years and the last change happened in 1954. Dwight D. Eisenhower added the words ``under God'' to confirm the belief that America's heritage and future were built upon faith in God. He thought that school children should dedicate our nation to God each day. Now what do these 31 words mean? This is what I think: I promise to be loyal to and love our symbol of freedom, our flag. It means each one of us is free; free because hundreds of thousands of soldiers have died for us so that we can have that right. I promise to be loyal to and love our government because it is for and has been chosen by the American people. Our nation exists because of God and was founded by our faith in Him, the Lord who is life, light, justice, truth, and love. Our nation cannot be divided under Him and we all have the right to our freedom and should be treated fairly, each and every one of us. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said the Pledge is unconstitutional because of the words ``under God.'' Our country and values were made under the belief of God. So much of the world does not believe in God anymore. The world wants him taken out of everything. The Bible is not taught in public schools and therefore the world is not completely educated. Since these judges say that ``under God'' is unconstitutional, why do they start the day by saying ``God save the United States and this honorable court?'' The Pledge of Allegiance should not be changed because some people are offended by it. It is part of our national heritage. I am a Christian and I understand the meaning of all those wonderful 31 words. Mr. Speaker, I couldn't have put it better myself. Dori attends Classical Christian Academy in Post Falls. She is the kind of young person who gives me hope and faith in America's future. Mr. Speaker, I hope you find her words and her example as inspirational as I do.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the city of Shelley, Idaho, a community in the heart of my state's rich potato country that this year is celebrating the centennial of its founding. John F. Shelley settled eastern Idaho in 1892, just two years after statehood. He built the first home, and later a store, in the town that would bear his name. The railroad saw promise in the area's rich volcanic soil and stalwart pioneers, and put in a spur line to connect them with the world. Shelley officially became a city in 1904. In 1927, community leaders in Shelley organized the first annual Idaho Spud Day, a tradition that grew through the years and continues each September with the support of area growers and processors. Indeed, Shelley has become so thoroughly identified with Idaho's world famous potatoes that its high school teams are known as the ``Russets.'' That heritage has a special place in my heart, Mr. Speaker. My career in private business was focused on the potato industry. Over 30 years, selling Idaho potato products around the world, I came to know and appreciate my state's farmers and the towns and businesses and families their labors support--like Shelley. It is a community with a rich and proud history, built on hard work and faith and values that endure. It is a place where people know one another, and look after one another. The people of Shelley are tough and resilient, and they are committed to keeping their hometown the kind of place much of America would still like to be. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Shelley and its fine citizens for a remarkable century of tradition, achievement and progress. I'm confident that Shelley, Idaho, will remain a special place to live, work and raise a family for generations to come.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately I missed the vote on H.R. 1779 ``Guardsmen and Reservists Financial Relief.'' Had I been present I would have voted for this bill.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Madam Speaker, those of us lucky enough to live in Idaho and the Northwest are blessed. Besides the unmatched beauty and the incredible quality of life we enjoy, our rivers provide us with relatively abundant and affordable hydropower that gives us a competitive advantage in the world marketplace. As residents of an arid State, my Idaho colleagues and I know better than to take it for granted. Yet despite being a Nation that depends too heavily on foreign sources of fossil fuels, America for too long has taken energy for granted. We have gone a dozen years now without a national energy policy. The time to change that is now. As our economic recovery picks up steam, it is more important than ever that the United States maintain an abundant and reliable energy supply; and, frankly, we are not going to achieve that without the kind of comprehensive national energy policy already passed three times in this House. While the recent rise in energy costs has caught many consumers by surprise, it is important to remember that the energy supplies and price concerns are nothing new. Many of us in Congress, especially on this side of the aisle, along with energy industry observers and analysts, have long been warning of the energy train wreck that is about to happen. And it is not just about oil and gas. A national energy policy must address a relicensing process for hydropower dams that has become a cumbersome and inordinately expensive proposition. It must make a sound commitment to alternative energy production and provide reasonable incentives for market-driven conservation, and it must set the stage for a new generation of safe and more efficient nuclear reactors that could further improve our energy independence. Indeed, I am more optimistic than ever about the potential for nuclear power. One of the ways in which we can reverse the mistakes of the past decade and start down the right track toward a stable domestic energy marketplace is through the expanded use of clean nuclear energy. Nuclear power stands out as an obvious answer to the many energy- related challenges we now face. Back home, the Idaho National Energy Engineering and Environmental Laboratory and the Argonne National Laboratory-West are working on the next generation of nuclear reactors. Their vision for nuclear energy is one that will provide America's energy consumers with a cheap, reliable, environmentally friendly and inherently safe source of electricity as far into the future as the human mind can envision. I believe that the Idaho labs are headed in the right direction, and I am committed to helping them achieve their mission to enhance our Nation's nuclear power capabilities. I want to share with Members just a few reasons why I believe in the potential for nuclear power. First, nothing is burned in a nuclear reactor, so there are no emissions into the atmosphere. In fact, nuclear energy is responsible for over a 90 percent reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions coming from the energy industry since 1973. Between 1973 and 1996, nuclear power accounted for emissions reductions of 34.6 million tons of nitrogen oxide and 80.2 million tons of sulfur dioxide, and over the past 10 years nuclear plants have produced over 5 trillion kilowatt hours of electricity production, with absolutely zero carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide or particulate matter emissions. Beyond those benefits, existing and emerging technologies will solve the complexities of storing and recycling spent nuclear fuels. Second, nuclear power is a safe, reliable abundant source of power. Not only does the world contain plenty of resources for fueling nuclear reactors, but existing and emerging technologies will provide even greater efficiencies in the use of nuclear fuel. Finally, nuclear energy is a home-grown technology. Thanks to the men and women who have worked in Idaho's labs over the past 5 decades, our Nation has long been the world leader in nuclear technology and continues to be the world's largest consumer of nuclear energy. The bottom line is this: Without a comprehensive national energy policy, America is a nation at risk. Congress must act decisively to send President Bush a blueprint for lowering natural gas prices, creating jobs, and making us more independent and secure. Only then will America be the architects of their own destiny.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the enormous contribution to America's continuing freedom that is provided by employers who support our ``citizen soldiers'' in the Guard and Reserve. In today's perilous world, each of us knows that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. The men and women of America's Guard and Reserve are the vanguard of that vigilance. They are clerks and cashiers, merchants and mechanics, doctors and lawyers. Most importantly, they are our friends and neighbors, our sons, daughters, fathers and mothers. They represent the best among us. Along with the full-time members of our armed services, those volunteers help ensure that we all have the fullest opportunity to exercise the liberties for which generations of American heroes have made the ultimate sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, in recent months we all have seen National Guard and Reserve units from our own states and districts called to active duty for the war on terrorism. We all have heard the public declarations of support for those activated troops and the families they leave behind. But the true measure of that support lies not in words but in actions. And there is no greater comfort for our Guard and Reserve personnel than the certainty that they will be able to return to their civilian jobs when they come home, and that their loved ones will continue receiving the benefits of that employment while they are gone. The employers who provide those assurances, who guarantee the jobs and benefits of America's Guard and Reserve personnel, should be counted among the heroes of the war on terrorism. They are shouldering an important part of the burden of defending our homeland from those who envy and despise us for the freedom to choose liberty, tolerance and diversity. America is blessed with employers who have the foresight to understand the great value of having a force of trained and qualified personnel ready to answer their nation's call to arms with the sure knowledge that they are appreciated and financially protected. So I encourage my colleagues to join me, Mr. Speaker, in recognizing and applauding the essential role played by employer support of the Guard and Reserve, and the invaluable service they provide to the men and women who bear the weight of battle. The Three Star program launched by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve committees across the country is one way to acknowledge the understanding and support of those employers who are enabling a new generation of American heroes to go into harm's way unencumbered by concerns for their families' financial well-being. They deserve our patronage, and our thanks.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, many veterans in the first district of Idaho, which I represent, live in rural areas where access to VA healthcare facilities is limited. In Idaho, access for many veterans is limited by geography; mountain ranges, rivers, and great distances. These veterans deserve better access to the health benefits they've earned by serving our country. While there are no easy solutions to these problems, I feel the VA has worked hard to provide veterans living in rural areas some opportunities to receive care. A number of programs including outpatient clinics, temporary clinics, and mobile care units have all helped to address the access problem in these areas. While these programs have shown some success, I believe there are other innovative ways we can address the access issue. One such way is limited outsourcing. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 3777, the HEALTHY Vets Act, which was introduced by my colleague Scott McInnis. This bill creates opportunities for Veterans in rural areas to access timely healthcare from doctors and hospitals in their communities. Many rural communities understand the value of their community doctors and hospitals. Rural healthcare is expensive, and these communities are fighting hard to maintain these resources. Allowing veterans access to community hospitals makes sense for our veterans and our communities. I have a deep appreciation for the men and women who have risked their lives for America's freedoms and feel our Nation should keep its promises to our veterans. Throughout our history our Nation has been forced to maintain our commitment to freedom, and likewise, we must continue our commitment to our Nation's veterans.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, we in Idaho place a high value on our water, and we understand the critical role that water delivery has played in making the arid West bloom. With that in mind, I am honored to extend my congratulations and best wishes to the Nampa and Meridian Irrigation District on the occasion of its centennial, marking 100 years of service to the Treasure Valley on March 9, 2004. The Nampa and Meridian Irrigation District is the largest entity of its kind in the Treasure Valley, delivering irrigation water to 64,000 acres of farmland and providing water to pressurized urban irrigation systems serving more that 9,500 parcels of land, including residential lots, parks, and commercial areas. The district supplied 177,000 acre feet of water to water users in its system in 2003. Economists estimate the water brought a direct agricultural economic return to the Treasure Valley of approximately $10 million. On this historic occasion, it is important to pay tribute to the Nampa and Meridian Irrigation District and the people responsible for its maintenance and operations for their countless contributions to water users. But I also want to express my gratitude to the district for the cultural, social, and economic contributions it makes to the broader community, to the Treasure Valley, and all of Idaho.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of the House a shining example of our great experiment in democracy. The Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative came to life in 2001, the result of collaboration between the Boundary County Board of Commissioners, the City of Bonners Ferry, and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho. The mission of the KVRI is to act as a locally based effort to improve coordination, integration, and implementation of existing local, state, and federal programs that can effectively maintain, enhance, and restore the social, cultural, economic, and natural resource bases in their community. Mr. Speaker, after personally viewing this group in action, I am happy to report this is a successful endeavor. The KVRI membership consists of private citizens and landowners, local governments, federal and state agencies, an environmental advocacy group, and Indian Nation, and representatives of business and industry within the lower Kootenai basin of Idaho. The Initiative is a sign of tremendous change in Boundary County. It signals a move from combat to collaboration and should serve as a model for other communities around the country with severe contention over natural resource issues. The members of the KVRI work hard to find areas of common concern with which they, as a community, can pursue solutions to challenges such as fisheries recovery, flood flow elevations, TMDL planning, and the development of a wetland conservation strategy. Mr. Speaker, the collaborative spirit of the KVRI, and its members' determination to find common sense solutions that move the community forward, should serve as an inspiration to us all. I would like to thank the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative for demonstrating how this great experiment in democracy is supposed to function.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great personal sadness to note the passing of Ron Yanke, a dear friend who left us too soon and whose life and contributions truly made the world a better place. Ron was a brilliant businessman with boundless energy and passion. He was a visionary philanthropist with unending kindness and generosity. He was a community leader who deflected attention from his many civic achievements. And he was a role model whose honesty, integrity, humility, and positive disposition set the standard for everyone he met. But more than anything, Ron Yanke was a warm and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. I had the joy and privilege of knowing Ron well for much of my life and will forever miss his friendship and counsel. There are few men more deserving of recognition for their accomplishments and few less disposed than Ron was to seek or accept it. His entrepreneurial talents helped create jobs for thousands of people in Idaho and throughout the Intermountain West with companies like Micron Technology, Yanke Machine Shop, RY Timber, Boise Mobile Equipment, YMC Inc., and Nashua Homes. His selfless nature advanced such worthy causes as the Peregrine Fund, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. His personal charm and compassion enriched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to have known him. Mr. Speaker, I am blessed to be counted in that number, and Idaho is blessed to have been home to Ron Yanke. I hope you will join me in extending the sympathies of the House of Representatives to his wife, Linda, and his family.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition to the Potlatch Corporation. The Potlatch Corporation, one of the nation's oldest forest products companies, is currently celebrating its centennial year. Founded in 1903 as Potlatch Lumber Co., the company built its first sawmill in 1906 at a location in North Idaho where Native American celebrations of gift giving and goodwill known as ``potlatches'' had been held. Today, the Potlatch Corporation is an integrated forest products company with 1.5 million acres of timberland in Idaho, Minnesota and Arkansas, and a hybrid poplar plantation in Oregon. The company's 14 manufacturing operations in Idaho, Minnesota, Arkansas, and Nevada produce lumber, plywood, oriented stand board, particleboard, bleached pulp, paperboard and private label consumer tissue products. The Potlatch Corporation has earned a national reputation for progressive land management practices and innovative products that efficiently utilize wood resources. Potlatch continues its strong tradition of efficient wood fiber utilization, while supplying customers around the world with quality products and service. Although recent years have brought many challenges to the domestic wood and paper industry, Potlatch remains competitive in the global market. From its roots in North Idaho, Potlatch has blossomed into an industry leader, and it continues to be a strong contributor to the economy of North Idaho. I wish to congratulate the Potlatch Corporation on a hundred years of success, and I look forward to its continued growth and vitality.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the city of Caldwell, Idaho for their outstanding record of city management. The city was recently honored to be on the short list for a national city management award, for cities with populations under 50,000. As part of their recognition, CNN wanted to include them in a program highlighting such cities around the United States. Caldwell has made many strides recently towards revitalizing their downtown, with projects such as the Indian Creek reconfiguration project. The cost of being included in CNN's program, however, was $24,000--a fee used to bring the television crew to the city. Under Mayor Garret Nancolas, the city declined CNN's offer because of the high cost to be included. The city felt the funds could be used more appropriately to directly benefit their citizens. This example truly reiterates the city's dedication to its citizens and its exceptional management. The city of Caldwell, Idaho should be an example to cities nationwide and I am honored to represent such an exceptional city. The State of Idaho is also honored to include this city as one of its own.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the contributions of Jack and Eleanor Buell of St. Maries, Idaho, to the 2003 Capitol Holiday Tree. For the first time in history, Idaho has the distinct honor of supplying the nation's Christmas tree. The magnificent Engelmann spruce was harvested from the Boise National Forest, visited 53 Idaho communities, and now is on its way to the Capitol. This historic journey was made possible by the tremendous generosity of Jack and Eleanor Buell. Owners of Buell Trucking, they donated the truck, custom-made trailer and driver for the Capitol Holiday Tree and the 70 companion trees that will be displayed throughout Washington, DC. This has been a wonderful gesture of volunteerism by Jack and Eleanor, and it is indicative of the way they live. Jack is a long-time Commissioner in Benewah County, where he and Eleanor have given to their community and the State of Idaho time and again. The citizens of St. Maries, Benewah County, and the State of Idaho have for years owed a debt of gratitude to Jack and Eleanor Buell. Mr. Speaker, for their efforts to make the Capitol Holiday Tree possible, the nation owes them our thanks as well.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of the House an individual who is truly a servant of the people, a man who I am honored to call my friend and a person I had the benefit of working with while he served in the Idaho State Senate and as a gubernatorial appointee. Almost nine years ago, Roger Madsen was named director of the Idaho Department of Labor. In that capacity, we worked closely on Idaho's Workforce Development Cabinet and later created Idaho's Workforce Development Council. With Roger's dedication and vision, Idaho has been recognized as a leader in workforce development at the national level. This year, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies presented Director Madsen with its 2003 President's Award. The award may be given to an organization or individual to recognize extraordinary service to America's workforce development system. Roger's commitment to the workforce system in Idaho is commendable, and we are truly fortunate to have someone of his caliber dedicate his life to public service. His integrity, innovation and devotion to his work and the people of Idaho set a high standard for excellence. He has become an invaluable asset for our state, and an example of selflessness that all of us would do well to emulate. I want to take this opportunity to personally thank Roger for all he has done for Idaho and its citizens.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of the House the creation of a Veterans Memorial at the Kootenai County Administration Building in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Former commissioner Ron Rankin has spearheaded the effort to pay tribute to Kootenai County's brave veterans with memorials honoring their sacrifice. The first phase of the Veterans Memorial, dedicated on Veterans Day 1998, is a striking seven-by-five-foot, 8,000-pound black granite monument naming Kootenai County veterans killed in action from the Spanish American War through the Vietnam War. Their names are etched in large gold letters followed by their branch of service, and the war in which they served. ``In God We Trust'' is etched above all the names in three-inch gold letters. The monument is strategically placed at the main entrance of the new administration building to remind visitors of the heroes who gave their lives for our freedom. On Memorial Day 1999, the county dedicated 13 unique murals for the outside of the new courthouse. The 39-by-42-inch granite plaques depict historically significant military events in the 20th century. They are reproductions of photographs and paintings that were laser-etched in color on polished granite slabs. The first two were completed at a cost of $2,000 each while the remaining 11 will have been added at a cost of $3,000 each. The scenes include: Pearl Harbor, the Bataan Death March, the Battle of Midway, the flag raising on Iwo Jima, Army rangers climbing a 100-foot Normandy cliff on ``D'' Day, troops assaulting the beach at Normandy, gun ships off the coast of Vietnam, and ``Dust Off' helicopters retrieving the wounded in Vietnam. When the entire project is completed, there will be pamphlets in the foyer of the new administration building describing each scene in detail. The foyer already includes interesting information, photos and paintings of our heroic armed forces from battle scenes of 20th century wars. A Purple Heart Honor Roll now is in place in the courthouse foyer, and a wall of gold-framed certificates of veterans who were awarded medals of valor will complete the project. The display was dedicated at a ceremony on November 10, 2003. The event's keynote speaker was Idaho Supreme Court Justice Daniel Eismann, who earned two Purple Hearts and three Air Medals during the Vietnam War. I would like to submit the speech Justice Eismann delivered at the dedication for the Record. Hall of Heroes Dedication--Kootenai County (Hon. Daniel T. Eismann, Nov. 10, 2003) I first want to commend the citizens of Kootenai County for this impressive memorial to those who have served in the United States military. As a veteran, I thank you. I also commend Ron Rankin, who was the driving force behind this growing monument. The words ``Keeping America Free'' on the murals outside summarize the primary mission of the United States military. The freedom we enjoy today did not come cheaply. It was purchased during the Revolutionary War with the blood of American soldiers; for over two hundred years it has been guarded and defended both here and abroad by the blood of American soldiers; and it will be preserved in the future by the blood of American soldiers. In the words of Daniel Webster, ``God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard it and defend it.'' It is because of our God-given freedom that we are the most prosperous and powerful nation on earth. It is the desire for that freedom that causes many from other countries to flock to our borders. It is envy of that freedom, and the prosperity and power it produces, that causes others to hate and want to destroy us. With oceans to our east and west and good neighbors to our north and south, we have for many years felt secure in our freedom. We may even have taken it for granted. No nation on earth could be powerful enough to invade us. The tragic events of September 11, 2001, however, shattered that security. Although the enemies of freedom cannot take ours by force, they showed that they will try to destroy it by fear. Those tragic events confirmed that to preserve our freedom here, we will sometimes have to root out evil and tyranny in other parts of the world. We cannot be truly free unless people around the world are free. The enemies of freedom will always desire to extinguish the beacons of liberty shining around the world, and ours shines the brightest. The tragic events of September 11th also rekindled a deep appreciation and respect for those who have donned the uniform of the United States military. We are here today to honor some of those who have helped to preserve our freedom. We have come together to dedicate the Hall of Heroes, to honor those from Kootenai County who have been awarded a medal for heroism while serving in our nation's military. By honoring them, we are not in any way minimizing the sacrifice and contribution of all others who have served in uniform. Any of you who saw the movie ``We Were Soldiers'' may remember the helicopter pilot in the movie whose nickname was ``Too Tall.'' The real ``Too Tall'' is a friend of mine named Ed Freeman who lives in Boise. The movie does not do justice to what Ed actually did during that battle. On November 14, 1965, after LZ X-Ray had been closed to helicopters because of intense enemy fire, Ed flew fourteen missions into and out of that landing zone delivering ammunition, water, and medical supplies to the troops on the ground and evacuating 30 seriously wounded soldiers. For his actions, Ed was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, our nation's highest award for heroism. Ed's Medal of Honor was certainly well-deserved, but he could not have made the impact he did without the help of others. He could not have delivered the much-needed ammunition, water, and medical supplies to the men on the ground unless others had worked to have those items waiting at his base to be loaded on his helicopter. Few if any of the seriously wounded soldiers that he rescued would have survived had it not been for the medical personnel who were waiting to care for them. The military is a team, with every person doing his or her part. Those of us who served in combat would not have lasted long without others who kept us supplied with needed materiel--weapons, munitions; equipment, fuel, medical supplies, and food--or who equipped and directed the planes, artillery, and ships that rained bombs, missiles, and shells on the enemy. Thus, by honoring those who have been awarded medals for heroism we are in no way forgetting or diminishing the contribution made by all who have faithfully served our nation as members of its armed forces. Because we are honoring those whose names will be in the Hall of Heroes, it seems fitting to ask, ``What is a hero?'' The first time someone called me a hero, my reaction was, ``I am no hero. I just did my duty.'' As I have thought about it, however, maybe that is part of what a hero is. It is someone who puts duty above self--someone who exhibits selfless dedication to a noble cause. Another characteristic of a hero is courage. But, what is courage? British author C.K. Chesterton aptly described courage as follows: ``Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of a readiness to die. `He that will lose his life, the same shall save it,' is not a piece of mysticism for saints and heroes. It might be printed in . . . a drill book. The paradox is the whole principle of courage. . . . A soldier surrounded by enemies, if he is to cut his way out, needs to combine a strong desire for living with a strange carelessness about dying. He must not merely cling to life, for then he will be a coward, and will not escape. He must not merely wait for death, for then he will be a suicide, and will not escape. He must seek his life in a spirit of furious indifference to it; he must desire life like water and yet drink death like wine. In combat, you have no future. You have no past. You have only the present. To survive, you must consider yourself already dead, and then fight with all that is in you to stay alive, and to keep alive those who are fighting alongside you. I first learned this truism not long after I started flying as a crew chief on a Huey gunship. As a crew chief, my job was to maintain the helicopter and to be a door gunner when we were flying. One afternoon, as we were returning from a mission, I moved from my normal position literally two seconds before a 51-caliber round tore through my helicopter. Had I not moved, it would have hit me right in the Adam's apple, and would have taken my head off. There was no reason for me to have moved, other than the intervention of God. I pondered that event for a little while. Before then, being killed in combat had been an abstract possibility. I now realized that as long as I was flying in gunships, being killed was a distinct probability. Perhaps what was most disconcerting was that the bullet came without any warning. It was like a bolt out of the blue. We were not even in a place where we were expecting enemy fire. I realized that on any given day, I could be killed by one bullet coming without warning out of nowhere. I concluded that I could either worry about dying and get ulcers, or simply choose not to worry about it. I chose the latter course. From that day on, I simply considered myself already dead. Those who have accepted their death need not fear it. Certainly, those who willingly risk their lives in combat while fighting for our country are heroes. The people we are honoring today, however, did more than merely risk their lives. The military does not award medals for valor simply for risking one's life. That is expected in combat. I was on a Huey gunship during most of my two years in Vietnam. Our job was to find the enemy and engage them. We did not have any high-tech equipment to help us locate the enemy. Our most sophisticated electronics were our two-way radios. To find the enemy, we simply tried to be an attractive target so that they would shoot at us. We would fly as low as we could, sometimes only a few feet above the ground, over or near places where the enemy may be hiding, trying to draw their fire. Once the enemy opened fire, we would know where they were and could take them on. Having the enemy shoot at us was simply part of our job; it was all in a day's work. That is the same for anyone who serves in combat. Those we are honoring today did not merely risk their lives in combat. They went far above and beyond the call of duty, putting then lives at extraordinary risk. They may have done so to rescue wounded or trapped comrades, or to accomplish the mission. Firefights are decided, battles are won, and victory is gained because of soldiers like these--who put themselves at extraordinary risk to save others, to accomplish the mission, and to defeat the enemies of freedom. One of God's blessings upon this nation has been that throughout her history, in times of great trials, ordinary people have come forward and done extraordinary deeds. Today, we are honoring some of those people. On behalf of my fellow Americans, I thank them and I salute them.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for this time that he has offered me today. I rise in deep concern over a provision in this legislation. Like most of my colleagues, I supported H.R. 2417 when it came before the House in June; but after tertiary review, I find that there is a provision in the bill that potentially has long-reaching effects on civil liberties. H.R. 2417 includes a provision that would expand the FBI's power to demand financial records, without a judge's approval, to a large range of businesses, vastly wider than their current authority. Right now the FBI has the authority to serve subpoenas to traditional financial institutions when investigating terrorism and counterintelligence without having to seek a judge's approval. The law understands the phrase ``financial institutions'' as we do: banks, loan companies, savings associations and credit unions. Currently, these are the types of institutions subject to administrative subpoenas. The provision in this bill, however, uses a definition of financial institutions to decide what organizations are subject to administrative subpoenas. Under this bill, not only are the traditional financial institutions like banks and credit unions affected but so are pawnbrokers, casinos, vehicle salesmen, real estate agents, telegraph companies, travel agencies, the U.S. Postal Service, just to name but a few. Winning the war against terrorism is indeed vital, Mr. Speaker, and we must make sure that our law enforcement officials have the tools necessary to engage this war and win these battles. The FBI's need for authority to subpoena these groups in order to track and find and shut down terrorist operations is not in question, and I do not question that. However, under these provisions, the FBI no longer needs a court order to serve such a subpoena on a new and lengthy laundry list of financial institutions. With this legislation, we eliminate the judicial oversight that was built into our system for a reason, to make sure that our precious liberties are protected. In our fight for our Nation to make the world a safe place, we must not turn our backs on our own freedoms. Expanding the use of administrative subpoenas and threatening our system of checks and balance is a step in the wrong direction.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and praise the efforts of a group of women known across America as ``Idaho's Ambassadors of Fun.'' They are the Red Hot Mamas--a family oriented musical-comedy troupe from Coeur d'Alene, ID. These are women in the prime of their lives, all over the age of 30, who revel in sharing their good humor and infectious high spirits. The ladies wear brightly colored house dresses and 5-foot-tall hats made from empty grocery cartons, milk jugs, balloons or other household items. They can be found most days in one parking lot or another in Coeur d'Alene, practicing their precision drill-team routines. The Red Hot Mamas performed at the 54th Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C., on ABC's ``Good Morning America'' and ``Nightline'' programs, at Philadelphia's Independence Day Parade; Hershey, Pennsylvania's Centennial Anniversary Parade; the Fiesta Bowl Parade in Tempe, Arizona; the Holiday Bowl Parade in San Diego; the Seafair Parade in Seattle and many more. Many of their performances have raised money for various charities. They soon will be traveling to England to perform in London's New Year's Day Parade--the world's largest. Once again they will be spreading the word about their beautiful home state of Idaho, and spreading joy in the process. I want to thank these unique, fun-loving ladies and let them know their efforts are appreciated.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the work and purpose of the North Star Charter School in Eagle, Idaho. This public school was founded by volunteers--parents with a vision of virtue, citizenship and leadership not only for their own children but also for their community and our nation. I recently had the honor of visiting the North Star Charter School at its new building, not far from my ranch in Idaho. About 270 students joined with 20 excellent faculty members and a similar number of involved, caring parents as we unveiled a painting of George Washington at prayer. That painting now is displayed prominently near the school's main entrance. It is a stirring image of the first and greatest of our Founding Fathers, and it provides a fitting reminder of the kind of values that the North Star Charter School has made the foundation of its curriculum and educational environment. The school for kindergarteners through eighth-graders, led by Board of Directors Chairman Gale Pooley and Principal Nancy Smith, has established as its mission the development of virtuous citizen leaders. The lives and work of our Founding Fathers are the historical guideposts of that journey. Even the school's name provides a constant reminder that its goals are unwavering and steadfast, like the North Star itself--an eternal beacon trusted by navigators searching for new lands, or simply making their way home. I couldn't hope to say it any better than the school's own mission statement: ``The North Star Charter School will endeavor to develop each student into a leader that can be trusted to serve the interests of his family, community, profession and nation with the strength of character and the depth of knowledge to stand for the time-honored principles and ideals of a free and open society.'' Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud to represent the school, its students and the families that find such great value in the timeless lessons of our nation's birth.

Mr. OTTER

Mr. OTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solemn humility to remember Jeff Allen and Shane Heath, two young Idaho firefighters who were killed on the afternoon of July 22 while battling a wildfire in Idaho's Salmon-Challis National Forest. The loss of life is always tragic. The deaths of people working to protect our lives, property, and resources are especially painful; and I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of these brave Americans. Those with the skills and the courage to defend us against the ravages of nature and the folly of man are among the best and the brightest, and we must do all we can as a Nation to ensure that their lives are not put at unnecessary risk and that their sacrifice is never forgotten. My own son, John, once served with a hotshot first strike crew for the Sawtooth National Firefighting crews, so I can empathize with the fear and the pain that comes from incidences like this that these families now face. Today we pause to remember that wildfire does more than just damage our economy and our environment. It kills. May the loved ones of Jeff Allen and Shane Heath take what comfort they can in the sure knowledge that a grateful Nation honors them today and all those who follow them into the forests on our behalf.