Todd Platts

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Chair, the adoption of this amendment would help to ensure sufficient competition among the designers and manufacturers of water and wastewater treatment equipment across the country. It is premised on the idea that small firms ought to have the same chance at bidding on a project as large firms. In addition, with there being a critical need to upgrade our water and sewer infrastructure, requiring States to ensure a full and open competition would likely reduce the cost of the program and help finance additional and much needed projects. This amendment would simply provide that, ``No specification for bids shall be written in such a manner as to contain proprietary, exclusionary or discriminatory requirements other than those based upon performance, unless such requirements are necessary to test or demonstrate a specific thing or to provide for necessary interchangeability of parts and equipment.'' The amendment further provides that, ``When in the judgment of the grantee, it is impractical or uneconomical to make a clear and accurate description of the technical requirements, a 'brand name or equal' description may be used as a means to define the performance or other salient requirements of a procurement, and in doing so the grantee may not establish existence of any source other than the brand or source so named.'' The language found in this amendment is the same competition requirement that was applied to grants provided under title II of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. While not identical, it is also very similar to a competition requirement adopted by my home State of Pennsylvania for its revolving fund. I appreciate the Rules Committee having made the amendment in order, and I urge a ``yes'' vote. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Chairman, I appreciate the chairman's acceptance of the amendment and the work of his staff, as well as the ranking member of the full committee and the chairman and ranking member of the subcommittee. And, again, I appreciate their consideration and acceptance of the amendment. Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ms. Phyllis C. Campbell, who will retire from the Defense' Logistics Agency's, DLA, Defense Distribution Center, DDC, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, on March 3, 2007. Ms. Campbell's distinguished government career spans 40 years, and her record of achievement during this period reflects greatly upon herself and upon the organizations with which she has served. Her contributions to the national defense will be missed as she moves on to new and exciting opportunities. Ms. Campbell was appointed to the Senior Executive Service position of deputy commander, DDC in July 1998. The DDC is DLA's Lead Center for distribution and has management responsibility for 26 military distribution centers around the world. Ms. Campbell hails from Steelton, Pennsylvania and has followed a varied career of increasing responsibility culminating in her appointment as deputy commander. In 1966, she entered the Federal service in the Transportation Division at Defense Distribution Depot Ogden, Utah, and in 1973, was selected into the Depot's Management Intern Program. In 1979, Ms. Campbell became a supply systems analyst in the newly formed Defense System Automation Center, DSAC, which later became the DLA System Design Center, DSDC. In 1982, she returned to the Ogden installation, becoming branch chief with responsibility for all operations and administrative systems and procedures. In 1985, Ms. Campbell was promoted to division chief, assuming additional responsibility for a $30 million depot modernization program. In 1989, Ms. Campbell reached a career benchmark with her selection as deputy director, Office of Technology and Information Services. In 1990, Ms. Campbell was selected by the Office of Secretary of Defense, OSD, to be the deputy for the Corporate Information Management Distribution prototype group. This group was chartered to develop a standard distribution system for use throughout the Department of Defense. In 1991, Ms. Campbell was reassigned to DLA's Defense Distribution Systems Center as its business manager. Ms. Campbell was instrumental in selecting the migration system for deployment to the then 30 DLA distribution sites. In 1993, Ms. Campbell returned to the OSD Comptroller's Office of Financial Review and Analysis. From 1995 until her appointment to deputy commander, she served as director, Distribution Operations with the Defense Distribution Center. Ms. Campbell attended Weber State University and is the recipient of numerous special achievement and performance awards including the 2005 Presidential Distinguished Executive Rank Award, the 2002 Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award, the Distinguished Order of Saint Martin, and the Military Ancient Order of Saint Christopher award in recognition of her contributions to transportation initiatives. Madam Speaker, I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Phyllis C. Campbell on her retirement from Federal civil service. She epitomizes the dedication and professionalism that make our Federal government a model all over the world.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I want to first take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude and deep respect for our troops and civilians serving in harm's way. I have had the privilege of visiting our troops in Iraq on four occasions and Afghanistan twice, and they and their families are truly the heroes in America. I rise today in opposition to this resolution, a resolution that seeks to maintain the status quo, in essence, to stay the course, a scenario that everyone agrees is unacceptable. This resolution offers no alternative strategy. As we consider the challenges in Iraq, we need to remember and learn from the lessons of Afghanistan. In the 1980s, we supported the people of Afghanistan in defeating the Soviets, helping throw the Soviets out of that country. In 1989, when that happened, what did we do? We walked away. We did not finish the job. We did not help the people of Afghanistan to stand up a secure and stable government. Instead, we walked away. Who filled the vacuum? The Taliban, and ultimately al Qaeda, a safe haven for them to plan attacks against America and its interests. In 1989, I imagine that few Americans believed that what went on in the mountains of Afghanistan would impact the lives of Americans here at home. On September 11, 2001, in a tragic fashion we learned that that was the case, that what went on in Afghanistan mattered here at home. We cannot afford to make the same mistake now in Iraq, to allow Iraq to become a safe haven for al Qaeda and other enemies of our Nation and our citizens. The Iraq Study Group offered a comprehensive approach to the challenges of Iraq. It included political, diplomatic, and military options. As part of the military proposal, it dismissed increasing our troop levels by 100,000 to 200,000 troops, saying it was not feasible and would lend to the argument of an occupation. However, the Iraq Study Group did support more limited troop reinforcements. And I quote from the Iraq Study Group report: ``We could, however, support a short-term deployment or a surge of American combat forces to stabilize Baghdad or to speed up the training and equipping mission if the United States commander in Iraq determined that such steps would be effective.'' The report goes on to dismiss the idea of an immediate withdrawal. Well, our commander in Iraq today, General Petraeus, an individual confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate, is on record supporting the need for these additional reinforcements. Ultimately, the key to long-term success in Iraq is the Iraqi people themselves. They need to show the ability and the will to stand up and secure their emerging democracy. Having liberated Iraq from a regime of terror and torture, our role today is to assist the Iraqis in achieving a stable and secure nation. This reinforcement effort is part of that effort, along with regional diplomatic efforts and internal Iraqi political reconciliation efforts. We are now in the role of helping the Iraqis help themselves. We cannot forget the lessons of Afghanistan and walk away. I urge a ``no'' vote

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the distinguished gentleman from California for yielding to me. Madam Speaker, I certainly support the underlying goal of this legislation about making higher education more affordable for our citizens, and I plan to support this legislation to move the process forward because it is an important goal we are after. I know from personal experience the importance of student loans. I am probably one of the few Members of this Chamber that was elected while still paying for student loans. In fact, my wife and I could not have afforded our undergraduate degrees and our graduate degrees without the support of grants and loans, and we were delighted when we were able to pay the loans back a few short years ago. While I support the underlying goal, however, I need to raise concerns about the manner in which we are attacking this issue and some of the substance of the issue. First, the process. This bill has not been allowed to have committee hearings. There has been no opportunity for amendments in committee, and certainly no opportunity for amendments here on the floor. In fact, we have a closed rule, no amendments. If we had followed regular order and taken this bill through the committee process, we could have taken a bill with a good intent and made it a good piece of legislation on behalf of all of our Nation's citizens and done even better than we will do today. I also need to address the failure of this legislation to address the reason that students are in need of more and higher student loans, the reason they need to borrow more and more, and that is ever-increasing tuition rates. To the great credit of the distinguished gentleman from California, in previous years we sought to address that issue. He led the charge to try to work with the institutions of higher education across this country to be reasonable, to be responsible. This legislation does not address that at all. I am often surprised when higher education institutions lobby for greater loan limits, and they don't disclose to their students the reason that they need higher loans is because those very institutions keep raising their tuition rates. This bill does not address that unfortunately. I am also very disappointed that this bill does not address the ability of students to get into colleges, those up-front costs and the initial costs. This is about graduates who are in repayment. It does not help new students to help families get their children into school. Unlike the Deficit Reduction Act, and this was addressed earlier by one of the previous speakers, that legislation actually gave additional assistance to students in going to school, significantly higher grant program amounts, I think over $5 billion in new grant programs; lower loan fees that the distinguished gentleman from California addressed, from 4 percent to 1 percent; higher loan limits for those early years of college. It made it more affordable for students, especially low- and middle- class family students, to get into college and to pay their bills as they were in college. This bill does not address that. Finally, while I certainly support the pay-as-you-go approach and voted in favor of that reform this past week, this bill achieves that goal in a gimmick fashion. The way it spreads out the reduction and pays for this is not true pay-as-you-go. And I think if we are going to do right by our citizens, in this case by those seeking and getting higher education opportunities, we need to make the tough decisions and truly pay for what we are providing in assistance. I will vote in favor of this legislation to move the process forward, but I hope as it moves forward and we get to work with the Senate, that we will do much better in truly assisting the students who are trying to get into school or who are in school now with the cost of higher education. If we do so, as we have done in the past in some important ways with the Deficit Reduction Act, we truly will be about helping our Nation's students.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support House Resolution 745. This resolution will help to increase awareness about a horrible disease: pancreatic cancer. Few Americans may understand that pancreatic cancer is a horrific killer. This year alone, over 33,000 people will be diagnosed with this disease. Because there are no early detection tools for this cancer, 99 percent of those diagnosed will lose their lives. Many Americans are not aware that pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all cancers; most patients only survive three to six months after diagnosis. This is why it is a moral imperative for Congress to work to increase awareness of this deadly cancer. Currently, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (known as ``PanCAN'') is the only national advocacy organization available for pancreatic cancer patients and their families and friends. I became aware of PanCAN through a constituent of mine, Bob Hammen, who lost his wife to this terrible disease. PanCAN provides patient support and professional education about this disease, while coordinating advocacy programs to focus national attention on finding a cure for pancreatic cancer. PanCAN regards each November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. With the passage of H. Res. 745, Congress will be supporting PanCAN's efforts to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer so that scientific advancements can lead to some early detection programs and effective treatments. Mr. Speaker, because all of our fellow citizens have family, friends and neighbors who are regrettably vulnerable to this dreaded disease, I urge support from my distinguished colleagues for this resolution here today.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 178 which occurred on May 22, 2006, regarding H.R. 3858, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, September 11, 2001 remains a day of both indescribable tragedy and awe-inspiring heroism in our Nation's mind. We mourn for the victims of the terrorist attacks that day, and keep their families in our prayers. But we also remember the heroism displayed by so many. No one will forget, not ever, the courage seen on 9-11. Courage seen in the actions of firefighters and police officers, Pentagon employees, and everyday citizens. Courage seen by the choices these heroes made-- to rush to the aid of others, to enter into burning buildings, to resist the hijackers of Flight 93. Many who work in the Capitol Building, both Members of Congress and staff, remember well that this symbol of democracy was most likely a target too--a target avoided only because of the heroes of Flight 93. We owe these heroes more than words can provide. We owe all these heroes more than words can provide. We are fortunate that five years have passed without another terrorist strike on our own soil. We owe this to all those on the front lines of the War on Terror--in the military, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies. We should remember them, and their service, on this day too. We should ensure they are well-equipped, have the tools needed for their mission, and are properly recognized. They stand on the line for us--on behalf of life and hope, against an ideology that embraces death and hate. The heroism of 9-11 is now part of what Lincoln called ``the mystic chords of memory.'' As time passes, the partisan disagreements of our day will fade into obscurity. But the heroism seen on 9-11 will not. Future generations of Americans, committed to the promise of a better world, united by the sacrifices of previous generations, will remember the heroes of September 11.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 861. The debate we are having today serves as an important reminder to all Americans that we are a nation at war. This war is against an enemy that embraces hate and intolerance over liberty and justice. Like other wars in our history, the human and financial costs are high. We mourn the loss of each and every American who has made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Nation. All Americans are forever indebted to these courageous citizens and their families. It is understandable that Americans worry for the safety of our troops and have doubts as reports of suicide bombings and other attacks air regularly on television. But as in the war against fascism in the 20th century and as demonstrated by the tragic attacks of 9/11, the stakes for our Nation and our democratic allies throughout the world could not be higher. In place of the regimes of terror and torture in Iraq and Afghanistan, we now have duly elected constitutional governments, governments that are working to promote democracy in a region of the world that has rarely embraced it. The citizens of these nations have demonstrated their intense desire for freedom through their willingness to face down threats of violence and death in casting their votes in numerous national elections in both countries. The global war on terrorism in the broad sense and the specific battles in Iraq and Afghanistan will not be won according to a specified timetable, and our enemy cannot be appeased. But we can and we will win this war because our cause is just and right. And winning this war will ensure that the democratic gains made in Iraq and Afghanistan are not lost. The security of our Nation and its citizens, along with the defense of the ideals of freedom, democracy, and justice, is what is at stake in this global struggle of good over evil. This struggle requires us to go beyond Democrat and Republican, liberal and conservative, just as previous generations did to defeat the totalitarian ideologies of the 20th century. And in the words of President Roosevelt at the beginning of World War II, it means going forward with ``confidence in our Armed Forces, with the unbounding determination of our people'' in order to ``gain the inevitable triumph.'' May God watch over our troops serving in harm's way, and may God continue to bless our great Nation, the United States of America. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 861 and ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. The debate we are having today serves as an important reminder to all Americans that we are a nation at war. This war is against an enemy that embraces hate and intolerance over life and liberty. Like other wars in our history, the human and financial costs are high. We mourn the loss of each and every American who has made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. All Americans are forever indebted to these courageous citizens and their families. It is understandable that Americans worry for the safety of our troops and have doubts as reports of suicide bombings and other attacks air regularly on television. But, as in the war against fascism in the 20th century, and as demonstrated by the tragic attacks of 9-11, the stakes for our nation and our democratic allies throughout the world could not be higher. I have traveled to Afghanistan twice and Iraq four times over the past four and one-half years. During these visits, there have been two constants that have instilled confidence in me about our mission and progress in these countries. First is the professionalism, courage, and sense of duty displayed by our men and women in uniform. Whenever you thank our soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen for their service, they humbly reply, ``I'm just doing my job.'' Their job, of course, is to protect our way of life. To protect the lives of our nation's citizens and the principles for which our great nation stands. Our troops have removed truly brutal regimes from power in Afghanistan and Iraq. They have denied terrorists two safe havens. They have eliminated the threat that a murderous dictator who used weapons of mass destruction on his own people--a dictator who continued to defy United Nations resolutions and shoot at American planes enforcing the no-fly zones in northern and southern Iraq--would again produce and brandish such weapons once international support for sanctions broke down. Our men and women in uniform are building schools and roads, training police and soldiers, and hunting down terrorists. They are fighting al- Qaeda in Afghanistan and Iraq so we don't have to fight them here at home. They are helping the Iraqi security forces stand up so we can stand down. In place of the regimes of terror and torture in Iraq and Afghanistan, we now have duly elected constitutional governments. Governments that are working to promote democracy in a region of the world that has rarely embraced it. The citizens of these nations have demonstrated their intense desire for freedom through their willingness to face down threats of violence and death in casting their votes in numerous national elections in both countries. The devotion to duty of our men and women in uniform is truly inspiring. The sacrifices of these patriotic Americans on the front lines of the Global War on Terrorism, as well as the sacrifices of their family members on the home front, have earned the respect, admiration, and eternal gratitude of all Americans, as well as that of 50 million Afghani and Iraqi citizens who are free today because of the troops' successes. The second constant in my visits to Afghanistan and Iraq is the genuine gratefulness expressed by the Iraqi and Afghani people for our nation's actions in liberating them and giving them a chance at freedom. Again and again, what I heard was simply: ``Thank you for liberating our citizens.'' On my first visit to Iraq, I met with the Mayor of Kirkuk, Abdul Rehman Mustafa, and other Kirkuk city leaders. Mayor Mustafa specifically asked my colleagues and me, upon our return home, to thank our nation's mothers and fathers for their willingness to support their children, our troops, in going into harm's way to defeat Saddam Hussein and thus liberate Iraq and its citizens. In the words of Dr. Kemal Kirkuki, one of Mayor Mustafa's colleagues on the Kirkuk City Council, ``This was not a war against Iraq. It was a war to liberate Iraq.'' On another trip, I met with a group of Iraqi women leaders, including Safia Taleb al-Suhail. This group of female government and private sector leaders exemplifies the transformation of Iraq from a nation ruled by terror and torture to one in which men and women alike have constitutional rights and opportunities. Safia shared with me how her late father, an opponent of Saddam Hussein, was killed in 1994 while living in exile in Lebanon by Saddam's intelligence service. Ten years later, Safia was named Iraq's Ambassador to Egypt. The general consensus of these Iraqi women leaders was that they couldn't wait for the day when our and all Coalition troops could return home and Iraq did not need the military assistance of other nations. These Iraqi women leaders emphasized, however, how glad they were that our and the other Coalition troops were there ensuring the freedom of all Iraqis. On my most recent trip to Iraq, I observed and met with Iraqi soldiers undergoing basic training. There are now over 260,000 Iraqis trained and equipped to fight the insurgency. Iraqis like those I met with at the East Fallujah training camp continue to stand in line and volunteer for service in Iraqi military and police units, even though they know that said service makes them a likely target for the insurgents. The Iraqi soldiers I met expressed their deep thanks for what our troops have done in their country. The Global War on Terrorism in the broad sense and the specific battles in Iraq and Afghanistan will not be won according to a specified timetable, and our enemy cannot be appeased. But we can and will win this war because our cause is just and right. And winning this war will ensure the democratic gains made in Afghanistan and Iraq are not lost. Winning this war will also have a far-reaching and critically important impact in other Middle East countries. The security of our nation and its citizens, along with the defense of the ideals of freedom, democracy, and justice, is what is at stake in this global struggle of good over evil. This struggle requires us to go beyond Democrat and Republican, Liberal and Conservative--just as previous generations did to defeat the totalitarian ideologies of the 20th century. And, in the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the beginning of the Second World War, it means going forward, ``with confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people,'' in order to ``gain the inevitable triumph.'' May God watch over our troops serving in harm's way, and may God continue to bless our great nation--the United States of America.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Traumatic Brain Injury Taskforce, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 99. This resolution will help increase awareness for traumatic brain injury (TBI), the leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults in the United States. Mr. Speaker, few Americans may understand the amount of devastation caused by TBIs every year. This year alone, over 1.4 million people will sustain a traumatic brain injury. Sadly, at least 80,000 of those individuals will remain permanently disabled from the trauma. Falls, motor vehicle crashes, sports injuries, and violence are among the major causes of TBI, leaving every individual susceptible. Additionally, TBls can manifest themselves in various ways, from a small behavioral change to complete physical disability, and even death. Brain injuries affect the whole family emotionally and financially, often resulting in huge medical and rehabilitation expenses. It is now especially important that we promote awareness for TBI because military doctors are naming it the signature wound of the war in Iraq. Thanks to the state-of-the-art body armor with which our men and women overseas are equipped, they are able to survive violent attacks, while still receiving a blunt force to the head. Walter Reed Memorial Hospital found that over 60% of all soldiers wounded in an explosion, vehicle accident, or gunshot to the head or neck, sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury. Mr. Speaker, because all of our fellow citizens have family, friends and neighbors who could fall victim to TBI at any time, I urge support from my distinguished colleagues for this resolution here today.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the patriotic essay on military service by one of my young constituents, Mr. Adam Brown of Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. Adam's essay entitled, ``Narratives of Soldiery,'' was submitted for publication by Mr. Larry Babitts, a twice-wounded, two-war combat veteran and commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Capitol City--West Shore Chapter 11, Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. In his essay, Adam pays tribute to the courageous service and sacrifice of those men and women in uniform who selflessly guard our individual freedoms and liberties here at home and throughout the world. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to submit Adam's essay for publication in the Congressional Record, at Mr. Babbits' request. Adam's essay reminds all Americans that it is our solemn national duty to support our fellow citizens who volunteer to forfeit their own security to defend and preserve the rights and liberties that make our Nation the world's pinnacle of freedom. In Adam's words, ``there is no greater gift than serving your country.'' Narratives of Soldiery (By Adam Brown) Hang your head in shame, those who think themselves too good for service, for there is no man who may say it with truth. Those who find themselves in wealth's company and belittle the soldier, hold your self-righteous tongues in the presence of men greater than yourselves. Before your mercurial words lash on the backs of the men who fight, remember this; the dream that you live was delivered by those men whom you belittled. For a rich man who thinks himself too valuable for soldiery is worth less than the vagabond who answers his nation's call. All men of a free nation are indebted to nation that grants them that freedom. And the soldier, violent so as his acts may be, is the vessel with which those freedoms are delivered. Go Curser of the warrior, exercise your freedoms; speak what you will, worship what you will, and congregate where you will, but rest your head at night with an uneasy conscience. For when your nation looked for your service in time of war, you lowered your head, so as not to be recognized, so let your head stay lowered in dishonor. Wise is the common man who recognizes his debt, and pays it with his service, for there is no greater gift than serving your country. Common man, you may walk the roads of your country knowing one absolute truth, every time you fought on our behalf, every time you killed out of orders, and every time you held a dying brother, you earned your rights. Every American gets them, but you, oh noble veteran, have earned them in a way the nay-sayer will never. And his riches can never buy what you have earned. Keep this knowledge sacred, that in paying the debt to your country, all others now owe that debt to you. You now owe no man, only God. Common man of soldiery, what you have done will be forever with you, both your valiance and your nightmares. For every soldier remembers, be it right or wrong, taking life. So when you wake in your bed with cold sweat, find comfort; find comfort in the fact that the actions that give you nightmares, have also brought you honor. And search for a small measure of peace. In a world that was fair, no one would ask you to be strong again, because you have shown enough strength for your entire lifetime. But, alas, this world lacks perfection, and you are never rid of what is asked of you. Though it isn't fair, still you must be strong, strong for your family, and your community. Do not search for recognition for what you have done; it will come of itself. It seems impossible to find enough toughness in oneself to remain the pillar of strength for so many, but you can do it, and you must do it. People will look to you as the military, be it invited or not. So your actions reflect on the military, the entire military, regardless of your branch, it is for this reason you must still be strong. Though you may not think it, you will find inner strength to hold up all that you need to. You who retreats from honor's light, again you are addressed. When a soldier enters your presence, dare you not to criticize or even meet eyes with him. For you did cower, and no self-justification will nullify that fact. You have the luxury of speaking ill of the nation, and its leader. Carry with you any politics you may, speak ill of your government if you see fit, for that is the first liberty we took upon creating our country, but see the line between the government, and the soldier. For that line is a canyon for which there is no compare, And if you truly think ill of your government, do not impose upon a soldier, your dissatisfaction. For if not for him you would hail: a British crown, a Mexican president, a slave holder, a German Furher, a Japanese Emperor, a Korean Dictator, a Russian Czar, or an Arab Sheik. This list is long and the common soldier did fight and prevail over all these. So you have no place to quarrel with such a noble man. Keep in mind, the soldier is merely the sword of his people, to do what they wish. One does not blame the sword for who it cuts down, or why it cuts, the sword only does what its wielder commands. Yet forget not your duty, to speak against the government if it should become tyrannical, because you are bound by honor to see the sword not abused. Some men measure success in gold and things of beauty; I pity these men. Some measure success in popularity, these men too, I pity. For success is nothing more than accomplishing something correctly, every man has done this, and every man has failed at this. Men place too much importance on success, and in doing so have neglected the most important of all virtues, honor. But what is honor? Honor cannot be tasted, seen, or heard, but felt; not just by he who is honorable, but everyone around him as well. Honor is standing defiantly in the face of that which is wrong and stating with a stem voice and clenched fists, ``This is not right, and I will not let this stand.'' Those words will emanate to the heavens and rally the angels' cheers. Those words will shake hell to hysteria and send demons fleeing in fear. Take a moment, Common Man of the Soldier, and find simple comfort in the fact that not all turn a blind eye to what you have done. For what you carry with you; you are honored.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge today, November 17, 2005, as the Great American Smokeout. For nearly three decades, the American Cancer Society has designated the third Thursday of each November as a day for smokers nationwide to unite and kick the deadly habit of smoking. Today, smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. It is a major cause of not only lung cancer, but cancers of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, kidney, bladder, pancreas, cervix, and has most recently been associated with acute leukemia and cancers of the stomach. Yet, over 45.4 million Americans are addicted to tobacco. Mr. Speaker, due to the commendable efforts of organizations such as the American Cancer Society, 46 million Americans have thankfully already quit smoking. The American Cancer Society will be conducting activities today throughout the United States to celebrate the Great American Smokeout. I encourage all smokers to take part in this critically important endeavor.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, on December 1, 1955, on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, the conscience of the Nation was rallied by a seamstress from Tuskegee. ``The only tired I was,'' Rosa Parks once remarked about that day, ``was tired of giving in.'' The injustice of racial segregation was overcome because so many ordinary people rallied to a great and noble cause, because so many ordinary people recognized an injustice and were tired of it. Rosa Parks' legacy is to have peacefully compelled our great nation to face up to its greatest shortcoming. As so many have said, Rosa Parks stood up by sitting down. Mr. Speaker, I am proud this chamber has today adopted a resolution (S. Con. Res. 61) to allow Ms. Parks to lie in honor in the rotunda of the United States Capitol, so that all citizens of our great Nation may pay their last respects. There must be room in this building for not only members of Congress and Presidents, but also for a seamstress and her moral legacy.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to strongly support House Resolution 276. This resolution will help increase awareness about a horrible disease: Pancreatic cancer. Few Americans may understand that pancreatic cancer is a horrific killer. This year alone, over 32,180 people will be diagnosed with this disease. Because there are no early detection tools for this cancer, 99% of those diagnosed will lose their lives. Many Americans are not aware that pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all cancers; most patients only survive 3 to 6 months after diagnosis. This is why it is a moral imperative for Congress to work to increase awareness of this deadly cancer. Currently, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (known as ``Pan CAN'') is the only national advocacy organization available for pancreatic cancer patients and their families and friends. I became aware of Pan CAN through a constituent of mine, Bob Hammen, who lost his wife to this terrible disease. Pan CAN provides patient support and professional education about this disease, while coordinating advocacy programs to focus national attention on finding a cure for pancreatic cancer. Pan CAN regards each November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. With the passage of H. Res. 276, Congress will be supporting Pan CAN's efforts to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer so that scientific advancements can lead to early detection programs and effective treatments. Mr. Speaker, because all of our fellow citizens have family, friends and neighbors who are regrettably vulnerable to this dreaded disease, I urge support from my distinguished colleagues for this resolution here today.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the School Readiness Act of 2005. I would like to pay particular attention and highlight a provision of the bill granting greater flexibility to Head Start programs wanting to provide Early Head Start to children ages birth to 3. A priority goal of the Head Start program is to reach out and assist as many of our Nation's at-risk children as possible in the most effective and responsible manner possible. In continuing with this tradition, I was proud to join with my distinguished colleagues, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen), in offering a bipartisan amendment during committee consideration of this measure meant to reach out and serve at-risk children at an age when brain development is occurring rapidly and is perhaps in its most critical phase. The Biggert-Van Hollen-Platts amendment, which was adopted unanimously in committee, gives grantees providing services under Head Start ages 3 to 5, and Early Head Start, birth to age 3, the flexibility to use existing unfilled Head Start slots for infants and toddlers who are eligible for Early Head Start. In the earliest years, infants and toddlers are developing a foundation not only with respect to language and cognition, but also with respect to emotion, mental health, and social behavior upon which all subsequent learning is built. As many as 75 percent of children enter the Head Start program with vocabulary skills below the average range, and 82 percent of these children start out with early writing skills below the average range. These numbers tell us that we need to start reaching out to at-risk children at an even younger age, before they have already fallen behind their peers. Yet early Head Start currently serves less than 5 percent of eligible infants and toddlers. A major study of the Early Head Start program by Mathematica Policy Research and Columbia University found that 3-year-old Head Start children performed significantly better on a range of measures of cognitive, language, and social and emotional development than a control group. In addition, the parents of these children scored significantly higher than control group parents on many aspects of parenting and the home environment. Early education programs are clearly important to the future of our Nation and our Nation's children. They have the ability to influence the course of young children's lives in a positive way. I hope my colleagues in this Chamber will join me in supporting final passage of H.R. 2123.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation to establish a Special Inspectors General Council for Hurricane Katrina. As Members of Congress charged with overseeing the operation and accountability of the Federal government, we have a responsibility to ensure that all funds we authorize and appropriate are spent for their intended purposes. In the wake of the terrible devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, we have already appropriated more than $60 billion for the immediate relief effort, and this amount is, no doubt, only the beginning. These funds must be spent in a way that ensures that the people in the affected areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are able to recover. Assuring accountability for relief and recovery projects is imperative. The public's trust in their government has been shaken in the aftermath of this disaster. We must assure the American people that we are being appropriately prudent with their money. Any dollar lost to fraud or waste is a dollar that does not make it to someone who is in need. This funding is too important to be misspent, and that is precisely why I am introducing this legislation today. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance, and Accountability, I have seen firsthand the good work of agency inspectors general. Their unique relationship with both the agencies they oversee and the Congress, to whom they report, provides an ideal check on the system. Inspectors general have long stood as a bulwark against fraud and mismanagement. While some in the Congress have called for the appointment of one Special IG to oversee hurricane relief funding, this proposal raises concerns. The most troubling aspect of the legislation is a requirement that this Special IG be appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security within three days. This is contrary to the intent of the Inspector General Act. The IG Act requires that an IG with this much authority--one who would potentially oversee the expenditures of up to $200 billion--be appointed by the President with the advise and consent of the Senate. Under the Special IG proposal, we would face the unworkable problem of having several IGs with Senate confirmation reporting to a political appointee who reports to one cabinet secretary. The response to Hurricane Katrina will involve the full breadth of Federal resources. It will touch nearly every Federal agency. What we need is a coordinated response from the IGs now in place throughout government. We need IGs with institutional knowledge unique to their own agencies to work together under the leadership of the Department of Homeland Security. This Council will draw on the resources of over 5,000 auditors and investigators who are already in place today. The hurricane relief money is being spent right now. It is important that this coordination begin as quickly as possible. We cannot take a chance on a single Special Inspector General who mayor may not have the depth and breadth of knowledge to ensure full accountability at all the Federal agencies that will be part of this effort. We have no time for a learning curve, especially when we have the ability to leverage the considerable resources already available. A Special IG Council will enable this important work, which in many cases is already underway, to be completed in the most effective manner.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Government Reform Subcommittee on Management, Finance, and Accountability, I rise today to express my concern for the victims and to emphasize the importance of ensuring that every dollar allocated to this relief effort gets to its intended recipient. As we pass this important relief measure, let me assure all Americans that we stand ready, willing, and able to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina. As we prepare to provide the appropriate and necessary assistance to ensure our citizens can rebuild their lives, we must administer these Disaster Assistance funds responsibly. Over the past two years, my Subcommittee has held three hearings on management at the Department of Homeland Security. While not always the most exciting topic, it is strong, sound management that will enable us to get through a crisis of this magnitude. Last year, in the aftermath of the Florida hurricanes, FEMA administered grants through the Individuals and Households Program. Just as we seek to do today, these grants were intended to provide emergency relief to those most impacted. Unfortunately, according to a report by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (Audit of FEMA's Individuals and Households Program in Miami-Dade County, Florida, for Hurricane Frances, OIG-05-20), there were numerous documented instances of improper payments. The assistance that we are providing to the victims of Hurricane Katrina is too important to be misspent. The Federal government has a responsibility to ensure the proper and effective distribution of aid. Any dollar lost to fraud or mismanagement is a dollar that does not make it to someone who is in need. With the passage of the Stafford Act (Public Law 93-288) and its subsequent amendments, the Congress put in place specific requirements for the effective allocation of disaster funds. This statutory framework is designed to protect these resources from those who would seek to gain at the expense of the victims of disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. With sound management, appropriate controls and accountability, we will have the means to continue to provide resources to those who are truly in need of assistance.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Speaker, the ongoing scenes of devastation and despair caused by Hurricane Katrina are heart-wrenching and unprecedented in our Nation's history. We must and will unite in a national effort to assist our fellow citizens in these hours of overwhelming need. Our condolences and prayers go out to all individuals who have been impacted by Hurricane Katrina, especially those who have lost loved ones in this horrific tragedy. Passage of this legislation makes it clear that all members of Congress, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike, are indeed united in our prayers for and commitment to the victims of this devastating event. We are also united in our admiration of the military and emergency services personnel who are working tirelessly to save lives and maintain order. Their heroic efforts, matched with the outpouring of support from the American people, are a testament to the character and compassion of our people. While the days, weeks, and months ahead will be long and difficult, our Nation will meet this unprecedented challenge with unwavering determination, compassion, and courage. May God watch over the victims of this tragedy during this time of tremendous loss and suffering.

Mr. PLATTS

Mr. PLATTS. I will be glad to take a more in-depth look at that amendment. I think we all have a shared purpose, but we will look at the specifics of the amendment.

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I certainly appreciate the difficult fiscal times we are in. The gentleman and his staff have done a great job of trying to balance all the concerns, and certainly I appreciate the gentleman's efforts and his staff's efforts to address this specific concern. I look forward to working with the gentleman as we go to conference with the Senate. In light of that effort, when we get to conference, I will be glad withdraw the amendment at the time and work with the gentleman and his staff in the months to come.

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Mr. PLATTS. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Chairman, this amendment I offer would increase funding for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, APHIS, by $1.227 million for the purpose of eradicating plum pox disease. This funding effort would allow for the total amount of funding for this program at APHIS to be $3.443 million, the same level that was appropriated in fiscal year 2005. The amendment I offer is important to the fruit growers both in Pennsylvania and across our Nation. It would help to bring an end to the most significant and destructive virus that affects our stone fruit grower, plum pox. The virus is extremely damaging to fruit production. The plum pox virus is capable of causing disease in fruits such as peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines, sweet and sour cherries. Tree yields can be severely affected. Some reports claim 80 to 100 percent premature fruit drop in some plum varieties. Infected fruit may be unsightly and difficult to sell as table fruit. Export of fruit is difficult; export of budwood and nursery stock is next to impossible. With the discovery of plum pox virus in Pennsylvania in September of 1999, a survey and eradication program was put in place. Through 5 years of survey, research and control action, the program has been successful in both containing and almost completely eradicating the virus. In fact, in 2004, for the first time no plum pox virus was found outside of existing quarantine areas. Three years of negative data in several of these quarantine areas allowed the rescinding of those quarantines. After 5 years of testing, no plum pox virus has been found in the United States outside the remaining quarantine zone in Pennsylvania. Although we have made considerable progress, the virus is still present. As evidence of the virus' persistence, on June 3 of this year, last week, the Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture announced the discovery of plum pox virus in Adams County once again. Both the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture are currently following the standard procedures to survey and quarantine the area in question. Level fund for the plum pox virus program at APHIS will likely eradicate this virus from both Pennsylvania and the United States, thereby being a smart Federal investment. Without adequate funding, the plum pox virus program will not be able to complete an appropriate survey and the associated procedures, which in turn will leave questions about the status of the virus. Eradication of the virus may not be completed and the possibility of virus spreading beyond the quarantine area will be left open. Complete eradication of the plum pox virus, on the other hand, will allow U.S. stone fruits and nursery industries to continue operating without further impairment by this virus menace. Level funding, as this amendment proposes, is critical to helping to eradicate this devastating disease once and for all.

Mr. PLATTS. Madam Chairman, will the gentleman yield?