Ted Poe

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on September 10, 2014, President Obama announced that the United States would ``degrade and ultimately destroy'' ISIS. ISIS has obviously not gotten the memo. This terrorist group keeps moving across the Middle East, killing those who stand in its way by raping, pillaging, and murdering those who disagree with them. ISIS controls half of Syria and large parts of Iraq. Civilized society is losing to these barbarians. Despite the U.S. spending billions on a counterterrorism strategy, the terrorist group's numbers have not decreased. In fact, ISIS has grown in size, with affiliates all over the world, including Indonesia, Yemen, Egypt, and even Libya. A $3 billion U.S. airstrike campaign has been plagued with little measurable successful results. From the very beginning, military officials warned that airstrikes alone that relied on virtually no human intelligence or on-the-ground intelligence would not be successful. Without good intelligence, the number of airstrikes the U.S. has carried out have been few, and the results are uncertain. Also, ISIS fighters killed by our airstrikes are just replaced by other jihadists. Our intelligence estimates that ISIS' numbers are the same as they were when our airstrikes began. In addition, the administration's $500 million train and equip program has proved to be a failure by anyone's measure. In July, officials reported they had identified 7,000 planned participants but only trained 60 of these mercenaries. Later that month, 54 fighters crossed into Syria to fight ISIS forces that numbered in the tens of thousands. Of those 54 mercenaries, virtually all were killed, captured, or scattered when attacked. We are now down to four or five U.S.-trained mercenaries, according to General Lloyd Austin of CENTCOM. Despite this failed policy, just last week, we sent a second group of 70 U.S.-trained mercenaries into Syria. Just 1 day later, reports suggested that one of the officers defected and surrendered his arms to al Qaeda's Syrian affiliate, and several truckloads of weapons were allegedly traded to the terrorist group al-Nusra for safe passage. It is time to abandon this failed train and equip program. The reality is just as bleak on the online battlefield. ISIS has 30,000 to 40,000 social media accounts. It uses the Internet to spread propaganda, raise money, and find recruits as far away as Washington State. In 2011, the administration promised a strategy to combat terrorist use of social media. Four years later, we still haven't seen that plan. No plan, no degrading ISIS, no defeating ISIS. The intel given to the administration has also been doctored to cover up how badly the war against ISIS is going. Meanwhile, thousands of people are fleeing the Middle East--flooding Europe and demanding entry into other Western nations because of the ISIS carnage and the chaos in Syria as well. In the face of our failure to destroy ISIS, we should be focusing on what we can do better and how we can improve our strategy without using U.S. ground troops. ISIS' advances in Syria translate into more direct threats to our national security and interests, both abroad and at home. ISIS wants to destroy the United States and everything we stand for. ISIS fears no one--certainly not the United States--so it continues to murder in the name of its radical jihad. It has already killed innocent Americans. We need a strategy that protects American people from this radical Islamic threat. So what is the plan? Let the Russians defeat ISIS and prop up the butcher of Syria, Assad, and let him remain in power? Who knows. The current U.S. plan seems to be like the war in Vietnam: don't win, don't lose. The American people need to know if the U.S. is in or out in the fight against ISIS. If it is in the national security interest of the United States to degrade and defeat them, we need to define the enemy and defeat them. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of the upcoming National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on October 10, 2015. The relationship between our two great countries has been long and prosperous, and will continue long into the future. During WWII, the Republic of China helped the allied forces defeat Japanese troops and ultimately win the war. In 1954, Taiwan signed the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty, which ensured peace in the Taiwan Strait and allowed for continued Taiwanese development. Later, the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), passed in 1979, guaranteed the future for a prosperous relationship. Since that time, Taiwan has continued to be a strong security and trade partner to the U.S. America has provided Taiwan with $18.3 billion in arms sales over the past seven years. In May 2015, the U.S. Congress passed initiatives aimed at increasing U.S.-Taiwan military exchanges, including participation in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise. On the trade front, Taiwan has not only become one of the leading economies in the Asia-Pacific region, but the entire world. Taiwan is America's tenth largest trading partner and America is Taiwan's third largest trading partner after China and Japan. Taiwan has even been named the third best country to invest in and the U.S. is Taiwan's largest foreign investor. In addition to being a strong trading partner, Taiwan has emerged as a responsible participant in the international market and an active member of prominent international organizations. Taiwan has been an outstanding member since becoming a member of the World Trade Organization in 2002. In 2008, the WTO Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures elected Lo Chang-fa, a professor specializing in international trade at National Taiwan University, to serve on its Permanent Group of Experts panel. Later that same year, Taiwan became a member of the Agreement on Government Procurement. These steps in the WTO show how the world has recognized Taiwan as a leading economy. In January 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) made arrangements for Taiwan to become a party to the International Health Regulations. This has enabled the Taiwanese to have direct contact with the WHO and gives it access to firsthand information on public health emergencies of international concern. Moreover, the WHO can dispatch personnel to provide assistance during any future health crisis in Taiwan. Given Taiwan's proven track record of being a reliable member in international bodies, we should encourage more international participation by Taiwan. For example, given that criminals do not care about boundaries separating countries, it is critical that nations are able to share information on criminals and suspicious activity with each other, but Taiwan cannot do that because it is not yet a member of INTERPOL. Taiwan should be granted observer status in INTERPOL as soon as possible. It is critical that the United States and Taiwan maintain and enhance their present relationship. From rising insecurity in the region to economic challenges the world over, our two countries need to face the future arm in arm. I congratulate Taiwan on its National Day and look forward to many more years of a close partnership. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, as Congress works to defund the nation's largest abortion provider--Planned Parenthood, Following a number of undercover videos revealing potential baby part sales, It is only right that we allow states to defund abortion providers as well. If the governor of a state believes that funding these organizations goes against the will of the people, they should be permitted to do so. That includes funding through Medicaid. H.R. 3495, the Women's Public Health and Safety Act bill simply gives states the flexibility to do just that. Women should receive the best healthcare, But they should not be put at risk, along with their unborn children, by organizations who are driven by profit. The federal government and state governments should not be forced to have blood on their hands. We do not need to fund Planned Parenthood, which killed over 327,000 babies in 2013 alone. And states do not need to do this either. Instead, we should be sending this money to health centers that truly have the patients in mind. How many more Planned Parenthood scandals do we need before they are cut off from federal and state dollars? How many more mothers will be lied to and babies killed as a result of continued funding? Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers, for that matter, must be defunded. It is our role to protect the most vulnerable among us-- Unborn children and mothers and families in crisis alike. I urge a YES vote on H.R. 3495, the Women's Public Health and Safety Act. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, 100 years ago, the United States came--not for the last time--to the free world's aid, as Europe descended into a bloody war that would ultimately end the Age of Empires. Much has been written about the First World War, its impact on subsequent history, and the future trajectory of the Western world. But what are often forgotten are the stories and sacrifices of brave individuals. According to Blaine Pardoe's ``Terror of the Autumn Skies,'' the average life expectancy of a new United States WWI pilot was just 19 days. These four men defied the odds and boldly fought their way through the war. These men deserve special tribute. They are all young Americans who came to the aid of our allies and helped make the world more secure and prosperous. All four were recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, our Nation's highest military honor, and yet they are not household names. That is unfortunate. We must remember our warriors from 100 years ago because the greatest tragedy of war is to be forgotten. First Lieutenant Frank Luke, Jr. Known as the ``Arizona Balloon Buster,'' Lieutenant Luke was born into a family of nine siblings in Phoenix, growing up a keen sportsman and bare-knuckle boxer--a pursuit that would help prepare him for the fight to come. Lt. Luke enlisted in the Aviation Section of the U.S. Signal Corps in 1917 and received his training in the Great State of Texas before being deployed to the Western Front. Perhaps reflecting his childhood sports prowess, Lt. Luke went on to become one of an elite number of ``fighter aces,'' and in September 1918, he successfully completed a record personal campaign against German observation balloons and aircraft, earning him his nickname. He died in combat on 29 September 1918. He was 21. Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker Eddie Rickenbacker always had a knack for driving. He competed in the Indianapolis 500 four times as a racecar driver before becoming America's most successful WWI fighter ace. Born in Ohio to Swiss-German parents, Captain Rickenbacker had a personal connection to the turmoil engulfing Europe and even tried to join the Allied cause before the United States entered the war. With 26 aerial victories to his name, Captain Rickenbacker is widely considered one of the most accomplished military aviators of his generation. He was also one of the hardest- working, clocking up a total of 300 combat hours. Rickenbacker was lucky enough to return home after the war and went on to become an airline executive and advisor to the U.S. Air Force effort in WWII. He died in Columbus in 1973 aged 82. Chief Machinist's Mate Francis E. Ormsbee, Jr. Born and raised in Rhode Island, Frank Ormsbee, Jr., was not even yet a pilot when he conducted the brave rescue attempt that would earn him a Congressional Medal of Honor. After being motivated as a patriot to enlist in the Navy in 1917, the following year, as an aircrew member stationed at Pensacola, Florida, Ormsbee witnessed a plane go into a tailspin and crash less than a mile out from his position. The young Navy recruit jumped overboard and swam to the wreck, partially extricating the gunner and making a number of attempts to save his life. While the rescue was unsuccessful, Ormsbee's heroism was extraordinary. He died in a plane crash two decades later at the age of 44. Ensign Charles Hazeltine Hammann In addition to his congressional medal, Charles Hammann's service has been memorialized by two Naval ships named in his honor. Originally from Baltimore, Hammann joined the Naval Reserve in 1917. Less than 12 months later, the young naval aviator found himself flying a Macchi M.5 seaplane off the Austro-Hungarian coast when his colleague and compatriot Ens. George M. Ludlow was shot down. Despite his aircraft being deemed suitable for one person, Ensign Hammann dove to the water and pulled his fellow American onboard, saving his life amid danger of enemy fire from Austrian planes. He was killed on duty in Virginia on 14 June 1919. He was 27. All four of these brave Americans, two of them barely more than boys, exemplify the very best in our fine tradition of military service. As the world reflects on the Great War on the occasion of its centenary, it is my hope that we remember the names and stories of these heroic individuals who risked or, indeed, gave their lives in service of this Nation. The boys of the Great War were the fathers of America's Greatest Generation. Their efforts cannot and will not be forgotten. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Sergeant York is one of the most decorated American heroes of the 20th century. A Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, he is best remembered for his role in a battalion to capture German positions during an attack in 1918 in the Chatel-Chehery region of France on the war's Western Front. A German machine gun fire attack resulted in the loss of numerous Americans, leaving York in charge of the seven remaining soldiers. Leaving his men under cover, Sergeant York ventured out to silence the enemy fire. As he describes in his diary: Those machine guns were spitting fire and cutting down the undergrowth all around me something awful. There were over thirty of them in continuous action, and all I could do was touch the Germans off just as fast as I could. I was sharp shooting . . . All the time I kept yelling at them to come down. I didn't want to kill any more than I had to. But it was they or I. And I was giving them the best I had. York's courageous assault resulted in 20 enemy casualties and 132 captures. The young soldier was immediately promoted and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Later, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. The citation describes his deeds as ``fearless'', ``daring'' and ``heroic''. But while the description is fair, in many ways York's story is not just one of the battlefield and it is worth reflecting on York the man, not the myth. A person of deep Christian faith, Sergeant York was converted--or as he put it ``saved''--in his late teens by the Reverend M. H. Russell, known in Tennessee as the ``evangelist of the mountains''. While in his youth he admits to being inclined to sin, since joining the Church of Christ in Christian Union, York found more righteous pursuits, teaching children scripture and singing in the choir. ``I am a good deal like Paul,'' York wrote in his diary. ``The things I loved, I now hate.'' When, in 1917, the United States heard the call of its allies and joined the war effort, the young churchgoer and singer received a note requiring him to report to his local board. Despite rising to be a military hero, York was unsure whether the war was just, torn between the pacifism of his faith and patriotism for his country. ``I was bothered a plenty as to whether it was right or wrong,'' he wrote. ``I knew that if it was right, everything would be all right.'' ``And I also knew that if it was wrong and we were only fighting for a bunch of foreigners, it would all be wrong. And I prayed and prayed. I prayed two whole days and a night out on the mountainside. And I received my assurance direct from God . . . that it was all right, and that I was coming back.'' Well Sergeant York did come back and the people of Tennessee should be very pleased. Following the war, York returned to the region of his boyhood in the Wolf River valley of Tennessee and committed himself to public service. A national figure upon his return, he turned down offers for endorsements, public appearances and even the movie rights to his life, instead turning attention to the needs of his local community. He lobbied the Tennessee State Legislature for funds for education and infrastructure and in 1926 established a school in Fentress County, which still stands today. When asked how he wanted to be remembered, Sergeant York responded simply: ``For improving education in Tennessee''. We remember him for much more than that today--for his patriotic service of his nation and God. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, another GTMO terrorist has been released back into the world by this administration. Abdul Shalabi, a bodyguard for Osama bin Laden, is now a free man thanks to our government. But this isn't the first time known terrorists have been freed. There is the notorious Taliban Five; and at least one of these terrorist prisoners has allegedly started communicating with his old terrorist buddies in the Middle East. No surprise there; once a terrorist, always a terrorist. Do we think that after years in prison these terrorists will somehow change their mind and not be a threat to America? One report even claimed that Shalabi may have been considered one of the 9/11 attackers. Isn't that lovely. The administration has its priorities backwards. The administration should be working just as hard to free the four Americans trapped in the jaws of terror in Iran as it is freeing known terrorists who will return to their old ways of mischief. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the nation's highest honor for clinical research, the Lasker-DeBakey Award, was recently awarded to Jim Allison, Ph.D., chair of Immunology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Allison has invented a completely new way to strike cancer. He has found a way to unlock the shackles of an immune system, freeing T cells to fight tumor cells. This discovery opens up brand new and very effective ways to treat cancer. A drug developed from this research was the first to increase survival of patients with late-stage melanoma and produced previously unheard of survival rates of up to 10 years. The drug, marketed as Yervoy, was approved by the FDA in 2001 and has been used to treat 59,000 people. In addition, during his time leading the immunology department at MD Anderson, Dr. Allison has established a cancer immunotherapy platform. This platform, a combination of expertise and infrastructure, brings together scientists and clinicians to better understand and advance cancer immunotherapy. This prestigious award honoring major achievements in basic science, clinical research, and public service around the world is rightly bestowed on Dr. Allison, as he has paved the way to extend the survival of current cancer patients and ultimately cure some types of cancer. Texas is proud to be home to such innovative and groundbreaking work happening at MD Anderson. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Goodlatte, Mr. Marino, and Mr. Smith for working on this important bill and bringing it to the House floor. Speeding up the regulatory process in the United States is an important issue in keeping America competitive. The methodical, slow, snail-paced decision or lack of decision process of the EPA to make a decision on whether or not to approve a project is absurd. The RAPID Act addresses the problem of extensive requirements and growing delays in Federal permitting and approvals for construction projects stemming from multiple agencies, excessive requirements, and unnecessary lawsuits. According to an April 2014 report issued by the GAO, the average preparation time for the required environmental impact statement finalized in 2012 was over 4\1/2\ years. Now, the environmental impact statement is just the first requirement in getting a permit. Four-and-a-half years--World War II took less time than it takes the EPA to make a decision on whether or not to approve a project. They just continue to study and study and study. Mr. Chair, it is about time for the EPA to pick a horse and ride it, make a decision about these projects. I am not going to talk in theory. I am going to talk about an actual project down in my congressional district. The Sabine-Neches Waterway, most Americans have never heard of it. The Sabine-Neches waterway is what some of us call ``the other Texas international border.'' It is the waterway between Louisiana and Texas. We have been wanting, since 1997, to deepen that 40-foot waterway to 48 feet. That is just 8 feet. We just want to make it a little deeper so ships can come in and off-load their cargo and off-load their fuel. What they are doing now, they can't come in with a full load of fuel on those tankers. They have to off-load it, sometimes 20 percent, in the Gulf of Mexico and then bring in the rest. That costs money. We just want 8 feet. So in 1997, my predecessors asked the EPA for an environmental impact statement and finally got that impact statement. It took 20 years to get an impact statement. I have had 11 grandkids since I have been in Congress, and that impact statement has been pending all that time. We just want 8 feet. Is it okay? The EPA finally made a decision, but yet we still haven't started moving dirt. The original project was about $600 million. Now, it is about $1.3 billion, and we still don't have that extra 8 feet. Why? Because the bureaucrats can't make a decision. Delay, delay, delay. That is the name of the EPA: Delay, Delay, Delay. All this bill does, it says to this bureaucracy, study the information, reach a conclusion, and approve the project if it ought to be approved so America can be competitive worldwide. But, no, the other side says: Well, we need more studies; we need more information. Mr. Chair, if Teddy Roosevelt would have had to deal with the EPA in building the Panama Canal, it would have never been built because of all the regulatory requirements--some unnecessary, in my opinion. So let's approve the RAPID Act. Let's get America working again. The Sabine-Neches Waterway has numerous refineries on it. It is the energy hub of the United States. We just want 8 feet, Mr. Chair. That is all we want. Pick a horse and ride it. The EPA needs to get their act together. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on 25 August 2015, the Great State of Texas lost one of its greatest sons. A world class trauma surgeon, educator and family man, Dr. James ``Red'' Duke is a legend of the Houston and Texas A&M communities. I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of this good man and my friend. Dr. Duke--or as I liked to call him ``the John Wayne in scrubs''--was Texan to the core. His trademark bristly mustache, gold rimmed glasses, lanky Texas swagger and heavy twang were second only to his colorful personality. I met Dr. Duke in the `80s when he appeared as an expert witness in criminal cases in my courtroom. (I was a felony court judge.) A few years later we teamed up as doctor and judge to teach high school students lessons about drunk driving. Working with him to make those kids think twice about their decisions is something I will never forget. But while Dr. Duke may have been a straight shooter from humble roots, he was also one of the most celebrated folks in his field. He founded the Life Flight air ambulance service, wrote over forty publications, eighteen textbook chapters and gave almost 600 lectures. He became a household name through his educational TV series Bodywatch and the Texas Health Reports. A man dedicated to serving others, Dr. Duke completed a two-year tour of duty as a tank officer in the 2nd Armored Division, before returning home from Germany to enter a theological seminary in 1955. Shortly thereafter he switched from one life-saving vocation to another, qualifying as a physician and taking up a residency at the Parkland Memorial Hospital, where in 1963 he was the first surgeon to receive President Kennedy after he was shot on that fateful day in Dallas. For the next 50 years, Dr. Duke dedicated himself to treating trauma victims and educating young doctors, while in his spare time, generously giving his time to the Boy Scouts and wildlife conservation efforts. In 1989 he was considered for the position of Surgeon General of the United States, one year after being named Surgeon of the Year by the James F Mitchell Foundation. While the United States did not receive the pleasure of Dr. Duke's service in this role, we in Texas were happy to have him stay. We were fortunate to call Red our own. He was bigger than life. He was ``John Wayne in Scrubs.'' And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, where have we gone? Where is the moral compass of the United States? Do we want to continue the issue of taking body parts of babies and selling them on the open market and protecting that enterprise? Or do we want to back up and say, if that is occurring, we are not funding it? All this legislation does is say: Wait a minute, if that is occurring in America, we are not going to tolerate it. Until we find out, no more money, and it should go to other agencies that don't harvest the body parts of babies.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, under the President's nuclear deal, the United States agreed to give the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism a billion-dollar oil boom. The United States will allow Iran to export its crude oil, but ironically, it still bans exports of our crude oil. The administration has the power to lift the American ban on crude oil exports, but the White House seems to be more worried about playing the Chamberlain and appeasing Iran than helping the United States economy. The United States is the largest crude oil producer in the world. There is a world demand for this oil, but the White House will not allow exports, so the oil stays stagnant in the ground. This ban is one factor that has led to 70,000 jobs being lost in the energy sector in America. Exporting U.S. crude oil will lower gas prices, create jobs, and increase our influence worldwide. If the President won't act, Congress must. It is time to stop putting the interests of the mullahs and the haters of the United States above Americans citizens. Export American oil. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter stunned Congress and the country when he admitted that the administration's $500 million program to train and equip so- called moderate Syrian rebels had resulted in the training of 60 individuals. The original goal was to have 5,000 within the first year, but they only had 60. The information gets worse. Today, most of those 60 mercenaries have been killed, captured, or just gone missing. Mr. Speaker, where, oh, where have the fighters gone? Where, oh, where could they be? Have they gone to fight with the enemy--which just leaves us how many? It is four or five, according to General Austin. Four or five fighters for a cost of $500 million, is that the plan for the war in Syria to defeat ISIS? The lack of a plan in Syria has created chaos. Thousands of people have panicked and are running from the Syrian turmoil. The U.S. needs to lead. Expecting five mercenaries to defeat ISIS is disgraceful. The United States needs an aggressive strategy to defeat the enemy of civilization, ISIS. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Coptic Christians--the largest religious minority in Egypt and the largest Christian community in the Middle East--are constantly persecuted. In 2011, Ayman Nabil Labib went to school like he did every day. Ayman, like most Coptic Christians in Egypt, had a cross tattooed on his wrist as a sign of his Christian faith. When he got to school, Ayman's Arabic language teacher asked him to cover the tattoo. Instead, Ayman pulled the cross from underneath his shirt and left it hanging around his neck. The teacher became enraged. He choked Ayman and asked Ayman's Muslim classmates: What are you going to do with him? Then his classmates beat him to death to silence his faith. Ayman was murdered because he was a Christian. Religious freedom is a basic, sacred, universal human right. Alexander Hamilton said in 1775, ``The sacred rights of mankind . . . are written, as with a sun beam in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power.'' And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Vietnam's religious persecution of its citizens is nothing new. I have spoken before about prisoners of conscience held in Vietnam; in fact just this time last year, I spoke on the release of Pastor Duong Kim Khai. Unfortunately, Vietnam is still carrying on with this egregious practice. I have been made aware of yet another example of human rights violations by a country the State Department has perpetually refused to include as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom. On February 11, 2014, Mr. Nguyen Van Minh and approximately 20 other religious freedom activists were arrested by police officers in the Dong Thap province. Mr. Minh and the others were viciously beaten and had their personal belongings confiscated. The activists were detained nearly 40 hours before some of the group was released. Mr. Minh and two other activists continued to remain detained and were not charged until approximately a week later on February 20th. Mr. Minh was charged with ``disturbing public peace'' and while awaiting trial he was tortured and isolated from his family and lawyers. Mr. Minh withstood the brutal tactics and refused to sign any report against him. His trial was ``open to the public,'' which in Vietnam means closed to the approximately 100 people who showed up to support him and the 15 of the 18 witnesses called by his defense. Then on August 26, 2014, Mr. Minh was sentenced to serve 2.5 years in prison. A few months later, the Supreme People's Court of Vietnam upheld the ruling from the preliminary trial, finding him and the other two activists, guilty of disturbing the public peace. This form of government sponsored religious persecution has no place in any nation. In the Bill of Rights, freedom of religion is listed first because it is the most important. This was no mistake by our Founding Fathers. Freedom of worship is a basic human right, and one that all countries should recognize. I urge the State Department to do its job and recognize Vietnam as a Country of Particular Concern. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, soon Pope Francis will deliver a historical address to this Congress. During this year, he has addressed a form of genocide happening in the world. Globally, Christians are being imprisoned, tortured, and killed because they are Christians. In 2013, Christians faced persecution in 102 out of 190-plus countries. In Iran, American Christian pastor Saeed Abedini has been languishing in jail for the last 2\1/2\ years because he is a Christian. According to the 2015 Open Doors' World Watch List, North Korea is the worst persecutor of Christians in the whole world. There, Christians are often sent to prison camps for possession of Bibles, sometimes even executed because they are Christians. The State Department estimates that 80,000 to 120,000 North Koreans are imprisoned in labor camps because of their religious beliefs. In November of 2013, 80 North Korean Christians were reportedly executed for possession of Bibles and possessing South Korean religious films. In Pakistan, in one city, Christian churches have been bombed. A 14- year-old Christian boy was beaten and set on fire because he was a Christian. Burns now cover more than 55 percent of his body. In Egypt, over a 3-day period in 2013, Coptic Christians experienced the worst single attack against their churches in 700 years, with 40 Christian churches destroyed and over 100 others severely damaged. Thousands of Coptic Christians have fled Egypt to other countries. In Libya, ISIS captured and beheaded 21 people because they were Christians. When the victims' families tried to build a church in their honor, they were attacked by a Muslim mob and beaten. It is not just Assad's thugs in Syria killing Christians; religious cleansing takes place in other places. In Syria, militants expelled 90 percent of the Christians in the city of Homs. Patriarch Gregorios III of Antioch says, out of a population of 1.75 million, 450,000 Syrian Christians have fled in fear. Mr. Speaker, no Christian anywhere on Earth should have to leave their homeland because of their faith. In Iraq, where Christians have been calling home since the time of Christ, the story is just as dark. Its Christian population has almost entirely disappeared--dropping 90 percent since the first gulf war. The number of churches has declined from 300 in 2003 to 57. In Africa, the terrorist group al Shabaab attacked a university in Kenya, going door-to-door to find and execute Christians. Al Shabaab attacked a shopping mall in Kenya in 2013 and took shoppers captive. One of them was Joshua Hakim. When Joshua got close to his attackers, he showed them his ID, and he covered up his Christian name with his thumb. ``They told me to go,'' Joshua recalled later. ``Then another man came forward, and they said, what is the name of Muhammad's mother?'' The individual couldn't answer; so they shot him. Mr. Speaker, history tells us that the persecution of Christians has been going on since the day Stephen was stoned for his faith in Acts 7. As a country, the United States needs to reexamine its relationship with countries and states that persecute or tolerate the persecution of Christians. Countries should get no U.S. foreign aid until they start protecting Christians instead of persecuting them. And let's call groups like ISIS what they truly are: a radical and dangerous Islamic extremist terrorist group. Religious liberty is a basic civil right, a humanitarian right, and an inalienable right. Since Pilgrims came to America to escape religious persecution in their homeland, our Nation has stood as a bright beacon to the world for religious freedom for everyone--Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and others. It is written in the Good Book that a man was traveling on the Jericho road and fell among robbers. The man was beaten, his property was stolen, and he was left for dead. Other people traveled down the same road, saw him in the ditch, but passed on by him on the other side of the road. They went their own way. They did nothing. The United States cannot be silent and walk on the other side of the road while Christians worldwide are beaten, beheaded, and brutalized because they are Christians. We must be that beacon that shines in proud protection of religious freedom for all--including Christians. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make it known that the Texas House of Representatives through Robert Haney, the Chief Clerk of the House, has adopted House Resolution No. 1215 by Capriglione. This resolution petitions Congress to instruct the Transportation Security Administration to accept concealed handgun licensees as valid forms of identification. And that's just the way it is. Resolution Whereas, The Transportation Security Administration currently excludes concealed handgun licenses (CHL) from its list of valid forms of identification, causing an inconvenience for the agency as well as for many travelers; and Whereas, Acquiring a CHL from the Texas Department of Public Safety is a rigorous procedure that requires applicants to submit to a criminal history background check and provide a valid driver's license or identification card and residential and employment information; these measures ensure that CHL holders are law-abiding citizens whose identities have been verified; and Whereas, A CHL is such a trusted proof of identification that it is accepted for voter registration and many other governmental processes; and Whereas, Permitting the use of CHLs as valid forms of identification would help advance the TSA's mission of safeguarding our national transportation system and protecting the American public: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby urge the Congress of the United States to instruct the Transportation Security Administration to accept concealed handgun licenses as valid forms of identification; and, be it further Resolved, That the chief clerk of the Texas House of Representatives forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, to the administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, and to all members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make it known that the Texas House of Representatives through Robert Haney, the Chief Clerk of the House, has adopted House Resolution No. 1508 by King of Uvalde. This resolution expresses support for the use of sound science to study and regulate modern agricultural technologies, as well as supporting opposition to legislative or regulatory action that may result in unnecessary restrictions on the technologies. And that's just the way it is. Resolution Whereas, A sustainable agricultural system is crucial to the continued production of food, feed, and fiber to meet both domestic and global demand; and Whereas, In the United States, the agriculture and food production industries employ precision farming equipment, crop protection chemistries, genetic engineering or enhancement, agricultural nutrients, and other modern technologies; such advanced practices protect the safety of the public and reduce environmental impact while expanding yields, improving profitability, and ensuring an abundant and affordable food supply; and Whereas, Agricultural pests present significant dangers to the industry and to global supplies of the products they attack; accordingly, the environmental risks of forgoing advances in agricultural technologies that protect crops are severe; excessive regulation may scuttle or discourage the use of agricultural chemicals that could improve human welfare; and Whereas, Crop protection is among the most studied and highly regulated of all industries, at both the state and federal levels; the use of sound science should be the bedrock of our nation's regulatory scheme for the agriculture and food production industries, as these industries are critical to the economic vitality of Texas and the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby express support for the use of sound science to study and regulate such modern agricultural technologies as crop protection chemistries, genetically engineered or enhanced traits, and nutrients; and, be it further Resolved, That the Texas House of Representatives express opposition to legislative or regulatory action at any level that may result in unnecessary restrictions on the use of modern agricultural technologies; and, be it further Resolved, That the chief clerk forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make it known that the Texas House of Representatives through Robert Haney, the Chief Clerk of the House, has adopted House Resolution No. 1605 by Faircloth. This resolution expresses a commitment to the elimination of illegal fishing and urges Congress to end illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in our sovereign waters. And that's just the way it is. Resolution Whereas, Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is a problem with serious economic, environmental, and security implications; and Whereas, Illegal fishing accounts for economic losses of billions of dollars per year globally, and millions of those lost dollars result from poaching in the Gulf of Mexico; such activity is largely conducted by foreign fleets at the expense of United States fishermen, coastal communities, and the sustainability of global fish stocks; and Whereas, Illegal fishing is of particular consequence in Texas, where the Gulf Coast waters supply seafood for the American public and support the hospitality industry, tourism-related businesses, and the vibrant recreational and commercial fishing industry; not only does illegal fishing result in economic losses to the Texas fishing industry and other coastal businesses, but it also is a threat to the sustainability of our fisheries and to the Texas Gulf Coast ecosystem; and Whereas, The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the United States Coast Guard are to be commended for their partnership in investigating and apprehending foreign vessels engaged in illegal activity along the Texas-Mexico border; and Whereas, Foreign nationals fishing illegally in U.S. waters compete for local stock, and they disregard state and federal laws on catch limits; when they sell their fish in the United States, they can flood the market with a cheaper product; moreover, they often use banned longline netting that imperils marine mammals and sea turtles; and Whereas, Vessels involved with illegal fishing are also associated with other crimes, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal immigration, and the incursion by these foreign fishing vessels into U.S. waters constitutes a violation of our sovereignty: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby express its commitment to the elimination of illegal fishing, to the long-term conservation of Texas marine resources, and to the protection of the Texas Gulf Coast fishing and coastal communities; and, be it further Resolved, That the Texas House of Representatives hereby respectfully urge the United States Congress to take action to protect our coastal borders and to end illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in our sovereign waters; and, be it further Resolved, That the chief clerk forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make it known that the Texas House of Representatives through Robert Haney, the Chief Clerk of the House, has adopted House Resolution No. 1835 by Capriglione. This resolution expresses support for the implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System. And that's just the way it is. Resolution Whereas, Many airports, especially those in congested urban areas, are near or over their capacities, and such inadequate infrastructure causes long delays, reduced customer service, negative impacts on the economy, and bottlenecks throughout our entire national air transportation system; and Whereas, Implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) would help make air travel even safer and more convenient and environmentally friendly by enhancing the efficiency of airports and airspace procedures; and Whereas, The long list of airport improvements encompassed in NextGen includes performance-based navigation flight procedures, improved surface management systems, reduced aircraft exhaust emissions, and technology upgrades that bolster all-weather access to airports; and Whereas, Airport operators must be involved in the development of NextGen capabilities in and around their airports from inception to execution to ensure noise and other environmental factors that affect their communities are appropriately considered; and Whereas, The latest Future Airport Capacity Task study prepared by the FAA indicates that many of the nation's busiest airports, including George Bush International Airport in Houston, will require new runways to meet projected capacity needs in the coming years even with NextGen, and these findings highlight the critical importance of taking all reasonable steps to reduce airport congestion; and Whereas, Airports across the nation are ready to work with the FAA, industry partners, the communities they serve, and the U.S. Congress to implement NextGen in order to equip our air transportation system to meet the demands of the 21st century: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby express its support for the implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System; and, be it further Resolved, That the chief clerk forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, to the president of the Senate and speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, when I was home during the August break, I talked to a lot of folks. Many of them were fearful. They were fearful about national security. And it focused on the on deal, the Iranian deal that we are here for today. The Iranian deal, Mr. Speaker, is bad for America. It is bad for Israel. It is bad for the Middle East. But, oh, what a deal for Iran. If we approve this deal, there will be singing and dancing in the streets in Iran, especially with the High Ayatollah leading the dancing. Why? Because it is wonderful for Iran. The deal certifies a nuclear Iran, eventually. We can argue over when, but they are going to get nuclear weapons. How lovely is that. Is the world going to be safer because of that? No. We need to see the world for what it is. Iran is a wolf in wolf's clothing. They make absolutely no secret about they want us dead. They want Israel dead first. They were preaching this while we are working on this peace, peace, peace at any price deal, talking about how they want to destroy us. So why don't we just look at the law right now. We have heard a little bit about a side deal. Secretary Kerry was before our Foreign Affairs Committee. I asked him about a side deal that came up about the IAEA deal with Iran. He said he hadn't read it, he has been briefed on it. Congress needs to read the side deals before we ever vote to approve this deal. We have to read the fine print, like all of us are supposed to do when we sign a contract. Now let's read what the law says. The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act is quite clear, Mr. Speaker. The President is obligated by law--the law he signed--to provide Congress ``the agreement itself and any additional materials related thereto, including annexes, appendices, codicils, side agreements, implementing materials documents, and guidance, technical or other understandings, and any related agreements.'' That is in the law. I haven't seen the side deal. I haven't seen anybody in Congress that has seen the side deal. The law the President signed says we are to see all these side deals, agreements, before we even vote on whether or not to approve this deal; otherwise, the clock doesn't start ticking for the 60-day approval requirement. So show us the side deal. Let us read it. I think Congress maybe has had enough embarrassment over the years voting on laws where we haven't seen all of the information before we voted on it. Show us the side agreement. Let us go from there. Of course the deal in itself is a bad deal for all of us. I don't understand why we are giving $150 billion to Iran while we have got $47 billion in claims by Americans against Iran for terrorist activities. Why don't we give them the money first? And I know I am out of time. But let's not approve the deal. Let's vote for the rule and make sure, before we ever see any vote on the agreement, we see the side deal. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the chairman, the gentleman from California, for his leadership on this critical national security issue. Mr. Speaker, this Iranian deal promises peace--peace in our time--by guaranteeing a nuclear weaponized Iran in our children's time. Anyone who has read the Iran Nuclear Agreement Act should support this legislation before us. The Iran Nuclear Agreement Act, known as the Corker bill, is to allow representatives of the American people-- us--to read what is in the deal before we vote on the deal. The nuclear deal with Iran may be the most important international agreement in our lifetime. The Corker bill is crystal clear when it comes to defining exactly what the President needs to provide Congress before the review period of 60 days begins. The President is obligated under the law--and let me read a portion of the law that the President signed. Here is what it says: Congress is allowed to have the agreement itself and any additional materials related thereto, including annexes, appendices, codicils, side agreements, implementing materials documents, and guidance, technical or other understandings, and any related agreements. The logic behind this requirement is simple and essential: Congress cannot review an agreement without having access to everything, including the fine print. We need to see all the secret side deals, Mr. Chairman. Testifying before the Foreign Affairs Committee, Secretary Kerry, who was making the deal for us, said that even he had not seen the secret side deals. And these secret deals are not just technical formalities. The deals I am talking about are the IAEA agreement to let Iran inspect itself at the Parchin military facility. The Parchin facility is known as the place where Iran has worked to build nuclear warheads. There is absolutely nothing normal about allowing Iran to inspect itself. That is what this side agreement apparently does, if we ever get to see the whole thing. I was a judge in Texas for a long time. It is like having a burglar coming to trial and saying: ``Judge, I want 12 burglars on my jury.'' We would never let that happen, but we will let Iran inspect itself? We want to see these side secret deals. And these revelations may be only the tip of the iceberg. What else is included in these secret deals, these side deals? Well, we really don't know because we haven't been furnished--by law--these deals. It is the legal right of Congress to know all of those details before voting to approve or disapprove this nuclear agreement. We in Congress are the representatives of the people. Isn't it about time we start reading all the information before we vote? I don't know that Congress has learned that lesson. The citizens of this country have a right to know absolutely about these side deals. The President signed the Corker bill. It is the law. He has to live by it, whether he likes it or not. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, etched in white marble on a gravestone in Arlington National Cemetery is the name of Army Staff Sergeant Brian T. Craig. Born on April 2, 1975, he passed away 13 days after his 27th birthday on April 15, 2002 in Afghanistan. Brian was a son, a friend and, most importantly to him, a Christian. Brian loved his family, and he made it a weekly ritual to call home early on Saturday mornings to let his parents know he was okay. He graduated from Klein Forest High School in 1993 and from there went on to enlist in the United States Army the next fall. His parents had encouraged him to go to college, but Brian was dead set on enlisting; it was in his blood. His father, Arthur, was stationed in Thailand with the Air Force during the Vietnam War. Brian served in Anchorage, Alaska as an Airborne Infantry soldier. Upon reenlistment, he served in a range of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (E.O.D.) missions in support of the United States and NATO, even serving in Bosnia/Kosovo and The Republic of North Korea. He was deployed in support of Operation Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom to Kandahar, Afghanistan in November of 2001, when he was later killed. His parents, Arthur and Barbara Craig, heard news that four U.S soldiers were killed in Kandahar as they dismantled confiscated rockets, they feared their son was among that four. Barbara was returning from the airport, after dropping her husband off for a mission trip, when she saw an Army car pull up in front of the house. Her worries were confirmed, Brian was among the dead in Afghanistan. Brian paid the ultimate sacrifice; he laid down his life for not only his family and friends, but people he had never met. He was working to keep the civilians of Afghanistan safe, to make the world a little safer, too. Brian worked with a small team that went around and collected old bombs and rockets. They then took these explosives to a safe location to detonate them, so they would not harm other people. As his father put it, rather than using these weapons of destruction, Brian was cleaning up munitions left by past and present wars. On the homepage of a memorial website for Brian reads a verse from the Book of John: ``Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.'' This short scripture is a living testimony of the man that Brian was. He was a man of great faith whose life was a light in dark circumstances. The website features one of Brian's last letters home. In this three page letter, Brian describes his walk with Christ. He says that during his time in Afghanistan, he had grown spiritually. He was a member of a men's bible study and reiterated that it was an answer to his prayers. He also stated that he never thought he could grow in his relationship with God and the people he worked with and that he wanted to make a difference in these men's lives. And he did. On the message board of his memorial website are short messages from Brian's friends, family and coworkers. A comment from Major Chris Miller, Commander, Special Forces, reads: ``He let his silent comportment and deep faith speak for him instead of his words. This is such a rare quality in young people these days.'' In his letter, Brian graciously thanks his parents for their love and support. He let them know, the Lord was answering their prayers for him; he could feel it. He simply asked them to continue their prayers and sent his love. Brian was a person of tremendous character and faith. He will not be forgotten. For his service, he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Bronze Star Medal. We should always support our troops, and we should always keep them in our thoughts and prayers. For the warriors across the globe who fight every day ensuring our well-being, there is no greater love. God Bless our troops, and God Bless Army Staff Sergeant Brian T. Craig. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, there are five entities that have mischief and aggression on their minds--of course, ISIS, Iran, Russia, North Korea, and China. Recently, while the President preached climate change in Alaska, three Chinese combat ships got closer to the Alaskan coast than ever before. Military experts say this was the first time Chinese ships were in that area, just the latest example of China expanding its military operation globally. One expert said: The Chinese Navy is taking on more and more of an expeditionary character . . . the Chinese Navy is going global. He is correct. China has massively built up its military and uses it to project its power in Asia and other places. Like Russia's invasion of Ukraine, China is taking over territory while the United States just watches. There has been a fivefold increase in China's military expenditures since 1997. It is stockpiling nuclear weapons. A recent Pentagon report revealed that China is upgrading its ballistic missile delivery systems with multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles, or MIRV, technology. What that means in layman's terms is they can send one missile with several nuclear warheads; one could hit New York, and one could hit Texas. The Beijing Navy is taking control of disputed areas and intimidating other countries in the region who have rightful claims to the South China Sea. This is a poster, Mr. Speaker, of 1999--I know you can't see the background, but this is Beijing in the South China Sea area from Australia to almost Alaska and east and west Guam to Indonesia--1999 military might of the Chinese depicted here by planes, ships, and submarines and U.S. military might about the same in 1999. What is it today? Let's look at the same map, superimposed with Chinese buildup since 1999. In 2015, you don't have to be real smart to understand the Chinese are building more airplanes, now aircraft carriers, more ships, and lots of nuclear submarines and conventional submarines. The United States, we are about the same with our military might in the area. That is today. This ratio here is a missile that can be fired in this region. Now, let's project just 5 years and see what the Chinese will have in 2020 in the same area, same region. United States, we are about the same--but, look, planes, nuclear carriers, now intercontinental ballistic missiles, more ships, more submarines, Chinese military might, 2020 and today or in 1999. We should be concerned about Chinese aggressive tendencies. In December 2013, China also began a bold land-reclaiming project in the South China Sea in an effort to increase its influence. What does that mean? That means that the Chinese are going in the South China Sea and they are dredging areas and making islands in the South China Sea. On some of these islands, it intends to build runways. I wonder what for. Not only does China claim these newly created lands, but it also claims exclusive maritime rights in vast surrounding areas in the South China Sea. This has rightfully rattled our allies in the region. Not only has China become an economic giant, but it is a military bully in the area. China, of course, is a state-run communist country. There is no telling what China could do and what would happen to the global economy if China insists on controlling the sea lanes. Is China becoming like the Barbary pirates of old that used to control the Mediterranean? Is that what China is going to do in the South China Sea? Who knows. Other countries in the area are looking for the United States to lead. They haven't forgotten what China did the last time China was an imperial power. For over 1,000 years, until the 20th century, China required other countries that wanted to trade in Asia to pay tribute to China. That meant kneeling down before the emperor and paying heavy taxes. It was an extortion plan. Our friends in Asia don't want that to happen again. This is not a time to sit back and let the chips fall where they may in Asia. The United States should care about what China is doing because China's brazen move toward colonization of the South China Sea shows that Beijing is determined to expand its military and economic influence in the entire area. What is the United States going to do? Are we going to do the same as we did with Russia and just watch? The region and the world both are looking for the United States to lead. We should lead because that is the responsibility of the world's most important democracy. This should concern the entire world, not just the South China Sea area. Also, these lack of resources should concern Americans. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Friday, in the blistering heat of Houston, Texas, 11,000 people, including the Governor, attended the event; many more stood outside. The ceremony was broadcast live on all four local TV stations. Helicopters flew overhead. Peace officers from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom were there. The city and State gave their final tribute and respect for one of its fallen-- Harris County Deputy Sheriff Darren Goforth. Darren left behind a widow, Kathleen, and children: Ava, 12, and Ryan, 5. Darren was assassinated the week before while he was putting gasoline in his patrol car, apparently targeted because he was a peace officer. He was shot in the back of the head 15 times. An individual was quickly captured, and he is charged with capital murder. Darren Goforth was a happy guy. He loved his family. He loved his second career as a lawman and loved working on old cars. Everyone liked Darren. Even a local thief posted on social media that Goforth was his favorite police officer. Darren loved his kids and recently bought his son and himself Captain America t-shirts. Ryan, his son, wore his t-shirt at the funeral. Deputy Goforth was buried in his Captain America t-shirt underneath his uniform. Peace officers like Goforth are a rare breed. They rush to emergencies and dangers while most flee from them. Their life is dedicated to serving and protecting others. They are willing to sacrifice everything for the rest of us. Darren Goforth was that type of peace officer. Mr. Speaker, when the funeral was over and the bagpipers had played ``Amazing Grace'' and the buglers had played ``Taps,'' it started to rain, as if the angels above were shedding tears for a remarkable guy, Deputy Sheriff Darren Goforth. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, peace officers are really the last strand of wire in defense between the fox and the chickens. They are the ones that stand between the lawful and the lawless. They protect us from outlaws. Sometimes, they do so without much appreciation from the public. Friday, about 11,000 people or more gathered for the funeral of Deputy Darren Goforth at the Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Many hundreds of others couldn't get in to any of the service. It was televised live on all four networks. Helicopters flew over during the service. It was hot, and people stood and gave appreciation to this man. He was married to Kathleen. They had two children, Ava and Ryan. Ava is 5, and Ryan is 12. He had been a Harris County deputy sheriff for 10 years. I guess every member of the sheriff's department was at that funeral. There were police officers from all over the United States there. There were some from Canada and the United Kingdom. I talked to a police officer from Connecticut who was in Houston for this funeral. He was stunned in a way of appreciation for the people and other peace officers that came for this man's funeral. It affected the whole community and still does to a great degree for a lot of reasons. In my other life, I was a prosecutor and a judge at the criminal courts building in Houston. I prosecuted people who killed peace officers, and I tried cases where peace officers had been killed when I was a judge. It is a grim thing that happens when a peace officer is murdered in the line of duty. As my colleague, Mr. Culberson, pointed out, Darren Goforth was getting gasoline at a local gas station he stopped at regularly and was filling up his patrol car 2 weeks ago. An assassin came up from behind him and shot him in the back of the head. He kept shooting. He finally emptied his clip, and 15 times, Deputy Goforth was shot in the back of the head. The assassin fled but was later captured, and a man is charged with capital murder. There seems to be an environment in America that police officers are being targeted. We will leave that for a different discussion. These are real people. They do what most of us would never do. They go out and protect and serve us. Police officers have been referred to as the thin blue line. As mentioned earlier, blue is a traditional color that peace officers wear. They also wear a badge or a star, a star in Texas for deputy sheriffs and Texas Rangers, a badge for local police officers. They place that over their heart, symbolic of the shield that protects us from the lawless. They do that all over the country. That is why the badge or the star is placed in that location. The badge, the star, it really represents everything that is good and right about law and order and America. When a person, a peace officer is murdered, it affects all of us. It was encouraging to me and I think other peace officers to see the community support for Darren Goforth; his wife, Kathleen; Ava; and Ryan. A lot of stories were told about this wonderful person. Being a police officer was his second career. He loved working on cars. He wanted to make them run, old cars--muscle cars, as we called them in my day. He had recently bought his son, Ryan, a Captain America T-shirt, and he bought himself one. They didn't have time to wear it, but at the funeral, Ryan, his son, under his suit, wore his Captain America T- shirt. Deputy Goforth was buried in his, underneath his uniform. He was a marvelous individual, a brave and good guy. The community not only attended the funeral and watched it on TV. As the processional left the church, led by I don't know how many police officers on motorcycles and then you had the Patriot Guard motorcycle riders and other motorcycle groups at the end of the parade going through the Houston area to the cemetery, people stood on the side of the road, put their hand over their heart. A lot of money has been raised for Darren Goforth's family. At the location where he was murdered, a Chevron station, people are still putting up flowers and tributes. As my colleague said, apparently, on more than one occasion, peace officers have been filling up their patrol cars--and in Houston, patrol officers, Houston officers and county officers, travel alone; there is not two in a car--but while they have been filling up their patrol cars, apparently, on more than one occasion, some citizen has stopped, come up to the officer, and said, ``I got your back,'' and that was really the message. In our area, in the Houston area, we are saddened by what happened to this individual, but I think it is true that the community, like that Connecticut officer said, like no other place, is very supportive of peace officers, their families, and what they do and that we do have their back. The community supports them. We mourn with the family; we mourn with all peace officers who have lost a brother peace officer, but we are also resolved and resilient that, in the future, we are going to have their back because respecting and upholding the rule of law is what these men and women do, and we should support them in that effort. And that is just the way it is.