Ted Poe

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, last Monday, 38-year old Deputy Constable Jason Norling was killed while writing a traffic ticket in Houston, Texas. Norling, a motorcycle officer, was ticketing a speeder when another vehicle swerved off the shoulder and hit Norling, killing him. Norling was a former chef and artist and previously worked for the Hempstead, Texas Police Department before becoming a member of the Precinct 5 Constables Unit. Norling's mother said, ``God's purpose for Jason was to be in law enforcement.'' Norling was married, and when he was hit by a driver who, ironically, had just been involved in another accident when his vehicle was rear- ended. And so as the bagpipes played Amazing Grace at the Spring Baptist Church last week, they mourned the loss of another peace officer who wore the badge to protect and serve. And by the way, Mr. Speaker, the driver who swerved and hit Officer Norling was apparently distracted because he was talking on his cell phone. Our prayers are with the Norling family and his fellow Texas lawmen. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, on September 13, 2007 the first hurricane to make landfall in the United States since 2005 hit Southeast Texas. Hurricane Humberto took only 16 hours to form, making it the fastest growing storm on record and leaving area residents and businesses little time to prepare. Entergy Texas, our local electricity provider was ready and quickly took action Hurricane Humberto left 118,000 without electricity as they waited for the water to rescind to begin cleaning up debris left in the storms wake, Thursday morning. While local residents were busy taking care of their family and property Joe Domino, President and CEO of Entergy Texas, and his employees began ``turning the lights on'' across our area. The utility company, which serves parts of Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas, brought in around 3,000 employees and additional contractors, to relieve their customers from the smoldering Texas heat that is very much a part of our Septembers. The streets of Jefferson County were bustling with Entergy trucks throughout the weekend as workers effectively traveled from project to project. Though the initial estimates warned that power would not be restored for six days, dedicated employees working into the night and through the weekend were able to restore all 118,000 consumers in just four days. I would like to commend all Entergy Texas employees for their hard work and dedication during the aftermath of Hurricane Humberto. Companies like Entergy Texas that care about the community they serve make Southeast Texas such a special place. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I come tonight to talk to you, the House, about the murder of two girls. In 1993, two teenage girls were walking home, making sure they got there in time for the curfew. Their names were Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena. As they were headed home, they took a shortcut through the woods, and that mistake cost them their lives. They came in contact with a person by the name of Jose Medellin, who was the gang leader of a group called the Black and Whites. He, along with his fellow gangsters, kidnapped these two girls and brutalized them, sexually assaulted them, tortured them, and then, when they were through having their way after gang raping them, they murdered them, these two teenage girls, Jennifer Ertman, Elizabeth Pena. The Houston Police Department finally caught up with Jose Medellin and his gangsters. They were all tried lawfully in Texas courts. Jose Medellin received the death penalty, along with one other individual who's already been executed. A third individual's on death row waiting to be executed, and two more are serving life sentences in Texas penitentiaries. Jose Medellin, when he was captured, he had in his possession, Mr. Speaker, a watch. It was a Mickey Mouse watch that Jennifer Ertman wore. And he was proud to carry this token of his murder. He bragged about the murder. He confessed to the murder, and a jury of 12 Texans convicted him and gave him the death penalty, which he earned and which he deserved. His case was appealed. It worked its way all the way to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court upheld the conviction based upon a complaint about the confession. But during all of this process, 10 years after the conviction, in 2003, the Mexican Government filed a lawsuit against the United States in the World Court. You see, Medellin was illegally in the United States from Mexico. And the Mexican Government claimed that he should have been told by the arresting police officers that he had the right to talk to the Mexican Consulate. Now, the Houston police officers didn't tell him he had the right. They certainly wouldn't have prevented him from having permission to talk to the Mexican Consulate, and he never, at the trial, objected to not being able to talk to the Mexican Consulate. He waited some 10 years until he got to the World Court before his government complained. The World Court ruled in favor of Mexico, and here's where all of the irony begins. After the World Court ruled that the Texas court, or the Texas peace officers should have told him that he had the right to talk to the Mexican Consulate, the President of the United States intervened in this case and told the Texas courts they ought to review this matter; they ought to uphold the ruling of the World Court. And last year, the Texas courts, in all due respect to the administration, told the President he didn't have any authority to tell Texas courts what to do about anything, and they upheld this conviction and ordered him to be executed, this defendant. Tomorrow the Supreme Court of the United States is going to hear this case. They're going to hear this case and have to decide this issue. Does the World Court, when it issues an opinion about a trial that takes place in the State of Texas, or any other State, have authority to tell a court of law in this country that they must overturn a conviction or not? This is a big deal, Mr. Speaker, because, you see, Texas courts, like most courts in the United States, all courts in the United States, are beholden to the United States Constitution as the supreme law of the land. The supreme law of the land is not the World Court in the Hague. So that's the first decision the Supreme Court's going to have to make; whether or not this is a lawful order by the World Court or whether the Constitution is to be held supreme. Second, they're going to have to decide, does the President of the United States have the authority to order any court to review any case? I hope they rule that he does not because as Ted Cruz said, the lawyer representing the State of Texas tomorrow in this death penalty case, it is not the providence of the President to say what the law is or is not. If this President's assertion of authority is upheld in this case, it opens the door for enormous mischief from Presidents of either party. What might these Presidents be inclined to do if they had the power to flick State laws off the books? It's a big deal. Separation of powers. The judicial branch is independent of the administration, of the executive branch. The executive branch has no authority over the judicial branch. And the third issue, and most importantly, is should this case be reversed because the defendant, according to the World Court, should have had the ability to talk to his consulate or not? Texas courts, and even Federal courts have found that he gave up that right if he had a right by not ever objecting at the trial. Meanwhile, this defendant has been on death row longer than these two girls were alive. Justice must be provided for the victims of this crime, and this horrible case should be upheld by the Supreme Court. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, this week the House passed a resolution commending the Wings Over Houston Airshow for its contribution to the appreciation and understanding of the United States Armed Forces. I am pleased to show my support as a cosponsor of this resolution. The Wings Over Houston Airshow has been educating and entertaining men, women, and children for the last 23 years. With 50,000-100,000 visitors each day, the air show is rated as one of the top five events of its kind in the county. This weekend Wings Over Houston will hold its 23rd annual air show at Ellington Field. Spectators will have the opportunity to tour dozens of military and civilian aircraft on display at the field, including trainer planes, fighter planes, and bombers used in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. In addition, during the two-day event decorated war-heroes, flying aces, and veterans will be on site inspiring the youth of our country with their war stories of bravery and heroism. In my former life, as a Houston, Texas felony court judge, I ordered probationers to do litter patrol after the air show. Cleaning up the airfields and infield was part of their community service. I believe in the sense of patriotism that Wings Over Houston creates for our communities. I believe in the way it honors our veterans who have served this country faithfully and wish them the best this weekend as they celebrate 23 years of educating Americans on the history of the United States Armed Forces. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, ``I will do my duty to God and my country.'' This is part of the Boy Scout oath. When a Boy Scout becomes an Eagle Scout, some Members of Congress have an official flag flown over the Capitol and these words are requested to be in the official certificate which is given to the Scout, along with the flag. But the Architect of the Capitol, who is in charge of such matters, censors the word ``God'' in these certificates and only puts the word ``country'' in them. The word ``God,'' according to the Architect, violates his rules against religious references. The Architect is the caretaker of the Capitol. We have numerous references to God in these hallowed Halls. Our history is based upon a belief in God, whether the Architect likes it or not. Maybe the Architect hasn't even seen the phrase ``In God We Trust'' above the flag here in the House of Representatives. What's next? Is he going to sneak over here in the darkness of the night and chisel off the word ``God'' because he doesn't want that word ``God'' in the Capitol? The first amendment right to express religious freedoms is being violated by the censor of the Capitol. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize the Military Order of the Purple Heart, San Jacinto Chapter 782, an organization made up of patriots serving the second district of Texas. Members in this organization share one common bond, each member is a recipient of the Purple Heart. They may not have served in the same branch or war but they are all combat veterans who have fought bravely to protect our freedoms. San Jacinto Chapter 782 pledges to preserve and promote patriotism. They vow to never forget the sacrifices of our Armed Forces. They continue to remind us of the courageous service of the men and women in our military who fight to maintain our freedom and security. San Jacinto Chapter 782 provides every family of a fallen soldier in my district a memorial plaque. This memorial plaque honors the memory of their loved ones brave service while defending our country. This plaque reminds us that the price of freedom is never free. San Jacinto Chapter 782 works with schools and other organizations around our district to boost patriotism. They distribute flags, enter parades, and erect monuments. They continue to search for opportunities to remind us of the sacrifices of veterans throughout history. We are proud and appreciative of the courage and the bravery of these patriots, who volunteer their time, championing those in the Armed Forces who have shed their blood for freedom and peace. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, the best examples of effective community leaders are those individuals that work diligently in the background, not seeking attention or glory for themselves, but those who consider positive results more important than personal recognition. Mrs. Carolyn McCarty of Kingwood, TX, is an example of such an individual. She is a silent oak of strength and volunteer service in her community. She is the daughter of Albert and Lorena Wilson and was born in Batesville, AR where she grew up on a small farm. She graduated from Arkansas College with a master's degree in history and a minor in speech. She has lived in Kingwood for more than 30 years and has been an active community volunteer in many organizations including the Kingwood FFA Booster program, served as a member of the Humble Citizens Police Academy and is currently a member of the Humble Citizens Police Academy Alumni. Her community involvement over the years has earned her several prestigious recognitions including the Yellow Rose of Texas award from then-Governor George W. Bush and the Presidential Volunteer Service Award from former President George H.W. Bush. February 20, 1997 was recognized as Carolyn McCarty Day by the city of Humble, TX. She was also one of the 1998 Women of the Year in Human Services issued by Family Time Crisis and Counseling Center. Mrs. McCarty has been employed in the Humble area for many years. During the 4 years that she worked at North East Medical Center Hospital, she started the Northeast 55+ activity program for seniors. Since then, she has worked for the Humble Area Chamber of Commerce for the past 12\1/2\ years and is currently the committee coordinator. Even though she has been recognized with many awards, she would probably tell anyone that her greatest accomplishment is her family. She has been married to her husband Rush McCarty for 44 years; has three children, Kevin, Shannon, and Tom; and eight grandchildren. Her list of volunteer efforts would not be complete without including her active involvement in the lives of her three children throughout their elementary, middle and high school activities. I am honored to recognize Mrs. Carolyn McCarty today for her contributions to her family, her community and her country. She is a shining example of servant leadership and her humble spirit is an inspiration to us all. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, high-tech bounty hunting is now occurring in the United States. The Internet allows law enforcement to track down known sex offenders in the United States. States can find convicted sex offenders that must register under the new Adam Walsh Child Safety Act. Failure of a child molester to register is a Federal crime. So these convicted sex offenders who do not register with local authorities are now being arrested using LexisNexis Internet tracking. Florida police were hunting for a known sex offender. They traced him to Illinois, but Illinois officials claimed the offender was dead. The Internet search tools tracked the child molester to Indiana, where he was arrested for absconding and for failure to register as a known sex offender. Studies show that convicted sex offenders often remain dangerous and become recidivists once released from prison. Sex offenders are now being held accountable for failing to register; law enforcement is informed of known sex offenders' whereabouts; future recidivism is prevented; and, meanwhile, children are safer because of high-tech bounty hunting. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished minority whip, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), the original cosponsor of this legislation.

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, on August 7, 1998, American embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania were the target of almost simultaneous terrorist bombings, killing hundreds and wounding thousands of people. Among those killed were 12 American Embassy employees and dozens of foreign service nationals. These public servants paid with their lives while performing their duties, and it is our responsibility to ensure that their families receive proper compensation. I strongly support H.R. 2828, introduced by my distinguished colleagues Congressman Jackson and our Republican whip, Roy Blunt, which provides compensation to the families of the United States Embassy employees who perished due to acts of international terrorism. This bill increases the death gratuity for foreign service officers and foreign national employees. It also authorizes additional compensation to family members of foreign service employees or government executive branch employees killed as a result of an act of international terrorism. It also requires the Secretary of State to provide compensation to foreign service employees killed in an act of international terrorism that occurred from 1998 to the date of the enactment of this act, including the victims of the Nairobi bombing. I urge all my colleagues to support this bill and provide proper compensation to the families of the United States Embassy employees killed by brutal acts of international terrorism. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, the Government Accountability Office is in the border crossing business. Like the illegals, drug dealers, smugglers that cross both our southern and northern borders at will, GAO investigators recently crossed undetected from Canada into the United States in three different areas with, get this, red duffel bags of radioactive material, detonators and narcotics. They crossed with no problem, and no border agent was anywhere in sight. On the 5,000-mile Canadian border, there are no more than 250 border agents on duty at any given time according to a deputy chief of the Border Patrol. It sounds easy to slip back and forth unnoticed across the border. A GAO investigator said that ``there were substantial vulnerabilities on the northern border to terrorists and criminals entering the United States undetected''. While America's watching the front door to illegal crossing at the southern border, the back door is wide open to unwanted illegal guests on the northern border. Homeland Security needs to get serious about homeland security and shut the open doors to our homeland. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of House Resolution 676, a resolution reiterating that it is the policy of the United States to make available to Taiwan such defense articles and services as may be necessary for its self- defense. At the outset, I want to thank Chairman Lantos and the gentlewoman from Florida, the author of this resolution; Mr. Lantos being the cosponsor; as well as many other members from the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Taiwan Caucus. Mr. Speaker, this is a very straightforward resolution. It simply says that the executive branch should follow the law, in this case the Taiwan Relations Act, TRA, of 1979, and make available to our friends in that vibrant democracy such defense articles as may be necessary for their self-defense. While the Chinese Air Force and Navy continue to be upgraded with modern Russian-made combat aircraft, Taiwan's Air Force is literally falling from the sky. In fact, some 17 obsolete F-5 fighters have crashed in the last 10 years, including one this May which killed a number of Singaporean servicemen. Yet despite Taiwan's clearly compelling needs and the fact that Taipei has not only increased defense spending but also has budgeted and appropriated for the F-16s, the United States is refusing to respond to Taiwan's entirely legitimate request for military sales. In so doing, the clear intent of Congress and the law of the land as articulated in the TRA is obviously being ignored. In this regard, section 3(b) of TRA stipulates that both the President and the Congress shall determine the nature and quantity of such defense articles and services based solely upon their judgment of the needs of Taiwan. In life there are times when you can outthink yourself by overanalyzing issues and events, hoping to find that perfect moment to make a major decision. This is one of those times. Given China's ongoing and notorious military buildup, as well as its ceaseless efforts to isolate and belittle Taiwan, there will never be an ideal time for the United States to make defense sales to this island. The ideal time, obviously, is when the time is right, which is now. The reality is that any major U.S. sale at any time will be objected to by the Chinese Communist regime. Should that affect our commitment to the stability of the Taiwan Strait? Mr. Speaker, are we timid because of China? Likewise, should our defense commitment to Taiwan be held hostage to a clash of personalities, the political season in Taiwan, or Washington's desire to accommodate Beijing? In conclusion, this commonsense resolution simply says that consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, the TRA, the United States should make decisions about prospective arms sales to this island based upon Taiwan's legitimate self-defense needs and our assessment of the relative balance of power in the Western Pacific. I urge the adoption of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Thank you, Dr. Burgess. And thank you, Judge Green, for sponsoring this legislation. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Michael DeBakey's life motto is ``strive for nothing less than excellence,'' and he has achieved excellence in all of his 99 years. He will be 100 years old next year, and he has made remarkable and valuable contributions to surgery and to the entire world in the area of heart surgery. When he was only 23 years old, Dr. DeBakey reported the roller pump for blood transfusions, which was later used in the heart-lung machine used in the first successful open heart surgery. When he volunteered for the Army during World War II, his experience in the Surgeon General's staff taught him that more needed to be done for veterans and for the wounded that are on the battlefield. He recommended massive changes in the management of war wounds. And as Judge Green mentioned, he invented the mobile army surgical hospital, or the MASH units, as Americans know them. We have all watched MASH on television and its satire, but MASH has served a tremendous purpose for those who are wounded on the battlefield. Once the MASH units came into play, Americans wounded during battle at war and were taken to these units, the survival rate increased tremendously. In previous wars when Americans were wounded, most of them died. Now, when they're wounded and taken to a MASH unit, most of them survive. He created the medical follow-ups for veterans. We call that the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. And in 1948, Dr. DeBakey joined the Baylor University College of Medicine staff. He launched the first surgical residency program in Houston, and now Baylor Medical School is one of the Nation's most respected health science centers in the world. He developed innovative treatments for aneurysms, performed the first successful coronary bypass, successfully used a partial artificial heart to help a patient wean off a heart-lung machine after open heart surgery, and he supervised the first successful multiorgan transplant. Dr. DeBakey could be, Mr. Speaker, the finest heart surgeon that has ever lived in the world. He deserves this Nation's greatest honor. And we're forever grateful for his contributions, his vision, his leadership and his big heart for others. Winston Churchill said, ``We live by what we get, but we judge our life by what we give.'' Dr. DeBakey has given hearts to thousands of people throughout the world.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 635, which recognizes the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and expresses respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this occasion. Regarded as the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan signifies a time of deep reflection for the 1.5 billion Muslims across the globe. During this month, special emphasis is put on prayer, giving to charity, daylight fasting, and self-examination and improvement. It is tragic that radical Islamists have used selective interpretations of Islam to justify and encourage hate, injustice, oppression, violence, and terror. They have indoctrinated many young Muslims to hate and target for violence America, Israel, the West, other Muslims, and non-Muslims. Worse still, some have exploited the month of Ramadan, which should be devoted to spirituality and self-perfection, to stoke the fires of fanaticism and destruction. It is important to note that a growing number of Muslims, including many in America, are rejecting radical Islam and its culture of death. Instead, they are articulating interpretations of Islam that embrace the values of human life, liberty, and democracy. Indeed, today we are seeing a clash within Islamic civilization between those who wish to step into the light of progress and those who wish to return the entire world to the dark ages. Given the threat that radical Islam poses worldwide, the clash within Islamic civilization affects everyone throughout the world. That is why this House should take the opportunity to pass H. Res. 635. This resolution commends Muslims who reject interpretations of Islam that justify and encourage hatred, violence, and terror. May Ramadan this year truly be a time when Muslims and people of all faiths embrace freedom and tolerance for all, and reject violence and extremism. I thank my friend and distinguished colleague from Texas, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson, for introducing this resolution; and I urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, we have no other speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support today of H. Res. 564 and join my colleagues in recognizing the efforts taken by the United States and seven Central American countries to confront gang violence in Central America. The tragic nature of gang violence in Central America threatens the peace and stability of its neighbors to the north and to the south. Geographically located between the world's largest drug-producing and drug-consuming countries, Central America faces a seemingly insurmountable problem when forced to counter gang violence on its own. For this reason, I was pleased to see that earlier this year, the United States and seven Central American countries took the first step towards finding an international solution to the growing level of violence in Central America by holding the first-ever dialogue on democratic security in Guatemala City. As the transnational nature of gangs causes crime and violence in Central America to bleed into the United States, this resolution recognizes the importance of a continuing United States involvement and commitment of funds towards dealing with youth gangs in Central America. Gangs have become more organized, more violent, and affect North America, Central America and South America. It also encourages Central America and U.S. officials to meet on a regular basis for further cooperation in combating crime and violence and commends these countries for taking the first step in the struggle for security by developing the United States' strategy to combat criminal gangs from Central America and Mexico. While I am pleased to see the progress made this year, I also recognize the grave importance of sustaining these efforts while increasing our understanding of the roots of this epidemic. I look forward to our continued cooperation with our neighbors to the south and once again applaud the efforts already taken to counter this increasing threat to peace and security in our region. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Mr. Engel, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the author of this measure, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk).

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution condemning the persecution of labor rights advocates in Iran. During the past 2 years, the already brutal regime in Tehran has increased its repression of its own citizens, cracking down on religious and ethnic minorities, human rights and pro democracy activists, even university students, and now the labor movement. Like many supposedly revolutionary governments, this regime has been particularly harsh to workers and their representatives who have dared to protest the injustices that pervade the present system in Iran. On April 9 this year, Iranian agents arrested Mahmoud Salehi, the founder of an independent bakery workers association. And then on three separate occasions since 2005, this same Iranian regime has arrested and imprisoned Mansour Osanloo, the president of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, an independent labor association of transportation workers. Most recently then, on July 10, 2007, reports indicate that plainclothes Iranian agents kidnapped, assaulted and imprisoned Mr. Osanloo. When transport workers have attempted to strike in order to protest their lack of rights and the arrest of their representatives, the Iranian regime has beaten them and compelled them to return to work. Iran's deplorable behavior violates its own legal obligations under its own Constitution. Article 26 of the Iranian Constitution permits, and I quote, ``the formation of parties, societies, political or professional associations,'' and Iran's labor law recognizes that ``it is prohibited to force a person to perform work against their will.'' So much for following their Constitution. Mr. Speaker, while Iranian thug-in-chief Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke freely at the United Nations last week, labor representatives Mahmoud Salehi and Mansour Osanloo, both of whom suffer from medical conditions and medical problems, languished in Iran's infamous prisons without access to any medical attention. This current situation is intolerable. The Iranian regime must stop its persecution of its own workers and systematic human rights abuses, release all the imprisoned labor representatives and fulfill its obligations in ensuring the right of Iranians to work freely and to organize freely. I want to thank Mr. Kirk of Illinois and Mr. Andrews of New Jersey for introducing this resolution, and also labor unions in the United States for bringing this issue to the forefront. This resolution condemns the Iranian regime for the arrest and imprisonment of Iranian labor leaders and demands their release. It also sends a simple but yet powerful message. As the people of Iran struggle to live freely and exercise their basic human rights, Congress and the United States stands with those people. I urge my colleagues to adopt this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as the poet Maya Angelo once said, ``History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.'' I find these words fitting as we consider H.R. 3432 today. For over 200 years, countless Africans died in brutal conditions during the so-called Middle Passage, the overseas voyage of their lives to enslavement in America. The United States formally prohibited the importation of slaves nearly 200 years ago, although the institution of slavery persisted in this country for another 50 years afterwards. This bill will establish a commission to ensure that this important anniversary is appropriately commemorated within the United States and also abroad. In essence, the bill seeks to ensure that all Americans, no matter their age, race, gender, culture, or even religion, are afforded the opportunity to learn more about the institution of slavery and its vestiges so that we may understand this tragic aspect of history. While we cannot unlive our past, it is hoped that this commission will promote greater tolerance and understanding among all Americans, while shedding light on the fact that slavery still exists in the modern world. Yes, even 200 years after the transatlantic slave trade was abolished, slavery still goes on. It exists through human trafficking and wherever any group of people is systematically robbed of its fundamental human rights. So I stand in support of H.R. 3432, in the hopes that this commission will help Americans confront the past with honesty, while committing themselves to the eradication of modern-day slavery in all of its forms, no matter where it may be found. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, the Texas State University System (TSUS) recently announced the establishment of the TSUS Regents' Professor Award to honor outstanding performance and contributions of its professors. These ``stars of academia'' bring attention to their campuses through their distinguished teaching, accomplishments in research, scholarly activities, service at the local, state, and national levels, and commitment to their colleges and universities. On August 16, 2007, Dr. Thomas C. Ho, a Lamar University Professor in the Chemical Engineering Department was one of six outstanding faculty members to be recognized as the first recipients of the Regents' Professor Award. Dr. Ho has had a 25-year long teaching career at Lamar University. He, shapes his students through his unique and challenging teaching methods and projects. His exceptional student evaluations attest to his commitment to their success, and their appreciation of his efforts. As a member of the AIChE Fluidization Committee, and ASME Industrial Waste Committee, Dr. Ho has received numerous teaching awards, including the Amoco Teaching Excellence Award, the Lamar University Teaching Bonus Award, and the Certificate of Recognition awarded by the International Incineration Conference. With expertise in thermal treatment of hazardous and industrial wastes, fluidization and fluidized bed combustion & incineration, metals and sulfur emission control, mercury sorption and desorption on sorbents, it is obvious why he received the International Incineration Conference's Outstanding Service Award four times. Dr. Ho currently has active research projects in metal capture by sorbents during fluidized bed technology for metal emissions control; development of two-state fluidized bed technology for metal emissions control; sorbent technology for multipollutant air emissions control; and statistical study of PM-10, PM-2.5, and PM-1.0 Dr. Ho also has illustrative papers and presentations on metal capture during fluidized bed incineration wastes contaminated with lead chloride; metal behavior during fluidized bed thermal treatment of soil; and adsorption and desorption of mercury on sorbents at elevated temperatures. Dr. Ho's passion for students, his research projects and publications, and contributions to professional societies earned him this top honor. I am proud to recognize his contributions in the Second Congressional District. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, yesterday, under the bright sun and blue sky of the Texas Sunday afternoon, American flags flew in the silent breeze over thousands of quiet marble uniform tombstones in the Houston National Cemetery. This is where Texans bury their war dead, men and women who go off to war for America. In the center of the immaculately kept cemetery, a tribute of sacrifice was being made to the living: Those mothers who lost their children in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mothers of Texas who gave their children that died in their youth so the rest of us could live in safety were honored on this Gold Star Mothers' Day. I was present along with Congressman Gene Green and Congressman Nick Lampson and Congressman Kevin Brady to honor these special ladies. We, like those present, were emotionally affected. Gold Star Moms are what we call them, is a mother who lost a child in combat. This concept started in World War II when Grace Seibold learned on Christmas Eve 1918 that her aviator son was killed in aerial combat in France. Grace Seibold directed her grief and sorrow to helping wounded doughboys in local D.C. hospitals. She formed the Gold Star Mothers to give support for other such moms. During World War I, if a son had gone off to war in the War to End All Wars, as it was called, a banner was hung in front of the home in the window for each son in the military. This banner had a blue star in the center of it. If the son was killed, a gold star was superimposed over the blue one. During World War II, my Grandmother Poe hung such a banner with a blue star in the front window of her home in the country. My dad went off to war when he was just 18. When my grandmother died, it was one of the few items she had saved. That banner never had to have a gold star placed on it because my dad returned safely. Madam Speaker, here is a banner of a Gold Star Mother. It has the name of the soldier that was killed, William Amundson, Jr. He was killed in Afghanistan. He was from Woodlands, Texas. He was a corporal in the United States Army. The blue star banners are very similar to this except in the middle there is a blue star rather than a gold star. And when that son or daughter is killed in combat, the gold star is superimposed over the blue one. These banners have been carried throughout all of America's wars since World War I and applies to sons and daughters killed in war. So yesterday these mothers of the fallen were there. And standing guard around them were the Patriot Guard motorcycle members, rugged Vietnam veterans who escort the fallen to this cemetery for burial. There was a 21-gun salute. Then after all of the speeches, these women were given yellow roses from Texas and the buglers played Taps for the fallen. Madam Speaker, as a father of four, I can think of nothing worse than to lose one of my own kids. No parent wants their son or daughter killed in unknown foreign lands. No parent wants their child to predecease them, and no parent wants their child to die in their youth. But it happens, and the grief can only be understood by other such parents. As Congressman Green said yesterday, ``Even the greatest heart surgeon in the world, Dr. Michael DeBakey, cannot repair such a broken heart of a mother like this.'' Mothers are special, especially the mothers of those who wear the American uniform. Those who keep statistics on the last words of soldiers say more often than not that the dying words of many soldiers in combat is, ``Mother, mother.'' It seems to me the strongest bond in all of creation is the bond between a mother and her child. The good Lord made it that way on purpose, and when that bond is broken by the loss of a child, that wound just never heals. Madam Speaker, one out of every nine people in the military is from the State of Texas, and about 400 Texans, 10 percent of the total killed of 4,000, have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet sons and daughters throughout America continue to join our military knowing that they will no doubt go into the desert of the sun and the valley of the gun, and they leave behind their parents, their mothers. So as we show honor and respect to America's children who serve, let us show American compassion and ultimate gratitude for the mothers of those troops who display the Gold Star sacrifice from their windows. And the next time we pass a house with one of these gold stars, one of these 4,000 throughout the United States, and they are being displayed in the window, maybe we should stop and say a prayer and say ``thank you'' because of that special mother who gave that child for the rest of us. And that's just the way it is.