Ted Poe

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, Oakland Airport officials might as well put a sign: ``Welcome to Oakland, but no U.S. military allowed here.'' It seems that over 200 marines from the combat fields of Iraq flew into Oakland, California, and were not allowed to deplane into the airport. They were forced off the plane between two runways and had to sit in the grass for 3 hours while waiting to fly to Hawaii. The troops had flown from Iraq via Kuwait, Germany, and JFK Airport. They had already been completely screened by Customs and TSA at JFK, but the officials at Oakland Airport wouldn't let them into the terminal. One marine said no explanation was ever given. Interestingly enough, reports say this not the first time Oakland banned the U.S. military from its airport. Most airports welcome our returning troops with patriotism, cheers, flags and enthusiastic applause. But not in Oakland. They should be ashamed. They should apologize to each marine, and Congress needs to find out why the marines were treated so poorly and even consider prohibiting Federal funds from going to this airport if it is shown that the airport is antimilitary. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, today I am proud to recognize a longtime community leader in southeast Texas. Ms. Fabiola Small has worn many distinguished hats throughout her lifetime, including co-chair of the Port Arthur Weed and Seed; founder of Love People, Inc.; founder of the Port Arthur, Texas Juneteenth Pageant; president of Woodmen of the World, Lodge 6192 and Youth Lodge 4640; president of Texas Senior Citizens Association; and board member of Tekoa Academy Charter School. ``Ms. Fab'' selflessly volunteers her time at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Sports Section, and delivers meals to the young and the elderly. She has received countless awards, including the 2006 Woodmen of the World Insurance Society; 2006 Fraternalist of the Year; MVP of the National Fraternal Congress of America; 2006 Women's History, Builders of Communities & Dreams; 2007 MVP of the U.S. Congress, and 2007 Juneteenth Trailblazer. Ms. Small is the first African American to be recognized as the National and International Fraternalist of the Year. An award presented to fraternalists who provide outstanding volunteer service in his or her community, and excellent leadership in his or her local chapter throughout the past year. Ms. Small's volunteerism even caught the attention of Southern Living Magazine, who will feature her in an upcoming issue. Ms. Small has dedicated her time and energy to the Golden Triangle for most of her life. Her selfless acts of kindness, devotion, and compassion for others are a true testament to her character. With 4 children, 18 children that she has taken under her wings, 22 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren, ``Ms. Fab'' is an inspiration to others, setting a great example for all to follow. On behalf of the Second Congressional District of Texas, I applaud Ms. Fabiola Small on her outstanding achievements. She has helped make our world a better place to live, and I applaud her unwavering service and dedication to the community. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, Bruce Hammond came to Washington, DC yesterday. He traveled here with the Twilight Wish Foundation to have his lifetime desire to see the World War II Memorial granted. Bruce Hammond was an 18-year-old drafted right out of high school in 1944. He served honorably in the United States Army in Europe. Hammond, from Cleveland, Texas, had his wish fulfilled through the Twilight Wish Foundation. The mission of this foundation is to demonstrate care and respect for seniors in America. It grants wishes for seniors on fixed incomes who are below the poverty level. Some wishes are as simple as supplying a hearing aid. Hammond wanted to see our country's tribute to World War II veterans. Corporal Hammond spent most of yesterday at the Memorial with his sons in solemn tribute and reflection of his buddies back in World War II. I commend the Twilight Foundation for working to honor our seniors, and we shall always remember our Greatest Generation and their sacrifice and service to this country. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, Yvette Cade is an inspiring survivor of domestic violence. The justice system failed her. In 2005, Yvette sought protection from her estranged husband. Already a victim of domestic violence, Yvette had a restraining order against her estranged husband, but it was set to expire. Yvette turned to the courts for help. She personally asked District Judge Richard Palumbo to extend the restraining order. Judge Palumbo said no; he refused to extend the order. Judge Palumbo went so far as to make fun of Yvette for seeking a protective order. When Yvette, who represented herself without a lawyer, told Palumbo that she wanted ``an immediate, absolute divorce,'' Judge Palumbo replied, ``I'd like to be six-foot-five, but that's not what we do here.'' Judge Palumbo likened other domestic violence victims to buses that come along every 10 minutes. Judge Palumbo then dismissed Yvette's assault case against her estranged husband. Two weeks later, Yvette's fears of further abuse were realized when her estranged husband walked into her workplace, doused her with gasoline, struck a match, and set her on fire. Yvette Cade survived the third-degree burns across sixty-percent of her body. She underwent several surgeries and still has more surgeries in her future. As a victim, survivor, and advocate, Yvette Cade is an inspiring voice for all domestic violence victims. She is a reminder of the staggering statistics on domestic violence victims in America and the injustices that victims face on an all too-often basis. Yvette Cade triumphed over tragedy. To recognize her remarkable spirit and advocacy work on behalf of other victims, the Victims' Rights Caucus awarded Yvette the Eva Murillo ``Unsung Hero'' Award in April. Domestic violence victims need a voice so that they too can become survivors. That is why I sponsored H. Res. 590 to declare October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It is appropriate that this House pass this legislation unanimously. With more awareness of domestic violence, more action can be taken. We owe it to good people like Yvette Cade. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, Americans have a right to a public trial. This right dates back to the founding of this Nation, and it is based on our values of fairness and impartiality. The more open and public a trial is, the more likely that justice will occur. That's why in this country we don't have the secret STAR Chamber. This is a right reserved for defendants, but the public also sees it as their right to be informed. Cameras enhance the concept of fairness and openness. Any American could walk into a courtroom and observe that proceeding. But if a person does not physically sit inside that courtroom, that person is denied the ability to see and observe the proceedings. This doesn't make any sense. Placing a camera in a courtroom would allow the trial to be more public, more just, just like a trial is supposed to be. While Federal court hearings are open to the public, not everyone can actually attend Federal hearings. This is certainly true of appellate and Supreme Court hearings. And because of the impact that the United States Supreme Court and its rulings have on all Americans, those proceedings especially should be filmed. It is time to allow cameras in our Federal courts, at the discretion of the Federal judge. I personally know how important it is to make courtroom proceedings in trials accessible by camera to the public because I did it. For 22 years I served as a State felony court judge in Houston, Texas. I heard over 25,000 cases and presided over 1,000 jury trials. I was one of the first judges in the United States to allow cameras in the courtroom. I tried violent cases, corruption cases, murder cases, undercover drug cases, and numerous gang cases. I had certain rules in place when a camera filmed in my courtroom. The media also always followed the rules that were ordered. Court TV even successfully aired an entire capital murder trial that was conducted in my courtroom. My rules were simple: No filming of sexual assault victims or children or the jury or certain witnesses such as informants. The unobtrusive camera filmed what the jury saw and what the jury heard. Nothing else. After the trial juries even commented and liked the camera inside the courtroom because they, too, wanted the public to know what they heard instead of waiting to hear a 30-second sound bite from a newscaster, who may or may not have gotten the facts straight. Those who oppose cameras in the courtroom argue that lawyers will play to the camera. No, Mr. Speaker, trial lawyers don't play to the camera. Lawyers play to the jury. They always have done so and always will whether a camera is present or not. I know. I played to the jury in my 8 years as a trial prosecutor. Those who oppose cameras in the courtroom argue that it would infringe on a defendant's rights, but based on my experience, the opposite is actually true. Cameras in the courtroom actually benefit a defendant because a public trial ensures fairness. It ensures professionalism by the attorneys and the judge. A camera in the courtroom protects a defendant's right to that public trial. And some members of the bar and judges may not want the public to see what is going on inside the courtroom because, frankly, they don't want the public to know what they are actually doing in the courtroom. Maybe these people shouldn't be doing what they are doing if they don't want the public to know by seeing their actions through a camera. A camera reveals the action of all participants in a trial. If a judge fears that any trial participant's safety is in jeopardy or that the identity of an undercover agent or security personnel will be revealed by filming, the judge can refuse to have that camera in the courtroom and film that trial. I know how it is when you have certain undercover agents such as the DEA and informants testify. I had them testify in my courtroom, and we took the precautions to secure their identity. Mr. Speaker, I am no law school academic, but I have 30 years experience as a trial prosecutor and a trial judge. And based on those real experiences, cameras should be allowed in our courts. The public has a right to watch courtroom proceedings and trials in person. America should not be deprived of this right to know just because they cannot physically sit inside the courtroom during those trials. We have the best justice system in the world. We should not hide it. Many times citizens wonder why certain things happen in courts and why the results turned out the way they did. Openness, transparency, and cameras will help educate and inform a public that still continues to be enthralled with the greatest court system in the world. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, two delivery services, UPS and FedEx, take a package and deliver it for a customer anywhere in a world in just a handful of days. Amazingly, a customer can even track one of those 23 million packages on the Internet and know exactly where it is on any given day. Maybe the Federal Government could learn something here. The Federal Government doesn't seem to even know where 20 million illegals are in this country, much less track their whereabouts. A good example of how private industry works and the Federal Government does not. Anyway, it has been suggested that the way to solve the case of the missing illegals is to give every illegal that crosses into the United States a FedEx or UPS package. The package could contain items for their stay illegally in the United States. Then we could record when people enter the U.S. and know where they are at any given time. Mr. Speaker, it is a disgrace that the Federal Government can't handle border security any better than it does. The Feds owe it to the American citizens to come up with ways to stop the flow of illegals into the United States. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, due to the fact that I have been appointed by the President of the United States to be a Congressional Representative to the United Nations, I was in New York City and missed recorded votes on the House Floor on Monday, September 24, 2007 and Tuesday, September 25, 2007. I ask that the Record reflect that had I been able to vote that day, I would have voted ``yes'' on Rollcall vote Nos. 894, 895, 896, 897, 898, 899, 900, 901, 905, and 907. I would have voted ``no'' on Rollcall vote Nos. 902, 903, 904, and 906.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, in 1987, 20 years ago, Congress first recognized October as National Domestic Violence Awareness month. Because of Congress's actions, local community groups, religious organizations, healthcare providers, corporations, and the media are addressing domestic violence in our communities. This October, thousands of victim advocacy organizations, state coalitions, and community groups will hold events to raise awareness to the violence that annually affects millions of men, women, and children in the United States. If we can raise awareness and teach the youth healthy relationship skills and intervene in youth violence, we can reduce dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in our schools and communities. As the founder of the Victims' Rights Caucus, and sponsor of H. Res. 590, I hope to give a voice to domestic violence victims. Raising awareness of domestic violence provides victims with help and a safe haven, while holding abusers accountable. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, for too many people in this country, love comes with bruises, broken bones, and black eyes. Twenty years ago, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. In the past 20 years, there are programs, education, and funding dedicated to preventing domestic violence, but domestic violence is still a dangerous reality for too many Americans. One in every four women will be a victim of domestic violence during her lifetime. But domestic violence doesn't discriminate--it affects everyone--men, women, and children of every race, ethnicity, religion, and economic status. It affects the workplace, increases health care costs, and spurs even more violence among children who witness it at home. The cost of domestic violence is staggering--over $5.8 billion each year. Domestic violence happens during dating and in marriages. Children who witness domestic violence at home do poorly in school, use drugs and alcohol at an early age, and are more likely to engage in violent behavior themselves. Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults. As a former prosecutor and judge, I founded the Congressional Victim Rights Caucus to advocate for crime victims. I sponsored H. Res. 590 to declare October 2007 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. October will raise awareness of the increasing number of abusers who murder their victims and then take their own lives, in addition to the financial strain experienced by domestic violence victims, including loss of employment and loss of housing. In October, thousands of victim advocacy organizations, State coalitions, and community groups will hold events to bring awareness to the violence that affects men, women, and children every single year. Community awareness about domestic violence allows victims to seek help--it creates shelters for domestic violence victims to seek refuge in, holds abusers accountable, and helps children live in nonviolent homes. In the past, Congress's support of this month has led to an increasing number of local community groups, religious organizations, health care provides, corporations, and media addressing domestic violence in communities. Congress has been instrumental in increasing the funding for programs located under the Violence Against Women Act, VAWA, but there is still a need for further awareness of domestic violence. Let's send a message to domestic violence victims that Congress is their voice. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I thank Mr. Sarbanes for introducing this very important legislation. Mr. Speaker, it is imperative for all Americans to know our early American history. Soon after the War of Independence and American independence, the new struggling United States had to go to war again with England to keep its independence. Sometimes the War of 1812 is referred to as the forgotten war in American history. It is referred to as the ``second American War of Independence.'' Be that as it may, we went to war with England a second time because the British kidnapped American sailors on the high seas and made them involuntary servants in the British Navy. When the British invaded the United States during the War of 1812, they burned this city, Washington. They used Thomas Jefferson's books to burn this Capitol. They burned the White House. The President had to flee in the darkness of a torrential rainstorm. The United States future looked bleak. So after capturing Washington, DC, the British headed north to finish the United States off in Baltimore. During a heated sea battle, the British bombarded Fort McHenry, defending the harbor of Baltimore. But the fort commander stood defiant, refused to surrender, and hoisted a massive American flag over the fort. Mr. Speaker, this is no small flag. It is 30 feet by 42 feet in size. Such a flag could be seen for miles and miles away from Fort McHenry. An American lawyer named Francis Scott Key was onboard a British ship during the battle. He was there seeking the release of an American captive. After watching the night battle and seeing the glorious U.S. flag at sunrise, he wrote a poem, later turned into a song called the Star-Spangled Banner to honor this American victory. This national anthem of ours is played at sports games and ceremonies and events across the Nation every day. In fact, I think the first time it was played at a sporting event was at a Chicago White Sox game in the early 1900s. Chairman Davis could correct me if that is incorrect. Mr. Speaker, it is important that Americans understand what the anthem stands for and why it was written. I totally support H.R. 1389. This bill will create a commission to plan activities, programs and observances of history events surrounding this War of 1812. I am proud of how the United States as a new democracy developed into a great Nation during this time. This war and Francis Scott Key should be celebrated and honored and recognized. By the way, Mr. Speaker, the British left the United States permanently after the battle of Fort McHenry and after Andrew Jackson and his boys defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding me time and for offering this important piece of legislation. As a former judge and prosecutor and founder of the Victims' Rights Caucus, I certainly understand how crime victims may be distraught and scared and hopeless. Some die in this emotional nightmare and some of those who die are kids. But now they need not be voiceless. Congress can be a voice for crime victims, especially those who have been murdered. I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 340. This resolution provides a voice for victims and their families, those that are involved in missing- person cases and unidentified human remains cases. Any given day in the United States, there are over 100,000 missing persons. There are over 40,000 remains in medical examiners' offices and coroners' offices that cannot be identified. Cities and counties bury or cremate the unidentified human remains without collecting DNA in many cases. So Congress must continue to fund DNA testing, train and educate law enforcement on these issues, and raise awareness about the use of this scientific phenomenon, DNA, so that it can be used to identify the unidentified. We owe this to those silent who cannot speak for themselves. DNA identifies missing victims as well as convicts the guilty and frees the innocent. For all of these reasons, this resolution should be adopted. So I totally support this resolution.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, the University of Hate has a new branch campus and it is called Columbia University. Madman, maniac, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is speaking today at Columbia. The Iranian President believes in the murder of the Jewish people in Israel. He is a hater of Americans. He is sending money, arms, and ammunition to Iraq that is used to kill American troops. Not the kind of person that deserves a U.S. audience. But Columbia doesn't care. The University said that they would have even invited warmonger Hitler to speak on their campus. But the university does have some people that they refuse to allow on campus. This is the same university that, in 1969 during the Vietnam War and peacenik movement, banned the ROTC from campus. And in spite of current law and a Supreme Court ruling, still bans the ROTC. Columbia University clearly shows a pattern of being anti-American by promoting forums to warmongers and by preventing the U.S. military ROTC program on campus. Maybe the university should just relocate to Tehran. And in the meantime, the U.S. taxpayers have no business sending American money to the University of Hate. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, next week I will be traveling to New York City as a Congressional Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly. It's no secret, Mr. Speaker, that I believe the United Nations has a lot to do in order to restore the trust of the American people. Since its inception, one of the primary objectives of the United Nations has been to protect and advance fundamental human rights around the world. It's a noble cause. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, in my view, this goal has been tarnished by the problem of corruption, hypocrisy, and an unapologetic bias against the state of Israel. This kind of behavior is unacceptable and the United Nations must be held accountable. We all know about the fraud, mismanagement, and abuse prevalent in the Oil-for-Food program. The program was established to bring humanitarian relief to the people of Iraq and it fell victim to despicable corruption by U.N. officials. Yet, since the scandal was first discovered and reports were issued, little has been done by the United Nations to ensure reform. The Human Rights Council was established in 2006, to replace the U.N. Human Rights Commission which had become so discredited that Secretary- General Kofi Annan admitted, ``the declining credibility [of the Commission] has cast a shadow on the reputation of the United Nations system as a whole . . . .'' The mission of the Commission--not to mention the United Nations as a whole--was questioned by the election of some of the world's worse human rights abusers to serve as members of the Commission. The record of the new Human Rights Council is dismally better; of the 47 members only 25 were considered ``free'' states. This Council has also demonstrated a strong bias against Israel. In the first year of its operations, more than 70 percent of the country- specific resolutions were on Israel. This disproportionate focus on Israel and disregard for holding major human rights violators across the world accountable cannot be tolerated. It goes against the most basic, fundamental principles of the U.N. I appreciate the mission of the United Nations, Mr. Speaker, but I'm concerned about the way it's being carried out. The U.N. has got to take reform seriously if they plan on gaining the support of the American people. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, ``I do not believe that the men who served in uniform in Vietnam have been given the credit they deserve. It was a difficult war against an unorthodox enemy.'' These are the words of General Westmoreland in the war where ``all gave some and some gave all.'' But the disrespect continues. Now, despicable vandals have desecrated the sacred black granite Vietnam Wall. An oily, slimy, greasy substance was smeared over the Wall and the walkway. The Park Service is attempting to remove the damage, but the monument desecraters run free. This monument bears the name of 56,000 warriors. They answered the call for America and they died in their youth. I grew up with friends whose names are on that wall. The unpatriotic, cowardly, abusing criminals should be tracked down, prosecuted, and put in jail somewhere off the shores of America, maybe Guantanamo Bay. It has been said that ``Vietnam was a war that asked everything of a few and nothing of most in America.'' Now America must be resolved to capture these outlaws and restore dignity to those who died for the rest of us. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Chairman, aircraft repair stations located in foreign countries are allowed to become certified by the Federal Aviation Administration to work on United States aircraft without meeting the same standards or being subject to the same oversight imposed on domestic stations in regard to drug and alcohol testing of workers. This amendment would close this loophole because it makes no sense to require U.S. mechanics to undergo various levels of drug and alcohol testing if workers doing the same work on the same type of aircraft for the part of the same airlines are exempt from this requirement simply because the station is located overseas in another country. According to a report by the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation, the number of certified foreign repair stations has increased from 344 in 1994 to almost 700 in 2007, more than double the number of stations over the last 13 years. U.S. air carriers now outsource overseas 35 percent of their maintenance work to foreign repair stations, and that is up 21 percent from 2003. This growing trend necessitates the additional safety standards. The FAA itself has moved to extend drug and alcohol testing domestically and noted, ``It has the statutory authority and, in the interest of aviation safety, the responsibility to require that individuals who actually perform safety-sensitive duties are subject to drug and alcohol testing.'' Also, the Department of Transportation's recent pilot program to allow Mexican-domiciled motor carriers to enter and travel throughout the United States, DOT stipulated that operating authority will not be granted to these Mexican companies unless this company has in place, and DOT can verify, a controlled substance and alcohol testing program consistent with U.S. domestic requirements. So if DOT can impose the requirements on Mexican drivers as a condition of entering the U.S. in the name of safety, there is no reason why the FAA cannot follow suit with similar requirements for foreign mechanics working on aircraft that will operate in the United States. This is a safety issue. Mechanics that work on American aircraft overseas should meet the same drug testing requirements as mechanics that work on these aircraft in the borders of the United States. I urge support of this amendment to close this loophole so that all maintenance workers who work on planes that fly in the United States equally are treated the same and undergo drug and alcohol testing. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POE. I thank the gentleman for his comments and his support on this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 867, H.R. 3246, the Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development Act, I was inadvertently detained. I would have voted ``nay.'' On rollcall Nos. 868 and 869, I was also detained. I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 1657, Science and Technology Scholarships and ``aye'' on H.R. 3527, Extending Authorities for the Overseas Investment Corporation--Private.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, it's never too late to say thank you and recognize a hero of our Armed Forces even if it is 62 years later. I had the opportunity to do this when I recently met William Oliver Sievertson, of Kingwood, Texas. Sievertson served in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1945 during World War II and fought against the Japanese in the Battle of Sugar Loaf Hill in Okinawa, Japan. This battle included some of the fiercest fighting of the Pacific Theater in which his division, the Sixth Marine Division Reinforced, suffered 2,662 casualties. According to Mr. James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy in 1945, ``Units of the division withstood overwhelming artillery and mortar barrages, repulsed furious counter-attacks and staunchly pushed over the rocky terrain to reduce almost impregnable defenses and captured Sugar Loaf Hill.'' Sievertson was wounded during this battle on May 19, 1945 and received the Purple Heart. After recovering in a Navy hospital in Guam, he returned to his unit and participated in the occupation of Japan after its surrender to the United States. Many years later as a civilian, Sievertson learned from the West Virginia Veterans of Foreign Wars Newsletter that his division had been given a Presidential Unit Citation from President Harry S. Truman. The article described how another Marine had served in the same division during the same time period and had received the award from his U.S. Senator decades later. This inspired Sievertson to contact his Congressman to see if he qualified for the award also. After some inquires by my staff, we learned that Sievertson did indeed qualify for the citation and was long overdue to receive it. After 62 years, on August 20, 2007, I had the pleasure of personally awarding Mr. Sievertson the Presidential Unit Citation for the Battle of Sugar Loaf Hill. Along with his wife Joy Sievertson, their children and grandchildren, we held an award ceremony in my district office in Humble, Texas, to finally present the award to him. Mr. William Sievertson is a shining example of America's Greatest Generation. He courageously served his country in a time of World War to battle America's enemies abroad. It is my honor to finally give recognition to this American patriot for his heroic service to our great nation. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, as air travel increases, revenue to airports, of course, increases as well. Much of that money is from hidden taxes passengers pay. But now this increased revenue isn't enough for some. They want to tax flyers even more to fly. Right now, if a citizen buys a typical round trip ticket, the fare is about $230. But additional taxes raise the fare another $45. So the passenger is now really paying $275. Airports now want to collect more Federal taxes from each passenger by increasing the passenger facility charge, another word for tax, to $7 per passenger per segment. What that means is a family of four that flies from Odessa, Texas, to Washington, D.C., with a stopover in Dallas, is going to pay another $112 in more taxes. Airports already get plenty of money. They sell bonds; they get millions in Federal, City and State taxes; they charge airlines for gates and the right to land; they get taxes off rental cars; and they lease airport space to businesses. Airports should make do with the abundance of revenue they already get from the taxpayers. Don't raise taxes any more on passengers. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, today I wish to extend my appreciation to the 515th Field Artillery Battalion of World War II as they reunite for the first time since the end of the war. These men of the 515th represent the best of the greatest generation. Composed of officers and enlisted men from various units around the United States, the 515th was trained to operate the 155mm ``Long Tom'' guns. From the time that it fired its first rounds in combat until nearly the end of the war, the unit was constantly on the move and involved in combat, supporting various units. Moving steadily northward, the unit finally crossed the Rhine River on a heavy pontoon bridge at Worms, Germany. From here the battalion moved south to the area of Heidelberg and then north again toward the area of Birkenfeld. It was reported that during the month of March the battalion traveled a distance of 557 miles, 153 miles of which were during combat. The 515th fired 3,122 rounds of ammunition during this time. The 515th rarely stayed in any one place for more than a day or two. Movement was not fast and generally cumbersome since the tractors pulling the ``Long Toms'' moved at only about 30 miles per hour. Once an area was designated it would sometimes take as much as a day to set up all three gun batteries, coordinate their positions and lay communication lines between the individual guns and battery commands, and then from the battery commands to Headquarters. These men met monumental challenges every day, and courageously faced their obstacles and overcame them. The 515th Field Artillery Battalion will be remembered for their pivotal role in the United States achieving victory in World War II. These soldiers gave their heart and soul for our country. Their efforts will never be forgotten and their actions will always be remembered. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, America is about people. Who we are and what we are is because of the people who have come to America. They are individuals who have lived and died and influenced the rest of us because of their tenacious spirit and determination. Mr. Speaker, I am a history fan. I love American history especially, and Texas history, not the history of dates and movements, but the history of the lives of individual Americans who made a difference. Roy Benavidez was one of those Americans. Roy Benavidez was born in South Texas in a small town called Cuero, August 5, 1935. He was the son of a sharecropper. He was an orphan and he had mixed blood of Yaqui Indian and Hispanic. He was raised by his uncle after he lost his family and he dropped out of school in the seventh grade. He didn't see the need for an education at that time. He was a migrant farm worker. He worked all over Texas and as far as Colorado in the sugar beet fields and the cotton fields. He decided to join the United States Army in 1955, and he joined in Houston, Texas. He was in love with his hometown sweetheart, Lala Coy. So while he was away in Germany on active duty, he asked a local priest, his grandfather and his uncle if they would go to Lala's father and ask permission for Roy to marry her, and he agreed. Mr. Speaker, you have to appreciate that old school that marry this way. While he was in the Army, however, he was in a lot of trouble, even though he was a member of the Military Police. So he finally joined the Special Forces training at Fort Bragg and reached the rank of staff sergeant and went to Vietnam as a Green Beret. But on May 2, 1962, his life changed and the lives of many Americans changed. It is a story that is almost unbelievable. On the morning of May 2, 1968, a 12-man Special Forces team was inserted in Cambodia to observe a large-scale North Vietnamese troop movement, and they were discovered by the enemy. Most of the team members were close friends of Roy Benavidez, who was the forward operating officer in Loc Ninh, Vietnam. Three helicopters were sent to rescue this 12-man team, but they were unable to land because of the heavy enemy concentration. When a second attempt was made to reach the stranded team, Benavidez jumped onboard one of the helicopters, armed only with a Bowie knife. As the helicopters reached the landing zone, Benavidez realized the team members were likely too severely wounded to move to the helicopters. So by himself he ran through heavy small arms fire to the wounded soldiers. He was wounded himself in the leg, the face, and the head in the process. He reorganized the team and signaled the helicopters to land. But despite his injuries, Benavidez was able to carry off half of the wounded men to the helicopters. He then collected the classified documents held by the now dead team leader. As he completed this task, he was wounded by an exploding grenade in the back and shot in the stomach. At that moment, the waiting helicopter's pilot was also mortally wounded, and that helicopter crashed. He ran to collect the stunned crash survivors and form a perimeter. He directed air support, ordered another extraction attempt and was wounded again when shot in the thigh. At this point he was losing so much blood from his face wounds that his vision became blocked. Finally, another helicopter landed and as Benavidez carried a wounded friend to it, he was clubbed in the head with a rifle butt by an enemy soldier. That soldier bayonetted Benavidez twice. Mr. Speaker, Benavidez was wounded in that one battle 37 times; seven gunshot wounds, he had mortar in his back, and two bayonet wounds. He was taken for dead and left for dead and zipped up in a body bag, but right before they zipped the bag up, he spit in the doctor's face, letting the doctor know he was yet alive. He later recovered. He received the Distinguished Service Cross and then many years later Ronald Reagan presented him with the Congressional Medal of Honor. President Reagan stated that if this were a movie, no one would believe it because of the heroic deed of Roy Benavidez. Mr. Speaker, after he retired from the military, Roy Benavidez went around America talking about the importance of an education, since he only went to the seventh grade. He talked to young gang members, he talked to youth, telling them to stay in school and get an education. He was a remarkable individual. A Navy ship has been named after him, several elementary schools in Texas have been named after Roy Benavidez, and even a toy company has issued a Roy Benavidez GI Joe action figure. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate and honor Hispanic Heritage Month, one of those great Hispanic Americans was Roy Benavidez, a Texas hero, an American hero, a war hero that loved America and, as he said, got to live the American Dream the way that he wanted. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, on September 11th, America honored those murdered by people who kill in the name of religion. Americans held solemn tributes, prayers, and raised Old Glory across the plains and prairies of this heartland. But no American flags were displayed by students at Hobbton High School in North Carolina. The superintendent of this government school district banned the display of any country's flag on the clothing of students. Dr. Hobbs said disruptions have been caused in the school by the wearing of certain national flags. So on this almost holy day of September 11th, no American flags were allowed on clothes at this American school. Dr. Hobbs, if you are going to ban the display or the wearing of flags, ban foreign ones, not the ones that fly over this Nation--the American flag. Have we become so timidly concerned about offending foreigners that we now disrespect our Nation by banning the American flag? This unpatriotic paranoia is an insult to this Nation and the students of your school, and the superintendent should be ashamed. Mr. Hobbs, Betsy Ross would not be proud of you. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, according to Darrel Royal, there are only two sports in Texas--football and spring football. In coffee shops, barber shops and even in the beauty salons all across Texas, the talk is all the same--how's the team gonna be this year? It's that time of year, a time that folks in Texas and across the south prepare for all year long. Football in Texas is its own religion, where even your preacher cuts the sermon short on Sundays to get you home in time to watch the game. Nowhere else on earth will you find a culture so wrapped up in football like we are in Texas. Proud Texans naturally believe everything is bigger and better in Texas--and that's because it is. And like most fathers, I am a proud dad. My son Kurt started playing football when he was 8 years old and I have watched him play every game from pee-wee football in Humble, Texas until he took the field wearing the purple and white of my alma mater, Abilene Christian University. Throughout school, Kurt played quarterback. Quarterback is one of those positions that is tough on parents--it's all the frame or all the blame. Every time I saw him take the field wearing number 3, I saw that same little 8-year-old boy full of determination. It was that very determination that led to him walking on at ACU and earning a spot as a safety and becoming an Academic All Conference player. With this new position, came a new prayer for the Poe family. The word ``interception'' took on a whole new meaning for us. I was a judge during that time and I would head out on Friday nights after court and drive all night to towns such as Kingsville, Canyon, Wichita Falls, Commerce, Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Ada, Oklahoma, and of course, Abilene, to get there for Saturday's game. There is nothing more fun that being in a stadium on that first crisp fall weekend and seeing your team, and your son, take the field to thousands of college fans chanting: W-I-L-D-C-A-T-S, purple, white, purple, white, fight, fight, fight! Texas football is that of legend and legacy. It has spawned books, movies, and a TV series. A look into a way of life that is so unique, so Texan. It's the Junction Boys, the Tyler Rose, the last minute touchdown run by Vince Young of Texas against USC in the Rose Bowl National Championship game--I was there by the way with my son Kurt. What a game. What a memory. Yes, Texans love their football--right down to the names they choose for their children to the cars they buy. I am sure there is some big executive up in Detroit wondering why they have to send so many maroon pickups to Texas. We may not have too many fall weddings on Saturdays, because they conflict with college football, but I am willing to bet that you have been to a wedding where the new Mr. and Mrs. took off down the aisle to the ``Eyes of Texas'' or got a big ``Whoop!'' after the preacher declared them husband and wife. Now I am not one to say that we don't love our Texans and Cowboys. A smile still comes across my face when I think of the Astrodome and those Luv Ya Blue days. But, professional football today just doesn't have that same thrill and excitement anymore. Sure, maybe up North it does since they don't have high school stadiums that hold 15,000 people, field turf, jumbotrons and the caliber of coaches and players we have in Texas. But it's not just the facilities, what makes the game so special is the atmosphere of it all. It's the band, the drill team, the cheerleaders, the moms selling T-shirts, the school clubs hanging banners--the whole atmosphere is what makes the game great. The whole community comes together, people from all walks of life get together every weekend and share in the tears and cheers and root for their team to victory. So this weekend and every weekend in the fall, Texas families put on school colors and head to the game. They grab some hot dogs and a coke and take part in one of Texas's finest traditions. You see some of those folks that you went to high school with and some of the same old guys sitting in the same seats they were in 20-30 years ago. The players, the coaches, the trainers, the cheerleaders, the drill team and all those people that volunteer their time to support the kids are all part of the excitement. Football in Texas is something special. It's the Texas Religion. And That's Just the Way It Is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, there are some in Congress who have gone to sleep and blissfully are dreaming of ways to get more illegals benefits that American taxpayers are going to have to pay for. It's called the DREAM Act, or specifically the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act. You notice that word ``alien.'' It only applies to aliens illegally in the United States, not to American citizens and not to foreign nationals who are here legally. It's a bill to give preference to illegals in our public universities. Here's how it works under normal circumstances: Most States require that if you are not a resident of their State, you pay out-of-State tuition to go to their public universities. For example, if you are from New Jersey or from India and you go to school at Texas University, you pay out-of-State tuition because you are not from Texas. Most public universities have this rule. The DREAM Act, however, will do something differently. It applies only to folks who are illegally in the country and who can attest that they came before they were the age of 16. If so, this person will be able to get a green card, later to get a permanent residence card, and then after that get a green card for the parents of this illegal who brought this child into the United States illegally in the first place. It gives priorities to illegals over American citizens and foreign nationals who are legally in the country. It discriminates against Americans. It discriminates against foreign students because it only applies to illegals who are here so that they can go to our public universities and pay in-State tuition because if you are from some other State or some foreign nation and legally in the country, you pay out-of-State tuition, which, of course, is more. It seems to me this violates the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment. It treats illegals who are violating the law by being here in the United States already better than Americans. Mr. Speaker, as college costs continue to soar, most Americans who have kids that go to college have to foot that bill. I just had my four children finish college not too long ago and just paid off the last college loan. I have one daughter who is still paying on her college loan after she received her doctorate degree. There are many Americans who will not be able to go to college because it now costs too much for them to go. But the dreamers want it to cost even more because they want us to subsidize illegals so they can go to school with in-State tuition. This silly law goes further. It repeals a law that this body signed into law in 1996. In 1996, the legislation was enacted by Congress, started in this House, stating that States cannot give preference to illegals and let them pay in-State tuition unless those same States treat foreign nationals who are legally in the country and out-of-State students, students from other States, the same way. The law applied saying you have to treat everybody equally and you have to treat Americans the same as illegals if you let them go to your university with in-State tuition. In spite of this 1996 law, there are 10 States who defy this law and have ignored the law and have allowed in-State tuition for illegals. Those 10 States: California; unfortunately, my home State of Texas; Illinois; Oklahoma; Utah; Washington; New Mexico; Kansas; Nebraska; and New York. You see, these 10 States violate Federal law because they already allow in-State tuition for illegals that are in their State. This is called ``nullification.'' That's a legal term, Mr. Speaker, which means that a State ignores or passes legislation contrary to Federal law. Nullification is not a new concept. It started over 150 years ago when several southern States decided they could nullify Federal laws that they didn't like. And so one reason for the Great War between the States was because of the nullification concept where States voted laws that were contrary to Federal law. So this DREAM Act will legalize the conduct of these 10 States. It will then give amnesty and in-state tuition to illegals in this country at the detriment of American students and legal foreign students. Mr. Speaker, this ought not to be. Americans should not have to pay the cost for the education of illegals in this country. And illegals that come to this country and get in our universities should not get to pay less than Americans who live in other States. And that's just the way it is.