Ted Poe

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, in the darkness of back rooms and the whisper of secret phone calls, American citizens may have been betrayed. Has our government become the Judas? For the past 2 years, our Federal Government has secretly negotiated and cooperated with the Mexican government to provide illegals a reward for breaking American law. Not only will illegal entry be forgiven by amnesty but, get this, illegals will be able to apply for and collect American Social Security. The cost of such betrayal is millions of dollars. Hardworking citizens are going to be robbed of Social Security money that they are entitled to. Now many Americans and legal immigrants may not receive Social Security benefits because they will be going to illegals. Mr. Speaker, illegals are not citizens of this country, and they should not be taking the benefits entitled to law-abiding American citizens and legal immigrants. It is morally wrong to expect Americans to pay money to people that are not even supposed to be on our soil. Illegals should not receive Social Security benefits. The welfare of America is being sold for 30 pieces of silver. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, in the small border town of Rocksprings, Texas, where drug smugglers and human smugglers sneak across the Rio Grande into America, lone Deputy Sheriff Gilmer Hernandez was on patrol. In the stillness of the vast night, a speeding Suburban runs a red light. Deputy Hernandez, 25, stops the vehicle, but suddenly, without warning, the vehicle takes off. Deputy Hernandez says the vehicle tried to run him down. The lawman fires several shots, one of which shoots out the rear tire, just like in the movies. The vehicle stops, and eight or nine illegals jump out and take off running into the sagebrush. One illegal had a minor injury from a bullet. The U.S. Government rounds up six or seven of the illegals and, guess what, prosecutes Deputy Hernandez, claiming he recklessly discharged his firearm and uses the illegals as witnesses against the lawman during a trial. Citizens of his town are mad. One said, ``Our deputy's in jail for doing his job.'' Mr. Speaker, another example of how the Federal Government is more concerned about people illegally invading America than it is about the men who protect America. Once again, our government is on the wrong side of the border war. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, A bullet tells a story . . . Tells lawmen the gun it belongs to, identifies the outlaw that fired it. In Jefferson County, Texas, it proves an attempted capital murder. Gang thugs--with disregard to the property of others--robbed a used- car lot in Port Arthur, TX. When the owner appeared, a coward amid the cloak of darkness fired his pistol. Unaware he was an expert marksman, the wounded owner was able to return fire, striking the hidden gunman. The bullet, pointing to the triggerman, now lays embedded in the suspect's forehead. Refusing its removal, search warrants were issued ordering doctors to extract it. Doctors backed down and have ignored the Judge's order. The excuse by the doctors: the removal would require the suspect to undergo surgery. These doctors are confused who the real victim is. Not the outlaw with the mark of Cain, but the valiant survivor who took on his would- be assassin. In direct defiance of a judge's order, citing the criminal's alleged right to deny treatment, these doctors have thumbed their noses, like insolent children, at our Nation's criminal justice system. Madam Speaker, this ought not to be. Justice must be served . . . the bullet must tell its story. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, it is said that justice is the one thing you should always find. You have to saddle up the boys, you have to draw a hard line. Justice is the one thing you should always find. Those lyrics are from a song by Willie Nelson, not quite the legal scholar most of us would think, but a true statement nonetheless. But justice is the one thing you can't find on the Texas-Mexico border, and recent events show that. Not too long ago, two of our border agents, Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos were doing their job on the Texas-Mexico border, on patrol keeping illegals out of the United States. They come in contact with a drug dealer who sees them and takes off running in his van. His van happened to have 700-plus pounds of marijuana. That is not just for personal use, Mr. Speaker, that is worth $1 million on the market in Texas. He sees the two drug agents. He flees, jumps out of the van and tries to cross the Rio Grande River. The facts are in dispute as to what occurs. There is a fight with the agents. The agents say the drug dealer had a weapon pointed at them. After the smoke cleared, the drug dealer gets shot in the buttocks and runs back to Mexico. I say: Well done, border agents. Give them a medal. But that is not what our Federal Government decided to do. Our Federal Government decided to go to Mexico, find this drug dealer, a habitual offender that brings drugs into the United States, and give him immunity to testify against the two border agents, bring him back to the United States and let him testify in a so-called trumped up civil rights violation. But while waiting to testify, he crosses the border again and given immunity, yes, a second time for bringing drugs into the United States. After the trial was over with, both of these drug agents were prosecuted for enforcing the law, doing the job that they are supposed to. A week from today, these two border agents will be taken to the Federal penitentiary to serve 10 and 11 years respectively. Mr. Speaker, this ought not to be. Our Federal Government chose the wrong side in this case. They chose the enemy side in this case. Mr. Speaker, what are our border agents to do when somebody flees, being a drug dealer, and tries to go back to Mexico? What are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to say, ``Halt in the name of the law''? Mr. Speaker, those days are over in this country. So either they can enforce the law or they can't enforce the law. Enforcing the law on the Texas border is unenforceable. It is a lawless border because our Federal Government always chooses the wrong side. Today, Jose Compean and his wife, Patty, were here in Washington, DC. Many Members of Congress in this House on both sides talked to them about the facts of this case and their lives and how it has been changed. All Jose Compean ever wanted to do was be a border agent for the United States and protect the dignity of this country, and he is being punished for that. So our government had a choice, the choice to be on the side of the drug dealer or the border agents; the choice to be on the side of the illegals or the legals; the side of crime or crime fighters. And our government chose poorly, Mr. Speaker. This ought not to be. My prior career before becoming a Member of Congress was as a judge in Texas. I heard over 25,000 felony cases of all types. And I am here to tell you, based on what I know about this case, a great injustice has occurred not only to our border agents but to our country. Our Federal Government needs to take a stand for border security, enforce the rule of law and support those that we have put down to the border with few utensils to protect the dignity of this country. Yes, Mr. Speaker, justice is the one thing we should always find. We had better find it on the Texas-Mexico border, or injustice will rule the day and this country will pay for it by failing to enforce the rule of law in failing to keep illegal drug dealers out of this Nation. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, Mexican illegals looking to breach entry into the United States are receiving encouraging help from their own government. In the past, the Mexican government has provided pamphlets to illegals on how to sneak into the United States. Now the Mexican government has announced it is going high tech. The government will provide illegals with GPS tracking devices, allowing them to call on the U.S. Cavalry, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, if they get lost among the treacherous rivers and deserts lining the U.S.-Mexico border. By passing out GPS devices free of charge, Mexico wants the U.S. to rescue illegals that are in trouble on American soil and provide them free medical attention but supposedly let them still stay in the United States. Instead of discouraging Mexican citizens from illegally entering America, Mexico is asking the U.S. to cooperate, ignore the invasion and then provide aid to stranded illegals. Mr. Speaker, this is absurd. Our Federal Government's loyalties lie with the American people, not with illegals that are colonizing America. The U.S. must stand firm against the Mexican government's unlawful, illegal invasion into our homeland. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, in West Texas, football has been king since the beginning of time. Other sports were ``foreign'' to the flat, dry plains. Then somebody from a college in Indiana showed up, with a round ball and changed the Texas sports landscape. Bob ``The General'' Knight became the head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders men's basketball team--yes, basketball. On January 1, 2007, the threshold into a new year, Knight crossed another important threshold--becoming the winningest coach ever in NCAA Division I basketball with a total of 880 victories. This record came in a win, by Texas Tech, over the University of New Mexico Lobos, with a score of 70-68. The previous record holder was Dean Smith, head coach of the University of North Carolina. Coach Knight has made basketball at Texas Tech into a cause and crusade. A review of Knight's collegiate coaching career is in order. We start where Knight, himself, started--the West Point Military Academy. It was there that Knight earned his first head coaching job at the extraordinarily young age of 24. It was at West Point that Knight earned the nickname ``The General.'' His tenure at West Point produced a basketball record of 102 wins and 50 losses. After West Point, Knight went on to the basketball state of Indiana, and the University of Indiana Hoosiers, in 1971. Leading the Hoosiers is where the achievements began to pile up in the trophy room. Knight's accomplishments boast three National Championships (1976, 1981, and 1987), a never replicated, undefeated season (1976), eleven Big Ten Conference titles (1973-1976, 1980-1981, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993), National Coach of the Year (1975, 1976, 1987, 1989), and Big Ten Coach of the Year (1973, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981). As a Hoosier, Knight averaged a 73% success rate with 662 wins and 239 losses. Outside of the NCAA national championships, Knight has led teams to three other championships. In 1979, the Hoosiers won the NIT Championship. Also, in 1979, Knight coached the Pan American team to a gold medal. In 1984, Knight had the privilege of leading the U.S. men's basketball team to a Gold Medal at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. On May 13, 1991, Knight was memorialized when he was inducted, for his coaching, in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2001, Knight accepted the head coach position at Texas Tech and quickly turned the program around into a winning organization. Coach takes ordinary players and teaches them to perform above their ability. We can expect to see the Red Raider's basketball team to continue to excel in the future. Finally, it is worth noting that Knight's accomplishments extend beyond the court, beyond the victories--He is first and foremost a teacher. High graduation rates mark his teams, and many excellent players, most notably Isaiah Thomas, have gone on to professional and Hall of Fame glory. Also, 16 former assistant coaches of Knight have gone on to become head coaches at the collegiate level. So, Madam Speaker, as the New Year rings in, I commend Bob Knight for excellence in leadership of America's youth. The West Texas sports landscape has, yes, changed forever. That's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, General Douglas MacArthur said: ``A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.'' Tonight, I want to talk about that kind of leader, Army Specialist Dustin Ross Donica, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division of Fort Richardson, Alaska. Dustin grew up in Spring, Texas, outside of Houston. His nickname was Double D. He enjoyed teasing his sister, Courtney. He loved to joke around with his family and his friends, and he was known by many for his unique sense of humor. He was very, very close to his family. He was especially close to his only sister, with whom he shared an unbreakable bond. They were called the ``Irish Twins,'' born 1 year apart. The two often told others they were actually twins. Dustin always described himself as a modest person, although looking at his life, this modest son of Texas accomplished extraordinary accomplishments. Even at a young age, he was known as the hero who grew up down the street. That was because of his attitude about service and about loyalty. In 2003, the Klein High School graduate left the University of Texas and enlisted in the United States Army. When Dustin was asked about joining the Army, he said, ``I've grown up in a very privileged area. When most people of my generation are asked to do something, their first thought is, how will this benefit me? I need to do this so that my first thought is, how does it benefit others.'' No wonder people said Dustin had a sense of honor and duty, traits that are very rare in our culture. When Dustin was deployed to Iraq, he sent his sister a teddy bear. The teddy bear was wearing an Airborne uniform complete with a Donica patch on the pocket. He wanted the bear to serve as a reminder that he was fighting to keep her safe and he was always constantly thinking of her. Mr. Speaker, you know, there's something all-American about a teddy bear. Dustin was constantly concerned for the well-being of his family back home. Even though he was in the combat war zone, all of Dustin's phone conversations with his family ended, ``Remember, I love y'all. Take care. Be safe.'' One of Dustin's last requests was that his parents visit his close friend, Logan. Logan had served also in Iraq, and he was being treated in the United States for his injuries. He was a very close friend of Dustin's, and Dustin asked that his parents provide Logan comfort by visiting him in the hospital in the United States. But on December 28, 2006, at the dynamic age of 22, Double D., Dustin Donica was killed in Iraq, conducting combat operations against the anti-Iraqi forces in the city of Karmah in the Al Anbar Province. As in many other times in his life, Dustin was standing guard, protecting his fellow soldiers in arms when he received his fatal injuries. Now, the media has taken it upon themselves to assign a number to this patriot. Dustin's legacy is more than just a number. He was an American fighting man. He was the only son of the Donica family. He was totally committed to America. He was not a media number. And Dustin Donica's name was the example of bravery, courage and duty. Dustin, like those who came before him, stopped at nothing to defend freedom. Our American duty, the duty for all of us that are left behind, is to honor America's sons, like Dustin Donica. In the words of President Calvin Coolidge, ``The Nation which forgets its defenders . . . it too will be forgotten.'' Dustin was a man who loved life, family and country. His parents, David and Judy Donica said, ``We loved Dustin. He will be missed by us and those that knew him.'' This is a photograph of Dustin Donica, Mr. Speaker. And yesterday Dustin was laid to rest with full military honors in Klein Memorial Park Cemetery in Texas. These words from one of Dustin's favorite songs, ``American Soldier'' by Toby Keith, describe the commitment of courageous men like Dustin who we are proud of, men who are proud to wear the uniform of the United States soldier. It goes like this, Mr. Speaker: ``An American soldier, an American, beside my brothers and sisters, I will proudly take a stand. When liberty is in jeopardy, I will always do what's right. I am out here on the front line. So sleep well tonight. Sleep in peace, America, because I'm an American soldier.'' These young Americans like Dustin are a rare breed, Mr. Speaker. They are the American breed, and we thank them and their families. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, earlier this week, as the sun set in South East Texas, on January 3, 2007, 35 highly-trained, well-disciplined, dedicated disciples of the law were sworn in as new Houston Police Officers. One of those officers was Christopher McCain. McCain comes from a law enforcement family. His stepfather, Eddie, an HPD Officer for over 25 years, pinned the new police badge on McCain at the Police Academy Graduation. Present at the graduation were his proud mother, Janet, who has spent most of her career helping people of the Houston community, and his brother Ryne. Madam Speaker, peace officers are the last strand of wire in the fence between good and evil. They are what separate us from the anarchy of the lawless. By wearing the badge, they swear to protect, defend, and serve the citizens. McCain, 28 (born 1978), is a single parent of 2 small children. His youthful wife met an untimely death in 2005. When this occurred, McCain accepted the duty to raise his children alone. Although becoming an HPD officer is the beginning of a new career, McCain has spent his life in public service. After receiving his GED, McCain volunteered and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He served 4 years on active duty as a non- commissioned officer in Special Operations, assigned to the desert sands of the Middle East and he also served in Japan. After being discharged, he was recalled to active duty in 2003. McCain's dramatic enthusiasm for serving our Nation as a Marine was another trait of our Nation's great warriors. Here's what President Ronald Reagan said about the Marines: Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem. Christopher McCain was one of those Marines. When his tour of duty was over with the Marine Corps, McCain went to work for the Harris County (Houston), Texas Juvenile Probation Department. He was a Master Sergeant in the training division of the boot camp. Boot camp teaches youthful offenders discipline, hard work, and self worth. He spent 5 years (2001-2006) helping the troubled youth of the streets of Houston. But all of his life, Christopher McCain wanted to be a peace officer. Now that dream has been accomplished. Christopher McCain is a Texas Lawman! Peace officers, who wear the badge, are the best we have to offer to our towns and cities. Serving the people, protecting the citizens, capturing outlaws and bringing them to justice, is what these peace officers do for the rest of us. In Houston, we call our peace officers ``Houston's Finest.'' Officer Christopher McCain is now one of those who wear the badge and the blue uniform of ``Houston's Finest.'' He, like his fellow peace officers, is a cut above the rest of us--and that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, ``To be born free is an accident, to live free is a privilege, and to die free is a responsibility.'' Powerful words spoken by Brigadier General James Sehorn that are embedded into the minds of our valiant soldiers protecting nations from a cowardly enemy that burrows beneath the Iraqi desert sands, those individuals that seek to annihilate our freedoms that all people should have. The American soldier believes in freedom more than any other individual on Earth because they witness the inhumanity of tyranny. They see it in the fierce trenches of battle. Our soldiers secure life and liberty, and they give it to those folks in Afghanistan and Iraq. U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Edward Charles Reynolds, Jr. was one of these soldiers. He was an 8-year Army veteran. Staff Sergeant Reynolds had been stationed among the terrorist Iraqi insurgents, fighting against them to ensure a free nation of Iraq. He is a native of Port Arthur, Texas, and he was a 1997 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, where he was a star tight-end and middle linebacker on the football team. As a Texan, Staff Sergeant Reynolds spent fall football seasons cheering for one of the greatest teams in college football, the University of Texas Longhorns. Those who knew him knew a man who took care of others, whether it be his family, his friends, or his country. Staff Sergeant Reynolds was their protector. Family was the most important thing to Staff Sergeant Reynolds. He was a devoted father to his children, two daughters and a son. He was dedicated to his fiancee. He was the guardian of his older sister. Friends knew him as the man that kept them out of trouble, pushing them to succeed in life. And his country knew him as a defender of our freedoms. In December 2005, Staff Sergeant Reynolds was deployed to Iraq, worlds away, but he remained a constant presence in the life of his family and all of his friends. He sent out cards and letters, constantly reminding his fiancee of their New Year's Eve wedding date. During the next 10 months, assigned to the U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Staff Sergeant Reynolds dodged bullets, IEDs, and Iraqi outlaws throughout the Baghdad desert. But on September 26, less than 2 months from coming home to Texas, Staff Sergeant Reynolds and a fellow soldier were crossing a Baghdad bridge in a military convoy when that bridge collapsed, plunging their vehicle underwater, trapping both soldiers inside. 27-year-old Staff Sergeant Reynolds and his colleague were killed in action, becoming victims in the struggle for Iraqi freedom. A decorated soldier, Staff Sergeant Reynolds was the recipient of the Combat Infantry Badge, the Kosovo Campaign Medal. He was also awarded the Iraqi Combat Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Bronze Star. He was a lifelong member of the Borden Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. And like his mother and father, Staff Sergeant Reynolds had a devout faith in his Almighty God, believing that everything he was given was a gift by Him. On October 7, the Borden Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas, and the Reverend Airon Reynolds, Jr., gave this brave soldier a hero's memorial and homecoming. Family and friends were not the only ones who memorialized and honored Staff Sergeant Reynolds. The Patriot Guard Riders and the Southeast Texas Veterans Service thanked him for his valor. More than 200 Patriot Guard Riders, with flags of tribute raised, stood in honor of Staff Sergeant Reynolds, the son of Texas, an American soldier, as he reached his eternal resting place. Mr. Speaker, I have a photograph of Sergeant Reynolds, the way that he was when he was protecting freedom across the desert sands of Iraq. American citizens are born into the privilege of freedom, and we must remember that the sacrifice given by Staff Sergeant Reynolds and all American warriors is responsible for the continuation of this great Nation. Staff Sergeant Reynolds chose to protect the freedom that he was born into from the violent militants robbing nations of life and liberty. So God bless Staff Sergeant Reynolds and his family. In the words of George Orwell: ``We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.'' And that's just the way it is

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, when President Gerald Ford played football for Michigan, he was the team's center on offense. He touched the ball on every play. The play could not begin without Gerald Ford snapping the ball. Others on the team, however, the quarterback, running back and receivers, made all the headlines, but that was fine with Gerald Ford. As the center he was neither on the right nor the left but in the middle of the charge to move the ball over the goal line. Gerald Ford and Michigan were successful. Michigan won two national championships. Gerald Ford was offered contracts with NFL teams, such as the Detroit Lions. He chose law school instead, served in World War II, fought in that great war, and was a Member of this very House. When he became President, ole No. 48, President Ford, took the ball again, but this time on the field of American discontent about corruption and war. He stayed in the center and once again was successful in moving Team America across the goal line of healing and hope. However, when entering a room, President Ford always preferred the band not play the traditional Hail to the Chief but, rather, the Michigan fight song. Thank you, President Ford, for playing ball for Team America. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, during the great World War II, the U.S. aircraft carrier Monterey faced its fiercest naval battle, not with the Imperial Japanese Navy, but the storm of the sea, Typhoon Cobra. A naval lieutenant (jg) answering the call to action motivated the crew to combat against the Cobra's bone-crushing waves, torrential rains, and consuming fires it caused on board the ship. Refusing the order to abandon the ship, this warrior valiantly went below, marching into the mouth of the fire, rescuing those trapped within its grasp. He ignored the searing heat of the flames and the blackness of the smoke. Hour upon hour this man led others in the charge to extinguish the demon fire, saving fellow sailors and officers. He did not seek recognition in the darkness of 1944; it sought him. When it called, this naval officer answered in a manner of all American patriots, with courage, valor, and victory. Twenty-nine years later, this same individual helped rescue an entire Nation from the fire of corruption and war. And he brought peace. His name was President Gerald Ford, and we thank him. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, it has been said, ``We are United States Marines, and for two and a quarter centuries we have defined the standards of courage, spirit, and military prowess.'' These are words spoken by United States Marine Corps General James Jones. This describes the elitism of those chosen few who wear the title of United States Marines. Luke Yepsen was one man whose life was making a difference at a very young age. He personified the core values of the United States Marine Corps of honor, courage, commitment. He was from Kingwood, Texas, a close-knit community near Houston, Texas. He was a graduate of Kingwood High School, and he was known for his big heart and ability to live life to its fullest extent. He enjoyed travel and he was proud of the fact that he had already traveled to 20 different foreign countries in his short lifetime. Luke deeply cared about his family back home in Texas and his military family. His fellow Marines said he was more than just a friend; he was a brother, a brother to everyone who knew him. Like many Texans, especially those Texans who go to war, Luke chose to enroll in Texas A&M after high school. During his freshman year, he made a decision to leave Texas A&M University. Gary Yepsen, Luke's father, asked him why he didn't want to graduate college and then enter the United States Marine Corps as an officer. Luke said, ``I don't want to go into the Marines to tell people what to do. I want to go into the Marines so they can tell me what to do.'' Here is what President Ronald Reagan said about the Marines: ``Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But the Marines, they don't have that problem.'' Luke Yepsen was one of those Marines. With faith in God and country, at 18 Luke enrolled in the United States Marine Corps. He was an assaultman, later a mechanic, which came easy to him because of his love of cars. ``He had so much courage and pride, you can't even imagine. You could hear it in his voice how proud he was,'' said Luke's brother, Kyle. In October of 2006, Luke was deployed to Iraq with the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. Amid the violence and anarchy in Iraq, Luke's thoughts never waned from the security of home and American freedom. When told by his college roommate that he was praying for him, Luke quickly responded, ``Well, I'm praying for you.'' On December 14, 2006, at the age of 20, Luke, while fighting the forces of evil, was killed by enemy action in Iraq. For his military service, he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. On the morning of December 22, 2006, hundreds of Kingwood, Texas, residents lined the streets of this community paying tribute to the family of this patriot. Many of those on the streets carried flags, yellow ribbons. Many held banners saying ``Proud of You,'' ``Proud to be an American.'' Some said, ``Thank You.'' As the funeral procession made its way to the church, the residents of Kingwood, with tearful eyes and grateful hearts, saluted the Yepsen family. Mr. Speaker, I want to tell you that patriotism is alive and well in the United States. And as the Kingwood, Texas, community mourns the loss of America's son, Luke Yepsen, and all those who came before him and all those that will come after him, we know that freedom is not free, and we thank this fearless Marine for dedicating his life to America. Luke's sacrifice will be etched in the catalogue of history as another Marine who was always faithful. A sacrifice made for his parents, Sheila and Gary; his brother, Kyle; and his fiancee, Sandra Bruman; the Kingwood community; and this great Nation. As we honor the life of Luke Yepsen, reflect on those timeless words from the Marine Corps Hymn that say: ``In many a strife We've fought for life And never lost our nerve. If the army and the navy Ever look on heaven's scenes, They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines.'' Mr. Speaker, I suspect that Lance Corporal Luke Yepsen is patrolling the streets of heaven tonight and guarding the pearly gates. So Semper Fi, Lance Corporal Yepsen. Semper Fi. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, every day we hear of rising crime rates and countless acts of criminal activity. The question is often asked--Is there any good left in the world? On December 5, 2006, in the city of Humble, Texas, a man by the name of Steven Jackson showed us all that goodwill still exists. On the evening of December 5, an evildoer, without regard for human life, went into a Humble gas station with a gun. This man robbed the attendant at gun point, took a few hundred dollars, and forced her to wait in the back room until he escaped. After the robber left the gas station, the attendant went outside and saw him walking across the street to his getaway car. Upon this discovery, she started screaming that the man had robbed her and was getting way, which caught the attention of Steven Jackson. Steven Jackson, a volunteer firefighter with the Kingwood and Porter volunteer fire departments, had been filling up his car that evening--a routine action we all do. On this evening, while doing an ordinary task, Steven decided to do something extraordinary. As the attendant pleaded for help, Steven got into his car and began following the robber while calling 911. According to the Humble Police Department, it appears that the criminal knew Steven was following him. At some point, a few miles from the gas station, the robber stopped his car, approached Steven's car, and shot him twice in the torso. As Steven's car left the road, he was able to tell the 911 dispatcher that he had been shot. Unfortunately, those words were the last this world would ever hear from Steven Jackson--his life cut short for a few hundred dollars. The fine officers of the Humble Police Department are currently investigating this case. The outlaw who took Steven's life is still at large. It is my hope that he is brought to a swift and fitting justice. That's Just the Way It Is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, as the sun sets on the 109th Congress today, the sun is also setting in the Southwest at a border unguarded from illegal entry, open for settlement and incursion. Our government has voiced empty words of border security and protecting our Nation from foreign invasion. Much like the Empire of Rome in 364 A.D., when the Goths encroached into Roman lands, there were not enough border security agents to keep them out. They were not required to assimilate into the Roman culture. The Romans did nothing. Blind to Goth occupation, Rome created its own downfall and disappearance as a Nation. Inability to protect borders and keep intruders out has led to the extermination of civilizations throughout history. Our government has failed with empty, meaningless political promises to protect the American people from border invasions. Mr. Speaker, Americans are tired of the hollow, hapless words. They are demanding secure borders to keep our Nation sovereign. It is the moral responsibility of this Nation to protect its citizens from invasion, to secure its borders from foreign invaders, before we become another Rome and pass smoldering into the ash heap of historical insignificance. All the while the sun sets in the Southwest. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, one of the noblest professions is that of a law enforcement officer. The brave men and women who wear the badge of honor do so with a desire to protect and serve their communities. Day to day, law officers are thrust into dangerous situations, keeping the honest citizens safe from the outlaws of society. They perform their jobs with little recognition or thanks from the public, just the knowledge that they are making a difference. Although the public may not always pay law enforcement officers the recognitions they deserve, their colleagues do. One of the highest recognitions a law officer can receive is to be named Law Officer of the Year. The honor signifies that the individual law officer is best of the department--the officer whose dedication to the profession surpasses his or her colleagues. Lt. Lawrence Garlock, with the Allen County, Ohio Sheriff's Department, is one such lawman. For Lawrence, or Larry as he is more familiarly known, serving one's community as a law enforcement officer is a family tradition. A native of Lima, Ohio, Larry grew up with the influences of his father, Joseph, a Lima Police Officer, and his Uncle Tom, an Ohio State Highway Trooper. Those role models influenced Larry to join the Allen County Sheriff's Department in 1976. Larry is not the only second generation law officer in his family. His older brother, Greg, currently serves as Chief of the Lima Police Department, and a Department. He also has a nephew, Jason, who is a Lima Police Officer. Larry even met his wife, Catherine, while they were both deputy sheriffs. Larry has had an impressive career with the Allen County Sheriff's Department. From 1979 to 1983, he was assigned to work the Department's Crime Prevention Unit. While serving in this unit, Larry was promoted to Identification Officer, with the rank of Detective, in 1981. In 1990, Larry was promoted to Sergeant, and then in 2001, he saw his rank change. He was made Special Sergeant in Charge of the Crime Scene Identification Unit. The following year, he was awarded the rank of Lieutenant. After nearly 24 years of going to crime scenes, collecting evidence, and maintaining a standard of excellence in the Identification Unit, Larry was transferred to the Detective Bureau, in 2005, and placed second in command. In October 2006, Larry celebrated 30 years with the Allen County Sheriff's Department. There are only two other individuals in the entire department who have been there longer. Larry also has had the distinction of serving under three different sheriffs. Larry's service to his profession made him the ideal recipient for the Allen County Sheriff's Office Staff Officer of the Year. The Staff Officer of the Year is an award given out to the sheriff's deputy who has made a positive impact on the community, works to maintain the efficiency of the office, and demonstrates an outstanding measure of professionalism in his or her work. Basically the award is bestowed on the deputy who takes utmost pride and seriousness in upholding his or her position. The award of Staff Officer of the Year was a tradition that the Sheriff's Department upheld every year. Nominations for the award were submitted to the selection committee, and then a banquet was held for the awardee. In 2002, however, the Department was facing a financial crisis. Expecting to have to layoff 37 sheriff deputies, the Sheriff cancelled the award. He could not justify spending money on an award banquet if 37 deputies were losing their jobs. In 2006, Larry sent a letter to the Sheriff, requesting for the reinstatement of the award. In the letter, he stated that the award would benefit morale of the deputies to be honored by their peers. The Sheriff agreed, and reinstated the award. The selection committee then decided to back-award deserving deputies with the awards, from the previously missing years. Unbeknownst to Larry, he was nominated for the 2003 Staff Officer of the Year. His nomination was due not only to his professionalism while serving as a sheriff's deputy, but for his attention to detail regarding evidence logged in with the Identification Bureau. Larry demanded that evidence be collected to the letter of the law. His demand for excellence made it nearly impossible for the evidence to be ruled inadmissible in trial. His precision to detail, his diligence, and his impeccable work ethic earned him the respect of his peers; however, they also knew that if evidence was poorly or improperly collected, they were sure to hear about it from Larry. His nominator stated that, ``Larry's ethics and diligence make the Sheriff's Office look better.'' When Larry's name was brought up for nomination, the selection committee voted unanimously in favor of honoring him with this award. In a true bureaucratic time frame, Larry was awarded the 2003 Staff Officer of the Year, during the beginning of November 2006, for outstanding performance of duty. He is a more than worthy recipient. As a former judge and prosecutor, I have a great admiration and respect for our Nation's law enforcement community. They are the men and women who spend each day on the front lines of battle, protecting communities and ensuring a safer society. Lt. Lawrence Garlock is the personification of what a law enforcement officer should be and should be used as an example of the type of officer every new officer should strive to become. I am truly honored to pay him his tribute. That's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize my alma mater, the University of Houston Cougars whose football team won the Conference USA Championship on December 1, 2006 against Southern Mississippi in front of a hometown crowd of 31,818, the largest crowd in the history of UH's Robertson Stadium. After being down at halftime by a score of 17-13, the Cougars rallied by to win by 34-20. I am immensely proud of the Cougar football program, which in the space of 5 years has turned itself completely around from a winless season in 2001. This lion's share of this tremendous success is attributed to Mr. Art Briles, the head coach of the Cougars--the brilliant architect of the turnaround. When Briles came to the Cougars in 2003, he found a team and school demoralized and devastated from years of mediocrity. A mere three years later, due to his leadership, the Coogs are conference champs and headed to the Liberty Bowl. In football, statistics are misleading, because the game is above all a team effort. It is hard to describe the contribution of an individual player to such an effort through their statistics, because one's performance is mortally dependent on so many other variables--broadly speaking, the performance of every other player on the team. Therefore, it could be said that the most important, perhaps only, statistic that matters is that of wins and losses, which reflects the performance of the team, not the individual player. This statistic is really the coach's statistic--Mr. Briles is ultimately responsible for it. In this the Cougars excelled, with a record of ten wins and only three losses. In recognition of excellence in leadership and performance, on December 6, Briles won the Coach of the Year award from the Conference USA--An award well-deserved. Mr. Speaker, in football, extreme importance is paid to the position of the quarterback. In the realm of sports, the vitality of this position is matched only by the pitcher in baseball. Fortunately, UH had an excellent quarterback in Kevin Kolb. In the championship game, Kevin completed 19-for-31 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a 46-yard touchdown. But this was the continuation of an equally stellar season, in which Kevin completed 266-for-393 passes for 3,423 yards. He threw a league-high 27 touchdowns with only three interceptions. This touchdown-to- interception ratio was the second lowest in all of NCAAI-A football. For these exceptional accomplishments, Kevin has deservedly won the C- USA Offensive Player of the Year award. I must also recognize Vincent Marshall, who was named the game's Most Valuable Player. Vincent, a wide receiver, rushed for a touchdown and had 224 all-purpose yards--100 receiving, 22 rushing, and 102 yards on three kickoff returns. Also notable is the fact that Vincent has made a reception in 36 straight games, allowing him to be the Nation's top returning career receiver. He is also just 31 catches, and 557 yards, away from holding the UH record in both categories. Mr. Speaker, I commend Coach Briles, Kevin, Vincent, and the entire Cougar football team for a superb season, a conference championship, and for making students of the University of Houston, past and present, proud to be a Cougar. I look forward to the Liberty Bowl, where the un- daunted Cougars will face the Southeastern Conference South Carolina GameCocks. They will meet for the first time since October 5, 1974, but whom the Cougars are 2-0 against. I look forward to a Cougar victory. My pride goes to UH. ``Eat `em up, eat `em up; rah, rah, rah,'' Mr. Speaker. That's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, while later this month kids will talk of Santa Claus, today, December 6th, belongs to St. Nicholas. The Christian Bishop. The human Santa Claus. In Europe, around 300 A.D. St. Nicholas, a devout Christian, gave away all of his possessions. And dedicated his life to helping the poor. St. Nicholas wearing a long, red robe, would sneak into homes leaving fruits, chocolates, and small presents by the fireplace for families in need. As word of his deeds spread, eager young children would hang stockings or leave out shoes hoping for a visit from St. Nicholas. When St. Nicholas died in 343 A.D., an annual day of celebration was declared on the anniversary of his death--December 6th. Across continents, throughout centuries, acts of generosity continued to be carried out in St. Nicholas' name. Today the spirit of St. Nicholas is still celebrated. Children leave their shoes by the door, awaking to the candy and gifts left by St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas Day reminds us of the true meaning of the holiday season . . . giving to others and spreading goodwill among all. It's a good thing.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, West Virginia, California, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Maryland, Nevada, Arizona. These were fierce U.S. naval battleships whose silent guns and hulls became sacred graves in the peaceful Pacific for 2,403 Americans. These sailors on board these battle wagons fought with the courage and heroism of entire legions of warriors when attacked by a fanatical and tyrannical enemy. ``December 7, 1941, a date that will live in infamy'' were words spoken by President Roosevelt that became forever embedded in the minds of patriots across our land, igniting and launching a Nation into the fiery trenches of battle. Japanese naval commanders were concerned because they said, ``What Japan has done was awake a sleeping giant,'' the United States. Mr. Speaker, those of the greatest generation proved that when invaded, our people will stand up and fight, bringing the thunder of God upon our enemies. Defending freedom and liberty was the battle cry of the sailors and soldiers that died 65 years ago today. Mr. Speaker, we don't always choose war, but we must always choose victory. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, several nations are involved. These nations, with their thousands of peoples, have occupied someone else's sovereign country. They moved in silently over a long period of time. Some of the infiltrators were organized, some were not. They crossed national boundaries without regard for the rule of law. The migrant peoples began to colonize the new land because it was flowing with milk and honey. And the inhabitants did not resist the infiltration. The inhabitants of the occupied land paid little attention to the invasion. The inhabitants and their leaders were too busy. After all, they were protecting the borders of other nations. The colonists from the foreign nations began to take from the new land. They demanded and received benefits from the inhabitants. The locals suddenly became alarmed and asked, how can this be happening? These foreign nations were uninvited. They cared little about the sovereignty of the occupied nation. They came and brought another culture, another language. They moved in and lived on the land because they could. Mr. Speaker, this ought not to be. But it is. It is the occupied territory of the United States of America. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, ``Duty, honor, country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn. ``In my dreams I hear again the crash of guns, the rattle of musketry, the strange, mournful mutter of the battlefield. But in the evening of my memory always I come back to West Point. Always there are echoes and reechoes: Duty, honor, country.'' Mr. Speaker, General Douglas MacArthur spoke these words to West Point graduates of what the American soldier should be. Captain David Fraser, West Pointer, personified these words. For the last year, Captain David Fraser patrolled the vast desert battlefields of war-torn Iraq in search of the enemies of freedom. This December, his tour of duty was over and he would be coming back to Fort Hood, Texas, to spend Christmas with those he cared about. But on November 26, 2006, 25-year-old Captain Fraser and three other soldiers were killed in Baghdad by a cowardly enemy using an improvised explosive device called an IED. Captain Fraser excelled at life. He was a native of Spring, Texas. He attended Westfield High School where he was an honor student and a star cross-country athlete. Twice he led the team to qualify for the Texas State cross-country meet. His senior year, Captain Fraser led the boy's team to the first cross-country district title in over 19 years. He was voted the most athletic of his senior class at Westfield. He was a devout Christian who remained active in his faith, whether he be in Texas or West Point, or stationed in lands far, far away. He was always willing to lend a hand at Sunday school or participate in Christian community events. His faith was his cornerstone. Those who knew Captain Fraser knew a man who was respected and admired by all. He was a born leader, always doing the right thing. Captain Fraser applied to the West Point Military Academy, he said, out of sense of duty and as his way of giving back to a country that provided him with unlimited opportunities. Such powerful words, Mr. Speaker, of patriotism from one of America's finest. Captain Fraser had a family history of military service. His mother, Helen; his father, Richard; his brother, Patrick, all served in the United States Armed Forces. He wanted to continue that proud tradition at West Point. At West Point he ran like the West Texas wind as a member of the cross-country and track teams. Captain Fraser was also a superior student in the classroom. He graduated from that tough academy with honors as the top student in civil engineering. His academic performance promised Captain Fraser a faculty position at West Point during his career. An accomplished soldier, Captain Fraser completed the rigorous Army Ranger, Airborne, and Air Assault schools. He was relentless in his determination to succeed. In December 2005, Captain Fraser was deployed to Iraq, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, and commanded several units. Recently he commanded a combat engineering platoon responsible for locating and disarming mines and other explosive devices implanted along Baghdad roads by insurgents. It was his mission to protect our soldiers and innocent Iraqis from the unseen enemy, the violent militants, the violent anarchists, those who stand against freedom and liberty. As a decorated serviceman, Captain Fraser was the recipient of the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. For his service while in Iraq during a time of war, he was also awarded the Army Service Ribbon. For his valor during combat on November 26, Captain Fraser was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Captain Fraser, this photograph I have of him while at West Point, he gave his life for his country, and he will be missed throughout the Spring, Texas, community by those whose lives he positively impacted. Today Captain Fraser has finally come home to Texas. In fact, he is being buried now, as I speak on the House floor. Taps is being played for this Texas individual, for this committed countryman. The Fraser family and the Spring, Texas, community will always remember that their son died a hero, serving this great country of ours and defending the basic rights of life and liberty and freedom. Captain David Fraser lived and died as General MacArthur said, ``for duty, for honor, for country.'' So God bless the Fraser family and God bless David Fraser and God bless all those who wear the uniform of the American warrior. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, a few days ago, in the small town of Friendswood, Texas, a citizen tried to discuss a water problem with a city worker. Apparently the worker could not be of assistance because the worker did not speak English. This led City Council to consider a ballot vote by citizens to determine if English should be the official language of their town. City Council Member Chris Perden said, ``English as an official language gives us a baseline. The city will publish everything in English. Our meetings will be in English . . . and city forms will be in English.'' There are even suggestions that all city employees be required to speak English and even teach those that cannot. The critics quickly surfaced, however, and LULAC officials say they will sue, claiming violation of civil rights if the public supports this ordinance. This is yet another example of how small-town America must solve immigration issues that the Federal Government has not honestly addressed. The people of Friendswood, Texas, not the politicians, not the self-promoters and not even LULAC, should have the right to vote and decide if English should be the official language of their town. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, in 1621, the Pilgrims held a 3-day festival giving thanks to the Lord for a bountiful harvest. They celebrated with the Indians, who had also suffered through a previously hard winter. This feast would become the birth of our national holiday of Thanksgiving. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt made the fourth Thursday of November the official Thanksgiving day, which we celebrate Thursday next. For the first 150 years, Thanksgiving was celebrated whenever the Colonists believed it was necessary to do so. President George Washington stated in the first Thanksgiving proclamation authorized by Congress in 1789: ``It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to be grateful for His benefits and to request His protection and favor. I recommend to the people of the United States a day of public Thanksgiving and prayer to show the many favors of the Almighty and especially the opportunity for this form of government.'' So as this Nation, Mr. Speaker, seems to move toward a secular country, we would do well to remember the purpose of Thanksgiving and the words of the Good Book, which says: ``Unless the Lord watches over the city, those that guard the walls do so in vain.'' And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, Saturday we celebrated Veterans Day. Veterans Day is a holiday, but it is more of a memorial. It is a day we honor those who served. It started because of the end of the war to end all wars, World War I, and on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the First World War stopped, and because of that, since then we honor all veterans who have served. Memorial Day is the day we honor those who served and died. Veterans Day is the day we honor those who served and lived. In this House of Representatives today, in the 109th Congress, about 25 percent of Congress has served in the military. In 1950, in the fifties, about 65 percent were veterans; 111 Members of Congress served during the Vietnam era, 78 of whom served in the Vietnam era, and 20 of those saw combat. We have our own Sam Johnson, who was a Navy pilot during Vietnam, was shot down and spent 7 years in the Hanoi Hilton prisoner-of-war camp. We have in this House of Representatives at least eight Members who have sons or daughters serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. We have Senator Inouye of Hawaii who was a Medal of Honor winner. All of these people served and served with honor. War for independence costs the lives of Americans. Freedom has always cost, and it always will, and I think it is worth noting the time frame of the wars that this country has fought in and those who died. In the War of Independence, 5,000 Americans died. In the Mexican- American War, there were 13,000 Americans. In the War Between the States, there were 250,000 Confederates and 350,000 troops of the Union army, but they were all Americans; 600,000 died for this country. In World War I, there was 116,000. In the great World War II, 408,000 died for this country. My dad was one of those who served in the great World War II, and he, like many veterans of that war, never talked of that engagement until many, many years after that war was over with. In Korea, it is sometimes said of the Korea war it is the forgotten war, 55,000 Americans died. In Vietnam, 58,000 died. In the first gulf war, 300 troopers died, and in our latest fight in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, 3,000 have died. The point being, in these few wars that I have mentioned, not all of the wars, this country has always called upon the American warrior to be the one to protect us from the forces of all evil. I have had the honor to be in Iraq with many of our troops, as many of our House Members have been, and I find them to be, in my opinion, the greatest military ever assembled, with their morale extremely high. Over Labor Day weekend, I had the honor to go and see some of our troops in military hospitals overseas and to see and visit with them, and before I went, I asked my staff in Texas to see if we could arrange to have some of the local school kids write and make some homemade cards. In 2 days' notice, they were able to produce about 5,000 handmade cards that I took to our troops overseas, who were very grateful. The point being, I think now in this time in our history our country is grateful to the American warrior for putting their life on the line for the rest of us. So we can do no better than to honor those who have served, the American warrior. And though it was said in the Vietnam era that some gave all and all gave some, that is true of the American veteran. So we thank them on this day and every day, those that served and lived and those that served and did die for this country. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, the greatest natural resource in this country is not the Spotted Owl, it is not the Grand Canyon, it is not the environment, it is our children, and this bill is a preventive bill. I spent all my life in the criminal justice system before I came to Congress, 22 years on the criminal court in Houston, Texas. I saw about 25,000 people work their way to the courthouse. Many of those people were young people who made bad decisions, first to drink and then to commit a crime like driving. I will relate one of those to you. A young lady by the name of Lisa, graduating from one of our local high schools, was, as was said earlier, just a regular person, not a troubled child. In fact, she was an honor student, a National Merit Scholar going to one of the Ivy League colleges upon graduation. She and her best friend drove to a nearby town, had something to eat to celebrate, and then they decided they needed something to drink, because that was the thing to do, even though both of them were 18- year-olds, under the age to drink. They did have something to drink. The waiter knew they were underage, but he figured he would get a big tip if he served them, and he did. They were driving home in Lisa's mother's car. Having too much to drink, she started weaving on one of our farm-to-market roads, crashed in a ditch and killed her best friend in the car, her very best friend, her next-door neighbor. Because of that crime, involuntary manslaughter, drinking and driving and killing somebody under Texas law, it was mandatory that she go to the penitentiary for a period of time. But in court, when that 5-foot-2 little girl came to court, she said to me, ``Judge Poe, this can't happen to me. This can't happen to me.'' But, you see, that is life's biggest lie, especially among young people. It can happen. It does happen. It destroys lives. And rather than wait to be reactionary, to so-called punish somebody for committing that crime, we need to educate. We need to make sure that young people understand it is not socially acceptable or legal to drink under the age of 21. I appreciate this bill. This is a good bill to be sponsored to show that we have a concern about our children. I too want to thank Coach Osborne for dedicating his life to the betterment of young people.

Mr. POE

Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, in the 16th Century, during the period of religious reformation in Europe, the Mennonite faith was formed. Due to problems within the religion, a man named Jacob Amman separated himself, and a group of followers, from the Mennonite faith and established the Amish. Facing religious persecution for their beliefs, the Amish fled Europe in the 18th Century. They came to settle in America, primarily in the rich farmlands of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. During the last 300 years, the Amish have maintained a peaceful existence among these farmlands, holding steadfast onto their beliefs of old, and not conforming to modem-day society. They live a simplistic life without the everyday modern conveniences we have all become accustom to. They do not use electricity, telephones, computers, or television, and they do not own automobiles. The Amish are governed by a set of unwritten rules known as the ``Ordnung.'' These rules establish the protocol and acceptable behavior for an Amish community and vary in each community. For example, the Ordnung in a particular community may forbid ever deviating from conservative, dark, heavy forms of clothes, even during the summer months, whereas other communities Ordnungs may relax the dress code during the summer heat. In general, the Amish avoid anything that would be considered ``hochmut,'' meaning proud or arrogant, and choose to live their lives in ``demut,'' humility, and ``gelassenheit,'' submission. The most important part of an Amish community is the family. Each family has an average of seven children. While it is considered ``God's Will'' to how many children one family will have, it is also vital that there be enough children to help run the family farm. Amish children attend school, usually in a one-room school house run by the Amish community. Most Amish children do not receive anything higher than an 8th grade education. The belief is that the education level is sufficient enough to adapt the children into their future adult Amish life. Amish communities, although surrounded by modern society, are generally untouched by violence plaguing today's world. They do not read newspapers, which depict the crimes of modern society. They do not own televisions, which run continual news coverage of random acts of violence occurring throughout modern society. Their lives could be deemed innocent and idealistic, sheltered to the evils of society. All that changed on Monday, October 2, 2006. On this warm, sunny, fall Pennsylvania day, Charles Carl Roberts IV came home from his night shift as a milk delivery man, walked his children to school, and kissed them goodbye. He went home and wrote four notes: one to his wife and one to each of his three children. Arming himself with a handgun, a shotgun, a rifle, and more than 600 rounds of ammunition, Roberts drove to the quiet Amish community of Nickel Mines. Mr. Speaker, Roberts, with malice aforethought, and a heart fatally bent on mischief, calmly walked into that one room Amish schoolhouse and took it, and the children, hostage. Roberts ordered all of the Amish boys and the adults from the room. He then tied up 10 little girls, as they stood against the chalkboard. For the next hour, these little girls were trapped with this sadistic monster, who had vile intentions for their innocence. It is unclear what triggered Roberts to start shooting after the initial hour. Perhaps it was the police presence, perhaps he was haunted by past sins, or perhaps he was just evil. Regardless of his reason, Roberts opened fire on these 10 little girls, at point blank range, before turning the gun on himself. When the smoke had cleared, Anna Mae Stoltzfus, Marian Fisher, Naomi Rose Ebersol, and sisters, Mary Liz and Lena Miller, had not survived Roberts' violent rampage. Young girls--young victims. Anna Mae, Marian, Naomi Rose, Mary Liz, and Lena had their whole lives ahead of them. Lives full of love, family, and new beginnings as they matured into adulthood. Lives that were brutally, viciously, and tragically cut short by Charles Carl Roberts IV, a man too coward to take just his own life, so he took 5 little girls with him. The Good Book says that it is better for a person to be thrown into the sea than to harm a child. In the days that followed Roberts' violent rampage, questions immediately arose to why a hard working husband and father would commit such a crime against the innocent. In a note written to his wife moments before he entered the school, Roberts stated several reasons for the school siege: his anger at God for the death of his infant daughter in 1997, his haunted memories of molesting two child female relatives 20 years previously, and his thoughts of molesting children again. So to quell that anger and the demons within, he took his life. Too bad he took the lives of little girls as well. The devastation which befell the Amish community of Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania could have destroyed a community unaccustomed to such violence. Yet, the Amish were determined to overcome this unimaginable tragedy. In acts of tremendous kindness, generosity, and forgiveness, the Amish community not only tended to the families of the slain little girls, but to the killer's family as well. Within hours of the attack, members of the Amish community spoke out about the killings, stating that in the midst of this tragedy, they forgave Roberts. They also visited his wife and children to offer comfort and aid. Perhaps, in an even greater act of mercy, the Amish asked that a portion of the funds collected for the families of these girls, be donated to the Roberts family. Mr. Speaker, it is true generosity and mercy to comfort and care for the family of the evil who brutally murdered five children in your community. Sadly, the tragedy which occurred in a little Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania is not isolated. Barely a week before, in September, an armed gunman took six female students hostage in Platte Canyon High School in Bailey, Colorado. During those horrific hours held prisoner inside a classroom, Duane Morrison subjected the girls to brutal sexual assaults. As police proceeded to enter the classroom, Morrison executed a 16 year old student and then the criminal took his own life. The Nickel Mines tragedy 5 days later was eerily reminiscent of the devastation which took place at Platte Canyon High School. The Platte Canyon tragedy was reminiscent of the Columbine Massacre, which had taken place in Colorado 7 years earlier. As a father of 4, 3 of whom are girls, and a grandfather of 5, 3 of whom are girls as well, the death of a child is a parent's worst fear. No parent should experience such a heartbreaking loss. The worse thing that can happen to a parent is to lose a child before their time. It is the worse thing that can happen to a community; and it is the worse thing that can happen to a nation. These school tragedies reinforce the need for adequate school safety and security throughout this country. A school no longer exists as a safe haven for children, but rather has become a violent battleground that demands our intercession. A school is an environment of learning and enrichment, not fear and brutality. We must strive to do everything within our ability to ensure the safety and well-being of our most precious commodity--our children. We need to strive to protect schools from outside intruders and inside rampages. School safety must be a priority--without it, children have very little places left to feel safe. That's Just the Way It Is.