Ted Poe

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Affairs be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 2901) to strengthen implementation of the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 by improving the capacity of the United States Government to implement, leverage, and monitor and evaluate programs to provide first-time or improved access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene to the world's poorest on an equitable and sustainable basis, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the United States has our military all over the world, and we have for a good number of years. In fact, the United States has been at war for a long, long time. This year, as we approach Christmas, families across America will gather around to enjoy homemade apple pie and turkey and each other's company, but our men and women in uniform, those volunteers, are still all over the world, protecting and representing the United States. These are America's best. It is the best we have in our country. In 2005, I had the opportunity to go over to Iraq and see our military during the Christmas season. But before I left, I decided I would ask local schoolchildren and their teachers to help make some homemade Christmas cards and holiday cards to give to our troops when I arrived in Iraq. So that year, after I landed, I took about 5,000 handmade Christmas cards--made primarily by schoolchildren--to our servicemen and -women in Iraq and also in Kosovo. Since that time, children in southeast Texas have been making handmade Christmas cards and holiday cards for our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and other parts of the world every year, and these cards are either taken overseas by me or they are shipped. This year, the community in southeast Texas and the schools rallied, and the result is quite outstanding. I am proud to say that this holiday season we will be sending 96,000 handmade Christmas cards and holiday cards to our troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other parts of the world, primarily made by schoolkids in southeast Texas. Remember, Mr. Speaker, these are handmade cards. These are not store-bought cards. These cards were received from various Texas residents. Just to name a few: Kingwood High School, Sterling Middle School, Timberwood Middle School, Goose Creek Memorial High School, Alamo Elementary, Horace Mann Junior High, the Hi Neighbor Club in Kingwood, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baytown Chamber of Commerce, the Baytown school district, the Baytown Housing Authority, Victory Hospital, and Boy Scout and Girl Scout clubs in southeast Texas. Mr. Speaker, 80,000 of these came from the city of Baytown alone. So a big ``thank you'' to Rikki Wheeler, the executive vice president of the Baytown Chamber of Commerce, as well as to the Baytown schools, hospitals, and organizations for their remarkable contribution and organizing and managing the collection of these cards. The patriotic spirit of those folks in southeast Texas to me is quite heartwarming, and the outpouring of support from Texans, primarily schoolchildren, is quite exceptional. I want to thank all of those who have taken the time to bring joy to our troops in lands that are far, far away, those troops who will be separated from their families this Christmas. It is because of the schools, the teachers, and the schoolchildren that this is all made possible every year. This is a way that people in southeast Texas show appreciation to our troops who are separated from their families this time of the year. Remembering to thank them and send them special greetings is very important. Many of these schoolchildren have family members overseas who are serving in the military, and this small gesture brings comfort and cheer to all of those involved. A piece of home will mean so much to those who are representing us overseas, and it is possible only because the community volunteers to do this each year. The simple act of making a handmade card shows the connection between our warriors and our schoolchildren who are thinking about them this time of year. So this Christmas, as Americans celebrate, we remember to say a prayer for those who safeguard America's freedoms. We thank our volunteers in uniform, and we thank our volunteers who made this season quite special for our military by making these cards. And that is just the way it is. Mr. Speaker, at this point, I will also include for the Record a list of other groups who have made holiday cards for our troops. Advanced Aromatics/GCM High/Chevron Phillips Aramark/Stuart Career Ctr.-Culinary Arts Awards & Engraving/St. Joseph's/Byt Draft'g/Staff'g Bayer/Clark Elementary Baytown GMC/Bowie Elem. Baytown Sun/GCCISD Public Relations Beacon FCU/Ashbel Smith Elem. CenterPoint/Gentry Jr. Chevron Phillips/Crockett Elem. CRCU/Lamar Elem. Community Toyota/Highlands Jr. Crespo & Jirrels/Peter Hyland (ALP) ExxonMobil/RE Lee High ExxonMobil/Walker Elem. ExxonMobil/Travis Elem. ExxonMobil/San Jacinto Elem. ExxonMobil/Baytown Jr. ExxonMobil/Cedar Bayou Jr. Highlands C of C/Hopper Primary Highlands Rotary/Highlands Elementary Houston Methodist San Jac Hosp/RS Sterling High Kiwanis Club/Alamo Elem. LCY/Harlem Elem. Legacy/Point Alternative Rotary/DeZavala Elem. Shine Dental/Impact Early College High School SNC-GDS/Horace Mann Jr. Solvay/Carver Elem. Texas First/SF Austin Elem. GCCISD Special Olympics Stuart Career Ctr. Woodforest/Banuelos Elem. BCA 2nd Grade Class

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it was a bright Sunday morning in the islands of Hawaii. America was at peace and unprepared for war. Soon the rising Sun was darkened by hundreds of Japanese planes as they strafed and bombed Pearl Harbor. The American battleships were sunk. Over 2,400 United States military were killed. Most of the United States aircraft was destroyed while still sitting on the ground. It was December 7, 1941. But in the chaos and confusion and still in his pajamas, Army Air Corps Second Lieutenant Philip Rasmussen and three other fighter pilots took off into the blazing sky. They met 11 Japanese planes head on. Rasmussen was flying an old outdated P-36 Hawk, and he shot down one Japanese plane while enemy fighters attacked him. They shot up his plane with over 500 bullet holes, but he was still able to continue the fight and eventually safely land. Rasmussen received the Silver Star for his defense of America that day and remained in the Air Force. As we contemplate on Pearl Harbor and those that were killed, we should remember there were a few who gallantly took to the air to fight those invaders. From the beaches of Hawaii to the beaches of Normandy, those that died and those that survived were America's Greatest Generation. We thank the good Lord that such Americans ever lived. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, ``We love death more than the Jews love life.'' This Hamas propaganda phrase says it all. International outsiders cry ``peace, peace,'' but there can be no peace as long as Hamas refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist. No matter how many times leaders shake hands or how many agreements are signed, peace cannot be achieved if peace is not desired. The only reason Israel exists is because the Jews persist in surviving. In the morning hours of November 18, a group of Orthodox Jews gathered at a synagogue in Jerusalem to pray. In the middle of their prayers, at 7 a.m., two terrorists wielding guns, axes, and butcher knives attacked them. Odai Abu Jamal and his cousin, Ghassan Abu Jamal, killed 4 rabbis and one police officer and injured 8 others before they were shot by local police. Three of the four rabbis were American citizens. The men were members of the terrorist group known as the Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). While the group itself did not claim responsibility, it was quick to support the attack. Hamas, another terrorist group bent on the destruction of Israel, not only commended the attacks but called for more. Terrorist groups supporting terrorist attacks does not surprise me. But Hamas is not your typical terrorist group. It governs the entire Gaza Strip as a result of the 1.8 million Palestinians there voting them into power. And the reaction from some of the people of Gaza to the attack shows that they share its terrorist government's feelings. In the town of Rafah, the people celebrated by handing out sweets, carrying axes, and holding up posters of the terrorists. The religious elites joined in the celebration as well: loudspeakers at mosques in Gaza called out congratulations. Palestinian radio reports described the attackers as ``martyrs''. Undoubtedly, the terrorists' family will receive compensation from the government's ``terrorist fund'', which pays stipends to the families of terrorists who are imprisoned or who died during their attacks. When an elected government and the people it governs celebrate a brutal terrorist attack, it is a reminder of the challenges Israel faces as it works for peace in the region. For the last six years, this White House has pressured the Israeli government to make concession after concession for peace. The reaction of the people in Gaza to this latest attack should wake the White House up to the unfortunate reality that, no matter how many concessions Israel makes, many Palestinians do not want peace if it means Israel continues to exist. Palestinian acts of terrorism are not just a problem of a couple of lone rats or individual terrorist groups, but they are supported by an entire infrastructure throughout the Palestinian territories that has close ties to the senior Palestinian leadership. Instead of repeatedly twisting Israel's arm to make peace when peace can't be made, the United States should stand strong with our democratic ally against terrorists. The same attackers that want to destroy Israel also call the United States the Great Satan. They want to kill Americans too, as this latest attack that killed three Americans showed. Our first step should be to cut the funding we give to the Palestinian Authority (PA) until they take specific, verifiable, and significant acts to go after those who commit acts of terrorism. At the very least, the PA needs to stop paying reward money to the families of terrorists. Second, we should make sure that our funding to Israel is strong and robust, focused on ensuring Israel can beat back these terrorists. Finally, we need to stop publicly and privately insulting Israel. Israel is the only liberal democracy in the Middle East and one of our strongest allies in the world. The right response to a terrorist act is not words of condemnation followed by continued pressure on the victims of terrorism. The right response is recognizing the evil for what it is and countering it with swift justice against the perpetrators and strong support for the victims. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, when Dr. Guy ``Mojo'' Lewis walks into a room, everyone knows it. With his larger-than-life stature and the mystic of Texas legend Sam Houston, his commanding presence captures attention. People can't help but smile when they see him, his presence is contagious. As a personal friend and fellow Abilene Christian University Alum, I would like to congratulate this outstanding Texan for celebrating his 30th anniversary of practicing dentistry. Dr. Lewis knew from early on that he wanted to be a dentist, never wavering in his decision to make people smile. After graduating from Abilene Christian University ('80), Dr. Lewis earned his Doctorate of Dentistry from Baylor College of Dentistry. In 1984, he became a founding member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), at a time when cosmetic dentistry was beginning to emerge. He became the youngest cosmetic dentist to be accredited by the AACD. Additionally, he is also a member of the Texas Dental Association and the American Dental Association. He received a fellowship in the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics. Dr. Lewis continues to give back to the community and takes time to guide aspiring dentists as well. Recognizing the important of education, Dr. Lewis is an adjunct professor of dentistry at Baylor College. The legend that is Dr. Lewis is known far and wide. His extensive knowledge of cosmetic dentistry and his incredible work ethic quickly gained him respect from his colleagues in the dental profession. Over his career, Dr. Lewis was routinely recognized for his expertise and contributions to the dental community. His list of credentials could fill a sports arena, literally. He is the dentist of Olympic gold medal athletes, the Houston Astros, the Houston Rockets and many more. He was named a ``Top Doc'' for 7 consecutive years by H Texas Magazine and was listed as a ``Super Dentist'' by Texas Monthly Magazine for multiple years. In addition, Dr. Lewis was elected by a group of his peers to be in the book Best Dentists in America. In addition to his notable recognition for his work within the dental community, Dr. Lewis has continued to serve on advisory boards of many non-profit organizations and on the boards of several schools. I served alongside him on the Abilene Christian University Board. Our community has benefited greatly from the decades of service that Dr. Lewis has devoted. Dr. Lewis and his staff continue to be involved with Cypress-Woodlands Junior Forum, Be an Angel Fund, and Give Back a Smile. The list of this model citizen's accomplishments is impressive and well-deserved, and it's no surprise that he's a Texan. Dr. Lewis's service to his city, state and nation as well as his faith will have an enduring positive impact. A dedicated family man, Dr. Lewis has been married to his wife, Holly for 33 years. Together, they are the proud parents of five children. Firm believers in Christian education, Dr. Lewis sent his children to Northland Christian School, the same school that my children attended, and where we both served on the Board of Trustees. His success can be attributed to his faith, happy attitude about life and his career, and his genuine compassion and care for his patients. Dr. Lewis, thank you for your 30 years of service to our community and the State of Texas. Another great, Texas legend we are proud to have among our neighbors. To 30 more years of making people smile, thank you Dr. Guy ``Mojo'' Lewis. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 545, H.R. 647, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.'' Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, my vote was not recorded on rollcall No. 545 on H.R. 647--ABLE Act of 2014. I was present for the vote but not recorded due to a mechanical problem with my voting card. I am a cosponsor of this legislation and I intended to vote ``aye.''

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Federal food police are whipping up their latest batch of distasteful government regulations. With a government fist around an iron spatula, the Federal Government has become the new Mr. Bumble from the book ``Oliver Twist.'' The food police have placed unhealthy and illogical regulations on menus for government school lunches across the fruited plain. This is just more unneeded, unnecessary, and unwarranted Federal Government invasion of what school kids eat. The Federal Government now is trying to raise America's children. In an effort to control, dictate, and give children a nanny state society, school lunches have gotten watered down to a skimpy new low. After strict portion control and outlandish so-called nutrition standards, school lunches have become as exciting as detention. The food is unappealing and lacking in nutrition. So what have students done? They have taken their frustrations to Twitter, taking photos of government-dictated school lunches. An Oklahoma school student tweeted a picture of a few chicken nuggets, a half an apple, and a piece of bread, complaining, ``Thanks for the fulfilling lunch.'' More and more students are catching on, saying sarcastically, ``I will be full for days,'' and ``Thanks for the delicious lunch, sure was filling.'' A parent eating lunch with their child at school was stunned after seeing the lunch portions. And here she took a photograph of the lunch. Here it is. And she said correctly, ``This is sad.'' Here you have a little condiment package. Here you have a bun with a something in between, and then you have a half a fruit over on the other side. Isn't this a lovely lunch? If a parent had anything to do with this, the Federal Government would probably accuse them of child neglect. There is a 350-calorie limit in place for entrees. So that means taking two packets of ketchup or mayonnaise would put the student over the allowed limit. Kids find themselves in an ``Oliver Twist'' situation with the workhouse headmaster, Mr. Bumble, and having to fearfully ask, ``More please, sir?'' And of course just like in the book, the answer is a loud ``No.'' Kids need the energy to learn, to pay attention, and to focus. That energy comes from food. The cafeteria takeover by the Federal Government is leaving students--believe it or not--hungry. How can we expect children operating on a lunch of no more than 350 calories to make it through the day? What about athletes and afterschool programs? Whether the student plays football or plays an instrument in the marching band, a dinky lunch just won't cut it. Meghan Hellrood, a student at D.C. Everest High School in Wisconsin, is protesting the required ``healthy'' lunches by promising other students unlimited condiments that she herself will bring to school. Now, I wonder if the Federal Government will charge her with smuggling the forbidden condiments. Who knows? Students all over the United States have started to speak out. Pictures of a lunch with two pieces of cauliflower, some ham, and a piece of cheese have surfaced, or three cherry tomatoes, skim milk, and some cheesy bread. This sounds more like the tasteless gruel Oliver Twist was served in the book ``Oliver Twist.'' Kids who buy their lunch but opt out of the side of fruits or vegetables are still charged for the whole meal, resulting in wasted food. There has been an 84 percent increase in wasted school lunches that are just thrown in the trash. These regulations just aren't working. So what is next? Is the government going to force-feed kids who don't eat the government food lunches? The level of Federal Government intrusion is foolish, and it seems to be arrogant. The time is now to protect schools from Mr. Bumble bureaucrats. Interestingly enough, some of the bureaucrats in Washington making the rules for government schools send their kids to private schools, which are not under the same absurd food regulations. Mere calorie counting is not a viable healthy option. More physical activities in schools may be needed. In any event, it is the duty and responsibility of parents and local schools to decide what their kids eat in school, not the nanny, Mr. Bumble, and the bureaucrats in Washington. Parents should raise their kids, not the Federal Government. Federal food police don't belong in a local school cafeteria. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the gentleman from New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, it was called the ``War to End All Wars.'' It began 100 years ago, and after 3 years, World War I was a bloody stalemate. Then the American doughboys entered the bloody trenches of Europe, and the tenacious teenagers went over there to a land they had never seen fighting for people they did not know. But soon after, the war turned in the favor of the Allies, and the war was over. Allied victory was declared in 1918. Millions and millions of people throughout the world had died. 116,000 Americans died. Many more thousands died when they came back to America from the Spanish flu that they got while they were overseas. The last surviving World War I veteran was Frank Buckles. This is a photograph of him shortly before his death. I got to know Frank Buckles before he died at the age of 110. Like I said, he was the last surviving World War I veteran from America. He lied to get into the United States Army. He was probably 15. He convinced some Army recruiter that he was 21, and they signed him up. He served in World War I. After World War I was over with, World War II started, and he found himself in the Philippines. He was captured by the Japanese and put in a prisoner-of-war camp until World War II was over. But he came to the United States Capitol and met with many Members of the House and Senate for the sole purpose of making sure that those doughboys he fought with and who died were remembered by the United States Congress. His dying wish was that those he served with would be honored by the House of Representatives and the Senate. The proceeds from the sale of the coins will be used for the World War I Commission to help commemorate the sacrifices of those warriors. I was privileged to be appointed as an original member of the World War I Commission and still serve on the World War I Foundation. I want to thank Congressman Cleaver from Missouri for all the work he has done to remember those doughboys, not only in this specific bill of getting this coin act passed but the original commission that he worked on to make sure that we, as an American Nation, remembered them. I appreciate the work that the gentleman does in Kansas City with the first-class memorial that we have to honor those World War I veterans. Mr. Speaker, all those that served, every one of them that served in World War I, they are all gone. There are none left. Frank Buckles was the last one. But the United States World War I Commission will make sure we Americans remember and honor them, for the worst casualty of war is to be forgotten. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, he said, ``I'm the President. I'm not king. I can't do these things by myself.'' That was President Obama in 2010. That was then; this is now. The lawless administration continues to ignore Congress in order to go it alone and implement his own authoritarian agenda. The latest illegal kingly edict is that he will disregard immigration law, orally change the rules, grant legal status, and give work permits to millions of foreign undocumented nationals. These actions show the administration is more interested in jobs for illegal foreign nationals in America than Americans in America. That is why Congresswoman Black and I have introduced the Separation of Powers Act. This legislation would prohibit the use of funds for granting deferred action, green cards, work permits, or other immigration relief to people not lawfully present in the U.S. Most importantly, it would allow Congress to exercise its check on the out-of-control White House that treats the Constitution as a mere suggestion instead of the law. The President says he is not the emperor of the United States, but his actions show otherwise. America doesn't need a king; otherwise, we would have kept King George. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the United States and Great Britain have come a long way since we overthrew the tyranny of King George and claimed independence, liberty and freedom. Today, both of our nations stand for those three words. From the Nazis to the Soviets, throughout the 20th century our two countries have fought those who wanted to take away freedom from others. That fight continues today. Our troops spilled blood together fighting al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. We oppose the mullahs in Iran that want to build a nuclear weapon and use terrorism to kill Americans and Britons in Iraq. We decry the anti-semitism at the UN. We beat back the aggression of the Russian bear. We fight for the freedom of the Internet. Pick almost any conflict around the world and Great Britain has our back. We have nuclear agreements with lots of countries, but our agreement with the UK is the most comprehensive. That is fitting. It shows how deep our relationship runs. H.R. 5681 would extend the U.S.-UK nuclear agreement, which has to be renewed every 10 years. I am an original cosponsor of this bill because the UK is a strong ally of the United States. It is in the interest of the American people that the U.S. and UK continue to strengthen one another.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in Iran there is no freedom of speech or press. Criticize the government of Iran and you can be arrested, tortured, and even killed. The MEK, an opposition group that only wants freedom for the Iranian people, has seen that firsthand. Hundreds of its members have been executed for doing nothing more than protesting the government. It isn't just political dissidents who are persecuted in Iran. There is no freedom of religion in Iran. If you are not a Shiite Muslim, you never know when you might be dragged off to jail. Just like religious minorities, women too are treated like second- class citizens and denied basic human rights. Domestic violence, that evil tactic of cowardly men, is not illegal in Iran. In October, a string of acid attacks injured women deemed ``badly veiled.'' Again, the people rose up. But these protestors were also met with tear gas, violent beatings, and arrests. But there's a remarkable thing, Mr. Speaker, about repression: it cannot suppress the innate desire in all of us to be free. In 2009, we saw the people of Iran fight against tyranny. Thousands of Iranians marched defiantly in the streets, protesting the fraudulent election of Ahmadinejad. In response, police on motorbikes ran over protestors, fired tear gas, beat them with batons, tortured them, shot them. Over a hundred protestors were murdered in the 2 weeks that followed the election. Today, President Rouhani would like us to believe that life in Iran has changed. The truth is that life in Iran has not changed. President Rouhani's words are empty lies. The Iranians are freedom-loving people, and they deserve the basic human rights. Today, with this bill we tell the people of Iran that they do not fight alone. That we stand together with them against the Supreme Leader and all his cronies. And one day, hopefully soon, we will stand with them in Tehran to celebrate the downfall of the Iranian regime. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, the call of the wild from mammoth African elephants and rhinos has grown meek and blissfully silent. The culprit: outlaw terrorists who are tracking and hunting down these massive creatures to fund their filthy, lucre terrorist enterprises. Our enemy is sophisticated and well-funded, but their weapons, surveillance equipment and training, food, lodging, and travel cost a lot of money. ISIS has a terrorist army that has raised billions of dollars through extortion, drugs, bank robbery, kidnapping, and oil smuggling, but there is one source of funding for terrorism that is being overlooked: poaching. Madam Speaker, the illegal wildlife trade in Africa is a $7 to $10 billion a year business. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, a rhino horn sells for $65,000 a kilogram in Asia. That is more expensive than silver, gold, diamonds, or illicit drugs. The number one buyer of ivory is none other than China. With big profits and high demand, poaching has risen dramatically. Madam Speaker, two-thirds of central Africa's forest elephants have been wiped out in the last 10 years. 100,000 elephants were killed in Africa between 2010 and 2012. In just those 10 years, central Africa has lost 64 percent of its elephants, according to National Geographic. One of those elephants killed was Satao, pictured right here before he was killed. Satao was called by some as the world's biggest and largest elephant. Satao had tusks that reached to the ground, as you can see, but last June, he was found in a swamp, dead, killed for his tusks. He was 45 to 46 years old. The poachers finally got this old bull. Terrorists have identified this lucrative industry of systematically killing African animals as another source of cash to fund their murderous enterprises. The al Qaeda affiliate al Shabaab generated between $200,000 and $600,000 a month from just tusks, according to the African Elephant Action League. The blood money accounted for as much as 40 percent of al Shabaab's total operating budget. These terrorist poachers not only kill African animals, but they kill the wildlife wardens guarding them as well. Other terrorist organizations implicated in the illegal poaching trade include Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army in central Africa and Boko Haram in Nigeria. Unsurprisingly, these terrorists have also taken advantage of the instability and corruption in African governments. Terrorists sell their bounties under the radar in the illicit market. The penalties for those caught poaching are minimal. So for terrorists who are looking to avoid detection, make a lot of money, and not face consequences if caught, poaching is their grand bargain. So what is being done? Our intelligence community has yet to establish a clear understanding of which terrorist groups are the most involved in poaching and who facilitates the worldwide transactions from Africa to other countries. We need wildlife trackers to track the money trail and the destruction of these creatures. The administration needs to have a plan to stop this eradication of mammoth animals. Multiple agencies from the State Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others have been involved in efforts to eradicate poaching, but it appears no agency has taken the lead. Talk must turn to action. Last February, the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking issued a national strategy for combating wildlife trafficking, but there is no implementation plan. Nine months later, we are still waiting for a strategy to go into effect. Meanwhile, endangered species are being slaughtered, like Satao, and terrorists are being paid from the sales of endangered species' tusks and horns. Preserving endangered species is a noble goal, but the fact that killers worldwide are using this money to fund terrorism makes it even more urgent we stop this ruthless criminal conduct. These terrorists kill animals, so they can get money to kill people. The combination of these two evils, the killing of endangered species and innocent civilians to further radical terrorism, is an international threat. The world cannot allow radical Islamic terrorists to continue the wholesale slaughter of rhinos and elephants to fund their reign of terror. Make terrorists extinct, not these animals. Otherwise, the only rhinos and elephants our grandkids are going to see are the stuffed animals at Toys ``R'' Us. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this week will not just be a typical Thursday. For 100 years ago this day Mrs. Sadie Strawn was born. Born and raised in Byhalia, Mississippi, Mrs. Strawn has appreciated the beauty of God's country from day one. She attributes her health to the good food of the South and The good Lord who provides it, never taking for granted all that she has been given. After high school, Mrs. Strawn left the comfort of her family and moved to Memphis in pursuit of a nursing degree. This was not her first courageous move, as she is known to have been a bit of a daredevil throughout her early years--riding cows, jumping out of haylofts, and swimming down rivers. It was in college that she met her husband, Malcolm Strawn, and decided to devote her life to raising a loving family. Nashville was lucky to have the Strawns for 45 years, after which Mr. and Mrs. Strawn packed up and moved to Houston in order to be closer to their grandchildren. Upon arrival, Mrs. Strawn became immediately involved in the Republican Party as a delegate at the Texas State Convention. She was the oldest person to vote in this year's Midterm Elections! Mrs. Strawn is the proud mother of Jim, Bill, and Dave Strawn. She has eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, all of whom hope to be just like her when they grow up. According to her sons, her barbecue meatballs are world famous. She would feed them to anyone that asked to be fed after church on Sundays, and still found time to be active in her boy's scouting. After 100 years, Mrs. Strawn's is still as active as ever. She walks nearly a mile every day without any assistance. She is an active member of her Church at Paradise Springs Independent Living and plans to be for years to come. The Strawn boys are continuously thankful for the values that their mother instilled in them: responsibility, commitment, and faithfulness. At 100 years old, Sadie Strawn still has spunk. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Federal food police now control what American children are permitted to eat in public schools. The First Lady has said, ``We just can't leave it up to the parents.'' Several things are wrong about this totalitarian control of children. Kids say the portions are so small or the food is so disliked they must smuggle food from home or just go hungry. This leads to the Federal Government food being wasted and thrown away at the end of the day. What is next? Are the Federal food bureaucrats going to force-feed schoolchildren with government food? It should not be the role of Washington and the Federal Government to control what children eat. That is the responsibility of parents. Americans are not stupid and cannot leave it up to the almighty Feds to determine what is best for our kids. The Federal Government should not raise our children because the Federal Government is not the parent of my kids or my grandkids, whether Washington likes it or not. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is time to bring American energy to Americans. The Keystone pipeline is the answer. For over 6 years, the administration has been saying no to energy independence. Six years. That is longer than it took us to win World War II. Oil is the most reliable and cost-effective source of energy the United States has. The Keystone pipeline, from Canada to Texas, will bring as much crude oil as we get from Saudi Arabia. It will begin energy security and national security. It will bring jobs. The pipeline will make Middle Eastern politics and energy irrelevant. It won't cost the taxpayers any money. I have previously introduced the KFAST bill which will directly and immediately approve the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. Instead of leaving Americans at the mercy and the questionable loyalties of unstable Middle Eastern countries, we should take care of ourselves. If the administration continues to be obstinate and politically stonewall the pipeline, the Canadians will simply sell it to someone else, like China. Now, isn't that lovely? Build the pipeline. It is the right thing to do. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, while the eyes of the world are on ISIS, the Russian bear has quietly come out of hibernation. Putin is back after a brief hiatus, seeking to devour his neighbors and reclaim his kingdom while once again sending covert henchmen into eastern Ukraine. The Napoleon of Siberia is systematically trying to reestablish imperial Russia with him as the czar. According to U.S. General Phillip Breedlove, recently, ``new Russian tanks, Russian artillery, Russian air defense systems, and Russian combat troops have entered eastern Ukraine.'' News reports indicate five of the trucks were towing 120-millimeter howitzer artillery pieces, and another five were towing partly covered multilaunch rocket systems. This sounds like an aggression to me. Of course, the Kremlin lies and denies it all. And why is this aggression continuing? Because, on the world stage, America looks weak and leaderless. Reset buttons and red lines don't mean anything to Putin. Our hollow objections to Russia are meaningless. The Russian bear needs to stop its cold war II-type aggression and return back to the cave. Mr. Speaker, what is America's plan? And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on May 31, 2013, Houston Fire Department suffered its most tragic event in its history. Four of Houston's bravest firefighters died in the line of duty, fighting a 5- alarm blaze at a hotel in southwest Houston: Captain EMT Matthew Renaud, 35, of Station 51; Engineer Operator EMT Robert Bebee, 41, of Station 51; Firefighter EMT Robert Garner, 29, of Station 68; Probationary Firefighter Anne Sullivan, 24, of Station 68. They were the best we had in Houston, and we are still saddened that they are gone. The hotel's hellish inferno claimed the lives of these four firefighters and injured fourteen other firefighters when the roof collapsed--some critically. One of the brave who survived was Captain William Dowling, also known as ``Iron Bill.'' Iron Bill was injured serving Houston, the community in which he was raised. A graduate of Klein Oak High School, Captain Dowling left Texas to serve his nation as an enlistee with the United States Marine Corps. In 1993, on leave from Marine boot camp training, he married his high school sweetheart--Jacki. As a Marine, Iron Bill served 4 years, including a deployment to Somalia with I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation Restore Hope, 1995. He returned home to Texas and to Jacki to begin his career and to start a family. Twenty-one years later, Captain Dowling and Jacki have three children: Forrest, Faith and Foster. Iron Bill's patriotic spirit and love of the community led him to join the Houston Fire Department. He graduated from the Houston Fire Department Academy in 2000 and steadily rose through the ranks. He worked at Stations 12, 19, and 48 before making Captain at Station 68 in January of 2013. Firehouse 68 is located at the corner of Bissonnet and South Gessner in the ``heart of Southwest Houston''. In 2013, the fire apparatus of Firehouse 68 made 14,847 responses, making it the third busiest fire station in the City of Houston. There, at Firehouse 68, Captain Dowling became known as ``Iron Bill,'' a fitting nickname to describe a strong and courageous hero. It was just five months after he arrived at Station 68 that Captain Dowling and fellow firefighters received an alarm call that would take them to the gates of hell. On that fateful day, in the heat of the Texas noonday sun, Captain Dowling along with the four other firefighters rushed into the hotel to find potential trapped guests. While the firefighters were in the hotel, the roof collapsed, trapping and killing Garner and Sullivan from Station 68 and Bebee and Renaud from Station 51. Captain Dowling's legs were crushed and burned, but he remained calm, radioed for help and waited for his brothers to pull him from the flames. The attending physician in the ambulance said that Captain Dowling, though severely injured, kept asking about the condition of his crew. He was more concerned for the safety of others than himself--the testament of a true hero. He told the doctor, on the way to the hospital, to tell his wife and children that he would fight for them. Hearing this comes as no surprise to Captain Dowling's family: they know him as a fighter. Captain Dowling was seriously injured with burns over thirty percent of his body, and he was placed in a medically induced coma for months at Memorial Hermann Hospital and Medical Center. He subsequently had both legs amputated and suffered brain damage. A long road of recovery was ahead for Captain Dowling, but surrounded by a team of doctors, his family, firefighter family, friends, church and the entire city and state of Texas, Iron Bill was not alone. Deservingly, Captain Dowling became everyone's hero. Finally, six months after the fire, Captain Dowling left the hospital and went home, riding in Station 68's newly dedicated fire truck. Of course, he sat in the Captain's Chair. Along the drive home, he was greeted by firefighters and members of the community, who lined the streets and highways from the Texas Medical Center to Tomball. Since returning home, Jacki left her full time job at Frank Elementary to care for her husband full time. It's no surprise that as a Texas woman, she's strong and determined, but quite simply, the strength that she possesses is amazing. To keep the community updated on Iron Bill, she started blogging on a community Facebook page (entitled ``Capt. William Dowling Iron Bill''). This blog allows the community to rally behind the Dowling family: cry with them, laugh with them, pray for them and see their hero survive. In the last year, Captain Dowling has received a customized fire tank chair. It's an ATV-like wheelchair, and he loves driving it! At home, Houston Texans' JJ Watt visited Iron Bill and presented him with a Houston Texans' jersey with the #68 proudly displayed. Captain Dowling loves to sing and play guitar--from Bon Jovi to Third Day--and Texas Country music star, Cory Morrow, played for him when he was in the hospital. He was even able to travel to San Diego to see his son Private Forrest Dowling follow in his footsteps and graduate from the Marine Corps' Recruit Training. When Private Forrest Dowling held his newly earned Eagle, Globe and Anchor in the palm of his hand with pride after completing the Crucible, April 17, 2013, Forrest said that the main reason he decided to sign the dotted line and become a Marine, was because of his dad. He said my dad was a Marine and always wanted me to become a Marine as well, so it's what I set out to do. Despite his amazing progress, Captain Dowling has had his share of challenges. His pain is debilitating--so much so that Jacki cried out for help and prayers that he could be seen by a team of experts who had experience with traumatic amputations. She had heard of the work of the team at Brooke's Army Medical Center, which operates the only DOD Burn Center, at Fort Sam Houston and set out to work to get him admitted. The community rallied, launching a change.org petition, emailing and calling BAMC and reaching out to my office. It's rarely talked about, but most Congressional offices spend the majority of their time on ``casework,'' offering constituents help with a federal department or agency. Within a matter of hours, Brooke's Army Medical Center deemed Captain Dowling admissible, saying they are honored to receive him and that he would be embraced by fellow Marines. Once the appropriate medical records were transferred, an ambulance transported Iron Bill from St. Luke's Hospital to Brooke's Army Medical Center for further treatment. As Iron Bill gets the medical care that he needs, I hope he knows the community of Tomball and the greater Houston area and, of course, Texas' Second District eagerly awaits his return home. When that happens, I hope we line the streets and cheer for him once again. For our community will always be grateful for his service and sacrifices. Once a hero, always a hero. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to recognize the 20th anniversary of the Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), one of our Nation's most effective victims' organizations. Founded by Scott Berkowitz in 1994, RAINN is the Nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. Their cutting edge work has changed the outcome for victims of sexual violence for years. They have made the country more aware of the evil of sexual assault and have aided millions of victims. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which provides victims of sexual assault with free, confidential services around the clock and has served over 1.5 million people since 1994. The hotline expanded its services going online in 2007 helping to reach even more victims. In addition, RAINN operates the DOD Safe Helpline to aid victims of sexual violence in our military. Beyond the hotline and other direct victim services, RAINN advocates for policies that change the lives of victims of sexual assault and engages the public to advocate on behalf of victims' rights bills. They were vital in the passage of the Debbie Smith Act, its subsequent reauthorizations, the DNA Fingerprint Act, and the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act, and the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Reporting Act. I worked with RAINN on SAFER for years along with Congresswoman Maloney and Senator Cornyn. SAFER provides grants to states and localities with existing funds to audit their rape kit backlog and makes this information available to the public. SAFER also mandates that more current funds go directly to test rape kits. Despite the various barriers we encountered throughout the years since this idea was brought to me by RAINN, Scott Berkowitz and the incredible staff at RAINN never gave up. They persevered because they knew it was right. They knew that SAFER would bring justice to victims and put perpetrators where they belong, behind bars. Scott's spirit is like that of a Texan, even though he's from New Jersey, but we won't hold that against him. That is why we work together so well. Congratulations on 20 years of making a true difference in victims' lives.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, during World War II, the Japanese military forced thousands of women mostly from Korea and China to serve as sex slaves for the Japanese Imperial Army. Estimates vary as to how many women were involved, but most agree the number is around 200,000. These women were referred to as ``comfort women.'' But there was nothing comfortable about their role. The first so-called ``comfort station'' opened in Shanghai in 1932. These stations were used to satisfy the sexual desires of Japanese troops. When demand outstripped supply, the Japanese military responded by abducting more women in occupied countries. In other instances, women were lured with promises of work in factories or restaurants before being incarcerated in comfort stations abroad. An estimated 75 percent of these enforced sex slaves died. Many survivors were left infertile due to sexual trauma or STDs. They also suffered from depression, impaired anger control, and PTSD. These symptoms exist even today, over 60 years later. Since WWII, the Japanese government has been inconsistent in its message. Some officials insisted no women were forced into sexual servitude. Other officials claimed their role was ``necessary.'' Still others tried to discredit the few victims that are still alive. Japan would do well to accurately report the history regarding this tragedy. In 1993, the Japanese released the Kono Statement. In it, they finally confessed to forcing women to work in military-run brothels. Earlier this year, the Japanese announced that they would be reviewing the ``background'' of the Kono Statement. It is time for Japan to own up to its actions. Covering these atrocities behind a smoke screen will not change the truth. The stories of these women have been well documented. Victims have a right to be acknowledged. After so many have died, the few remaining survivors deserve an apology. They deserve justice. This would help the diplomatic relationship between Japan and Korea. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the amendment is to train and equip Syrian rebels. Well, let us see how that has worked in the past when America has trained and equipped individuals. The United States has spent billions of dollars in Iraq to train and equip Iraqi soldiers. The first time they came in contact with the ISIS members, they cut and ran. This is ISIS propaganda that was on the Internet. This is an American tank now in the possession of ISIS when the Iraqis cut and ran. This is a Humvee going through a parade; also, four Humvees that, apparently, have never been used that are now in the possession of ISIS when the Iraqis cut and ran. Now we want to arm Syrian rebels to keep them fighting for America. Well, let us see how that has worked in the past. In September 2013, The Wall Street Journal reported that ISIS raided a Free Syrian Army weapons depot, taking small arms and ammunition provided by the CIA. In December 2013, Free Syrian Army weapons warehoused on the Syrian- Turkey border were seized by the Islamic Front. They, like the Iraqis, cannot keep up with American arms. Second, some say in this amendment we will support the Free Syrian Army because they are going to be examined and we will make sure that they are vetted very well. But let us understand and see how that is working out. What is a Free Syrian Army rebel today is an ISIS member tomorrow. It looks like, in December of 2013, Saddam al-Jamal, the northeast commander of the Free Syrian Army, announced his defection to ISIS and condemned those who worked with the West. A Washington Post article, August 18: A high-level security commander of ISIS said that there is no more Free Syrian Army in eastern Syria because they have all joined--yes--ISIS. Isn't that lovely? It is not a good strategic plan to arm Syrian rebels. If ISIS is a national security threat, then relying on rebels in a Syrian civil war will not protect American security interests. The United States should have a strategy to defeat the barbarians of ISIS, but we should have that debate on this House floor and not rely on mercenaries to fight American national security interests somewhere overseas. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Russian bear is back, seeking to devour his neighbors and reclaim his kingdom. Mr. Putin, or the Napoleon of Siberia as I like to call him, yearns for the glory days of the Soviet Union when the great communist empire extended from Latvia in the north to Tajikistan in the south. Putin is systematically reestablishing the Soviet Empire, but this time with Putin as king. In November 2013, Putin bribed the then President of Ukraine with a payment of $15 billion in exchange for cutting off negotiations with the European Union that would have integrated Ukraine more into the West. When then President Yanukovych accepted the bribe, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians took to the streets in peaceful protest. With the loss of the support of the people, in February 2014 the corrupt President left his gilded palace, resigned his position, and retreated back to Russia. The people of Ukraine elected a new government who would represent their desire to be free and move closer to the West. Putin did not like this one bit. So, he sent in his henchmen, first in Crimea and then in towns in eastern Ukraine, to stir unrest. Then in came the Russian troops to ``protect'' the ethnic Russians from the crisis that Putin created. We have seen this movie before. The Russians are doing the same thing to the Ukrainians in 2014 as they did to the Georgians in 2008. In 2008, I was in Georgia just after the Russians invaded. Georgia was moving closer and closer to the West. Russia did not like this, so it decided to create instability. It sent in its henchmen to cause trouble. Then Putin sent in Russia troops and tanks to stop the trouble it created. Six years later, the Russians are still there. This winter, the Russian bear is not going to go into hibernation. Mr. Putin is going to dial up the pressure. He knows how reliant much of Europe is on Russian energy. When the weather gets colder, much of Europe will be at the mercy of Putin in order to stay warm. Putin is not afraid to use energy as leverage. I know because I was in Ukraine when Russia turned off the gas in 2006. It was cold. Unless Europe diversifies, it is only going to become more reliant on Russian gas. We have an easy solution to this. The United States is in the midst of an energy revolution. We have more natural gas than we can use. In fact, natural gas is being left in the ground and burnt off at the well head because producers have no domestic buyers. There is a glut in the market. But the government, that institution that always seems to get in the way, says producers cannot sell the gas abroad without permission first from the Department of Energy. The Department of Energy is like any government bureaucracy--slow as molasses. Meanwhile, the Europeans are months away from being subject to Russian blackmail. That's why I introduced H.R. 4155, the Fight Russian Energy Exploitation (FREE) Act. The bill would free up our gas to go to the former Soviet states like Ukraine and countries in the European Union. Our allies want our gas and are willing to pay for it. If we sell our gas to them, it means more money injected into our economy and more American jobs. It is so simple you wonder why it has not been done already. Putin is in this for the long-term. Russian troops are still in Ukraine and just like in Georgia, they have no plans on leaving. If the Ukrainian government is not going to move towards Russia, then Putin has decided he is going to make them as weak and unstable as possible so they cannot move towards the West in any meaningful way. The Russians cannot be trusted. Back in 1994, in exchange for Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons, Russia promised to respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The B Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances was just a piece of paper to the Russians. So much for diplomacy and trusting the Russia bear not to eat more territory. Appeasement is not the answer. Russia will keep taking as much as the West is willing to let them. Who knows who could be next--Latvia, Estonia, Moldova? What then? When will the West decide enough is enough? The United States and Europe must come together. It is together that we can offer tough sanctions that will deal a big blow to Putin. As we tighten the economic noose around the Russia bear, we should loosen our ban on the export of crude oil and cut the red tape so we can export more natural gas to our European partners. We should also stand behind President Poroshenko with meaningful economic and military aid. He is doing all he can to prevent the Russians from taking over more of his country, but he cannot do it alone. Winter is coming. Free people that want to remain free, better take heed. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is an exciting and historic time for self-determination in Scotland. Scots (and others) are voicing the pros and cons for Scotland's vote this week on independence. To go it alone or not from the United Kingdom is the question before the feisty Scots. Thousands of Scots came to the United States for a new life over 300 years ago. My own family line traces back to Scotland and the Weems (Wemyss) clan. (Some would say it explains my personality.) The Weems castle, built in the 15th Century, still proudly stands in the town of Fife, Scotland. My ancestors fought with Robert the Bruce in the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The King of England, Edward II, invaded Scotland with the largest English Army to ever attack Scotland. His army outnumbered Robert the Bruce's common Scot army 4 to 1. But the Scots are fearsome warriors. After days of hand to hand combat, the Scots beat the English and declared Scotland's de facto Independence. However, Scotland and England were joined under the United Kingdom 400 years ago. Texas Weems came by way of the Carolinas in the 1700s then they moved to Tennessee and finally settled in early Texas in the 1800s. From America's struggle for Independence and Texas's successful fight for Texas independence from Mexico (Texas was a sovereign republic from 1836-1845), such causes are noble but difficult. During the Texas War of Independence, at least four Scots fought and died at the cradle of Texas liberty--The Alamo. If government truly is of the people, by the people and for the people, then people that are ruled over by a government should be the ones to choose that government. Self-determination is a natural right. Scotland will have that peaceful choice this week, and do what is best for ``Scotland the Brave.'' And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, evil ISIS has arrogantly beheaded yet another Westerner. This time, a British aide worker, David Haines, was executed. His assassin was an ISIS masked outlaw with a British accent. ISIS has been heavily recruiting turncoat citizens in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. These American passport holders are particularly dangerous since they can easily slip back into our country undetected and bring ISIS' reign of terror to our homeland. That is why I have introduced the FTO Passport Revocation Act. This legislation would authorize the revocation or denial of passports and passport cards to individuals who fight with foreign terrorist organizations. The Benedict Arnold traitors who have turned against America and joined the ranks of the terrorist army ISIS should lose their right to reenter the United States. This bill will help law enforcement locate these individuals overseas by preventing them from traveling internationally so that they can be captured and brought to justice. Once Americans cross over to the dark side and go to war against us, they are not welcome back--unless they are in handcuffs. And that is just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) changed the way we view domestic violence in the United States. On the 20th anniversary of VAWA, we celebrate the progress we have made, but we also take this time to recognize how much further we have to go in ending this horrific crime. 20 years ago domestic violence was viewed as a ``family issue.'' Fortunately, in 2014, we educate men and women on this issue and have many more resources available for victims and tougher punishments for abusers. As a society, we try to make victims feel comfortable coming forward so they can be protected and move forward with their lives, away from their abuser. Sadly, though, many individuals and organizations still do not take domestic violence seriously enough. The NFL had to be shamed into suspending Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice for two games for abusing his fiancee after a video surfaced of him dragging his unconscious fiancee out of an elevator by her hair. And shamed even further for the Baltimore Ravens to finally terminate his contract and for the NFL to suspend him indefinitely. That is, only after, the full, more graphic video was released making it beyond clear what happened inside of that elevator. Ray Rice knocked his fiancee out cold. Like it or not, professional athletes are role models. Is this the type of person we want our children looking up to? This summer, the NFL did not care about intimate partner violence as a serious crime. They cared about saving face. Not saving the faces and bodies and souls of women in this country, but protecting their own image and bottom line. In the spirit of VAWA, we must continue to speak out against abusers and those that do not take criminal conduct seriously, and we must continue to stand up for victims. Victims of abuse must come forward for their own safety and that of their children. What kind of message are we sending these victims when we put men who abuse their partners on a pedestal? When we treat celebrities or professional athletes who commit the same crime differently because of their status? I am proud of how much VAWA changed the landscape for victims in our country over the past 20 years, but this latest incident demonstrates there is more work to be done. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my close friend Tom Neumann, a thoughtful, dedicated and respected leader who served as an example for all those who wish to make a meaningful, positive change in our world. Sadly, Tom passed away this week, on September 9, at the age of 69. I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Agnes, and his entire family. For more than 30 years, Tom served to help end anti-Semitism, to safeguard democratic principles and to build understanding and support for Israel. He previously served as the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) Southwest Regional Director, ADL's National Director of Community Services and its National Director of the Intergroup Relations Division. At ADL, Tom worked to build friendships and working relationships between Christian and Jewish clergy under the Christian- Jewish Committee for Israel. It was during this time that I traveled to Israel with Tom and when I observed first-hand about the challenges that Israel faces each day and why America must always stand with this ally. Tom later joined B'nai B'rith International as Executive Vice President where he created a presence for the organization in the USSR and Eastern Europe, an important feat and the first to happen since World War II. In 1991, he served as the Executive Director of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA), where he worked until his retirement in 2012. As Executive Director, Tom helped establish JINSA as a prominent voice for U.S. national security ties as well as U.S.-Israel security ties. Through his leadership, he helped JINSA grow its membership to over 20,000 individuals. His writings on the U.S.-Israel bilateral relationship were published in outlets across the world. For his work, he was recognized as the ``6th Most Influential Jewish Leader'' by The Forward in 1999. Locally, Tom founded The Houston Center for International Affairs, a business form that focused on international and economic issues, created the Christian/Jewish Committee for Israel, a coalition of inter- denominational clergy who support Israel), and Texas 1990, a dinner discussion group of religious, business and community leaders. Tom was someone who believed that ``people, even more than causes and things, have to be restored, renewed and reclaimed.'' To those he worked with, he was a friend and mentor. Always kind, always sincere, always focused. To our entire community in Houston, he will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathies to the entire Neumann family. And that's just the way it is.