Ted Poe

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, ``Can't have cookies without the milk. Tax reform and spending cuts, not one without the other.'' That was a comment on my Facebook page from Mike in Texas. The American people get it. Why doesn't the government? Because Washington is addicted to spending somebody else's money. The House has already passed two bills that would avert the fiscal cliff, but as usual, the Senate is missing in action. In August, we passed a bipartisan bill, an extension of current tax rates for all Americans through the end of 2013. Then, the week before Christmas, the House again passed legislation to avoid defense sequestration by cutting spending. But as usual, both bills lie in the graveyard of the Senate, where good bills go to die. Mr. Speaker, it's time for the Senate and Senator Reid to man up, consider these bills, and get serious about the root of the problem: spending. We got here by spending too much, not taxing too little. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the gentlewoman and appreciate her yielding me this time. I want to thank Chairwoman Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Member Berman, and House leadership for getting this bill to the House floor, and also Mr. Connolly from Virginia for his support of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3159, the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act, is a simple, bipartisan bill. We have, in fact, equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats as cosponsors of this legislation. Last year, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed this bill unanimously as an amendment to the state authorization bill. This bill does two things: it increases monitoring and evaluation of our foreign aid programs, and it also increases transparency of foreign aid. Our foreign aid can do some good to other countries, but there are also problems with American foreign aid. Unfortunately, we do not keep track of what we're spending, and we don't ask for real results. Since the passage of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, foreign aid programs have spread across 12 departments, 25 agencies, and almost 60 Federal offices. There are so many Federal Government programs that they often don't know what each other is doing, and many Federal Government programs don't even keep track of what they're doing. According to an independent study commissioned by USAID in 2009, agencies don't assess the impact their aid is having on foreign countries: Do we know if our money actually helps people? Is our money helping people become more self-sufficient or more reliant on U.S. dollars? And does American aid leave people better off? We don't know the answers to these questions. This bill addresses this problem by requiring the President to set up tough monitoring and evaluation guidelines for development programs. These guidelines will be used for monitoring and evaluation of every foreign aid development program from agriculture to AIDS to democracy promotion. Monitoring will allow us to cut programs that simply do not work. We also need transparency. Americans don't know what we spend our aid on, and so that is why many Americans are frustrated when the word or phrase ``foreign aid'' is mentioned. We need to be honest with American taxpayers. Until November of 2011, the United States ranked 22nd out of 31 countries when it came to transparency in foreign aid programs. That's according to the Brookings Institute and the Center for Global Development. We should have nothing to hide when it comes to foreign aid. Let's tell the American taxpayers what they're getting for their buck. This bill requires more information about foreign aid to be posted online so Americans can know what we are doing. We can't continue down the path of the same-old same-old regarding foreign aid. We need to restore trust with the American people. Lack of transparency and accountability invites corruption, waste, and incompetence. The losers are those who the programs aim to help and also Americans who pay for foreign aid. Regardless of whether a Member believes we need more foreign aid, less foreign aid, or no foreign aid at all, we should all agree that accountability and transparency are an absolute must.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it's a privilege to speak today about Operation American Heroes, an organization founded in 2009 by Vietnam War Veteran and Houston businessman, John Carloss. Mr. Carloss recognized gaps in government support programs and has been working endless hours to create Operation American Heroes. Mr. Carloss knows American heroes consist of more than just our warriors fighting overseas. Police officers, firefighters, border patrol agents, and first responders are just a few of the occupations fighting the front lines at home. They all sacrifice to make sure Americans are safe. As Mr. Carloss likes to say, we can give a little for those who have given much and have suffered difficulties and deserve our support overcoming obstacles they may be facing due to their service. Operation American Heroes provides immediate and long term funding for non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of those who have sacrificed so much to ensure we are safe. Their unpaid Board of Directors works with local businesses to raise these funds. They are proud to cover expenses so one hundred percent of all funds raised go towards immediately helping heroes, or to the foundations endowment which will support many future generations of heroes. Every year American Heroes are honored during the week of September 11th by Operation American Heroes. Individuals can show their support in a unique way by becoming a ``21 Gun Saluter'' and business owners are encouraged to donate a small percentage of their sales for the week. Mr. Carloss said, ``These brave men and women are the reason that we have the freedom to start, grow and prosper our businesses. It is only right that every business gives a small portion of their success in thanks.'' This organization proves, yet again that, in Texas, patriotism is alive and well. Texans honor not only our fallen heroes, but those who have survived. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, service to God and country are the most honorable accomplishments and contributions that a person can make in life. Those who choose the path are the few, the bold, the brave, and the courageous. Today I am proud to honor decorated soldier, successful business owner, and devoted family man Lamont Meaux for his work on behalf of his country and his community. Lamont Edward Meaux has known the cost of service to one's country since the day he was born. On September 2, 1945, his father Clifton Meaux, who was serving his country in the United States Navy at the end of the Second World War, received a telegraph with 6 simple words that would change his life forever: ``Son born, Mom and baby ok.'' This sense of purpose and sacrifice would go on to define Lamont's life. As a young child, Lamont's family moved from Beaumont, TX, to the Winnie-Stowell area of South East Texas. Farming is the main economic activity in the area, and Lamont would learn at an early age that he possessed quite the green thumb. Before the age of 10, he was growing and selling tomatoes for 17 cents a pound. He is still happy to share his secrets with anyone who will listen. Lamont would also spend time working in the abundant oil fields across Southeast Texas before graduating from East Chambers High School in Winnie, Texas. His success growing tomatoes made Lamont a natural fit for Texas A&M University. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets Company C-2, whose motto ``Our family is our strength'' is very appropriate. As a proud Aggie, Lamont would drive his ``Old Blue'' car to as many football games as possible, both home and away. He would earn his BS in Industrial Distribution in 1968 and a week later married JoRella White. Upon graduation, the United States was entrenched in the Vietnam War. Knowing that he would be called to duty, Lamont did all he could to protect his family while he was gone. He worked for a few months at an engineering firm in Dallas and even sold his Texas A&M Senior Boots. Senior Boots are the most prized possession of any Aggie. In May of 1968, as a member of the United States Army, he left for Fort Benning in Georgia for Officer's Infantry School. The next year he took off to Panama to train at the Jungle Operations Training Center to prepare him for conditions unlike anything he could see in Southeast Texas. His grandsons love to hear how he was taught worms and bugs and jungle survival. Lamont was then ready for deployment as 1st Lieutenant of the United States Army's 199th Light Infantry Brigade. While he was being transported to his assignment in Vietnam, Lamont was asked if he knew the average life span of an Infantry Lieutenant in ``The Country.'' He was shocked to hear ``27 seconds'' but continued on, determined to serve his country to the best of his ability Lt. Meaux fought in the hot steamy jungles of Vietnam against America's enemy. He doesn't talk much about what he saw. He does remind those at home that a lot of good men served with him. Some returned. Some returned with wounds of war. Some did not return. According to a man who served under him, Lamont ``was a good soldier's officer who cared and felt for his men, but still served his country as an officer and a gentleman.'' He was known as a leader who would do anything to protect his men. When Lt. Meaux returned to America he, like most Vietnam veterans, was treated badly by Americans who did not serve America. In February of 1970, Lamont would be discharged from the United States Army with numerous honors. He was awarded a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Second Oak Leaf Cluster, and two Over Seas Bars. When asked why he did not put in for the Purple Heart, Lamont responded that there were others he sent out in the jungle that came back with more serious injuries. One souvenir he was proud to bring home was a telegram with the same 6 words that his father brought back: ``Son born, Mom and baby ok.'' They would have 3 sons before the marriage ended in 1994. Those sons were Edward, Terrell, and David. Lamont would remain a member of the Army Reserves through 1974. The heroic service Lamont made during his time in the Vietnam War lined him up for a promotion to Captain, but his heart belonged to his family back in Southeast Texas. He returned home and took up what was natural to him--farming. For the next 25 years, he would farm rice, wheat, soy beans, and milo, at one time up to 3,000 acres. Mr. Speaker, I probably represent more rice farmers than any other member in Texas. Let me tell you, rice farming is hard intense working of the land. Lamont Meaux's ingenuity was not confined to the battlefield or the farm. In 1976, Lamont saw the need for some corrugated metal drainage pipes on the farm. Thinking big, he ordered a train load, used what he needed and sold the rest to the other farmers in the area. This is the beginning of Seabreeze Culvert, Inc. Lamont would eventually start designing his own drainage control structures, turning Seabreeze from a simple agricultural dealer to a respected creative solution provider for industrial, environmental, commercial, and municipal areas. He would go on to create Seebreeze Chemical, Inc., to provide cheaper products for the local farmers as well as raising chickens as Seabreeze Farm. Lamont is a vital part of the community as well. He is a member of the Winnie Chamber of Commerce, Society of Professional Engineers, Texas Farm Bureau, and Corps of Cadets Association at Texas A&M. Meaux is Master Chairman for the Beaumont A&M Club, board member of the East Chambers Agricultural Historical Society, and committee member of the Regional Advisory Council of the General Land Office. Lamont is a past member of the American Rice Growers Association, American Soybean Association, and American Rice Growers Exchange. A lifelong interest in politics paid off for Lamont in a much unexpected way. In 1997, Hazel, a staffer working on Kay Bailey Hutchison's U.S. Senate campaign, heard about a former Aggie much like herself that was very politically minded. They met at a Beaumont A&M Club meeting in 1997 and hit it off instantly. They bonded over the Aggies, and whiskey, and politics, and the rest, as they say, is Texas history. Hazel gave Lamont the birthday present of a lifetime when they married on September 2, 1999. Lamont Meaux has dedicated his life to serving his country and his community, and they are both better places because of him. Lamont Meaux is as Texan as they come. He is vocal, opinionated, and a hard core patriot that never forgets honor, duty, country. I am honored and privileged to call Lamont Meaux a close friend. Thank you Lamont Meaux for serving our nation and the great State of Texas. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it's the most wonderful time of the year. Next week, Americans throughout the fruited plain will come together and pause from the bustle of their everyday lives to celebrate Christmas with the ones they love. To Christians, Christmas is the day to honor the birth of Jesus. The word ``Christmas'' actually comes from the words ``Cristes Maesse,'' which literally translates to Christ's Mass. The word ``holiday'' derives its meaning from the words ``Holy Day''. It also means Grandma's apple pie, Christmas carols, wreaths, cookies, Santa, presents, ornate Christmas trees and other rich traditions that symbolize December 25th. In the midst of the holiday cheer, we should never forget that some families will have an empty chair at their Christmas dinner this year. For some homes, the empty chair represents a loved one who is serving overseas. For others, the chair is a somber reminder of the warrior who served but never returned. As you celebrate the season within the warmth of your home, think of the families without a full house and the sacrifices they make not just at Christmas time but the other 364 days of the year as well. These families bear the burdens of war, and these burdens weigh heaviest during this time of year. War at Christmas is not new, and this year will be no exception for those who are still on call serving America. But there is a special way to connect with our troops throughout the world. Each year in Southeast Texas, children and businesses in the community come together and volunteer to make handmade cards for our troops who won't be home for Christmas. It began when my office gathered dozens of cards for me to bring in my suitcase to visit NATO troops overseas. Then we teamed up with Operation Interdependence and the Red Cross to collect 6,000 cards. And every year since it has grown. This year a record-shattering 69,000 handmade cards from the community are on their way overseas. The cards come from all walks of life in the community from the third grader to the local business employee. Each card is different but their message is the same: Thank you. Texans are especially grateful during this time of year for that soldier, that warrior, that sailor, that airman who can't be with their families because they're representing the United States in lands far, far away. There is something about a warrior from the United States opening up a handmade Christmas card from some kid in the United States. At that moment, the darkness of war seems to disappear because of the brightness of a child. No matter what is going on in the rest of the world, the Christmas spirit of good will and generosity is alive and well in America. Random acts of kindness are seen throughout the nation whether it is a handmade holiday card, a charitable donation to a stranger to ensure that families get to eat a Christmas dinner or a toy drive for children who may not otherwise get to experience the joy of giving and receiving. Christmas really does bring out the best in America. So next week pause. Eat Grandma's cookies, sing Christmas carols, open presents and enjoy your loved ones. Think of those who have an empty seat at the table this year because their husband, wife, son, daughter, mother or father is serving our country in lands far far away. And don't forget the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus that occurred over 2,000 years ago. Wish your neighbor a Merry Christmas, and be thankful that you live in a nation where you can. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, 27-year-old Marine Corps veteran Jon Hammar honorably served two tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. While he was on Active Duty, Hammar's battalion was hit very hard in Fallujah, and 13 of his fellow Marines were killed in action. When he came home to America, he suffered from PTSD, as many of our warriors do. He spent time in a recovery facility in California to cope with the mental wounds of war. Then, in August, Jon decided to get some R&R. He wanted to go to Costa Rica with a fellow marine, Ian McDonough, and they wanted to go on a surfing trip. According to McDonough, surfing gave Jon peace of mind and really helped with his therapy. So the two packed up their car with their surfboards and began their journey from Florida to Costa Rica. Their trip took them through Texas to the border, in Brownsville, Texas. There they crossed the international border into Matamoros, Mexico, and that is as far as they got. On the trip, Jon carried with him a 100-year-old antique gun, a family heirloom that belonged to his grandfather. When they arrived at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Texas, Jon did what he was supposed to do; he filled out all the necessary paperwork. He talked to U.S. Customs and verified with them that the rifle did not violate any Mexican law. The two allegedly handed the Mexican officials the paperwork regarding the rifle. But instead of continuing on their way to Costa Rica to go surfing, Hammar was immediately detained and dragged away to a notorious prison in Matamoros where they house narcoterrorists. Now, Mr. Speaker, here's a photograph of our marine when he served America. This is a photograph of him recently taken in the Matamoros prison. As you notice, he is in solitary confinement, and, similar to the old days, chained to his bed where he cannot go anywhere. This is all because of a misunderstanding and a mix-up about what the law is and what should have happened to him at the border. So he's being held as a criminal because the size of the barrel on that rifle was, apparently, too long--even though U.S. Customs told Hammar he was not violating any American or Mexican law in having the rifle. Hammar had no criminal intent when he took that old rifle into Mexico. Jon Hammar should not have to spend another holiday away from his family--holidays he spent when he served as a marine--and certainly he shouldn't spend a holiday away from his family in a Mexican jail where he is illegally being detained. Obviously, there appears to be a misunderstanding between U.S. and Mexican officials, with Hammar literally caught in the middle of this. So Mexican President Enrique Nieto should intervene and have Hammar released. It is in the power of the Mexican President to solve this international incident and do so in a diplomatic way. So I ask that he do so and release Hammar by Christmas. Mr. Speaker, this marine and veteran has spent his life defending freedom, defending America, taking care of America. It's time that America take care of him by asking for and expecting his release from this Mexican prison where he ought not to be. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the United States State Department has haughtily told Israel not to build homes in East Jerusalem. It might upset the Palestinians, sayeth the State Department. It might even hurt their feelings. The United States has no business telling Israel or any other country where they can or cannot build homes in their own country. Israel doesn't need a construction permit from Washington to build a house on their own land. What would we think if some country told us we couldn't build homes in certain parts of our Nation? We would tell that country, in probably not very polite language, ``Mind your own business.'' The United States is once again meddling in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation. This is the arrogance of power. In the meantime, Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel is going ahead with the housing project without the United States building permit. And good for him. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, since the United States of America entered the War on Terror, many things have changed with what our troops encounter overseas. Our soldiers are not only fighting a war where guerrilla tactics, suicide bombings, and targeted killings are used, but they are fighting over values and morals versus territory. This war has not been in one specific country, but takes place wherever our enemies are attacking or hiding. A lot has changed in this modern day war, but thankfully a lot has changed with how we help our troops when they return home. 2.4 million Americans have fought in Iraq or Afghanistan and the Department of Veterans Affairs have diagnosed roughly 200,000 of those Americans with post-traumatic stress disorder with many more that have gone undiagnosed. Many of these men have come home and are still fighting internal demons from these perilous places that they have returned from. Thankfully, Harris County Texas District Judge, Marc Carter, an Army veteran himself noticed that many of the defendants coming through the Harris County courts were veterans who had recently come home from fighting oversees. Judge Carter is judge of the 228th Criminal District Court of Texas. He replaced me after I served as judge in that court for 22 years. Judge Carter and other members of the Harris County community recognized this problem in 2009 and took the initiative to create the first veteran's court in the state of Texas. The Harris County Veteran's Court Program specifically works with first time misdemeanors and felonies. If veterans choose to go through the program instead of going to prison, it requires two years of probation and treatment. The reason why the Veteran's Court Program is so successful is because it addresses the root of the problem, which is PTSD and drug abuse. Many of these veterans are still mentally oversees fighting for ours and their lives and these programs give them the help they need to readjust back into society. Since 2008 veteran's treatment courts have been created in 27 States. These men have been to the darkest places on earth to protect the American people and although there is a lot we owe our veterans, most importantly, we owe them a second chance. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, there is nothing more Americana than the image of happy children at school during the Christmas season. Last week, that Norman Rockwell picture was stolen by the murders of our greatest natural resource, our children. Here are photos of 23 of the 26 victims that were murdered that day. We should know their photographs. We should know their names. They were: Chase Kowalski, 7 years of age; James Mattioli, 6; Jack Pinto, 6; Caroline Previdi, 6; Avielle Richman, 6; Benjamin Wheeler, 6 years of age; Allison Wyatt, age 6; Catherine Hubbard, 6 years of age; Daniel Barden, 7 years old; Grace McDonnell, 7; Emilie Parker, 6 years of age; Jesse Lewis, age 6; Ana Marquez-Greene, 6; Noah Pozner, 6; Jessica Rekos, 6; Josephine Gray, age 7; Madeleine Hsu, age 6; Charlotte Bacon, age 6; Olivia Engel, age 6; Dylan Hockley, age 6. Those were the children. Here are the names of the teachers: Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, age 47; Victoria Soto, age 27; Anne Marie Murphy, age 52; Lauren Rousseau, 30; Mary Sherlach, 56; Rachel D'Avino, age 29. Madam Speaker, these were real people. Real victims, real children, and real teachers of Newtown, Connecticut. The people of Connecticut have started burying these victims of this assault on America. And all Americans can relate to some extent to this crime that has occurred at this elementary school. Madam Speaker, I have four kids and 10 grandkids. Three of my daughters are teachers by profession. My wife is a first grade elementary schoolteacher. No parent ever wants to bury their child. We just don't want to do that. We never want our children to die in their youth, like these children did. So, Madam Speaker, we mourn with the families of Connecticut. We must honor the victims in our prayers and in our words and ask the good Lord to bless them, their families, the people of Connecticut, and, yes, our country as well. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, according to the Boston Globe, Qian Wu was beaten, choked, punched, and held at knifepoint by Chinese national Huang Chen. That was in 2006. Her attacker was sent to prison in Texas, supposedly never to be heard of again. Or so she thought. Four years later, Wu was sitting alone in her apartment when guess who shows up--the person who assaulted her to begin with--busting through her door. He reportedly said in a taunting voice, ``I bet you didn't expect to see me here.'' Wu called the police, and Chen quickly fled the scene, but 2 weeks later, he returned to finish what began 4 years before. Chen beat Ms. Wu to death with a hammer, stabbed her with a knife, leaving her to die in her own pool of blood. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Wu's death did not have to occur. This crime could have actually been prevented. Chen should not have been back on the streets after serving time in prison, but he was, and here's why. After he had served his initial sentence for assaulting Ms. Wu, he was ordered legally deported back where he came from, back to China. But his home country, our good old buddies the Chinese, refused to take him back. They didn't want him. And so they stalled and stalled and stalled, and over those 3 years of Chinese stalling and giving the runaround, Chen was eventually freed--free to kill, and kill he did. Mr. Speaker, this tragedy is not an isolated phenomenon. Unfortunately, other Americans have died as a result of this gaping hole in the immigration system. It's no secret that everybody believes our immigration system is broken. Fixing it down the road will be complex and complicated. But there are some things that we can do about immigration right now to fix specific problems, and here's one. Currently, Mr. Speaker, thousands of criminal aliens are in our country, just like Chen, who have committed a crime and gone to prison. Our immigration system worked to order them deported, but their country won't take them back. They refuse to do so. So those countries stall and delay and eventually never take back their outlaws. So by law, after the person serves the time in our prisons, we can't keep them indefinitely waiting on their country to take them back, and so they are eventually released. These countries know that, and that's why they stall. Many of those criminals now are running around on American streets looking for more crime and up to malicious mischief. The blood of American victims are not only on the hands of the felons who commit these crimes from foreign countries, but they're also the fault of those countries that refuse to take back these criminal citizens. You know, the blood of Ms. Wu is on the hands of Chinese citizen Huang Chen, but it's also on the hands of the Chinese bureaucrats that would not take Chen back. Oh, Mr. Speaker, they may wear white gloves because they weren't the direct killer of Ms. Wu, but their delay allowed for that crime to be committed. And below those white gloves are the blood of this citizen who was killed in this country. And it's not just China committing these acts of not taking back lawfully deported individuals; there are numerous countries. Vietnam, Jamaica, Pakistan, and Cuba are just a few. So what should we do? Well, Mr. Speaker, there's already a law to require that there be some sanctions against these countries that refuse to take back their lawfully deported aliens, but the State Department doesn't enforce the law. The State Department says, well, we want to work diplomatically to get these people sent back. We don't want to require any sanctions. And so they talk and they talk and they talk. Meanwhile, more crimes are being committed by these people who are released, who should have been sent home, while the State Department continues to talk. Like my grandfather used to say: When all is said and done, more is said than done. We need to get these people out of our country who have been lawfully deported. These countries need to take them back, or there ought to be a consequence. I've introduced legislation that removes the uncertainty and the weak knees of bureaucrats and requires the State Department to follow through with visa sanctions against the countries that won't take back their lawfully deported criminals. I repeat, those visa sanctions should be primarily against, first, diplomats from these countries when they don't take back these individuals. It's time to play a little bit of diplomatic hard ball with these nations. After all, Americans are dying because these criminals are illegally on the streets and our Nation does not insist on them being taken back. It's time to make these crooks and misfits the problem of their home country, rather than continue to remain our problem. Otherwise, more Americans are going to die. It's time to play a little hard ball with these countries. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Kay Bailey Hutchison has been a fighter for the State of Texas long before she came to the U.S. Senate. As a graduate of the University of Texas and the University of Texas Law School, she first served in Austin, Texas, in the House of Representatives. She then served as State treasurer, and then she made up her mind to become the first woman to ever represent the great State of Texas in the United States Senate. Texans have been fortunate to have Kay as a feisty advocate for them. She's been a leader here in the Senate for almost 20 years. My grandmother used to always say that there's nothing more powerful than a woman who has made up her mind. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison is one of those women. She is a leader and a role model for all of us. She will be missed. Thank you, Kay, for your service to the great State of Texas and the United States. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. I appreciate the gentleman from Utah yielding time. Madam Speaker, Frank Buckles was the epitome of an American hero and a man who would do anything for this great United States of America. This is a photograph of him recently taken after he joined the United States Army. Frank Buckles wanted to be in the United States Army. He volunteered. No one would take him because, you see, he wasn't 18. He finally continued to lie about his age, convinced a recruiter he was 21, and at the age of 16 joined the United States Army in the great World War I. He wanted to get to France as soon as he could, so he volunteered to be in the ambulance service. What he did when he got to Europe was rescue and pick up other doughboys in Europe out of those trenches and take them back behind American lines so their wounds could be taken care of. He also picked up many of our Americans--114,000 to be exact-- that died in the great World War I. He was able to come back to America alive. He made it through the war, although many, as I mentioned, did not. Many Americans when they came home from the great war over there, as Mr. Cohen said, died of the flu they picked up in Europe. In fact, a great number of them died from the Spanish flu, almost as many as died in Europe itself. Frank Buckles then went to work. During his work, it took him to the Philippines; but when he was in the Philippines, the Japanese invaded in World War II and Frank Buckles again was captured by the Japanese in the Philippines and put in a prisoner-of-war camp for 3\1/2\ years. He was about to be executed, and the Americans came and liberated the camp; and he, along with the other prisoners of war, came back to America. Frank Buckles then went back to West Virginia where he worked his farm and drove the tractor until he was 107. Madam Speaker, it was his decision and his life goal that he would be instrumental in helping build a memorial on the Mall for all of the veterans who served in the great World War I. I met him in 2007, and this project has been going on now for 5 years to try to get approval to build this memorial for all veterans of World War I on the Mall, almost as long as the war took. He came to Washington, D.C., a few years ago. This is a picture of him that was taken recently before he died at the age of 110 at the D.C. memorial on the Mall. That is a monument and a memorial to all of the veterans from the District of Columbia that served in World War I. I went with him to this memorial where we talked about expanding our honor of all veterans and having a memorial for everybody in the great World War I. That was his goal, and he worked with many Members of Congress on this issue. Although he lived to 110, he didn't live long enough to see the memorial created. Madam Speaker, he was the very last American doughboy that lived in the great World War I. They're all gone, every one of them. So it is up to us, Members of Congress and the public, to speak for them and honor them on the Mall right across the street as would be appropriate. In the Mall, we have three of the four great wars of the last century that we honor. We honor those in World War II, the Korean war, and Vietnam. Now it's time to honor all of those who served in the great World War I. I must compliment a little school down in Texas, Creekwood Middle School, and Jan York, who works there. It was the project of eighth graders years ago to find all of the World War I survivors and do a history project on them throughout the world from all countries; and they did a project, of course, on Frank Buckles, as well. In fact, we were able to get him on the phone, and the eighth grade class at Creekwood Middle School on one of his birthdays sang happy birthday to him. Those kids who are seniors in high school now will be able to hopefully see this memorial built and the approval of it to be built on the Mall. But I want to thank her and her eighth graders for the history project concept and delving into American history in depth and finding out what had happened in our great American Nation. I also want to thank my friend, Emanuel Cleaver from Missouri, for his help on this legislation; the gentlelady from D.C., Ms. Norton; also the subcommittee chairman, Mr. Bishop; and the committee chairman, Doc Hastings, as well. It is important that we pass this legislation. If we get this legislation passed, it will do three things: it will build a memorial on the Mall, it will set up a commission to honor World War I; as this Nation is approaching the 100th year; and it will also recognize--which my friend, Mr. Cleaver, will talk about--the work of the museum and the national work of the World War I memorial in Kansas City. It's time we passed this to honor those great World War I veterans.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, ``The last thing you want to do is to raise taxes in the middle of a recession because that would put businesses in a further hole.'' That was President Obama in 2009. But that was then and this is now. President Obama now says he wants to save us all by raising taxes on a few Americans. But the idea is flawed. One, the plan only funds the government for a few days. Then what's the plan, Mr. President? Two, according to the Senate Budget Committee, 75 percent of the new taxes will go towards spending, not deficit reduction. This plan won't work to solve our economic woes. The problem is the government just spends too much. Where's the plan to cut spending? There isn't one. We got here by spending too much, not taxing too little. After all, ``the last thing you do in a recession is raise taxes''--quoting the President. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Glenn from Spring, Texas, wrote me this: Starting at the age of 15, I worked any job I could to help support myself through college--manually dug ditches, construction work, plant work. After college, I found an entry-level position in the field I studied. With hard work, I have been constantly employed for 36 years and now nearing retirement. I have never requested or received any Federal financial assistance. I enjoy contributing to my community and church. This is my American Dream. Now the administration wants to increase the taxes I pay for being successful. As my grandmother would say, ``If you can work, do so, and never let your pride or laziness get in your way to earn an honest living, and you will be rewarded in life.'' Mr. Speaker, this administration wants to punish those who have lived the American Dream. During a recession, no one's taxes should be increased. This administration cannot tax and spend America into prosperity. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, one of the most marvelous scientific breakthroughs in the criminal justice system has been DNA evidence. I remember when I was a judge in the courthouse when DNA started being used at the courtroom. Prior to DNA, many times prosecutors and law enforcement had to rely on blood samples and fingerprints. But once DNA came in, we learned that everybody has a unique genetic makeup that can be tested and it can be traced to perpetrators of crime when they commit a crime, especially in sexual assault cases. And convictions have gone up. The evidence is better. The proof beyond a reasonable doubt is much more concrete in DNA cases. In 1985, there was a 13-year-old girl named Lavinia Masters. Lavinia lived in Dallas, Texas. One evening she told her folks good night. She went to her bedroom, which should be, Mr. Speaker, the safest place on Earth for children. Went to sleep, and during the middle of the night, she was woken up by an outlaw putting a knife to her throat. He sexually assaulted her. Then he snuck away in the darkness of the night. That was in 1985. She went to the hospital. Her parents took care of her medical needs. DNA evidence was taken from her and put in a ``rape kit''. It was given to the law enforcement authorities, but that DNA evidence from that sexual assault that night in 1985 was not tested for 20 years. It sat on the shelf in a crime lab somewhere in Dallas, Texas. Because the Dallas Police Department had a new incentive to go and look at those old cases, this case was looked at 20 years later. That evidence was tested, and the Dallas Police Department discovered that Kevin Glen Turner had committed this crime back in 1985. But that was 20 years ago. The statute of limitations had run, and justice could not occur in Lavinia's case because the system waited too long to find the outlaw. Kevin Turner turned out to be a criminal in other cases and ended up in the penitentiary for those crimes, but justice was denied for Lavinia, denied because of bureaucratic red tape. You see, Mr. Speaker, many rape kits sit on the shelves of evidence rooms across the country untested. Some of them sit there so long that they're discarded by law enforcement, and the statute of limitations runs like it ran in Lavinia's case. She is not alone, Mr. Speaker. There are 400,000 untested rape kits in this country--400,000, that's a number; but every one of those represents a person. To try to put it in some perspective, there were a little over 400,000 Americans killed in World War II. They were killed by the enemies of our country. 400,000, primarily young women, have been assaulted by rapists who try to kill the soul of these victims. It's important that we not stop prosecuting these cases because of funding. That's why I've introduced, along with Congresswoman Maloney from New York, the bipartisan SAFER Act, companion bill with the bipartisan bill in the Senate by Senator Cornyn and Senator Bennet. The SAFER Act does a lot of good things, but basically it allows funding to go so to make sure that we test these cases. It audits these backlogs so that we know where these cases are that are sitting on the shelves. So it does the audit. It gets more funding. It brings these cases to justice so that we can make sure that these victims of crime have their day in court as well. DNA is a wonderful thing. It's important that we make sure that that evidence is available for law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges in the courtroom. She was a child. Lavinia was a child when she was sexually assaulted. That was a long time ago. But there are 400,000 cases waiting to be tested. This is something that we can do in a bipartisan way today, to test those cases so we can bring justice to the victims of crime and make sure those outlaws get their day in court as well and be held accountable for the rape of children in our country. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Jessica Ford had big dreams of becoming a doctor when she was growing up. Like many young girls, Jessica was just trying to find her way in life when she ran away from home. After she ran away, she met a man who made her feel safe. He claimed to have all the answers to her problems. She fell in love. Unfortunately, Jessica didn't realize she was falling in love with a predator. Unbeknownst to Jessica, her new love identified her as prey and lured her in to his control by taking advantage of her vulnerability. Before she knew what was happening, she was his slave--threatened, raped and force into prostitution. Her predator sold her for sex in her city and trafficked her in other places. This nightmare--living in slavery-- lasted for thirteen years. Jessica lived in constant fear of the men who owned her during those years. Not only did they steal her childhood, they stole her identity. She was an object to them, sold on an underground market just like any other commodity in demand. The sick reality of this market is best explained by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri Zack: ``With selling a girl there's a huge advantage. After you sell a kilo of cocaine, you have to then buy another kilo of cocaine, but you can sell a girl or boy over and over again. It's an incredible renewable resource.'' Jessica's nightmare didn't start in a third world country; it started right here in Houston, Texas. Human trafficking is the second largest organized crime business in he world, generating $32 billion a year. This dastardly deed occurs all over the world, but most people don't know that it occurs right here in the United States. Unfortunately, Texas has become a hub for human trafficking--in 2007 nearly 1/3 of the calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline came from our state. The many interstates, airports and ports in Houston make our city convenient for traffickers. Trafficking rings operate in places that you see along the streets in our communities, like some massage parlors where women are sold for sex. This modern day slave trade occurs right in our own backyard. It seems like a Hollywood movie, but this is reality. There are many faces of trafficking victims, but typically the victims are women--both adult and child. In less frequent instances, the victims are men. Some are people who are smuggled here from another country believing they will have a job. Others are vulnerable American children. In many cases, these victims are forced into sex and/or labor trafficking to repay a debt. Sadly, too many of them are treated as criminals and not what they really are--victims of crime. When I came to Congress, I founded the bipartisan Congressional Victims Rights Caucus. The Caucus works to bring attention to human trafficking. Legislatively, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act has brought about considerable changes in the way that the federal government responds to trafficking and coordination worldwide. We are working towards reauthorizing this important bill. On the state and local levels, Texas has taken significant steps forward to prevent trafficking, prosecute traffickers, and help victims. In Harris County, Precinct 4 Constable Ron Hickman and County Attorney Vince Ryan have made cracking down on human trafficking a top priority. They're working hard to close illegitimate businesses and arrest and prosecute those exploiting the vulnerable. The biggest challenge we face to battling this crime is the endless demand by customers. Human Trafficking is modern day slavery. It's a human rights issue. Bringing awareness to the problem is the first step. We must continue to tell stories like Jessica's. Collaboration between federal, state and local governments is also key. Together, we can strengthen penalties for traffickers and buyers. And most importantly, we can't forget that those who have been trafficked are the victims. We must treat them like victims. They need assistance as they recover from servitude and rebuild their lives. Together we can eradicate the scourge of human trafficking. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on Christmas Day, most of us will wake up with our families, the smell of Turkey in the oven, and homemade apple pie, but on the other side of the world, there are men and women who will wake up in the middle of the desert who are representing and protecting America's liberty. Those are our great American warriors. In 2005, I went to see our troops in Iraq during the Christmas season. Before I left, I asked my staff to get local schoolkids to make some handmade Christmas cards that I could give the troops, and I took about 5,000 Christmas cards to our troops in Iraq and in Kosovo. Every year since then, Mr. Speaker, kids in southeast Texas have been making Christmas cards and holiday cards for our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and in other parts of the world. I want you to know that schoolchildren in southeast Texas made 69,000 handmade Christmas cards for our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and in other parts of the world that will be taken to them this Christmas. I want to thank all of those numerous schools, teachers, and chambers of commerce in southeast Texas. God bless every one of you for helping our men and women overseas have a better connection with our families and our young people in this country and for letting them know that Texans are thinking of them. And that's just the way it is. Hargrave High School JROTC; Humble ISD; Timbers Elementary; Douglass Learning Academy; KARW; Norma's Bookkeeping and Tax Service; Haude Elementary; Salyers Elementary; Crockett Elementary; Girl Scout Troop 21157; Tarkington Primary School; Cadette Girl Scout Troop; Goose Creek CISD; Brownie Girl Scout Troop 16253; Spring, 4-H, Girl Scout Troop 26184; Girl Scout Troop 26015; Marauder Composite Squadron; Holy Trinity Episcopal School; Hi Neighbors Group; Ronald Reagan Republican Women; Village Learning & Achievement Center; McAdams Associates Real Estate. Schochler Elementary; Rikki Wheeler and the Baytown Chamber of Commerce; Operation Independence; Ross Sterling High School; Horace Mann Middle School; Alamo Elementary; San Jacinto Methodist Hospital; Kingwood Middle School; Woodland Hills Elementary; Sterling Middle School; Timberwood Middle School; Beaumont Independent School District; Lamar University; Boy Scouts; Deerbrook Baptist Church; Port Neches Elementary; Chambers County Pilot Club; Neverland Rec. Center; Westbrook High School; Marshall Middle School; St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Beaumont, TX.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, every year, competitive students from all over the world come to America to attend some our top schools, including the University of Texas--Austin, for advanced degrees in the STEM fields. While these students are in school, many of these students fall in love with America, and our way of life. I don't blame them . . . who wouldn't fall in love with Austin, Texas and want to stay? And the thing is, there are employers right there in Austin and all over the country that want to hire these folks because there are not enough Americans graduating with these types of degrees every year. Sounds like a marriage made in heaven right? The problem is . . . the students often face a difficult time getting VISA's to stay when they graduate, even though there are employers who want to hire them. To rectify this, the STEM Jobs Act will cancel the diversity visa program and redistribute up to 55,000 VISA's to the best qualified graduates of American universities with STEM degrees. This legislation makes sense not only for the students, but it makes sense for America. Studies have shown that STEM graduates, on average over the course of their careers, create 2.6 American jobs. In fact, between 1995 and 2005, foreign-born STEM workers founded half of the firms in Silicon Valley. Think of how many jobs, and how much wealth, these firms created here in America. Wouldn't we rather have these jobs created here in the United States then in China or India? Do we really want the next Google to be created abroad? America has given birth to so many innovations over the past 150 years. The assembly line, electricity, the automobile, the airplane, the telephone, the personal computer, the Iphone, the list goes on and on. These innovations have changed our world for the better. America has always been the birthplace of innovation, let's keep it that way. Let's allow the world's best and brightest to come to the land of opportunity. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the President has finally given us his balanced plan to allegedly avoid the fiscal cliff. He wants to raise taxes by $1.6 trillion. He wants another stimulus package of $50 billion. He wants the authority to raise the debt ceiling without asking Congress for approval. Say it isn't so, Mr. Speaker. This tax hike will hurt small businesses, which provide 67 percent of the jobs in this country. That may fund the government for a short time. Then what's the plan? Stimulus 2.0. Because the first stimulus worked so well? That was a disaster as well. We have a $16 trillion deficit, and the President wants to spend more money. Are you kidding me? Spending is the problem. We don't need more of it. Lastly, he wants the power to raise the debt ceiling without congressional approval. The administration cannot unilaterally issue an edict like a monarchy. Congress, Congress, Congress is in charge of the purse. The government has gone wild. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today, the United Nations will vote on whether or not to recognize the Palestinian Authority as a nonmember observer state of the U.N. With 132 nations having already recognized the Palestinian territory as a sovereign state and only 97 votes needed, I suspect the Palestinian Authority's effort will be successful. Yet, despite a ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas last week, the Middle East remains a volatile tinder box far from peace. Admitting the Palestinian Authority as a nonmember observer state will hurt, not help, a peace process that is already on shaky ground. The United States has opposed the Palestinian Authority's effort from the very beginning because it recognizes the instability that such recognition would create. The Palestinian Authority wants all the benefits of a state, without any of the responsibility. They fully admit that they don't know what their borders are. By definition, a state is a geographic territory with a sovereign government. Yes, there are some countries with border disputes, such as India and Pakistan in the Kashmir region, but the Palestinians have no agreed upon border whatsoever. What is a state if it can't define its own land? The Palestinians themselves agreed to resolve statehood issues at the negotiating table in the Oslo Accords (which means they are required to negotiate bilaterally with Israel). Now they are figuratively walking away from the negotiating table and literally blowing it up with attacks from Hamas. Meanwhile, Israel continues to help the Palestinian economy, including collecting over $100 million a month in taxes for the Palestinians and allowing more and more Palestinians to travel to the West Bank. One thing is for sure: it is not Israel that is holding up the peace process. With upgraded status at the U.N. come certain benefits. Here lies the real desire for the Palestinian U.N. gambit. A Palestinian state could bring war crimes charges against Israel in the International Criminal Court, putting the fate of Israelis in the hands of some international judge. This Court is so dangerous that even President Obama refuses to allow Americans to be prosecuted by it. The Palestinian Authority remains fiercely committed to bringing Israel to the International Criminal Court. Many of the nations who support Palestinian Statehood have requested assurance that Israel would be left alone if statehood was granted. The Palestinian Authority defiantly rejected these requests. Just yesterday, Hanan Ashrawi, a senior member of the PLO said: ``We have not succumbed to pressure, we did not give any commitment.'' The world should know they mean what they say; granting them this request means endangering Israel. Yes, the Palestinians may be successful today and no, the U.S. does not have veto power in a U.N. General Assembly vote, but there still can and should be consequences for the irresponsible actions of President Abbas and his old cronies in the Palestinian Liberation Organization, PLO. Last year, we gave the Palestinian Authority $495 million. In the same timeframe, President Abbas' office budget was $72 million yet he refuses to tell us or anyone else how he spends it. There are even press reports that his own salary is $1 million a month. According to their own documents, the Palestinian Authority spent $194 million last year alone on offices that helped promote the Palestinians' push for recognition at the U.N. The U.S. should immediately cut funding to the PLO by at least $72 million next year and require President Abbas to open up his budget for all to see. The days of giving money away to other nations with no transparency and no consequences for irresponsible behavior should be over. The United Nations has no business getting involved in the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Dore Gold, a former Israeli ambassador to the U.N. said: ``If there was a U.N. resolution whose first clause was anti-Israel and whose second clause was the earth is flat, the U.N. would pass it.'' Peace will not come from decisions made by a corrupt international body. If the Palestinians were committed to peace they would be working with Israel, not hiding behind the U.N. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to recognize Jefferson County Deputy Larry Gilder, who was presented with a Life Saving Award during a ceremony on October 30, 2012. Deputy Gilder put himself into harm's way on two separate occasions this year alone, earning him accolades and the title of ``hero.'' During a routine patrol in Beaumont, Texas, on October 12, 2012, Deputy Gilder came across an 18-wheeler loaded with heavy equipment that was stuck on a railroad track. Gilder used his vehicle to block traffic so they could attempt to dislodge the vehicle with no success. The truck could not move. Deputy Gilder went to make an assistance call and saw the worst possible sight--a train headed straight towards them. Thinking quickly, Deputy Gilder alerted his dispatch and began racing to get the driver out of the vehicle. Thanks to the noise and commotion, the driver never heard the train. They were able to move him into safety while Gilder had enough time to move his vehicle out of the way of the train. Mere seconds later, the trailer was destroyed. No injuries were reported, including the son of the driver, who was asleep in the cab. Deputy Gilder saved three lives that day, including his own. This was not the first incident where Deputy Gilder went above and beyond in the line of duty. Earlier this year, Deputy Gilder and his partner came upon a trailer on fire. A woman found herself trapped inside with the fire growing and time running out. They were able to rescue the woman, and Deputy Gilder suffered injuries due to his daring escape. When asked about the injuries, he responded that he would do anything for the citizens of Jefferson County. President Ronald Reagan once said that ``Heroes may not be braver than anyone else. They are just braver for five minutes longer.'' Thanks to two daring moves by Deputy Larry Gilder, lives were saved. He is a true American hero. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to recognize the achievements of three constituents of Texas's 2nd congressional district: Rose DeRouen, Judge Randy Shelton, and Eleanor Johnson for their work with the organization CASA as Court Appointed Special Advocates. These distinguished citizens received high honors for their volunteer advocacy work for abused and neglected children. With a mission to place every child in a safe, loving, and permanent home, CASA relies on the work of volunteer advocates for the interests of children overlooked by society. In order to ensure that every child is properly taken care in the eyes of both the law and the community, these volunteers provide judges with detailed information of a child's home life and legal situation to help judges better understand each and every child's unique story. Among the many volunteers that help make CASA possible, three Texans have gone above and beyond what is expected, and they have been recognized for their extraordinary efforts. Rose DeRouen earned the Volunteer of the Year award for her selfless and extensive services for children. Judge Randy Shelton was recognized for his honorable services with the Big Voices for Little Texans Judge of the Year award, and Eleanor Johnson was the first ever recipient of the Joseph Gagen Leadership Award. CASA and their advocates have done right by their community, and, most importantly, right by children in need. Their efforts have been an exemplary manifestation of American values in local communities, and Texas's 2nd congressional district is blessed to benefit from the work of these outstanding Americans. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the eyes of the world were on the Gaza Strip for 8 days as sirens wailed and Hamas rained rockets down on Israel. Iran's mullahs shipped long-range rockets into Sudan, sent them up into Egypt before smuggling them through tunnels and assembling them in Gaza. Israel responded by doing the only thing a responsible nation should do: it defended itself. Now the United States needs to show there are consequences for attacking this sovereign nation, consequences for Hamas and Iran, as well. We should have stricter enforcement of sanctions against Iran. Iran and Hamas both need to be held accountable for these attacks. Israel had the moral right and legal duty to defend itself from attacks by the barbarians, Hamas. There is a ceasefire, but only until Hamas obtains more Iranian missiles. Hamas is the puppet, and Iran is the puppeteer. The Iranian regime needs to go. The Iranian people need to rid themselves of the little fellow from the desert, Ahmadinejad, and his ways of war. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, William from Humble, Texas, wrote me this about tax increases and how they will affect him and his family. He says: It seems to me that too many of us are going to be hit with a big tax increase next year. I can't afford to pay any more taxes. My family lives paycheck to paycheck. We stand to lose everything we've worked for. Stop taxes from going up. With ObamaCare and tax increases, I feel my family stands no chance to get ahead. Tell me, is there any chance for my grandchildren to have a good life? I don't see it. I cannot sleep at nights worrying about the condition of this country and what condition it is in, and there is no end in sight. Help hardworking people. Mr. Speaker, Washington has a taxing problem and not a spending problem, because the power to tax is the power to destroy. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the chairman for yielding. Thank you for sponsoring this Special Order where we can, as a body, recognize our friend and fellow Texan, Chairman Ralph Hall. Mr. Speaker, we Texans are proud of our State, we're proud of our heritage, and we're proud of the people that have been in our State. Texans have a long history of remarkable Texans in our history, men and women with, I shall call it, personality, uniqueness, all the way back to General Sam Houston--and there are many others. But on that list will be, and is, Chairman Ralph Hall. He is a person of personality and character--and quite a character. He has not always been a Republican. At one time he sat over here. He was a Democrat. He switched, got religion, and came over and became a Republican. But his principles have never changed; they have always been the same. Whether he sat over here or whether he sat over here, he has always been a man of remarkable character and always voted his principles. He is a World War II veteran. We have a special place in this country for veterans like him that served in the great World War II. My dad served in World War II. He was on the other side of the world while Ralph was flying off of aircraft carriers in the Pacific. There is a special something about World War II veterans. They understand American history. They understand the importance of our military and how it's important for us as a Nation to always do two things--have a strong military, and then support our veterans when they return home, whether they return home as wounded warriors or whether they return home with the scars of war, and some that return home in those caskets. Ralph Hall makes sure that we remember our veterans. He was a business owner. He ran for office because his wife wanted him to run for office. Mary Ellen was responsible for him spending many years on the campaign trail running for office. As the chairman of the Science Committee, he has been a special fan of NASA. We in Texas, we love NASA. When he learned--rumor has it--that the space shuttle was going to New York City instead of Houston, Texas, rumor is that he was trying to get a posse to go up to New York and bring that shuttle back to Houston where it belongs. I don't know if that's true or not. Ralph Hall loves America, he loves this body, he loves Texas, but most of all he loves the American people. It's a great honor to recognize you, a statesman and favorite son of Texas, Chairman Ralph Hall. And that's just the way it is.