Ted Poe

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, for nearly a decade the United States has invested money, sweat, blood and tears, all in the name of a free and democratic Iraq. Before the war, Iraqis suffered from the oppressive dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, and recent events have led me to believe that perhaps the new government does not value freedom any more than the last one did. As a Member of Congress, I've been fortunate to go to Iraq several times to visit with our troops. And during my last visit with a bipartisan congressional delegation, we also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki. During the 2-hour-long discussion covering many things, I asked one question: ``Can we go see Camp Ashraf?'' Now, Madam Speaker, Camp Ashraf houses Iranian dissidents who are called the MEK, and I represent a good number of Iranian Americans who have family members in this camp. They are particularly worried at this point in time, since Iraqi forces had recently killed 36 residents at the camp just a few weeks before. Here are the pictures of those real people that were killed by the Iraqi forces that came into the camp. Here is an example. You notice this is an American-made HUMVEE coming into the camp. And over here on this far picture, you see an Iranian dissident being run over by one of those HUMVEES driven by an Iraqi soldier. So that is why the question was asked: can we go see the camp and see these Iranian dissidents? And of course, Maliki said, ``no way that's going to happen.'' It left me wondering why he would refuse to let us see and talk to these people and get the other side of this invasion by the Iraqi soldiers. So we didn't get to go. And later I learned that one reason we were actually told to leave the country is because we asked to go see this camp and what happened to these 36 Iranian dissidents. And now we have Camp Liberty. Camp Liberty, Madam Speaker, is the result of the fact that in Camp Ashraf, the Iraqi government is moving these dissidents to another camp called Camp Liberty. These dissidents are commonly referred to as the MEK, and Camp Liberty, ironically, should be symbolic of a name of freedom, but it's anything but that. Now the Iraqi government, having moved these dissidents from Camp Ashraf to Camp Liberty, is still oppressing these Iranian dissidents. The reality is Camp Liberty is worse than Camp Ashraf. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said it best: ``This isn't a jail, it's a concentration camp.'' Even in prisons, we allow lawyers to see their clients and their family to see their loved ones. But not in Camp Liberty. And remember, these people in Camp Liberty, these Iranian dissidents, have committed no crime. They have violated no law. You can't help but think that good old Maliki has something to hide again. But word is leaking out that there's not enough drinking water in the camp, there are ruptures in the sewage system, and they're having to be fixed by hand by the residents. Iraqi guards have their will at the camp, and they wander around with no rules. They violate the privacy of these Iranian dissidents, many of whom are women. What's more, no one, not even the U.N., is confident that once political refugee determination is made by other countries, those countries will accept these dissidents into their country. Why? Because our State Department incredibly, has the MEK, these folks in this Camp Liberty, designated as a foreign terrorist organization. In fact, Maliki told Members of Congress, one reason he treated the residents in Camp Ashraf so poorly is because our own State Department designates them as a foreign terrorist organization. This designation is an old, failed State Department foreign policy that designated these people as an FTO as a favor to the Iranian government. That hasn't worked out too well with our foreign relations with Iran, has it? Since then, we've seen that the real terrorists in Iran are the extreme mullahs and the tiny tyrant of the desert, Ahmadinejad, not the opposition groups that want democracy in Iran. Both the EU and the United Kingdom have removed the foreign terrorist designation from the group, the MEK, but not the State Department. As Iran defiantly marches toward nuclear weapons, the best hope for the world is the people of Iran pushing for a regime change of their own government. The longer we keep opposition groups who want to do just that on the foreign terrorist organization list, the less likely it is that the light of liberty will have a chance to shine in Iran. The Federal courts have even ordered the State Department to review this FTO designation, but the State Department continues to delay, to delay, delay making a decision. The State Department must remove the MEK from the foreign terrorist organization list immediately, and then let liberty prevail in Camp Liberty and let these people leave Iraq in a peaceful manner. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, last week, border protectors were patrolling near Roma, Texas, when they spotted drug smugglers trying to move narcotics into the United States. The agents found themselves under attack from the Mexican side when narcoterrorists unleashed gunfire from the other side of the Rio Grande River. The agents returned fire in self-defense. This sounds like a scene out of a western movie, but unfortunately this is real life on the Texas border. The legal ports of entry may seem safe, but in the hinterlands it's the Wild West. Law enforcement is outmanned, outgunned, and outfinanced. We have troops protecting the borders of other countries; why don't they protect ours? But Texas is defending itself. It has to. On Thursday, Texas DPS unveiled the second in its fleet of six gunboats that will now patrol the Rio Grande. Why does Texas have to send its own navy to defend the border of the United States? Because the Federal Government refuses to do its job, and someone has to protect the homeland. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, two American soldiers were killed today in Afghanistan. While our amazing troops are still in the rugged field of battle fighting people who kill in the name of religion, a new field is getting ready for its grand opening at Guantanamo Bay. Finishing touches are being put on a swanky high-dollar soccer field for criminal terrorist detainees at Gitmo. And, of course, Americans are picking up the $750,000 tab for the recreational facilities for these criminals. Isn't that lovely? The U.S. Government is giving these radical extremists access to the soccer field for 20 hours a day. What follows, a terrorist soccer league? These radicals should be doing hard time, not soccer time. Our government has no business building this tropical Caribbean recreational facility for terrorists. It is disrespectful and insulting to all who are victims of these killers. What is next at this terrorist playground, a tiki hut and bar at the beach? This ought not to be, but that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, throughout history, people who have been abused by oppressive dictators have stood up and risked their lives in the name of freedom and independence. Freedom fighters are the most powerful catalysts for change and their potential to alter history is unlimited. This country knows the power of revolution better than any other. On July 4, 1776, after fighting for independence from Britain, the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. But there is another independence day that is not to be forgotten. For Texans, July 4th is not the only day to celebrate independence. This Friday, March 2, we will celebrate the 176th anniversary of Texas Independence. Texas, a part of Mexico, had enjoyed the privileges of citizens under the Mexican Constitution of 1824. Trouble started when Santa Anna became dictator of Mexico and abolished the Constitution and took away civil rights. This led to the outbreak of revolution in October of 1835, both from Tejanos, Texans of Spanish and Mexican descent, and people from the United States. Santa Anna with his three armies invaded Texas to put down rebellion. So on March 1, 54 Texians, including Lorenzo de Zavala, Thomas Rusk, Antonio Navarro and Sam Houston, gathered in the small village of Washington-on-the-Brazos. Inspired by the American Revolution and the United States Declaration of Independence, the delegates drafted a Declaration of Independence overnight. The declaration was signed on March 2 and the Republic of Texas was officially established. As these determined delegates declared independence, Mexican dictator Santa Anna and several thousands of enemy troops closed in on an old beat-up Spanish mission that we now call the Alamo. But Texas defenders stood defiant, stood determined. They were led by my hero, a lawyer by the name of William Barrett Travis who was just 27 years old. The Alamo and its 186 Texans were all that stood between the massive army of invaders and the people of Texas. The Alamo defenders who entered the Alamo on February 23, were a rag- tag group of relentless patriots, made up from nearly every state in the Union and 13 foreign countries, including Mexico. Their ages were 16 through 67, at least 9 were Tejanos, and they were all volunteers. They were mavericks, revolutionaries, farmers, shopkeepers, and freedom fighters; and they came together to fight for something they believed in: freedom. These freedom fighters held off an entire army of several thousand for 13 days. They would not relent. During the bloody siege, Travis penned what would become the most famous letter in Texas history. He said: ``I am determined to sustain myself for as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due his honor and that of his country. ``Victory or death.'' Unfortunately, Travis' call for help was not answered in time. After thirteen days of glory at the Alamo, Commander Travis and his men sacrificed their lives on the altar of freedom and the Alamo fell on March 6, 1836. Because heroes like Travis, Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie held out for so long, Santa Anna's forces took such great losses they became battered, demoralized and diminished. Captain Juan Seguin and his company of Tejanos joined General Sam Houston who had the time he needed to devise a strategy to rally other Texas volunteers and defeat the invaders. In the middle of the afternoon on April 21, 1836, General Sam and his boys routed a larger Mexican army yelling, ``Remember the Alamo!'' The rest is Texas history. The war was over, and the Lone Star flag was visible all across the broad, bold, brazen plains of Texas. Texas remained a nation for 9 years--some Texans wish Texas was still its own nation. Texas claimed land that now includes part of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, even up to the Canadian border. In 1845, Texas was admitted to the Union by only one vote when a Louisiana Senator changed his mind. By its admission into the United States, Texas may divide into five States, and the Texas flag is to fly even with the U.S. flag and not below it. Texas Independence Day is a day of pride and reflection in the Lone Star State. This week we remember that Texas was a glorious nation once and won freedom and independence because some fierce volunteers fought to the death for liberty over tyranny. Freedom has a cost. It always does. It always will. And as we pause to remember those who gave their lives so that Texas could be a free Nation, we must continue to remember those Americans that are currently fighting in lands across the seas for our Nation. There are freedom fighters all over the world today who are fighting the same fight against tyrants. It is history like ours that gives them hope for success. Celebrate Texas independence today and pay tribute to all our Texas heroes like William Barrett Travis. His legacy embodies the spirit of Texans that is so admired and envied all around the world today. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the country cannot afford the great ruler, his administration, and especially his policies. He costs too much. He spends too much. He blames others too much. He violates the Constitution too much. He blames George Bush too much. He infringes on religious liberty too much. He ignores our border security too much. He divides the people too much. He refuses to assume responsibility too much. He misleads the poor too much. He sues States too much. He refuses to compromise too much. He blames the rich too much. He subsidizes failed green energy projects too much. He encourages people to depend on the government too much. He vilifies capitalism too much. He preaches government intervention too much. He regulates too much. He campaigns too much. He blames businesses too much. He blames George Bush too much. He taxes too much. He punishes people who pay taxes too much. He promises ``free stuff'' to non-taxpayers too much. He likes the word ``debt'' too much. He regulates our lives too much. He likes big government too much. He blames oil companies too much. His budget hurts veterans too much. He likes high gasoline prices too much. He blocks offshore drilling too much. He stonewalls domestic energy too much. He gambles taxpayer money on unproven energy projects too much. He sends money to countries who hate us too much. He despises the Keystone XL pipeline too much. He apologizes for America too much. He blames George Bush too much. He cuts benefits to our veterans too much. He blames the Tea Party too much. He blames Congress too much. He preaches America's best days are behind us too much. He blames conservatives too much. He likes the word ``czar'' too much. He turns his back on Israel too much. He treats our enemies better than our friends too much. He blames our problems on Greece too much. He blames our problems on the Europeans too much. He ignores individual freedom too much. He is anti-free market too much. He cuts defense spending too much. He infringes on personal liberty too much. He has to have it his way too much. He tramples on states' rights too much. He blames Congress too much. He blames George Bush too much. And he really, really, really despises Texas too much. Mr. Speaker, we no longer can afford the great ruler, his administration, and especially his policies. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the administration is bullying religions. Yes, the government has required some religious organizations to violate their tenets and provide certain health care coverage for their employees--or else. After an immediate backlash by the American public, the administration promised that it would make some changes; but the same day that it made this promise, it finalized the original mandate as-is with no changes. The original edict is now in effect. The big announcement about a change resulted in nothing, only more words. The administration said it had the power to issue this order because it was implementing ObamaCare. If the administration has the power to infringe upon a constitutionally protected right, what will follow? What individual freedom will be trampled next, all in the name of ``we're the government, we know what's best''? The Constitution is being insulted and violated. We should fear this type of unyielding power and religious persecution. After all, the Constitution was written to protect us from this type of government. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, when the President took office, gasoline cost $1.96. Now it's almost $4 a gallon. Spring breakers in Disney World can expect to pay nearly $6 a gallon to fill up their individual cars. Americans have no choice but to pay the higher price because the government is stonewalling a domestic energy policy. Deana from Huffman, Texas, put it best: I go to work to make money to pay for the gas just to get to work. The President's energy policy is ``nothing from below''--nothing from below the ground, nothing from below the sea. We're the only Nation in the world that places most of our offshore territory off limits to oil and gas exploration. Meanwhile, the government continues to subsidize failed green energy projects. We should be saying yes to all types of American energy: Yes to more offshore drilling; yes to ANWR; yes to faster approval of permits; and yes to the Keystone XL pipeline. Let's make gasoline affordable for Deana and all Americans. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, for years the Federal Government keeps sneaking taxes into airline tickets. The airlines cannot put on the ticket all those hidden taxes because the law won't let them do so. For example, when you buy a product, normally you know how much the product is and then you know how much the taxes are, but not so with airlines. Here's a typical ticket, Mr. Speaker. It starts out with $200 that's going to the airline, but the Federal Government sneaks in at least 11 taxes, raising the price to $374.95. Almost another half of the ticket is Federal taxes. That doesn't even count four more taxes they add on to the airlines. The airline, when they make the ticket, all you see is the $374.95 because the law won't let the airlines tell the truth about the taxation of our government. When more taxes are added, the ticket price continues to go up. Congressman Graves from Georgia has introduced legislation to stop this nonsense. Let's have transparency. Let's see how much those taxes are on an airline ticket. It's time we stop the hide-and-seek with taxpayer taxes. And that's just the way it is. The Actual Airline Ticket Original Price of Ticket is $200.00 Plus Government Taxes: Passenger Flight-Segment Tax = $3.80 International Departure Tax (IDT) = $16.70 International Arrival Tax (IAT) = $16.70 Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) (maximum) = $4.50 September 11th Fee = $2.50 APHIS Passenger Fee = $5.00 APHIS Aircraft Fee = $70.75 Customs and Border Protection = $5.50 Immigration and Customs Enforcement User Fee = $7.00 Passenger Ticket (Excise) Tax = 7.5% ($15.00) Frequent-Flyer Tax (on sale of right to award miles) = 7.5% ($15.00) Cargo Waybill Tax = 6.25% ($12.50) Total: $174.95 Total Price of Ticket Is $374.95

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, religious liberty is under attack by the administration. The right of religious liberty is guaranteed in the First Amendment of the Constitution because it is a foundation for other rights. Yet the administration is forcing religious organizations to violate their conscience by indirectly providing their employees with services that trample on those religious beliefs. The administration's so-called ``promise of accommodation'' changes nothing. It is just political word games. The issue is not about contraception. This is an issue about religious liberty. It affects not just Catholics, but many religions and individuals of faith. Regardless of where Americans stand on the issue of contraception, sterilization or the morning-after pill, it should be alarming to all who believe the government should not persecute religion or substitute a government secular doctrine and impose it on citizens. The Constitution does not accommodate for religious liberty, it demands it, whether this administration likes it or not. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, the date was April 16, 1966. The pilot was Sam Johnson, United States Air Force. He was a colonel, and he was doing his second tour of duty in Vietnam. He was flying with the fighter squadron called Satan's Angels. He was a career pilot who had already flown 62 combat missions during the Korean war, flying an F 86 Sabre jet. Colonel Johnson also flew with the famed Air Force Thunderbirds. But on that day, April 16, 1966, Colonel Johnson in his F 4 was shot down by ground fire by the North Vietnamese. He was captured, and he was put in a prisoner of war camp. Madam Speaker, he was in that POW camp for 7 years. Because of the way that he would not give in to the torture and to the interrogation, the enemy moved him to the famous Hanoi Hilton, a place they called ``Alcatraz.'' It was as bad a POW camp that ever existed in history. Alcatraz was where 11 POWs were put because they were the most obstinate men, and they were leaders of other POWs. They were hard-nosed, and they had to be segregated. They called themselves the ``Alcatraz gang.'' They were defiant, and the North Vietnamese called this man right here, Colonel Sam Johnson, ``Die Hard.'' They tortured him, but they got no information from him. During that time, that 7 years he was beaten and tortured, Sam Johnson never broke down. He was so obstinate that they finally decided to put him in solitary confinement where he remained for 4 years in a cell that was 3-feet-wide by 9-feet. During that 4 years, all that was in that cell was a light bulb above his head that the enemy kept on for 24 hours a day. During the nighttime, they put Sam Johnson in leg irons, and during that 4 years, he never saw or talked to another American. While in the POW camp, he and other POWs communicated with each other with a code by tapping on the wall, and during that time, he memorized the names of the other 374 POWs in captivity. He kept that memory going so that, when he got away or was released or escaped, he would be able to tell their loved ones who they were and where they were. It was brutal, it was harsh, it was cruel, it was mean. The enemy laughed and made fun of Colonel Sam, and all he ever said was, Is that the best you can do? For food, he ate weeds and pig fat and rice, and he went from 200 pounds to 120 pounds. After 7 years of confinement, on February 12, 1973, 39 years ago this week, Colonel Sam Johnson was finally released. After his release, Colonel Johnson continued to serve in the United States Air Force for a total of 29 years. While he was in that POW camp, back home in Texas, his wife, Shirley, knew he'd been shot down, but she didn't know what had happened to him for 2 years--whether he was alive, dead, or missing in action. After he left the United States Air Force, he served in the State house in Texas. He had his own business, and then in 1991, he came to the House of Representatives, where he continues to serve with distinction and to represent the folks from Texas. Sam Johnson returned to America with honor. He is a special breed. He is the American breed. He is that special warrior, even during the time he was a captive warrior, who never forsook his duty and never forsook his honor. Colonel Sam and other Vietnam veterans were not only treated badly in Vietnam, but many who returned were treated poorly by America. These vets had no welcome home parades. They were cursed and they were spit upon. America did not really appreciate those old warhorses from Vietnam. So, to Colonel Sam and all who served in Vietnam, welcome home, welcome home, welcome home. Some served and returned. Some served and did not return. Some served with the wounds of war. So, to Colonel Sam Johnson, we appreciate your service because the worst casualty of war is to be forgotten. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the country cannot afford this great ruler and his administration. He costs too much. He spends too much. He taxes too much. He regulates too much. He cuts defense too much. He grows the government too much. He divides the people too much. He blames others too much. He controls our lives too much. He despises criticism too much. He says no to domestic energy too much. He obstructs drilling in the Gulf of Mexico too much. He says yes to OPEC too much. He subsidizes bankrupt green energy too much. He ignores the border too much. He sues States too much. He infringes on religious freedom too much. He tries to make Americans dependent on the government too much. He likes giving away somebody else's money too much. He campaigns too much. He expands government too much. He borrows too much. He taxes people who die too much. He taxes people who live too much. He likes the word ``trillion'' too much. He increases unemployment too much. He likes the phrase ``more deficit'' too much. He lets gasoline prices rise too much. He makes health care cost too much. He ignores the Constitution too much. He panders to radical interest groups too much. He berates capitalism too much. He refuses to compromise too much. And he really likes Big Government too much. Mr. Speaker, we cannot afford this great ruler, and especially his current administration. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court will soon take up the President's nationalized health care law. This case will go down in history as it affects every American. But unless every citizen has a seat inside the Supreme Court, they will not be able to watch the legal arguments or hear the questions by the Justices. The people will not be able to see justice in action. The American public should be able to view the proceedings on TV much like they do with C-SPAN when Congress is in session. I know cameras can be placed in a courtroom without disruption because I was one of the first judges in Texas to allow an unobtrusive camera in the courtroom. I did so without any problem and proved the cynics wrong. A lack of seating capacity is no reason to deny the American public access to the Supreme Court. The American people deserve an all-access pass to watch the High Court in action. The Supreme Court is the most important court in the world. Let the world know what takes place behind those closed doors. Let cameras and the people in. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, recently, in one of New York's neighborhoods, gunshots rang out. One of NYPD's finest, Police Officer Kevin Brennan, quickly responded to the call. When he arrived at the scene with his partners, they recognized a familiar face. It was outlaw Latin Kings gang member Luis ``Baby'' Ortiz. Brennan gave the suspect a chance to turn himself over to the police by yelling, ``Stop. Police,'' but Ortiz took off running in the darkness of the night. The officers gave chase. Officer Brennan cornered Ortiz in a hallway, and rather than give up, Ortiz shot Officer Brennan, point blank, in the head. Ortiz was trying to flee the scene of the shooting so fast that he ran out of one of his shoes and left it at the crime scene. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said Ortiz may have tried to fire off a second shot into Officer Brennan's head. Obviously, Ortiz has a total disrespect for human life. When Police Officers Michael Burbridge and Christopher Mastoros arrived and found Officer Brennan, he was lying in a pool of his own blood, left to die. But Officer Brennan miraculously survived this attack. The outlaw was captured. When ``Baby'' was brought to court, he made a mockery of the judicial system, waving at the cameras, asking them to take his photograph, while blowing kisses to his family. His family, too, showed disdain for the justice system and the police by yelling obscenities to the police and banging their hands and fists on a police cruiser that led Ortiz back to the jailhouse. On Ortiz's second appearance in the court, the courtroom was packed with a sea of blue. NYPD had come to support their wounded fellow officer. Disturbing, but not surprising, this would-be assassin has been arrested 14 times in his just 21 years of a lifetime of crime and lawless, worthless existence. His crimes have included drugs, assault, and armed robbery; yet he has walked free every time, beating the system. One more detail worth noting. The weapon used to shoot Officer Brennan was the same one used in a New Year's Day murder in New York. Coincidence? Probably not. Officer Brennan, a 6-year veteran of NYPD, is married and has a young baby daughter. Mr. Speaker, in my other life, I was a prosecutor and a criminal court judge in Texas. I have been privileged to meet a lot of Texas peace officers and other officers in the United States. I've had the opportunity to meet many New York police officers when I go to New York to do presentations and training. After we get through the language barriers, I've found them to be a remarkable bunch of dedicated crime fighters. Officer Brennan and thousands of his comrades throughout America wear the blue uniform of the law every day. They pin the shield and badge over their chest, over their heart, as a symbol of their duty to defend the people against outlaws like Ortiz. They are the last strand of wire in the fence between the fox and the chickens. They are all that separate the lawful citizens from the lawless bandits. They go into dangerous areas of our city looking for drug dealers, child molesters, wife beaters, robbers, bandits and other street terrorists that would do the rest of us harm. They deserve our respect, our admiration, and our appreciation. We thank the Good Lord for people like Officer Brennan and the others of NYPD blue. As for ``Baby,'' it's past time that ``Baby'' met the long arm of justice. He's looking at doing 40 years behind bars in the ``Do-Right'' Hotel. Our society cannot allow street trash like Ortiz to get away with their desire to wreak havoc in their neighborhoods and shoot peace officers. After all, Mr. Speaker, ``We've got too many gangsters doing dirty deeds, too much corruption and crime in the streets. A man has to answer for the wicked things he's done because justice is the one thing you should always find.'' May it be swift and harsh, because justice is what we do in this country. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, religious civil liberty is the bedrock of a free people, but today we face an unprecedented and unconstitutional act of aggression against our religious liberty sponsored by the U.S. Government. The President's health care edict forces Catholic organizations to choose between either violating their religious faith or not furnishing their employees with health care coverage. No government has the legal or moral right to harass any religion and make them violate their religious convictions, especially ours. After all, the Constitution prevents this type of government oppression against religion. That's why Catholics, Protestants, and Jews are united in their effort to stand up against this government act of tyranny. People came to this country to flee religious persecution. Now our own government is a villain to religion. But people of faith will not submit to a government war against religion. The holy line has been drawn by a coalition of all religions. The head of the Catholic League, Bill Donahue, said it best: ``This is going to be fought out with lawsuits, with court decisions, and, dare I say it, maybe even in the streets.'' And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in February 2010, 23 year old Alissa Blanton was shot and killed by her stalker. He began harassing her two years earlier when she worked as a waitress. The situation became so severe that Alissa had to quit her job in order to get away from this customer who would not leave her alone. Even after changing jobs, moving twice, and getting married, she was still followed and sent threatening emails and letters. She was murdered in front of her husband two weeks after being denied a protective order. Sadly, this story of constant harassment and stalking is not infrequent in our society. One in six women is stalked in her lifetime. If the perpetrator is not stopped, these situations can lead to murder. January marked National Stalking Awareness Month. We remember those affected and recognize the importance of becoming more aware of this crime in order to protect ourselves and those around us. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, January marked National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. As a former judge and prosecutor in Texas and as co-chair of the Congressional Victims' Rights Caucus this issue is significant to me. Many believe that slavery is an issue of the past, but sadly it is not. Throughout the world humans are forced into human trafficking, modern-day slavery, whether this is sex trafficking, labor trafficking, domestic servitude or some other form of slavery. This is not just a problem other countries face, but one that is alive in the United States. Houston, Texas, my hometown, is a hub for this awful crime. Fortunately, Houston and the state of Texas have taken the bull by the horns and are working hard to prosecute traffickers and protect victims. On the federal level, I am working with Members on both sides of the aisle to ensure traffickers are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and victims are treated as victims and given the support they need. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Iran is rapidly building a nuclear weapon. Recent reports reveal that Israel may be preparing to attack Iran. Some critics, including the United States, say that Israel should not attack because it would derail the sanctions process; but sanctions are not fully accomplishing their objective. Russia, China, India, and even Japan all continue to buy Iranian oil. For Israel, a nuclear-armed Iran threatens its very existence. Ahmadinejad, the little fellow from the desert, says he wants to wipe Israel off the map. Experts agree that Iran soon will have the power to do just that. Israel has the right to defend itself, the right to be left alone, and the right to prevent its annihilation. Iran cannot get nuclear weapons. Mr. Speaker, the greatest hope for the world is a regime change from within by the people of Iran. The United States should verbally support the good people of Iran in changing their dictator, but the world should be prepared for nuclear mischief by that tyrant. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the day Osama bin Laden met his maker was a great day for America. But like most good things, this did not come easy. Pakistani Dr. Shikal Afridi worked with our CIA under the guise of running a hepatitis B vaccination program. His hope was to get DNA evidence to confirm that bin Laden was hiding in Abbottabad before our Navy Seals went in for the kill. He never got those samples, but according to Secretary Panetta, he was ``very helpful'' in the operation to find Osama bin Laden. But Dr. Afridi is now sitting in a jail cell in Pakistan, being held for treason for helping the U.S. That's right. Pakistan is now holding in custody a doctor that helped us get the number 1 terrorist in the world. The man should be treated like a hero. Instead he's locked up and called a traitor. This ought not to be. Pakistan is no friend of ours. The sooner we realize that the better off we'll be. Until Pakistan becomes an ally--Americans should give no money to Pakistan. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, when most people think of smuggling, they envision outlaws recklessly sneaking guns, contraband, and money to other outlaws. Most people would never imagine that the government of the greatest Nation in the world would be engaged in helping a criminal smuggling operation by sending guns and money to narcoterrorists south of our border. No, this isn't a Hollywood movie. Unfortunately, this has become a reality in Washington, D.C. The Justice Department, with the aid of the ATF, facilitated the smuggling of over 2,000 weapons to the drug cartels south of the border--the national enemy in Mexico. Reports indicate those weapons were used to kill at least 200 Mexican nationals and two U.S. law enforcement agents. The Justice Department appears to have gone wild. Instead of enforcing the law, rogue operatives in the Department of Justice seemed to be recklessly encouraging violations of law. Who's responsible for this conduct? Over a year has gone by since the murder of Brian Terry, border agent, and we still don't know who was in charge. Brian Terry was murdered by one of those Fast and Furious guns. The Attorney General said he was unaware of Fast and Furious. He claims that he either didn't get the memo, or maybe he didn't read the memo. Well, according to the latest of group of emails sent over to Congress, he did get the email. According to emails sent to Congress Friday night, Arizona U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke notified Eric Holder's deputy chief of staff--via email--about Brian Terry's murder hours after it happened. Later that day, he notified the Department of Justice that the murder weapon was from Fast and Furious. Imagine that. Holder's staff member implied that he alerted the Attorney General. So who knew what and when? The Attorney General apparently knew not days or months but hours after that murder occurred. Did he, the Attorney General, know about this operation? Did he approve it? In any event, the Attorney General should resign because it all happened under his watch. He is the one in charge of the Justice Department. When he appeared before the House Judiciary Committee in December, the Attorney General also told me that he did not know who in his department was responsible for making the decision of Operation Fast and Furious. So is the Attorney General now claiming there is a rogue operation of moles in the Department of Justice that authorized and carried out these smuggling missions? We want to find out. To coin a phrase from then Senator Hillary Clinton on another subject, the fact that he did not know about this massive operation requires a ``willing suspension of disbelief.'' The Attorney General is the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer in the country. Whoever did know about this and approved it may have violated U.S. or international law. They need to be held accountable even if it means somebody goes to jail. But that is not the case. The rogue criminals responsible for carrying out Fast and Furious still work in the Justice Department. These individuals have not been fired or criminally prosecuted for their reckless actions. Some have actually been promoted or transferred. It all looks like an organized, deceitful attempt to hide the stench of Fast and Furious from the American people. Apparently, the Department of Justice believes in order to catch a criminal, you have to be like a criminal. We need an independent special counsel appointed by the President to investigate the Justice Department and the ATF. The Department of Justice cannot be trusted to investigate themselves because the agency has lost credibility on this issue. The DOJ has stonewalled providing information to Congress. If the DOJ has nothing to hide, why do they keep hiding information from us? The Justice Department has to be removed from investigating Fast and Furious. Otherwise, Mr. Speaker, this would look like a bunch of burglars sitting on a jury trying a burglary case. That would sort of look bad; wouldn't it? People died in this reckless, misguided operation. We owe it to the American people and the people of Mexico to get to the bottom of this. In many States when a person commits an offense, if he recklessly causes the death of an individual, the definition of that offense is called manslaughter. Even Washington insiders responsible for Fast and Furious cannot hide from the long arm of American justice because, Mr. Speaker, justice is what we do in this country. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, over 3 million cases of child abuse are reported every year in the United States; some reports involve multiple children. These children are 11 times more likely to be arrested for criminal behavior as juveniles, and they are 2.7 times more likely to be arrested for violent and criminal charges as an adult. One-third-of these same children are likely to grow up to abuse or neglect their own children. Child abuse is an ugly reality in the fabric of our society, and abuse against children is among the most heinous crimes committed in our nation. I'd like to honor a group of individuals who are dedicated to establishing security for these children, while demonstrating a new standard of sacrificial giving. Bikers Against Child Abuse, BACA was founded by John Paul Lily, a clinical sociologist. Mr. Lily wanted to bring an abused eight year old boy out of his shell and succeeded by bringing him into his circle of motorcycle friends. This group of unconventional child advocates allowed for this young boy to experience a second chance at an unhindered childhood. Soon, Mr. Lily was inspired to organize a ride to visit mistreated children and to welcome them into the biker ``family.'' This inaugural ride had 27 riders, but word spread quickly and the movement evolved. Today, this group is in full operation across the country and has chapters in 5 other countries. Local chapters work largely through other child advocacy organizations to launch their ``missions,'' which help children break the chains of abuse by moving beyond the limits of fear from past mistreatment. A typical ``mission'' for these children's rights advocates begins with a dispatch from an established organization, with the pre-screened verification in the BACA system. The first meeting is similar to the inaugural model in which local chapter members will ride over to welcome the child into the ``family.'' These knights on shiny motorcycles become a much needed lifeline for these frightened children. There are two members of the group that are assigned to the child as consistent sources of stability. These pioneering bikers then become visible in any area that the child may need them ranging from day-to-day errands to court appearances. These children no longer have to live in fear of their abuser because they are empowered through the newly formed camaraderie with their family at BACA. The organization's creed is a great testament to the outstanding make up of these individuals. In this creed, they denounce the need for popularity or position, they refuse the right to be right, praised, or recognized. Instead they, ``won't give up, shut up, let up, until they have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and showed up for all wounded children. They must go until they drop, ride until they give out, and work till He stops me.'' These men and women are crusaders that provide attention to a much needed and too often forgotten cause. I commend the selfless action of this organization and celebrate the life changing difference that they've made in the lives of children. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, there are entire professions devoted to analyzing football statistics. Yards after catch, passer rating, and value over replacement are just a few of the endless minutia studied at a scholar-like level. But at the end of the day, the only statistic that matters is winning. Today I am proud to pay tribute to one of the greatest winners in college football history, record-breaking quarterback Case Keenum from the University of Houston Cougars. Case was born in Abilene, TX, with football in his blood. His father played for and would later go on to coach McMurry University in Abilene. Abilene is in the heart of west Texas--where football-- especially high school football--is regarded by some as almost a religion. I attended Abilene Christian University and witnessed the local high school teams play hard on the gridiron during ``Friday Night Lights.'' Case Keenum won 31 games starting for Wylie High School, including the 2004 Class 3A Division 1 State Championship, Wylie's first and only time to win it all. He also earned varsity letters in baseball and track. After listening to other schools, he chose to attend the University of Houston. Case was entangled in a competition for the starting position in 2007 after redshirting his freshman year. Keenum shared time and played in all 13 games that year, starting in 7. He won the starting position by the end of the season. It was his team now and he took the opportunity and ran. The 2008 season, Case's first full year as a starter, was a monumental one. He became the second quarterback in school history to pass for over 5,000 yards. The team beat two nationally ranked opponents and won its first bowl game in over 25 years. Case's star was on the rise and the University of Houston was back in the national conversation. After all the success in 2008, the lights would be brighter on Case and the Cougars in 2009 than ever before, and they rose to the occasion. They defeated the then-#5 ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys, which propelled the team in the AP rankings for the first time in over 20 years, and also upset Texas Tech and Mississippi State. They finished 10-4 and as Conference USA Western Division Co-Champions. Case had another impressive year, finishing with over 5,800 yards of total offense and 48 touchdowns. 2010 was to be the year that Case broke numerous NCAA Division 1 passing records and put the Houston Cougars into the Bowl Championship Series picture. The team was nationally ranked in several preseason polls and Case was awarded the Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year. However, just three games into the season, Keenum tore his ACL. His season was done, and the team finished at 5-7. This was not the end that Case or Coach Kevin Sumlin and the Cougars envisioned. Case was awarded a rare 6th year of eligibility for the 2011 season, allowing him to return to Houston and complete his college journey on his terms. No one could have predicted how successful Case and the team would be. The team once again started the season nationally ranked and would go on to finish 12-0 in the regular season. This was the first time in the 66-year history of the program that the team finished the regular season undefeated and untied. They closed out the year with a victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the TicketCity Bowl and a ranking of 18th in the AP Poll. The Houston Cougars led the nation with 8,387 yards of total offense while Case also led the nation with an impressive 5,631 yards of total passing. Case's career numbers are staggering. He holds nearly every NCAA career passing record, including passing yardage, total offense, touchdown passes, total touchdowns, and completions. He won 41 of the 57 games that he participated. He won the Conference USA Most Valuable Player award twice, as he also did the Sammy Baugh Trophy, awarded to the nation's top college passer. This weekend he will be one of twelve players chosen to highlight their skills at the Super Bowl Sunday All Star Challenge in front of a worldwide audience. Case's success was not limited to the gridiron. He was named to the Conference USA Academic All-Conference selection twice, thanks to his 3.8 GPA earned while working towards his graduate degree in Sports Administration. He was a five time Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll member. Every so often, a player comes around that redefines what it means to be a leader. Thanks to his internal fortitude, Case Keenum played an important role in the rebirth of the University of Houston Cougar football team. He has shown that hard work and perseverance can turn a pretender into a contender. I proudly congratulate Case on all of his accomplishments and wish him the best of luck in the future. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we hear about religious persecution throughout the Third World, but there is an anti-religious movement right here in the United States. The Catholic Church is being persecuted by this government. Our great country was founded on the principle of religious liberty. This right is in the First Amendment, and the provisions of the First Amendment are listed first because they are the most important. Yet, the administration is chipping away at this cornerstone of our society by violating the religious liberty of those who hold fast to certain positions of their faith, in particular, those of the Catholic Church. The Department of Health and Human Services recently announced that religious organizations will be forced to provide their employees with medical insurance that covers free contraceptives and sterilizations. While houses of worship are exempt, religiously affiliated organizations such as hospitals, universities, and charities are mandated to comply with this government edict. This goes against the basic tenets of the Catholic religion, as well as other faiths, Christian and non-Christian. The administration believes that it's enough to give religious organizations 1 year's notice to comply with this government oppression. But there will never be enough time for the church to change its core principles. Timothy Dolan, president of the United States Council of Catholic Bishops and New York archbishop, said it best: ``In effect, the President is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences.'' Mr. Speaker, religious principles are not negotiable. They are not to be subject to bullying by any government, especially ours. No government has the legal or moral right to target any religions and make them violate their religious conscience. The administration is violating two provisions of the First Amendment: the free exercise of religion clause and the establishment of religion clause. The government is prohibiting the free exercise of religion because it is punishing Catholics for exercising their religious beliefs. Government is also violating the establishment clause by establishing a government religion, statism, because government is establishing its own moral standard that must be complied with or else. Regardless of where Americans stand on the issues of contraception, sterilization, or the abortion pill, this government oppression should be alarming for those who believe the government should not punish religions or substitute a religious doctrine for citizens. The government should stay out of the business of persecuting religions. This recent anti-religious mandate is completely unacceptable, but it is only one example in a long line of new government actions that disregard freedom of conscience and religious liberty. This comes on the heels of the administration's denial of a grant to the United States Council of Catholic Bishops to aid victims of human trafficking. Not only have they been awarded this grant in the past, but their application has received the highest quality score. Mr. Speaker, this money is used to help victims from the scourge of human slavery. But the church was denied this grant because their religious convictions do not provide contraceptives or refer women to abortions. Apparently, under this administration, in order to aid victims, it is necessary for religious groups to violate their religious convictions. These are only two of the most recent assaults by government, our government, on religious liberty and conscience. As soon as this administration came into office, a proposal was submitted to rescind conscience regulations for medical professionals. Protections for medical professionals who would not violate their conscience by distributing emergency contraceptives was rescinded. This was just a glimpse of what was to come in deliberate disregard for the First Amendment. This administration's attack on religious liberty is a strike at the core principles of our Nation. Government is putting basic freedoms in jeopardy and bruising the U.S. Constitution. No government should force its citizens to violate their religious beliefs. Who would have thought that this Nation, founded on religious liberty, would now be engaged in religious persecution against certain citizens and against certain churches? This ought not to be. But that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, across the globe, Iran continues its saber rattling. The little fella from the desert, Ahmadinejad, threatens to block the Strait of Hormuz and all the oil shipments going through it. This worries Americans who can't afford for the price of gasoline to go up. What if we made unstable Middle Eastern countries irrelevant to our energy security? Imagine a place where the United States actually controlled its own energy destiny. There are two different paths to that world. The administration and environmental obstructionists will tell you the only way to energy independence is through so-called ``clean and green'' energy projects funded at taxpayer expense. This may sound good in a sound bite, but these projects are expensive, unreliable, and in many cases they continue to fail. Cases in point, three companies: Solyndra, Ener1, and Beacon Power. In each of these cases, the Federal Government has taken taxpayer money and gambled it on risky projects. With Solyndra, half a billion taxpayer dollars were poured into a company that was doomed to fail. The result: Solyndra went belly up, 1,000 people lost their jobs, and the American people will never see a refund on their money. Clean energy may be a noble goal, but we're just not there yet. The second path to controlling our energy destiny is an all-of-the- above approach: solar, wind, nuclear, clean coal, natural gas, and yes, oil. For now, oil is the most reliable and cost-effective source of energy we have. That's one reason why the Keystone XL pipeline is a golden opportunity for our country. This project, unlike Solyndra, won't cost the taxpayers any of their money. It would bring 750,000 barrels of oil per day from our stable ally, Canada, down to refineries in my district in southeast Texas. Equally important, it would create at least 100,000 jobs in its lifetime, including 20,000 immediate construction and manufacturing jobs. But unfortunately, the administration has said no to Keystone pipeline. It said no to our national interest. It said no to jobs. It said no to energy security. It said no to our ally Canada. It said no to the will of the American people because most Americans support the pipeline. But it did say yes--yes to China, because China will probably be the recipient of that Canadian oil and the jobs if the pipeline is not built in the United States. Now, isn't that lovely? Keystone would enhance our energy security by bringing almost as much oil as we get from Saudi Arabia to the United States. It would help enhance our foreign policy by bolstering our relationship with Canada instead of depending on unstable Middle Eastern countries. But radical obstructionists got their way when they took to the streets in front of the White House and threatened their support for the President. They seem to conveniently forget that pipelines are the safest way to transport oil. Failure to approve the pipeline is putting our national security, energy security, and economic security at risk. That is why I have introduced, along with my friend Dan Boren from Oklahoma, the bipartisan Keystone for a Secure Tomorrow Act, or K-FAST for short. This bill would allow Congress to act immediately and approve the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. There is precedent for congressional approval of pipelines. In 1973, the same type of special interest groups were holding back the permit for the Trans-Alaska pipeline. After 4 years of delay, Congress finally took direct action and successfully approved that pipeline. I'm pleased that a bipartisan group of 45 Senators agree that Congress should approve the Keystone pipeline. The Hoeven-Lugar-Vitter bill, similar to my bill, would do that. While green energy is a worthwhile ambition, we simply cannot afford to reject a reliable supply of energy. So while the administration continues to say no to Americans, Congress has the obligation and the legal ability to say yes. Let's make Keystone pipeline a reality. It's time we create jobs, bring energy to the United States, and make Middle Eastern politics and turmoil irrelevant to our national and energy security. It's time to think of the American people because they can't wait. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, the STOCK Act will prohibit Members of Congress and Federal employees from using nonpublic information for their own personal profit and help prevent insider trading. Representative Timothy Walz of Minnesota has introduced this legislation in the House. The Senate has already voted to move forward on the STOCK Act. I join a bipartisan group of 217 Members in supporting this legislation. Several media reports have indicated that insider trading is a problem in the Halls of Congress. Madam Speaker, we work for the American people and cannot lose their trust. The STOCK Act or similar legislation is needed because it brings more transparency and oversight. Insider trading, any way you look at it, is not only illegal in the United States, but it is corrupt and morally wrong. In Washington and in Congress, things must not only be right; they must look right. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, my grandmother used to say that there is nothing more powerful than a woman that has made up her mind. Gabby Giffords has always been that woman. She is compassionate, tenacious, and relentless in her love for our country. Her desire to serve and represent the people of Arizona has never wavered, and she will carry that same feisty spirit with her indefinitely. After she was attacked and faced with what seemed to be insurmountable odds, Gabby fought each day to get better. Her recovery has been a miracle, and she will only continue to get stronger. Gabby is the spirit of bipartisanship that we should all learn from, and I have enjoyed working with her on border security issues. She makes decisions based on what she sees to be right for her people. Although she will no longer serve in Congress for the time being, the people of Arizona have not lost an advocate. No question about it, Gabby is a fighter, and she fights for what she believes in. She is fiercely dedicated to making her community and our country a better place because she is a woman that has made up her mind. And that's just the way it is.