Ted Poe

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Chairman, what is taking place is under the guise of granting deferred action. Deferred action is a procedure, an administrative procedure by the administration that is used when a person is detained who is illegally in the United States and the action to deport that individual is deferred to some unknown date. The person is released, and what occurs is that person is never deported and never has a hearing. This procedure started years ago with a few hundred people a year. But last year, in 2010, over 12,000 people had their immigration deportation hearings deferred to an unknown date, and what occurred was they were released and their action against them will never be taken. Some call this a form of amnesty, administrative amnesty. You can call it whatever you want, but those people stay in the United States. What this amendment does is prohibit the administration from using, under the guise of deferred action, this procedure to not have hearings on individuals, which allows them to end up staying in the United States. And no funds can be used to implement the verdict action except in two cases: One is under humanitarian reasons, and the second would be some significant public benefit to the United States. Otherwise, no deferred action, no get-out-of-jail-free card for people on a discriminatory basis done by the administration or any of its agencies. I urge adoption of this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Chair, over the past years, the number of aliens who unlawfully reside in the United States has grown significantly, from an estimated 3 million in 1986, to about 11 million in 2005; and some put those estimates today in 2010 at 20 million. It is estimated that 400,000 illegal immigrants entered our country last year. Even modest estimates put the cost of illegal immigration to just the Federal Government at over $29 billion each year. That is roughly the annual budget for the entire Department of Justice, and we cannot afford to have this continue. Some jurisdictions have assisted Federal authorities in apprehending and detaining unauthorized aliens pursuant to agreements called the 287(g) agreements, with Federal immigration authorities enabling respective State or local law enforcement agencies to carry out various immigration enforcement functions, and I commend these jurisdictions. However, there are some jurisdictions that continue to mandate that their employees not communicate with ICE when they come across someone that is in the country illegally. These jurisdictions are known as sanctuary cities and are located throughout the United States. This practice is against the law, and it is in violation of current law which is 8 U.S.C. 1373. However, despite the law, many cities and localities still place these restrictions on law enforcement officers and other employees. 8 U.S.C. 1373 states: notwithstanding any other provision of Federal, State, or local law, a Federal, State, or local government entity or official may not prohibit or in any way restrict any government entity or official from sending to or receiving from the Immigration and Naturalization Service, now called ICE, information regarding the citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual. Once again, Madam Chair, this is current U.S. Federal law. This amendment is simple. It says that no funds from this act can be used to contradict current U.S. law, which I just read. This amendment should pass unanimously because it already is against the law for cities and other jurisdictions to prevent law enforcement officers and other employees from sharing information with ICE. All this amendment is doing is saying that no money from this act can go to support an already illegal activity. It is a commonsense amendment. I urge support of the amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POE of Texas. I move to strike the last word.

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Chair, Federal public lands have become the chosen path for drug smugglers and illegals entering our United States of America. The Government Accountability Office has confirmed that certain environmental laws, such as the Wilderness Act and Endangered Species Act, limit the Border Patrol's access and expose great areas of the border to significant environmental damage due to the illegal traffic coming into the United States. In certain areas, Border Patrol agents are limited to patrolling on foot or on horseback even if the drug runners have ATVs, 4x4 trucks, or even Humvees. A recent GAO report revealed that the Department of the Interior is taking months to approve simple permits that are necessary for the Border Patrol to do its job to protect the border. The GAO report also revealed that some permits are never granted at all. When permits are given to the Border Patrol for such things as placing monitor equipment, the Department of the Interior negotiates mitigation packages with the Border Patrol. But these mitigation packages are forcing the Border Patrol to fork over money for environmental activities. The obvious is being missed by the Department of the Interior that the illegal activity itself destroys the environment they are trying to preserve. I recommend adoption of the Lummis amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Chair, it has recently come to light that, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of Homeland Security granted deferred action to over 12,000 illegal aliens in FY 2010. ``Deferred action'' is a technical term which means that a person is subject to deportation but that our Federal Government, the administration, decides not to deport them at all, calling it ``deferred action.'' This number is a dramatic increase from previous years. It's much higher than the less than 900 number that was recently quoted by Secretary Napolitano in testimony during a Senate Judiciary hearing. These numbers also seem to drastically contradict statements made by the administration that deferred action would not be used to provide a backdoor amnesty to illegal immigrants. In short, deferred action is an exercise of prosecutorial discretion, and that discretion is not to pursue removal from the United States of a particular individual for a specific period of time. It is only intended to be used on very special occasions; but now over 12,000 people a year are given this deferred action. Our broken immigration system in this country continues to allow hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants in each year. Increasingly, deferred action is being used as an easy way for the Federal Government to avoid enforcing the law for people who are arrested and caught in the United States illegally. Quite simply, it is illegal to be in this country without permission, and it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to enforce the immigration laws of this country at all times, not to pick and choose when to enforce certain laws, especially immigration laws. This amendment states that no money from this bill can be used to grant deferred action or parole to an illegal in the United States for any other reason than a case-by-case basis for one of two reasons: one, urgent humanitarian reasons or, two, significant public benefit. Bottom line, this amendment prevents the administration from going around Congress and the will of the American people by granting administrative amnesty called ``deferred action.'' I yield back the balance of my time. Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, this bill has to do with enough housing for people who are illegally in this country in order to be detained and deported back to where they came from. This past Sunday morning in Houston, Texas, police officer Kevin Will was on patrol. He was working an accident scene, talking to a witness at that accident scene, when a person comes barreling through the police barricade, in spite of the warning lights that were on top of the police cruisers. When Kevin Will saw that the car was coming towards him, he told this witness to jump out of the way. The witness jumps out of the way, and this individual runs over and kills Officer Kevin Will. He was charged with evading arrest, he was charged with possession of cocaine, and he was charged with intoxication manslaughter of a police officer, and he was in this country illegally. He had previously been deported twice. The district attorney's office said this individual is a member of the MS-13 gang, and now he is still in the United States committing crimes. There are not enough places to house these people like this criminal after they serve their time and house them so that they can be deported back where they came from. What this bill does is allocate more money for detention beds so that we can detain these people while we are awaiting to deport them back where they came from so that we can have a safer community, so that these people aren't running loose somewhere in the United States. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. POE of Texas. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the Chairman. This amendment takes $10 million from the Office of the Under Secretary for Management of DHS and moves it to the Border, Security, Fencing, Infrastructure, and Technology account with the purpose of being used for border cell phone communications to help border residents disseminate border security-related information to Border Patrol and law enforcement for the protection of their lives and our border. I appreciate the support of Congressman Altmire from Pennsylvania in this bipartisan amendment. This amendment really is the idea of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords from Arizona. After having been to the border of Arizona with her staff, I learned firsthand the problems that not only Texas and other States but Arizona specifically has with communication when ranchers are on their property. On March 27, 2010, rancher Bob Krentz of Arizona was murdered 20 miles north of the border from Mexico in an isolated area of Arizona. The lack of communications capability made Krentz more vulnerable than he would have been otherwise and complicated the search for the assailants. His wife believes it was in a cell phone dead zone where he was killed and that he was trying to call for help, but his cell phone would not work. Since that time, Congresswoman Giffords has been working diligently on this issue, and I have had the opportunity to work with her on other border security issues as well as this one. These dead zones are so common that often times border ranchers in Arizona and Texas rely on shortwave radios to communicate and call for help when they are in trouble or they see illegal crossings into their property. The inability of the U.S. Government to secure the U.S.-Mexico border creates public safety hazards for residents of border areas and the law enforcement agents who patrol them. Many border areas are rural and lack wireless communication capabilities like phone service, and they exacerbate the border-related public safety concern. Once again, I want to thank Congresswoman Giffords and her staff for this legislation. I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Mr. POE of Texas. This money is necessary so that people who live in border areas can communicate with law enforcement. Cell phone service is a basic necessity for security. It is a national security issue. It is a homeland security issue, and it is a border security issue. I urge adoption of this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the more we learn about Pakistan, the more they sound like the Benedict Arnold nation in the list of countries we call allies. First, it was Osama bin Laden, the world's number one outlaw, living comfortably in a mansion in Pakistan for years, but Pakistan claims no knowledge of that. Now, a reporter in Pakistan, Syed Saleem Shahzad, has been murdered. He has been critical of the Pakistani Government. He reported that the naval base in Karachi that was attacked was done so by al Qaeda members of the Navy of Pakistan. Human Rights Watch says Shahzad was assassinated by members of the Pakistan intelligence agency, who previously had threatened him. Meanwhile, Pakistan is chumming up to the Chinese. Sounds like Pakistan is playing both sides in the war on terror. Seven in 10 Americans believe we need to stop or decrease foreign aid to Pakistan. We should stop foreign aid to Pakistan until we know whose side they're on. We don't need to pay them to be unfaithful. They will do it for free. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, peace officers are the last strand of wire in the fence between the law and the lawless. They go forward each day to protect the people and risk their own lives doing so. Very early Sunday morning, one of Houston's finest, Officer Kevin Will, was investigating a hit-and-run accident when he was run over and killed by a speeding vehicle that had blazed past police barriers. Immediately before being struck, Officer Will yelled for an accident witness to jump out of the way, thus saving the citizen's life just before the officer's life was stolen from him. Officer Will was 38 years of age and had been a Houston police officer 2 years. He leaves behind a pregnant wife and two step- children. The driver of the speeding vehicle ignored the safety lights of police cruisers at the accident scene. He was drunk, charged with intoxication, manslaughter of a police officer, evading arrest, and possession of cocaine. The accused killer was in the United States illegally, having been deported at least once before returning to become one of the lawless. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, last week was National Police Week honoring the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement, especially those that paid the ultimate sacrifice. Every day peace officers put themselves in harm's way to protect the citizens of this great country. Peace officers are the last strand of wire in the fence between good and evil. They are what separate us from the anarchy of the lawless. They are real life heroes in our midst. One of these heroes is Officer Timothy Abernethy who lived and died serving the people of Texas and the City of Houston. Fighting crime was a personal calling for Timothy, not just an occupation. Officer Abernethy worked hard to protect the citizens of Houston, working overtime, all while earning a degree, and providing for his family. He was killed in the line of duty, defending his community, in 2008. We reflect on the sacrifice of Officer Abernethy, as well as other fallen peace officers, not only during National Police Week, but every day. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, yesterday was National Missing Children's Day, a reminder that although progress has been made, child protection must remain a national priority. Each day, in the United States, more than 2,185 children are reported missing and approximately 800,000 children are reported missing each year. This past April marked one year since Ali Lowitzer of Spring, Texas went missing. Ali's plans were to ride the school bus and go straight to work after school at the local burger shop. She did not come home after work though, and Mrs. Lowitzer put in a call to the police when she could not get in touch with her daughter. The search began soon after and continues today. We cannot give up hope and must continue to be vigilant to guard our children and bring Ali and all other missing children back home. Congress has passed significant laws to keep children safe, but must always be looking to what we can do to further ensure the security of the most innocent. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on May 19, while Congress was in recess, the Republic of Turkey and Friends of Turkey commemorated the 92nd anniversary of the launching of Turkey's national campaign to establish an independent nation by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Turkey also celebrates May 19 as the birthday of Ataturk. During his life time Ataturk was able to lift a country from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire and build a secular democratic nation located at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East. His reforms were widespread including political, social, legal, educational, and economic. Some were monumental such as abolishing the caliphate and the sultan, recognizing equal rights for men and women, adopting a new alphabet and adopting secular law. Ataturk had a vision for the country, one of a pro-western secular and democratic state in which the rule of law would prevail. He swiftly but steadily advanced toward that goal with the confidence of a born leader and the support of the Turkish nation. Ataturk championed women's rights, and believed that education and scientific training was the key to advancement not only for the individual, but also for the country. During his tenure, women were encouraged to become doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientists, and enter into politics. The legacy of Ataturk is even more evident today, as the Arab Spring leads to dramatic changes in the Middle East and North Africa. There are lessons in Turkey's history which can be applied to the current situation around the world. With the right leadership and determination, democracy can take root and lay the foundations for a prosperous future in the region.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Veterans Day is the day we honor our veterans who go overseas and they return. Memorial Day is the day we honor our soldiers, our sailors, our airmen who go overseas and they don't return. Monday is Memorial Day, and all Americans should give homage and honor, praise and prayers for those that served and gave up their lives for the rest of us. They gave their youth for our future. Not far from where we are today, right down The Mall, is the newest memorial on The Mall; it's the World War II Memorial. It's a massive memorial to those World War II--the ``Greatest Generation''--veterans that served. On the back wall there it looks like a bronze plate. And if you get closer, Mr. Speaker, you notice that it's not a bronze plate at all, but there are thousands of stars; 400,000 stars on the World War II Memorial, and each one of those represents a young American that went overseas in the great World War II and did not return; 400,000 Americans. Those are just a few that have served and given their lives. Patriotism is a good thing. This Memorial Day we praise those who served, and we praise the families of those who served. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Navy SEALs are the United States Navy's elite warriors. And last week we learned that they killed the most wanted terrorist of all, Osama bin Laden. Osama bin Laden was the mastermind behind the murders of nearly 3,000 Americans on September 11, 2001. The news of his death brings some comfort to the families of thousands of people who died in the 9/11 attacks and to the families of those who have died in the war on terror. During their recent mission, these SEALs proved that when the peace of our great Nation is threatened, we will stand up and fight. Throughout the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, many other SEALs have performed equally heroic deeds. All Navy SEALs are elite commandos demonstrating the epitome of what we have in this country. One such example is local SEAL patriot, Marcus Luttrell, who I am proud to recognize and honor for his contributions to the global war on terrorism. June 28, 2005 is a date the SEALs will forever remember. It was the worst single-day U.S. forces death toll since Operation Enduring Freedom began and it was the single largest loss of life in Navy SEAL history since World War II. Marcus Luttrell, a sixth generation country boy from Texas, survived to tell the incredible, harrowing events of that day. He is an amazing Texas patriot and ``lone survivor'' of a horrific gun battle that occurred in the mountains of Afghanistan. On this fateful day, three of Luttrell's friends from SEAL Team TEN, along with 16 Special Forces warriors were killed. Luttrell was born in Huntsville, Texas in 1975. As a teen growing up in Willis, Texas, he began training at a young age for the SEALs, with a former Green Beret and neighbor, Billy Shelton. Luttrell and his twin brother, Morgan, also a Navy SEAL, trained every day using Shelton's harsh techniques and methods. He taught them to be tough. In addition, Luttrell's dad, a Vietnam veteran, taught his sons about weapons, survival, and swimming. Beau Walsh, Willis High School teacher and former Navy SEAL, prepared them on what to expect in SEAL training. During these years, the Luttrell brothers excelled physically and mentally. After graduating from Willis High School, Luttrell enrolled at Sam Houston University, but left before graduating because of his desire to serve his country. With faith in God and country, at 23 years old Marcus Luttrell joined the United States Navy. He began Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training with Class 226 in Coronado, California. In 2002, he graduated with Class 228 and became a member of the small, elite military force known as the Navy SEALs. He deployed to Afghanistan in the spring of 2005. On June 28, 2005, he and three members of SEAL Team TEN were assigned to a covert mission, Operation Red Wing, in the mountainous region of Afghanistan. They were sent in to kill or capture Ahmad Shah, a notorious Taliban leader with ties to Osama bin Laden. The four-man team was made up of Marcus Luttrell, Lt. Michael Murphy, Gunner's Mate 2d Class Danny Dietz and Sonar Technician 2d Class Matthew Axelson. Shortly into their mission, SEAL Team TEN encountered a small group of unarmed Afghan goat-herders. Although they believed the goat-herders empathized with the Taliban, the team was unable to confirm any threat. Lt. Murphy sought input concerning the goat-herders fate from the team but ultimately made the call to release the herders. Barely an hour later, the SEALs were ambushed. They came under heavy attack by Taliban insurgents and were easily outnumbered one to twenty- five. The enemy completely encircled them on that desolate cliff. There was one way in and one way out. Despite being wounded, Lt. Michael Murphy left protective cover and stood on a boulder to get a signal to place a phone call back to the base. Under intense fire, Murphy told the base he needed help, provided them with the SEALs location, and relayed the number of Taliban fighters. While he was calling for support, he was shot in the back, but he completed the rescue call while continuing to fire at the enemy. In the midst of chaos, he remained calm and risked his own life to save his team. Murphy then returned to the safety of the mountain rocks and to his team to continue the fire fight. Ferociously engaged in a two-hour gun battle and running low on ammunition Murphy, Dietz, and Axelson were killed. In the midst of this battle, a MH-47 Chinook helicopter carrying 16 Special Forces crew, including 8 SEALs, were sent to evacuate them. The helicopter was assaulted and shot down with a rocket-propelled grenade fire. All 16 warriors were killed trying to rescue SEAL Team TEN. These SEALs fought with courage and heroism of entire legions of warriors when attacked by a cowardly, fanatical enemy. These brave Navy SEALs gave the ultimate sacrifice. These SEALs are true patriots. Dietz and Axelson received the Navy Cross posthumously. Lt. Michael Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions and his valor on the battlefield. Luttrell was the sole survivor. He was blasted over a cliff by an RPG and knocked unconscious. Severely wounded and presumed dead, he managed to crawl seven miles before he reached a tribal village. They gave him shelter, aid and granted him protection under lokhay warkawal, Afghan code that guarantees safety and protection at all costs for a wounded traveler. Luttrell was rescued by the Green Beret six days after the gun fight. In 2006, he was awarded the Navy Cross for combat heroism for his actions during Operation Red Wing by President George W. Bush. Luttrell remained in the Navy until 2007. In 2009 he was medically retired from the Navy. I cannot say enough about this great man, this American patriot. He is a heroic representative of the State of Texas and an honorable defender of liberty and freedom. Our young people who go to the valley of the gun and the desert of the sun are relentless, remarkable characters. They go where others fear to tread and where the faint-hearted are not found. These Navy SEAL warriors represent the best of our Nation. The bravery, dedication and patriotism of Luttrell, Murphy, Dietz and Axelson will not be forgotten by their friends, their family and freedom-loving people throughout the world. God bless these sons of America. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in a failed attempt to play Solomon, the President has decided to split the nation of Israel in two. He wants Israel to give away more land to the Palestinians in the name of peace. Israel has a history of giving up land and still has no peace. The President's proposal would make Israel a land it could not defend. Prime Minister Netanyahu has said ``nyet'' to the President. Where does the United States get the omnipotent power to tell any country it should give away part of their sovereign land? What if Netanyahu told us that the United States should divide up our land and swap it among our citizens? We would not stand for such. The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians must be resolved between the two groups. The U.S. Government should not take the side of the Palestinians over our ally, Israel. Such action lacks wisdom and shows contempt for the people of Israel. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to congratulate the citizens of Dayton, Texas on the celebration of their city's 100th anniversary. Towns like the quiet, country living, of Dayton, Texas are why so many new people and businesses continue to move to Texas. Beginning as a small agricultural village, Dayton was home to rugged Texas ranchers, farmers, and loggers. For many years, lumbering and ranching were the main industry until they established a drainage system. This establishment worked to make Rice the area's major crop. Still today, rice farms are still thriving in Southeast Texas. I am proud to represent Texas Rice Farmers, who continue to be hard-working, well-educated, God fearing Americans. Modern amenities were brought to Dayton at the turn of the 20th century. They opened a bank, had two cotton gins, as well as a weekly newspaper. So much so that in 1911, Dayton was recorded as an incorporated municipality. The 20s roared in with the nearby founding of Humble Oil and Refining Company, which later became Exxon. As a result, Dayton grew along with the refinery when oil roughnecks began purchasing homes in and around the town. The 1930s and 40s solidified the Greatest Generation in our Nation's history. Dayton is home to many heroes who served in our military during this time. Twelve such heroes who live in Dayton are the Ripkowski brothers. Growing up on a 200 acre Corn and Cotton Farm, they were a long way from the theater they would soon find themselves fighting in. Nonetheless, As World War II began; each of the brothers answered their country's call of duty to serve in the military. One after the other. Miraculously, all of the brothers survived the war and returned to Texas! These brothers are typical of the hard-working, law- abiding Texans that live in Dayton, Texas. They are charter members of the Greatest Generation. Bringing air conditioning, the baby boom, and the Vietnam War the 1950's and 60's presented many more changes to the small town. The 1970s saw the biggest rise in fame and fortune with the oil boom, but was followed by the biggest fall from grace in the 80s. Nonetheless, Dayton emerged unscathed in the 1990s, and continues today as a unique, thriving, city that is rich in history, pride and perseverance. Today, farming and logging and oil are still a part of this diverse, vibrant community. Dayton continues to live up to its rich legacy of industry mixed with community spirit. Dayton is a thriving community, home to growing families, excellent schools, community organizations, friendly churches, new library, new community center, rodeo arena and parks. Dayton, like many other Texas towns, Dayton residents are still heavily involved in supporting our Troops. One such example is the recent creation of two war memorials, each paying tribute to the men and women who have served our country. Patriotism is truly a part of these folks makeup. Never more so was this patriotism demonstrated than on July 10, 2010. At the age of 24, Staff Sergeant Jesse Ainsworth of Dayton, Texas was killed by enemy action in Afghanistan. At his funeral, hundreds of residents lined the streets of Dayton paying tribute to one of their heroes. Many of those on the streets carried flags and yellow ribbons; while others held signs saying ``Proud of You'', ``Proud to be an American'' or ``Thank You.'' As the funeral procession made its way to throughout the town, residents of Dayton, with tearful eyes and grateful hearts, saluted the Ainsworth family. Dayton's fire and police departments are among the best in Texas. Dayton ISD provides outstanding educational opportunities for students. Dayton High School is home to a Texas religion-Texas Football. The entire community comes together; people from all walks of life get together every weekend and share in the tears and cheers and root their team to victory. It is an honor to represent the citizens of Dayton, Texas in the United States House of Representatives. I am proud to have worked with Dayton Mayor Steve Stephens and the city council on numerous projects concerning the city. I commend them for their leadership in helping Dayton grow. I am truly proud to represent this patriotic town. I look forward to seeing Dayton prosper in the future and wish the city ``Happy Birthday'' as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. That's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on the violent Texas/Mexico border, Zeta pirates gunned down David Hartley on the international border of Falcon Lake last year. His wife, Tiffany, was able to escape the shots fired at her. This happened 8 months ago. David is one of 111 Americans murdered in Mexico last year, and none of these cases have been solved. Tiffany was in D.C. this week trying to find out some answers about her husband's murder. She wants to know why the Federal Government is not investigating this case and also putting pressure on Mexico to do the same. Only Sheriff Sigi Gonzales of Zapata County, TX, seems to be pursuing the criminal case. However, when ICE Agent Jaime Zapata was murdered in Mexico, the United States quickly, and rightly so, pressured Mexico to investigate the homicide. Our government should be just as concerned about David Hartley and the other Americans murdered in lawless Mexico. Why is our government apparently missing in action? Also, President Calderon was in D.C. this week to receive an award. Too bad he didn't stay around long enough to meet with Tiffany and explain to her why his government isn't doing anything to bring the killers of her husband to justice. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the administration is fighting wildfires. In December, the United States sent two firefighting planes to battle fires in Israel. In April, two specially equipped U.S. Air Force C-130 cargo planes and 30 personnel were sent to battle wildfires in Mexico. The fires in Mexico burned about 380 square miles near the Texas border. The United States came to the rescue. But not everyone gets help from the United States. A wildfire epidemic has also occurred in Texas, with more than 9,000 fires. Two million acres have been burned. That is the size of Rhode Island and Delaware combined and ten times the size of the fires in Mexico. And the State is still on fire. Texas Governor Perry requested Federal help, but the administration summarily denied the Governor's request. The administration, it seems, is more concerned about taking care of foreign nations while ignoring Americans in Texas. Why does the administration despise Texas? Meanwhile, the fires continue. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, they are America's angels abroad. They are ambassadors for America, and they are good folks that represent everything that is right about our country. They are the Peace Corps volunteers. And this is the 50th year of the Peace Corps. These are the most wonderful people I think I've ever met. But there's a problem in the Peace Corps because many times these volunteers go overseas, they help out other countries, but they become victims of crime and victims of sexual assault. In fact, in 2009 there were 122 of them that were victims of sexual assault by predators in foreign countries. And the problem is there's not much compassion, not much concern, and not much care with the Peace Corps about the plight of these victims according to the victims who testified today. But those things are changing. Director Williams is committed to making the Peace Corps a safe place for our volunteers overseas. We're going to work with him and these victims to promote legislation so that we will have a protocol that is the law so that they are treated better. We are the greatest human rights Nation in the world. We promote human rights, but human rights need to also apply to victims in the Peace Corps who are sexually assaulted overseas. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as I walked onto the battlefield in the hot Texas sun, I journeyed through a sea of buckskin uniforms, Bowie knives and long muskets. I felt like I had died and gone to Heaven. The men who portrayed Sam's Boys had a certain swagger, a certain something that made them real members of the Texas Army. I even got my picture taken with Captain Juan Seguin, who led the Tejanos, Mexicans loyal for independence. So as not to confuse these Tejanos with Santa Anna's army, General Sam had Seguin put a playing card in the head band of each Tejano so they could easily be recognized. Seguin and his men were roaming around the battlefield. Cannons, battle cries and the sound of hooves surrounded me. I was like a little boy again. Thousands of people came from far and wide to celebrate 175 years of Texas independence at the San Jacinto Day Festival and Battle Reenactment. Children and senior citizens alike all gathered to travel back in time and see the reenactment of one of the most decisive battles in all history--and certainly the most decisive battle in Texas history. Folks lined the battlefield with lawn chairs, umbrellas and water bottles to watch the reenactment of events that led to the Texas victory over the larger Mexican Army on April 21, 1836. I was reminded of how good it feels to be an American--particularly a Texan-American. As the wind blew, history unfolded right in front of our eyes. I felt like I stepped back in time to 1836. It was 175 years ago that Texas became an independent nation. Like many folks, sometimes I wish that we still were. General Sam and his boys took on Santa Anna and an army of about 1,600 along the marshy banks of the San Jacinto River in the battle that resulted in one of the largest land transfers in world history and gave way to a new independent nation--the Republic of Texas. After Mexican dictator Santa Anna stormed the walls of the Alamo, and ordered the massacre at Goliad, he felt the Texans had all but been defeated, and he set his sights on finishing the war with the Texans heading southeast in the ``Runaway Scrape.'' During this time, panic spread across Texas and doubt loomed that General Sam Houston could stop the Mexican Army. But, General Sam was not the quitting type and he would not give up his fight for freedom so easily. The battle for Texas took place on the marshes of the San Jacinto River. On the afternoon of April 21, General Sam's battle plan called for a charge the next day at dawn, but after discussions with his troops he decided not to wait any longer. Scout Deaf Smith was ordered to burn the only bridge and trapped both armies between the river and the marshes. In broad daylight, General Sam and the boys, 700 Texas freedom fighters, marched double-time in a single line to independence--taking on a professional army more than twice their size. The Texans charged yelling, ``Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!'' They carried a flag of partially nude Miss Liberty, and the fife played a bawdy house song called ``Come to the Bower.'' Santa Anna's army, caught napping, was routed. Tradition says Santa Anna was having a rendezvous in his tent with a lady that turned out to be a spy for Texas, Emily Morgan, who is sometimes referred to as the ``Yellow Rose of Texas.'' Most of the enemy was killed or wounded; the rest were captured or disappeared. The victory was stunning. The rest, as they say, is Texas history. General Santa Anna's life was spared to the dismay of many that had lost loved ones at the Alamo and Goliad. But General Sam, noting that Texas was now a free and independent nation, held Santa Anna as a prisoner of war until negotiations between the two countries could be made. While Texas had declared her independence from Mexico a month earlier on March 2, it was at this moment that she actually became a Republic all unto herself and remained so for nine glorious years. Texas claimed land as far north as the Canadian border and as far west as Colorado. These historic battlegrounds remain an important part of Texas history, and in 1936, the state of Texas honored the Texas War of Independence and General Sam's victory by erecting a monument modeled after the Washington Monument, but naturally bigger. I am proud to be a Texan-American. And that weekend, as I saw thousands of people celebrating the 175th anniversary of Texas Independence, I was reminded of how proudly we Texans hail. Because of men like Sam Houston, Texas is the great state that it is today. We must always remember that Texas was once a nation. Texas forever! And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, after years of funneling money to Pakistan, we still don't know whose side they are on in this war on terror. We have given Pakistan $12 billion in foreign aid since 2002. We have reimbursed them $9 billion for their military operations in the war on terror. It's time we freeze the foreign aid to Pakistan until we get some answers about their knowledge of bin Laden's whereabouts. We cannot continue to give Pakistan money in the hopes they will be our friend and ally. We did not trust them enough to give them advance notice of the bin Laden operation. We even had detailed plans to fight the Pakistanis if they interfered with the capture of bin Laden. Bin Laden was able to live in a mansion right under the nose of the Pakistan military academy for years, but government officials say they didn't know where bin Laden was. That statement defies the evidence, and that ``dog just won't hunt.'' And that's just the way it is.