Ted Poe

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cao).

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I support House Concurrent Resolution 249. This resolution commemorates the 45th anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the role it played in ensuring the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. On Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965, John Lewis, now Congressman John Lewis and Chairman John Lewis, and the late Hosea Williams, led a march in Selma, Alabama, to demand racial and political equality in the United States. They led 600 civil rights marchers east out of Selma, Alabama, toward the State's capital in Montgomery. They got as far as the Edmund Pettus Bridge six blocks away, where State and local lawmen attacked them with clubs and tear gas and forced them back into Selma. Congressman Lewis was beaten unconscious, leaving him with a concussion and many other injuries. The events on Bloody Sunday were televised nationally, and the Nation responded to these actions. As a result, within eight days, President Lyndon Johnson called for a comprehensive voting rights bill to protect African Americans and other citizens' right to vote, which is already guaranteed in the 15th Amendment. Bipartisan majorities in both Houses of Congress approved the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and President Johnson signed this historic legislation into law on August 6, 1965, less than 5 months after Bloody Sunday. I totally support this resolution's observance and celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday marchers, whose sacrifices made it possible for the Voting Rights Act to come into being. I urge my colleagues to join in supporting this resolution. I reserve balance of my time.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, three of our tenacious Navy SEALs captured one of the worst terrorists in the world: Ahmed Hashim Abed. In 2004, four Blackwater security guards were transporting supplies in Fallujah, Iraq. They were caught in an ambush and murdered by those cowards in the desert. These Americans were set on fire, mutilated, dragged through the streets, and hung from a bridge over the Euphrates River. Abed, the terrorist, was the mastermind behind the massacre of these Americans. But Navy SEALs McCabe, Keefe, and Huertas captured this outlaw. But now for some odd reason, they are being put on trial--the SEALs, not the terrorist. The whiny terrorist later claimed he was punched in the stomach during his capture on the battlefield. It hurt his little terrorist feelings, it seems. Now the SEALs face a court martial. Congress should commend the valiant actions of these Navy SEALs, and I have introduced a resolution to do just that. These SEALs should be given medals and sent out to bag another one. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, we grieve with those in Haiti over the loss of life during the devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake January 12. Many Americans rushed to help, including one particular Texan from Beaumont. Firefighter Joshua Fowler is one such hero. The city of Beaumont in the Second District of Texas is proud to honor Joshua Fowler for his service to the people of Haiti during his international rescue tour as a member of the Texas Task Force 1. The Texas Task Force 1, an urban search and rescue group, is comprised of 210 personnel. These individuals respond to disasters including earthquakes, hurricanes, widespread tornadoes, and man-made technological and terrorist events in Texas and throughout the United States. Haiti was their very first international deployment. Joshua Fowler has been a firefighter/EMT-1 for the City of Beaumont Fire/ Rescue Services since 2000 and was one of 80 Texans that assisted the people of Haiti. We applaud Joshua for his selfless service as well as the many others that have also put themselves in harm's way to protect and rescue Haitians who were trapped and wounded during this earthquake. We thank them for their commitment to responding to disaster-stricken areas with a selfless love for others.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, the United States broke away from our mother country over 200 years ago. The decision to throw off our royal rulers looks even better today. England has government-run health care, and it's dangerous to one's health. Recently, the London Daily Mail reported the story of Kane Gorny: Kane was a 22-year-old man who had hip replacement surgery under England's government-run health care system. Afterwards, reports say he was neglected by hospital staff. He was not even given his medications. Kane was immobile. He couldn't even get a drink of water on his own. So Kane called the police and begged them to bring him some water. When the police showed up, they were turned away by hospital staff, who said Kane was a problem patient. The next day, Kane died of thirst in that government-run hospital in London. The police are investigating. Madam Speaker, importing government-run health care into America would be unhealthy for everybody. Just ask the family of Kane Gorny, who died of dehydration in that British-run hospital. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, today the Second District of Texas recognizes Ms. Gail Krohn for her service to the Nederland Independent School District as she retired earlier this month. For 43 years, she has helped forge the minds of countless students, preparing them for an ever-changing and demanding world. Gail was born in Kentucky and moved around through five different states before she and her family settled in Hull-Daisetta, TX. They stayed until she graduated from Lamar State College of Technology. Soon thereafter, she embarked on a long and fruitful career working with children in the Nederland Independent School District. She began her career as a reading teacher at C.O. Wilson Middle School but was destined for a leadership role. Gail would eventually become principal of Central Middle School before taking over the role of Superintendent in 1997. Though she no longer worked with children on a daily basis, Gail made sure that the classrooms in Nederland always empowered students to achieve their dreams. Numerous times throughout her career, Gail received recognition for her excellence in the classroom and for her work with students. The Region V Education Service Center named her Outstanding Principal while the Council on Exceptional Children presented her with the Will L. Smith Award. Similarly, Lamar University inducted her into their Administrator's Hall of Fame. The Second Congressional District of Texas honors Ms. Gail Krohn for her many years of service to the Nederland Independent School District. The lessons and ideals that she taught will resonate with students and generations for years to come. And that's the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, at first, Al Gore claimed to invent the Internet. Now it looks like he really did invent something--global warming. The Nation had one of the coldest winters in years, including record snowfalls in the South; but the Warmers like Al Gore ignore the obvious, and still claim we are all going to perish, saying that Man is the threat to the planet. The groundhog is a better predictor of the weather than Al Gore. Al Gore's long-winded article in The New York Times over the weekend was long on claims and short on facts. He didn't cite hard sources for his information. Like the rest of the global warming scientists, they are using fraudulent information. We are supposed to take their word for it now that basic data supporting their claims has, all of a sudden, disappeared. That data has been found to be fraudulent. It is no wonder that data is disappearing. There seems to be no conclusive scientific data that proves the global warming theory. It is a theory. That is what a theory is, something that isn't proven. The Federal Government is trying to force Americans to pay a cap-and-trade national energy tax, and it is all based on this highly disputed theory of global warming. The United Nations International Panel on Climate Change issued a report in 2007 that made all kinds of claims about global warming. The report is based on some faulty science. Climategate started last year when a whistleblower released emails between all these global warming scientists. The emails and other information released showed these guys had been cooking the books. It is still a huge scandal unfolding on the front pages of newspapers all over the world, especially in England. The Climatic Research Unit at East Anglia University in England is the center of the Climategate scandal. That is where the emails were released by an anonymous whistleblower. Some emails reveal global warming scientists plotting to avoid disclosing information under the Freedom of Information Act in England, and, of course, that is against the law in England. Other email even showed this so-called scientist talking about how to manipulate the data, how to fix the outcome of their scientific experiments. It sounds like fraud to me. Then they spread this false information around to their buddies without a proper peer review. That is how you perpetrate a hoax. The data at the basis of all of these findings are based on the same fraudulent data from one of these small groups of scientists. If global warming is the truth, why are these scientists caught in lie after lie? If it is the truth, why would they be lying to the American people in the first place? The British scientific community spoke out this week about and against their climate science peers. The British Institute of Physics this week said, ``Unless the disclosed emails are proven to be forgeries, worrying implications arise for the integrity of the scientific research and for the credibility of the scientific method.'' There is no credible proof man causes weather changes. It is a way to bilk millions of dollars out of taxpayers with a so-called carbon tax. It seems to be all about money. Of course, Mr. Gore is heavily invested in green technology. Last year, he was proclaimed by the media to be the first green technology billionaire. That is a billionaire with a B. Al Gore has made a fortune off of global warming, and so have a lot of other people. He should have to back up his claims with hard data, not the data that has been proved to be false. He would have to prove all of the wild claims, and other scientists should have to prove these claims as well, about man being the culprit of global warming. The fact is that global warming is not a fact. The jury is still out. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, it's deja vu all over again on the health care bill. The people have tried every way they know to have their voices heard. Town halls, tea parties, even special elections. The people don't want Washington bureaucrats making their medical decisions. But Washington's not listening. People don't want the Feds forcing them to buy health insurance or pay a fine, an idea that's unconstitutional. But Washington's not listening. And when the Senate bill fully kicks in, it will cost $2.5 trillion. We don't have the money. Spending on bailouts and stimulus bills, the taxpayers are out of money. We're broke, and we're borrowing billions of dollars from the Chinese. But Washington's not listening. The massive health care bill now is 2,700 pages long. Churchill once said, ``This report, by its very length, defends itself against the risk of being read.'' Americans don't want a European-style Nanny State where government makes all our decisions. Government-run health care is unhealthy for Americans, but Washington's not listening. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, throughout U.S. history, individuals selflessly and courageously have taken a stand for freedom and liberty, many times against great odds. March 6, 1836 was one of those times. This date is what most Americans know as the day the Alamo fell against Mexico General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his Mexican troops. The siege against the Texian Army lasted 13 days. The battle began on February 23rd when Santa Anna and his army arrived at the Alamo and caught the Texian Army by surprise. On the second day of the siege, Texian Alamo Commander William Barret Travis called for reinforcements, bravely stating: ``I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, and everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all dispatch . . . Victory or Death.'' On the eighth day of the 13-day siege, 32 additional men from Gonzales arrived ready to fight for Texas. Legend has it that Commander William B. Travis drew a line on the ground asking the few men present to step over if they were willing to stay and fight, to defend the Alamo for the sake of Texas. All present stepped over, except one. There were 189 defenders, including famous knife fighter Jim Bowie and former Tennessee congressman Davy Crockett. All of the defenders were volunteers and originated from all over the globe. Eleven of the defenders were born in Texas, 131 of the defenders were born in some 23 various states in America, 29 of the defenders were born abroad, mostly in Europe, one defender was a freed slave, and there are 17 defenders of which their birthplace has not been identified. All of the Alamo defenders stood their ground against the overwhelming odds. Some estimate that Santa Anna's army consisted of 6,000 troops. At the end of the day on March 6, 1836, after the smoke cleared, all 189 defenders gave their lives for Texas. The enemy casualties were enormous. As Travis said, ``Victory will cost the enemy more than defeat.'' This historic battle resulted in General Sam Houston having enough time to gather a strong army of men to avenge Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto 46 days later. On April 21st Sam Houston led an army of 800 volunteers and angry Texans to defeat Santa Anna and his 1,500 strong Mexican army, most of whom were the same invaders that were at the Alamo. This victory played an important role in the Texas Revolution. Texas was an independent nation for 9 years following the Battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto. The freedom the Texians enjoyed during those years would not have occurred without the thousands of selfless volunteers who risked and gave their lives to protect the liberties they believed every person should retain. Today the Alamo remains a great treasure to the story of Texas and represents the steadfast, unrelenting character of the American spirit. The fight for freedom that these heroic Alamo defenders displayed is a testament of living boldly and courageously for the cause of liberty. We honor and thank these volunteers for their role in defending and fighting for Liberty and for Texas. And that's just the way it is. Alamo Defenders 1. Abamillo, Juan, TX, 2. Allen, Robert, VA, 3. Andross, Miles DeForrest, VT, 4. Autry, Micajah, NC, 5. Badillo, Juan A., TX, 6. Bailey, Peter James III, KY, 7. Baker, Isaac G., AR, 8. Baker, William Charles M., MO, 9. Ballentine, John J., PA, 10. Ballantine, Richard W., Scotland, 11. Baugh, John J., VA, 12. Bayliss, Joseph, TN, 13. Blair, John, TN, 14. Blair, Samuel, TN, 15. Blazeby, William, England, 16. Bonham, James Butler, SC, 17. Bourne, Daniel, England, 18. Bowie, James, KY, 19. Bowman, Jesse B., TN, 20. Brown, George, England, 21. Brown, James, PA, 22. Brown, Robert, unknown, 23. Buchanan, James, AL, 24. Burns, Samuel E., Ireland, and 25. Butler, George, D., MO. 26. Cain, John, PA, 27. Campbell, Robert, TN, 28. Carey, William R., VA, 29. Clark, Charles Henry, MO, 30. Clark, M.B., MS, 31. Cloud, Daniel William, KY, 32. Cochran, Robert E., NH, 33. Cottle, George Washington, MO, 34. Courtman, Henry, Germany, 35. Crawford, Lemuel, SC, 36. Crockett, David, TN, 37. Crossman, Robert, PA, 38. Cummings, David P., PA, 39. Cunningham, Robert, NY, 40. Darst, Jacob C., KY, 41. Davis, John, KY, 42. Day, Freeman H.K., unknown, 43. Day, Jerry C., MO, 44. Daymon, Squire, TN, 45. Dearduff, William, TN, 46. Dennison, Stephen, England or Ireland, 47. Despallier, Charles, LA, 48. Dewall, Lewis, NY, 49. Dickinson, Almeron, TN, and 50. Dillard, John Henry, TN. 51. Dimpkins, James R., England, 52. Duvalt, Andrew, Ireland, 53. Espalier, Carlos, TX, 54. Esparza, Gregorio, TX, 55. Evans, Robert, Ireland, 56. Evans, Samuel B., NY, 57. Ewing, James L., TN, 58. Faunterloy, William Keener, KY, 59. Fishbaugh, William, unknown, 60. Flanders, John, MA, 61. Floyd, Dolphin Ward, NC, 62. Forsyth, John Hubbard, NY, 63. Fuentes, Antonio, TX, 64. Fuqua, Galba, AL, 65. Garnett, William, VA, 66. Garrand, James W., LA, 67. Garrett, James Girard, TN, 68. Garvin, John E., unknown, 69. Gaston, John E., KY, 70. George, James, unknown, 71. Goodrich, John C., VA, 72. Grimes, Albert Calvin, GA, 73. Guerrero, Jose Maria, TX, 74. Gwynne, James C., England, and 75. Hannum, James, PA. 76. Harris, John, KY, 77. Harrison, Andrew Jackson, TN, 78. Harrison, William B, OH, 79. Hawkins, Joseph M., Ireland, 80. Hays, John M., TN, 81. Heiskell, Charles M., TN, 82. Herndon, Patrick Henry, VA, 83. Hersee, William Daniel, England, 84. Holland, Tapley, OH, 85. Holloway, Samuel, PA, 86. Howell, William D., MA, 87. Jackson, Thomas, Ireland, 88. Jackson, William Daniel, KY, 89. Jameson, Green B., KY, 90. Jennings, Gordon C., CT, 91. Jimenes (Ximenes), Damacio, TX, 92. Johnson, Lewis, Wales, 93. Johnson, William, PA, 94. Jones, John, NY, 95. Kellog, John Benjamin, KY, 96. Kenney, James, VA, 97. Kent, Andrew, KY, 98. Kerr, Joseph, LA, 99. Kimbell, George C., PA, and 100. King, William Philip, TX. 101. Lewis, William Irvine, VA, 102. Lightfoot, William J., VA, 103. Lindley, Jonathan L., IL, 104. Linn, William, MA, 105. Losoya, Toribio, TX, 106. Main, George Washington, VA, 107. Malone, William T., GA, 108. Marshall, William, TN, 109. Martin, Albert, RI, 110. McCafferty, Edward, unknown 111. McCoy, Jesse, TN, 112. McDowell, William, PA, 113. McGee, James, Ireland, 114. McGregor, John, Scotland, 115. McKinney, Robert, TN, 116. Melton, Eliel, GA, 117. Miller, Thomas R., TN, 118. Mills, William, TN, 119. Millsaps, Isaac, MS, 120. Mitchell, Edwin T., unknown, 121. Mitchell, Napoleon B., unknown, 122. Mitchusson, Edward F., VA, 123. Moore, Robert B., VA, 124. Moore, Willis A., MS, and 125. Musselman, Robert, OH. 126. Nava, Andres, TX, 127. Neggan, George, SC, 128. Nelson, Andrew M., TN, 129. Nelson, Edward, SC, 130. Nelson, George, SC, 131. Northcross, James, VA, 132. Nowlan, James, England, 133. Pagan, George, MS, 134. Parker, Christopher Adam, unknown, 135. Parks, William, NC, 136. Perry, Richardson, TX, 137. Pollard, Amos, MA, 138. Reynolds, John Purdy, PA, 139. Roberts, Thomas H., unknown, 140. Robertson, James Waters, TN, 141. Robinson, Isaac, Scotland, 142. Rose, James M., OH, 143. Rusk, Jackson J., Ireland, 144. Rutherford, Joseph, KY, 145. Ryan, Isaac, LA, 146. Scurlock, Mial, NC, 147. Sewell, Marcus L., England, 148. Shied, Manson, GA, 149. Simmons, Cleveland Kinlock, SC, and 150. Smith, Andrew H., TN. 151. Smith, Charles S., MD, 152. Smith, Joshua G., NC, 153. Smith, William H., unknown, 154. Starr, Richard, England, 155. Stewart, James E., England, 156. Stockton, Richard L., NJ, 157. Summerlin, A. Spain, TN, 158. Summers, William E., TN, 159. Sutherland, William DePriest, unknown, 160. Taylor, Edward, TN, 161. Taylor, George, TN, 162. Taylor, James, TN, 163. Taylor, William, TN, 164. Thomas, B. Archer M., KY, 165. Thomas, Henry, Germany, 166. Thompson, Jesse G., AR, 167. Thomson, John W., NC, 168. Thruston, John, M., PA, 169. Trammel, Burke, Ireland, 170. Travis, William Barret, SC, 171. Tumlinson, George W., MO, 172. Tylee, James, NY, 173. Walker, Asa, TN, 174. Walker, Jacob, TN, and 175. Ward, William B., Ireland. 176. Warnell, Henry, unknown, 177. Washington, Joseph G., KY, 178. Waters, Thomas, England, 179. Wells, William, GA, 180. White, Isaac, unknown, 181. White, Robert, unknown, 182. Williamson, Hiram James, PA, 183. Wills, William, unknown, 184. Wilson, David L., Scotland, 185. Wilson, John, PA, 186. Wolf, Anthony, unknown, 187. Wright, Claiborne, NC, 188. Zanco, Charles, Denmark, 189. John, a Black Freedman.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as the war against international terrorism continues in Iraq and Afghanistan, I bring you news from the third front, the U.S.-Mexico border, the real inconvenient truth. Recently, the U.S. consular office in the border town of Reynosa, Mexico, closed indefinitely. U.S. officials are barred from the area. The reason, because there are kidnappings and murders and Old West- style shoot-outs in the streets, all on account of violent drug lords fighting over turf on the poorest border. The United States is not doing enough to stop the international drug cartels and the human smugglers. The greatest Nation on Earth is failing the American people by not adequately protecting the border. Drugs and people are going north, and money and guns are going south. The border has become a war zone that affects good people on both sides of the border. We're sitting on a powder keg that we ignore at our own peril. While we have troops overseas to protect the borders of foreign countries, we should be just as concerned about our own sovereign border. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise before you today to recognize Barbi Vavra and Don Neyland, two brave Liberty County Sheriff's Office employees from the great State of Texas. Their lives of service to the community are extraordinary examples of self sacrifice. It gives me great pleasure to recognize these two outstanding Texans before Congress and this Nation. Sergeant Don Neyland with the Liberty County Sheriff's Office has bravely served the people of Liberty County as a police officer and investigator for 19 years. Yet, his life of service is all the more impressive because he suffers from serious kidney problems. One fateful day in 2009, Sergeant Neyland learned from doctors that he would need a kidney transplant. Soon his family members all began getting tested to see if they would be able to donate a kidney; but no match was found. Still continuing to hope, Sergeant Neyland decided to hand out brochures to coworkers about becoming a living kidney donor. Twenty one year old coworker and friend, Barbi Vavra who is a clerk at the Liberty County Sheriff's Department read one of those pamphlets and decided to get tested. She turned out to be a perfect match and agreed to donate one of her kidneys to Sergeant Neyland. The surgery took place yesterday, March 2nd, and the two are doing very well in recovery. Texas might have lost a hero and friend to Liberty County. Instead because Barbi decided to share the ``gift of life'' Sergeant Neyland and now our great State has one more hero to look to. This gift is truly inspiring. The State of Texas and our Nation is a better place because of people like Barbi Vavra and Don Neyland. I am honored to recognize Barbi and Don, true Texans, for their example of heroism and selflessness to each other and to their community.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, it is Sam Houston's birthday. He was born in Virginia on March 2, 1793. He lived primarily in Tennessee, but he got to Texas as fast as he could. Houston fought with Davy Crockett and Andrew Jackson during the Creek Indian wars of 1812. Later, he served as a Congressman and a Governor of Tennessee. Sam spent time throughout his life living with the Cherokee Indians where the chief adopted him, naming him ``the Raven.'' He finally pulled up stakes and took off for Texas to help the Texas cause for independence against Mexico. In 1836, General Sam and the boys successfully led the Texi'ans at the Battle of San Jacinto against Mexico, and Texas became a free and independent nation. Sam Houston was president of the Republic of Texas, and 9 years later, when Texas joined the Union, he became Governor and then a U.S. Senator. He is the only person in United States history to have served as a Governor and a Member of Congress from two States. The City of Houston and one of my grandsons, Barrett Houston, is named in his honor. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. In reclaiming my time, thank you. And that's just the way it is, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. POE of Texas. I will yield.

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because this is a unique day in the history of the great State of Texas. Today, March 2, marks Texas Independence Day; and on this day 174 years ago, Texas declared its independence from Mexico and its dictator, Santa Anna. In 1836, in the small farm village of Washington-on-the-Brazos, 54 Texians--as they called themselves--gathered to do something bold and courageous: they signed the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico and once and for all declared that the people of Texas do now constitute a free, sovereign and independent republic. As these determined delegates met to declare independence, Santa Anna and his 6,000 enemy troops were marching on an old beat-up Spanish fort, a mission that we call the Alamo. There, Texas defenders stood defiant and stood determined. They were led by a 27-year-old lawyer by the name of William Barrett Travis. The Alamo and its 187 Texans were all that stood between the invaders and the Republic of Texas. And behind the cold, dark, damp walls of that Alamo, Commander William Barrett Travis sent the following letter to Texas requesting aid. Here is what this appeal said in part: ``To all the people of Texas and Americans throughout the world, I am besieged by a thousand or more of the enemy under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual bombardment and cannon fire for over 24 hours, but I have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded surrender at its discretion, otherwise the fort will be put to the sword. I have answered that demand with a cannon shot, and the flag still waves proudly over the wall. ``I shall never surrender or retreat. I call upon you in the name of liberty and patriotism and everything dear to our character to come to our aid with all dispatch. If this call is neglected, 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.''--William Barrett Travis, Colonel, Texas Army. After 13 days of glory at the Alamo, Commander Travis and his men sacrificed their lives on the altar of freedom. However, those lives would not be lost in vain. Their determination did pay off, and because heroes like Travis, Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie held out so long, Santa Anna's forces took such great losses they became battered and demoralized. As Travis said, ``Victory will cost them more dearly than defeat.'' The Alamo defenders were from every State and 13 foreign countries. They were black, brown, and white. Their ages were 16 through 67, 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 and independence. General Sam Houston, in turn, had the time he needed to devise a strategy to rally other Texas volunteers to ultimately defeat Santa Anna in the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. 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 and 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 treaty with 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. So, today, 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. One of my grandsons is named Barrett Houston in honor of Travis and General Sam. In Colonel Travis' final letter from the Alamo, he signed off with 3 words: God and Texas, God and Texas, God and Texas.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, today the Second District of Texas is proud to honor the Port of Port Arthur for their designation as a Strategic Seaport by the Department of the Army's Military Surface and Distribution Command. They join the nearby Port of Beaumont and the Port of Corpus Christi as the only Strategic Seaports on the Gulf Coast. The Port of Beaumont is U.S.'s busiest shipper of military cargo, being home of the 842nd Transportation Battalion. The Port of Port Arthur has handled their overflow since November 2007, totaling 9 ships. Now after this honor, Port Arthur can continue to work on overflow while also receiving shipments directly. The convenient connection between these two ports allow for the ability to quickly and efficiently mobilize and deploy military forces as well as equipment and supplies. The Sabine-Neches Ship Channel is the only one in the Nation with two Strategic Ports, making it the most vital military shipping portal in the U.S. This designation for the Port of Port Arthur is shared with only a small percentage of U.S. seaports. Port Arthur beat out 11 other Gulf Coast ports, including ones in Houston and New Orleans, for the decoration. The Port of Port Arthur hopes to add jobs for those associated with the shipping industry, which would be an outstanding benefit for all of Southeast Texas. The Port of Port Arthur has worked since 2000 to upgrade their facilities to meet the military's qualifications. They have worked hard to strengthen the port's ability to serve more customers and there's no more important customer than our nation's military. The Second Congressional District of Texas commends the Port of Port Arthur and their employees for their hard work and dedication to make this designation possible. Port Arthur can now stand shoulder to shoulder with the finest ports in the world.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the number of new unemployment benefit claims jumped last week to 496,000 Americans. More people out of work, more people looking for those promised jobs. Meanwhile, a year later, we're bogged down debating the administration's $1 trillion government-run health care bill, a government-created problem that most Americans flatly reject. Our priorities should be getting people back to work. Get government off the back of small businesses, the real creator of jobs. But the talk around town is to raise taxes. John Marshall said, ``An unlimited power to tax involves the power to destroy. There is a limit beyond which no institution and no person can bear taxation.'' Tax hikes for more Federal boondoggles won't create any jobs. Leave money in the hands of the people who earned it, the American public. Meanwhile, 15 million Americans are unemployed. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the administration's new budget proposal will strangle small business. But there's one small business the new budget is targeting with both barrels: the small, independent mom-and-pop oil and gas producers. Getting energy out of the ground is a tough business, and it's expensive. These wildcatters hire a lot of people and risk a lot of their own money to find oil and natural gas. Banks don't lend money to these people for risky propositions; so a group of investors has to come together and risk their own money to drill in an oil or gas well, and the Federal Government gives incentives for taking this risk with a tax writeoff for part of their drilling expenses, because, frankly, America needs this energy. The removal of the tax deduction plus new taxes on all energy producers will be in the billions. But removal of tax deductions especially hurts small businesses that take the risk. Ninety percent of the wells drilled, owned, and operated in this country are independent small operators. Let me repeat. Ninety percent of the wells drilled, owned, and operated in this country are independent small operators. They're called the ``wildcatters.'' These independent operators go out and hire other businesses to drill oil wells. They hire geologists to help find the right place to drill for oil and natural gas. Backhoe drivers clear the drilling areas. Truck drivers haul equipment and make deliveries. The food service industry feeds the independent crews. And these taxes threaten the whole infrastructure that supports the independent oil and gas industry. According to the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, 88 percent of natural gas in Texas comes from small independent operators. These wildcatters represent the independent spirit of this Nation that has made us the greatest country in the world, the small businesses that are the backbone of this country. If we stop the tax incentives, this in essence puts a new tax on these independents. It will kill off these small businesses, decrease discovery of new oil and natural gas in our Nation, and it will choke off the infrastructure that promotes and provides most of America's natural gas. Now, my question is, why would the administration intentionally put people, including many blue collar workers, out of business and out of work? These new taxes are punishing the little guy, and when they go after the little guys, they're going to have to stop the drilling. There will also be fewer refineries. Natural gas is the clean burning transition fuel of the future, and you have to drill a hole in the ground to get it. Natural gas will be the bridge until we have something else to transition to. We can't switch to an all-illusionary green energy resource that doesn't yet exist overnight. But we have 100 to 150 years of proven natural gas reserves in just our own country. You have to drill for it. It's in the ground. Some of it's underwater. But it's a clean-energy fuel. How can the administration justify subsidizing a green technology that doesn't even exist but they won't let the small oil and gas independents deduct a part of their risk drilling for natural gas? Nearly 60 percent of our oil comes from other countries all over the world, and most of those countries don't like us. If we kill off the independent oil and gas industry in America, what are we going to do? Try to import more oil? I probably represent more refineries than any other Member of Congress. If this legislation passes, it will cost southeast Texas billions of dollars in new taxes. It will hammer the refinery industry and put thousands out of work. Now, why would the administration target America's energy producers? Why would we want to send more money to countries in the Middle East? Why would we want to send more money to Hugo Chavez? Wouldn't that money be better spent on American energy provided by American companies who offer jobs here in America? So what are we going to do right now if we drastically reduce America's energy production, if we cut our ability to deliver natural gas? Are we going to just sit at home and freeze in the dark? Most places, except in big cities, there is no public transportation. How are people supposed to get to work? Where I represent in southeast Texas, people drive to work. Their vehicle sometimes is their car--it's called a pickup truck. The energy-killing policies are proposed by the administration this year, not 10 years from now, but it's in the next budget. It will kill off American jobs. It will kill off productivity. It will make America more vulnerable to our enemies, and it will send money, American money, overseas, and it will continue to make us dependent on foreign countries for our oil. It's not a good idea to destroy America's energy industry. The government should not tax our energy industry out of business. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Premier of Newfoundland, Danny Williams, snuck into the United States recently for some stealth health care. Now, why would the Canadian Premier come to the United States for heart surgery? Because his life depended on it. ``My heart, my choice, my health'' he proclaimed. When it came down to it, he didn't trust his life to Canada's government-run health care system. Imagine that. The Canadian Premier said after the very successful American heart surgery, ``I did not sign away my right to get the best possible health care for myself when I entered politics.'' The American people have said they don't want to be forced into signing their lives away with government-run health care either. When life and death decisions are put in the hands of government bureaucrats, it's unhealthy for everybody. Just ask the Canadian Premier. When it came down to a matter of his own life or death decision, the Canadian Premier chose private health care and American heart surgeons over the Canadian nationalized system. Sounds like ``private health care for me, but not for thee.'' And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, celebrated its 110 years of service recently. Decades ago on September 29, 1899 a small group of Spanish-American war veterans came together to speak on behalf of the many veterans who returned home wounded or sick. With no medical care or pension, these brave men were left to fend for themselves. The first three chapters were formed and rapidly gained popularity throughout the United States, and by 1936 proudly declared a membership of almost 200,000 veterans. The VFW has been in the forefront of helping convey the acknowledgments and benefits deserved to those who fought for our country. I would like to name a few achievements of the VFW. They assisted in establishing the Veterans Administration, the GI Bill for the 20th Century, and fought for compensation of war related injuries and illnesses. Today, the VFW and Auxiliary volunteer in the community and donate to college scholarships and provide financial assistance to service men and women and their families. Their list of accomplishments is long and diverse. I would like to thank each member and the VFW as a whole for their steadfast hard work in giving back to those who gave so selflessly.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. We keep hearing about how great the trillion-dollar stimulus bill was and how well it has worked. It has been 1 year or so, so lest we forget, let's see where some of that stimulus money got spent. In Buffalo, New York, the State university got about $400,000 to study the effects of drinking malt liquor while smoking pot. For 3 weeks, 100 people are paid $45 a day of taxpayer money to drink malt liquor and smoke a little marijuana--this party stupor paid for by Americans throughout the country. Taxpayers are footing the bill for other parties, like the one in Boca Raton, Florida. But this one is not for people, this one is for lab mice. That is right, Atlantic University is getting about $15,000 for two summer researchers to measure how alcohol affects a mouse's motor functions. I wonder where the PETA people are on this one. Now, do these drunk lab mice count as jobs saved or jobs created? We don't know. We are not through. In Nebraska, we are funding another wasteful bridge project. First we had the Cornhusker Kickback, and now Americans are sending $7 million to Thelford, Nebraska, to build a bridge. That doesn't sound so bad, but this $7 million bridge is so 168 people don't have to wait so long to cross a railroad track. Sounds like we are wasting money. By the way, that is $43,000 per person waiting for that train. And the U.S. Forest Service is getting $2.8 million in stimulus money to spend on wildfire management in Washington, D.C. But the problem is Washington, D.C. doesn't have a national forest. But that doesn't make any difference to the bureaucrats. In Washington, you don't need a forest to get wildfire management funds; you just need out-of-control spending. The Florida Department of Transportation, and this is my favorite one of all, is spending $3.4 million in stimulus funds to build a turtle tunnel in Tallahassee. A turtle tunnel in Tallahassee, Florida; $3.4 million. That is about four times as much money as the average working American will earn in their entire life. But the stimulus slush fund is doling out $3.4 million for the turtle tunnel for turtles to cross the highway. Before we had a stimulus bill, Mr. Speaker, how did the turtle cross the road? For that money we could get the turtles limos to cross that street. The Picher Housing Authority in Oklahoma, here is another one, received $135,000 in stimulus money to remodel homes and businesses at the Tar Creek Superfund site. The most obvious problem with that scenario is the Tar Creek Superfund site is scheduled to be destroyed. It is going to be remodeled and then destroyed. Only the Federal Government would spend taxpayer money to fix up a home and then a few years later pay to tear it down. Mr. Speaker, this whole philosophy of the stimulus project and fiasco is a flawed premise. It is the idea that we can take taxpayer money and give it to the government, and then the government can decide how special folks, special projects will get that money and spend that money for government make-work programs. See, these aren't real jobs; these are jobs that the taxpayers have to pay for, jobs that aren't permanent, that will eventually go away. Real jobs are not created by Uncle Sam. Real jobs are created by the private sector. We call those people small business communities. And they can make real jobs where other taxpayers don't have to pay for those jobs. And that is when more businesses have more of their own money, rather than paying taxes to the Federal Government so the government can decide which special friends throughout the government to get this stimulus money. Mr. Speaker, the American people are fed up with this insanity. They are telling Washington stop the spending. They are saying no, stop the spending. Stop the wasteful projects. Stop the fraud, stop the abuse. Stop borrowing money. We don't have the money for all these projects, so we borrow it. And of course we borrow it from our friends, the Chinese. Sixty percent of our debt is owned by the Chinese. And of course someday there is going to be a day of reckoning. We are going to have to pay back that money. And that will be paid back in the form of taxes or it will be paid back by people yet to be born. The White House seems to want to spend the people into the poor house, mortgage off their homes, the mineral rights, and then pay for this massive spending bill. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in the Netherlands, it's against the law now to hurt somebody's feelings. Don't dare offend anyone or the speech police will cart you off to the courthouse and try you for the violation of the insensitivity laws. Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders made a documentary movie of real terrorist acts, real radical Islamic clerics encouraging violence in the name of hate; now, Wilders is on trial for insulting Islam. He is charged with discrimination and incitement to hatred. The Dutch Ministry of Justice has stated, ``It is irrelevant whether Wilders might prove his observations to be correct. What's relevant is his observations are illegal.'' In Amsterdam, truthful insult speech is a crime. What kind of free society says truthful speech can be illegal? Freedom of speech is a universal human right granted by God, especially if the speech is political or religious or truthful. All who believe in the human right of free speech should be offended and insulted by the insensitive words of the Amsterdam courts. And that's just the way it is.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. We have no other speakers. I strongly support this legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. POE of Texas. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I am proud to join my colleague, Mr. Towns, in supporting House Concurrent Resolution 227. More than 6 million people were victims of crimes in 2008; and more than 1 million violent crimes were committed in 2008. Violent crimes are especially frequent in cities and among gangs. Neighborhood crime harms persons and families and it degrades communities. Studies show that crime can be reduced and communities saved if leaders in the communities are taught crime prevention techniques and become active in crime prevention programs. Crime prevention programs also help reduce domestic violence and aid victims and their families in recovery. National Urban Crime Awareness Week promotes the work of organizations and individuals throughout the country who combat urban crime and treat victims. Law enforcement, victim advocates, health professionals, school teachers, and many others should be recognized and applauded for their work in helping victims and bringing criminals to justice. Throughout my work on the Victims Rights Caucus, I have had the pleasure of working with some amazing people who advocate for victims of crime every day. They deserve to be commended for their work--such as the National Center for Victims of Crime, the Stalking Resource Center--which celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year--the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, the End Abuse and the National Network to End Domestic Violence--to name just a few. But there are hundreds more across the country, all of these groups working together on behalf of victims of crime. I support the goals and ideals of National Urban Crime Awareness Week. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. POE of Texas

Mr. POE of Texas. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to thank the chairman, Chairman Scott, for bringing this legislation to the House floor as quickly as he has done, and, of course, Mr. Murphy from Connecticut, the excellent job he has done to bring this legislation to our attention and make sure that this House creates a system where people can find their loved ones. As a parent, the worst thing that any parent could hear is the fact that their child has disappeared. That would bring terror and fear into any parent. As a parent of four kids, I know that. I think about that constantly. When Janice Smolinski learned that her son, Billy, had disappeared, she, like every mother would do, was relentless in finding out as much as she could about his disappearance. Unfortunately, she met a lot of stone walls in the criminal justice system. She had put posters up all over her neighborhood. She called everybody she knew. She called the police, and she got on the Internet trying to find out ways she could locate Billy. She was relentless in that pursuit. And then she came in contact with her Congressman. The old statement ``call your Congressman,'' it worked, and it should have worked in this case and it worked well. I commend her and other people like her who work to find their loved ones but also to make our system better. So when people that disappear, we are able to find out as much as we can about their disappearance and where they are because we're all in this together. My grandmother used to say that there is nothing more powerful than a woman who has made up her mind. This is a perfect example of that. Janice Smolinski, a mother, a lady, has done everything she can to find Billy, and now it's time for Congress to do what it can to make sure that all of these different organizations that have information are connected through the Internet, through sophisticated technology, so that we can keep up with all of these children who turn up missing. I yield back the balance of my time.