Pete Sessions

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I will be asking Members to oppose the previous question so that I may amend the rule to have Speaker Pelosi, in consultation, that's called bipartisanship, with Republican Leader Boehner immediately appoint conferees to H.R. 2642, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill for 2008. The American Legion and the VFW already have, along with multiple requests from Republican Members, including this Member of the House, urged both Speaker Pelosi and Democrat Senate Majority Leader Reid to end their PR campaign and begin conference work on the Veterans appropriations bill. Unfortunately, it appears as though all these commonsense requests have fallen on deaf ears, and our Nation's veterans are being forced to pay the price for continued Democrat partisanship and lack of leadership on this issue. I ask all of my colleagues to support this motion to defeat the previous question so that we can put the partisanship aside and move this very important legislation forward. I ask unanimous consent to have the text of the amendment and extraneous material appear in the Record just prior to the vote on the previous question.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia, Dr. Price. (Mr. PRICE of Georgia asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Keller).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 2 minutes to the former member of the Rules Committee, the distinguished gentleman from Georgia, Dr. Gingrey. (Mr. GINGREY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, just so that the Members of Congress that are around understand this, that 10 million figure cannot be substantiated. As a matter of fact, the last bill had 7-some million. This new bill, 7.4. So for the Members that want to talk about 10 million, that's not truthful. That is just not true. CBO says it will serve 7.4 million people; about 10 percent will be adults, and 2 million children will go from private insurance into government-run Washington, D.C.-based health care. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Florida, Dr. Weldon.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I would remind my wonderful friends on the other side that if they are serious about this bill maybe they would start by trying to negotiate with the administration, or by reaching across just 9 feet, as the gentleman from Texas said, Mr. Barton. Why not try? It's amazing what you would maybe get, maybe some bipartisan help. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentleman from the Intelligence and Energy and Commerce Committees, the gentleman, Mr. Rogers.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, if I could ask how much time is remaining on both sides.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, the distinguished gentleman from Ennis, Texas (Mr. Barton). (Mr. BARTON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I'm sorry, I did not hear you, but I object to the ruling on laying on the table the motion to recommit. I did not hear your words in that regard; and I object, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, last Congress the distinguished chairwoman of the Committee on Rules thought it was so important to require at least 24 hours before voting on any rule that she authored a rules change, H. Res. 686, cosponsored by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui), senior members of the Rules Committee. The proposed change would have prohibited calling up a report by the Committee on Rules within 24 hours of presentation to the House. Mr. Speaker, I would refer my colleagues to H. Res. 686 of the 109th Congress. Mr. Speaker, I wasn't really surprised when the new Democrat majority didn't actually follow through on their commitments on the opening-day package. However, I just wonder what happened to the dedication of Democratic Members who once showed the rights of preserving those things which they think are good for Members to have time to know what the heck they're voting on. And I believe today a 293-page bill with zero cosponsors, and even the gentleman who brought the bill to the Rules Committee last night said ``not my bill, it's the Senate's bill,'' I believe we should be careful what we are doing and allow 24 hours and follow the rules of the House. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hensarling).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, we make a point of order with great respect to this body. We're here to do business today. We've asked this body to please consider an adjournment because we have a lot of Members who are in California. We were denied that request. We also believe this point of order should be heard because it's important that last night a 293-page bill was brought forth to the Rules Committee, which we received only 25 to 30 minutes before that meeting took place, I believe, in violation of the regular order for legislation that Speaker Pelosi has outlined for all Members of Congress, as well as the American people, a Congress working for all Americans. And under regular order for legislation, it states: ``Members should have at least 24 hours to examine bill and conference report text prior to floor consideration.'' Mr. Speaker, that has not happened again today. Again today we find that the legislation not following regular order is presented to this House. Last night, as we began the discussion in the Rules Committee, we found out this is not even a House bill. No one took responsibility for the bill that was coming to the Rules Committee last night. Every person there said this is a Senate bill; this isn't a House bill. And then we tried to discuss what was in that bill. I don't know what's in that bill. Sure, we've had some time today, but we have not digested all 293 pages. And, Mr. Speaker, we believe that what is happening here today is not only in violation of what we have seen, a Congress working for all Americans, but also the establishment of the way this House would run itself under regular order and for the best interest of all Members of Congress. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I raise a point of order against consideration of the rule because the rule contains a waiver of all points of order against the bill and its consideration and, therefore, is in violation of section 426 of the Congressional Budget Act.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Dr. William J. Lawhorn, a World War II veteran. In 1944, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps at the young age of 18. His original intention was to become a pilot, but two weeks before he was due to enter flight school, it was shut down. Out of his squadron of 125, only eight were selected to remain in the Air Corps while the others were sent to the infantry. He went on to attend radio school and was assigned Kitchen Police duties. World War II is known as the deadliest conflict in human history, taking the lives of over 70 million people. During this difficult time, our country stood united behind our brave servicemen and women who so willingly took to the battlefields to defend freedom and democracy. It is veterans like William that helped us emerge victorious from World War II and restore hope and humanity in a world that was shattered by the darkness of hatred and violence. His patriotism, courage, and selflessness are examples of what make America great. Madam Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest gratitude for his service to this great Nation. May God bless all those he loved, and may I convey to them my sincerest condolences and the gratitude of the American people.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Carne C. Cunningham, a World War II veteran. He received his ensign commission in September 1943. His military service began with his assignment to LST-291, a landing ship for tanks, where he served as the officer in charge of supplies in addition to his watch officer duties. On September 10, 1944, Carne was assigned as a division officer to a cargo personnel ship, the Auriga, where he served for the remainder of the war. He was involved in the invasion of Leyte, Lingayen Gulf, Luzon Island, the Philippine Islands, and Okinawa, where he witnessed the death and destruction of war. World War II is known as the deadliest conflict in human history, taking the lives of over 70 million people. During this difficult time, our country stood united behind our brave servicemen and women who so willingly took to the battlefields to defend freedom and democracy. It is veterans like Carne that helped us emerge victorious from World War II and restore hope and humanity in a world that was shattered by the darkness of hatred and violence. His patriotism, courage, and selflessness are an example of what make America great. Madam Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest gratitude for his service to this great Nation. May God bless all those he loved, and may I convey to them my sincerest condolences and the gratitude of the American people.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert M. Allen, a World War II veteran. He joined the United States Navy on December 7, 1940 and was assigned to a small seaplane protector, the U.S.S. Avocet (AVP-4). Upon completion of signalman school, he returned to the Avocet in February 1942 and received orders to transfer to the Convoy Control Center in Algiers, Louisiana. For the next two years, Robert plied the Gulf, Caribbean, and the Atlantic, which were teeming with German U- boats. Fortunately, none of his ships or convoys were attacked. After devoting five years of dedicated service to the Navy, Robert was discharged on January 14, 1946. World War II is known as the deadliest conflict in human history, taking the lives of over 70 million people. During this difficult time, our country stood united behind our brave servicemen and women who so willingly took to the battlefields to defend freedom and democracy. It is veterans like Robert that helped us emerge victorious from World War II and restore hope and humanity in a world that was shattered by the darkness of hatred and violence. His patriotism, courage, and selflessness should be commended and his dedication to public service deserves our highest regard. Madam Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest gratitude for his service to this great Nation.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in memory of Dr. Parmer Richardson, a World War II veteran, and in honor of his patriotism and a life dedicated to service. He joined the United States Navy in the summer of 1941. Though he spent most of his service as a radioman specializing in communications technology, he originally joined with the intent to become a pilot and was persuaded by a Navy recruiter who promised him flight training. He was sent to various areas in the United States as well as Canada and Mendora in the Philippines. After being discharged, Parmer began his 55-year dental practice. World War II is known as the deadliest conflict in human history, taking the lives of over 70 million people. During this difficult time, our country stood united behind our brave service men and women who so willingly took to the battlefields to defend freedom and democracy. It is veterans like Parmer that helped us emerge victorious from World War II and restore hope and humanity in a world that was shattered by the darkness of hatred and violence. He is survived by his wife, Jane Richardson, of Duncanville, TX. He will be remembered as a devoted family man, a lover of flying, and a proud veteran and American. His patriotism, courage, and selflessness are example of what make America great. Madam Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest gratitude for his service to this great Nation. May God bless all those he loved, and may I convey to them my sincerest condolences and the gratitude of the American people.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor James R. Clark, a World War II veteran. World War II was in progress when James decided to leave his position as the high school principal of Star City ISD in Arkansas. He realized his country needed him and enlisted with the Army Air Corps on November 3, 1942. During his tenure at Aloe Army Base in Victoria, Texas, he taught cadets how to disassemble and reassemble machineguns while blindfolded and navigation before being relocated to headquarters. At headquarters, James was the only public relations writer and news photographer on base. After spending over 2 years at Aloe, he was relocated to California and was at Fort Ord when he was notified that would be going to Japan. Fortunately, the war ended before he was deployed for Japan and James was discharged on November 22, 1945. World War II is known as the deadliest conflict in human history, taking the lives of over 70 million people. During this difficult time, our country stood united behind our brave servicemen and women who so willingly took to the battlefields to defend freedom and democracy. It is veterans like James that helped us emerge victorious from World War II and restore hope and humanity in a world that was shattered by the darkness of hatred and violence. His patriotism, courage, and selflessness should be commended and his dedication to public service deserves our highest regard. Madam Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest gratitude for his service to this great Nation.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to close at this time. Mr. Speaker, I will be asking Members to oppose the previous question so that I may amend the rule to have Speaker Pelosi, in consultation with Republican Leader Boehner, immediately appoint conferees to H.R. 2642, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill for 2008. Yesterday a number of news publications, including Roll Call, reported that the Democrat leadership intends to hold off sending appropriations bills to President Bush so that they can use an upcoming anticipated veto of the Labor-HHS appropriations bill to serve as ``an extension of their successful public relations campaign on the State Children's Health Insurance Program.'' While the Democrat leadership plays politics on this issue, however, our Nation's veterans are paying the price. For every day that the Democrats allow the veterans funding bill to languish without conferees for their own political agenda, our Nation's veterans lose $18.5 million, which could be used for veterans health care, veterans housing, and other important support activities for veterans and their families. I would like to repeat that. Every single day there is $18.5 million that is lost for our veterans and their families. On October 18, the American Legion National Commander Marty J. Conaster, five national vice commanders, and all 55 Legion National Executive Committee members sent Speaker Pelosi a letter pleading with her to put partisanship aside and provide this funding now for our veterans and troops. At this time, I will insert this letter into the Congressional Record. The American Legion, Indianapolis, IN, October 18, 2007. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Pelosi: Today ends the Fall meeting of The American Legion's National Executive Committee, at The American Legion's National Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. The National Executive Committee consists of an elected leader from each of The American Legion's 55 Departments (50 States, the District of Columbia and four foreign countries). In accordance with The American Legion's National Constitution and By-laws, the National Executive Committee serves as The American Legion's governing body. The National Commander Marty Conatser briefed The National Executive Committee on an array of issues to include the status of the VA budget for FY 2008. The fiscal activities of the 110th Congress--the FY 2007 Continuing Resolution, the Budget Resolution for FY 2008, and the passage of the Military Construction, Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations for FY 2008 were reviewed. However, in trying to grasp why such a bipartisan bill, which passed overwhelmingly in both chambers, still hasn't moved in over a month is rather difficult, especially since the President has already said he would not veto the bill, even though it exceeds his recommendations. Understanding why the appropriations process has come to a complete halt is difficult. What is preventing the appointment of conferees, the Conference Committee, or passage of a Conference Report? We are now in the new fiscal year with no idea when the Mil Con-VA appropriations will be passed. If history repeats itself, this standoff may last well into the second quarter of the fiscal year. This uncertainty is disturbing to not only The American Legion and other veterans' and military service organizations, but to every veteran who is dependent on VA for timely access to quality health care, earned benefits, and other services provided by a grateful nation. Madam Speaker, the newest generation of wartime veterans are reporting to VA medical facilities every day as troops are returning from deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Some will be determined to be service-connected disabled because of medical conditions incurred or aggravated while on active- duty. Others may very well have invisible scars that need attention as soon as possible. As VA welcomes new patients, the existing patient population cannot be ignored nor should their health care be rationed due to limited available resources. There are veterans dependent on VA as their life-support system. The American Legion represents 2.6 million wartime veterans, but also speaks for the 24 million veterans of the United States Armed Forces and their families. Please continue the appropriations process--name conferees, convene the Conference Committee, and pass the Conference Report. Sincerely, Marty Conatser, National Commander; Thomas L. Burns, Jr. (DE), National Vice Commander; Randall A. Fisher (KY), National Vice Commander; David A. Korth (WI), National Vice Commander; James L. Van Horn (AK), National Executive Committeeman; Ross Rogers (AK), National Executive Committeeman; Peggy G. Dettori (AK), National Vice Commander; Donald Hayden (MN), National Vice Commander; Floyd W. Turner (AL), National Executive Committeeman; Julius Maklary (AZ), National Executive Committeeman; James W. Hackney (CA), National Executive Committeeman. Jeff Luginbuel (CO), National Executive Committeeman; John J. Jackson (DE), National Executive Committeeman; Robert J. Proctor (FL), National Executive Committeeman; Ray Hendrix (GA), National Executive Committeeman; Cleve Rice (ID), National Executive Committeeman; W. Darrell Hansel (IN), National Executive Committeeman; David O. Warnken (KS), National Executive Committeeman; Charles D. Aucoin (LA), National Executive Committeeman; Dr. Gordon B. Browning (MD), National Executive Committeeman; Richard W. Anderson (CT), National Executive Committeeman; Paul H.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman from California's words about the tragedies that are occurring. Not only for the past few days, but also, as always, anytime there's a wildfire, people who get in the way, the brave men and women of the National Park Service and others who go to help fight those fires, I know the Nation is at this time very focused on the lives and the property and the effort that is going on in California. With great respect, I too, join the gentlewoman from California for expressing our sincere appreciation for the firefighters who are trying to battle and save the property and the lives in California. Mr. Speaker, for perhaps the same reason that the gentlewoman from California has come down to join in this discussion today, perhaps with an opposite result, I, too, am down on the floor to talk about how wise management of our natural resources, of our Parks Service, is important. You don't have to go back really as far as Teddy Roosevelt to understand what Teddy Roosevelt saw, that this great Nation had the abundance of beautiful woodlands, hills, mountains, streams, the acreage included within that, the beautiful animals, the birds, the fish, the wolves that were a part of our landscape. And that's why national parks were created. National parks were created with an opportunity for the Federal Government to have a chance to allow people to come and see this great country, to see the beautiful country that we had. As a young man growing up and scouting, I remember well the opportunity that I had to not only visit national parks, but a chance to get what is called the Forestry Merit Badge. And even back in 1965 or 1966, when I was receiving this badge, I remember, this is not the term that was used, best practices, but one has become used as a term of best practice and that is, wise management of our forests to not only sustain them, but to protect them, and to protect the animals and all that lives and counts on that forest surviving. We've learned these wise management techniques, not just in scouting to get the Forestry Merit Badge, but we have learned them through the years. We've learned that sometimes unwise management and doing things to our park system, in fact, caused more damage than it did good. I remember back with the fires that we had in Yellowstone, how the National Park Service said just let it burn, it is a fire created by an act of God. But they really, as a result of that, learned that they had to learn a better practice to save millions of acres and millions of animals that could be destroyed. Well, part of that best practice is what the National Park Service is attempting to do right now and has been attempting to do in this national park today. It is against their recommendation that politically we override the best practices, the best thoughts and ideas that people have who manage our park system, who do see the balance, who are there every day with the careful consideration. By designating this area, an extensive amount of area, as wilderness, it means that arbitrarily, we're taking something that would never qualify under the intended statutes and add it in. I think this is unwise. This is how you do have problems. This is how you do have fires that burn out of control when you're not able to come in and protect the forest properly as a result of this designation. This is how you have problems when you're not able to take care of the endangered species that are in there and properly protect them, because it will have that wilderness designation. And so with great respect for the same purpose that the gentlewoman from California came to notify us and to remember what America's paying attention to today, the wildfires in California, I would say we need that same sort of vision to avoid what could be in the time of drought or in the time of misdeed because of perhaps a lightning storm, something that's an unintended consequence, and that is to take this area and to move it into wilderness means that it will not receive or be able to receive the same kind of regular work that happens to protect these wilderness areas and national parks from destruction of a fire. I think it's a bad idea. I think it's also a bad idea any time politicians in Washington, D.C. for political purposes decide to overrule common sense. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 5 minutes to the ranking member of the Rules Committee, the gentleman from San Dimas, California (Mr. Dreier). (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this structured rule and to a number of provisions included in the underlying provision in its current form. I oppose this legislation because it substitutes the deliberate and long-studied recommendation of well-trained Forest Service professionals with a purely political congressional action by designating 27,000 additional acres, which are land in the Forest Service today, as wilderness, beyond the Forest Service recommendation of 16,000 acres in southwestern Virginia's Jefferson National Forest. This means that despite having spent millions of congressionally appropriated tax dollars and investing tens of thousands in on-the- ground Federal employee hours on studying this issue, the Democrat leadership will simply override the Forest Service's well-reasoned decision to force this additional acreage into wilderness status. This also, despite the fact that many of the areas proposed in this legislation do not meet the standards of the 1964 Wilderness Act, including roads, utility corridors, mountain biking areas, and a Federal Aviation Administration tower. These should not be considered within wilderness area, and yet, today, that's exactly what is happening. Today's bill makes private landowners to the area vulnerable to the Jefferson National Forest Plan ultimate goal of obtaining all private lands within these expanded wilderness boundaries, including 722 total acres of outstanding privately held mineral rights. What is even worse is that thousands of acres in this proposed wilderness area are at high risk for wildfire and require mechanical thinning for proper fire risk mitigation. Many of these areas are next to the small communities that will be placed at even greater risk of catastrophic wild fires if this land is not managed properly. So even as the threat posed by wildfires to American communities all across this country is fresh on our minds, as we watch with great concern and sympathy the unbelievable damage these wildfires are inflicting on Southern California, nonetheless, the Democrat leadership of this House has decided that the best course of action is to extremely limit and outright prohibit commonsense reduction activities across this Jefferson National Forest in Virginia. Besides the private land owners and homeowners adjacent to this land, other losers created by this legislation include a number of animal species covered by the Endangered Species Act, including bats and bears. Currently, several of the proposed wilderness areas added by this legislation are professionally managed to maintain threatened endangered and sensitive species habitat. By passing the legislation under this rule, Congress will be preventing the Forest Service from using the equipment that they need to comply with the Endangered Species Act. This makes no sense, Mr. Speaker. It makes absolutely no sense why this new Democrat majority throws aside not only the expressed opportunities that the Forest Service have given us to understand proper management, but they will override professionals who have studied this and do this for a living. Perhaps worst of all, Mr. Speaker, because this draconian ``wilderness'' designation prevents any road or trails from being improved in these areas, a number of our Nation's most vulnerable populations such as the elderly and disabled will be effectively prevented from accessing and enjoying this piece of America under this bill. It absolutely makes no sense, Mr. Speaker. I'm sorry we're having to be on the floor today to take this position, because the Republican Party is in favor of our national parks, is in favor of people utilizing our national parks, and we view these areas as very historic areas that we want to preserve and make right and keep them. Mr. Speaker, this is bad public policy. I oppose this structured rule and the underlying legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.