Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of Tom and Christie Butler of Lexington, Missouri. Together, the Butlers have contributed over 100 years of outstanding service to the Boy Scouts of America. Their contributions to the young people of Missouri have helped them learn leadership skills and self- confidence that will last a lifetime. Tom has been involved with the Boy Scouts for the past 56 years and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1961. Christie earned the Gold Bar Award from the Girl Scouts of America and became the first female to serve as scoutmaster in the Big Muddy District of the Heart of America Boy Scout Council. Both serve their district by serving as a resource for Scoutmasters, providing training to fellow adult leaders, and attending meetings of different area troops. The Butlers believe strongly in the values and lessons learned from scouting. Throughout the years, the Boy Scouts have remained one of America's finest organizations in helping young people learn both practical skills and life lessons. Thanks to the work and dedication of people like Tom and Christie Butler, many more young people will have the opportunity to be involved in Scouting. As an Eagle Scout myself, I understand the impact leaders such as the Butlers have in guiding America's youth. I hope Members of the House will join me in honoring and thanking the Butlers for their work with the Boy Scouts.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, let me take this means to congratulate Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt, also a senior and well-respected member of the House Armed Services Committee, for crafting a strong, balanced budget for fiscal year 2009. I am pleased to support this bill that would provide for a strong national defense, would put our country on a path to budget surpluses in 2012, would promote tax relief for middle-class American families, and would invest in programs that have been priorities for those living in rural Missouri. On defense, the House Budget Resolution would prioritize resources to restore military readiness that has been worn down by repeated deployments and more than 6 years of war. The resolution would reject TRICARE fee increases, provide funding to continue addressing problems such as those identified at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and would call for enhanced pay and benefits to improve the quality of life of our troops and their families. On rural affairs, the House Budget Resolution would bolster commodity support, agricultural research, and animal and plant inspection programs. It would assume sufficient resources for the Farm Bill, which provides Missouri farmers with a secure economic safety. It would also set aside critical funds for rural development, for food and nutrition programs, and for conservation. Also important to Fourth District residents are commitments in the House Budget Resolution to infrastructure improvements, to local police and firefighters, to the health care needs of Missouri's senior citizens and low-income children, to education, and to our cherished veterans. The resolution would provide immediate and long-term relief from the alternative minimum tax and provide for additional middle-class tax relief and enhanced economic equity through tax policies. And, importantly, it would adhere to the ``pay-as-you-go'' rule adopted by House Democrats early in 2007. That rule requires new entitlement spending or revenue reductions to be offset so the budget remains in balance. On behalf of the rural Missourians I am privileged to represent, I am pleased to support Chairman Spratt's work product.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity to publicly recognize the contributions of Business Executives for National Security (BENS). Founded in 1982 by business executive and entrepreneur Stanley A. Weiss, BENS is guided by the simple notion that America's security is everybody's business. BENS has become a highly respected national, nonpartisan organization of senior executives dedicated to enhancing our national security using the successful models of the private sector. The innovative business-government partnerships that BENS has fostered over the past two decades are uniquely positioned to help meet the new challenges of the 21st century. BENS is expanding these public- private partnerships into all aspects of homeland security--tracking terrorists' financial assets, securing the Nation's ports, and preparing State and local governments to deal with catastrophic events or terrorist attacks. Business Executives for National Security has provided decades of distinguished service to the Nation through a variety of programs. These include advocating for a more modern and agile fighting force, safeguarding and destroying nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons in the former Soviet Union, and creating innovative partnerships around the country in which civic-minded companies volunteer their assets and employees to assist local and state governments in responding quickly and efficiently during an emergency or terrorist attack. Madam Speaker, I know the Members of the House will join me in commending Business Executives for National Security for their commitment in support of our national security interests.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas, the chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence, and a very valuable senior member of our committee, the Armed Services Committee. I rise in strong support of H.R. 2082. This bill makes us safer from terrorists and other adversaries in a number of ways: the bill makes critical investments in human intelligence, counter-terrorism operations, counter-proliferation, counter-intelligence, analysis and language skills. In addition, Chairman Reyes' conference report includes a provision which requires that all interrogations conducted by intelligence agents and contractors comply with the Army Field Manual on Interrogation. Our military already has raised its standards. Since September 2006, all interrogations which are conducted by the men and women in uniform are conducted by non-military personnel on a detainee who is otherwise in custody of the U.S. military and must provide and must abide by the Army Field Manual. The manual specifically prohibits eight interrogation techniques, including waterboarding. Waterboarding is the technique which originated during the Spanish Inquisition and makes the person who is being interrogated feel as though he is drowning. One of the wisest of our Founding Fathers, Ben Franklin, once told us: ``Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.'' But that's where we find ourselves on this issue. All of the very senior civilians in the administration continue to waffle on whether waterboarding continues and constitutes torture or cruel and inhumane or degrading treatment. Our military has stood up against this widely condemned practice. Our military understands the impact of the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Our military also appreciates that approved interrogation techniques that are not cruel and inhumane or degrading have provided valuable intelligence which has helped captured terrorist kingpins and foiled terrorist attacks against our country as well as our allies. The sooner that we reclaim our moral authority in the world by clearly articulating which techniques we find to be abhorrent, regardless of the nationality of the interrogator, the sooner we can better protect our homeland and our folks in uniform who are in harm's way. I strongly encourage all of my colleagues in this body on both sides of the aisle to strengthen our national security by supporting this very fine bill.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of LTC Donald S. Lopez, a military aviation pioneer and decorated hero who recently passed away at the age of 84. Colonel Lopez was born on July 15, 1923, in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering and a master's degree in aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology. In preparation for World War II, Colonel Lopez enlisted and received his pilot's license in 1943. He was promptly sent to China and served with many veterans of the legendary American Flying Tigers, flying 101 missions and recording five victories, qualifying him to be recognized as an ``ace.'' Upon his return from China, Colonel Lopez was an Air Force test pilot for 6 years and went on to fly F-86s in Korea. During the next 6 years, he taught aeronautics at the Air Force Academy. During his military career, Colonel Lopez earned the Silver Star, two awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, and three awards of the Air Medal. Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1964, Colonel Lopez worked as a systems engineer on the Apollo-Saturn Launch Vehicle and the Skylab Orbital Workshop. Colonel Lopez joined the Smithsonian in 1972 and was instrumental in planning the National Air and Space Museum. He served as deputy director of the museum from 1983 until 1990 and returned to the position in 1996. I had the honor of meeting with Colonel Lopez while preparing to lead a congressional delegation to China last August. Colonel Lopez provided me with valuable insight into the experiences of the American Flying Tigers who worked with the Chinese military during World War II and the courageous pilots who flew supplies to them over the treacherous Hump Route from India at great peril. Our visit to Kunming, China for a memorial ceremony and meeting with Chinese World War II veterans was an unforgettable and powerful reminder of the extraordinary service provided to our country by patriots such as Colonel Lopez. Madam Speaker, Colonel Lopez served our Nation with the utmost dedication and is a true American hero. I know the Members of the House will join me in extending heartfelt condolences to Glindal Lopez; their two children, Don and Joy; and Laura, his granddaughter.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. I thank you.

Mr. SKELTON. I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to ask you if you know of the outcome of the Missouri University Tigers football team when they played the Kansas Jayhawks on November 24, 2007.

Mr. SKELTON. Would you be interested in knowing that the Missouri Tigers defeated the Kansas Jayhawks 36-28 on November 24, 2007?

Mr. SKELTON. And would you also be interested in knowing that the Missouri Tigers finished fourth on the national Associated Press poll to Kansas' number 7 on the Associated Press poll?

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and let me take this opportunity to congratulate the gentlelady from Kansas (Mrs. Boyda) for paying tribute to the Kansas University football program. It is impressive. But I would yield to the gentleman from Iowa if he would answer a few questions.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, let me take this means to pay tribute to VADM Frank Day McMullen, Jr. A native of Kansas City, MO, he bravely served our country for 36 years in the United States Navy. Vice Admiral McMullen passed away on January 2, 2008. Frank McMullen graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1947. He received his post-graduate degree from The George Washington University. He also attended the National War College and served as deputy assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Atomic Energy. Vice Admiral McMullen's extraordinary career led him to command one diesel electric and two nuclear powered submarines, the Submarine Squadron in the Holy Loch, Scotland, the Submarine Fortilla in New London, CT, and the Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, in Pearl Harbor, HI. Vice Admiral McMullen was very fortunate to have the love and understanding of his family who encouraged him, even when he left home to serve on lengthy deployments. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, who passed away in November 2002, and his daughter Christine, who passed away in March 1994. Vice Admiral McMullen truly loved his work and was very proud of his service to our country. I hope Members of the House will join me in honoring this outstanding Missourian, an extraordinary naval officer, and a wonderful husband, father, and friend.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I certainly thank the gentleman for yielding and giving me this opportunity. It goes without saying that the United States Postal Service has an historic reputation for excellence and unyielding dedication to the people of our Nation. ``Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these carriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds'' are the words engraved on the outside of the James A. Farley Post Office Building in New York City. Every day, thousands of postal employees proudly wear the uniform of the United States Postal Service with the understanding of the enormity of this commitment. Today, Madam Speaker, I stand before the House in support of H.R. 4166, a bill I introduced to pay tribute to the life of one of those public servants, Mr. Steven W. Allee of Stoutland, Missouri, and a rural mail carrier for the citizens of Lebanon, Missouri. Since 1989, Mr. Steve Allee held a full-time position as a rural carrier at the Lebanon, Missouri, Post Office. He was a dedicated employee, a loving family man to his wife Debbie, his children and his grandchildren, a member of the Buffalo Prairie Baptist Church, and a friend to many. Tragically, Madam Speaker, on August 20, 2007, Mr. Allee was killed in the line of duty when his vehicle was swept away by floodwaters in rural Lebanon. This flash flood was unprecedented in its magnitude. As Mr. Allee completed his route, he approached a country bridge under which a typically dry creekbed usually lies. However, on this day, the rapidly falling rainwater had overtaken the bridge. When Mr. Allee attempted to cross, his vehicle was swept away. Today, I urge the House of Representatives to honor this man for his public service and his commitment to his community. Let us pay our respects to his personal and postal family by designating the facility, the United States Postal Service located at 701 East Copeland Drive in Lebanon, Missouri, as the Steve W. Allee Carrier Annex.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. I certainly thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, it is with great admiration for a remarkable Missourian that I support this concurrent resolution. This measure was introduced by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, which honors the life of my late friend, Margaret Truman Daniel. Margaret was a loving daughter, wife, mother, an accomplished vocalist, journalist and author. She was filled with the unique Truman spirit, and personified the plainspoken, no-nonsense nature of so many Show-Me-State residents. The qualities that defined Margaret as a person were instilled by her parents, President Harry S Truman and his wife, Bess. Throughout her life, Harry and Bess provided a steady hand and unfailing support and love which allowed Margaret to flourish But Missouri itself played a meaningful role in Margaret's life. She was always a proud Missourian. On one occasion, she returned to Independence and spoke about Missouri's influence on her. She stated, ``Even till today, I feel it in my bones. Although I have now spent much more of my life in Washington and New York than in Missouri, it is Missouri that has molded my character, my conduct, my sentiments, and yes, my prejudices; Missouri and its people, its customs, its attitudes, and its habits. These are ingrained in me.'' She added, speaking of her many Missourian artifacts and pictures in her home, ``So you see that on every hand I'm reminded of my Missouri, Jackson County, Independence heritage. I couldn't forget it even if I wanted to.'' Through the years, I had the great pleasure of working with Margaret on several occasions that honored her father's life. Her efforts gave added meaning to President Truman's legacy. Margaret was gracious, intelligent, wise, witty, and spirited. Truly her father's daughter. I was pleased that our paths crossed, as they did, during her lifetime. She will long be remembered as an inspiration to those who knew her and to all Missourians. I was honored to call Margaret Truman Daniel my friend.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Jill Thompson. Mrs. Thompson, a registered nurse, was administrator of the Lafayette County, Missouri, Health Department. Sadly, Mrs. Thompson lost her fight with cancer on January 26, 2008. Mrs. Thompson was an employee at the Lafayette County Health Department for 29 years. She also served two terms as the rural health department representative from the Northwest District on the Partnership Council, was president of the Missouri Association of Public Health Agencies, and served on the board of the West Central Missouri Area Health Education Center. She is fondly remembered by her colleagues as someone who was incredibly dedicated to public health and passionate about serving her community. Further recognizing her commitment to public health, Mrs. Thompson was a founding member of the Sounds of the Heart organization, which raised money to place automated external defibrillators in locations throughout the community. She was also a member of the Cancer Assistance Relief organization. This organization provides cancer patients with rides to doctors' appointments and hospitals. Friends and family will never forget her warm personality, dedication, and intelligence. Mrs. Thompson is survived by her husband Larry, three children, and two grandchildren. I'm sure Members of the House will join me in paying tribute to the life of Jill Thompson for her vision and leadership in the field of public health in the State of Missouri.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I announce to the House that Margaret Truman Daniel, the daughter of our 33rd President, Harry S. Truman, passed away today. As the daughter of a Jackson County judge, a United States Senator from Missouri, a Vice President and President, Margaret Truman grew up in politics. She was a good friend, and I know others in this House who knew her considered her a friend as well. Margaret was an accomplished woman in her own right, but she also revered her father's memory. In this very Chamber in 1984 a Joint Session of Congress was convened to honor the 100th anniversary of President Truman's birth. As chairman of that event, I worked with Margaret closely and was grateful for her participation as a speaker. I also had the honor of being with Margaret on the first day that the Truman Home in Independence, Missouri, was opened to the public as a museum in the National Park Service system. I will never forget watching her sign the guest book in her own home that day. Margaret Truman Daniel was a great American and, as an independent- minded woman, was truly her father's daughter. I know my colleagues join me in expressing this body's deepest condolences to the family of Margaret Truman Daniel, including her three surviving sons, Clifton, Harrison, and Thomas.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4986) to provide for the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, as previously enrolled, with certain modifications to address the foreign sovereign immunities provisions of title 28, United States Code, with respect to the attachment of property in certain judgments against Iraq, the lapse of statutory authorities for the payment of bonuses, special pays, and similar benefits for members of the uniformed services, and for other purposes.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill that is now under consideration.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in strong support of the National Defense Authorization Act for the Fiscal Year 2008, a bill which we will today consider for the third time on the House floor and which has been revised to address the objections expressed by the President. I strongly believe, Madam Speaker, that this bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation passed by this Congress and I must say one of the very best, if not the best, defense authorization bills that I can recall during my time in Congress. And I am so extremely proud, Madam Speaker, of all the members of the Armed Services Committee as well as all those who have worked hard in and out of our committee to make it happen. A special thanks to our wonderful staff, our crack staff, for the hard work that they have done to get us where we are today, with a bill that will be signed by the President, and the recipients of the benefits of this bill will be those young men and young women in uniform. Last night, we disposed of the President's veto of an earlier version of this bill. That veto was a surprise, frankly, to all of us. Today, we move on. We send a final version to the President that his aides have indicated he will sign. The changes to the conference report, which we passed in the House by a vote of 370-49, and passed the Senate by 90-3, are minimal. Only one section, section 1083, dealing with claims against countries that are or have been state sponsors of terrorism, caused a problem for the administration that led to this veto. This bill before us includes a compromise on that provision we worked out on a bipartisan basis with the body on the other side of the Capitol, as well as with the White House, and it allows the President to waive the application of the section under consideration to the government of Iraq, while also expressing the sense of the Congress that the President should negotiate with the government of Iraq to satisfy the legitimate claims that American citizens have against that country and its former leader, Saddam Hussein. The only other changes made to the bill were those required to make retroactive the pay increases and many benefit improvements provided for the military servicemembers as well as their families. Those provisions will be made effective under this bill as of January 1 of this year, as would have been the case had the President signed the original bill that was before you. This is a good bill. I think it's the best defense bill in decades that this Congress has put forward. It's good for our troops, good for their families, it will help improve the readiness of our Armed Forces, and it will bring significant oversight to the Department of Defense in much needed areas where oversight was so needed in the past. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to a longstanding and hardworking member of our Armed Services Committee, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews). (Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, if I may, let me add to the comments today the importance of this legislation. Under our Constitution, it is up to the Congress of the United States to raise and maintain the military and provide the rules and regulations therefore. We do that by means of a defense authorization bill that comes from the Armed Services Committee. We worked long and hard, and we were able to pass such a bill from our committee back in May and the Senate passed one back in September. And we, of course, had conference with the Senate, and we were finally able to reach an agreement on a conference report that is a piece of legislation that embodies both the House and the Senate provisions. The people at the White House had the opportunity to look at it and give comments on various sections of the proposed legislation, which they did. We looked at them and worked with them and passed a good piece of legislation. Like I said before, 370 Members of this House and 90 Members of the other body voted for it. However, the President chose to veto over this provision--that to me was a surprise--that it rose to the level of a veto. Nevertheless, it is what happened, and that is why we are here. There seems to be a rather interesting intellectual discussion as to the type of veto. If I remember correctly, the veto message that was read to us yesterday here in this Chamber, the President's remarks made reference to the fact that it was a pocket veto for the reason that we were not in session and also that it was a regular veto. To me it sounded as if there were two vetoes wrapped up in one message. Nevertheless, regarding the issue as to whether it was a pocket veto or not, the 1974 case Kennedy v. Sampson, which was a D.C. Circuit Court case, said that the ability to receive a veto message, which we had, under our adjournment resolution, Madam Speaker, we had language that allowed the Clerk of the House to receive any messages which, of course, on December 28 was the veto message from the President. The Speaker designated the Clerk to receive it. As we saw, it was a regular veto as opposed to a pocket veto. I hope that puts that issue to rest for the days ahead. Let me briefly also mention, Madam Speaker, that besides the pay raise and the family benefits and the fact that we prevent the increase in fees for pharmaceuticals and TRICARE for the troops and their families, we provide for taking care of the problems that were raised in the Walter Reed situation a good number of months ago where our injured and wounded soldiers were not receiving the best care. We knew that and discussed it. As a matter of fact, on this floor, in the Wounded Warriors Act, we included that in toto in this legislation; also, outstanding sections on contract reform regarding the possibility of fraud, the reform of acquisition, we touched on many areas such as that. I was so pleased with the outcome of this, including, of course, most importantly readiness, which we need to keep up, allowing additional troops for the Army and the Marine Corps. I have been on the Armed Services Committee most of my career in Congress, and I just can't think of any more comprehensive and far- reaching authorization bill that we have ever had. I have to really give credit to our committee for the hard work they did. I just can't say enough about our crack staff on the committee. They are just first rate, and we appreciate them, rely on their hard work so very, very much, and I want to again pay tribute to them. With that, Madam Speaker, I will reserve the balance of my time. If my friend has some further comments to make, we would appreciate them.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my colleague from the Armed Services Committee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sestak).

Mr. SKELTON. If the gentleman from New Jersey yields back, I yield back.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I send to the desk a privileged concurrent resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, let me take this means to pay tribute to a dedicated and loyal public servant, Henry L. ``Butch'' Hinton. On January 4, 2008, Mr. Hinton will retire following a distinguished 37- year career with the United States Government Accountability Office, GAO, capped by 13 years as the Managing Director of the agency's Defense Capabilities and Management team. Mr. Hinton began his career with GAO in 1970, rising through the ranks to lead one of its major divisions--the National Security and International Affairs Division, and after an organizational realignment, one of its key teams--the Defense Capabilities and Management team. He is an acknowledged subject matter expert on a wide variety of national security programs and policy issues dealing with defense planning and budgeting, force structure and readiness, weapon systems acquisitions, homeland defense, military and civilian personnel, logistics, infrastructure, and business and force transformation. In addition, he has an in-depth understanding of the Federal legislative and regulatory processes. Through the years, I have had the privilege of working with Mr. Hinton in my capacity as both chairman and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. As a result of his work on highly sensitive and complex issues related to military readiness, threats to national and global security, the global war on terrorism, the base realignment and closure process, and human capital management, he has been a two- time recipient of the Comptroller General's Award for exceptional effort and achievement of results in support of the Congress and the American taxpayer. He has also received GAO's Integrity Award, two GAO Distinguished Service Awards, and GAO's Meritorious Service Award. GAO was created in 1921 with the mandate to audit, evaluate, or investigate virtually all Federal Government operations--wherever they might take place. In other words, the GAO serves as a ``watchdog'' over the taxpayers' money--guarding against fraud, abuse, and inefficient allocation of public funds. GAO evaluations under Mr. Hinton's guidance and leadership have saved taxpayers billions of dollars. During his career as head of GAO's National Security and International Affairs Division, and GAO's Defense Capabilities and Management team, Congress has implemented numerous recommendations resulting from his work. He has also led the work on reports to improve the readiness and capabilities of active and reserve forces, oversight of military operations including the use of contractors on the battlefield, reliability of cost reporting, transparency over military compensation costs, defense planning in such areas as infrastructure and force protection, and efforts to transform the Department of Defense's business operations, including the need for a Chief Management Officer. Madam Speaker, Butch Hinton's tenure at GAO has been characterized by success on every level. He has served as an example of a truly exceptional public servant. I am sure my colleagues will join me in wishing him well in his retirement.