Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my friend the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) for a unanimous consent request. (Mr. SCOTT of Virginia asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Virginia. At this time, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hooley) for the purpose of a colloquy.

Mr. SKELTON. I thank the gentlewoman for raising this important issue. I assure her that we will make sure that the Reserve Component Reintegration Working Group as well as the Yellow Ribbon National Guard Reintegration Program consider all options to include expanding the current program from 5 to 15 days during their deliberations.

Mr. SKELTON. I certainly agree. And we look forward to the findings of the Reserve Component Reintegration Working Group and the Yellow Ribbon National Guard Reintegration Program.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. I thank my friend for yielding. And without going into great detail, I am appreciative of the fact that Mr. Andrews and you, Mr. Hunter, have worked hard on achieving a balanced solution to this amendment as it is in final form here this evening. I think it's very commendable, and I am very much in favor of it. I thank Mr. Andrews for raising it, and I thank you, Mr. Hunter.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, my manager's amendment which is before us this moment makes a series of technical and conforming changes, all of which have been set forth for the Members throughout the day, and I ask all the Members to support it. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, my friend (Mr. Tim Murphy).

Mr. SKELTON. I thank the gentleman for raising this very important issue. I assure the gentleman from Pennsylvania that I will assist him in pursuing new options for protecting these important benefits at the Kelly support facility.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I agree. A combined commissary and exchange store may be the key to the future military resale activities at installations such as at the Kelly Support Facility.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, at this time, we are nearing the end of all the debate. We have finished all the amendments. Mr. Chairman, my heart is filled with gratitude for the other Members, for our ranking member, Mr. Hunter, and to our amazing staff. The American people should know what a wonderful staff we have in putting together this defense bill. So many of them have stayed up late at night, early in the morning, all night long to write and make sure that we have the t's crossed and the i's dotted, to make sure that the young men and young women, as well as those who lead the young men and young women, have the tools with which to keep our country safe and, of course, free. We have a great deal of gratitude for all of them, and I just can't thank them enough. Mr. Chairman, I yield to my friend from California.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I am grateful for the gentleman's comments and grateful for his work. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 1585.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me share my support for legislation to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 561 Kingsland Avenue in University City, MO, as the ``Harriett F. Woods Post Office Building.'' Harriet Woods will long be remembered as a pioneer in American politics. Born in Cleveland, OH, Harriet Woods received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from the University of Michigan. She married Jim Woods on January 2, 1953. Before beginning her career in politics, Woods worked as a journalist and television producer. Woods' political career began in 1962, when she became a member of the University City Council. In 1976, she was elected to the Missouri State Senate and was re-elected in 1980. Dedicated to women's participation in government, Woods was the first woman to win statewide office in Missouri when she was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1984. While she was not successful in the two Senate races in which she was a candidate, her actions and leadership inspired hundreds of women nationwide to participate in politics.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chairman of the Appropriations Committee and compliment him on his efforts in this very, very difficult situation. What is wrong with doing what we are doing? Yesterday in the Armed Services Committee, or I should say early this morning in the Armed Services Committee, we passed a bill out that had as its pole star the readiness of our military. That is what this effort is about. The readiness, the funding, more than the White House has requested of us, and that is what this is all about. The young men and young women are entitled to have the funding come to them, and that is what this does. I find no fault with having our looking at it as a benchmark for us, as a benchmark for those of us who fund the troops. We are not rubber stamps; we are a co-equal branch of the government. And as such, our voices should be heard and there should be an agreement with what we are trying to do: readiness and benchmarks. And that is just what we are asking this body to vote upon. In addition thereto, there is a proposal in this measure I suggested some time ago, actually in late 2005, to the President that there be a measurement of redeployment for the American troops. I suggested to him that for every three brigades of the Iraqi Army brought to level one that one American brigade be redeployed. I got an answer back from the President, and when I brought it to his attention, he said it was too rigid. When truth, in fact, it ought to be, and as it is in this legislation, this bill, for every one soldier or battalion or brigade that is brought to level one in the Iraqi Army, there would be a redeployment of the American soldier, platoon, battalion, brigade at any level. It should be soldier for soldier. It is their country. We have been there over 4 years, and I think it is time to pass that baton on for the security of that country to be taken over by the Iraqis themselves. That is what the formula does, one on one. And I strongly endorse it. I urge the passage of this bill.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, this evening I rise in strong support of H.R. 2082, the Intelligence Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2008. Let me take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the chairman, the gentleman from Texas, Silver Reyes, on the work that he does. It is especially important, Madam Chairman, that he is a member of the Armed Services Committee, and he is the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, and it is one of those rare moments where the two very important committees are glued together, and he does that. And from our perspective, it is a good, good piece of evidence that he is the chairman and is doing such an excellent job in both respects. Every day American men and women are deployed into harm's way and depend on the military intelligence capabilities authorized by this bill. It is important for them to achieve their missions. And this legislation assures continued delivery of our intelligence to our warfighters. It will lead to important improvements in the future. I am also pleased to report that this bill reflects a new more cooperative relationship, as I mentioned, between the Intelligence Committee and the Armed Services Committee in guiding and overseeing the Nation's military intelligence program. Chairman Reyes and I have been working together to craft common approaches on key issues by our shared jurisdiction. For example, both this bill and the National Defense Authorization bill that we marked up late last night in committee contain provisions requiring reports on the national security implications of global warming. And that is no small thing. And the committees, we are working together on significant changes in key space programs to ensure that both the intelligence analysts and the warfighter receive critical information in a timely manner, and that is so important. Again, let me take this opportunity to congratulate Chairman Reyes for bringing this to the floor. Intelligence is the key to so many areas, in particular the military and security forums of our country. So I congratulate the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, let me take this means to recognize the fine accomplishments of my hometown, Lexington, Missouri, and its commitment to creating a more beautiful and historic community. Last month, Discover Mid-America's Destinations 2007 named Lexington first among historic towns, and Rural Missouri picked Lexington as its editor's choice for most beautiful town. Discover Mid-America said, ``Lexington is one of those special Midwestern towns that people return to time and again. Lexington has more pre-Civil War homes and buildings than any other community regardless of size in the state of Missouri, over 120, and numerous quaint and comfortable Bed & Breakfast inns.'' In its article, Rural Missouri said, ``You will love the antebellum charm of Lexington's historic homes. Don't miss the courthouse with its cannonball reminder of the Civil War.'' Madam Speaker, I am proud to call the city of Lexington home and I know the members of the House will join me in congratulating the entire community on its prestigious awards.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, a distinguished career in the United States Army has come to an end. General Peter J. Schoomaker recently retired after 35 years of service. General Schoomaker graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree and later received a Master of Arts degree in Management from Central Michigan University. In addition, Hampden-Sydney College awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Laws. His military education includes the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, the National War College, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security Management. On August 1, 2003, General Schoomaker became the 35th Chief of Staff, United States Army. Prior to this assignment, he spent 31 years in a variety of command and staff assignments with both conventional and special operations forces. General Schoomaker has taken part in various deployment operations around the world, including Desert One in Iran, Urgent Fury in Grenada, Just Cause in Panama, Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Southwest Asia, Uphold Democracy In Haiti, and supported various worldwide joint contingency operations, including those in the Balkans. General Schoomaker's distinguished career has been recognized by his peers as he has been awarded: the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, two Army Distinguished Service Medals, four Defense Superior Service Medals, three Legions of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge and HALO Wings, the Special Forces Tab, and the Ranger Tab. Madam Speaker, I know the members of the House will join me in commending General Schoomaker for a career of faithful service to his Nation and wish him well in his retirement.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I inform the House of the death of Mrs. William H. Weldon of Jefferson City, Missouri. Mrs. Weldon was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa, on February 22, 1922, daughter of Robert C. and Lenore Rhino Goshorn. She graduated from high school from the Mount Vernon Seminary, Washington, DC, in 1940 and went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Mount Holyoke College in 1943. After her college graduation, she returned to Jefferson City, Missouri, to work for the newspaper company which her father had purchased in 1927. In July 1956, she was united in marriage to William H. Weldon. William and Betty were the proud parents of 1 son, Frank Gifford Weldon, and 2 daughters, Lenore ``Tony'' Weldon and Sally Proctor. Mrs. Weldon was owner and publisher of the Jefferson City News Tribune, The Fulton Sun, and California Democrat. She was owner of Callaway Hills Stables, near New Bloomfield, and also the founder of KRCG-TV. In 1955, Mrs. Weldon became the first woman in the United States to launch a television station. Mrs. Weldon donated the first building space in Jefferson City to be used for the education of handicapped children; first known as the Goshorn Handicapped Center, it later merged with other schools to become the Special Learning Center. She was also active in many other community and national associations and groups, including service as a board member of the Jefferson City Family Y.M.C.A., the United Way of Central Missouri, the former Memorial Community Hospital Board of Governors, the St. Mary's Health Center Advisory Board, the Lincoln University Advisory Council, the Jefferson City Housing Authority, the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, the Missouri Welfare Association, and was responsible for the first cancer fund-raising drive in Missouri. At the national level, Mrs. Weldon was a member of the American Security Council, the American Saddlebred Horse Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, and was involved with the White House Conference on Children and Youth. Madam Speaker, she was a valuable leader in the community who was respected by everyone who knew her. She was a dear friend of mine and will be greatly missed. I know the members of the House will join me in extending heartfelt condolences to her family.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, Thomas M. Ruyle wrote an excellent article, entitled ``Army Stretched Beyond Limits'', which appeared in the Sedalia Democrat on April 12, 2007. This article accurately describes the current state of our Army and the challenges it faces. I wish to share Mr. Ruyle's writing with the rest of the chamber: [From the Sedalia Democrat, Apr. 12, 2007] Army Stretched Beyond Limits (By Thomas M. Ruyle) The Army is broken. Defense Secretary Robert Gates' announcement yesterday that all active-duty soldiers currently serving in Iraq would have their rotations extended by three months is the latest evidence that our military cannot meet the demands placed on it. Furthermore, the Pentagon this week alerted four National Guard brigades for a second tour in Iraq, long before those units have had five years at home since their last deployment, as policy dictates. Some active-duty units, such as the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, are serving their third tour in Iraq in four years. They recently returned to Iraq after a shortened rest and re-training period. Newer soldiers have, in many cases, not had the time to train with their new comrades before being sent into battle. Reserve units that have already served are woefully short on equipment and ammunition to properly retrain, either for the maw of Iraq or defending America itself. The Marine Corps recently announced that jungle training--a Corps mainstay-- will be suspended as that service is forced to concentrate all resources on training for Iraq. In the event of a major conflict erupting between the U.S. and another nation--Iran, North Korea and Pakistan come immediately to mind--America's ground forces, particularly the Army, are in no way, shape or form capable of responding appropriately. Meanwhile, the current administration--particularly the vice president--continues to maintain that everything is progressing as scheduled in Iraq, and that anyone who begs to differ is a defeatist or unpatriotic. Trouble is, there was no schedule and little planning involved in the Iraq debacle. The administration went to Iraq on a platform of lies, failed to heed the warnings of senior military officers and other warfare experts, and did not react appropriately when things started going bad in Iraq shortly after the invasion. Indeed, under Donald Rumsfeld, the defense establishment followed the `script' rather than act to prevent the looming realities that are obvious now. Since 2001, America's military has been engaged full-time in two separate wars: The War on Terrorism (primarily in Afghanistan), and (since 2003) a second, unnecessary war that has only begotten more terrorism, further destabilized the Middle East and left America very vulnerable. As an Army National Guard veteran of the Iraq War, I've seen firsthand the toll that a combat deployment will have on a unit, its equipment, soldiers and, their families. It takes years for a unit to properly recover and be ready to deploy again. Sending units back to Iraq on a speeded-up schedule is a, disservice to not only the soldiers and families affected, but America's long-term strategy (if there is one) in Iraq as well as America itself. All the while, there has been no effort to expand the military or adequately address the equipment shortcomings of units after serving in the harsh climate of the Middle East. The recent spate of Guard alerts, tour extensions and shortened rest periods are indicative of a problem that the Pentagon and administration utterly refuse to acknowledge: The United States Army is broken, and it will take billions of dollars over at least a decade to bring the Army back up to a fully competent readiness level.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. I thank my friend from Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, it really depends on where you put the spotlight. The spotlight has, unfortunately, been on some goals or a goal to redeploy troops, when truth in fact the spotlight of this legislation should have been and should be on the readiness of the troops of the United States. I am truly concerned about the readiness, let me tell you. In the last 30 years, there have been 12 military contingencies in which the United States military has been involved. If this means anything in the future, sure as God made little green apples, we are going to have conflicts or concern, we hope none, but in the future. Readiness is a major part of it. The testimony is that a large, large percentage of our equipment, Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve for the Army, is in the Middle East. It's not here; it's not available for training. What is over there, of course, because of the sand, the conditions and the usage, is getting worn. I truly worry about the training and the equipment for our Army and for our Marines in particular, because we don't know what the future holds. That is where the spotlight ought to be on this legislation, the positive aspects of it in preparing the readiness for tomorrow as well as for the readiness of today for the groups that are going over time after time, whether it be for 12 or for 15 months. My hats off to those young people in uniform. It's our job to maintain them and take care of them. This bill would have done that.