Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin). (Mr. LANGEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Tauscher).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin). (Mr. CARDIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost). (Mr. FROST asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the minority leader.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This is a solemn moment for this body. We are here this evening representing Americans all across our land, and we are here to say on their behalf thank you to the young men and women who wear the uniform today, just as those veterans have done in yesteryear. I appreciate the Speaker mentioning to this body that our colleague and friend the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Buyer) has been called to Active Duty. We will remember him in our thoughts and prayers, just like we do every soldier, sailor, airman and marine who represents us in this struggle for freedom and the end of a regime that could cause great harm to the free world. It is too bad that we have to have a resolution for our young men and women when they are in danger. Maybe we ought to pass one when there is a time for peace, when there is no conflict or a threat of conflict. It was the British poet Rudyard Kipling that put it so well in his poem ``Tommy'' when he said, It's Tommy this and Tommy that and throw them out the brute, but savior of his country when the guns begin to shoot. I think we should show respect and thanks and appreciation to those who wear the uniform, who are trained daily, working daily, and, when they are called upon as they are now, be ready. So I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), my good friend and chairman, for his efforts. We have worked so well, as we did on a previous resolution just a few days ago, and sadly, the process by which we find ourselves here tonight has not met with full understanding. Nevertheless, we are here to commend those troops for what they are about to do and what they are doing on the field of battle this evening. We unite as Americans in support of our troops, who are the truest expression of what this country stands for: courage, strength, compassion. They are the finest sons, daughters we have to offer the world as defenders of freedom, both in the United States of America, for the Iraqi people, as well as for those who love freedom across this globe. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. We will have a number of speakers, and as a result thereof, I will cut my remarks short, and I thank the gentleman from California for his efforts in this behalf. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding me the time. We had a well-known Missourian named Mark Twain who once said, ``The more you explain it to me, the more I don't understand it.'' A few moments ago my friend and colleague from Georgia (Mr. Linder) spoke about this budget taking care of the military. I have the privilege of serving on the Committee on Armed Services, which is a hard-working and, I might say, very bipartisan committee, but also I might point out, Mr. Speaker, we are at war. Last night were the opening volleys to bring down Saddam Hussein, and yesterday I appeared before the Committee on Rules to ask for an amendment to recognize the fact that we would soon be at war and would soon have expenses for the aftermath in the country of Iraq. Sadly, the Committee on Rules did not accept my ability to offer an amendment. I offered an amendment which would establish a $20 billion reserve fund. This was done back during the initial era of the war on terrorism, and I chose a modest amount, a $20 billion amount, for this reserve fund because it was estimated that it would cover a 5-month occupation and a 1-month conflict. Hopefully, that will be the case. In all probability, it will be much longer than that. We have war-related costs, and this budget does not accept the fact or recognize the fact that we need to pay for this war. We are telling the American people, should this budget be passed, that there will be no money, no reserve fund, no dollars, no war-related costs that would help the troops, the ships, the fliers in working toward a victory. It would provide no humanitarian assistance for the inevitable flow of refugees, nothing to establish a transitional government. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, some analysts believe that the American costs could exceed $100 billion, and yet my amendment was for a mere $20 billion to recognize reality. We are in a war. This budget should recognize that. This budget should have allowed an amendment to be offered in that case. The Committee on Rules was wrong not to make my amendment in order. I am saddened by that fact. They failed to include it in this provision, and consequently, Mr. Speaker, I will ask my colleagues in this Chamber to vote against the resolution.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 76, I was unavoidablY detained outside the House Chamber and was unable to cast a vote in favor of H.R. 1307, the Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the ranking member recognizing me on this very important bill, the Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act of 2003. So I rise in support of this bill which is much-needed tax relief for our men and women in uniform. And although there was some delay, I am glad that the majority has agreed to remove the extraneous amendments and bring a clean bill to the floor, and we thank them for that. A bill to provide tax relief for brave men and women is not the appropriate vehicle for extraneous amendments. I hope that this bill will now be able to move forward expeditiously so that our servicemen and women, particularly those in the Guard and Reserve, will be able to receive meaningful and proper tax relief. Since the end of the Persian Gulf conflict in 1991, our reliance on the Reserve components has steadily increased. In 1993, for example, Reservists and National Guardsmen provided 5.7 million man-days' worth of support to our military. In the wake of the attacks on September 11, 2001, Reservists provided more than 41 million man-days of support to meet military requirements, primarily because of operations Noble Eagle, which of course is protecting the United States, and Enduring Freedom, which was liberating Afghanistan. The demands on our Reservists to participate in military operational missions have more than doubled in recent years. The global war on terrorism has also increased burden on the Reserves and National Guard. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, some 85,500 Reserve and National Guardsmen personnel were mobilized for active duty. Thousands were sent to guard our Nation's airports. This provided security for bridges and power plants and water treatment facilities and other important infrastructures that are vital to the American economy. Today, more than 50,000 Reservists still remain mobilized for the global war on terrorism, and almost 20,000 Reservists, and I will say there again, almost 20,000 Reservists face a second year of involuntary active duty. The last several months have seen the number of mobilized Reservists soar to over 120,000 to meet potential demands for our conflict in Iraq, and these numbers continue to rise daily. Allowing travel expense deductions for Reservists is the least we can do for these brave men and women. Last year the House and the Senate passed similar tax measures to support the troops. In the waning days of the Congress, the measure was tied up by extraneous provisions, which ultimately led to its demise before adjournment. On the eve of our Nation going to war, and that is what we are going to do, I urge my colleagues to support this measure so that we can move forward in ultimately adopting a bill that will provide significant tax relief for those who wear the uniform of the United States of America.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that a long and exceptionally distinguished career at the Missouri Farm Bureau will soon come to an end. Mr. Bob Hitzhusen has announced his retirement after 25 years of service to the farmers of Missouri. Bob launched his professional agriculture career after graduating with a degree in Agriculture Economics from Iowa State University. After serving as an admissions counselor at Iowa State for two years, he joined the legislative staff of Congressman Wiley Mayne in 1975, serving in Congressman Mayne's Washington, DC office. Bob joined the staff of the American Farm Bureau in 1975 as a full- time lobbyist, starting his career with the Farm Bureau. In his position as lobbyist, he worked with several congressional delegations and followed key agricultural issues. Bob joined the Missouri Farm Bureau staff as Director of National Legislative Programs in 1978. In this position, he was responsible for Farm Bureau's policy development program and was actively involved in lobbying for Farm Bureau members on state and national levels. He has played an active role in every major farm program re-write since the 1973 Farm Bill. In addition, he has been actively involved in international trade legislation, including organizing agricultural support for the North American Trade Agreement and the GATT implementing legislation. He also worked to implement meaningful Missouri River policy that would benefit Missouri's agriculture producers, including work to provide a better levee system and work to ensure the Missouri River Master Manual fully represents the interest of the Show Me State. In 1996, Bob was appointed Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary for the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation and Affiliated Companies. In addition to his administrative duties, he has continued to serve as an active lobbyist for the farm organization on state and national issues. Due to his exceptional service to the Missouri Farm Bureau and agricultural programs, Bob has been singled out as a leader in agriculture. He was chosen to participate in the European Community's visitors program, where he spent three weeks studying agricultural policy in Europe. He was also awarded a partnership award by the USDA soil and water conservation programs in Missouri. As Bob Hitzhusen prepares to spend more time with his family, his wife Verlee and his sons Paul and Mark, I know the members of the House will join me in expressing appreciation for his dedication to Missouri's agriculture community and to the Missouri Farm Bureau.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis), a member of the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is a distinct honor to serve with the chairman, a veteran himself, who knows so well what we are honoring here today; and I thank the gentleman for his efforts and for his dedication and leadership. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel), a member of the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Marshall), who is a member of the Committee on Armed Services and also a veteran, a Ranger, from the Vietnam War.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz). (Mr. ORTIZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the minority leader.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join the chairman of the Committee on Armed Services, my friend, my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), in support of House Joint Resolution 27. This bill recognizes and commends the dedication, the selfless service, and the commitment of our Armed Forces and their families, and especially those involved with the global war on terrorism. Our Nation is at war with terrorists who would destroy our freedoms and liberties that are the foundation of America. Those who serve on the front lines of this war on terrorism are our men and women in uniform. When our Nation calls, it is her service men and women who volunteer to be the point of the spear, protecting the Nation's interests both here in America and abroad. Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, the Philippines, Yemen, Georgia, these are just several of the regions in which our Armed Forces are serving today. They are in over 200 countries around the world protecting the peace and training militaries in counterterrorism operations, and in searching and hunting the al Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan. These are just a few of the important missions that our soldiers and sailors, our airmen and Marines are called upon to do each day. The Armed Forces have always been called upon to assist those protecting us here in the homeland. From patrolling the skies above our major cities and guarding important infrastructure and facilities, like bridges and water treatment facilities, to providing assistance to Border Patrol agents, our military is there to defend us. Many called to service are citizen soldiers, National Guardsmen and Reservists, part-time volunteers who serve when they are called. A growing number of these citizen soldiers have been called to serve on multiple deployments over the past decade. Nearly 85,000 members of the National Guard and Reserve components have been mobilized for active duty since the start of the global war on terrorism. Last Friday, there were over 120,000 Reservists and National Guardsmen who were mobilized, many on their second year of active duty; and the number continues to rise. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, Company C, the 110th Engineers of the Missouri National Guard from my hometown of Lexington, has been mobilized to guard Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Our Reserve forces cannot fulfill their service obligations without the support of their families and employers. Employers have provided support in a number of ways, such as continuing to pay the difference between civilian pay and military pay, and providing health care coverage for the families left behind. The support of these military families, active and Reserves, is also vital to deployed troops. Military families often face months of separation from their loved ones. Stories of a child being born while a parent is deployed and precious moments like birthdays and graduations and holidays being separated from families and friends are quite common. Yet these military families endure such hardships and sacrifices so these servicemembers can continue to proudly serve our Nation. More than 65 servicemembers have died since the global war on terrorism began, and over 200 have been wounded or injured. These 65 individuals and their families made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Our thoughts and our prayers are with them. While there are no words I can find to adequately express the Nation's appreciation for their sacrifices, our sympathies and our consolation go out to these families. The Nation will not forget the price these servicemembers paid to defend our country and to defend the freedoms that we all enjoy here in the United States of America. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that the citizens of America recognize the dedication and commitment of those who serve in the uniformed services and their families, and I thank the gentleman for offering this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. A number of years ago, I had the opportunity to go down to Norfolk Naval Base and watch the USS Theodore Roosevelt deploy for its 6-month deployment. There I saw the greatness of America aboard ship as the sailors would wave and also on the dock as the families, the husbands, the wives and the children, they also were and are part of the greatness of America. Today we see the same scene, of all services, different colored uniforms, those who leave, the men and women being deployed, and of the families waving and saying good-bye, to the children who will not have their mother or their father who are in uniform with them for their birthday, for their graduation. This, of course, is a sacrifice of the military families. We should remember that the young men and young women in uniform, their families, children, spouses, really form a backbone of greatness in our country. The gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), my friend, the chairman of our committee, a veteran himself, we thank him for his leadership on this resolution as well as his leadership on the Committee on Armed Services. To all the Americans who are sharing in this worldwide global battle against terrorism, we wish them well. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards).