Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to congratulate and pay tribute to Robert Langdon of Lexington, Missouri, who recently was named state Volunteer of the Year by the Missouri Economic Development Council. He has distinguished himself, the Lexington community and the State of Missouri with dedicated service. Bob Langdon was nominated for this prestigous award for his work restoring and redeveloping Lexington's downtown. He helped bring a theater to the Franklin Avenue site and helped start the Lexington Pride Organization, which assists new businesses in opening in the downtown area. He has also served as president of the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce and he and his wife, Margie, are active proponents of the proposed 4 Life Center. Mr. Speaker, Bob Langdon has been dedicated to making the City of Lexington and the State of Missouri a better place to live. I am certain that my colleagues will join me in wishing him all the best.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for allowing me to add my voice to this effort. Mr. Speaker, when one walks into the Special Operations Center, in the lobby thereof on the right-hand side there will be a portrait of the late gentleman from Virginia, Dan Daniels, for it was he on June 26, 1986, who introduced a bill to establish the National Special Operations Agency. We have Special Operations Command as a result of his efforts, and the efforts on the other side of the Capitol, particularly with the help of Retired Lieutenant General Sam Wilson; this command was activated on April 16, 1987. U.S. Special Operations Command provides highly trained, rapidly deployable and regionally focused personnel to support the combatant commanders. Today, there are some 46,000 Special Forces personnel in the Army, Navy and in the Air Force. Today we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Special Forces of the Army. I rise to support H. Con. Res. 364. The First Special Service Force of the Second World War is considered to be the predecessor to the present U.S. Army Special Forces. General George C. Marshall determined that an elite force recruited in Canada and our country was required to conduct raids and strikes in snow-covered mountainous terrain. These men were trained in demolitions, rock-climbing, amphibious assault, and ski techniques, and were also provided airborne instructions. The First Special Service Forces was known as The Devil's Brigade. It was inactivated in the south of France near the end of World War II. Colonel Aaron Bank, who served in the OSS at the time, proposed a permanent, small elite unit to do this counterinsurgency work. So in June 1952, the first unit of Special Forces was activated. The 10th Special Forces Group was established at Fort Bragg. Let me add my voice to that of the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez), the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes), and others, and urge that it be adopted.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to congratulate and pay tribute to Ron Jennings of Sedalia, MO, who has been a reporter and weekly columnist for the Sedalia Democrat for 30 years. He has distinguished himself, the Sedalia community and the State of Missouri with dedicated service. Ron Jennings started work at the Sedalia Democrat on June 1, 1972. Since then he has covered stories large and small that have touched upon virtually every facet of life in Sedalia, Pettis County, and much of the surrounding area. He is a devoted family man, a pillar of his church and a man whose openness and sincerity have won him loyal readers and a multitude of friends over three decades of newspapering. Ron is the one person most identified with the Sedalia Democrat's new operation. Mr. Speaker, Ron Jennings has been dedicated to making the city of Sedalia and the State of Missouri a better place to live. I am certain that my colleagues will join me in wishing Ron all the best.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to congratulate the city of Clinton, Missouri, for being recognized as the first recipient of the ``Random Acts of Service'' award sponsored by Hilton Hotels Corporation. In response to a national re-commitment to the service of our neighborhoods and our nation, Hilton Hotels launched a nationwide community effort aimed at committing one million random acts of service in 2002. The community of Clinton, Missouri, in conjunction with the program ``Random Acts of Service'' will be involved in many volunteer efforts during the months of May and June. Volunteers from Hilton Hotels and citizens of Clinton, Missouri, will be restoring the Historic Missouri Artesian Park in Clinton, among other projects. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the city of Clinton for helping to make their community and our great country a better place to live. I know that Members of the House will join me in wishing them all the best in the days ahead.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 58th Anniversary of D-Day. It was June 6, 1944 when American and Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, which began the continental campaign against Hitler's Nazi Germany. The 1th Infantry Division chaplain, Major Kovach, recently offered this prayer regarding the sacrifices American fighting men made on that effort some 58 years ago. The prayer is set out in text as follows: Almighty, eternal God, we bow before you during this solemn moment of remembrance. we find ourselves standing on hallowed ground... ground consecrated by the blood of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom, and their families gathered to honor the memory of their loved ones. 58 years ago, men of extraordinary courage fought for this very ground upon which we stand today. it is nearly impossible to conceive of the enormous price exacted to insure liberty's light would never grow dim. Only by the grace of God, the determined spirit of men like those memorialized here was freedom won and peace preserved. But keep us mindful Lord that freedom is not free. That it takes men and women of valor to win it, and a people committed to character and principle to keep it. May we stand firm to keep the peace others have given their lives to win and may it call us to a renewed appreciation for the liberty and opportunities which have been safeguarded by their sacrifice. As we walk by this memorial and countless graves, may we never again entertain thoughts of indifference or forgetfulness. May we pause and rededicate ourselves to the highest ideals our fallen comrades lived and died for. And, following their example, commit ourselves this day to the ultimate virtue of self-sacrifice in service to God, to country, and to our fellow man, that the memory of those who fought and died be properly preserved, and their lives not sacrificed in vain. In Your most holy name we pray. Amen.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, April 22, a Change of Command was held at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, MO. Col. Douglas L. Raaberg succeeded BG Anthony Przybyslawski as the Commanding Officer of the 509th Bomb Wing. BG Przybyslawski will continue his outstanding military career as the assistant director of operations for Air Combat Command headquarters in Langley Air Force Base, VA. Lt. Gen. Keck oversaw the change of command. Col. Douglas L. Raaberg has had an exemplary military career. Col. Raaberg graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1978 with a BA in aeronautical engineering. He also holds two masters degrees in systems management and national security strategy. Col. Raaberg has served at Vance Air Force Base, training Navy, Marine Corps and allied pilots. While commanding the Ninth Bomb Squadron, Col. Raaberg's unit set a world record for flying around the world in nearly 36 hours without re- fueling. Mr. Speaker, as Col. Douglas L. Raaberg takes command of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, I know that the Members of the House will join me in wishing him the best in the days ahead.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to pay tribute to SGM William Roger Layman upon his retirement from the United States Army. SGM Layman has served our nation with honor and distinction for over 30 years, and his performance throughout his career has been characterized by the highest standards of professional ethics and commitment to the military. He was drafted into the United States Army in July 31, 1969, and attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. SGM Layman became a Personnel Specialist in June 1970 and was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. He finished his career as a Logistics Operations SGM with the 3rd BDE, 95th Division. SGM William Layman received a bachelor of science degree in accounting and is currently the Chief of the Internal Review and Audit Compliance Office, USA MEDDAC, at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. SGM William Layman's awards include the Army Commendation Medal w/Oak Leaf, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal w/Silver Oak Leaf (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal with Service Star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ hour glass, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (2nd Award). Mr. Speaker, I am certain that my colleagues will join me in wishing SGM Layman all the best. We thank him for over 30 years of service to the United States of America.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, we are on the eve of Memorial Day, a day set aside each year beginning with the war of 1917-1918 to recognize and memorialize those who paid the ultimate price and those who served and, subsequently, those who fought in wars since that time. Mr. Chairman, we are today involved in war. This bill before us is purported to be a supplemental for the battle against terrorism, one that is purported to support the war against terrorists and to support those wonderful young men and young women in American uniforms. So I think it is proper to measure this legislation before us by giving it the soldier test by asking that soldier who might well be in Afghanistan being shot at or returning fire and in danger as to what help he needs from the Congress of the United States in a supplemental appropriation. This bill has good things in it. It provides for new protective body armor for the servicemembers. It provides for Global Hawk and Predator unmanned aerial vehicles, which give invaluable intelligence. It provides for remote chemical and biological agent vapor detection systems. It provides for new radios for the F-15 fighter aircraft that have been so instrumental in providing close air support. It provides for CH-47 Chinook helicopters which move soldiers and equipment to the battlefield. It provides for Navy and Air Force JDAMS, that is, smart bombs; and most important, it provides for conventional ammunition for soldiers to use on the battlefield. But let us further apply the soldier test. Unfortunately, this bill contains a number of items completely unrelated to prosecuting the war on terrorism. Included in this bill are matters that detract from our fundamental purpose of passing legislation, and it tarnishes what we should be doing here on the eve of Memorial Day. Among these provisions are raising the debt limit; a special interest provision requiring textiles to be dyed; a special interest provision providing for changes in reimbursement of Medicare for certain areas of our country; provisions deeming the House-passed budget resolution levels to be applicable to the appropriations bills; a provision relating to the fees charge by the Fish and Wildlife Service at Midway Atoll. Money for YMCA in the Seattle area. Money for low-performing schools in Pennsylvania. Money for American theater, arts and youth. I ask, Mr. Chairman, what does that or any of these items have to do with fighting terrorism? They do not meet the soldier test. Coming out of committee, this was a good bill which genuinely and properly provided many good things that are absolutely essential for those troops wearing the American uniform to be able to fight and to win the war on terrorism. Sadly, the inclusion of highly controversial extraneous provisions having nothing to do with our national security on this war have compromised our ability to do what is right for the American troops. Mr. Chairman, the sole star of our effort today should be providing those young men and young women, our troops, our soldiers, with the equipment, with the systems, with the training that they need to defeat terrorism. That is where it starts, and that is where it ends. Sadly, this bill includes the extraneous material that detracts from this wonderful purpose.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I thoroughly support this amendment, and I fully support the war against terrorism. I support the bill as reported from the Committee on Appropriations, and I rise to comment on one of the important deficiencies in this bill: funding for our National Guard and our Reserve personnel. Since September 11, some 83,000 National Guardsmen and Reservists have been called to active duty to support the war on terrorism. These are citizen soldiers, every bit as important as the regular active duty personnel, and these servicemembers are serving around the globe in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Korea and elsewhere. They are helping to prosecute the war against terrorism. We have a duty to fully support them. Unfortunately, this bill does not do that. The supplemental requested by the administration includes only $4.1 billion for military personnel modernization and readiness. Because of the size of the National Guard and Reserve call-up, the duration of that call-up, and the use of stop- loss authorities to keep personnel on active duty once they have been mobilized, the bill on this personnel call-up comes to $1.8 billion above the $4.1 billion requested by the administration. I commend the Committee on Appropriations for partially addressing the funding shortfall. The bill includes an additional $790 million. That still leaves about $1 billion that the Department of Defense will have to absorb in order to pay for those already incurred costs. I do not know who is to blame, OMB or the Defense Department, but the failure to pay this bill will force unwise deactivation of personnel and harkens back to the days when the National Guard and Reserve were second-class citizens. We cannot and we must not let this happen. Secretary Rumsfeld and President Bush have said they will do whatever it takes to pay for the war on terrorism. I only wish the budget reality matched that rhetoric. Our military personnel, National Guard, Reserves, active duty, are being stretched thin with missions around the globe. We have an obligation to provide the funding to make sure they can do the jobs we ask them to do. While I will vote for the bill, I hope we will be able to fully fund these must-pay expenses in conference so that the Department of Defense does not have to compromise other important programs for this war on terrorism. Let me add, this debate is about the future of Social Security, as many have noted; but it is more than that. We are at war. It is not a war we sought; it is a war that was forced upon us. All of us agree that we need to defeat the terrorists who attacked us, most recently on September 11, and that the antiterrorism and homeland security funding in this supplemental appropriations bill is needed. In prior wars, we have mobilized and sacrificed to defend freedom and defeat tyranny. I remember the day after Pearl Harbor. I was a boy. Thousands lined up at recruiting offices. Eventually, more than 15 million Americans served in uniform. Millions more worked in defense plants. There was rationing of critical materials needed for the war effort. To win this war, we have asked a relatively small number of Americans to sacrifice, to endure hardship, or even to die in defense of our freedom. There is no draft; there is no rationing. In fact, the administration has even opposed recruiting more troops to ease the burden on those in the field, and Americans have been urged to live normally and spend more money to stimulate the economy. So this debate is about a moral question: Who do we ask to sacrifice in time of shared national peril? At least in the War Between the States, the wealthy had to buy their way out of serving. In the War Against Terrorism, the majority proposes to pay the wealthy through a tax cut and send the bill for the war to our grandchildren.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the McGovern-Skelton amendment. I am surprised that the gentleman from Arizona omitted a bit of history, because American troops were sent initially to Colombia and a line was drawn and it was drawn to provide training in antidrug activities only. This is a major step. This is a Gulf of Tonkin amendment that is in the bill that we seek to strike. Now, Mr. Chairman, I speak today having recalled on so many occasions within the Committee on Armed Services and here on the floor, pointing out the fact that our troops are stretched, they are strained, their families are paying a severe sacrifice on their loved ones being gone so much, and that we have to increase the number of troops that we have. So with that in mind, I think that what is in the bill needs to be stricken. The implication is clear, that American servicemembers would become engaged in a broadened United States military effort in Colombia. My concerns with the bill are several. Expanded American military activities will embroil us in a civil war that has been raging for 40 years. This is no small thing, as the gentleman from Arizona pointed out. This is a major policy change. We could find ourselves engulfed in a morass that would eat up American soldiers like we have not seen in years. Second, and perhaps the most important, is that our military personnel are performing more overseas missions today than ever. In just the past several months, our forces have been deployed to the Philippines, to Yemen, to Georgia, in addition to the major operations in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo, not to mention Korea, not to mention the young men and women aboard ships on the seas. If the administration follows through with its plans to invade Iraq, invade Iraq, we simply will not have enough people to perform the missions, at least not to perform them very well. So we should carefully weigh the consequences before undertaking expanding missions in places like Colombia. The administration has simply not made the case for this expansion of our role. It is well known that the Colombian law allows wealthy and educated youth to avoid military combat. Their own sons are not sent out to fight the insurgence, but American sons can do it. I do not think that is a good policy for the United States of America. Mr. Chairman, expanding the drug program in Colombia to include terrorist activities is inviting war in Colombia. It runs the risk of embroiling us in an intractable civil war at a time when our military is stretched already. A vote for this amendment is the right policy for Colombia. The bill says that the Department of Defense funds can be used for a unified campaign. That is a magic phrase. That means, as I interpret it, that it is a license to change the rules of engagement for our troops that allows them to engage in combat or war. If this bill is adopted without this amendment, we could be embroiled in a no-kidding shooting war; and we will know that this is a Gulf of Tonkin effort that we have passed, unless this amendment prevails.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, first let me say I appreciate and applaud the persistence of the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin) in behalf of this legislation. It is the right thing to do. I appreciate the work of the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hostettler) and the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Mrs. Wilson) on this issue. There was a phrase that the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hostettler) used that is part of our Constitution. Mr. Speaker, the United States Constitution requires the Congress to raise and maintain the military and also to establish the rules and regulations thereof. Through my years in Congress, I have had the opportunity to do both and particularly, in writing rules and regulations insofar as military education is concerned and insofar as the structure of the military is concerned, which resulted in what we now call Goldwater-Nickles. Mr. Speaker, this is the right thing to do. The Americans are in Saudi Arabia, have been in Saudi Arabia, were there to make sure that Saddam Hussein's troops did not come down south and into that country. They are there for the protection of that country. This is a very appropriate thing to do, to not make the American women of the military abide by anything but the American rules.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me take this opportunity to thank the chairman for his work on the en bloc amendments. I might say, Mr. Chairman, that we have reviewed each of the proposed en bloc amendments, that we agree to the submission thereof and the passage thereof, and that they should all be supported by the Members of this body. Let me take just a moment in addition thereto, Mr. Chairman. Part of our duties as members of the Committee on Armed Services besides having hearings and having the briefings and doing the study here in Washington is to meet with the various members of the military personnel wherever they may be. Not long ago, I was aboard the USS Harry S Truman in Norfolk and met with the officers and men and women of that ship. Not long thereafter, I was in San Diego and I went aboard the USS Peleliu and visited extensively with the sailors thereon. By the way, they had just returned from their duties in the Indian Ocean. And then I have been to Little Rock Air Force Base and saw the extensive training there; to Fort Campbell, Kentucky; to Whiteman Air Force base, which is in the State of Missouri. I must tell my colleagues that the young people in American uniform are working hard, that they are dedicated and that they are professionals and the purpose of our being here today is to give them support. However, it is interesting to note two things. The first is that they are being stretched and strained in their efforts because there are too few in number in many instances. This is pointed out by the fact that General Buck Kernan of forces command down in Norfolk testified not long ago to the effect that the troops are tired and that they are stretched. Then a week later, the commander of our forces in Europe, General Joe Ralston, testified that there were needs for additional forces and resources in his jurisdiction. Admiral Dennis Blair, Commander in Chief of the Pacific, testified similarly. The young men and young women are stretched. Their families are paying a price of them being gone so much, but that is only half the story. The other half of the story, Mr. Chairman, is the fact that the morale is sky high, that they know why they are there, that they are supporting the men and women of the United States of America; and I think all of us should add a special note of pride and appreciation to them. So I take this means while we are discussing these en bloc amendments, which we, of course, have no objection to, to say that added word in honor and in recognition of our young folks who represent the United States of America in uniform. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003. This bill, properly so, is named in honor of our chairman, who has stated his intention not to return to this body; and I thank him for the work that he has done on the bipartisan amendment within the committee itself. The committee unanimously named this bill for him. This is an excellent bill. It passed by a vote of 57 to one. It authorizes $393 billion for defense programs, which includes $15.5 billion for the Department of Energy defense-related matters. The bill makes a number of vital readiness and modernization improvements, and it does a good job in keeping our forces the best trained and the best equipped in the world. The quality-of-life issues are excellent for our servicemembers and their families. In particular, there is a 4.1 percent pay raise, with targeted raises, and I am also pleased to state that there is an increase in the end strength for all services, a much, much needed improvement. Many missions are being performed by our men and women in uniform that make it clear that we need more people. There is an increase of some $4 million in military construction and family housing that also adds to the quality of life. We were able to increase funding for procurement, research and development, and military construction. My principal reservations with this bill do concern matters relating to the environment and nuclear weapons policy. But with that said, at the end of the day, Mr. Chairman, this is an excellent bill. It will help our readiness; it will help our troops, whether they be on the field or on post or on base in this country. We are very proud of what they do, so this is a major step in supporting them. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 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. Chairman, I yield 7 minutes to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. McKinney) for debate purposes only.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Allen).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood). (Mr. UNDERWOOD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty). (Mr. McNULTY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews). (Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, it was the Roman orator Cicero who once said that the greatest of all virtues is gratitude, and let me again express gratitude to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump) for his tireless and skillful efforts in leading our committee, and in his contributions to the United States Congress through the years. We are very proud of him and thank him for what he has done for us, and the role model he has been for the rest of the Members, both Democrat and Republican. Let me also say a word of thanks and gratitude to the Committee on Armed Services, which I believe is the most bipartisan committee in this body. There are times we have partisan disagreements, but we do attack the various issues as professionals and as representatives of different parts of our country. But most of all, I think we as a body need to express thanks and gratitude to the young men and young women in uniform. That is the purpose of our being here today. It is the United States Constitution that charges us here in Congress to raise and maintain the military of the United States. The military of the United States is reflected by young people in various colors of uniform all wearing the American flag on their sleeve. So we thank them, we thank their families, and we hope that the piece of legislation that we pass today will be a benefit to them, encouraging them to keep doing a good job and staying the course, and just a word of thanks to them for their determination, dedication and patriotism. With that, Mr. Chairman, again a special thanks to the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Stump). Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt).

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express some concern that I have; and as Members know, I had an opportunity to testify yesterday before the Committee on Rules. I intend to vote against the previous question. However, should the previous question pass, it is my intention to vote for the rule. But let me first tell Members of my serious concerns. A number of key Democratic amendments and proposals were not made in order. They include, but are not limited to the amendment of the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) requiring 12 months notice to Congress before nuclear testing. It makes sense to debate that. Or another amendment by the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) on cooperative threat reduction. What is more important than that issue? It makes sense to debate the Allen amendment prohibiting nuclear- tipped interceptors. That was put to bed back in 1982. It makes sense to debate the amendment by the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) on the Colombian troop cap, or the gentleman's amendment of last year repealing last year's base closure law; the Rahall amendment on the environmental provisions; the Hinchey amendment on environmental provisions; as well as the Hooley amendment. These are items which should have been, in my opinion, made in order because we are in favor of a full and fair debate. Nevertheless, we forge ahead. Mr. Speaker, I stated that I would vote against the previous question because of the fact that these amendments were not made in order, that we seem to be rushing to judgment without a full and fair debate that the country is entitled to have.