Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to pay tribute to Colonel (Ret.) Jerry Brown, former President of Wentworth Military Academy, for the service he has given to the academy for the last seven years. Colonel Brown's time as president of the academy has been marked with many accomplishments. Some of Colonel Brown's achievements include orchestrating the building of new barracks and an accreditation visit by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Brown was also instrumental in forming the Wentworth Foundation, created to gather funds for capital improvements at the school. As he prepares to spend more time with his family, I know that Members of the House will join me in expressing appreciation for his dedication to Wentworth Military Academy.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I take this means to honor Lafayette County C-1 Middle School for raising $8,500 for the victims of the tragedy on September 11. These patriotic students and teachers designed, produced and sold t-shirts to honor the victims in New York City and Washington, DC. After the attacks of September 11, Rhonda Boedeker and Paulette Augustine, teachers at Lafayette County C-1 and Cassie Schmidt, owner of Special Tees decided they wanted to do something to help their fellow Americans. With the help of fifteen local art students, the group worked tirelessly to make their project successful. The students and volunteers donated over 180 hours of their time and sold 2,700 t- shirts. These efforts raised $8,500 that was donated to the American Red Cross. Mr. Speaker, these philanthropists dedicated their time and efforts to help those in need in New York City and Washington, DC. I know that Members of the House will join me in paying tribute to their outstanding commitment to public service.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to congratulate and pay tribute to Jerry Adams, who recently retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where he served as Executive Officer of the Kansas City District. He has distinguished himself, the Corps and our nation with dedicated service. Mr. Adams began his career with the Corps in 1966 in the drafting section, where he worked with draftsmen and mathematicians on channel stabilization projects. Soon he became leader of this group. In 1975, Mr. Adams served as supervisor and project manager of the Corps' part in the celebration of the nation's bicentennial. In this role, Mr. Adams directed the operation and manning of the Sergeant Floyd and two mobile displays. The Sergeant Floyd, a 1932 channel reconnaissance boat, was converted into a floating museum telling the 200-year history of the Corps. Its 13-man crew traveled more than 20,000 miles over 18 months. The Floyd's multimedia theater was duplicated in two mobile displays that traveled America for 14 months, visiting many of the country's landmarks. Under Mr. Adams' leadership, the Corps won the Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society for the bicentennial effort. Following the bicentennial project, Mr. Adams was appointed chief of the District's Emergency Management section. During his 12 year tenure, the one-person office became a stand-alone division with six full-time employees. Mr. Adams office was regarded as the premier emergency management office in the Corps. Mr. Adams established associations with the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army which brought great credit upon the Corps and the District. In 1989 Mr. Adams assumed duties as the Executive Officer. In this position Mr. Adams was an active member of the senior staff and participated in numerous organization and events. He helped to organize employees' donations to the combined federal campaign. Mr. Adams was also involved in supporting the creation of Day of Caring, today a nation wide volunteering event. Mr. Adams is a member of the Society of Government Meeting Planners, having served as president, the Mid- America Regional Council, chairing the Emergency Preparedness Committee, and is active in the Boy Scouts. He is the holder of the Bronze deFleury Medal and numerous other awards from local commanders, community leaders and members of Congress. Mr. Speaker, Jerry Adams has dedicated over 35 years to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As he prepares for this next stage in his life, I am certain that my colleagues will join me in wishing Jerry all the best.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, several years ago, I became aware of the threat that terrorism posed to American security and began to learn more about our Nation's preparedness. In the aftermath of September 11 last year, I gain not even the smallest amount of pleasure by saying ``I told you so.'' In late 1996, after several attacks on U.S. citizens and military personnel, I called government investigators into my office to request a study on America's ability to defend against terrorists. This was the start of what became a 5-year, 15-report series assessing our Nation's ability to combat terrorism. The first report by the General Accounting Office, or GAO, examined the Defense Department's ability to protect U.S. forces overseas and concluded that uniform security standards were needed to assure the safety of Americans around the world. Imagine my disappointment when a follow-up study dated this past July stated considerable risk remained and significant security and procedural problems persist. In other reports issued during this period, GAO further cited additional shortcomings in our Nation's ability to combat terrorism. It called for better coordination and management, for better planning and training, for an increase in the number of real-world exercises, and for elimination of duplicative programs. GAO also repeatedly called for the implementation of a comprehensive threat-and-risk-assessment process to better quantify the danger. Finally, and above all, it called for the President to design and implement a comprehensive national strategy to combat terrorism at home and abroad. In response to these recommendations, I drafted legislative language to begin the regular disclosure of overall spending levels on combating terrorism programs. In March of last year, I introduced the Homeland Security Strategy Act of 2001 to address many of these concerns and warn of an impending threat. What I said then is still true today: we have no well-publicized, widely understood, comprehensive, government- wide strategy concerning the role of the United States Government in homeland security crisis and consequence management. On a positive note, the President did take up my recommendation to designate a single person to be responsible for and to report on homeland security. A few other positive developments have occurred in recent months too. For example, Congress passed and the President has signed the USA PATRIOT Act to enhance the government's ability to collect intelligence about potential terrorist activities. Regrettably, these steps were taken only after the loss of life on September 11. Meanwhile, our sons and daughters in uniform have achieved unprecedented success abroad in this struggle against terrorism. Through their sacrifice and selfless service we have destroyed al Qaeda's grip on Afghanistan, driven the Taliban from power, and disrupted al Qaeda's global operations. Despite the existence of a most challenging foe, we have achieved success while putting less than 3,000 military personnel on the ground and in harm's way. We have achieved success by utilizing special tactics and sophisticated technology. B-2 bombers, for example, flying from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri have placed precision ordnance on target with pinpoint accuracy. Army Special Forces personnel have often guided carrier- launched F-14 and F-18 strike aircraft on bombing runs. And Marines have worked alongside Army personnel in an unparalleled manner, supporting one another while clearing caves and bunkers throughout the mountain areas of the Afghan countryside. We have every reason to be proud of these accomplishments. Yet, success notwithstanding, much still needs to be done. For starters, Osama bin Laden, Mullah Muhammed Omar, and other Taliban leaders and their associates remain at large and may be on one of any of the continents of the globe. Nevertheless, to completely realize a successful fight against terrorism at home and abroad, several important and necessary improvements must be pursued. First, we must upgrade our intelligence, law enforcement, first responder, and military capabilities to effectively match the present and future threat. Second, we must reorganize and coordinate our approach to homeland security at the Federal, State and local levels. Third, we must improve the coordination of our law enforcement, intelligence, diplomatic, and military efforts. The attacks of September 11 could have been avoided. Yet as I look toward the days ahead, I gain both strength and a sense of optimism in recalling the words of Thomas Paine, who wrote: ``Those who expect to reap the blessings of liberty must undergo the fatigues of supporting it.'' Over time, we have shouldered the burden and met the challenges of our calling. We have done this because we had to; and with patience, persistence and faith, I am confident we will continue on this path. Our best days still lie ahead.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I inform the House of the death of Robert Hyder, former mayor of Jefferson City, Missouri. He was 91. Robert Hyder was born on February 26, 1910, in West Plains, Missouri, a son of L. M. and Mae Hyder. He was married May 18, 1957, to Ruth Lockwood. Robert graduated from Drury College with a degree in geological engineering and from the University of Texas with a law degree. During World War II he served in the Navy as a frogman. After graduation from law school, Robert served as assistant state attorney general in Missouri and as assistant U.S. attorney general. He then went to work for the Missouri Highway Commission retiring as chief legal council after 23 years of service. Robert then started a private law practice in Jefferson City before deciding to run for mayor. Robert Hyder served as mayor of Jefferson City for four years, beginning in 1975. His colleagues remember Robert as, ``one of the finest mayors I ever worked with'' and ``a real people person.'' After leaving office, Robert served on the Cole County Industrial Development Authority board. He was also head of the V.F.W. and the American Legion in West Plains. As a commemoration to his work as mayor, the Jefferson City Housing Authority dedicated the Robert Hyder Apartments and Addition. Mr. Speaker, Robert was a valuable leader in his community and will be missed. I know the Members of the House will join me in extending heartfelt condolences to his family: his wife, Ruth, and his children, Robert and Mary.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 1438, the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2002. I will explain why in a moment, but first let me compliment my friend, the gentleman from Arizona, on the truly outstanding job he did in shaping the conference report. This is the maiden voyage of the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump) as chairman of the Committee on Armed Services, and the seas were far from smooth. Many of the issues that faced us were particularly difficult for him personally. But I applaud his leadership, and I thank him, and I recognize that the totality of the bill is more important. When our country is at war, he handled that extremely well, and let me thank him publicly for that. Mr. Speaker, the fact that we are considering this bill today reflects the commitment of the Committee on Armed Services members that we must provide for the men and women of our military when they are sacrificing in so many ways to defend our wonderful country. They are depending on us. We cannot let them down. Let me cite a few examples. This bill provides a pay raise of at least 5 percent for officers and 6 percent for enlisted personnel, with targeted raises up to 10 percent for some ranks. Without this bill, our troops will not get any pay raise. This bill authorizes $10.7 billion for military construction and family housing. Without this bill, badly needed improvements to the housing for our service men and women and their families will not be made. For these reasons alone, it is imperative that we pass this bill today. Other features of the bill are just as important. For instance, the bill authorizes over $60 billion for procurement and weapons systems modernization. It includes $1 billion for chemical and biological research to ensure that our citizens may be protected against terrorist attacks in the future. The bill focuses on homeland security and authorizes $2.7 billion to train and equip local first responders to improve their ability to respond total terrorist incidents. Finally, the bill funds the operations and maintenance activities of the Department of Defense. I am not delighted with the outcome of every issue. Far from it. But the point I would make to every Member of this House is that this legislation is vitally important. Our troops need the authorizations in this bill. They are fighting a war. This bill makes great strides in improving America's security. It reviews the period since September 11 to enhance our military's ability to respond to the new, less-conventional threats that we face. I said 3 months ago that we have been at war for some time, and the difference after September 11 was that now everybody knows it. Mr. Speaker, this conference report is not perfect. We spend a little less for procurement than I might like, and although we do add funds above the President's request and the provisions on missile defense, Vieques and base closure are not what I might have written on my own, the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Stump) and I agree that the good things in this report far outweigh the others. This bill moves the military substantially toward new ways of fighting. It helps the Army and Marine Corps move faster, increases the Air Force's qualitative edge, and the pay raise is just the most basic part of our comprehensive improvements in quality of life for America's finest. Now, more than any time in the last decade, it is essential that this House speak with one voice. Americans are under fire. This vote will not be seen only in Kabul and Baghdad, but Diego Garcia, Fort Irwin, Norfolk and Whiteman Air Force Base. Americans are under fire. Let us give them this support and protection they deserve. Again, Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Stump) for a job well done, and I hope that everyone will vote for this bill. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, in the aftermath of the devastating attacks on New York and Washington on September 11, the United States has taken a range of swift and decisive actions to bring the terrorists responsible to justice and to ensure that sponsors of terrorism are uprooted. Our military has helped drive the Taliban from power in most of Afghanistan and has tightened the noose on Osama bin Laden and his compatriots. We have seized terrorist assets around the world, putting those who would help terrorists on notice that we will dry up those sources of support. In our military, diplomatic and financial efforts, the United States has received unprecedented support from the international community. Many countries around the world have converted their sympathy into real acts of solidarity. Our battle against terrorism is a global fight. Success requires sustaining a broad coalition of diplomatic and military partners over the long term. Recently, the State and Defense Departments provided me with a list of 29 countries plus the European Union who have contributed to our current counterterrorist efforts. While each country is helping in specific ways, they all are making a difference in our ability to thwart the global threat posed by terrorist groups like al Qaeda. Our allies in Europe are among our most committed partners. NATO took the unprecedented step of invoking article 5 of its charter, considering the attacks on the United States as attacks on the alliance as a whole. The European Union has offered broad diplomatic support and nations throughout Europe, from France and Germany to Poland, have offered military and domestic counterterrorism units. Unique among these loyal European partners is Great Britain who has stood with us diplomatically and fought alongside us in Afghanistan. The depth of this special friendship is one for which we should be profoundly grateful. Beyond our European partners, our allies in Asia-- Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand--have all provided combat or support forces for this fight. Our relationships with Russia and with India have improved greatly because of our common struggle against terrorism and their continued efforts to support us. Finally, I would like to note the remarkable actions of Muslim countries in this global struggle. So many are our friends and recognize that the war against terrorism is not a war against Islam. Pakistan has been crucial to our efforts in Afghanistan and has demonstrated great courage in helping lead the struggle against radical terrorism. Our NATO partner, Turkey, has provided special operations troops and has helped bridge the gap between the West and other Muslim nations. States in the Gulf and throughout Central Asia have also chosen to stand with the global community, seizing terrorist assets, providing public support for our military efforts and granting critical overflight and basing rights. As President Bush has said many times, this war will be a long and multifaceted one. To succeed, we will need the continued strength and commitment of the American people, but we will also need the ongoing support of our friends around the world. It is in the global interest to end terrorist activity and it will take global efforts to achieve this goal.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that a long and exceptionally distinguished career in the field of science and technology is coming to an end. Dr. Fred Saalfeld will retire as Executive Director and Technical Director of the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR). Dr. Saalfeld has been a popular and highly respected scientist at the Office of Navy Research for 40 years. Dr. Saalfeld's academic career began at Southeast Missouri State University and concluded with a Ph.D. from Iowa State University, specializing in physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry and math. Soon after, his career at the Office of Navy Research began. He developed the Central Atmosphere Measuring System, now in service on the Navy's nuclear submarines. He was also instrumental in developing a new secondary ion mass spectroscopy technique that is widely used in molecular biology and medical research. After these technical successes, Dr. Saalfeld became manager of the Department of the Navy's Science and Technology research at ONR. As Executive Director and Technical Director of ONR, Dr. Saalfeld was responsible for the entire naval research enterprise. He oversaw the development of the Research Opportunities for Program Officers program, which affords Program Officers an opportunity to undertake ``bench science'' in their area of scientific specialty while simultaneously managing their program. He also pushed to establish the naval research Young Investigator Program, which identifies new university faculty that posses the qualities to impact our Naval Forces. Dr. Saalfeld was instrumental in creating ONR's diversity committee and developing the ONR Corporate Diversity Plan. Over the course of his career, he authored and co-authored more than 500 research papers, reports and presentations. He has been recognized by universities, scientific societies, the Navy, Department of Defense, and Presidents Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Saalfeld shepherded Navy Science and Technology through trial and triumph for 40 years, ensuring the best was available for our fleet. I know the Members of the House will join me in paying tribute to this exceptional American and wish him all the best in his retirement.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to congratulate Riley's Irish Pub, of Lexington, Missouri, for being recognized in a recent issue of American Profile. Riley's has played an instrumental role in revitalizing the heritage of my hometown, keeping downtown alive with activity seven days a week. Mr. Speaker, Riley's Irish Pub is a fine restaurant and an asset to Lexington. My friends, Shirley Childs and Katherine VanAmburg, the owners of Riley's, are doing a terrific job. 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, it has come to my attention that Halloween was recently celebrated by sailors aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. The crew celebrated with a door-decorating contest, improvised jack-o'- lanterns and the ship's mascot donning a ghost costume. The festivities included a three-foot manmade jack-o'-lantern made by the ship's airframe department in their free time. The door-decorating contest produced a picture of Dracula in a cemetery, with one of the gravestones for Osama bin Laden. The ship's mascot, a moose, put on a ghost costume and trick-or-treated up and down the carrier's passage ways. Activities like these keep spirits high and create a break from daily activities for our sailors during a difficult time. I know the Members of the House will join me in paying tribute to America's men and women in uniform who nobly serve aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt and around the world.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to share with the Members of the House this excellent poem written by 11-year old Sarah Beth Soendker, of Polo, Missouri. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Soendker, of Lexington, Missouri. She wrote the poem in remembrance of the victims of the attack on America. The fine poem is set forth as follows: An American Promise We will stand tall if our soldiers die, if war starts again or if our hearts cry. We will stand tall if our country should lose, if our men go to war, that's our news. We will stand tall if our houses are burned, or if our country is attacked, we will still not be ruined. We may be trapped in this world of sin, but at least we still have our pride, our courage and we can win! An American Promise that we will make, we'll hold the flag high and this flag we won't let them take! Sarah has also had two poems published in the 2000-01 editions of ``Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans.''

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I offer this motion to instruct the conferees which instructs the conferees on the National Defense Authorization Act of fiscal year 2002 to recede and accept section 652 of the Senate-passed bill. This section would authorize survivors of nonretirement- eligible service members who die while on active duty to participate in this Survivor Benefit Plan. The tragic attack on the Pentagon on September 11 has brought to light inequitable treatment between Survivor Benefit Plan participants who die while on active duty and those who retire or are retirement eligible. Under the current Survivor Benefit Plan, known as SPB, only retired or retirement-eligible service members are entitled to participate in this program. Upon retirement, including medical retirement, a service member pays monthly premiums which entitle his or her survivors to an annuity upon the service member's death. However, if a service member is not retirement eligible, his or her dependents are not entitled to receive SPB if this service member dies. For example, let us say there are three active duty service members on a helicopter, Alpha, Bravo and Charlie, on deployment somewhere in the Middle East. Alpha has served for over 20 years. Bravo and Charlie have served for 19\1/2\ years. The helicopter crashes. Alpha, who is retirement eligible and participates in SPB, perishes in the crash. Since he is retirement eligible, his dependents are eligible to receive an annuity. Bravo, who has served 19\1/2\ years, survives the crash and is medically retired, but passes away. Because he is medically retired, his survivors also are entitled to an SPB annuity. Charlie, on the other hand, also has served 19\1/2\ years, and he perishes in the crash. Because he is not retirement eligible, his survivors are not entitled to any SPB annuity. The difference in benefit eligibility is determined by whether or not the service member is retired or retirement eligible at the time of death. Mr. Speaker, the situation I just described played out in real life, sadly, on September 11, when that airplane crashed into the Pentagon. SPB participants were treated differently depending on whether they were retired, retirement eligible or not. That is simply not fair. We owe it to those who gave their lives on that fateful day to fix this inequity. Section 652 of the Senate-passed Defense Authorization Act would correct this injustice. My motion instructs the conferees to agree to this provision. We have a moral obligation to ensure that those who volunteer to defend this Nation in uniform are treated fairly and equitably. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this motion to instruct conferees to accept section 652. It is not only the honorable thing to do; it is the right thing to do. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, for a moment let me speak about resolve. We have the tools of terrorism being used against us, whether they be anthrax or whether they be physical destruction. I came back from Missouri Sunday evening after talking with so many of the good folks that I represent, talking with young people; and I sense a deep resolve that I have not seen in a long time, a resolve to overcome the difficulties of terror. So from the heartland to those terrorists: we will win. There are two things that we must do. Number one, we must continue to do what we do best. And that is be Americans, and we are resolved to do that. Number two, we must show our appreciation to the young men and young women in uniform. It was Cicero who once said that the greatest of all virtues is gratitude. So today in our resolve to go about our business and to keep our country strong, let us show added appreciation and gratitude to those who wear the uniform of the United States. We shall overcome this day.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to congratulate and pay tribute to General John Havens, who recently retired as the Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard. He has distinguished himself, the Missouri National Guard, and our nation with dedicated service. General Havens began his military career as an ROTC cadet at the Missouri School of Mines, now the University of Missouri-Rolla. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and attended the Army's engineer school at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Next, General Havens served as a Platoon Leader and Engineer Supply Officer in France and Assistant S4 at Fort Ord, California. General Havens was then released from active duty in 1963. General Havens' distinguished career with the Missouri National Guard began in 1963 as a Platoon Leader in Rolla, Missouri. He held the same position in Fredericktown, Missouri, and Salem, Missouri, before serving as a Maintenance Officer at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. General Havens continued to serve at Jefferson Barracks for 11 years, serving as Assistant Operations Officer, Construction Engineer, Engineer Plans Officer, and Facility Engineer. The next position General Havens held was Chief Facility Engineer at Nevada, Missouri, and was then promoted to Commander, Camp Clark Training Site in Nevada. General Havens then served as Director of Facilities at the Missouri National Guard Headquarters. In July of 1993, General Havens was appointed Assistant Adjutant General, Army, of the Missouri National Guard. He served in this position until 1997 when he was appointed, by Governor Mel Carnahan, Adjutant General of the Missouri National Guard. As the Adjutant General, he was responsible to the Governor for the command and control of 10,000 Missouri Army and Air National Guard personnel. He was also responsible to the Governor for the State Emergency Management Agency and the Civil Air Patrol. Mr. Speaker, General Havens has had an impressive career in the military. As he prepares for this next stage in his life, I am certain that my colleagues will join me in wishing General Havens all the best. We thank him for his 40 years of service to the United States of America.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to share with the Members of the House the excellent remarks of Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld yesterday at the Memorial Service in Remembrance of Those Lost on September 11th. The fine statement is set forth as follows: We are gathered here because of what happened here on September 11th. Events that bring to mind tragedy--but also our gratitude to those who came to assist that day and afterwards, those we saw at the Pentagon site everyday--the guards, police, fire and rescue workers, the Defense Protective service, hospitals, Red Cross, family center professionals and volunteers and many others. And yet our reason for being here today is something else. We are gathered here to remember, to console and to pray. To remember comrades and colleagues, friends and family members--those lost to us on Sept. 11th. We remember them as heroes. And we are right to do so. They died because--in words of justification offered by their attackers--they were Americans. They died, then, because of how they lived--as free men and women, proud of their freedom, proud of their country and proud of their country's cause--the cause of human freedom. And they died for another reason--the simple fact they worked here in this building--the Pentagon. It is seen as a place of power, the locus of command for what has been called the greatest accumulation of military might in history. And yet a might used far differently than the long course of history has usually known. In the last century, this building existed to oppose two totalitarian regimes that sought to oppress and to rule other nations. And it is no exaggeration of historical judgment to say that without this building, and those who worked here, those two regimes would not have been stopped or thwarted in their oppression of countless millions. But just as those regimes sought to rule and oppress, others in this century seek to do the same by corrupting a noble religion. Our President has been right to see the similarity--and to say that the fault, the evil is the same. It is the will to power, the urge to dominion over others, to the point of oppressing them, even to taking thousands of innocent lives--or more. And that this oppression makes the terrorist a believer--not in the theology of God, but the theology of self--and in the whispered words of temptation: ``Ye shall be as Gods.'' In targeting this place, then, and those who worked here, the attackers, the evildoers correctly sensed that the opposite of all they were, and stood for, resided here. Those who worked here--those who on Sept. 11 died here-- whether civilians or in uniform,--side by side they sought not to rule, but to serve. They sought not to oppress, but to liberate. They worked not to take lives, but to protect them. And they tried not to preempt God, but see to it His creatures lived as He intended--in the light and dignity of human freedom. Our first task then is to remember the fallen as they were--as they would have wanted to be remembered--living in freedom, blessed by it, proud of it and willing--like so many others before them, and like so many today, to die for it. And to remember them as believers in the heroic ideal for which this nation stands and for which this building exists-- the ideal of service to country and to others. Beyond all this, their deaths remind us of a new kind of evil, the evil of a threat and menace to which this nation and the world has now fully awakened, because of them. In causing this awakening, then, the terrorists have assured their own destruction. And those we mourn today, have, in the moment of their death, assured their own triumph over hate and fear. For out of this act of terror--and the awakening it brings--here and across the globe--will surely come a victory over terrorism. A victory that one day may save millions from the harm of weapons of mass destruction. And this victory--their victory--we pledge today. But if we gather here to remember them--we are also here to console those who shared their lives, those who loved them. And yet, the irony is that those whom we have come to console have given us the best of all consolations, by reminding us not only of the meaning of the deaths, but of the lives of their loved ones. ``He was a hero long before the eleventh of September,'' said a friend of one of those we have lost--``a hero every single day, a hero to his family, to his friends and to his professional peers.'' A veteran of the Gulf War--hardworking, who showed up at the Pentagon at 3:30 in the morning, and then headed home in the afternoon to be with his children--all of whom he loved dearly, but one of whom he gave very special care, because she needs very special care and love. About him and those who served with him, his wife said: ``It's not just when a plane hits their building. They are heroes every day.'' ``Heroes every day.'' We are here to affirm that. And to do this on behalf of America. And also to say to those who mourn, who have lost loved ones: Know that the heart of America is here today, and that it speaks to each one of you words of sympathy, consolation, compassion and love. All the love that the heart of America-- and a great heart it is--can muster. Watching and listening today, Americans everywhere are saying: I wish I could be there to tell them how sorry we are, how much we grieve for them. And to tell them too, how thankful we are for those they loved, and that we will remember them, and recall always the meaning of their deaths and their lives. A Marine chaplain, in trying to explain why there could be no human explanation for a tragedy such as this, said once: ``You would think it would break the heart of God.'' We stand today in the midst of tragedy--the mystery of tragedy. Yet a mystery that is part of that larger awe and wonder that causes us to bow our heads in faith and say of those we mourn, those we have lost, the words of scripture: ``Lord now let Thy servants go in peace, Thy word has been fulfilled.'' To the families and friends of our fallen colleagues and comrades we extend today our deepest sympathy and condolences--and those of the American people. We pray that God will give some share of the peace that now belongs to those we lost, to those who knew and loved them in this life. But as we grieve together we are also thankful--thankful for their lives, thankful for the time we had with them. And proud too--as proud as they were--that they lived their lives as Americans. We are mindful too--and resolute that their deaths, like their lives, shall have meaning. And that the birthright of human freedom--a birthright that was theirs as Americans and for which they died--will always be ours and our children's. And through our efforts and example, one day, the birthright of every man, woman, and child on earth.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to share a few words regarding the upcoming retirement of Colonel Dennis Richard Lewis, Program Branch Chief for the Army's Congressional Legislative Liaison. In the very near future, Colonel Lewis will retire after 27 years in the Army. He has distinguished himself, the Army and our nation with dedicated service. Colonel Lewis began his career in the military in 1974, after graduating from the United States Military Academy. At West Point he excelled in academics, sports and became Airborne qualified as a cadet. Colonel Lewis later attended Purdue University, receiving a masters degree in Industrial Relations. His professional military development includes the Army Field Artillery Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. In addition to his academic achievements, Colonel Lewis became Air Assault qualified and became an Airborne Jump Master with the 82nd Airborne Division. During the Cold War, Colonel Lewis served in numerous field artillery assignments including Nuclear Weapons Officer, Battery Executive Officer, Battery Commander and Assistant Operations Office in Germany, Turkey and Southwest Asia. With this experience, Colonel Lewis returned to the United States Military Academy as a Tactical Officer. Colonel Lewis' next assignments included some of the Army's most challenging. As a field artillery Operations officer, Colonel Lewis deployed to Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Upon return, Colonel Lewis was selected to command a field artillery battalion in the 82nd Airborne Division. After completing his Battalion Command, Colonel Lewis was assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Assignments at this post included coordinating military response and support to the crash of TWA Flight 800, the downing of two U.S. civilian aircraft over Cuba, the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and the Cuban and Haitian migrants operations in the Carribean. Colonel Lewis became a field artillery Brigade Commander in the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, NC and then served as Program Branch Chief for the Army's Congressional Legislative Liaison. In this position, Colonel Lewis effectively articulated the Army's goals, policies and programs to key members of Congress while serving as an advisor to the Secretary of the Army and the Army Chief of Staff. Mr. Speaker, Colonel Lewis has had an impressive career in the military. As he prepares for this next stage in his life, I am certain that my colleagues will join me in wishing Colonel Lewis all the best. We thank he for his 27 years of service to the United States of America.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, General Henry H. Shelton became the fourteenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on October 1, 1997, and was reconfirmed by the Senate for a second 2-year term in 1999. In this capacity, he serves as the principal military adviser to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council. Prior to becoming Chairman, he served as Commander in Chief of the U.S. Special Operations Command. Born in Tarboro, North Carolina in January 1942, General Shelton earned a Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina State University and a Master of Science degree from Auburn University. His military education includes attendance at the Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama and at the National War College at Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C. Commissioned a second lieutenant in the Infantry in 1963 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps, General Shelton spent the next 24 years in a variety of command and staff positions in the continental United States, Hawaii, and Vietnam. He served two tours in Vietnam--the first with the 5th Special Forces Group, the second with the 173d Airborne Brigade. He also commanded the 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry in the 9th Infantry division at Fort Lewis, Washington; served as the 9th Infantry Division's assistant chief of staff for operations; commanded the 1st Brigade of the 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and served as the Chief of Staff of the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. Following selection for brigadier general in 1987, General Shelton served 2 years in the Operations Directorate of the Joint Staff. In 1989, he began a 2-year assignment as Assistant Division Commander for Operations of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), a tour that included the Division's 7-month deployment to Saudi Arabia for Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. Upon returning from the Gulf War, General Shelton was promoted to major general and assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he commanded the 82d Airborne Division. In 1993, he was promoted to lieutenant general and assumed command of the XVIII Airborne Corps. In 1994, while serving as corps commander, General Shelton commanded the Joint Task Force that conducted Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY in Haiti. In March 1996, he was promoted to general and became Commander in Chief of the US Special Operations Command. In his 4 years as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Shelton worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for military members and their families. He championed numerous initiatives including the largest across-the-board pay raise for the military in 18 years--helping to narrow the civilian-military ``pay gap.'' His push for pay table reform targeted greater increases for mid-grade noncommissioned officers, and his retirement reform package reinstated benefits for those entering service after 1986. Furthermore, thanks to his dedication and support, an enhanced housing allowance was implemented to gradually eliminate out of pocket expenses for service members living off post. Finally, the Chairman was a strong advocate of the effort to reform medical health care, to make medical care more responsive--to include military retirees over 65. The Chairman made great strides to improve the readiness of the US military by articulating a regiment for increased defense spending. As a result, the Department of Defense realized a $112 billion increase in defense spending over the 5-year defense plan to arrest declining readiness rates. He additionally implemented new processes to carefully manage high demand/low density resources in support of the National Security Strategy. The Chairman and his staff published Joint Vision 2020 to establish goals and the metrics for the future joint force, and he established U.S. Joint Forces Command as the proponent for Joint Experimentation and Joint Force readiness. He established Joint Task Force-Civil support to increase the military's ability to respond to crises in the US homeland and established Joint Task Force-Computer Network Operations to enhance protection of US information networks. General Shelton directed numerous initiatives designed to improve the interoperability of the four Services including a Joint Warfighting Logistics Initiative, development of a Global Information Grid, revision of all Joint Professional Military Education Programs and an enhancement on the joint warfighting focus of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council. General Shelton's awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with 2 oak leaf clusters), Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with oak leaf cluster), Bronze Star Medal with V device (with 3 oak leaf clusters), and the Purple Heart. He has also been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff (Identification Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Military Freefall Badge, and Special Forces and Ranger Tabs and numerous foreign awards and badges. General Shelton is married to the former Carolyn L. Johnson of Speed, North Carolina. Mrs. Shelton has been actively involved with service issues and support to military families throughout General Shelton's career. The General and Mrs. Shelton have three sons; Jonathan, a Special Agent in the US Secret Service; Jeffrey, a US Army Special Operations soldier, and Mark, their youngest son. General Shelton represented the US military with great distinction for the past four years as its senior military officer. He participated in policy-making at the highest levels of government but never lost the common touch with our men and women in uniform. General Shelton will indeed be remembered as a soldiers' soldier and a quiet professional.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to congratulate and pay tribute to Elmer Boyd Staats, President, Trustee, and Chairman of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation. Mr. Staats will soon end a distinguished career in public service. His dedication spans more than six decades and includes appointments under every U.S. President from Franklin Roosevelt to George W. Bush. Mr. Staats began his career in public service in 1936, spending a summer as a research assistant for the Kansas Legislative Council. During 1937 and 1938, he was a member of the staff of the Public Administration Service of Chicago. In 1938, Elmer came to Washington, D.C. to be a fellow at the Brookings Institute. A year later he joined the staff of the Bureau of the Budget, thus beginning a remarkable Federal service career. As a member of the Bureau's Division of Administrative Management and later of the War Agencies Section, Elmer worked with Presidents Roosevelt and Truman in converting the U.S. economy to war time production and back to peace time again. Later, he became Assistant Bureau Director for Legislative Reference, working with Truman White House staff to help coordinate the President's legislative programs. Mr. Staats then became the Bureau's Executive Assistant Director then Deputy Director, a position he held until 1953. Later, Elmer was appointed Executive Director of the Operations Coordinating Board of the National Security Council. He then returned to the Bureau of the Budget, serving as Assistant Director then Deputy Director under Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson. In 1966, President Johnson appointed Elmer Comptroller General of the United States. He served a full 15-year term and implemented significant changes in the General Accounting Office. Elmer focused on expanding GAO's work and issue areas to serve Congress more effectively. When Elmer Staats took charge of GAO, less then ten percent of the its professional staff's effort toward providing direct assistance to Congress. When he left, GAO was devoting nearly 40 percent of its effort to helping Congress. During his tenure at GAO, Elmer helped user in many improvements. He helped to implement ``Government Auditing Standards,'' providing standardized methods for governments at all levels to determine the effectiveness of programs. Upon his retirement in 1981 Elmer Staats was called, ``a pragmatic of good government.'' Elmer's public service did not end with his retirement from Comptroller General, as he soon became President and then Trustee and Chairman of the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation. This Federal agency administers the scholarship program established as the sole Federal memorial to President Truman. Each year the Truman Foundation awards 80 scholarships to outstanding students who wish to undertake a career in public service. This December Elmer Staats will complete his third consecutive six year term as a Foundation Trustee and as its Chairman. Having had the privilege to serve with him as Vice Chairman of the Trustees, I can personally attest to the ways in which this important program has flourished under his leadership. Elmer has served on numerous commissions, committees, boards, and councils, making each better because of his involvement. He has also been the recipient of many awards, including the Rockefeller Public Service Award and the Presidential Citizens Medal. Elmer received degrees from McPherson College, the University of Kansas and the University of Minnesota and honorary doctorate degrees from eight different schools. Mr. Speaker, Elmer Staats has been a truly great American, serving the United States for 65 years. I know the Members of the House will join me in thanking him and wishing him all the best in the days ahead.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chairman, one might call this a ``cats and dogs'' amendment. In this bill, as in every bill, there are minor housekeeping matters and new ideas and agreements that do not require their own specific amendment; and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), the chairman of the committee, and I have rounded up the strays and now present them en bloc. I have worked with the chairman to resolve these items. I support all of them, and I ask the Members to join us in the passage of this amendment. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I applaud the gentleman on his comments and his memory of Floyd Spence. He was truly a gentleman's gentleman, a true Southern gentleman, from his infectious laugh to his strong support of the troops. We will recall him very, very fondly; and I thank the gentleman for his remembrance of him. And for 19 years, I might say, sitting next to me on the Committee on Armed Services was our colleague Norm Sisisky, who made such a great contribution. At this moment, I would also like to pay tribute to his memory for the wonderful work that he did. And I thank the gentleman.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I ask to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chairman, let me state that I do rise in support of the amendment offered by my friend and our chairman, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump). This amendment expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should move expeditiously to produce an award of a freedom medal to be awarded to civilians employed with the Department of Defense who are killed or wounded as a result of hostile action. It also urges the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive, uniform policy for the award of decorations to military and civilian personnel. The tragic and deadly attack of the Pentagon by terrorists has raised public awareness that our Nation's civilian personnel also take an oath to defend and protect our Nation. Their selfless contributions and their sacrifices are just as vital to our efforts to protect the constitutional freedoms that we enjoy. On September 11, nearly 200 of our finest military personnel and civil servants gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, in a terrorist war against our Nation. Members of the Armed Forces who were killed or wounded in the Pentagon attack will receive the Purple Heart. Sadly, the sacrifices of their civilian coworkers will not be acknowledged, since no decoration existed to recognize civilians who were also killed or wounded in the line of duty. These and many other civilians often work with their military colleagues side by side, and oftentimes are deployed to hostile areas in support of military operations. They are essential to support military operations worldwide, and it is right and just that we recognize their contributions and sacrifices on behalf of our Nation. On September 20, the Deputy Secretary of Defense approved of a new defense of freedom medal for civilians of the Department of Defense who were killed or wounded as a result of hostile action. The defense of freedom medal, like the Purple Heart, will recognize the sacrifices of our civilian personnel. I urge the support of my colleagues. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, let me say, in recent testimony, Madam Chairman, the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, as well as the Secretary of the Army, testified that they are in need of at least 40,000 additional soldiers for our present missions. I have recommended publicly at least an additional 20,000. I would point out that these are soldiers, as opposed to those who are policemen. Their job is to protect America's interests as soldiers.