Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I support this amendment because I believe it correctly sets out today's priorities for the Department of Defense. I have to say that this amendment represents an unusual, but successful, collaboration. The gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) and I set out earlier this year to revise what we believed to be a disproportionate increase in the amount dedicated to missile defense. Members from both sides recognize the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) as a true authority on the subject with a grasp of detail which is astonishing. We believe that other items in the budget deserve a higher priority, so we proposed to move a substantial amount from national missile defense into increased pay and improved family housing and counterproliferation efforts. And had matters turned out differently, this may have been a very spirited debate. Then America was struck with an abominable act that demanded a united response. Both parties, from the Speaker and the minority leader on down, agree whatever our differences are on this subject, the Nation would not be served by a divisive debate. So we reached a compromise. While I support missile defense, and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) supports missile defense, we have clear differences on how rapid and wide-ranging the research effort should be. But those differences pale next to our common goal of enhancing the security of our country from its most proximate threat. Today, that threat is acts of terror against the innocent by the inhuman. This revealed importance of fighting terrorism has joined us in common cause. The public is so often cynical about agreements in Congress, but we made an agreement; and this is one that aims toward the highest military priority, the fight against terrorism; and that is what this amendment does.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).

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

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

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to share with the Members of the House the excellent editorial in the Jefferson City News Tribune following Tuesday's horrific events. The fine statement is set forth as follows: Americans Under Attack Abject honor does not begin to describe the reaction to this morning's attack on New York City and Washington, D.C. Much remains unknown. What is certain, however, is that the attack was an act of war on American people on American soil. At this juncture, we know that shortly before 9 a.m. EDT today an American Airlines jet hijacked after take-off from Boston, struck one of the twin towers at the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. Within minutes, a second airplane, also believed hijacked from American Airlines, struck the trade center's second tower. Both towers caught fire and subsequently collapsed in a massive implosion of burning debris. Later this morning a commercial jetliner, also believed to have been hijacked, crashed into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. That was followed by a car bomb exploding outside the State Department. In addition, another jetliner, possibly hijacked from United Airlines, crashed outside Pittsburgh, PA. The death toll, although yet unknown, will be staggering. The World Trade Center itself houses an estimated 50,000 employees, exceeding the population of Jefferson City. Passengers on the hijacked jet and other people on the ground also have perished. In reaction, all flights in the nation have been cancelled, key buildings have been evacuated and the military has been placed on alert. The miscreants, presumably terrorists, who perpetrated these malevolent attacks also remain unknown. They must be identified, and they and their ilk must be exterminated like the vermin they have shown themselves to be. America has been attacked mercilessly. To serve notice that this must never happen again, our response must be equally merciless.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to speak of the recent retirement of Colonel Ed Gruetzemacher, 1107th Aviation, Classification and Repair Activity Depot commander, Missouri National Guard. Colonel Gruetzemacher retired after over 30 years of service to the United States military. He has distinguished himself, the military and our nation with dedicated service. Colonel Gruetzemacher began his career in 1967 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After basic training, Colonel Gruetzemacher was selected for officer training school and then flight school. Upon completion of flight school, Colonel Gruetzemacher flew COBRA helicopters in the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, the same unit his father served in years earlier. After service in Vietnam, Colonel Gruetzemacher was assigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he deployed an attack helicopter company to Europe for restationing. In 1974 Colonel Gruetzemacher joined the Missouri National Guard as deputy at the Transportation Aircraft Repair Shop, now known as the 1107th AVCRAD. During his 27 years in the Missouri National Guard Colonel Gruetzemacher has served in the 142nd Transportation Battalion, the 1107th AVCRAD, the 635th Aviation Group and the State Aviation Office. Mr. Speaker, Colonel Gruetzemacher has dedicated 34 years of his life to the military, serving with honor and distinction. As he prepares to spend more time with his wife Jean and daughter Eve, I know the Members of the House will join me in wishing him all the best in his retirement.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to congratulate my friends at the Lexington Elks Lodge, Lexington, Missouri, who recently celebrated their 100th Anniversary as a lodge. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 749 has served a proud role in the city of Lexington since the lodge's chartering in 1901. The Elks have played a vital and active role in the community, sponsoring programs aimed to better the town, the people, and the people's safety. The Elks organization is primarily involved in two community service programs, drug awareness and veteran services. Lexington Elk's are strong supporters of the D.A.R.E. program in Lexington schools. They have sponsored the purchase of D.A.R.E. signs and drug awareness programs. The Elk's also show support and appreciation to the veterans of our nation. The Lexington Elk's Lodge has sponsored numerous other community projects. They have distributed fire alarms, hosted community Christmas dinners, donated to organizations such as the Ministerial Alliance and they sponsor a yearly scholarship for graduating high school seniors. Mr. Speaker, the Lexington Elk's Lodge has contributed to the city for a century. I know that the Members of the House will join me in congratulating them and wishing them continued success.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. How much time do I have remaining, Madam Chairman?

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, may I make an inquiry of the time we have remaining?

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer). (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), for his comments on the need for working together with other countries. One of the pole stars of this entire effort against terrorism will be that of building a coalition of countries who desire and urge freedom for their people. So I thank the gentleman for pointing that out. Madam Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson).

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this has been quite a trying year for the Committee on Armed Services. Last year I stood with Floyd Spence to offer the bill, which was titled in his name. I am very glad that Congress approved that bill, not least as a tribute to Floyd. Since then, too, the passing of Herb Bateman and Norman Sisisky took from our committee and the Congress great knowledge and wisdom. A significantly compressed budget process challenged the committee's ability to maintain its required oversight role. And, more recently, the revived specter of military action led to consideration of significant changes in this bill. Through all this, Mr. Chairman, I am grateful for the friendship and the teamwork displayed by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump). He has an open door and an open mind, which are in large part why I am able to say that I support this bill and ask my colleagues to do so as well. The road has been difficult, but the product is well worth the journey. When we began work on this bill, America was at peace. We looked at the future and saw a world of new threats, from less traditional sources and differing means. Our goal as a committee was twofold: to help the military services make their transitions into this new world, while maintaining their capabilities to meet the needs of the present. Then some of our worst fears were realized, and innocent Americans, civilian and military, became targets of an unspeakable and inhumane barbarism. The United States was thrust into a new kind of war, emphasizing intelligence and adaptability over force and firepower. Through the amendment and conference process, our bill will change to meet this new challenge without losing our other capabilities. The gentleman from Arizona has told you of some of the bill's particulars. I am particularly proud of the pay raise for the men and women who represent America in uniform, and wish only that it had been higher. I am proud, also, of the way our subcommittee chairs worked with their ranking members in creating this bill. Plenty of creativity and tolerance went into their work. Even in areas of disagreement, the debate was agreeable. And, to be sure, there are some worthy highlights. Of the $343 billion authorized, the bill commits approximately $10.3 billion to build and renovate new facilities and housing for the military services. It helps to privatize 28,000 units and builds 51 new barracks and dormitories. This is putting our money where the soldier is. And we do not forget the families. The bill builds or improves 6,800 units of military family housing, makes substantial contributions to supporting additional quality-of-life enhancements like child development centers and fitness centers for military personnel, and improves basic working conditions. As the Department of Defense considers how it shall fight in the decades ahead, our procurement and research development titles preserve the widest range of options. We do not take away capabilities commanders say they need, and back a full array of new and innovative approaches for the future. The bill also begins to formally close the door on the Cold War. It takes a bold new step in our relations with Russia, allowing for the elimination of 50 Peacekeeper missiles. At the same time, it funds the cooperative threat reduction programs that make those offensive reductions possible. Other adversaries would do well to note how cooperation in making peace leads to greater security on all sides. There are many more strong reasons to support the bill, but let me set aside the formalities for a moment and speak to my colleagues from the heart. One clear trend in the history of warfare is that war has come closer and closer to civilians. Now we are faced with an aggressor who deliberately chooses to make war on civilians. We have a military, Mr. Chairman, of volunteers, each of whom has chosen to put on a uniform. Each of them knows that by doing so, he or she is saying this: ``I will put myself between Americans and danger. I will risk my life and freedom to preserve yours. I will do what my country asks, and more.'' Mr. Chairman, their strength and fidelity may soon be put to the test. I guarantee every Member that they will not be found wanting. As they go, I hope and believe that they carry with them every good wish of those in this Chamber and across the civilized world. And I wish them Godspeed. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood).

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Snyder).

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Tauscher).

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me take just a moment to compliment the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) on his efforts concerning the housing for our young people in uniform. He and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz), and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock) made a series of appearances to look at the conditions of some of our young folks. We ask so much of them; and I think this bill does make, as the gentleman said, a major step in helping the living conditions for those young people in uniform, and we thank him for his efforts in that regard. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes).

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner), who is the ranking member on the Special Oversight Panel on Terrorism.

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

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I yield 7 minutes to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. McKinney).

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel).