Ike Skelton

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chairman, last year in the bill that related to the Department of Defense, there was a provision that required the General Accounting Office, the GAO, to examine the Federal Government's progress in its effort to combat terrorism. As of today, the GAO is making its findings public. First, let me point out that for quite some time, we have been in a quiet war against terrorism. Nothing has happened here on our soil. And as of September 11, the difference is now that everyone knows it. This report, which was well in the works before the horrific attacks on September 11, underscores our need to dedicate more attention to protecting Americans by combating terrorism. This report is entitled ``Combatting Terrorism: Progress Made, but Executive Direction Needed to Address Evolving Challenges.'' The report concludes that while progress has been made, much remains to be done to establish overall leadership and coordination at the operational level and to implement a comprehensive national strategy. The report recommends the establishment of a single focal point for overall coordination and leadership and calls on the President to appoint a person to be responsible for threat assessments, strategy, budgeting, and oversight. The study further suggests the need for greater consolidation of Federal programs designed to assist State and local governments such as those managed by the Department of Justice and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This report, though it cannot be of help because of the September 11 acts that occurred, hopefully will be of help in the days and years ahead. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I would take this opportunity to thank my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham) for his very kind and generous remarks. Madam Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank).

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

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

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

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

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I would just like to add that in recent comments that I made to the CSIS, I touched on the area of air power. It appears to me that through the years we have done a pretty good job in the area of fighter aircraft and air-to-ground aircraft, but we have not done what we should have done in the area of bomber support. If one looks at the geography, particularly of the Asian Pacific area, hopefully nothing will ever come to pass where we will need long- range bomber efforts. However, I think this is an area that the gentleman and I have explored together over a period of years, that we must look to the future of the B-2 fleet, not only keeping it up to date, but even hopefully some day adding to that fleet.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, let me for a moment tell the Members that this base at Whiteman Air Force base in my district, which has the 509th bomb wing, which is a very historic wing and has the B-2s, is in superb condition and ready, should they ever be called upon, now or in the future. I was with them yesterday and had the opportunity to visit with them. I am so very, very proud of the young men and young women who not only fly but who maintain that fleet. I have a question of the gentleman from California, Mr. Chairman. I would ask the gentleman, in his opinion, would he tell us the importance of continuing to expand the bomber fleet of the United States?

Mr. SKELTON. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I might point out that the aircraft, the B-2, in the Kosovo conflict, and of course they are still capable, the pilots flew out of Whiteman Air Force Base, had refuelings, bombed the targets with great precision, and returned with refuelings, came back home. In one case, the pilot went back and was greeted by his wife. She said, please cut the grass. In other words, they do superb work from one base, and they are worldwide. I thank the gentleman.

Mr. SKELTON. I yield to the gentleman from Washington.

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Tauscher).

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentlewoman from California. Mr. Chairman, we have examined the amendments en bloc, and we agree thereto on this side.

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

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

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I might say that we have seen these amendments on our side, and we fully agree and approve of them. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, that is my understanding of the position of the Department of the Navy as well. As ranking minority member of the committee, I can assure the gentlewoman that the committee would take a very dim view of a transfer of land by the Navy before the issues that she raises today are resolved.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, if the gentlewoman will again yield, I might say that I am aware of the city of Tustin's base reuse plan and that there is currently a dispute between the city of Tustin and the school districts, as the gentlewoman mentions. I further understand that the Department of the Navy has been meeting with both parties to try to encourage a compromise solution to the outstanding issues regarding this former base.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I would tell the gentlewoman that I am familiar with the facility, which was closed under the auspices of the Base Closure and Realignment Commission, also known as BRAC. The gentlewoman has discussed the status with me in the past.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, if the gentlewoman will yield, I would be pleased, of course, to engage with the gentlewoman from California in a discussion of her concerns.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez) for the purposes of a colloquy.

Mr. SKELTON. Madam Chairman, I have one additional speaker who has a proposed colloquy with me, and I would like to wait a moment for that.

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

Mr. SKELTON. As the gentleman knows, the B-2 fleet from Whiteman Air Force Base, which is in west central Missouri, did remarkable work during the Kosovo conflict. The precision ammunition that it used was the best effort in the history of aerial warfare. In this bill, we are working towards smaller precision-type ammunition, bombs, and I think that is a major step. I also think that, regarding the B-2 fleet, we need certain upgrades to make sure that we stay ahead of all the technology so that, even more so, they will be stealthy. They are a first-class instrument of national defense. The B-2 fleet, as the gentleman knows, is so very, very important to our future. We must in our capacity as lawmakers and members of this committee make sure that the upgrades that are necessary for future technical advancement are bought and paid for. On a related item, I might tell the gentleman from California that not long ago I was talking with a marine captain who had just relinquished his command as a company commander. I was asking him about his experience. He, of course, being a marine all the way through, was very proud of his service as commander of that company. But he did remark, ``We didn't have enough ammunition to train properly.'' The gentleman from California has done yeoman's work in the area. We need, I think, to do more in the area of ammunition. I know full well that I join him in that effort.

Mr. SKELTON

Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting on this national day of mourning and remembrance that we take the first steps in healing our Nation and bringing those responsible for Tuesday's heinous acts to justice. We have condemned the unspeakable aggression visited upon our cities, we have united the Nation behind the great symbol of our American flag, and we have appropriated emergency funds to help States and communities to respond and to rebuild. Now we face the hard task of going forward, of responding soberly and deliberately, but with great focus and conviction, and with the full strength and righteous fury of the United States Armed Forces. In this, we are in unchartered territory. While we have fought great aggression before, our means of authorizing action today fit only imperfectly. When Congress responded to Franklin Roosevelt's call in 1941 by declaring war against the Japanese Empire, it could do so with full knowledge. We knew who had attacked us. We knew that we would fight against another sovereign nation in a traditional war that would involve the full range of our military forces. We knew what victory would mean, and we were committed to meeting that goal and we did. The current circumstances leave us with great uncertainty. We do not yet know who committed these unspeakable acts or where we may find them, we do not know the scale and scope of what bringing the perpetrators to justice may mean, and we do not know how long it may take. Yet there are some things we do know. We, the Congress, have a constitutional duty to partner with the President in undertaking military action. We fulfill that duty here with this resolution. While our actions here may be imperfect, they are an essential first step to show the unity of our Nation behind our President and our commitment to stand with our Armed Forces. We also know that we will not be alone. The world is behind us. Our NATO allies, so long our partners and friends, are all ready to stand with us. They have acted upon the principle that many throughout the world have come to realize, that an attack on one peace-loving country is an attack upon all. We also know that our response to these attacks will require great sacrifice. Our troops, who have long earned our respect and admiration, will be called again into harm's way and will need our unwavering support. Ordinary Americans, already sacrificing so much in the loss of those they love and in their commitment to supporting our Nation, will be called upon to sacrifice still more. This battle will be long and difficult, and it will require concerted resolve from all Americans. For us in Congress, we must continue to work with the President, recognizing that the actions of the weeks and months ahead will require both branches of government to execute their constitutional duties. We must improve our intelligence capabilities and assess the ability of our government to respond to unthinkable possibilities. After Tuesday, we know we must think about them strategically and thoroughly. Mr. Speaker, let us stand together and pass this resolution.