Adam Smith

Mr. SMITH of Washington

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

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1208. I would like to thank Chairman Conyers as well as his staff for their support in bringing this resolution to the floor, and for the kind remarks from the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble). I also want to thank the other Chairs of the House Intellectual Property Caucus, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Bono Mack) and, again, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble), who have joined me in sponsoring House Resolution 1208. This important resolution commemorates World Intellectual Property Day, which was observed yesterday, April 26. Each year since 2001, World IP Day has been held in observance of the establishment of the World Intellectual Property Organization by the United Nations. World Intellectual Property Day calls attention to the importance of IP for both our Nation and the international economy. It recognizes the contributions made by the countless artists, innovators, and other creative minds that enrich, assist, and inform us in many ways. In and around my district in Washington State, I am able to observe daily the critically important role played by innovation and intellectual property to the economies of the South Sound region and the United States. As many of my colleagues are aware, Washington State is fortunate to boast a robust technological and innovative economy, with companies that range in size from major corporations to hundreds of smaller and medium-size businesses. Together, these industries directly and indirectly create hundreds of thousands of jobs and generate billions of dollars in economic activity. Each relies upon innovation and respect for intellectual property to remain successful and internationally competitive. Similarly, in States and localities throughout America, artists, inventors, and employees in IP-intensive industries play a major role in supporting economic vitality. IP creates well-paying job opportunities for workers of multiple skill levels, drives research and development investment, creates new products and services that make our Nation more globally competitive, and drives American exports to foreign markets. For intellectual property to work, it has to be protected; people have to know that they will get the value of their inventions and of their brain power. We must protect intellectual property to grow jobs here in the U.S. It is critical. I am proud to recognize World Intellectual Property Day, and I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to recognize World Intellectual Property Day and the role that intellectual property plays in our Nation.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon, on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, I was unable to be present for rollcall vote No. 216 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1216). Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Rebuilding Together organization in their efforts to improve the lives of American homeowners with the greatest need, and help to ensure they have a safe and healthy place to call home. Established in 1988, Rebuilding Together currently maintains over 200 active affiliates nationwide and works with more than 200,000 volunteers to rehabilitate 10,000 homes and community centers each year. The homeowners that Rebuilding Together serves include the elderly, disabled, veterans, and families displaced by natural disasters. Rebuilding Together is the Nation's largest domestic housing organization that works to preserve homeownership and revitalize communities in a cost-effective manner by providing critical home repairs, accessibility modifications, and energy saving upgrades all at no charge to America's low-income homeowners. With the support of large volunteer teams, major corporations, and other contributors, Rebuilding Together leverages each dollar donated into an average of four dollars in added market value invested into the low-income homes they serve. In a time of widespread housing challenges and economic turmoil, Rebuilding Together's work allows the residents it serves to remain and live safely in their own homes. Rebuilding Together's efforts help prevent homeowners from losing their homes and help homeowners maintain their independence and retain what is in many cases their most significant asset of personal savings and intergenerational wealth. These efforts also help to support neighborhoods and keep communities from losing residents and experiencing declines in real estate value. This weekend, I will have the pleasure of joining volunteers and Rebuilding Together South Sound in Washington State as they hold their annual Rebuilding Day. I look forward to supporting their work and helping to achieve their important goals. With the help of community partners, corporate sponsors, and political leadership, Rebuilding Together makes it possible for thousands of Americans to thrive in their own homes and live in healthy communities. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Rebuilding Together for their efforts to ensure proper housing for veterans, senior citizens, the disabled, and displaced families in Washington and throughout the United States.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, this year's Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver were an incredible display of America's finest athletes representing our country. It is my great privilege to commend two of these athletes from the great State of Washington. The Ninth District of Washington was honored to be represented by short track speedskater John Robert ``J.R.'' Celski of Federal Way, Washington. Celski sustained a severe injury during the Olympic Trials in which his skate blade cut deeply into his left quadriceps muscle, barely missing his artery, only 5 months before the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Prior to his injury, he put up record performances in U.S. competitions against other world-class athletes. Celski displayed an astonishing level of perseverance when he overcame this adversity to capture the bronze medal in the Men's 1500m and the Men's 5000m Relay. J.R. Celski embodied the spirit of this country with his resolve and determination. Apolo Anton Ohno of Seattle, Washington, was another inspirational athlete at the Olympic Winter Games with ties to the Ninth District of Washington. Both Ohno and Celski grew up skating at Pattison's West Skating Center in Federal Way, Washington. I am proud to represent a district that has significantly contributed to the success of U.S. speedskating. I ask my colleagues to please join me in congratulating both Apolo Anton Ohno and John Robert ``J.R.'' Celski for their perseverance and determination to overcome adversity and give historic performances in short track speedskating at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, on Monday, March 15, 2010, I was unable to be present for recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 112 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1145, as amended), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 113 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1170), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 114 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1163), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 115 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 267).

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, on Friday, March 12, 2010, I was unable to be present for recorded votes. I request that the Record show that had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 109 (on passage of H.R. 3650), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 110 (on approving the journal), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 111 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4506, as amended).

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Washington State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos for receiving the 2010 Desjardin Financial Literacy Award. The Desjardin Financial Literacy Award, given by the Credit Union National Association, annually recognizes one State lawmaker for their exemplary leadership and legislative efforts in the field of youth financial education. Financial literacy is a crucial skill for all to have in today's society, from balancing a checkbook to budgeting for retirement. This skill allows us to make wise decisions about our finances and our financial future. The earlier that our youth attain this knowledge, the more successful and prepared they are later in life. In Washington State, financial literacy training supports the goals of Washington's Basic Education Act. This Act seeks to provide students with the skills necessary to ``understand the importance of work and finance and how performance, effort, and decisions directly affect future career and educational opportunities.'' Washington State Representative Santos has exemplified the effort to provide financial literacy opportunities for our youth statewide since being elected to the Washington State House of Representatives in 1998. Representative Santos led the campaign to establish the Financial Education Public Private Partnership (previously the Financial Literacy Public Private Partnership) in 2003, as well as to secure public funding for the project. The Partnership works to increase students' financial education, provide financial education information for school districts, and provides financial education instructional materials. Additionally, the Partnership has grown because of Representative Santos' enduring support and her legislative work throughout the years. The work of Representative Santos stands as a model for all States in the effort to promote fiscal responsibility and literacy. I commend her for her efforts and congratulate her again on this tremendous achievement.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, on Thursday, March 4, 2010, I was unable to be present for the recorded vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 1079, as amended. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 91.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. We need to do a better job of intelligence. We need to better coordinate that intelligence. That's what I think we learned from the Christmas Day attack. There is stuff in this bill to try to do this. We need to do oversight better. We need to have a better idea from the intelligence community to do what they are going to tell us and when, and to make sure there is a record of it, which is in this bill, so that no one can later dispute what they were or were not told. The minority has a critical role to play in making that happen. Instead they make these baseless charges that somehow we have given up in the fight on terror and we are not supporting the intelligence community. That is absolutely untrue. Majority and minority strongly support our intelligence community, and we are absolutely committed to prosecuting this war to the fullest extent possible.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. I certainly think there are a lot of very good things in this bill. Our intelligence community is a critical piece of fighting terrorism. Their counterterrorism efforts are absolutely at the top of the list of what the Intel Committee does. We are supporting all of our agents in the CIA and throughout the intelligence community, and we thank them for their brave efforts. We are aware that they are putting their lives on the line to prosecute this war every single day. This bill supports them across the board. It has the resources and support they need to do their job. I could say a lot more about that, but I really want to take issue with some of the things that the minority has said, in particular with these alleged massive changes to our approach to counterterrorism. We have heard about Miranda all day long and what the Justice Department does. It would surprise people listening to the debate to know this administration has not changed the policy on when or when not to give Miranda to people in the field. Under the Bush administration, the Justice Department went through the same set of issues. If you are looking at a domestic U.S. prosecution of that individual, then you give Miranda. If not, you don't. There is no blanket order across the Justice Department right now telling the FBI to give Miranda to everybody it has captured throughout the world. It does not exist. It did not happen, despite what the minority has said. You have to make that decision. In addition, we continue, under the Obama administration, to hold people right now, without Miranda, without trial, without those rights, terrorists from foreign places that we can't do anything else with but we understand they are a threat. That policy has not changed. What we have attempted to do is clarify those policies for the members of the intelligence community in the field so they know what they are supposed to do and, yes, also to prevent things like Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, which every single member of the Armed Forces and the intelligence community has told us was a crushing blow to our effort in the counterterrorism effort. To do that, to make those changes is necessary. But to listen to the minority, you would think that we have given up prosecuting terrorists outside of civilian court. We haven't. You would think that we would read Miranda to absolutely everybody. We don't. We are trying to make intelligent decisions.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, February 2 and Wednesday, February 3, 2010, I was unable to be present for votes while I was attending to a health-related matter. Had I been present on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 26 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4495), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 27 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 957), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 28 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1014). Had I been present for votes on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 29 (on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 1051), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 30 (on agreeing to H. Res. 1051, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 4061), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 31 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1043, as amended), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 32 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 901, as amended), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 33 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1044, as amended).

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, on Monday, February 22, 2010, I was unable to be present for recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 49 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4425) and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 50 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4238).

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Deputy Walter Kent Mundell of the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, who was shot in the line of duty on December 21, 2009 and succumbed to his wounds on December 28, 2009. Deputy Mundell was a selfless police officer who dedicated himself to serving his neighbors and community. He will truly be missed by his colleagues and all who he served and protected. Drawn to law enforcement service as a second career, Deputy Mundell joined the Pierce County Sheriff's Department in early 2000. He worked as a patrol deputy in South Hill and the Mountain detachment, and during his tenure with the Sheriff's Department, was a member of the Clandestine Lab Team, Air Operations, and a Safety Committee Representative. Sheriff's Deputy Mundell and his partner, Sergeant Nick Hausner, responded to a domestic disturbance call at a home near Eatonville, Washington on the evening of December 21, 2009. Shortly after their arrival at the scene, Deputy Mundell and Sergeant Hausner found themselves ambushed by a suspect who drew a previously-concealed handgun and opened fire on the officers. Mundell and Hausner, who were wounded, were able to return fire, killing the suspect. Deputy Kent Mundell is survived by his wife Lisa, 16-year-old daughter, and 10-year-old son. I ask my colleagues to join me in affirming our support for the law enforcement community at large, and extending our heartfelt condolences to Deputy Mundell's family and the Pierce County Sherriff's Department, who are grieving this devastating loss.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the seven brave Americans who recently lost their lives in Afghanistan. I was deeply saddened to learn of the seven Americans who died in the December 30th suicide blast at Forward Operating Base Chapman. This tragic bombing was the deadliest single attack on U.S. intelligence personnel in decades. Over and over again, the men and women who serve the Central Intelligence Agency have shown their dedication to their mission and the protection of the United States. These seven Americans served with distinction at a facility on the front lines in the Khost province, an area which borders North Waziristan and is believed to be al-Qaeda's home base. Unfortunately, this terrible event also has a connection to my home state. We've been hit hard in the Northwest. Over 60 service members from Washington State or assigned from Washington military installations have died in Afghanistan. Of that, 32 were killed in the past year from Fort Lewis, a major Army base in my district. Regrettably this tragic event only adds to that total. One of the victims, Dane Clark Paresi, was a DuPont, Washington resident and former Fort Lewis soldier. Paresi retired from 1st Special Forces Group at Fort Lewis in 2008, concluding 27 years in the Army. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, parents and five siblings. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt sympathy to his family and the families of the other brave Americans who lost their lives. Their service will not be forgotten. For the six additional Americans that were injured in the attack, I would like to offer my support and hope for their full recovery. The men and women of the CIA have done everything their country has asked of them and more. We all should have the utmost respect and admiration for their service and sacrifice. The loss of these highly trained counterterrorism experts will be deeply felt throughout the Intelligence Community. And with that, Madam Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, on Monday, December 14, 2009, I was unable to be present for recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 969 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 779, as amended) and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 970 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 942, as amended).

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, I was unable to be present for recorded votes because I was attending the memorial service held in Tacoma, Washington for the four police officers of the Lakewood Police Department who were killed last week in the line of duty. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 931 (on the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3288); ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 932 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 199, as amended); ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 933 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 206, as amended); ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 934 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 940); ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 935 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 845, as amended); ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 936 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2278, as amended); ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 937 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 915); ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 938 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 907).

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. I want to thank the Speaker and this Chamber for so quickly bringing this resolution to the floor. As we have now heard of the tragic events of last Sunday, we are here to offer our condolences to the families, also to honor the lives and the service of the four officers who were so brutally slain, and to express our grief over their loss. They were ambushed early on Sunday morning, simply getting ready to go to work. It is a tragedy that has had a deep impact on our community. And I want to also offer my condolences to all the people in Lakewood, especially their police force and the city officials, who have been so impacted by this tragic event. The four officers who were killed were part of the police force and all of the police officers in this country who so selflessly serve and protect all of us. They were Sergeant Mark Renninger, who was a 13-year law enforcement veteran. He started out with the Tukwila Police Department before moving on to Lakewood. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son. Officer Tina Griswold served 14 years in law enforcement, starting with the Lacey Police Department before moving to Lakewood. She is survived by her husband and two children. Officer Ronald Owens, who has served 12 years in law enforcement, started off with the Washington State Patrol before moving to Lakewood. He is survived by a daughter. Officer Greg Richards served 8 years in law enforcement. He began with the Kent Police Department before going to Lakewood. He is survived by his wife and three children. It is very appropriate that Congress makes clear to the families and to all members of the law enforcement community that we stand with them in grieving their loss and honoring their service. And it is also important that we remember as often as possible what our law enforcement personnel do for us. I had the opportunity to serve as a prosecutor for a few years and work with many of the members of our law enforcement community, and what a lot of people forget is the constant danger that they are in and the courage that it takes to do their job every day. It's easy to see a police officer on a patrol or on the beat, see them driving around, and think of the job simply in that context. But every second of every day, people who serve as police officers know the risk and danger that they are taking. And the impressive thing is they take it every single day and they do it to protect us, to give us a sense of safety and security in our community despite the danger that they face. The tragedy in Lakewood makes that all too clear. They were simply sitting down for a cup of coffee to get their paperwork together before going on shift. That makes it clear just how much our officers are always at risk and how willingly they take that risk and protect us. I thank the House for pausing for a few moments today to remember the service of these four officers, to honor them for that service, to grieve over their deaths, and to express condolences to their families, to all of the people in Lakewood, and to the larger law enforcement community that does so much to protect us and show so much courage in doing so.

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, on Monday, November 16, 2009, I was unable to be present for recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 889 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 1314), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 890 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3539), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 891 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3767).

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, on Monday, November 2, 2009, I was unable to be present for the last two series of recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 832 (on passage of the bill H.R. 1168, as amended), ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 833 (on agreeing to the resolution H. Res. 291), and ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 834 (on passage of the bill S. 509).

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, on Monday, October 26 and Tuesday, October 27, 2009, I was unfortunately unable to be present for recorded votes while at home recovering from a collapsed lung. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 814 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 368, as amended), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 815 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 562), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 816 (on the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2996), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 817 (on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2489, as amended), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 818 (on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 854).

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, on the afternoon of Thursday, October 15, 2009, I was unfortunately unable to be present for the last two series of recorded votes while I was attending to a matter related to my personal health. I request that the record show that had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 786 (on ordering the previous question on the rule for H.R. 2442, H.Res. 830), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 787 (on agreeing to the resolution H.Res. 830, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2442), ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 788 (the motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair), and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 789 (on passage of the bill H.R. 2442, the Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Expansion Act of 2009).

Mr. SMITH of Washington

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baird).

Mr. SMITH of Washington. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume just to offer closing remarks. I want to thank Congressman Baird for his very well-expressed remarks and Congressman Shuster for his support as well. I urge us to support this resolution honoring the 81st Brigade Combat Team for their service in Iraq. I think we also need to remember, as we go forward in a number of policy areas, the support that we need to show for the Guard and Reserves and for their families, whether we're talking about dealing with their retirement issues, with the GI Bill, as Congressman Baird mentioned, with the ability to retrain and to give more service to the men and women who serve in the Guard and Reserves--anything we can do to support them and make it easier and more possible for them to continue to serve and, as Brian mentioned, to make sure that their employers continue to employ them and to work with them. We need to do this in this House as we work not just on these resolutions but on the legislation that offers the support that is so critical to the men and women who serve in the Guard and Reserves and to their families. With that, I urge passage.