Christopher Shays

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, on the 199th anniversary of his birth in Hardin Country, Kentucky. In the history of this great Nation, the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln can be counted among the best of the best. President Lincoln saved the Union not only from its dissolution through the Civil War, but from its own immoral practice of slavery. From his earlier years in Kentucky and Illinois to his time in the State legislature and his term in this House, Abraham Lincoln developed a political animus fueled by an unshakeable belief in the natural rights espoused by the Founding Fathers four score and 87 years before he dedicated that sacred ground at Gettysburg. Those natural rights were most clearly enumerated by the Declaration of Independence as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Addressing Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1861, President Lincoln credited the wisdom of the Fathers with absolute clarity. ``I have never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence,'' so he spoke. President Lincoln's service to his country began in 1832 when he served with distinction and was elected to the rank of captain of an Illinois militia company in the Black Hawk War. That military service preceded his entry into politics when he was elected to the State legislature in 1834, where he served the citizens of Sangamon County until 1840. In 1846, President Lincoln moved on to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving one term before he decided not to seek reelection and return to private practice as a lawyer. Spurred by the turmoil that gripped the Nation after the passage of the Kansas- Nebraska Act of 1854, Lincoln decided to reenter the public arena, lending his clarion voice to the cause of liberty. While speaking on the repeal of the Missouri Compromise in Peoria, Illinois, in July, 1854, then former Congressman Lincoln declared, ``No man is good enough to govern another man without the other's consent.'' In August 1858, Lincoln wrote, ``As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.'' In his letter to Massachusetts Representative Henry L. Pierce in 1859, Lincoln wrote, ``Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.'' In 1860, Abraham Lincoln took his political and moral philosophy to the White House in the midst of a national crisis that would lead the Nation to civil war. Abraham Lincoln's singular vision that the Union must be preserved guided this Nation through its darkest days. Reelected with a clear majority in 1864, Lincoln saw the forces of liberty prevail as the war ended with the Union intact and slavery abolished. On April 15, 1865, a mere 6 weeks into his second term, President Lincoln was struck down by an assassin's bullet. Two hundred years after he was born and 143 years after he sacrificed his life for his country, Abraham Lincoln is bound up in the mystic chords of our national memory as the man who fulfilled the promises of liberty and equality and humanity first put forth in our founding Declaration. Mr. Speaker, the originator of this resolution, Don Manzullo, is on a plane, so obviously we can't yield him time. But I do want to point out that he offered this resolution and he has a statement which will be inserted into the Record. I would just like to say that on the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, Carl Sandberg, addressed Congress in this Chamber after it had officially adjourned. I highly recommend his address to anyone who loves this great American President. Mr. Sanderg pointed out that Lincoln went to Gettysburg believing he would lose the next election, and in spite of that, instead of doing what political consultants would urge someone to do today, speak angrily about the South who couldn't vote for him, to unite the North to support him, Sandberg pointed out Lincoln spoke of the ``brave men living and dead who fought here.'' He didn't speak of North or South. This magnificent President was trying to heal the Nation. That came first. And as Carl Sandberg points out, this was at a time when American families had their sons fighting on both sides, and in one particular instance in one battle, a family lost both sons, one in Confederate gray and the other in northern blue. And they buried them on top of each other, with these words ``Only God knows which one was right.'' We can never study enough about this great President. The lessons he teaches us are lessons that we all could benefit from, still today, and in the future. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague for yielding. I start with these basic truisms: that higher education is not a luxury, it is a public good; that access to higher education is critical for maintaining our global competitiveness; that many of our economic competitors overseas invest more in higher education institutions than we do; and that research shows that 80 percent of the 1.7 million new jobs expected to be created by the end of the decade will be occupations requiring a higher-education degree. I believe the Federal Government has a significant role in the very earliest part of a child's education, prekindergarten, providing grants to incentivize our local communities to begin to think about educating our very, very young, and that it has a requirement to make sure that young people in our schools don't fall through the cracks or gaping holes. But I am absolutely certain from my heart that the Federal Government needs to play a much more significant role in higher education. I, as a Member of Congress, have opportunities at community meetings to meet with constituents like all of you do. And I will never forget, about 5 years after I was elected, a young woman came to me and said, I want to tell you a story, and I was waiting until my youngest brother graduated from graduate school. She said, my father died when I was 12 years old, and I am the oldest of seven children. She said, my mother was a school teacher. She said, my mother had one determination, that we would all graduate not just with a university college degree but with advanced degrees, all seven. And she said, just a few weeks ago, my youngest brother did, in fact, graduate. She said, there is a doctor of medicine in my family, a doctor of philosophy at a university, a lawyer, a school teacher with advanced degrees, and I am forgetting the other three what they had. But they all had advanced degrees. And this was someone who knew the value of education, a school teacher. I am continually reminded about the impact of what we did with our GIs after World War II and the stimulation this had for our economy. And I think of countries like Ireland today that are providing free education, advanced-degree education, and what it has done for their economy. To end, this young woman with six younger siblings, all with advanced degrees, said, I can't say they are happier, but I can tell you this, that they have far more options, that their income is higher, they have more choices, and they can make a greater contribution to society. I hope that we can continue to work on this legislation. I think it is a major step forward.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the bipartisan economic stimulus package. I believe we have talked ourselves into a recession, and confidence in our economy is waning. By passing this legislation, we are taking an important step to lessen the impact of an economic slowdown, but there is more work to be done. I am pleased the legislation includes the bonus depreciation and section 179 expensing provisions, which will encourage companies and especially small businesses to immediately purchase new equipment and expand their businesses. Allowing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the FHA to purchase larger loans gives needed flexibility to support sound lending in the 21st century. The recent slump in the housing market has been a major factor in our current economic uncertainty, so it is appropriate we address home loans in the stimulus package. In doing this, we increase the need for a new regulator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which I am hopeful we will enact into law soon. While this is a start, the bipartisanship displayed in crafting this legislation, which will have an impact in the short term, must continue to develop long-term solutions to address the increased cost of energy, uncertainty about future tax increases, and unsustainable growth in health insurance costs. Only by tackling the issues that impact the American people will we restore confidence in our economy. In closing, I am disappointed the stimulus package being considered today does not have a cost-of-living differential for regions. There are many residents of the Fourth Congressional District who make over $75,000 but are struggling to keep up with education, energy, and health expenses in our region. It would have been better if the legislation before us today recognized it costs more to live in a State like Connecticut than it does other parts of the country. With that being said, this is a good bill and worthy of all Members' support.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, the Cold War is over and the world is a more dangerous place. Our strategy is no longer containment reaction and mutually assured destruction. That went out the window on September 11. It is detection, prevention, preemption, and, when necessary, even unilateral action. As the 9/11 Commission points out, we are not combating terrorism as if it's some ethereal being. We are confronting Islamists terrorists, real people who would do us harm. If you want to deal with the consequence of a terrorist attack, write a weak FISA law. But if you want to detect and prevent a terrorist act, write a law that works and help insure the communication industry works with us.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, I rise candidly as the only Republican in all of New England to support H.R. 1528, the New England Scenic Trail Designation Act, and thank Congressman Olver for bringing this legislation to the floor. H.R. 1528 would designate portions of the existing Metacomet- Monadnock-Mattabesett Trail System for a national and scenic trail. For over 50 years the States of Massachusetts and my home State of Connecticut have partnered with the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Connecticut Forest and Park Association to manage these beautiful trails and footpaths. Volunteers and private landowners have enjoyed these lands and maintained them. This legislation would not change that relationship. This bill also protects private landowners by prohibiting the National Park Service from taking any land by eminent domain. The park service has no authority on local zoning issues that might affect national scenic trails. H.R. 1528 provides the resources and knowledge of the National Park Service and the National Scenic Trail System for the long-term upkeep of this important trail and extends Federal recognition to trails that have existed for over half a century. My colleagues in the West often criticize those of us from the East for wanting to increase public lands at the expense of private ownership. This does not do that. In Connecticut, more than 2 million people live within 10 miles of the trail system. Among the pressures of industrialization that we see in the East, H.R. 1528 is an opportunity to protect this precious resource for future generations and protect it for all of those in this country, not just those nearby. I ask my colleagues to support protection of this regional treasure, and I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 1528.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, today we honor the life of Marine Corps Master Sergeant Kenneth Mack, a soldier who strongly believed in the fight for freedom and was a true American hero. In 1982, shortly after graduating from Southwest High School, Master Sergeant Mack joined the Marines, where he served honorably for 23 years. Master Sergeant Mack was a Postal Service mechanic and Master Sergeant in the Marine Reserve assigned to the Second Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In March of last year, this dedicated soldier was called to duty in Iraq for the second time and once again had to leave his family to serve his country. On the morning of May 5th of that year, a roadside bomb struck Master Sergeant Mack's vehicle in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. In a flash, an outstanding 23-year Marine Corps career was over and he was killed. A passionate family man, Sergeant Mack's wife remembers him as a person who put his family first and made sure the family participated in many activities together. His primary goal in life was to be a mentor for his children and to all children, according to his wife. He leaves behind his wife, mother and two children. I might just add, obviously he put his country first, too. Madam Speaker, in recognition of his service to his community and country as a Postal Service mechanic and Marine, we feel it is fitting to name the postal facility located at 3701 Altamesa Boulevard in Forth Worth, Texas, in honor of Master Sergeant Kenneth Mack. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, on April 19, 1948, an American hero was born. His name was Juan Alonso Covarrubias. He was raised in Waco, Texas, but moved to Dallas, where he was drafted in 1968 into the United States Army. At the age of 20, he served courageously in Vietnam as an airborne paratrooper. It was there on April 24, 1969, in the Thua Thien Province, where he tragically lost his life while defending his country. Army Private First Class Covarrubias was buried with full military honors on April 4, 1969. Among his awards and decorations for his remarkable achievements are the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Expert Badge and Rifle Bar, Marksman Badge with Auto Rifle Bar, Sharpshooter Badge and Machine Gun Bar. His service has also been acknowledged at the Waco Vietnam Veterans Memorial and on the veterans wall in Washington, DC. Madam Speaker, let us recognize the courageous service and ultimate sacrifice of Army Private First Class Juan Alonso Covarrubias by renaming the post office located at 424 Clay Avenue in Waco, Texas, in his honor. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge passage of H. Con. Res. 198 which expresses the sense of Congress that we have a moral responsibility as a Nation to meet the needs of those persons, groups and communities that are impoverished, disadvantaged or otherwise in poverty. Madam Speaker, it is fitting that a day after the celebration of the life and achievement of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., we are taking up a resolution that addresses our obligation to help many of those that Dr. King had particular concern for, the downtrodden, the underserved and the impoverished. I believe we all seek, as Dr. King did, to create a just society and to alleviate poverty and its attendant suffering. We may differ on methods, we may differ on who and how and how many, but broad prosperity for all is, I believe, the goal of virtually everyone who graces this Chamber. This resolution seeks to bring attention to poverty and the responsibility we have as citizens of this Nation and this world to help relieve the suffering of others. This responsibility does not fall only to the Federal Government, but it will be solved only through the collective efforts of not just governments at every level, but charities, businesses and individuals. We are told the poor will always be among us, but that does not relieve us of the challenge of trying to alleviate the suffering, tend to their needs, and improve to the extent we can their lot in life. I commend our colleague, Representative Lee, for reminding us of this, and I, too, think it is a wonderful coincidence, that we are taking this resolution on the day we have all come back from celebrations recognizing that the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. didn't lead a rebellion, which is a failed revolution, he led a revolution. And he spoke to this young person, me, in the 1950s when I saw Little Rock with military forces and I wondered as a child what was happening to my country. Reverend King helped guide all of us in a direction that has done so much to address many of the concerns he championed. His dream is not dead, it is still alive and it is a dream that we need to carry into the future. It wasn't a mindless dream, it was a dream based on the promise of America. He spoke to our better nature and lifted all of us. He spoke to the oppressor and to the oppressed, those with much and those with very little, and those with nothing. Reverend King belongs to all of us. We have a duty, as I think my colleague Representative Lee will point out. We have a duty and obligation and a wonderful opportunity to heed his call to action. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAYS. I had already yielded back my time. I wonder if the gracious lady would yield me a minute.

Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time, and I want to agree with everything I have heard to the point of the need to have a stimulus package that recognizes those who have the least resources. But I do want to say that we also need to recognize that we need to stimulate investment in plants, machinery, and we need to make sure that whatever goods consumers buy are likely to be American products and that we are just not transferring that benefit overseas. So there is going to be a lot that happens, but I agree with my colleagues, we will be able to work together on this issue.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge passage of this bill honoring the late Honorable Judge Richard B. Allsbrook with the naming of the Judge Richard B. Allsbrook Post Office located at 725 Roanoke Avenue, in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. Described as a ``meticulous, fair and compassionate'' jurist, Allsbrook served as the Superior Court Judge for the Sixth Judicial District in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, for 22 years before retiring in 2000. A native of Halifax, and son of the late State Senator Julian Allsbrook, Judge Allsbrook earned his undergraduate degree and his juris doctorate from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. After spending 4 years as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, Allsbrook spent 20 years practicing law with his father in the practice of Allsbrook, Benton and Knott. Judge Allsbrook was also an active member of the community, serving as the president of the Roanoke Rapids Kiwanis Club and the president of the Roanoke Rapids Chamber of Commerce. He also received awards for his service to the community, including the Boy Scouts of America's Distinguished Citizen Award. A dedicated father and grandfather, distinguished public servant, and valuable member of the community, Judge Allsbrook touched many lives and, fittingly, his life deserves to be recognized with the naming of the Judge Richard B. Allsbrook Post Office in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, in his honor. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for bringing out this legislation and for their willingness to work on a bipartisan basis to get a good bill. And thank you for that. I am a strong believer in the HOPE VI program because I've seen its unbelievable benefit to my district. We had Southfield Village public housing. We converted it into Southwood Square, with a $26 million Federal grant, leveraging $79 million to reach $105 million. It has 330 units, 160 of low-income and 85 of market rental, but the unique thing is the 160 and the 85 are all the same units. They are really nice units, market rate units. So, you may have someone paying market rate, and when they leave, the new person may be low-income. There's a guaranteed of the 330 units, 160 are low-income. It has actually a pool. It has a workout area, and it has some wealthy people staying there. They work at successful businesses in the greater Stamford community. So young kids who have very little income when they see someone getting into a BMW, it's not for a drug deal; it's to go to work where they are paid well. When young children go to work out, what they hear discussed is how someone can make money legitimately. It is not a place warehousing the poor, but having all our fellow Americans live together, black, white, Hispanic, minorities from all areas of the world, with people who have income, minorities as well who have income and those who don't. It is an incredible thing to see our country come together under a HOPE VI program. And besides the 85 units of market rental, you have 15 of affordable home ownership. These are townhouses, four-story buildings. And then we have Fairfield Court, $19 million of Federal funds leveraging $80 million, 272 units, 141 of low-income and 131 of affordable rental, market rental and affordable home ownership. What I see in the HOPE VI grant is a transformation not just of the physical outlay of a community and the upgrading of neighborhoods, but I'm seeing Americans come together, living like we think we should live, together, not separate. I rise today in strong support of the reauthorization of the HOPE VI program. HOPE VI has transformed rundown housing projects into vibrant communities and changed the face of affordable housing throughout the country. I am grateful to have worked on this reauthorization and am grateful for all of the hard work and collaboration of this Committee. Specifically, I would like to thank Chairwoman Waters and Ranking Member Capito and their staff for their leadership on this important program. The mixed income communities created through HOPE VI grants epitomize the power of public-private partnerships. This reauthorization represents a renewed commitment by the Federal Government to revitalize our Nation's most distressed public housing. Since the creation of HOPE VI, public-private partnerships have leveraged significant commitments from private sector resources. For every dollar the Government commits to this revitalization effort, HOPE VI projects yield three to four in private funding. In light of a serious shortage of affordable housing in Connecticut's Fourth District and throughout the Nation, it is imperative we encourage the utilization of all available resources to provide quality, safe, and affordable housing for our Nation's neediest citizens. I have experienced first hand the transformation that HOPE VI grants are capable of making. We have two incredible HOPE VI sites in Stamford, and I wish Members and the administration could see that transformation. If they did, I doubt they would ever dream of eliminating this program. Southfield Village received a $26 million HOPE VI grant, which leveraged $79 million in funds to create Southwood Square. The development features 330 units, 160 of which are low-income public housing units, 85 are market rate units, and 15 are affordable homeownership units. In 2004, Fairfield Court received a HOPE VI grant of $19 million that will leverage $80 million. This project will house 141 low-income units and 131 affordable rental, market rate rental, and affordable homeownership units. At these mixed-income communities, low-income families and those paying market rent live side-by-side, and have the opportunity to learn and grow from one another. They are safe places to live where children can grow and play together and where residents are involved in the planning and growth of their community. When the Federal Government demonstrates its interest in improving the housing needs of low income families, the community responds. I call my colleagues today to reaffirm our commitment to this program, which has significantly expanded upon affordable housing options for families throughout the country.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. I have a request for 5 minutes, so I can't use the time twice. But I just want to say, on behalf of the Republican side of the aisle, I don't know a Member who didn't appreciate Julia Carson's fine work, who didn't enjoy talking with her. She always had a great response to anything you had to say. She was insightful, she was right to the point, and had a tremendous sense of humor. And it's hard to think that she will not be with us because she was a presence here. Julia often sat on this side of the aisle, so a lot of us got to know her, not just speaking on the floor, but talking with her personally, and to love her a great deal. I thank the gentleman for giving me this opportunity.

Mr. SHAYS. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the reauthorization of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act. As an original co-sponsor of this legislation, I am grateful for all of the hard work that went into bringing this bill to the floor today. After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, many businesses were no longer able to purchase insurance to protect against property losses that might occur in any future terrorist attacks and most reinsurers have yet to return to the marketplace because of the difficulty of being able to predict the frequency, size and scope of future terrorist attacks. The backstop TRIA providesprotects those who buy insurance, and allows our economy to continue functioning normally in the face of the terrorist threat. In my view, the bill's coverage of acts of domestic terrorism is a prudent step. However, I am disappointed we did not take this opportunity to make further reforms to the program such as the inclusion of reinsurance for group life insurers, who face the same challenges as property, casualty or other insurers. Failure to include I group life has placed these insurers in a difficult position of exiting from the market or choosing to remain in the marketplace without reinsurance. The bottom line is, this is a good bill worthy of our support. It will bring some certainty to the insurance markets and help protect our economy. We need to pass this bill.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Earlier this month, I returned from a congressional delegation trip to Turkey, Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait. As part of that trip, my staff member, a retired colonel in the Army, Dr. Nick Palarino, and I spent 4 days in Turkey traveling to the southeastern region, not a place Members of Congress usually go. I would like to share my impressions with my colleagues about our strong ally in the Middle East, Turkey. My staff and I pursued a different itinerary than other codels in Turkey. First, we visited Ankara and met with the U.S. Ambassador and the Country Team, members of Parliament, and Turkish military officials to get a better understanding of the problems faced by Turkey battling the terrorist group, the Kurdistan Worker's Party, known as the PKK. We then traveled to Diyarbakur, a city and region where a large number of Turkish citizens of Kurdish descent reside, and met with the governor of the province and local officials, many of them Kurds. We also traveled to Habur Gate on the border with Iraq and met with the commercial truck drivers who wait in line for days, often more than a week, trying to get their products into Iraq. We even had the opportunity to cross the bridge into Iraq and meet with U.S. forces, members of the 571st Movement Control Team and Logistical Task Force Bravo, who escort commercial trucks into Iraq. Before going to Istanbul, we met with the chamber of commerce representatives and stopped overnight in Mardin and met with the governor and local Kurdish officials. In Istanbul we met with businessmen doing work in Iraq and a very precious family that lost their son, brother to their PKK terrorists. This is just one of thousands and thousands of families that have lost loved ones to the PKK. After traveling the length of Turkey from Istanbul to the border with Iraq and meeting with U.S. and Turkish officials, these are my general impressions: Turkey is a Muslim country with an active and vibrant democracy. Although the southeastern region of Turkey has a great deal of unemployment, the majority of the Turkish economy is growing, and people feel optimistic about their future. The current leadership and ruling party in Turkey, the AKP, is attempting to address the unemployment issue by helping to develop the southeast region. There is enormous potential for development throughout Turkey. Turkey wants to be a partner in the European Union, and we should continue to strongly advocate its admittance. Turkey has stood shoulder to shoulder with the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the long Cold War against Communism, and we should never forget that. Turkey is now standing with us shoulder to shoulder in our fight in the global war against terrorism. It is providing bases for U.S. military forces, troops and nonmilitary assistance in the global war on terrorism. We are right in standing shoulder to shoulder with Turkey in its fight against the PKK. The PKK is a terrorist organization that has killed thousands of Turkish soldiers and citizens. The PKK is an enemy of Turkey. It is an enemy of the United States, and it is an enemy of Iraq. We should do all we can to assist Turkey eliminate this threat from its border and continue the strong alliance our countries have built over the years, and I think we are. The recent action Turkey has taken to confront the PKK in Iraq is long in coming and more than justified. Turkey has been patient and understanding in the challenges the Iraqi Government faces and has acted in a strong, but measured, way. It is essential that we appreciate the friendship we have with this great country and do everything we can to strengthen this relationship.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, on December 17, 2007, my flight to Washington from New York was delayed and I inadvertently missed 1 recorded vote. I take my voting responsibility very seriously. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on recorded vote No. 1163.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, 10 bills into one omnibus bill divided into two parts: fund the government, nonmilitary; fund Afghanistan. What about Iraq? 2007 has been a remarkably positive year for our troops in Iraq, for the Iraqi Government, for the Iraqi people. But too many in this Congress are reluctant to acknowledge the success. The training of Iraqi military, police, border patrol is finally beginning to pay off. The surge is working. The tribal leaders are siding with us, not al Qaeda. So what about Iraq? And what about our troops in Iraq? We can fund our troops in Afghanistan but we can't fund our troops in Iraq? Our troops in Iraq deserve better. They have overcome one obstacle after another. Unlike last year, we are winning in Iraq. We need to draw down our troops month by month, but our troops in Iraq deserve to be fully funded until then. I look forward to the Senate's acting more responsibly than this House and giving us a bill that will fund Iraq as well.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 6 and am excited Congress is considering legislation that finally recognizes the energy demand course we are on is simply unsustainable if we do not take control of our over-consumption. The fact is, with only 3 percent of the world's oil but 25 percent of its use, the U.S. can never drill our way to energy security. I am glad to be supporting policy that reduces the demand for oil by emphasizing conservation. Only by creating a forward-looking energy policy that reduces demand for energy, and in particular oil, will we be able to lower gas prices. I am pleased this bill requires a fleetwide corporate average fuel economy standards for cars, sport utility vehicles, work trucks, and medium and heavy duty trucks of 35 miles per gallon for cars and SUVs by 2020. In my view, this is the least we can do. While I would prefer to attain a higher standard sooner, I am pleased we are taking the first congressionally mandated increase since 1975. I believe raising CAFE standards is one of the most significant steps we can take as a nation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, improve our national security, and protect our environment and economy. Even a modest increase in CAFE standards would save more oil than would be produced by drilling in the Arctic National Refuge. I am also very grateful that the legislation will build a market for renewable energy and alternative fuels. Requiring at least 15 percent of electricity be produced from clean, renewable sources of energy like wind and solar by 2020 seems common-sense to me, and the 36 billion gallons of biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, to be blended with gasoline by 2022 should make us less dependent on the Middle East for oil. I also believe the extension of important tax credits for renewable energy production including wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass technologies will continue advances being made in these fields.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Thank you for yielding me time. There is no doubt in my mind that intimidation by using a noose is a horrible, and must be considered a criminal act. I want to thank Congressman Al Green of Texas for offering this resolution because it is critical that the victims who have been targeted, all African Americans, know that the U.S. Congress and all the people of America strongly condemn this outrageous behavior and encourage its vigorous prosecution. In Jena, Louisiana, we have all seen the case of six black men who were initially charged with attempted murder after a fight that was, in part, prompted by the hanging of nooses by three white students, none of whom were prosecuted. This blatant form of racism has become more and more common, as the resolution notes, with nooses being found in a North Carolina high school, a Home Depot in New Jersey, a Louisiana school playground, the campus of the University of Maryland, a Columbia University professor's office, a factory in Houston, Texas, and in a police department parking lot in Bridgeport, Connecticut. In my own hometown of Bridgeport, police sergeant Joanne Meekins recently found a noose under her police car. As the local NAACP Chairman Craig Kelly rightly said in discussing this outrageous incident targeting Sergeant Meekins, ``The noose has become the new swastika or the new burning cross in this country and, unfortunately, people seek to relive that horror.'' Conduct like this must never be tolerated, which is why I am glad that Congress is passing a bipartisan resolution against these actions and urging swift prosecution and full penalties for those who perpetrate these senseless acts. Our brothers and sisters throughout the country need to know that all Americans stand with them in condemning the act of hanging nooses as an attempt to intimidate and terrorize and that it must not be just condemned but prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 888, the Genocide Accountability Act of 2007. I cosponsored the House version of this legislation because I totally agree, U.S. law should not provide safe haven to those who are committing genocide. As a result of this bill, prosecutors will be able to target individuals living lawfully in the U.S. who have committed genocide or aided those who have committed these crimes against humanity. I have tremendous respect for all those who have worked to raise awareness of this important issue. Student groups and faith-based organizations, especially from the African American, Jewish and Armenian communities, have done a terrific job of educating their fellow citizens and lawmakers about the crisis and the need to respond. The world collectively agreed to ``never again'' allow genocide after the Holocaust and again after the mass murders in Cambodia and Rwanda, and again in Bosnia. Tragically, genocide is again taking place, and the United States must take all reasonable steps to end the killing and ensure the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice. The United States has made a tremendous commitment to the people of Darfur in the form of humanitarian aid and is working hard on diplomatic efforts to end the genocide. But more must be done. We need to stop the killings. Current U.S. law only makes genocide a crime if it is committed by a U.S. citizen or within the United States. According to the Justice Department, there are individuals who participated in the Rwandan and Bosnian genocides who are living in the United States today that it will be able to prosecute with this legislation. We will also ensure those who are committing genocide in Sudan today will not be able to look to the United States as their safe haven in the future.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 3915, the Mortgage Reform and Anti- Predatory Lending Act is a measure response to the ongoing subprime mortgage crisis that sets some minimum Federal standards for home loans and reasonable accountability standards for lenders. Setting restrictive standards on borrowers with weak credit profiles and higher risk of default could be counterproductive and limit access to credit to individuals who, without the subprime market, would be unable to get loans and have a part of the American Dream. Recent increases in subprime borrower foreclosures and lender bankruptcies, however, have prompted concerns that some lenders' underwriting guidelines are too loose and that some borrowers have not fully understood the risks of the mortgage products they chose. To remedy this problem, the bill would require lenders to first document that prospective borrowers can repay both during any discounted introductory period and after the rate rises to market levels. In language that would directly expose lenders to liability, the loans would be required to have a ``net tangible benefit'' for the borrowers. While I agree with the bill's approach, I am concerned about some provisions. For example, I am not certain that prohibiting mortgage brokers from earning yield spread premiums on loans they make to individuals in the subprime market will prevent a great deal of fraud and abuse, and it could lead to mortgage brokers being locked out of this market. There is wide agreement, however, that the bill's licensing standards for lenders are needed, and these standards are a primary factor in my support for the legislation. Licensing will lead to more educated lenders, which will in turn lead to borrowers who end up with the most suitable mortgage.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, after my oversight trips to Iraq in July and August of 2006, I concluded we needed to encourage the Iraqi government, and specifically Prime Minister Maliki, to take stronger action to improve the situation in their country, and that the best way to do this was to set firm timelines for Iraqi security forces to replace our troops who are doing police work. I believe a workable timeline will incentivize the Iraqis to make the hard choices necessary to ensure stability among the three primary sects--Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds. We need to motivate the Iraqis to set firm deadlines for provincial elections, reconciliation and amnesty, and a final drafting of their constitution. During 2005, Iraqis set timelines to establish and ratify a constitution and hold national elections. They accomplished each benchmark successfully. I do not believe they would have achieved this success if we had not pushed Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds to resolve their differences and compromise in order to meet the timelines we helped set. The United States went into Iraq on a bipartisan basis, with two- thirds of the House and three-quarters of the Senate voting to authorize the use of force. I believe we need to draw down the majority of our troops on a bipartisan basis, and have sought to achieve bipartisan solutions to improve our operations and reduce the violence. While H.R. 4156 is by no means a perfect solution, it does propose a tight, but arguably reasonable, timeline for drawdown of troops in Iraq similar to one I proposed earlier this year. It should help bridge the gap between Republicans and Democrats on the most important issue of our time. The bill would require our commanders to begin a redeployment of our troops in harms way within a month, and set a target date of December 15, 2008, to complete the task. For me, a better bill would have been to give Iraqis and our troops an additional six months to complete the drawdown, but given this bill sets a target date, rather than a withdrawal date, it gives needed flexibility to our military leadership. I do not believe we have the force structure to maintain the number of troops in Iraq now, and certainly do not have the capacity to increase the force. Our troops have performed extraordinarily well, but it is unreasonable for us to ask them to return to Iraq for a third or fourth tour. I also believe it was a significant mistake to extend their tours from 12 to 15 months and would be unconscionable to consider extending their tours beyond 15 months. Based on our military's current manpower, we will need to begin to draw down our forces by the beginning of 2008, and it would be wise to let the Iraqis know now this reduction will take place. While I support this bill, I am disappointed the majority still has not allowed a single amendment on any Iraq-related bill. As I have said before, it is pretty arrogant to think we would criticize Iraqis for not being able to compromise and find common ground when Republicans and Democrats are unable to compromise and find common ground on the most important issue facing our Nation.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, intercultural understanding is a fundamental part of peace in the global system. The understanding of intercultural and international diversities minimizes the outbreak of serious conflicts on a fundamental level. Through teaching tolerance, and through building societies that promote unity, we can work towards creating a peaceful world. On November 2, 2007, Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed addressed the Beijing Forum at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing regarding the promotion of building tolerant civilizations. I have submitted the text to be entered into the Record. The Harmony of Civilizations and Prosperity for All I send warm greetings to all participants in the 2007 Beijing Forum who have come together to study and promote harmony between peoples and civilizations. In the ten months that I have served as Secretary-General, I have traveled to all corners of the United Nations, from Kinshasa to Kabul, from Brussels to Beirut. Everywhere I have visited, and among all the different people I have met, I have encountered one common sentiment--a universal longing for peace and an aspiration to prosperity. But, all too often, I have discovered that people who aspire to the same things also suffer from the same prejudices. They all fear that which is different from them: the other ethnicity, the other skin colour, the other cultural or linguistic tradition and, above all, the other religion. And yet, in today's era of global travel and instant satellite transmissions, people everywhere are encountering less of the familiar, and more of ``the other''. This reality has fed rising intercultural and inter-religious tensions, as well as growing alienation among vast segments of the world population. Today, there is an urgent need to address this worrying trend. We need to rebuild bridges and engage in a sustained and constructive intercultural dialogue, one that stresses shared values and shared aspirations. It is time to promote the idea that diversity is a virtue, not a threat. It is time to explain that different religions, belief systems and cultural backgrounds are essential to the richness of the human experience. And it is time to stress that our common humanity is greater--far greater--than our outward differences. The Beijing Forum is ideally placed to contribute to this process. By bringing together scholars from across the globe, your discussion can become a source of new ideas and innovative approaches to promote understanding and tolerance. Your exchange can also contribute to the UN's own initiative for an Alliance of Civilizations, which responds to the clear need for action by the international community to bridge divides and promote understanding. The Alliance has identified several priority areas for action, and is developing a strategy to promote better understanding between the world of politics and religion. Meetings such as yours can help guide this important work, and ensure the Alliance's ultimate success. Together, we must seek to further the basic ideals of all the world's major religions. We must build societies that respect individual beliefs and practices. And we must nurture communities where people of all faiths and nationalities coexist in peace. In that spirit, let me express my hope that this Forum will help foster harmony and understanding, and thereby advance our wider efforts for a peaceful and prosperous world.

Mr. SHAYS

Mr. SHAYS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Sikorsky Fallen Heroes Committee who supports the families of Connecticut soldiers killed in the line of duty. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to see the work of this committee first hand. They have given so much to the families of our fallen service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. When families learn of their service member's death, they enter a very painful and sad period of their lives. The Sikorsky Fallen Heroes Committee has supported these families, acting as a pillar of strength for them when they needed support the most. Their dedication to these wives, mothers, fathers, daughters and sons has been truly remarkable and has been a testament to their patriotism and love of humanity. In addition to supporting the family of fallen service members, the Sikorsky Fallen Heroes Committee has reached out to members of the community through events they hold. In June of this year, the Committee held their fourth annual softball tribute game to honor Jordan Pierson, Philip Alexander Johnson and Nicholas Madaras, three courageous young men who gave their lives in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Next June, they plan to honor six more fallen soldiers. Their commitment and dedication to the fallen is truly remarkable and is an inspiration to all of us. The Sikorsky Fallen Heroes Committee are heroes in their own right. They are courageous people reaching out to those in need. We are honored and privileged to have people like them in the community. The unwavering dedication and support they show the families of fallen service members will always be remembered for making a difference in so many lives. It is my hope we can all learn from the example of the Sikorsky Fallen Heroes Committee to support the families of the fallen who have also sacrificed in honor of our nation's freedom.