Michael Sodrel

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for those kind words, and for his commitment to the Republican Study Committee. I will be short. In fact, a reporter accused me when I first arrived here of being laconic. I have to admit I had to go look that up. It means being relatively stingy with your words. He asked me two questions, and I said ``yes'' and ``yes,'' not realizing it was the job of a Member of Congress to elaborate on all of these things. As I listened to the previous speakers, if you want to know what happened in this election, you can walk over to the Science Committee. In the hearing room one of the first things I noticed in the wood paneling behind Members in gold-leaf lettering was Proverbs 29:18: Where there is no vision, the people perish. We failed to give the people vision; not the fault of the Republican Study Committee, but it was our fault generally, failure to give the people vision. I know the RSC has a vision, and I encourage you to not only keep the vision, communicate the vision, and insist that others listen to the vision. It has been my distinct honor to serve in this body, serve my district and my State and my country for the last 2 years. I had the privilege of visiting my former unit, the 151st Infantry when they were deployed in Afghanistan. They are fine people and represented our State and country well, and acquitted themselves well in the field. And in typical Hoosier fashion, and I would like to recognize them here tonight, their mission, according to the military was security and training. They couldn't go home in the evenings, so they took on a third mission which was humanitarian. In partnership with Graceland Baptist Church in New Albany, they provided money and classrooms and blankets and virtually anything that the people of Afghanistan needed that they could supply. They also had a skill set that you don't find in a typical infantry battalion. The commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Grube, was a 6th grade schoolteacher. Sergeant First Class Scott Hamm was manager of the Silver Creek Water Company. So it didn't matter what the locals needed, if you needed water, you called the 151st. If you needed a classroom built, you called the 151st. They had carpenters, electricians, they had all of these civilian skill sets. And being just one step out of civilian life and being of a higher average age than a normal infantry unit, and a lot of them being married with children, they related well to the local folks. So I had the privilege to visit them in Afghanistan and see what kind of job they did and how they represented the State of Indiana in that theater. I really have nothing else to add other than it has been my honor and privilege not only to serve in this institution, but to serve with people like my colleague from Indiana, Mr. Pence, and I appreciate your service as chairman of the Republican Study Committee and I appreciate your integrity and hard work and I hope that you will certainly carry on.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a minute to recognize an elementary school in my district for a truly signficant occasion. Silver Street Elementary School in New Albany, IN will celebrate its 90th Anniversary on September 11, 2006, and will welcome another class this year to continue its history of educating the youth of New Albany. Silver Street Elementary first opened its doors in 1916. Since then, many generations have passed through its halls. The long history of Silver Street allows grandparents to watch their grandkids walk the same halls they once did years before. Silver Street has continued to be an excellent education institution. Last month, the school received the first Exemplary Award from the State for improving each year in the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress test scores. The philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau once wrote, ``We are born weak, we need strength; helpless, we need aid; foolish, we need reason. All that we lack at birth, all that we need when we come to man's estate, is the gift of education.'' Silver Street Elementary has provided this gift for 90 years and the teachers, administrators and parents involved who provided this valuable service to the New Albany community should be commended. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize this fine elementary school that has educated many Hoosiers from Southern Indiana. It is an honor to have a historic building still being utilized for educational purposes in the district I represent. Congratulations to Silver Street Elementary for 90 years of success.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a minute to recognize a couple of my constituents marking a truly momentous occasion. W.E. ``Ike'' and Olive E. Hammond of Orleans, IN will celebrate 60 years of marriage on Wednesday, August 2nd, 2006. Both Ike and Olive have been lifelong residents of Orleans and have been active participants in their community. Both are involved in the local Republican Party, and have been for quite some time. In fact, their daughter shared a memory of riding on a float in a parade in 1952 proudly wearing her, ``I like Ike'' memorabilia. Olive served as County Vice-Chairwoman for the party and Ike served three terms on the Orleans Town Council. To this day, the Town Council looks to Ike for consultation on matters of importance to community. In 2001, Ike was recognized as ``Citizen of the Year'' in Orleans. The Hammonds have been members of the Orleans United Methodist Church for over 60 years. Ike proudly served our country in the Second World War in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a crew member on a B-17. Ike continues to be an active member of the American Legion in Orleans. In his civilian career, Ike was in the insurance business retiring in 1988 after a 40- year career. Olive served the area as a Probation Officer in Orange County and has since retired. In what was perhaps their most important job, the Hammond's raised three daughters who love, support, and congratulate them on their 60 years of marriage. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor I share in congratulating these two fine people who have enjoyed 60 years of love together as husband and wife. I wish them many more years of happiness and memories together.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I offer this amendment today as a means to protect the rights of State legislatures and the speech, conscience and independence of State legislators from unelected and unaccountable judges serving for life. While my amendment is only half the solution, it is a step in the right direction which I hope this body will adopt until a broader solution can be enacted. A Federal court in Indiana has imposed itself on the independence of State legislators. A Federal district court judge, David Hamilton, in the case of Hinrichs v. Bosma, has made a ruling to limit religious speech within the Indiana State Legislature and to impose this restriction on the legislators themselves. This decision threatens freedom of speech and imperils the separation of powers in the U.S. Constitution. If Federal courts can regulate any speech of the members of a legislative body, it follows that those courts can regulate all speech. Our neighboring State, Kentucky, adopted what is known as the Kentucky Resolutions on November 10, 1798, when our republic was in its infancy. These resolutions were adopted as a protest against the Alien and Sedition Acts passed by Congress. This historic document protesting violations of the first amendment states in part, and I quote, ``Another and more special provision has been made by one of the amendments to the Constitution, which expressly declares that Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press: Thereby guarding in the same sentence, and under the same words, the freedom of religion or speech and of the press; insomuch, that whatever violated either, throws down the sanctuary which covers the others.'' End quote. These words are not my own. They come from the pen of Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and our third president, who wrote the Kentucky Resolution. They were adopted by the Kentucky Legislature and are a matter of historical record. Jefferson understood these rights were, and are, inseparable. A Federal judge is not above the law. A judge cannot amend the Constitution, nor should a judge be permitted to ignore the context of a constitutional right. Mr. Chairman, the Indiana Legislature did not make any law. They didn't enact any statute. They didn't even pass a resolution. The legislature was only carrying out a 188-year tradition by beginning each session with a prayer just like the U.S. House of Representatives. Many other legislative bodies throughout the Nation practice this same tradition. But Judge Hamilton ruled the Indiana Legislature must not make any reference to Jesus Christ or to the Christian religion. In addition, the judge specified he would review the speech of the legislators to ensure that they also did not make reference to Christianity or Jesus Christ as Lord. The judge did not make any reference to other religions for any similar restrictions. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would prohibit the use of funds in this bill from being used to enforce Judge Hamilton's erroneous decision and send a message that Congress is serious about judges legislating from the bench. The Indiana State Legislature is appealing the Judge's decision in this case, but I believe Congress must exercise its right to protect the independence of State legislatures from overzealous judges. Mr. Chairman, earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 4776 to limit the review of Federal courts over the content of speech in State legislatures. My amendment does not encompass all of H.R. 4776, but it does enough to send a signal to the judiciary that Congress will not tolerate legislating from the bench. Congress cannot permit the court system to rewrite our Constitution. I have heard the argument that some were offended at hearing a Christian prayer, and that was the reason for the lawsuit. Mr. Chairman, I have searched the U.S. Constitution, and I have found no mention of the right that protects any citizen from being offended. Members of this body, in this Chamber, say things that offend me. But as the patriot Patrick Henry once said, ``I do not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.'' Mr. Chairman, some may question why this amendment is necessary. I would counter by saying what can be more necessary than upholding the U.S. Constitution? We all took an oath to do so. If Congress cannot correct the court when it has strayed from the letter and the intent of the U.S. Constitution, who can? If we don't, who will? Right now, Indiana legislators must huddle in the back of the chamber, hidden from public view, to pray. The courts are now going beyond interpreting laws and have begun inserting themselves in the legislative process. The U.S. Constitution prohibits the legislative branch from restricting the free exercise of religion. Why should the judicial branch be an exception? Judge Hamilton's court is presuming to dictate what State legislators may or may not say and decide how they should represent their constituents. It violates the principles of separation of legislative and judicial powers and separate sovereignty between State and Federal power. As Jefferson wrote 208 years ago, they are guarded in the same sentence and under the same words, the freedom of religion or speech and of the press. To fail to uphold any of these puts them all at risk. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment to stand up for freedom of speech and the autonomy of the State legislators.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Speaker, on June 28th, 2006, The Bloomington Post Office will lose a long-time servant to my district and in fact all of Indiana. Mr. Jacobs will retire after a 36 year long career with the United States Postal Service. Mr. Jacobs was born and raised in Bloomington, IN where he participated in a variety of local sports. In his adult years, his community involvement only increased. He is a 17 year member of the Bloomington Kiwanis, an organization where he served as President. Additionally, he is a member of the Elks as well as the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce where he has been a member for 15 years. As an avid skier, Larry is currently serving as President of the Alpine Valley Ski Club. On November 15, 1969, Mr. Jacobs began his career with the USPS as a clerk. Today he is retiring as the Postmaster for Bloomington, IN--a position he has held for 17 years. Mr. Jacobs took over as Postmaster on May 20, 1989, 20 years after he began his postal service career. He rose through the ranks from clerk to supervisor of mail processing before becoming superintendent of window services. He then went on to become a labor relations representative prior to serving as Manager of Compensation and Staffing for the Greater Indiana District. Mr. Jacobs was then appointed to a detail assignment as Area Manager, Station and Branches, for the Indianapolis district before being promoted to Manager, Fleet Operation, for the Greater Indiana District. This was his final stop before becoming the Postmaster in Bloomington. In 17 years as Postmaster, Mr. Jacobs has hosted over 20 postal customer council seminars in addition to a number of stamp ceremonies. He has served as past President for the Indiana state chapter of the National Association of Postmasters of the United States and past National Vice President of the same organization. He currently serves the organization as National Postmaster Representative. Mr. Jacobs has been married to his wife, Nancy, for 36 years. They have two sons, Eric and Ryan. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to celebrate the career of Mr. Jacobs. He has served our district and state honorably. After 36 years, I wish Mr. Jacobs the best in his much-deserved retirement.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Speaker, Sir Winston Churchill once said ``An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile--hoping it will eat him last.'' We followed the process of appeasement with terrorists for too long. We ignored the jihadists for too long, and they finally arrived on our soil. Let me highlight a few examples of terrorist attacks for which we responded with appeasement. December 21, 1988, Pan American Airlines Flight 103 was blown up by a bomb over Lockerbie, Scotland killing all 259 passengers on board; February 26, 1993, an Islamic terrorist group attempted to blow up the World Trade Center using a bomb in an underground garage; August 7, 1998, bombs exploded simultaneously in front of U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania killing 12 U. S. citizens and injuring thousands of innocent bystanders; On October 12, 2000, they attacked the USS Cole while docked in Aden, Yemen killing 17 sailors and injuring 70 others. After the loss of the World Trade Center and the attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 our military was finally ordered to take the fight to the terrorists. When a new recruit is inducted into the U.S. military he or she takes an oath. In part this oath pledges the soldier, sailor or airman to ``protect and defend the United States Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic.'' If I had to distill the U.S. Constitution down to a single word I would define it as ``liberty.'' Young Americans fought and died at Trenton and Yorktown to achieve liberty. They died at Gettysburg and Vicksburg to extend liberty to all Americans. They gave their all at Normandy and Iwo Jima to restore liberty to people they did not know. Throughout American history Americans have stood up to the enemies of liberty. In my youth I heard the President of the United States say ``Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.''. That President was John F. Kennedy. He knew the value of liberty. As part of the ``The Greatest Generation'' he risked life and limb in defense of liberty. The Greatest Generation spent 144 percent of our Gross Domestic Product defending liberty. Not 144 percent of the Federal budget, but 144 percent of the total annual output of goods and services in our country. Over 400,000 young Americans died in the effort. There are 9,387 crosses in the American cemetery on the bluffs overlooking the beaches of Normandy. The Greatest Generation of Americans was willing to pay any price, and bear any burden, in defense of liberty. We have some people today who know the price of everything and the value of nothing. Has liberty depreciated so much? Is she worth less to us than she was to our parents? And their parents? Shall we tell those who lay at Flanders' fields we are not willing to support any friend, and oppose any foe, to make the world safe and secure for liberty? Anyone who does not understand that Osama bin Laden is an enemy of liberty, deludes himself. Anyone who believes al Zarqawi was not determined to kill liberty is feeding the crocodile. The value of anything is determined by the price paid. For Americans throughout our nation's history we would not sell our liberty for any price. For our Founders it was worth their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. It took us 13 years after the start of our revolution to adopt our current constitution. The Iraqi people are progressing to a constitutional government at a comparatively rapid rate. I have a great deal of respect for those who are willing to serve in their government. Serving in our government often brings verbal abuse. Serving in the Iraqi government is often life threatening for them and their families. And I have the utmost respect for those serving in the U.S. military and coalition forces. Mr. Speaker, as a young man grows up he is often confronted with bullying and intimidation. When my son, Noah, was a little boy I gave him two rules on fighting. The number one rule is: We don't start fights. I told him if I ever caught him bullying or picking a fight I would make him regret it. Looking for a fight is unacceptable behavior for our family. He asked me what the second rule was. I told him we don't lose fights. If he finds himself in a fight he did not instigate, if he is engaged in a fight through no fault of his own, then I expect him to win. We did not ask for this fight, Mr. Speaker. The people who went to work at the World Trade Center on September 11 were not trying to pick a fight. The Americans at the Pentagon weren't spoiling for one. The enemies of liberty after being fed for two decades came to eat us at last. We all want our soldiers, sailors and airmen home safely, but not until the job is finished. Appeasement is not a logical policy and losing is not an option.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Madam Speaker, Cousin Willie is not just a bill here on the floor of the House to me. He was a fixture in the community. He was a familiar face. As a matter of fact, he was seen on so many grocery store shelves, he was a familiar face to a whole lot of people. Madam Speaker, I think it is quite an accomplishment to take a little town in southern Indiana and turn it into one of the fourth largest producers in the world. So it is a great honor to me to be able to rename the post office. It will serve as a constant reminder of his contributions to people there in southern Indiana and his own community of Ramsey. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5169.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a young man, a Marine from my district who served with the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force in Iraq. Corporal Eric R. Lueken of Dubois, Indiana joined the Marines in 2003. He served in Afghanistan from November 2004 to June 2005. On March 11, 2006, he left for service in Iraq. Eric grew up on the family poultry farm, played basketball at Northeast Dubois High School, and joined the Marines because he wanted to do something he could be proud of. Corporal Leuken's mother, Melinda Lueken, said he wanted to achieve something for himself and he did. He was just a country boy. He liked hunting and fishing. But he wanted to do something with his life and he did not want to always stick around here in the little town of Dubois. Lueken's fiancee, Ericka Merkel, said, ``Once he joined the Marine Corps, all of his needs, they were second. Everybody else's needs were first. He never put himself first.'' Even in Iraq he said, ``I am praying for you.'' He was never praying for himself. This Memorial Day, Mr. Speaker, adds special meaning for me. Corporal Lueken was killed on April 22, 2006 when his convoy was the target of an improvised explosive device in Iraq's Anbar Province. Corporal Lueken was a field radio operator. He was only 23 years old. Mr. Speaker, I attended the memorial services for Corporal Lueken and witnessed an incredible outpouring of affection and gratitude from the people of Dubois County, Indiana, from the people who knew Eric best. The Marine Honor Guard, Marine Corps Association, VFW, American Legion and other Armed Services members, current and past, traveled great distances to show their respect and support for his friends, his fiancee and his family. Like so many young men and women who choose to serve our country, it is clear to me, Corporal Eric Lueken embodied the very best of what makes this country great. Corporal Lueken's sacrifice, his commitment to his faith, his family, and his country was unwavering. Semper Fidelis, always faithful, at home, in Afghanistan, and Iraq. Southern Indiana has lost a remarkable young man. My thoughts and prayers are with the Lueken family and with all of many men and women of the United States Armed Forces who defend liberty around the world.

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to claim the time of Ms. Foxx.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sympathy I announce the passing of Dr. Herbert E. Smith on June 2, 2006 at the age of 76. Dr. Smith was an educator and spent most of his life in the teaching profession to help young people build the foundation for future success. He was also a dedicated Hoosier who gave back much to his community. Dr. Smith was born in Sterling Township in Crawford County, Indiana on July 12, 1929. He graduated from English High School in 1947. He went on to earn a Bachelor, Masters and Doctorate Degrees from Indiana University in Bloomington. Following completion of his own studies, he taught at all different levels ranging from Junior High through the college level in Indiana, Nebraska and Iowa, Many Universities were honored to have Dr. Smith as an educator. He was an instructor at the University of Nebraska, Indiana University, I.U. Kokomo, I.U. Southeast at New Albany, and IUPUI in Indianapolis. He spent an astounding 34 years at Indiana University and 20 of those years serving as Assistant Dean of Students. Besides his dedication to teaching, Dr. Smith was an active member of the community. He was a long time member of many local organizations. Dr. Smith was a 50-year member of Crawford Lodge #470 at English, Indiana, the Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis, and the Shrine of North America. Dr. Smith never stopped trying to help his community. In 2000, he created a Public Radio Station, WBRO in Marengo, Indiana, to provide the best Public Radio programming available. WBRO broadcasts many public affairs, news, and discussion programs along with local sporting events. The work put forth during his life did not go unnoticed. Dr. Smith was recognized by many for his contributions including the Key to the City of Indianapolis, ``Distinguished Hoosier'' award and the highest honor in Indiana, the ``Sagamore of the Wabash.'' In addition, Dr. Smith was appointed a ``Kentucky Colonel'' by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, ``Aide DeCamp, Governor's Staff' by Tennessee and ``Admiral, Great Navy of Nebraska''. Indiana lost a hardworking and honorable man. Dr. Smith's dedication and commitment to helping others should be an example for others to follow. He led a successful life personally and professionally. I know he will be missed by those around him and the people he touched.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Chairman, let me close quickly by saying that we were elected to this body to serve our constituents to the best of our ability. The voters believe we had the character to represent them, and we take that trust seriously. I think this amendment demonstrates our commitment. I urge the adoption of this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier).

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer this amendment with my colleagues, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Davis), to ensure that Members of Congress know the ethics rules and provide American voters with the information to hold their elected representatives accountable. As with most jobs, there is a need to understand the rules that apply to your employment so you do not violate them. Before I was elected to this office, I was a business owner. When we hired an employee, we required individuals to receive training on the rules of the company as well as local and State laws. We required this training because we wanted to make sure our company employees did not break the laws. We kept a record that the employee had completed the training and was familiar with the rules and laws they were expected to comply with. Our amendment does the same thing. It creates a voluntary program for Members of Congress to participate in an ethics training program within 100 days of being sworn into office. This program affords Members the ability to learn and understand the rules they are required to follow while serving in office. This amendment also provides information to the electorate to help them assess their own representative by publicly disclosing who has and who has not completed this ethics training. I believe this amendment is simple. We must know the rules for us to follow the rules, and we must demonstrate to our constituents that we will adhere to the laws while serving in Congress. I urge my colleagues to support the Sodrel-McGovern-Davis amendment, and urge its adoption. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to an upcoming meeting of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission (ALBC) at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in my district and to honor the achievements of the deceased William A. Koch and Congressman Winfield K. Denton, for their contributions to preserving the memory of Abraham Lincoln's early life in Indiana by establishing this national park. On May 1, 2006, the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission will meet in Lincoln City, Indiana, at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, established through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy on February 19, 1962. This national park is the site of the farm on which Abraham Lincoln spent 14 years of his early life, a time when Lincoln grew physically and intellectually into a man. This was a place where he laughed with his father, cried over the death of his mother, read books, and faced the adversities of life at that time. It is only fitting that the ALBC meet at this site while planning events for the celebration in 2009 of Lincoln's birth and, while there, to honor the family of the man who contributed so much to preserve the legacy of President Lincoln's early life, William A. Koch. A local, influential businessman, Mr. Koch conceived the idea of a national park to preserve Lincoln's legacy in the late 1950s. With the cooperation and leadership of Congressman Winfield K. Denton, he worked tirelessly and patiently through studies, hearings, and debates. And, in 1962, the idea that Bill Koch developed and nurtured was accomplished. The transfer of the Nancy Hanks part of the Lincoln Memorial to the Department of the Interior was completed. To William Koch, whose widow and children carry on his mission, we owe a debt of gratitude, for without his vision and perseverance, the memory of Lincoln's Indiana years would be greatly diminished and lost on future generations. Today, visitors from around the world can visit his boyhood home to learn what life was like for Lincoln and other early pioneers in the Midwest.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor I introduce this bill to recognize the accomplishments of one man by naming the Ramsey, IN postal facility after a beloved member of our community, ``Cousin Willie''. The privilege to introduce this bill with the support of the entire Indiana Delegation makes it all that more special. If you asked someone in Ramsey who Wilfred Edward Sieg, Sr. was or what he was about, some may not be able to tell you. But if you asked them about ``Cousin Willie'', that's a different story. ``Cousin Willie'' and Wilfred Edward Sieg, Sr. are one in the same. Wilfred Edward ``Cousin Willie'' Sieg, Sr., son of the late Edward and Agnes Gettelfinger Sieg, was born March 16, 1931 in his life-long home of Ramsey, IN. After finishing High School at Corydon High, ``Cousin Willie'' went on to graduate from Indiana University in 1953 with a degree in marketing. Upon graduation, Cousin Willie served our country as First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He continued to serve his country through 1968 as a member of both the Air Force and the Air Force Reserves. After his active-duty service, Cousin Willie returned home to help run the family business, Ramsey Popcorn Company, alongside his parents and brothers. ``Cousin Willie's'' parents started Ramsey Popcorn in 1944 going door to door selling raw popcorn kernels out of the back of their truck. The business soon grew and in the early 1960's, ``Cousin Willie'', along with his three brothers, took over day-to-day operations of the business from his parents and eventually served as President of Ramsey Popcorn Co., Inc. Under his guidance, Ramsey Popcorn Co. grew to become one of the top four producers of popcorn in the world. The company sells roughly 50 million pounds of popcorn a year and exports to over 20 countries throughout the world. Ramsey also sells to house-hold name snack food manufacturers and supermarkets including Kraft, Frito Lay, Campbell's, The Kroger Co. and Target as just a sample. Before graduating from IU, ``Cousin Willie'' married his High School sweetheart, Doris Marie Byrum. ``Cousin Willie'' and Doris were the proud parents of 13 children. Cousin Willie was a firm believer in hard work and was known to put his kids to work on the family farm doing tough and unwanted jobs. ``That way, by the time they get to working at the popcorn plant, they like it just fine.'' Mr. Sieg was truly proud of his small community and felt compelled to become involved in any way he could. In addition to employing many members of his community, he was also a member of the Ramsey Lion's Club, the Ramsey-Spencer Grange and local Farm Bureau. He was a Rotarian and actively involved in local and state politics as well as the area schools' athletic programs. He also served as a Member of two Boards; the Ramsey Water Company and the North Harrison Community School Board. Mr. Sieg passed away on February 2, 2006 at the age of 74 after losing a battle with lung cancer. The town of Ramsey, Harrison County, and the state of Indiana lost a proud and prominent member of their community. I am privileged to have had such an outstanding Hoosier as a constituent and I cannot see any greater honor for a father, husband, community leader, employer, veteran and friend known for his dedication to family, faith, business and community, Wilfred Edward Sieg, Sr., Cousin Willie than by bestowing this honor upon him.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing legislation to address a problem in Indiana that threatens to spread across the nation. A federal court in Indiana has imposed itself on the independence of state legislators. A federal district court judge, David Hamilton, in the case of Hinrichs v. Bosma, has ruled ministers invited to deliver invocations before the Indiana State Legislature, and the legislators themselves, must not make any reference to Jesus Christ or to the Christian religion. This decision goes beyond freedom of religion, to threaten freedom of speech, and imperils the foundation principles of our representative republic. If federal courts can regulate any speech of the members of a legislative body, then those courts can regulate all speech. The U.S. Constitution guarantees to each state a representative form of government, and it is Congress' duty to enforce this guarantee. This decision by Judge Hamilton is an unprecedented assault by the federal courts on the independence of a state legislative body. The courts are now going beyond interpreting laws, and have begun inserting themselves in the legislative process. Hundreds of years of precedent argue against this court decision. It violates the principles of separation of legislative and judicial powers, and separate sovereignty between state and federal power. Judge Hamilton's court is presuming to dictate what state legislators may or may not say, and decide how they should represent their constituents. To protect the speech, conscience, and independence of legislators from unelected and unaccountable judges serving for life, I am introducing a bill to do the following: remove the review of content of speech in the legislature from the jurisdiction of federal courts; provide immunity for the content of speech during a legislative session by a legislator or lawfully invited guests, excluding witnesses, unless such speech constituted treason, an admission of a crime, or a breach of the peace; prohibit the use of federal funds to enforce this or similar decisions; and prohibit the use of fines against the state as a body in order to enforce such a decision. It is vital to representative government to preserve the ability of state legislators to represent their constituents as their consciences provide through the power of free speech. I ask the Congress to act to stop this cancer on the legislative power.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of this resolution. I was happy to offer this resolution honoring a constituent of mine, Tony Stewart, for one of the greatest accomplishments in motor sports, winning the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup. This resolution is co-sponsored by several of my colleagues from Indiana, Mr. Pence, Mr. Burton, Mr. Souder, Mr. Hostettler and Ms. Carson. This achievement is even more amazing considering this is Mr. Stewart's second NASCAR Cup win in only his seventh season competing on the NASCAR circuit. Not only has Mr. Stewart won two NASCAR championships, his resume is more impressive when you consider he has also won eight other auto racing championships, including the Indy Racing League. This season, NASCAR fans and even the casual spectator watching highlights on ESPN SportsCenter all saw Mr. Stewart's number 20 Home Depot/Joe Gibbs racing car capture the checkered flag in an orange and black blur six times during the season. These victories came at the Gatorade Duel 2, the Dodge Save Mart 350, the Pepsi 400, the New England 300, the Sirius Satellite Radio at the Glen and the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. It was at the Brickyard, Indiana's crown jewel on the NASCAR circuit, where Mr. Stewart started in the 22nd position and worked his way through the pack to lead the most laps on his way to victory. Mr. Stewart's path to his second championship started in his hometown of Columbus, Indiana. Just outside of Columbus is a town called Westport where he raced go-carts in 1978. Mr. Speaker, I will be submitting an article from the December 1, 2005, edition of Sports Illustrated which eloquently highlights the career of Mr. Stewart. Sports Illustrated writer Lars Anderson writes about Mr. Stewart's hardworking Hoosier roots and his entry into the racing world: ``Tony Stewart was 22 years old and living rent-free in a friend's house in Rushville, Indiana, when he hit a crossroads. For months, he had been working in a machine shop 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, running a drill press for $5 an hour and wondering if he had what it took to become a professional racer. Then, one afternoon early in 1993, he asked his boss if he could borrow money for a ticket to Phoenix. The Copper World Classic, a USAC event for open-wheel cars at Phoenix International Raceway, was going to be held in a few days, and Stewart, who raced on the weekends in the Midwest, wanted to test his talent against West Coast drivers. So he asked his boss for a loan, and neither Stewart's life nor American motor sports have been the same since.'' Indeed, American motor sports have never been the same since. Mr. Stewart won three carting championships, four USAC titles and the IRL crown before becoming the NASCAR Rookie of the Year in 1999 and winning his first NASCAR Winston Cup title in 2002. Mr. Stewart recalls to Mr. Andrews how he entered the world of professional auto racing. He said, ``I got the loan and wound up finishing second in the race, and I made $3,500.'' ``When I got home from Phoenix, I looked at the paycheck and calculated how long it would take me to make that much in the machine shop. I said to myself, It's now or never, and that's when I decided to go for it.'' Mr. Speaker, that is the American dream, going for it; taking the risk; taking advantage of the opportunities. Mr. Stewart's rise to the top is indicative of his Hoosier work ethic and pride in a job well done. But Mr. Stewart should also be recognized for his accomplishments outside of motor sports. His commitment to philanthropy led him to start the Tony Stewart Foundation to help terminally ill children and to aid the families of drivers injured in motor sports. For his contributions to the State of Indiana, a State rich in motor sports history, Mr. Stewart was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash, the State of Indiana's highest honor. Governor Mitch Daniels presented the award after Mr. Stewart's number 20 car and his crew won Indiana's only NASCAR Nextel Cup race, the Brickyard 400. This race is held annually at the most storied of racetracks in the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. Mr. Stewart is not only held in respect by his fellow Hoosiers but by his fellow racers as well. His colleague Mark Martin said, ``Tony Stewart, in my eyes, is the greatest race car driver I have watched drive in this era. A.J. Foyt might have been that when I was a little boy, but Tony Stewart is my driving hero.'' Dale Earnhardt, Jr., said, ``Tony's as talented as they come. He's also one of the most genuine guys in our sport. He was one of the few people who stepped up for me when my dad died. He's a guy who really cares about his friends, and I guarantee you this won't be the last championship he wins.'' Jeff Gordon, a fellow Hoosier and four-time NASCAR Cup champion said, ``Tony is a true American racer. You can put him in any car on any track and he'll be fast. He's good on the short tracks, the intermediate tracks, the restrictor-plate tracks and the road courses.'' I am proud to honor Mr. Stewart, an American driver at the top of the racing world, a Hoosier, and a Ninth District constituent. I ask for my colleagues to support this resolution to congratulate him on his accomplishments. [From Sports Illustrated, Dec. 2005] The Champion (By Lars Anderson) Tony Stewart was 22 years old and living rent-free in a friend's house in Rushville, Ind., when he hit a crossroads. For months he had been working in a machine shop, eight hours a day, five days a week, running a drill press for $5 an hour and wondering if he had what it took to become a professional racer. Then, one afternoon early in 1993, he asked his boss if he could borrow money for a ticket to Phoenix. The Copper World Classic, a USAC event for open-wheel cars at Phoenix International Raceway, was going to be held in a few days, and Stewart, who raced on weekends in the Midwest, wanted to test his talent against West Coast drivers. So he asked his boss for a loan, and neither Stewart's life, nor American motor sports, has been the same since. ``I got the loan and wound up finishing second in the race, and I made $3,500,'' Stewart recalled as he sat in the back of an Agusta helicopter that was carrying him to Homestead- Miami Speedway on Nov. 17 for the start of what Stewart would later call the most important racing weekend of his life. ``When I got home from Phoenix, I looked at the paycheck and calculated how long it would take me to make that much in the machine shop. I said to myself, It's now or never. And that's when I decided to go for it.'' In NASCAR's season finale at Homestead, almost 13 years after he made his decision, Stewart solidified his status as one of the top drivers of his generation when he wrapped up his second career Cup championship by coming in 15th in the Ford 400. Stewart, who finished 35 points ahead of Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards in the final standings, joined an exclusive club: He became the 14th driver in NASCAR's 58-year history to win multiple titles. Among current drivers, Stewart is only the second to have won more than one Cup championship. (Jeff Gordon, who has won four, is the other.) Though Stewart didn't win any of the final 10 races of 2005, his average finish of 8.7 during the Chase was second only to Carl Edwards's 8.4. And during the final two thirds of the season, Stewart was as consistent as any NASCAR driver in recent memory: Over the final 22 races of '05 he finished in the top 10 an astonishing 19 times. ``Tony Stewart, in my eyes, is the greatest race car driver I've watched drive in this era,'' says Mark Martin. ``A.J. Foyt might have been that when I was a little boy, but Tony Stewart is my driving hero.'' ``Tony is a true American racer,'' says Gordon. ``You can put him in any car on any track, and he'll be fast. He's good on the short tracks, the intermediate tracks, the restrictor- plate tracks and the road courses.'' ``Tony's as talented as they come,'' says Dale Earnhardt Jr. ``He's also one of the most genuine guys in our sport. He was one of the few people who stepped up for me when my dad died. He opened his home to me and offered me his car, his helicopter. He's a guy who really cares about his friends, and I guarantee you this won't be the last championship he wins.'' For Stewart, though, it will be a hard one to top in terms of satisfaction. ``It's been a very special year,'' he says of a title run that was far less stormy than his previous one. ``This championship means 10 times more than the one I won in 2002. I've had more fun this year than at any time in my life.'' All season long Stewart could be seen smiling when he talked to his crew and hamming it up with the media. Which prompts the question: What happened to Tempestuous Tony, the hothead nicknamed Smoke, who infamously shoved a photographer in 2002 and used to challenge other drivers to fights in the garage? To understand Stewart's dramatic change in demeanor, you must go back to the final race of 2004. Minutes after Stewart hopped out of his Home Depot Chevy at Homestead, he told friends that he was packing his bags and heading west. For six years he had lived just north of Charlotte, the hub of NASCAR, but now he had decided to move back to his childhood home in Columbus, Ind. The move made Stewart happy, and it transformed his team. ``I can hit the reset button here--and nobody bothers me,'' he said one day last summer. ``My neighbors think of me as the same punk kid who smacked baseballs into their aluminum siding.'' Relaxed and upbeat, Stewart improved not just his attitude but also his listening skills. The communication between Stewart and his crew in 2005 was as free-flowing as it has ever been in his six-year Cup career. In October '04, in a meeting at Joe Gibbs Racing in Charlotte, several crewmen told Stewart that in the past his heat-of-the-moment tongue- lashings had bruised egos. As a result, some in the crew were reluctant to speak to Stewart when problems arose. ``That meeting really opened my eyes,'' says Stewart. ``I'm only 5'8'' and 185 pounds, but I can intimidate people. That had to stop because my guys need to be able to talk to me about anything.'' ``Tony moving home has meant everything to our team,'' says shock specialist Ronny Crooks. ``Instead of looking at problems, Tony now looks at solutions.'' That positive attitude carried the team all year, from the ups and downs of spring, through a red-hot summer (sparked by a test session at Michigan in which Stewart and crew chief Greg Zipadelli hit on a key suspension setup), to a carefully controlled Chase, to the final lap at Homestead, ending a season that will stand out in NASCAR history. ``I've never really thought about where my place in the history of the sport will ultimately be,'' says Stewart. ``I've got a lot more to accomplish, and hopefully I'll win a few more championships.'' While Stewart is clearly driving toward the pantheon of the alltime great American racers--a place where Earnhardt, Foyt, Pearson and Petty all reside--he already shares one trait with the legends: He likes to give the fans a show. So, late in the evening of Nov. 20, at the urging of a few hundred fans still in the Homestead grandstand an hour after the race, Stewart scaled the catch-fence at the start-finish line. As he triumphantly raised his arm, flashbulbs popped, capturing what surely will be the defining image of NASCAR's 2005 season.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all of those who worked hard to bring this bill to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 798, the Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005. I am a cosponsor of this bill, and like many of my colleagues, this bill addresses a growing concern back home in our districts needing immediate attention. Across the country, almost every community has been touched by the meth crisis. Meth is a toxic mixture of chemicals that gives its users an incredible euphoria, followed by dramatic crashes, paranoia and often violence. My home State of Indiana has the unenviable distinction as one of the leaders in the number of methamphetamine labs. Everyone in Southern Indiana is painfully aware of the tragic toll meth has taken on our communities. The danger from the meth crisis is great, not only because of the lives destroyed by intentional use and production, but also from unintentional contact with the drug by first responders, unwary home buyers and renters, and innocent children. The law enforcement officials I have met with on the topic tell me meth can be absorbed through inhalation during the manufacturing process and through the skin from contaminated soil, carpeting, drywall and other housing materials. Groundwater can be contaminated with effects that last long after the meth cooks have left the area. Few know about the long-lasting problems left by the producers of methamphetamine. These makeshift labs are leaving toxic sites around our communities, our highways and our farmland. We must act and do more to clean up this invisible time bomb. This bill is a good first step in the process. We must know more about how to treat a meth lab when the first responders arrive on the scene, particularly after a fire explosion. We must know more about the long-term effects of meth on those who occupy these lab sites after the meth cooks are gone. We must know more about how to protect children who happen upon these toxic sites. Mr. Speaker, I thank our leadership for bringing this bill to the House floor. I urge my colleagues to support passage of this bill to protect our police, our first responders, our loved ones from the after-effects of meth production. This assistance is especially important to our rural counties. I urge its adoption.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to respond to the critics of our Iraqi policy. No one questions their right to criticize our commitment to the Iraqi people or the rate of progress being made. It is not their right I question but rather their responsibility. For every liberty there is a responsibility, and for every freedom a duty. I just returned from Iraq. Much progress is being made towards a stable Iraq and a democratically-elected government. It is to me irresponsible to enter into the current debate on the very eve of the Iraqi election, the most important election in the history of that country. Our words should be words of encouragement. Our words should lend support to this important election. Words do have meaning and ideas have consequences. At this critical time, our words should support the Iraqi people, our soldiers and the process. In Ecclesiastes it is written, ``There is a time for everything.'' The critics are using the wrong words to express the wrong idea at the wrong time.

Mr. SODREL

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be modified by the modification at the desk.

Mr. SODREL. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, the sport of boxing is an amusement. It is a luxury often costing participants hundreds of dollars to attend a single prize fight. In a time when we are searching for ways to fund necessities, we should not expose the taxpayer to a left hook and the possibility of paying millions of dollars to clean up corruption of a highly profitable business that estimates are brings in a billion dollars a year. I commend the gentleman from Florida for working with me to ensure that taxpayers keep their guard up to prevent them from sharing the burden of paying for this commission. I am still uncomfortable with the prospect of the Federal Government serving directly as the referee for licensing and regulating commercial sports. Other professional sports, baseball, football, hockey, basketball all have their own governing body to thwart the problems now faced by the professional boxing industry. However, if it must be done, then we must ensure that the costs fall on those that have generated the need for regulation and who benefit the most from boxing industry's revenues. I believe my amendment will ensure this commission will be funded exclusively by licensing fees on the boxing industry participants and not from appropriations of general funds. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment to hold the boxing industry accountable to pay for its own regulation. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns).