Frank Wolf

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, America must develop a 21st century energy security policy that will reduce energy costs, increase energy independence, encourage energy conservation, strengthen the economy and protect the environment, including steps to cut carbon emissions and address the impacts of climate change. I believe that policy must also include a commitment to invest in clean, renewable energy technology, the responsible exploration of domestic energy sources, an increase in fuel efficiency standards, and the research necessary to develop the fuels of the future. Today the House considers a bill that is over 1,000 pages, with only 12 hours of notice and only 1 hour of debate. I found it interesting that while the bill was not introduced and made available to members until 8:30 last night, K Street lobbyists provided copies to congressional staff 3 hours earlier. In the limited time we have had to read the bill, I have found some provisions that I could support. The bill has provisions to invest in research and development of a whole host of renewable resources, promote energy efficiency by the Federal Government, promote energy conservation programs and investment by the private sector in renewable energy generation. If we are ever to become energy independent, those are the kinds of investment we must make. The bill also has provisions to establish grants to promote public transportation and expand use of alternative fuels, and extend tax credits for energy efficient projects in commercial buildings, production of renewable electricity and investments in solar energy and fuel cells. Earlier this year I voted for the Udall/Platts amendment to require electricity companies to ensure that 15 percent of their electricity is generated by renewable and alternative sources by the year 2020. Renewable energy development is vital to our national security, our economic prosperity and the health of our environment. Another provision I support and have cosponsored separate legislation will increase automobile fuel economy standards, also called CAFE, Corporate Average Fuel Economy. But with all these positive steps promoting energy investment, why add provisions that will penalize domestic oil and gas production? America is at the mercy of countries like Saudi Arabia and Venezuela and even China whose governments control oil resources around the world. If we are ever to wean our Nation from foreign sources of energy, we must tap our own energy sources. Congress had an opportunity through this bill to find ways to partner with America's oil and gas producers to provide incentives to encourage alternative energy use and development and to stop the rising costs of gas and oil. Instead, the legislation adds billions in increased taxes which will hurt energy consumers and threaten U.S. jobs. I don't believe any fair-minded person would say that the way to lower prices at the pump is by raising taxes on the companies that find, refine and transport gasoline. That is no way to promote energy independence. The tax provisions not only increase taxes for domestic drilling, but also include a massive tax increase on U.S. companies producing energy abroad. This will have the effect of placing U.S.-based companies at a disadvantage by reducing their ability to compete for investments in foreign energy projects. This is unacceptable when China, India and Russia are working night and day to corner the market on many of the world's energy resources. In fact, Cuba has sold leases for offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico to China, India, Canada and Spain. Additionally, I was shocked to see that provisions to promote telework in the Federal Government were removed from the final bill. According to Environmental Defense, 6 billion gallons of oil can be saved if commuters telework just 1 day each week. Most importantly, these telework provisions did not cost a penny. Just a few weeks ago the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University released its annual traffic congestion study which found that congestion creates a $78 billion annual drain on the U.S. economy due to 4.2 million lost hours of productivity and 2.9 billion gallons of wasted gas. That's not even considering the air pollutants caused by idling vehicles around the nation. Why did we not consider savings from the telecommuting provisions included in the energy bill passed earlier this year as an offset instead of new taxes on the backs of the American people? I also have learned that this massive bill includes a $2 billion earmark for the City of New York. I am sure there are other special interest projects that have been creatively air dropped into the 1,061 pages of this bill. With so little time to cull through those pages, though, no one but the sponsors will know before we vote. No wonder the American people have such low regard for Congress. To truly create an effective energy policy, we must have an open and transparent process for all members and in fact all Americans working together. We cannot achieve energy security by increasing taxes on oil and gas producers, which will cripple our economy and impact the pocketbook of every single American. We cannot create energy policy through wheeling and dealing or thousand page bills released just hours before a vote. Finding bipartisan consensus in developing energy policy is critical for our Nation's future economy, prosperity and security. Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate must work together so that America can truly start on the path to energy independence that delivers energy security and lower costs for American consumers in a way that also promotes environmental stewardship. We can do better. We must do better.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my support for H.R. 3887, the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2007. I have long worked to support action on what may be considered the most egregious human rights violation occurring in the world today. I was pleased to be an original cosponsor of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, TVPA, which created an office at the U.S. State Department to monitor trafficking in persons around the world. The trafficking of people and the effects on victims--mostly women and children--can only be described as evil. In many cases, women and children are misled and forced to move across borders, to live in a foreign country, alone, away from family, friends and any kind of support network. They are then bought, sold, and forced into the sex trade. Billions of dollars are generated each year through trafficking. Unfortunately, the United States is also a destination for some of these victims. It is shocking to learn about women being held as sex slaves literally in houses and basements that I drive by every day on my way to the Nation's capital. This reauthorization addresses this aspect of international trafficking by protecting victims in the United States from retaliation by those who trafficked them; expanding and revising U.S. criminal violations to allow offenses against international trafficking criminals and sex tour operators; ensuring assistance to U.S. victims of trafficking, and preventing the trafficking of foreign children found in the United States by ensuring that they are not repatriated into the hands of traffickers or abusive families and are well cared for. The focus and commitment of the administration on this issue is making a difference in Countries around the globe. We still have a long way to go, but this reauthorization bill is a significant step in giving the State Department the necessary tools to combat this appalling practice. It is a privilege for me to support this important legislation.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, yesterday I was on an official leave of absence for a medical appointment. Had I been present and voting, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 1082, H.R. 3315, which I cosponsored, to provide that the great hall of the Capitol Visitor Center be known as Emancipation Hall; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 1083, H.R. 1593, which I cosponsored, the Second Chance Act; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 1084, H.R. 3403, the 911 Modernization and Public Safety Act, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 1085, H.R. 3461, Safeguarding America's Families by Enhancing and Reorganizing New and Efficient Technologies Act.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the important work of Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Karen Hughes, in light of the announcement that she is resigning. Under Secretary Hughes has led efforts to improve the image of the United States overseas by changing the way the United States engages with the Muslim world. Under Secretary Hughes has worked tirelessly to build a strong organization within the State Department that future administrations can rely upon. She has dramatically increased the number of Arabic language interviews, created three rapid response centers overseas to respond to news events, and nearly doubled the public diplomacy budget to combat negative perceptions of the United States abroad. During her time as head of our government's public diplomacy efforts, Under Secretary Hughes has shown a deep commitment to promoting freedom and to encouraging confidence in speaking out about the values we hold dear. I wish her the best in her future endeavors. I am inserting for the Record Under Secretary Hughes's remarks today at the announcement of her resignation. Under Secretary Karen P. Hughes Department of State, Treaty Room First, I want to thank President Bush and Secretary Rice for giving me the great privilege of representing our country abroad and reaching out to the people of the world in a spirit of respect and friendship. It's been a special honor to work for Secretary Rice, who is both a great friend and a great role model. I also want to thank my outstanding team in public diplomacy--all that we have been able to accomplish has been due to their work--and all the people of the State Department--foreign service, civil service, foreign service nationals, and presidential appointees. I've learned so much from them and I've been honored to serve with them in representing America across the world. Later this year, in mid-December, I will be returning home to Texas. I feel that I have done what Secretary Rice and President Bush asked me to do by transforming public diplomacy and making it a national security priority, central to everything we do in government--while also engaging the private sector more extensively than ever before. I have spent almost nine of the last 12 years of my career in government service and after commuting between Washington and Austin not nearly as often as I would like for the last two-and-a-half years, I'm looking forward to returning to private life and living in the same city with my husband. When I look back at the last couple of years, I'm very proud of what our public diplomacy team has accomplished. We've aggressively expanded our programs, fought for and won increased funding and put in place many innovations and institutional reforms. They include aggressive and significantly expanded media outreach. We've created new regional media hubs, which put language qualified foreign service officers on television in key regional media markets of Dubai, Brussels and London. A new rapid response unit monitors international television and blogs and issues a daily report to inform policy makers about what is driving international news, then provides the U.S. government's position on those issues. We've transformed the Bureau of International Information programs into a high tech hub with web sites in English and six languages, created a digital outreach team that counters misinformation and myths on blogs in Arabic (soon to add Farsi and Urdu)--and stood up a new video production unit. Our ambassadors are now empowered and expected to engage with the media, and every foreign service officer is evaluated on public diplomacy activities. We've put in place extensive new outreach to young people, teaching English to thousands of high school students in more than 40 Muslim majority countries. Last summer, we started a new program to reach an even younger audience--8 to 14- year-olds, with a summer program teaching English, computer, arts and sports activates and leadership training. English teaching gives young people a skill they desire, a marketable skill, while opening a window to a wider world of knowledge. I'll never forget meeting a young man in one of our English programs in Morocco. I asked him what difference it had made in his life, and he said: ``I have a job and none of my friends do.'' He was from the same neighborhood that produced the Casablanca suicide bombers. In addition to a job, he now has a hope, a reason to live rather than kill himself and others in a suicide bombing. We've engaged Muslim populations through a new program called citizen dialogue, which sends Muslim Americans overseas to dialogue with Muslim communities--and we've brought more than 600 religious clerics scholars and community leaders from Muslim countries to America to get to know us better. We've engaged the private sector more extensively than ever before--leveraging more than $800 million in partnerships ranging from disaster relief to education and health programs to working to make our airports and embassies more welcoming. We've significantly expanded outreach to women, with a new breast cancer initiative in the Middle East and Latin America and a number of business women's mentoring initiatives. A new partnership with U.S. higher education helped attract a record number of international students to study in America and reversed the trend of decline that began in the years after September 11th. We issued an all time high of 591,000 student visas in 2006 and traveled with university presidents across the world to encourage international students to come to America. Our flagship programs like Fulbright at record highs, we've restarted exchanges with Iran for the first time since 1979 and participation in our education and exchange programs-- people-to-people diplomacy--has grown from 27,000 in 2004 to nearly 40,000 today. I've worked to set a more strategic direction for USG broadcasting and recruit new leadership for the Broadcasting Board of Governors and its entities. We launched a new Global Cultural initiative, expanded sports programming, sent musical groups like the fusion funk group Ozomatli abroad with a message of respect for diversity. We started a new public diplomacy envoy program, enlisting well known Americans including Olympic skater Michelle Kwan and baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. to represent America overseas. We have implemented a majority of the recommendations from more than 30 studies of U.S. public diplomacy, including the comprehensive Djerejian report, and developed the first inter-agency strategic communications plan for the U.S. government. I'm very proud of what we've started, and I will continue to be a champion of public diplomacy. I will advocate for more funding and more programs, because I believe it's vitally important for the future of our increasingly interconnected world--and especially for the future of our children. I want to encourage my fellow Americans to engage with the world, to study abroad, to travel--one of my own goals in the years ahead is to improve my Spanish. Secretary Rice, thank you for this opportunity; it's been an honor and privilege to work for you and with you, and I thank my great public diplomacy team.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, we were saddened with the news last week that an outstanding public servant had lost his battle with cancer. Joseph R. Crapa was serving as the executive director of the bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) at the time of his passing on October 25. It was my privilege to know Joe and to work with him and his fellow commissioners and the staff at USCIRF in their dedicated efforts to protecting religious freedom throughout the world. I would like to share the touching remarks our colleague Rep. David Obey gave at Joe's funeral on October 29 at St. Peters Catholic Church on Capitol Hill. Joe had served as Congressman Obey's chief of staff from 1987 to 1997, the last three years as Democratic counsel to the House Appropriations Committee. I also insert for the Record a news release from the USCIRF mourning the passing of its executive director. We express our deepest condolences to Joe's wife of 40 years, Barbara Vaskis Crapa of Alexandria, Virginia; his son Judd, daughter-in-law Gretchen, and grandsons Sebastian and Baird. Remarks by Congressman David Obey--Funeral for Joseph R. Crapa Joe Crapa could do just about everything! He taught high school. He represented 1,000 teachers in budget negotiations. He taught college courses in literature, writing, and government. He was a fundraiser, and outreach director for the congressional Democratic leadership. He was a key figure in a government relations firm. He represented three separate government departments in dealing with Congress--Commerce, USAID, and EPA. Building on his experience growing up in ``rural'' Brooklyn, he served as staff director for a House Agriculture Subcommittee. He was staff director for two of the ``easiest'' people in Congress to work for--Chuck Schumer and me. He worked at my side for 10 years. Finally, he served as Executive Director of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. He did all of those jobs well. He had a superb professional career! But WHAT he accomplished professionally in his life is not nearly as impressive as HOW he did it. This is a tough and often indifferent town. If you are not alert, it can wear you down. Temptations always abound to cut corners and settle for boilerplate mediocrity. But not Joe!! Joe was a tough, street smart pol in the best sense of that term, but what epitomized him most of all was his deep understanding of human nature and his unflagging honesty. I cannot tell you how many times he said to me, ``Dave, that's the dumbest idea I've ever heard of.'' And sometimes his language wasn't that sweet. Joe was determined to strip away the irrelevant, the secondary, the trivial, in order to reach the fundamental. Where did that come from? I think it came from a character and intellect that was expanded and burnished by his exposure to the questions that count by the Jesuits and then as a PhD student in literature, being exposed to the core realities of human experience. As a practical, operational public man, he--with no guilt-- accepted the compromises that are the stock in trade in politics. He understood what Will Rogers meant when he said, ``When two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary.'' He understood, as my great Irish friend John Hume once told me, that ``in a democracy politics is a substitute for violence.'' But Joe also had rock hard convictions on a few essentials: He fiercely believed that the widening gap between the most privileged and the poor is obscene. He believed, as Bill Moyers has said, that politics ``must be more than who gets what; that it should rise above the merely transactional and become transformational; that it must even the starting gate so that people equal in humanity but not in resources have a reasonable opportunity to pursue a full and decent life.'' He passionately believed that every world citizen had a right to pursue their religious beliefs free from persecution or dictation and he was immensely proud of his relationship at the Commission with those of every philosophical bent, including Frank Wolf, who was similarly passionate. He believed in a religion of tolerance and respect. He worried that politicians could trivialize and cheapen religion. He did not believe it was legitimate for politicians to claim God as their own celestial party chairman, as a fellow New Yorker once warned against. As Barbara pointed out Saturday, he believed that a respectful but separate relationship between church and state was essential to preserve and protect both religion and democracy. Joe loved his last job, but I will always see him as a superb example of so many on Capitol Hill who never serve in public office, whose name is never on the door, who day in and day out love their country and try to make this a better world. Because I believe so many of you see Joe the way I see him, I would like to share with you part of a letter I wrote to Joe when he went into the hospital for the last time: ``Joe--Judd was in my office yesterday and told me the latest on your health situation. I wish to God you had received better news. I'm about to leave to catch a plane for Wisconsin, but before I did I wanted to put a few thoughts down on paper so that you know how I feel about you. When I was first interviewing you to run my office, my first impression in the first 10 minutes we talked was that there was no way in God's green earth that I could ever develop chemistry with this fast talking refugee from Brooklyn. I have been forever grateful that you proved me wrong. I hope you know how grateful I am for everything you did with and for me. . . . I was blessed to have your energy, know how, insight, judgment, and wisdom. I hate to think how little I would have accomplished without having you beside me during these years. But even more than that, I appreciate the personal support and friendship you gave me in those years, even down to today. Politics is a tough life and those of us who live it know how exposed and vulnerable we all are. During these years, you were able to give me sound advice on every front, but the most valuable aspect of your counsel was the fact that underneath it all was a moral core that was true to both you and me. That is a special link between ``brothers'' that I hope we both treasure. You are a great public servant, a great friend, and a great human being. Thank you for understanding and accepting my weakness and shortcomings and for enhancing my strengths. Please know that there are many, many, many people in this town who feel the same way about you. . .'' And as we say in the House of Representatives, I ask unanimous consent that these sentiments be considered the views of all of you here who knew, respected, and loved him. USCIRF Mourns Passing of Executive Director Joseph Crapa Washington.--Joseph R. Crapa, the Executive Director of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, died Thursday after a struggle with cancer. Mr. Crapa, 63, had led the Commission since 2002. ``Joe had sharp political instincts but a soft personal touch,'' said Michael Cromartie, current Chair of the Commission. ``He had an unwavering, principled commitment to advancing the work of this bipartisan Commission in protecting religious freedom worldwide. Everyone who knew and worked with Joe found him to be a remarkably committed public servant.'' ``We have lost a uniquely talented leader, trusted counselor and beloved friend to each of the Commissioners,'' said Commission Vice Chair Preeta D. Bansal, who served as Commission Chair in 2004-2005. ``I respected tremendously his commitment to the substance of our work and his appreciation for the critical issues at the juncture of religion and foreign policy at this unique period in our history. His sharp political and human instincts and his deep love for humanity were crucial to our work in this sensitive arena. We loved him and will miss him dearly.'' ``It was an honor to serve on the Search Committee that recommended Joe Crapa to be the Executive Director of the Commission,'' said Vice Chair Richard D. Land. ``As a Republican appointee, I was most happy to enthusiastically endorse and commend this faithful Democrat who loved America and loved the freedom for which it stands. He was a tireless proponent of religious freedom around the world and was instrumental in making the Commission an extremely effective voice for religious freedom. It was an honor and a privilege to have known him and served with him. All of us who knew him will miss him.'' ``Joe Crapa took a newly established Commission, at a crucial time in U.S. history, and, during his tenure, turned it into a respected voice on post-9/11 foreign policy and a source of new research and insights into the influence of religious freedom and related human rights on world affairs,'' said Felice D. Gaer, Chair of the Commission in 2002-2003, when Mr. Crapa joined USCIRF, and in 2006-2007. ``Joe's great love of people and respect for religion transcended all differences. With ebullience and panache, he effectively directed the Commission through a transformative period when the salience of the universal and inalienable right of religious freedom has been demonstrated daily by world events,'' said Nina Shea, who has served as a Commissioner since USCIRF's founding in 1999. ``He will always be an inspiration for me and those who had the privilege of working with him.'' Prior to coming to the Commission, Mr. Crapa served as Chief of Staff to Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY). Mr. Crapa spent the four prior years as Assistant Administrator at the U.S. Agency for International Development. He also served as Assistant Secretary at the Department of Agriculture and Associate Administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency, where his portfolio included Congressional Relations and Public Affairs. For 10 years, Mr. Crapa served as Chief of Staff to Rep. David Obey (D-WI), currently the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and also as counsel to the House Appropriations Committee. He was an Adjunct Professor of Government at Georgetown University (1990-1995) and was a Stennis Fellow of Congress (1995-1997). He also was a Lecturer for the Washington Campus, a consortium of universities where he lectured on Congress and the policy process. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Crapa graduated from Cathedral College Preparatory Seminary. He received a B.A. from St. John's University, an M.A. from Duke University, and a Ph.D. at the University of Arizona, where he was a National Defense Teaching Fellow. The Commission extends its most sincere condolences to Mr. Crapa's wife Barbara, son Judd, daughter-in-law Gretchen, grandsons Sebastian and Baird, and his extended family.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlemen. I want to thank the chairman very much for his help and his support and your staff. I also want to honor Mr. Regula, who has probably made such an impact on these issues over the many, many, many years. I rise in strong support of this. The journey through hallowed grounds is hallowed growth. It begins with Monticello where Jefferson came out and wrote those words ``that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator.'' Ronald Reagan said those words were a covenant, a covenant with not only Americans but with the entire world. Then we move up to Antietam, Antietam where President Lincoln took that win, that battle, that victory there of 20,000 deaths and then had the Emancipation Proclamation. That is hallowed ground because when you walk in 1 day, 20,000 people died. And then we move up to Gettysburg, Gettysburg where President Lincoln, probably the greatest or second greatest President after President Washington, gave that famous speech that made sure the Union came together. This is hallowed ground. It is areas that we have helped define ourselves and who we are and why we are who we are. Also in this area is Monroe's house, Oak Hill; Montpelier, President Madison; also Zachary Taylor's home; Eisenhower's farm; Teddy Roosevelt's cabin; Kennedy's house; Marshall's house, who helped devise the Marshall Plan. This will help commemorate, preserve and promote. Let me read you what David McCullough said. He said, ``This is the ground of our Founding Fathers. These are the landscapes that speak volumes, small towns, churches, fields, mountains, creeks and rivers with names such as Bull Run and Rappahannock. They are the real thing, and what shame we will bring upon ourselves if we destroy them.'' For those who have objected, this is what the bill says: nothing in the subtitle alters any duly adopted land use regulation, approved land use plan or other regulatory authority of any Federal, State, tribal or local agency. It goes on to say: nothing in this subtitle conveys any land use or other regulatory authority to any local or coordinating entity. And the bottom line is, this bill cannot and does not affect the rights of any property owner. In closing, let me say here's what Lincoln said. When Lincoln was in this area he said, ``We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have hallowed it far above our poor power to add or detract.'' This region, this area is sacred. It is hallow. I strongly urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, please pass this bill so we can preserve and protect and promote together, to educate our young people so when they hear the word ``Antietam'' they understood what took place; when they hear about ``Gettysburg'' they understood what took place; when they read the Declaration of Independence, they honor the men who said we give our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor. I urge an ``aye'' vote for this and again want to thank Mr. Rahall very, very much and his staff and Mr. Regula for his leadership, not only on this but on all of these park issues and all of these important preservation issues over the many, many years.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I want to call to the attention of the House the outstanding public service of Robert C. Thompson of McLean, Virginia, in my congressional district, as he prepares to retire this month. Mr. Thompson has contributed more than 30 years of public service to our Nation, most recently as Deputy Director for Management and Administration of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which he helped completely restructure from the ground up following 9/11. He has proven himself a pioneering, tireless leader in the Navy's efforts to combat terrorism around the globe. Robert Thompson began his career in the Army, where he saw armed conflict in Vietnam, and was stationed in the Republic of Korea and stateside. After leaving the Army, Mr. Thompson joined the Naval Investigative Service as a special agent in 1976, where he quickly made a name for himself in counterintelligence. He was selected to head counterintelligence operations for the Navy in 1984, and was awarded the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement in December 1990. In 1994, Mr. Thompson was detailed to the National Security Council, where he helped build the foundation of U.S. counterintelligence strategy. His contributions to this effort permanently improved this Nation's efforts in combating terrorism. During a later tenure as Acting Director of the National Counterintelligence Center, Mr. Thompson was entrusted with performing several high-profile damage assessments on the impact of espionage and security breaches of the highest order of importance to the U.S. government. His exemplary service was recognized with the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the highest award bestowed by the U.S. Intelligence Community, in November 2001. In retirement, Mr. Thompson looks forward to traveling with his wife, Betty Ann, and enjoying the outdoors with his family. His son, Robert, is currently on his second tour with the Virginia National Guard in the Middle East. I am proud to call attention to Mr. Thompson's dedication. I congratulate Mr. Thompson on his exceptional performance, leadership, and unfailing commitment to his country. The contributions he has made to the intelligence community will serve as a strong foundation for future success in the global war on terror for years to come.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I bring to the attention of the House Mr. Nick Palmiotto, a dedicated soldier, a leader, a father, a husband, a member of my Service Academy Advisory Board and my constituent from Sterling, Virginia, who passed away at the age of 44 on October 6 after a valiant fight against leukemia. It was an honor to have Nick serve as a member of my Academy Board which assists in the selection of nominees for military academies. As a 1984 graduate of the Naval Academy, Nick recognized the character and integrity that would enable young men and women to become leaders and heroes, much like himself. Nick was the embodiment of what it meant to be a soldier and a true gentleman. Nick Palmiotto was born on November 18, 1962, in Mount Kisco, New York. After completing high school at the top of his class, Nick attended the Naval Academy and graduated 11th in his class. He was accepted at the prestigious Nuclear Power School and was commissioned as a nuclear power submariner. Shortly thereafter, however, Nick was medically retired from the Navy after learning of a blood disorder that would prevent him from serving at sea. Upon leaving the Navy, Nick continued his involvement with the military as a defense contractor, developing many high-tech programs which enhanced operations training and helped to save the lives of many soldiers on the battlefield. During the final years of his career he served in support of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Nick was an asset to the community and he will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him, including his two children, Kyleigh and Chad, and his wife, Janelle, of 19 years. We send our condolences to his family and friends and salute Nick Palmiotto for his life of service to his country.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged resolution (H. Res. 717) and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that we come to the floor tonight to honor the memory of our colleague and friend, the Honorable Jo Ann Davis, who lost her 2-year battle with breast cancer this past Saturday. She was not only our House colleague; she was our Virginia colleague who represented the First District of Virginia, a district which she proudly called ``America's First District'' because of our country's roots at Jamestown and the many significant events in history which occurred there. Jo Ann Davis also could have had a first next to her name because she was the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Virginia in 2000 to succeed our late colleague Herb Bateman. But that historic aspect of her career in Congress was not important to her. Representing her constituents and being the best Member of Congress she could be for the people of her district, that was what was most important to her. Her career in elected office spanned 10 short years, from her first election in 1997 to the Virginia House of Delegates to her four elected terms in the House beginning in the year 2000. But over that decade she made her mark as a deeply caring and very hardworking public servant who believed in common sense and conservative ideals. In remembering Jo Ann's work in Congress, there are several thoughts I would like to share. She battled to the end with courage and grace in her fight against breast cancer. When she was first diagnosed in 2005 with the insidious disease, she announced it publicly to encourage other women to beware of the disease. Her bravery and personal strength were a source of inspiration to many. She was a person of honesty, integrity, and very strong moral conviction in representing her district and living her life. And she had a very strong commitment to the Lord. She was a dedicated and tenacious fighter for her beliefs, and the importance of her faith was obvious in the way she cared for and treated others and in the way she did her job. She was a tireless and passionate advocate for the First District in Virginia, working to protect the military interests in her district and Navy shipbuilding in Newport News. She cofounded the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus as she worked to provide for the defense of our Nation. But as important as that work was for Jo Ann, protecting the interests of men and women in uniform, their families, and veterans was priority number one. She also worked hard for other local interests, such as the removal of the ``ghost fleet'' of obsolete, environmentally hazardous ships from the James River; better regulation of the amount of trash coming into Virginia; and protecting the resources of the Chesapeake Bay. This House and this Nation will miss Jo Ann Davis and her dedication to public service. I want to express my sincere condolences to her staff, both in Washington and in her district, who can be proud of their work by her side for the people of America's First District. Jo Ann Davis had an outstanding staff, and I want to thank the staff. I also want to join with my colleagues in expressing profound sympathy to Jo Ann's husband, Chuck; and their two sons, Christopher and Charles; and a granddaughter. In remembering Jo Ann Davis and her life of service to others, I am reminded of the words of Scripture where it says: ``Well done, good and faithful servant.'' Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record a news article and editorial from the Newport News Daily Press about our late colleague, the Honorable Jo Ann Davis. [From the dailypress.com, Oct. 8, 2007] The Unlikely Politician--The Self-Described Country Gal Preferred Horses to the Capitol Hill Party Circuit (By David Lerman) She was, by her own admission, an unlikely politician. Virginia Rep. Jo Ann Davis, who died of breast cancer Saturday at age 57, was more at ease with her beloved horses on her Gloucester farm than the cocktail party circuit on Capitol Hill. The self-described country gal and former real estate agent fell into a congressional career almost by accident. It took church connections, perseverance and the sudden withdrawal of the leading Republican Party favorite to propel Davis to the office she first won in 2000. ``I could have cared less about politics,'' she recalled in a 2003 interview. ``I did not know there was a Republican Party committee in Virginia.'' But since becoming Virginia's first female Republican member of Congress, Davis learned her role quickly and, many agreed, managed to make the 1st District House seat her own: When obsolete, environmentally hazardous ships started mushrooming in the James River off Fort Eustis, Davis fought for federal funding to speed up their removal--and made significant progress. When state and local officials complained about the barrage of trash coming into Virginia landfills from other states and littering state highways, Davis pushed for legislation to limit interstate waste. While that effort stalled, she won approval of a measure establishing a series of random safety inspections for waste haulers. When military personnel and federal employees complained of inadequate benefits, Davis won passage of legislation increasing the life insurance benefits paid to survivors of military members killed on duty. And when Pentagon budgets forecast a steady decline in the size of the Navy's fleet, Davis sounded the alarm. A staunch advocate for the thousands of shipyard workers in her district, she co-founded the Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus and pushed legislation, albeit unsuccessfully, mandating a larger fleet. ``At a time when people have such a negative impression of Washington, Jo Ann Davis was a refreshing reminder that there are people here who do their best for their constituents,'' said Christopher Connelly, her chief of staff. ``A lot of the issues she worked on were local issues. She didn't get lost in the Washington glamour.'' While seldom a major player on national policy matters, Davis won respect from Republicans and Democrats alike for her ability to delve into local concerns and to stay true to her beliefs. ``While we had different political loyalties, we had no differences in our efforts to work together for the Hampton Roads area,'' said Rep. Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott, D-Newport News. Davis'' rise to political power was as unconventional as it was unlikely. Unlike her predecessor in office, the late Rep. Herbert H. Bateman, Davis lacked the traditional credentials and years of political grooming that typically foreshadow a congressional career. No prestigious university or law-school degree appeared on her resume. The daughter of a Hampton city bus driver, Davis came from modest roots that stood in contrast to those of many of her wealthier colleagues in Congress. After graduating from Hampton Roads Business College in 1971, she went to work as an executive secretary for a real estate firm before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She later got her real estate license and opened Davis Management Co. in 1988, followed by Jo Ann Davis Realty in 1990. All the while, Davis was becoming a deeply religious person. When her mother-in-law suffered a fatal heart attack, Davis has said, she had a born-again experience and then joined the Assembly of God church. Through her church, Davis met Brenda Pogge, a fellow real estate agent and local GOP activist, who encouraged her to enter politics and invited her to her first Republican mass meeting. ``She was my sister in the faith,'' Pogge said. ``She was my friend, my boss and then my congresswoman. Jo Ann was such a role model.'' In 1997, at Pogge's steady urging, Davis reluctantly agreed to challenge a 15-year Democratic incumbent in the General Assembly and won, despite being outspent roughly 3 to 1. In 2000, when Bateman announced his retirement and then died in office, Davis launched her upstart campaign for Congress. The odds seemed stacked against her because of formidable opposition for the Republican nomination, led by former Newport News Mayor Barry DuVal. But when DuVal withdrew from the race, Davis had an opening. She faced a grueling five-way party primary but emerged victorious with 35 percent of the vote. Her general election victory was then little in doubt because of the 1st District's strong Republican tilt. She easily won re-election repeatedly, as she did last year. Because of her faith, Davis has said, she remained an outspoken conservative voice on social issues. She co-sponsored a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and took a purist position on abortion, opposing it even in cases of rape, incest or when the mother's life is endangered. ``It's just who I am,'' she once said. ``I believe what I believe. I didn't know I was called a right-winger.'' If there was a historic aspect to Davis' career, it was in her becoming the first Republican woman to win a House seat from Virginia. Former Rep. Leslie Byrne of Fairfax was the first Democratic woman. But Davis bristled at such gender-based distinctions, which she regarded as irrelevant. ``It shouldn't matter if you're male or female,'' she once said. ``I'm just a member of Congress, like they are. ``No different.''

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis).

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time to the gentlewoman from Virginia, Thelma Drake.

Mr. WOLF. I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes).

Mr. WOLF. I yield such time as he may consume to Mr. Lincoln Diaz- Balart.

Mr. WOLF. I am going to yield to Mr. Cantor. We have been told we can do one more, but we will resume after the votes for anyone that is interested and is listening. But before we go to the votes, I recognize Mr. Cantor from Virginia.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I think for those who are watching, you've seen this Congress at its best, to see people from both sides of the aisle come together, and that is a tribute to Jo Ann.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt).

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H. Res. 717.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlelady from Florida (Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite).

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I recognize the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) for as much time as he may consume.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I recognize the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goode).

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I recognize the gentlelady from Ohio (Mrs. Schmidt) for the balance of the time.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of H.R. 1721, the Pool and Spa Safety Act. It has been my pleasure to work with Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz during the last two sessions of Congress to bring this legislation to the floor. I applaud Representative Wasserman Schultz for her dedication and fully support the congressional efforts to protect our children from swimming pool accidents. Every summer we hear the tragic stories of young children involved in harrowing pool accidents. Though pool season is winding down for the year we must push forward and enact legislation to protect our children in the summers to come. It's tragic that over the last 20 years, we have lost at least 33 children under the age of 14 as a result of pool and spa entrapment. Entrapment occurs when part of a child's body becomes attached to a drain as a result of the powerful suction of a pool or spa's water circulation system. Death or serious injury can occur when the force of the suction overpowers the child's ability to disengage from the drain. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, drowning is the leading cause of accidental injury-related death for children under 4 and the second leading cause of accidental injury-related death of children under 14. However, these figures are very likely understated because law enforcement do not always note ``entrapment'' when reporting a drowning. In the hundreds of tragic drowning cases across the country each year, simple pool safety precautions could help save these precious lives. But it's important to remember that this legislation is not a federal mandate. Instead, it will encourage states to adopt comprehensive pool safety precautions that will substantially reduce the dangers of accidental drowning, body part entrapment, and hair entanglement. It will also promote swimming pool and spa safety. We can prevent these tragedies and save our children. I urge the support for the Pool and Spa Safety Act, H.R. 1721.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend a warm welcome to our guest chaplain, the Reverend Elton Van Welton of Leesburg, Virginia. Reverend Van Welton is the senior pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church. In the two short years he has been at Crossroads, the church membership has grown dramatically, and its rate of financial giving to world missions to the poor and to the hungry has increased by over 500 percent. He has also worked to establish many local ministries, such as Saving Addicts for Eternity, which partners with local Narcotics Anonymous groups to provide spiritual guidance to those struggling with addiction. Pastor Van Welton first joined the ministry in 1999 after receiving a master's in divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before his career as a pastor, Reverend Van Welton received his juris doctorate from Regent University and was a practicing attorney in the Commonwealth of Virginia before he received his call to the ministry. I commend Rev. Van Welton for his dedication to spreading the word of the gospel and for his faithful service to our community in northern Virginia. It is a blessing to have him here today to serve as our guest chaplain.