Frank Wolf

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. I yield to the gentleman from Nebraska.

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

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

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, we will be glad to work with the gentleman from Texas and Ranking Member Mollohan to see what we can do to help. That sounds like a horrible situation: 31 Americans kidnapped. So if we can help, we will do whatever we can to help you.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert).

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

Mr. WOLF. I thank the gentleman for bringing this issue to our attention, Mr. Chairman. As the gentleman said, the budget is very tight this year and difficult decisions had to be made. While I believe that all the programs in the bill are worthy of funding, we had to keep the bill within the subcommittee 302(b) allocation. I agree with the gentleman that the functions of NOAA are very important and will work to see that the conference funding levels are adequate.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I agree with the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne) and will work with the gentleman to address this issue. If the gentleman can come up with something creative, working with the authorizers, working with the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder), maybe there is something we could put in our bill at the end, assuming the authorizers agree, that does something special and more direct with regard to the meth issue. I am wide open. I know how meth has impacted the gentleman's State, and he has been a leader with the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry) on this issue. I suggest you talk with the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), and maybe we could do something dramatic to deal with this issue.

Mr. WOLF. I do, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I make a point of order against the amendment because it proposes to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriation bill and therefore violates clause 2 of rule XXI.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that debate on this amendment and any amendments thereto be limited to 20 minutes to be equally divided and controlled by the proponent and myself, the opponent.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment. The amendment would reduce funding for one of the President's top priorities, science and space. This represents more than a 6-percent reduction in the President's new Vision for Space Exploration and would significantly jeopardize NASA's ability to implement its new mission. I would like to read a letter from the Administrator, Michael Griffin. ``Dear Mr. Chairman: ``It has come to my attention that, during House consideration of H.R. 2862, an amendment will be offered by Mr. Obey that proposes to reduce NASA Exploration Systems funding by $200 million, and redirect the NASA funds to State and local law enforcement assistance activities. ``I must respectfully oppose this amendment. I support full funding of the President's fiscal year 2006 request for NASA. Any reduction in NASA's fiscal year 2006 Exploration Systems funding would threaten the ability of this Nation to ensure U.S. human access to space, our efforts to accelerate the availability of the crew exploration vehicle to minimize the gap between the retirement of the space shuttle and the first operational flight of the CEV, and our efforts to maintain a robust civil service workforce at NASA's field centers in support of these efforts.'' Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 2862 in the Committee of the Whole pursuant to House Resolution 314, no further amendment to the bill may be offered except: Pro forma amendments offered at any point in the reading by the chairman or ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations or their designees for the purpose of debate; amendments printed in the Record and numbered 1, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19 and 21; amendment printed in the Record and numbered 2, which shall be debatable for 15 minutes; amendment printed in the Record and numbered 6, which shall be debatable for 20 minutes; an amendment by Mr. Wolf, regarding funding levels; an amendment by Mr. Hinchey, regarding implementation of laws on medical marijuana, which shall be debatable for 30 minutes; an amendment by Mr. Markey, regarding limitation on funds for torture, which will be debatable for 15 minutes; an amendment by Mr. Nadler, regarding health insurance records under the PATRIOT Act, which shall be debatable for 15 minutes; an amendment by Mr. Sanders, regarding FISA applications under the PATRIOT Act, which shall be debatable for 40 minutes; an amendment by Mr. Schiff, regarding protection of the Federal judiciary; an amendment by Mr. Cardin, regarding WTO action against China for currency manipulation; an amendment by Mr. Mica, regarding U.S. and Commercial Service Funding; an amendment by Mr. Shimkus or Ms. Eshoo, regarding NTIA funding; an amendment by Mr. Inslee, regarding NOAA Coastal Zone Management Program; an amendment by Mr. Fossella or Mr. King of New York, regarding U.S. fugitives residing in Cuba; an amendment by Mr. Flake, regarding educational cultural exchanges; an amendment by Mr. Flake, regarding goods to Cuba, which shall be debatable for 20 minutes; an amendment by Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, regarding data on racial distribution of convictions; an amendment by Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, regarding affirmances by immigration judges; an amendment by Mr. Moran of Virginia, regarding export licenses for firearms; an amendment by Mrs. Musgrave, regarding NASA Hollywood liaison; an amendment by Mr. Otter, regarding delaying notice on search warrants; an amendment by Mr. King of Iowa, regarding implementation of section 642 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996; an amendment by Mr. Schiff, regarding DNA collection from convicted felons; an amendment by Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas regarding safety requirements for the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station; an amendment by Mrs. Jones of Ohio, regarding EEOC; an amendment by Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, regarding SBA funding; an amendment by Mr. Weiner, regarding State and local law enforcement funding; an amendment by Mr. Hayworth, regarding U.N. funding; an amendment by Mr. McDermott, regarding travel to Cuba; an amendment by Mr. Reyes, regarding torture of human rights activists. Each amendment may be offered only by the Member named in this request or a designee or the Member who caused it to be printed in the Record or a designee; shall be considered as read; shall not be subject to amendment, except that the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations and the Subcommittee on Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies each may offer one pro forma amendment for the purpose of debate; and shall not be subject to the demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole. Except as otherwise specified, each amendment shall be debatable for 10 minutes, equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent. An amendment shall be considered to fit the description stated in this request if it addresses in whole or in part the object described.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Appropriations may have until midnight, June 10, 2005, to file a privileged report on a bill making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Appropriations may have until midnight, June 10, 2005, to file a privileged report on a bill making appropriations for Science, the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Madam Chairman, let me begin by thanking the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes) for doing this. And every Member of this House on both sides should thank the gentleman. And I thank the chairman and the staff of the Judiciary Committee for moving this legislation. March issue of Newsweek: ``They are a violent force in 33 States and counting. The most dangerous gang in America, MS-13.'' They killed 10 people in Northern Virginia. And I will tell the gentleman from Los Angeles, they have killed a number of people out in your area too. There was a Washington Post editorial about this and a story where it talks about a young parent. The eldest son, age 15, was sitting on the steps of a nearby apartment with two friends when he was gunned down. The friends were wounded, but survived. The son was killed almost instantly. The mother remarked, we moved here to get away from the gangs. The brutality of these gangs. They took Brenda Paz, who was in the Witness Protection Program down to the Shenandoah Valley and slashed her throat to where her neck was cut all the way almost through, and stabbed her 16 times. They prey on the poor. They prey on the poor in the inner cities. They prey on the poor in Culmore. I have said, the people of Culmore and the people of the inner city have just as much right to live in the upscale neighborhoods where they may not be. This is a good bill. And when we protect the most vulnerable in our society, we protect everybody. I have talked to the community in different areas of my district and in Culmore through this region. They live in fear. And I say whether you have been in this country for 50 years and are wealthy or whether you have been here for 50 hours and you live in an area where you are trying to work your way out, you deserve the right to be protected. And the bill by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes) protects the poor. This bill protects those who are being preyed upon. And I hope and I pray, on behalf of Brenda Paz who was stabbed 16 times and the families that live in Culmore and the families that live out in L.A. and the families that live in Houston, and the families that live throughout the State of Virginia that are suffering with this, that this bill passes overwhelmingly and goes on to the Senate, and they pass it so we can finally get relief, not for the wealthy but for those who live in Culmore and the inner city, who, up until this time, have been forgotten by this institution. Finally, with the Forbes bill, this will do more to help them.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment. Let me read an article from the Washington Post, ``In what officials suspect is the latest horror committed by gangs, 28 people, including six children, were killed December 24 when gunmen opened fire on a bus full of passengers near the northern Honduran city of San Pedro Sula.'' Twenty-eight individuals, six of them were children. Another article said there was a request by the presidents of four Central American countries for help in gang battles. The request came as U.S. authorities revealed that they had issued an alert for the suspected mastermind of the killing of these 28 people near San Pedro Sula. The individual is a suspected member of the MS-13 gang and may have already entered the United States illegally. The gentleman is right. That individual who was involved in the killing of 28 individuals in San Pedro Sula in Honduras was arrested in McAllen, Texas, coming back into the country after killing 28 people. I think the gentleman's amendment is exactly right on target. There are many cases whereby they come back into the country and commit violent crimes after having committed violent crimes down in El Salvador. But 28 people in that little village in that town of San Pedro Sula, and then the man is arrested not in Honduras but up here in Texas. With that, I just urge Members to strongly support the amendment. It is very good.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, I wrote President Bush urging him to boldly triple the innovation budget--federal basic research and development--over the next decade. America today finds herself at a crossroads when it comes to leading the world in science and innovation. We can continue down the current path, as other nations continue to narrow the gap, or we can take bold, dramatic steps to ensure U.S. economic leadership in the 21st century and a rising standard of living for all Americans. Our current levels of investment in innovative research and development are not enough to keep us at the forefront. Countries such as China and India are quickly gaining ground on the United States and few people realize it. The United States faces stiff competition in sheer volume because our population is a fraction of that of China and India. In 2000, Asian universities accounted for almost 1.2 million of the world's science and engineering degrees and European universities accounted for 850,000. North American universities accounted for only about 500,000. Additionally, according to the National Science Foundation, the United States has a smaller share of the worldwide total of science and engineering doctoral degrees awarded than either Asia or Europe. This is most alarming when you consider that since 1980, the number of science and engineering positions in the United States have grown at five times the rate of positions in the civilian workforce as a whole. This trend should be setting off alarm bells, especially as more high- tech products, and the high-tech jobs behind them, are located elsewhere. America has a proud history of rising to the occasion. We need to be mobilized as we were after the former Soviet Union launched Sputnik, when we made a commitment in the late 1950s to build our space program and greatly enhance our educational system in the name of national defense through the passage of the National Defense Education Act. Recently we fulfilled the commitment to double the National Institutes of Health budget to jump-start work on medical research to help find cures to debilitating and fatal diseases. Our nation must make a similar bold commitment to invest in the future of our country by tripling the innovation budget--federal basic research and development--over the next decade. I believe that a bold initiative like this is necessary to ensure for future generations that America continues to be the innovation leader of the world. I know my colleagues share my concern about the future competitiveness of American industry and are committed to improving job opportunities for all Americans. Your attention will send a clear message about the gravity of this situation. Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, May 3, 2005. Hon. George W. Bush, The President, the White House, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. President: America today finds herself at a crossroads when it comes to leading the world in science and innovation. We can continue down the current path, as other nations continue to narrow the gap, or we can take bold, dramatic steps to ensure U.S. economic leadership in the 21st century and a rising standard of living for all Americans. I know you share my concern about the future competitiveness of American industry and are committed to improving job opportunities for all Americans. However, our current levels of investment in innovative research and development are not enough to keep us at the forefront. Countries such as China and India are quickly gaining ground on the United States and few people realize it. This trend should be setting off alarm bells, especially as more high- tech products, and the high-tech jobs behind them, are located elsewhere. The United States faces stiff competition in sheer volume because our population is a fraction of that of China and India. In 2000, Asian universities accounted for almost 1.2 million of the world's science and engineering degrees and European universities accounted for 850,000. North American universities accounted for only about 500,000. Additionally, according to the National Science Foundation, the United States has a smaller share of the worldwide total of science and engineering doctoral degrees awarded than either Asia or Europe. This is most alarming when you consider that since 1980, the number of science and engineering positions in the United States have grown at five times the rate of positions in the civilian workforce as a whole. Foreign advances in basic science also now often rival or even exceed America's, and published research by Americans is lagging. Physical Review, a series of top physics journals, last year tracked a reversal in which American scientific papers, in two decades, dropped from the most published to minority status. In 2004--the most recent year statistics are available--the total number of American papers published was just 29 percent, down from 61 percent in 1983. America also is losing ground in the area of patents. The percentage of U.S. patents has been steadily declining as foreign nations, especially in Asia, have become more active and in some fields have seized the innovation lead. The U.S. share of its own industrial patents now stands at only 52 percent. Another measuring stick is number of Nobel prizes won. From the 1960s through the 1990s, American scientists dominated. Now, the rest of the world has caught up as our scientists only win about half of the Nobel prizes with the rest going to Britain, Japan, Russia, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and New Zealand. Federal research support serves two essential purposes. First, it supports the research required to fuel continued innovation and economic growth. Second, because much of it takes place at the nation's colleges and universities, it plays a critical role in training our next generation of scientists, engineers, mathematicians and others who will comprise the future scientific and technological workforce. I am concerned that with the current levels of federal investment in research and technology our country will fall victim to the fierce manpower competition we face from developing countries. America has a proud history of rising to the occasion. We need to be mobilized as we were after the former Soviet Union launched Sputnik, when we made a commitment in the late 1950s to build our space program and greatly enhance our educational system in the name of national defense through the passage of the National Defense Education Act. Most recently we fulfilled the commitment to double the National Institutes of Health budget to jump-start work on medical research to help find cures to debilitating and fatal diseases. Our nation must make a similar bold commitment to invest in the future of our country by tripling the innovation budget-- federal basic research and development--over the next decade. We need to inspire young people to study math and science. As chairman of the Science-State-Justice-Commerce Appropriations subcommittee, I understand the difficult budget environment the nation is facing. But bold leadership from the White House will help establish this as a national priority in your next budget request to the Congress. We must ensure for future generations that America continues to be the innovation leader of the world. Investing in research and development is a critical part of optimizing our nation for innovation, a process that will require strong leadership and involvement from government, industry, academia and labor. We must choose whether to innovate or abdicate. I urge you to seize this opportunity to rally our nation to the cause of innovation and stand ready to assist you in this 21st century challenge. I hope you will work with Congress, with manufacturers and other producers and services providers, and with the academic and scientific communities to develop the necessary consensus that will ensure America will remain the world's leader in innovation. The competitive and economic future of America is at stake. Best wishes. Sincerely, Frank R. Wolf, Member of Congress.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference report to fund urgent supplemental requirements for the military. For the State Department, we have included just over $2 billion, a reduction of $199 million from the President's request. The bill includes the necessary funds to maintain our diplomatic presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for allowing our personnel to carry out their duties in the safest and most secure manner. Iraq and Afghanistan are the front lines of our foreign policy. This conference report provides the necessary resources for operations, logistics, and security in those dangerous, but critically important, parts of the world. There is also $592 million to allow State to move quickly to build a secure compound in Baghdad and, as the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt) said, these facilities are not secure now, and they are needed. This money will result in the completion of a secure living and working compound facility within 24 months. The $680 million, $100 million below the President's request, pays for the U.S. share of ongoing peacekeeping missions, including a new mission for Sudan, where it is absolutely critical, now that there is a north-south peace. And, by sending this mission there, hopefully, it will bring peace to Darfur. The conference report also includes $241.6 million for domestic appropriations to support the war on terror, including FBI counterterrorism efforts and, for DEA, a counternarcotics program in Afghanistan. Finally, it includes $17.2 million to jump-start the improvement of the United States tsunami warning capabilities on both coasts. The conference report before us provides funding for important security measures for our diplomatic personnel, for our ongoing State Department and Justice Department commitments, and I strongly urge support of the conference report.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 127 calling on the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to transfer Charles Taylor, former President of the Republic of Liberia, to the Special Court for Sierra Leone to be tried for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious violations of international law. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this important resolution. We must do everything possible to see that Charles Taylor, a fugitive from justice, is held accountable for his heinous crimes and brought before the Special Court for Sierra Leone. There should be no safe harbor for tyrants like Charles Taylor. The legacy of Charles Taylor's human rights abuses and corruption in Liberia is deplorable. Charles Taylor sponsored a 10-year civil war in neighboring Sierra Leone and has inflicted suffering on innocent men, women and children in unprecedented acts of cruelty, all done to satisfy the avarice of a cruel despot. The UN-backed war crimes court unsealed an indictment on Charles Taylor in 2003. He is accused of bearing the greatest responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity and serious violations of international humanitarian law. It is well known that he provided financial support, military training, personnel, arms and other form of assistance to the Revolutionary United Front to destabilize Sierra Leone and thereby gain access to her diamond wealth. Charles Taylor organized and ordered armed attacks throughout Sierra Leone to terrorize the civilian population and ultimately punish them for failing to provide sufficient support to the RUF, or for supporting the legitimate government. The attacks routinely included unlawful killings, abductions, forced labor, physical and sexual violence, the use of child soldiers and looting. I remain concerned that two years have passed and he has not been brought to justice before the Special Court for Sierra Leone. The United States must call on the Nigerian government to hand Charles Taylor over to stand trial. Charles Taylor has stated his plans to return to Liberia one day and is accused of meddling in the current affairs of West Africa. If we fail to bring him to justice he may someday return to power in Liberia. Time is running out for the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Charles Taylor's crimes can not go unpunished. There must be justice for the victims.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday I introduced with Congressmen Ehlers and Boehlert, H.R. 1547, the Math and Science Incentive Act of 2005. This legislation would pay--over the life of the loan up to $10,000--the interest on the undergraduate student loans of math, science or engineering majors who agree to work five years in their respective fields. The idea for this legislation came from my friend Newt Gingrich's book, Winning the Future. America's dominance in science and innovation is slipping, but this legislation can help combat this trend. We are facing today a critical shortage of science and engineering students in the United States. Unfortunately, there is little public awareness of this trend or its implications for jobs, industry or national security in America's future. We need to make sure we have people who can fill these science and engineering positions. In an era in which students are graduating college with record levels of debt, I am hopeful that this incentive will be a significant motivator in attracting or retaining math, science and engineering students. How do we know that our nation is slipping in the areas of math, science, engineering and technology? Americans, for decades, led the world in patents. But we can no longer claim that lead. The percentage of U.S. patents has been steadily declining as foreigners, especially Asians, have become more active and in some fields have seized the innovation lead. The United States share of its own industrial patents now stands at only 52 percent. Foreign advances in basic science now often rival or even exceed America's. Published research by Americans is lagging. Physical Review, a series of top physics journals, last year tracked a reversal in which American scientific papers, in two decades, dropped from the most published to minority status. In 2003--the most recent year statistics are available--the total number of American papers published was just 29 percent, down from 61 percent in 1983. Another measuring stick: Nobel prizes. From the 1960s through the 1990s, American scientists dominated. Now the rest of the world has caught up. Our scientists win now about half of the Nobel prizes, the rest go to Britain, Japan, Russia, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and New Zealand. According to the National Science Foundation, the United States has a smaller share of the worldwide total of science and engineering doctoral degrees awarded than both Asia and Europe. This is a real problem. In 2000, Asian universities accounted for almost 1.2 million of the world's science and engineering degrees. European universities (including Russia and eastern Europe) accounted for 850,000. North American universities accounted for only about 500,000. Since 1980, science and engineering positions in the U.S. have grown at five times the rate of positions in the civilian workforce as a whole. I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this legislation to help America continue to be the innovation leader of the world. The text of H.R. 1547 follows:

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1463, which my colleague and good friend, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), introduced to recognize the important contributions Justin W. Williams made to justice and freedom in our society. The gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Davis) is in a markup in the full committee and asked if I would come over to read this statement to represent him. Justice Williams was born in New York City in 1942, earned a Bachelor's Degree, as was said, from Columbia University in 1963 and a law degree from UVA in 1967. After law school, he worked for the Department of Justice Criminal Division from 1967 through 1968, then served as Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Arlington County from 1968 to 1970. His career as a Federal prosecutor began on May 11, 1970. During the ensuing 33 years he was either directly involved or supervised every major Federal prosecution in the Eastern District of Virginia; and, as Members know, that is one the more difficult districts in the country. Mr. Williams was appointed Acting United States Attorney on two occasions, June, 1979, to November, 1981, and January, 1986, to June, 1986. He was also at various times First Assistant United States Attorney, Senior Litigation Counsel and, for most of his career, Chief of the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. As Chief of the Criminal Division, Justin Williams supervised over 100 prosecutors and oversaw such high-profile trials as U.S. vs. Aldrich Ames, Aldrich Ames, a spy from the CIA who sold out his government; U.S. vs. Robert Hanssen, Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent who sold out his government to the Soviet Union, both of whom were convicted for spying for the Soviet Union. He also led the prosecution of the Virginia Jihad Network. His many accomplishments, far too numerous to list, include the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in furthering the Interest of the United States National Security, Section 2002, as well as three Director's Awards for Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney. On August 31, 2003, Mr. Williams died tragically at the age of 61 from an apparent heart attack as he jogged along the Potomac River in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia, leaving his wife, Suzanne, and children Andrew and Caitlin. His untimely death marked the end of a career of a truly remarkable public servant who was loved and respected by all his colleagues and those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Mr. Williams was revered as a mentor and role model, and his legacy will serve as a testimonial to courage, conviction, fairness and decency. Madam Speaker, we owe Justin Williams and his family and all those in the legal field who have chosen a career in public service a debt of gratitude. I urge my colleagues to forever remember Justin Williams and keep a record in our mind and in our hearts as we pass by the building. And on behalf of the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), Chairman Davis, I urge the support of this and will supply the statement for the record. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1463, which my colleague and good friend Tom Davis introduced to recognize the important contributions Justin W. Williams made to justice and freedom in our society. Justin W. Williams was born in New York City in 1942. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Columbia University in 1963 and his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1967. After law school, he worked for the Department of Justice, Criminal Division from 1967-1968, then served as Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Arlington County from 1968-1970. Mr. Williams' career as a Federal prosecutor began on May 11, 1970. During the ensuing 33 years he was either directly involved in or supervised every major federal prosecution in the Eastern District of Virginia. Mr. Williams was appointed Acting United States Attorney on two occasions, June 1979 to November 1981 and January 1986 to June 1986. He was also at various times First Assistant United States Attorney, Senior Litigation Counsel, and for most of his illustrious career Chief of the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. As Chief of the Criminal Division, Justin Williams supervised over 100 prosecutors, and oversaw such high profile trials as U.S. v. Aldrich Ames, U.S. v. Robert Hanssen, both of whom were convicted of spying for the Soviet Union. He also led the prosecution of the Virginia Jihad Network. His many accomplishments and awards, far too numerous to list, included the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interest of the United States National Security (2002), as well as three Directors' Awards for Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney. On August 31, 2003, Mr. Williams died tragically at the age of 61 from an apparent heart attack as he jogged along the Potomac River in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia, leaving his wife Suzanne and children Andrew and Caitlin. His untimely death marked the end of a career of a truly remarkable public servant who was loved and respected by all of his colleagues and those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Mr. Williams was revered as a mentor and role model and his legacy will serve as a testimonial to courage, conviction, fairness, and decency. Madam Speaker, we owe Justin Williams, and all those in the legal field who have chosen a career in public service a debt of gratitude. I urge all my colleagues to forever remember Justin Williams and to keep a record in our minds, and in our hearts, of the great sacrifices made by all men and women in the legal community who have served and continue to serve our great Nation. I thank the Virginia delegation for their support of this resolution and I ask all members to support H.R. 1463.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize U.S. Army Captain David Rozelle for his brave service to our country. Captain Rozelle, of the 3rd Armored Cavalry, was injured in June 2003 while serving in Hit, Iraq. His Humvee hit an anti-tank mine, which severely injured his right foot and leg and later had to be amputated. Captain Rozelle earned the Bronze Star with Valor and the Purple Heart for his bravery and courage through this trying ordeal. Captain Rozelle returns to active duty in Iraq this month as the first amputee in recent history to reenter the battlefield. Captain Rozelle suffered through many months of rehabilitation and has recently released a book describing his trials called Back in Action: An American Soldier's Story of Courage, Faith and Fortitude. Captain Rozelle, now 32 years old, grew up in Texas with his parents John and Judy Rozelle. Always an active athlete, he graduated from Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, where he left the football team to participate in the Army ROTC program. His wife, Kim, and 18-month old son Forrest are currently residing in Colorado. Captain Rozelle is a man worthy of great honor. He has overcome many challenges through his recovery from his injury and his strength and courage is shown in his willingness to return to the same battlefield where he was first injured. I hope all our colleagues will join in honoring and thanking Captain Rozelle for his valiant service to our country.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to draw the attention of the House to the retirement of Keith Wood Meurlin from the position of vice president and airport manager of Washington Dulles International Airport. He will leave his position at the end of March. Keith has helped Washington Dulles grow from an airport that was used by few to an airport that is well respected world-wide. I remember attending an event on the runway of Dulles Airport when I was first elected to Congress. Last year alone 22.9 million passengers traveled through Dulles Airport. As airport manager, Mr. Meurlin directed operations, maintenance, and commercial activities at Dulles, which employs nearly 17,000 people and is one of the busiest in the country in terms of aircraft operations. During Keith's tenure as airport manager, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has invested nearly $1.5 billion in expanding the airport facilities in the late 1990's and is currently undertaking an additional $3 billion construction program to keep pace with current and future growth. Mr. Meurlin came to the Washington airports in 1977 following his active duty in the United States Air Force. He began his service as an airport operations officer and successively advanced through the organization in engineering and maintenance and operations management positions before becoming the airport manager in 1989. Mr. Meurlin helped guide Dulles after the September 11 terrorist attacks and has helped lead the way as the airport and the aviation industry have grown since that time. Last year at Dulles saw a passenger increase of almost 35 percent compared to 2003. Keith has been extensively involved in the community. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Reston and the Loudoun Chambers of Commerce; Board of Directors of the Loudoun County Convention and Visitors Association; member of Leadership Fairfax; the Board of the United Way for both Loudoun County and the National Capital Area; and is the past chairman of the Heart Association of Northern Virginia. He was also the recipient of the 2000 Citizen of the Year award from the Loudoun Rotary and the 2002 Tower of Dulles Award from the Committee for Dulles. In addition to his service with MWAA, Mr. Meurlin has continued his military service in the Air Force Reserve where he has attained the rank of major general, the highest rank a traditional reservist can achieve. I wish Keith and his family the best as he retires from MWAA and again thank him for his efforts to make Dulles Airport the thriving aviation center it is today.

Mr. WOLF

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I am a cosponsor of the bill. I understand this amendment is going to be withdrawn. It is subject to a point of order. It is very good. Some of our Guardsmen and Reservists have been called up twice. We are having a problem in this region whereby they are really going through a difficult, difficult time. I think the gentleman's amendment is a very good amendment. At the appropriate time, I hope it passes and becomes law.