Lynn Woolsey

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor our historically black colleges and universities, or HBCU's. It is important that every American understands the history of these institutions and the great impact that they have had on our Nation, and I thank Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson for introducing the resolution declaring this week ``National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.'' For years, HBCU's offered many African Americans their only educational opportunity. HBCU's remain a vital part of our higher education system because they continue to offer high quality educational opportunities. In fact, about one-third of black lawyers, one-half of black engineers, two-thirds of black physicians, and four-fifths of black federal judges are graduates of HBCU's. Among the leaders who HBCU's have produced throughout our history are artists and writers, astronauts, business leaders, civil rights leaders, mayors, Members of Congress, a Supreme Court Justice, university presidents, and countless others. So, today, we honor HBCU's because of their glorious past and look forward to what I am sure will be an even more glorious future.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, on May 1, 2003, under a banner displaying the words, ``Mission Accomplished,'' President George W. Bush stated, ``Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.'' In the summer of 2005, Vice President Cheney told Americans that the so-called insurgents of Iraq were in their last throes. Fast forward to the morning papers this week. The Washington Post, and I quote, ``Situation Called Dire in West Iraq; Anbar is Lost Politically, Marine Analyst Says.'' The San Francisco Chronicle, quote, ``Police Discover 65 Bodies Across Iraq.'' The New York Times, ``New Wave of Violence Flares Across Baghdad.'' The BBC, ``Iran Offers Iraq Full Support.'' On top of that, according to the Department of Defense, in September so far 23 of America's brave servicemembers died in this seemingly endless occupation. Throughout this occupation there have been 2,900 coalition deaths. Almost 2,700 of those are Americans. An average of 100 Iraqi civilians are dying each day. Mr. Speaker, it is time for a reality check. The so-called insurgents are not in their last throes. The mission is not accomplished, far from it. This administration, the President, the Vice President, Secretary Rumsfeld, and Secretary Rice, won't admit they have made a mistake. Instead of planning for withdrawal, which is supported, by the way, by the American people and the Iraqi public as well, this administration is wearing blinders and pressing on. They even have the very nerve to question the patriotism of anyone who dares to take off the rose- colored glasses and speak the truth about the occupation of Iraq. What kind of America is that? Americans are asking, they are asking, are we safer than we were 5 years ago? They know the answer; the answer is no. They question why the President didn't dedicate serious efforts to the capture of Osama bin Laden. And they know when they ask, is he working on that, the answer is no. And they also ask whether the President has dedicated serious efforts to being a partner for peace in the Middle East, and the results that they see prove that the answer is no. Instead, private citizens are being wiretapped, torture runs rampant, and the administration plays politics with the tragic events of September 11. Is this the kind of America we want to pass on to our children? Is this the kind of America that will win us friends on the world stage? The answer, of course, is no. It is time for a reality check. It is time to support an alternative to these misguided policies. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to seriously consider whether our current policy is going in the right direction, because Congress has the power to change it. Congress has the power to make the much-needed changes. And one important change for Congress to make would be to resume our constitutional role and revoke the President's Iraq war powers. We could also insist on a plan, and we must insist on a plan, to bring our troops home. And it is time to give Iraq back to the Iraqi people. But, most of all, it is time to tell the President, no more. I urge my colleagues, stand up for our troops. Cosponsor my bill, H.R. 5875, the Iraq War Powers Repeal Act, because, Mr. Speaker, enough is enough. It is time to bring our troops home.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Larson and Iraq Watch for what you have been doing to bring attention to the follies of what is going on in Iraq. I will stay here and talk back and forth, but we have folks here who have been so important, Maxine Waters and Donald Payne and I saw Bill Delahunt, who are all part of this, and we want everybody to have their say. What I want to emphasize is that the people of this country, the people of this world know that this was a mistake. Our very own constituents are ahead of the Members of Congress that they have elected to serve them because they know we should leave Iraq. They tell us that. What they don't know, however, is how to make it happen. Guess what, that is not their job. It is our job. It is our job to say, Mr. President, commander in chief, stop this war. Put together a plan and bring our troops home. You see, that is our job. It is very clear to me when you lead, people will follow. Just under 2 years ago I believe I was the first person to request of the President that he bring our troops home. My request had just under 20 signatures on a letter to him. Then we had a hearing, informal hearing with Senator Max Cleland and generals and an Iraqi citizen. It was bipartisan and the room was full. We had a little bit of press, not much, but it was a good hearing. It was about why we are there and why we shouldn't be there. Following that we had an amendment of mine that came to the House floor. Some folks asked me not to call for a vote on it because they thought it would be embarrassing to all of us. But 128 Members of this House, a bipartisan effort actually, voted to tell the President to put together a plan to bring our troops home and bring that plan to the appropriate committees in the House of Representatives. Since then we have written a letter to the President that over 50 Members signed saying, Mr. President, bring our troops home. Do this in a multinational way with multilateral involvement. Work with the Iraqis on reconstruction in a nonmilitaristic stance, and work with them for reconciliation. Then I introduced legislation that I talked about earlier tonight to repeal the President's Iraq war powers because that is one way to tell him enough is enough. This is not a war, this is an occupation. We are going to have another hearing on September 26. This is the third forum, and it is on the cost, the human cost, the cost to our treasury and the cost to our reputation. I hope many Members will attend it. You see, that is what the people of this country are looking for and these are the people down on the floor with you that to the best of our ability are trying to provide, and that is leadership, leadership to catch up with them, the public, so we will indeed do the right thing and stop the death and destruction that is going on that we are causing because of our very presence over there.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise with pleasure today to honor Jeffrey Meston, one of our community's heroes. He is retiring as Chief of the Fire District in Novato, California, where his service to both the department and community has been an inspiration to all who worked with him. Jeff started his career in 1976, working 10 years in Corte Madera and 20 in Novato. He became Chief of the Novato Fire District in 1999. His commitment to the community, to professional excellence, and to all firefighters is evident in his work. Locally, he has been president of the Marin County Fire Chief's Association and the Rotary Club of Ignacio as well as Treasurer of the Novato Chamber of Commerce. On the State level he serves as the chair of the Legislative Task Force and an Area Director for the Fire Districts Association of California and the Training Section Chief for the California Fire Chiefs Association. He is also nationally recognized as a course developer and speaker. If you could hear him speak, as I have, you would understand why he is in high demand. In November, 2003, Jeff organized a moving memorial service for one of his own, Steve Rucker, a Novato firefighter killed battling wildfires in Southern California. He then related how he had taken Steve under his wing and added, ``Steve was probably the most genuine, decent and straightforward human being I've ever known. There were never any hidden agendas with Steve--qualities which made him easy to tease, but easy to love like a brother . . . I never knew anyone who wanted to be a firefighter as much as Steve. Steve lived and breathed his dream.'' After Rucker's death, which may have been caused by lack of communication with State firefighters, Jeff advocated for better systems to prevent such tragedies in the future. ``Rarely a day goes by when we don't think of him (Steve),'' he says. One of Jeff's proudest accomplishments is the development of a new operating culture called ``Novato Way'' which asks district personnel to go out of their way to provide superior customer service, from rescuing cats to passing the hat for a resident in need of a boost. The department gives back to the community in many ways and enjoys broad support in return. Jeff holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration, is a State Certified Fire Chief, and has completed his Chief Fire Officer Designation by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He also helped Fireman's Fund Insurance Company craft its Fireman's Fund Heritage program which awards millions of dollars in grants to fire departments and fire and burn prevention organizations across the country each year. Jeff continues his involvement, serving on the Heritage Advisory Committee, along with other national leaders in the fire service, to provide strategic guidance for the program. Mr. Speaker, Jeff Meston says he plans to travel in retirement--and write a fire science textbook. His experience will make the textbook an important resource, and his deep appreciation for the job our firefighters do will make it invaluable. Jeff is definitely one of my heroes.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William Oskar Goggins for the kindness and influence he showed the world during his 43 years here. Billy was born at St Mary's Hospital in San Francisco, CA on Sunday, May 10, 1963--on Mother's Day. He was the first child of Patrick & Ute Goggins, both very well-known and respected individuals in the Bay Area and beyond. From the hospital he was carried right into a civil rights demonstration in Golden Gate Park. Billy took his first trip to Ireland at 4 years old to meet his family relatives in the west of Ireland in County Mayo. Annual family trips by car to Montana & Dakota included reunions in the Bear's Paw Mountains, hi-balling on the Iron Road, the old Great Northern Railway and running brave with Chippewa, Cree, Blackfoot and Sioux Indian friends. The Goggins' adventured on two- month road trips to Baja and the Pacific Coast of Mexico where mother Ute painted, and sisters Cathy & Aimee followed in Bill's energetic footsteps. Billy toiled in family vineyards in Germany with equally embracing relatives. These things were the soul of his education. Over the years Bill played soccer, drew cartoons, tutored younger students from Mill Valley and Marin City, played volleyball at Stinson Beach, surfed in Bolinas, and much much more. He graduated from Tamalpais High School as a National Merit Scholar and Salutatorian. Summer jobs were at Bancroft-Whitney legal publishers, San Francisco and Wausau Paper Mill, Wisconsin. He worked at numerous restaurants including the Book Depot Cafe and Avenue Grill in Mill Valley, and Embarko in San Francisco. He also volunteered at St. Anthony Dining Room in the Tenderloin, providing free meals for the homeless. Bill attended Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and San Francisco State University, Departments of Communication and Philosophy. He began his vital journalism career with Frisko Kids, KALW radio, and then moved on to the old SF Weekly. Former SF Weekly editor and colleague Andrew O'Hehir remembers, ``Of course he worked harder than anyone and became essential, and in three years moved from all-purpose intern to copy editor to running the Arts & Entertainment section. I can't remember exactly when he became the go-to guy for headline copy, but I'd say that by the time he'd been there a year, he was writing half the heads in the paper.'' Bill thrived at Wired for 10 years. He started as a freelance copy editor and rose to become deputy editor. Bill served as a special link between the digital industry's pace-setting magazine in the center of San Francisco's media gulch and an eager, educated national and international readership. His colleagues admired him tremendously. ``Bill was that rarest of things: a true original,'' says Chris Anderson, the magazine's editor in chief. ``He was brilliant, witty and culturally omnivorous, all of which combined in his signature headlines. They usually worked on at least three levels of meaning, from some remixed cultural reference to at least one pun. In many ways his winking style and clever turns of phrase became Wired house style for nearly a decade, and to look at our covers and headlines over those years is to hear Bill's voice again.'' Bill's voice also made its mark through the alternative dot-com generation's website Suck.com where he wrote under the name `Bartelby'. Bill recently enjoyed writing and editing with the new magazine Todo, and they remember him not just as a logophile, a wordsmith, a gifted editor, a true friend; but also as ``one who tirelessly pursues perfection, fraternity and goodness.'' A real linguist (German, Spanish and Bill-English) and traveler--Bill visited Tunisia, the Philippines, Bahamas, Mexico, Canada, and all over the United States and Europe. He was a dual citizen of the U.S. and Ireland. Bill was a citizen of the world. Bill was a San Franciscan through and through. He openly embraced and explored all of the city's neighborhoods. He was an avid supporter of the arts, with active memberships to many museums and regular attendance at the symphony, opera, ballet, varied theatres and clubs. Bill participated with his family and compatriots in the antiwar demonstrations from the Vietnam era to Iraq of today. My daughter, Amy Critchett, had the good fortune to be a friend with and to work with Bill at Wired for many years. ``Bill Goggins made work seem like work--because it was and he was so incredibly good at what he did--but with him around there was always a twist of irony and a splash of curly-haired, smiling-cheeked sunshine not far away,'' according to Amy. ``Get ready to laugh all you up there.'' Bill inexplicably collapsed and passed away suddenly during mile 24 of the San Francisco Marathon Benefit for Cancer on Sunday, July 30, 2006. He was in fit condition and many knew him as a wonderful, companionable runner, reconciled, strong and happy. An outpouring of hundreds from around the globe, representing family, friends, colleagues, public officials on local, state and national levels, ambassadors, the Irish and British governments, the Democratic party, and diverse cultural non-profit organizations attended a memorial mass held at our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and a life celebration at the Outdoor Art Club in Mill Valley on August 4, 2006. Billy was a deeply-loved member of a very close family. He supported all of them individually and together--helping hang his mother Ute's art shows, assisting his father Pat with community outreach via organizations such as the Irish Forum, Irish Mexican Association, and Irish Literary and Historical Society to name a few, being the proud uncle to sister Cathy's two children, Lina Rose and Dominic Chester, and showing up for sister Aimee's various work events or helping edit her writing. Bill believed in justice, peace and humanity. He connected with people everywhere he went. No one and nothing escaped his keen eye and warm words. His sense of community was broad and all-encompassing. Bill was a man of grace. He chipped in for everyone. He had old-fashioned manners, was a staunch listener and he gave of himself enormously. His roughish grin, sparkle in his eye and love of discussion and opinion will live on with us forever. Mr. Speaker, Bill had enormous integrity and loyalty, and taught us all how to be total human beings. To be fearless, to be bold, to be true to yourself. To be both gracious and outspoken. To pursue what matters in life and cherish each other. Bill knew all of these things and helped us be them too. Bill lived his life and made all of us proud. He will be deeply missed by many.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, today the Republican leadership decided to consider legislation that would substantially revise the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA)--the first time we have been allowed to address our concerns with IGRA since it was enacted in 1988. The bill we are voting for today, while it does much to stop the most egregious forms of reservation shopping allowed by IGRA, is not wholly adequate. Suspending the House rules to vote on this bill forces my colleagues and me to settle for a makeshift and inadequate solution to the proliferating problem of off-reservation gaming. Since Mr. Pombo's bill fails to thoroughly address the gaming issues facing my constituents, I would have liked the opportunity to offer an amendment that reflects the concerns of the people in Marin and Sonoma Counties. I sincerely hope that the Republican Majority will allow for a full debate that includes the opportunity for Members to amend this bill, as we should not shortchange our constituents in the process of passing this important piece of legislation. Circumventing traditional House procedure, obstructing debate, and forcing us to vote on inadequate legislation is wrong, and I will be voting ``no'' on H.R. 4893.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, like many of my colleagues, I spent Monday commemorating the horrific attacks on our Nation 5 years ago. It was a day to reflect on the courage and the compassion demonstrated on September 11, 2001, by police officers, firefighters, medical personnel and average, ordinary citizens. It was also a day to remember those who could not be saved and to say a prayer for the families, especially the young children, who were left behind. But with this resolution, the Republican leadership has chosen to exploit a national day of mourning to again justify the occupation of Iraq, a disastrous policy and a failure that has led to untold death and destruction, a policy which has been rejected by the American people. Again, the Republican leadership is trying to blur the distinction between Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, even though it has been well-established that one had nothing to do with the other. The fact is, we never honored the memory of the victims of 9/11 by finishing the job in Afghanistan. Bin Laden remains on the run, even though we had him surrounded in Tora Bora nearly 5 years ago. Far from some paragon of freedom, much of Afghanistan is still dominated by Taliban rebels and warlords, with the opium trade remaining the country's dominant economic force. From 9/11 on, the President and the Republican leadership have used that day of terror to run roughshod over the Constitution; wiretapping American citizens without a warrant and setting up secret gulags around the world. This 5-year anniversary cried out for genuine bipartisan leadership to comfort the Nation while acting intelligently, rather than impulsively, in the face of new security threats. To this day, however, the Republicans use 9/11 as a talking point to make a dishonest argument. It is shameful that some are taking one of the gravest moments in our Nation's history to pursue their own political agendas. It is with great sadness that I rise in opposition to this bill. This Congress owes it to those who gave their lives on the hallowed ground in New York, in Washington and in Pennsylvania to consider a balanced bill, a bill which truly honors their memories. How dare anyone try to capitalize on the heartbreaking events of September 11. Shame on this Congress if this bill passes and shame on those who let politics get in the way of a solemn opportunity in order to honor the very innocent victims of September 11.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor both Center Point, Inc. and its President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sushma Taylor. The agency is commemorating 35 years of service to the people of California while celebrating Dr. Taylor's 25 years of visionary leadership with the agency. Founded as a small rehabilitation program in Marin County, California, Center Point now offers a continuum of statewide services for high-risk families, adults, and youths. With 30 sites in California and over 12,000 clients per year, the staff provides a wide array of health, social, and rehabilitative services to combat poverty, homelessness, unemployment, and psychological and substance abuse problems. Sushma Taylor's dedication has been the driving force behind the creation of this expansive and successful agency we see today. Center Point's mission is to provide a range of affordable support services by offering education, training, health care, and counseling support so that those they serve can claim self-worth and dignity. Dr. Taylor's values and experience have been an ideal match for this mission. Throughout her career, Sushma's primary focus has been to create opportunities and remove barriers for high-risk clients. She has long been a champion of those requiring social rehabilitation to improve their quality of life and their personal and social responsibility, Sushma's father was an ambassador for the government of India, where she was born. The family relocated frequently, giving her a multi- cultural and multi-lingual orientation. She moved to Marin County in 1974. With a Master's Degree in Public Administration, and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and as a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, she had the background to serve as Director of Marin and Sonoma County's Treatment Alternative to Street Crime projects in coordination with each county's mental health department. She worked to develop a unique justice diversion project that was replicated nationally. In 1981, Sushma became Executive Director of Center Point. Today the agency's clients receive a continuum of individualized services created by Sushma and funded through grants and contracts that she has successfully pursued. Graduates of the treatment programs move on to transitional housing and continuing care services as they prepare to successfully reintegrate into the community. Sushma has also expanded Center Point programs to the state of Oklahoma has established them in California state prisons, dramatically reducing crime and recidivism. She is one of the foremost authorities in the nation on treatment for women and provides consultation around the world. She also works closely with local state, and federal agencies to form policies that advance the field of addiction treatment. Mr. Speaker, Center Point's graduates are living proof of the achievement of their mission and of Dr. Sushma Taylor's belief that her true success is the successes of those she serves. Center Point believes that adversity can be overcome and the extraordinary achieved. And with Dr. Taylor's guidance, this has been demonstrated many times over. It is a pleasure to honor Dr. Taylor and Center Point on this memorable occasion.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, like many of my colleagues, I spent part of yesterday commemorating the horrific attacks on our Nation 5 years ago. It was a day to reflect on the courage and compassion demonstrated on September 11, 2001, by police officers, firefighters, medical personnel, and ordinary citizens. It was also a day to remember those who could not be saved and to say a prayer for the families, especially the young children, who were left behind. For the first few minutes of his prime time speech last night, the President covered all those things. But, unfortunately, he used the rest of his time exploiting a national day of mourning to justify the occupation of Iraq, a disastrous policy and a failure that has led to untold death and destruction and has been rejected by the American people. He has done this from almost the very moment those planes hit the towers. The President once again blurred the distinction between Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, even though it has been well established that one had nothing to do with the other. Actually, the President must believe that the American people don't know the difference between the two men and the two countries. What an insult to the American people. The fact is, we never finished the job in Afghanistan. Bin Laden remains on the run, even though we had him surrounded in Tora Bora nearly 5 years ago. Far from some paragon of freedom, much of Afghanistan is still dominated by Taliban rebels and warlords, with the opium trade remaining the country's dominant economic force. From 9/11 on, the President has used his status as a wartime Commander in Chief to justify just about anything he wanted to do, without any oversight or accountability from the Republican-controlled Congress, running rough-shod over the Constitution, wiretapping American citizens without a warrant and setting up secret gulags around the world. 9/11 cried out for genuine leadership, for a unifying figure who could comfort the Nation while acting intelligently, rather than impulsively, in the face of a new security threat. To this day, however, the President uses 9/11 as a talking point to make a dishonest argument. Time and time again, he has made the decision to choose partisanship over statesmanship, taking every single opportunity to fracture national unity for a short-term political gain. Worst of all, the President put Afghanistan aside and became sidetracked by his white whale in Iraq, using deception, spin and misinformation to push the Nation into an ill-fated war. Fast forward a few years and look at the mess we are in: nearly 2,700 American soldiers are dead, and over 20,000 wounded; the occupation is costing our Nation dearly and our children and grandchildren will get stuck with the bill, a bill which is projected to top $1 trillion. And what have we gotten for our sacrifice? Well, we are now a global pariah, viewed with suspicion by even our closest allies, and despised as never before by our enemies. And we have more enemies. This policy has inspired more jihadists and more anti-American sentiment in the Muslim world. Instead of bringing hope to Iraq, we have ripped it apart at the seams. We lit the match that has engulfed Iraq in a bloody civil war, where thugs and vigilantes control the streets. At least 40,000 Iraqi civilians, and possibly many, many more, have been killed for the cause of their so-called liberation. Our soldiers are not to blame. They do their jobs, and they do their jobs with honor and with valor. They do their jobs, despite being sent on an impossible mission under false pretenses without the proper training or equipment. Madam Speaker, it is time to return these young people to their families where they belong. It is time, long past time, that we bring our troops home.

Mr. WOOLSEY

Mr. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William Oskar Goggins for the kindness and influence he showed the world during his 43 years here. Billy was born at St. Mary's Hospital in San Francisco, CA on Sunday, May 10, 1963--on Mother's Day. He was the first child of Patrick and Ute Goggins, both very well-known and respected individuals in the Bay Area and beyond. From the hospital he was carried right into a civil rights demonstration in Golden Gate Park. Billy took his first trip to Ireland at 4 years old to meet his family relatives in the west of Ireland in County Mayo. Annual family trips by car to Montana and Dakota included reunions in the Bear's Paw Mountains, hi-balling on the Iron Road, the old Great Northern Railway and running brave with Chippewa, Cree, Blackfoot and Sioux Indian friends. The Goggins' adventured on 2-month road trips to Baja and the Pacific Coast of Mexico where mother Ute painted, and sisters Cathy and Aimee followed in Bill's energetic footsteps. Billy toiled in family vineyards in Germany with equally embracing relatives. These things were the soul of his education. Over the years Bill played soccer, drew cartoons, tutored younger students from Mill Valley and Marin City, played volleyball at Stinson Beach, surfed in Bolinas, and much much more. He graduated from Tamalpais High School as a National Merit Scholar and Salutatorian. Summer jobs were at Bancroft-Whitney legal publishers, San Francisco and Wausau Paper Mill, Wisconsin. He worked at numerous restaurants including the Book Depot Café and Avenue Grill in Mill Valley, and Embarko in San Francisco. He also volunteered at St. Anthony Dining Room in the Tenderloin, providing free meals for the homeless. Bill attended Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and San Francisco State University, Departments of Communication and Philosophy. He began his vital journalism career with Frisko Kids, KALW radio, and then moved on to the old SF Weekly. Former SF Weekly editor and colleague Andrew O'Hehir remembers, ``Of course he worked harder than anyone and became essential, and in 3 years moved from all-purpose intern to copy editor to ruIming the Arts and Entertainment section. I can't remember exactly when he became the go-to guy for headline copy, but I'd say that by the time he'd been there a year, he was writing half the heads in the paper.'' Bill thrived at Wired for 10 years. He started as a freelance copy editor and rose to become deputy editor. Bill served as a special link between the digital industry's pace-setting magazine in the center of San Francisco's media gulch and an eager, educated national and international readership. His colleagues admired him tremendously. ``Bill was that rarest of things: a true original,'' says Chris Anderson, the magazine's editor in chief. ``He was brilliant, witty and culturally omnivorous, all of which combined in his signature headlines. They usually worked on at least three levels of meaning, from some remixed cultural reference to at least one pun. In many ways his winking style and clever turns of phrase became Wired house style for nearly a decade, and to look at our covers and headlines over those years is to hear Bill's voice again.'' Bill's voice also made its mark through the alternative dot-com generation's website Suck.com where he wrote under the name 'Bartelby'. Bill recently enjoyed writing and editing with the new magazine Todo, and they remember him not just as a logophile, a wordsmith, a gifted editor, a true friend; but also as ``one who tirelessly pursues perfection, fraternity and goodness.'' A real linguist (German, Spanish and Bill-English) and traveler--Bill visited Tunisia, the Philippines, Bahamas, Mexico, Canada, and all over the United States and Europe. He was a dual citizen of the U.S. and Ireland. Bill was a citizen of the world. Bill was a San Franciscan through and through. He openly embraced and explored all of the city's neighborhoods. He was an avid supporter of the arts, with active memberships to many museums and regular attendance at the symphony, opera, ballet, varied theatres and clubs. Bill participated with his family and compatriots in the antiwar demonstrations from the Vietnam era to Iraq of today. My daughter, Amy Critchett, had the good fortune to be a friend with and to work with Bill at Wired for many years. ``Bill Goggins made work seem like work--because it was and he was so incredibly good at what he did--but with him around there was always a twist of irony and a splash of curly-haired, smiling-cheeked sunshine not far away,'' according to Amy. ``Get ready to laugh all you up there.'' Bill inexplicably collapsed and passed away suddenly during mile 24 of the San Francisco Marathon Benefit for Cancer on Sunday, July 30, 2006. He was in fit condition and many knew him as a wonderful, companionable runner, reconciled, strong and happy. An outpouring of hundreds from around the globe, representing family, friends, colleagues, public officials on local, state and national levels, ambassadors, the Irish and British governments, the Democratic party, and diverse cultural non-profit organizations attended a memorial mass held at our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and a life celebration at the Outdoor Art Club in Mill Valley on August 4, 2006. Billy was a deeply loved member of a very close family. He supported all of them individually and together--helping hang his mother Ute's art shows, assisting his father Pat with community outreach via organizations such as the Irish Forum, Irish Mexican Association, and Irish Literary and Historical Society to name a few, being the proud uncle to sister Cathy's two children, Lina Rose & Dominic Chester, and showing up for sister Aimee's various work events or helping edit her writing. Bill believed in justice, peace and humanity. He connected with people everywhere he went. No one and nothing escaped his keen eye and warm words. His sense of community was broad and all-encompassing. Bill was a man of grace. He chipped in for everyone. He had old-fashioned manners, was a staunch listener and he gave of himself enormously. His roughish grin, sparkle in his eye and love of discussion and opinion will live on with us forever. Mr. Speaker, Bill had enormous integrity and loyalty, and taught us all how to be total human beings. To be fearless, to be bold, to be true to yourself. To be both gracious and outspoken. To pursue what matters in life and cherish each other. Bill knew all of these things and helped us be them too. Bill lived his life and made all of us proud. He will be deeply missed by many.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Novato Youth Center, which is commemorating 30 years of community service to the children, youth and families of Novato, California. In response to the need for a safe and nurturing environment for children, parents and community leaders launched an energetic grassroots effort to establish the Novato Youth Center in 1976. Now, 30 years later, the Youth Center provides a safe and caring home away from home while responding to ever changing community needs. Serving children, infants through 18 years, the Youth Center offers childcare and recreational activities, as well as teen pregnancy prevention programs, tutoring, family counseling, and Parent Project workshops. Youth serve in many positions, and are involved as program volunteers, sports coaches, event planners, and as full voting members on the board of directors. Through advocacy and outreach, Novato Youth Center's mission is to increase the community's investment in its youth, and to nurture and encourage youth to realize their potential for growth and personal development. The founding parents and Board Members were an ideal match for this mission. Honorary Board Members include: Robert Busher, Tommie Whitener, Steve Rempe, Peter E. Haas, Jr., David Kenyon, Dennis DeSousa, Alan Dunham, Ed Lathrop, Vicki McDill, Dave Milano, and Paul Scheller. Over the years Novato Youth Center grew steadily, developing successful collaborations with Novato Unified School District, the City of Novato, the County of Marin, Novato Community Hospital, and other local youth service and childcare providers. Providing strong community leadership, the Youth Center played a key role in starting the Novato Youth Wellness Collaborative, also serving as its fiscal agent. As a result, the Novato Wellness Center will open soon, offering health education, teen pregnancy counseling, substance abuse prevention, mental health services, and a health clinic devoted to teens. Collaborative and inclusive in philosophy, the Youth Center is committed to serving youth across ethnicities, economic levels, age groups, social and educational levels. To that end, the Youth Center champions respect and diversity, recruiting and hiring bicultural and bilingual staff to ensure the full spectrum of needs and interests of all communities are met. Mr. Speaker, Novato Youth Center provides an invaluable role in preparing our youth for the challenges of the future as well as instilling the values of community involvement and education. I am proud to honor the Novato Youth Center on this memorable occasion.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had the honor to visit a group of folks gathered on the Mall as part of Camp Democracy, a nonpartisan camp for peace, for democracy and for the restoration of rule of law. Those who gathered are relentlessly working to promote peace and justice. They bring great passion to our shared struggle. They have led one of the most important and powerful grassroots movements in recent memory, and because of the pressure they have applied and the eloquence with which they have made the case, the immorality of the Bush Iraq policy has been exposed. Mr. Speaker, in a few months, our troops will have been in Iraq for as long as their grandfathers fought in World War II. But unlike the struggle against Nazism, this has been an unmitigated disaster, a national tragedy and a moral outrage. More than 2,650 soldiers of our own are dead, nearly 20,000 wounded by the Pentagon's own count and countless more psychologically traumatized. And for what? So we could make the world a more dangerous place and increase the terrorist threat? So we could create more jihadists and inspire more hatred for Americans among Muslim extremists? So we could foment a bloody civil war and rip a nation apart at its seams, killing tens of thousands of innocent civilians for the cause of their so-called liberation? Like the people at Camp Democracy, I have been speaking out against this war and this occupation even before they began. I have held forums, forced votes on resolutions and joined demonstrators at rallies across the country. Most recently, I introduced a bill that would rescind the President's authority to use force in Iraq, authority that was granted in 2002 under what we now know are false pretenses. I will not give up this fight until every last American soldier has been returned home to his or her family. But even after that, we will have plenty of work to do, because Iraq is only a part of the problem. The real problem is a foreign policy that uses too much brawn and not enough brains. The real problem is an approach to national security that says might is always right; that says, when it doubt, shoot first and ask questions later. What we need is to completely overhaul the way we handle global conflict and prevent wars from starting in the very first place. Working with the Friends Committee, working with WAND and working with Physicians for Social Responsibility, I created the SMART Security plan, which was introduced in the House in 2005. SMART would do just what I was talking about. SMART stands for Sensible Multilateral American Response to Terrorism. It emphasizes peacekeeping and diplomacy instead of invasion and occupancy. It rejects war in all but the most extreme circumstances. It fights terrorism with stronger global partnerships and with sound diplomacy, with better intelligence, with tough weapons inspections but without violating our civil liberties and fundamental freedoms. SMART would put more resources into securing loose nuclear material and ensuring the United States lives up to the commitments we have made in our Nation on nuclear nonproliferation. SMART would wean us off Middle Eastern oil. It would invest in renewable energy technologies instead of Cold War weapon systems that have outlived their usefulness. SMART would dramatically increase development aid and debt relief for the poorest countries in the world to combat the deprivation and despair that often gives rise to terrorism in the first place. It protects not by wreaking violent havoc around the world but by staying faithful to the most honorable American values. Armed conflict around the world is destroying our bodies and our souls. I am particularly troubled by the devastating impact this war is having on our children. Our children are the war's most tragic victims. Children represent a disproportionate number of civilian deaths in conflicts worldwide. And for many who survive, their education is disrupted, their communities destroyed and their families separated.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Christian Williams of Winter Haven, Florida; Staff Sergeant Tracy Melvin of Seattle, Washington; Lance Corporal Jeremy Long of Sun Valley, Nevada, only 18 years old; Private First Class Colin Wolfe, also an 18 year old, of Manassas, Virginia; and Staff Sergeant Michael Deason of Farmington, Missouri. Mr. Speaker, these are just five of the Americans who have been killed in action in Iraq since this Chamber last convened. You see, Congress gets to close up shop for a month, the entire month of August, even if we haven't completed the Nation's business. But no such luxury for the 138,000 men and women who are stationed in Iraq. Their dangerous work goes on and on. No adjournment, no recess, no end to their mission in sight. In fact, many who were scheduled to come home were told in August, no, they had to stay in Iraq. And why? Because their commander-in-chief says that people who want our troops to come home don't understand the world in which we live. I submit, Mr. Speaker, that it is the President himself whose understanding of our world could use some real work. Does he understand that his clumsy belligerence has contributed to more intense feelings of jihad and anti-American radicalism in the Muslim world? Does he understand that the invasion and occupation of Iraq has created many more terrorists than it could possibly defeat? Does he understand that his policy lit the match that engulfed Iraq in sectarian violence and civil war? Does he understand that at least 40,000 and perhaps as many as 100,000 innocent Iraqi civilians have died for what he calls their liberation? Does he understand that military force is one of the least effective ways of exercising American power? Does he understand the concept of ``soft power,'' the idea that America can and must lead by example, by demonstrating compassion, by promoting our values, by maintaining global goodwill and credibility? Does he understand that outside his window today at the National Mall, veterans and their families are launching Camp Democracy, a 16- day anti-war demonstration just like the one they held outside the President's Crawford ranch last August? He must not understand that he has lost the confidence of the people of the United States of America; that in overwhelming numbers they believe he made a mistake in Iraq and want him to reverse course as soon as possible. It is clear that he understands none of these things, and, as a result, our Nation is paying the price, all of us; all of us who want to live in a country that is admired around the world; all of us who want to be safe from terrorism; all of us who depend on public investment in education and health care, housing and more, investments that won't be possible because of the $1 trillion cost of the Iraq occupation. But, of course, no one has sacrificed more than young Americans like Christian Williams, Tracy Melvin, Jeremy Long, Colin Wolfe and Michael Deason, who lost their lives. There is nothing more we can do for them other than honor their memories and take care of their families. But we can save hundreds and perhaps thousands of their fellow soldiers from a similar fate if this ruinous policy continues. Mr. President, bring our troops home.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, as a former welfare mom, I know what it is like to try to get by on a paycheck that is not enough to make ends meet. Today's minimum wage earner is trying to live on a wage that has not been raised for 9 years. Minimum wage has not been raised in 9 years, but you can be sure the cost of food has gone up over that period of time. The cost of health care has skyrocketed. The price of gas is higher than most people ever imagined it could be. Over 6 million people are trying to live in the year 2006 earning $1,997. So what is the Republican majority's solution to solving the problems for those who do not have enough? They want to give more tax cuts to those who have more wealth than the average American can even imagine. They want to excuse the richest 7,500 families in this country from contributing like they ought to. It is time we stand up for those who don't have enough. It is time we say no to those who want too much. I urge my colleagues to oppose creating an American aristocracy by repealing the estate tax. Vote ``no'' on this rule until we have a clean up-or-down vote on the minimum wage.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, if this bill is so great, why are executives not being treated the same way as the rank-and-file workers? It is hard to believe that in the face of all of the corporate scandals that we have been experiencing over the last few years, that this legislation still allows for executives to receive a golden parachute. Unbelievably, executives who have run their companies into the ground can continue to receive large lump sum payments from their underfunded pension plans at the same time that the rank-and-file employees' benefits have been frozen. You heard me right. If a company's plan is underfunded by 80 percent, rank-and-file workers cannot receive new benefits or lump sum payments. Meanwhile, the restrictions for executives do not start until the plan is underfunded by 60 percent. That difference adds up to billions and billions of dollars. Whatever happened to the captain going down with the ship? The way this bill reads the only boat the Republican majority is familiar with is the Titanic, because they are giving lifeboats to the first class passengers only. Mr. Speaker, we live in a country that values equality. Why oh why in the world would we allow this pension bill to pass the House treating executive pension benefits differently from their workers? What happened to what is good for the goose is good for the gander? If workers' pensions are underfunded, then so are executives. It is time to end the golden parachute or, as the gander goes, the golden egg. I urge my colleagues, vote against this conference report and support workers benefits.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise also in support of this conference report. It has been more than a year since we passed H.R. 366, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. I am certain people were actually starting to think that this day would never come. But here we are, and we are here in a bipartisan posture. You see, Mr. Speaker, miracles can happen. Then-Chairman Boehner and now-Chairman McKeon and Subcommittee Chairman Castle need to be thanked and honored for getting us this far. But most importantly to me, I want to thank the hard work of the committee ranking member, Congressman George Miller. Having voted for H.R. 366, which passed the House almost unanimously, I believe that today's conference report significantly improves the bill. Particularly pleasing is that this bill not only has expanded math, science, and technical programs, it also has continued and strengthened the Perkins Act commitment to preparing women and men for occupations that are nontraditional to them, to ensuring access to career and technical education for special populations who face unique challenges, and to preparing those students for careers that will lead them to self-sufficiency. In this competitive global economy, Mr. Speaker, we can't afford to waste the potential of any of our people, so these provisions will help to ensure that this does not happen. When this bill was in committee, I offered an amendment to ensure that States had sufficient administrative funding to carry out their increased responsibility under the bill. My amendment was not included in the House bill, but it is in the conference report. Finally, the conference report improves accountability for and integration of strong academic measures and programs for career and technical education. It is important, however, to note that although Congress has rejected the President's proposals to eliminate career and technical education, we must do more. We need to provide our schools with the resources they need to carry out these programs. That means we need to increase funding for the Perkins Act while keeping our promises to fully funding the No Child Left Behind Act, because when it comes to no child left behind, this President and this Congress has fallen $55 billion short. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from California, the ranking member of this committee (Mr. George Miller).

Ms. WOOLSEY. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind everybody that more than 11,000 high schools and regional technical centers and 2,600 postsecondary schools provide career and technical programs to high school students and adults who are returning to the workforce or wishing to learn new skills. That supports our goal that all students should have access to career and technical programs that give them a strong academic foundation and technical proficiency. This provides opportunity for jobs that pay a livable wage. It prevents dropouts, and it gives a path into college-level education should an individual choose. This legislation today renews our commitment to prepare our workforce for the global economy. It solidly rejects the President's proposal to eliminate the program. So, finally, it was wonderful to hear Mr. Regula, his words in support of vocational education, because he is the ranking member of the subcommittee on appropriations that we go to to fund these programs, because we know that none of this works, none of it works, Mr. Speaker, unless we provide the needed funding. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the remainder of my time.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WOOLSEY

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about Tim Friedman who is leaving this body to start a new life, one a lot more relaxing I am sure. But I can tell him, he won't be surrounded by as many people that absolutely admire and like him like he is day in and day out here. I have gotten to know this man. He has been here for 30 years, but I have gotten to know him over the past 2 years while I have come to the floor 165 times to bring 5-minute special orders on bringing our troops home from Iraq. But what I have learned about him because he is here every night while we are doing our Special Orders, that his job in keeping this House floor together, to keep Members on the straight and narrow and knowing what we are doing and what we are not supposed to do, like talking on our cell phones on the floor, he does with good humor, he does with good grace. But his most important chore, and I think he has always known this with me, has been to find my fountain pens when I lose them. Actually, he can find a real fountain pen. I have a bit of a fetish for nice fountain pens. He finds other people's, and he thinks they are mine because I so often lose mine. But he also finds things that other Members of the House lose. He is a real sleuth, and he finds them, he knows who they belong to, he lets us know that he has got them. Mr. Speaker, even though he is starting a new chapter in his life, even though he is leaving us, we know that he has been here and we will always remember how he has treated every single one of us. I am glad that he was part of this chapter in my life.

Ms. WOOLSEY. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.

Ms. WOOLSEY. I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, Tim, thank you for taking care of us. Thank you for being you, and thank you for being in this chapter of my life.