Joe Wilson

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, this Thursday, February 26th, the Palmetto Society of United Way of the Midlands will be honoring their Humanitarian of the Year Award recipient Martha Scott Smith. Martha is State Director for AT&T--Public Affairs in South Carolina and an extraordinary community leader. Her accomplishments are many and include being the first Black female to serve as chair of not only the American Red Cross Board but also chair of the South Carolina State Museum Board and chair of the Midlands Technical College Foundation board. As an advocate for philanthropy throughout her community, Martha is a founding member of Women in Philanthropy, a leading advocate with the United Way, and president of the Columbia Urban League guild. Martha's positive impact on our community goes back to when she was a middle school teacher and was instrumental in the establishment of a gifted and talented student program for Richland School District 1. She's continued to work on behalf of education as a member of the Board of Visitors of Claflin University and the Allen University board. These days, I am honored that she has agreed to serve as a member of the Second Congressional District's Minority Advisory Board. Her input and perspective are vital to our work to best represent the people of the Second Congressional District. Throughout her career and in her personal life, Martha has earned a reputation for decency, hard work, and a passion for fighting for the needs of others. I commend her on this extraordinary honor, and look forward to her continued friendship and counsel.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I wish to offer my condolences and deepest sympathies to the citizens of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria and the families of those who have been killed in recent terrorist attacks in that nation. Just today we have heard that nine security guards were murdered while on duty at an electricity facility near Ziama Mansouriah. These attacks are a stark and all too common reminder that the Global War on Terrorism is truly worldwide and requires a coordinated and vigilant effort by our Nation and our allies to protect our families and our freedoms. I want to thank the people of Algeria for their efforts and the tremendous cooperation we have shared since the terrorist attacks of September 11th. I am also constantly reminded of the extraordinary efforts being done by our troops and their families. Their sacrifice is a testament to their courage, their dedication, and their love for our Nation. At this time, our thoughts are with those who have lost their lives in this great struggle against violent extremism and those who continue to stand for our freedoms and for the development of a civil, peaceful society in Algeria for Algerian families to prosper.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, on February 17th, Mr. Bethea R. Hook of Lexington County, South Carolina passed away. Mr. Hook was a cherished member of his community, and spent his lifetime in service to his country and his neighbors as a member of the Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church, president of the Church Council, a Sunday School Superintendent, and scout master of Boy Scout Troup No. 356 to name just a few of his many accomplishments. He was a leader in his community as the owner of Hook's Flowers and vital to the establishment of the U.S. Highway 1 Flea Market. He was also an active member and former president of the Woodmen of the World. He answered the call of his generation and served as a Navy Chief Boatswain's Mate during World War II and went on to be an advocate for his fellow veterans as Commander of the American Legion Post No. 7. At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Hook's family-- including his wife of 62 years, Margie Eargle Hook, his sons, Norman Bethea Hook and Richard Jefferson Hook, his daughter, Myra Darlene Kinard, and his three grandchildren, Tradd Bethea Hook, Ashley Ann Hook, and Richard Tyler Hook.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to join in supporting H.R. 44. This bill had actually passed the House last year with bipartisan support. I want to commend the Congresswoman from Guam for her leadership on this issue. I have had the privilege of traveling with Ms. Bordallo around the world. Everywhere I go, she finds persons of Chamorro descent, people who are originally from the territory of Guam, and you can tell immediately there is deep affection between the people whom she represents and their Member of Congress. Additionally, you can tell how wonderful the people are of Guam by their extraordinary loyalty and service to the people of the United States. I had the extraordinary privilege last week of participating in a program with Major General Donald Goldhorn, the Adjutant General of the Guam National Guard. I was present with Congresswoman Bordallo and with our colleague, Congressman and Ranking Member Solomon Ortiz of Texas. We were present at the National Guard program where the National Guard of Guam was recognized as the number one National Guard in the United States in terms of percentage of membership of state or territory. I particularly was very appreciative. I am a 31-year veteran of the Reserves and Guard. I have three sons serving in the Army National Guard, and so I know of the great opportunities that can be had by serving in the National Guard. The territory of Guam has truly come forward to be first in our country of percentage of membership. It has already been stated, but in my visit last week, we visited the memorial to the Marines who liberated Guam in July 1944. It was extraordinary to find out that, within 1 hour of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the people of Guam were under attack by the Imperial Japanese forces. They seized control of the Island of Guam. The island was inhabited by 22,000 United States nationals. The island was occupied for 31 months. It was very brutal. The people were subject to executions, beatings, rape, forced labor, and forced march. All of the residents were interned in concentration camps in the closing months of the occupation. This week, I had the extraordinary opportunity to read a book about the occupation by former Congressman Ben Blaz, a retired major general of the Marine Corps. It was very moving to see his tribute. This was a 13-year-old boy who sadly lived his teenage years under the brutal occupation of the Imperial Japanese forces. There are so many facts in there that the American people should know, but one of them that was particularly shocking to me was that there were six Americans, military personnel, who escaped as the Japanese seized control of the island. Five of them upon capture were summarily executed. The sixth person was hidden during the 31-month occupation and survived thanks to the people of Guam.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. I also would like to point out that the Guam Meritorious Claims Act of 1945 was passed within months of the cessation of hostilities for the immediate relief of the people of Guam, but there are deficiencies, obviously, that have been discovered in the last 64 years. They need to be corrected. I also want to point out that, last week, the strategic importance of Guam was recognized by the agreement between Japan and the United States, and 8,000 Marines are being relocated from Okinawa to Guam. I am, again, grateful to be here. We have extraordinary fellow citizens living on Guam--great Americans. Therefore, I urge that we adopt H.R. 44, which will update a statute that is flawed.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today there's a fiscal responsibility summit at the White House. I hope this summit will be the beginning of important decisions Congress is going to make in order to limit the rising cost of government. It is disappointing that this summit came after Congress passed a $1 trillion spending package last week that many of my colleagues and many Americans do not believe was the right way to stimulate our economy. Nevertheless, it is vital that we start anew and sincerely to make responsibility the foundation of governing. We need reforms that protect the services and benefits promised to American families while not growing the burden of taxation, tragic inflation, or the long-term tide of wasteful spending. If we are truly dedicated to protecting and preserving services like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, then, indeed, we must reform them to keep them solvent. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, our Democratic colleagues have said we need a new approach in Washington that does not rely on tired ideas and politics of the past. So I am curious, what exactly is new and novel about a massive spending package, developed behind closed doors, and devoid of bipartisan input? That is not change. It repeats mistakes of the past. Instead of trying to borrow and spend our way to recovery, House Republicans have laid out a commonsense, timely, and targeted alternative. Our proposal would create jobs by providing immediate relief to American taxpayers, small businesses, and home buyers. These tax cuts have been tried before under President Kennedy and President Reagan. Each time, they created jobs and led to economic recovery. The American people are hurting. They care about keeping their jobs, paying their bills, and sending their children to school. They deserve much better than this massive spending bill, which will raise interest rates. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, our friends on the other side of the aisle continue to frame the stimulus debate as between doing what they want or doing nothing at all. This is simply not the case, as even the Washington Post reported today. Since the very beginning of this economic crisis and from day one of this Congress, House Republicans have worked to develop proposals that promote job creation. Our solutions provide immediate relief to American families, small businesses, real estate recovery, and homeowners. Our solutions aim at creating jobs. We can create twice the jobs at half the spending. We can bring our set of proposals to the table in a spirit of bipartisanship. We have done so in recognition of the fact that millions of Americans are in financial distress. We must not keep quiet when we know there are solutions that can create jobs without burdening our children with even greater debt and threatening destructive inflation. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, yesterday I spoke to some small business owners in South Carolina, including Betty Jackson at The Sunset Grill in West Columbia. They are concerned with the billions in spending some in Congress are proposing. They also know that we need to take action and create jobs. I was grateful to tell them that big spending is not the only solution. There are fiscally responsible solutions that put more money back into the pockets of taxpayers, help American businesses create jobs and help boost our housing market. Congress does not have to choose between a big spending agenda and no action. We can create jobs while holding the line on spending. We can help small businesses without expanding government. Our constituents go to work every day to make our communities wonderful places to live and to raise families. We must not forget, when we talk about billions of dollars in spending, that this is the taxpayers' money and not the government's money. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I wish to congratulate my long time friend, Paige Jones Gossett, as she receives the Oath of Office and takes the bench as United States Magistrate Judge for the District of South Carolina. Known by her nickname Cricket, she is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of South Carolina Honors College, finished as the third highest rated graduate in her law school class, and received nearly every academic award available. Prior to her election as a South Carolina Administrative Law Judge in 2006, she had over ten years of private practice experience as a partner in the Willoughby & Hoefer law firm in Columbia. I also want to congratulate Chief Judge David C. Norton and the other District Judges in South Carolina for selecting Judge Gossett from a large pool of highly qualified applicants. Her intelligence and temperament are the ideal qualities that we should seek in judicial candidates. On a personal note, I am particularly grateful for her success which is complemented by the achievement of her husband, my former State Senate Chief of Staff, Jeff Gossett, who is the first Republican Clerk of the South Carolina Senate in over 100 years. They are raising three outstanding children: Jackson Keith Gossett, Ainsley Cooper Gossett, and Anna Katherine Gossett. Congratulations, Judge Paige Gossett.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, on January 26th, a long- time friend and favorite son of South Carolina, Austin Cunningham, passed away. In his lifetime--that spanned almost an entire century-- Mr. Cunningham was a successful businessman, a tireless leader in the community, a prolific philosopher, and a mentor. He was a valued advisor to the late Congressman Floyd Spence and Governor Carrol Campbell leading the efforts to reduce capital gains taxes. His steadfast belief in the importance and virtue of service was an inspiration to many, and he left a positive and indelible mark on South Carolina and the Nation. Staff writer Lee Tant of the Times and Democrat of Orangeburg, South Carolina has thoughtfully developed the following fitting tribute to Mr. Cunningham. [From the Times and Democrat, Jan. 27, 2009] Austin Cunningham Dies at 94 (By Lee Tant) It is hard, if not impossible, to describe the life of Orangeburg icon Austin Cunningham. Cunningham, who died Monday at the age of 94, was a community leader, businessman, writer, lawyer, soldier and citizen of the year. He was the definition of a Renaissance man. His lifetime spanned 18 presidents, 11 recessions, two world wars and the civil rights movement. Cunningham was the leader of five companies and in 1998 was named Outstanding Elder Citizen of the Year for South Carolina. A decade later, he was named the Kiwanis Club of Orangeburg's Citizen of the Year. He also was honored with the Order of the Palmetto. Cunningham was involved with nearly everything in the Orangeburg community. He was constantly willing to be out front in volunteering and promoting community involvement. During the 1970s, Cunningham made business trips to Denmark and Manning while an executive at the Sunbeam Outdoor Co. It was then he first became interested in Orangeburg. When the company relocated its executive headquarters to Santee in 1974, Cunningham and his family moved with it. He said his new home was like an ``island'' because its residents had to drive at least 50 miles to reach Columbia or Charleston. The man who once called cities such as Chicago and New York home quickly became involved in the community. He joined what was then the Greater Orangeburg Chamber of Commerce, attended First Presbyterian Church, and was active in the local Republican Party. He retired from Sunbeam to open a Burger King restaurant on John C. Calhoun Drive in 1975. Cunningham accepted the chairmanship of the Orangeburg Regional Hospital's major gifts division four years later. His work was instrumental in procuring the funding to build the Regional Medical Center. Cunningham also became a tireless advocate of the Targeted Jobs Tax Credit program during the summer of 1983. The program provided a tax credit for employers who hired underprivileged teenagers. During that time, Cunningham served as chairman of the local Economic Recovery Committee. To market the program in Orangeburg, Cunningham illustrated how it not only made good financial sense but also helped the community. ``Your reward is two-fold. You'll get a good worker for jobs you want them to do. And when you go to pay your federal businesses taxes next year, you'll get back 85 percent of what you paid out,'' he said to encourage local employers. In the spring of 1984, President Ronald Reagan invited Cunningham to the White House to honor his efforts in promoting the program. Reagan lauded Cunningham and credited him with fostering partnerships with 77 local businesses that gave 264 jobs to teenagers in poverty. ``For most of these 16- and 17-year-olds, it was their first real job. Now that's partnership in action, and everybody is better off because of it,'' Reagan said. A July 1983 T&D editorial described Cunningham as ``a one- man crusade'' that informed the community about the program's merits. It also noted he was dubbed ``Mr. TJTC'' by the head of the State Employment Security Commission back then. However, Cunningham didn't want all the attention and refused to take credit for it. He insisted the real heroes were the businesses that hired the young workers. He said the success of the program in Orangeburg boded well for industry and race relations here. ``It's made Orangeburg a better community than it was 10 weeks ago,'' Cunningham said after the program concluded its first summer. He served on the People's Assault on Drugs Committee in the 1990s. Cunningham was also behind getting 132 streetlights installed in New Brookland as part of efforts by the People's Assault on Drugs. He said then that drug dealers were relegated to hanging back in the shadows. ``They can't stand out in the streets anymore. They are not aggressively stopping people and vying with each other,'' he said. Additionally, Cunningham was a patron of the arts. After hearing the South Carolina State University Choir, he realized how good it was and, he spearheaded the choir's partnership with the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra. This led to an annual concert series in Orangeburg. S.C. State awarded him its Distinguished Service Award at the 1995 Founder's Day festivities. When he was named the ``Outstanding Older South Carolinian'' of the year by the state Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Aging in 1998, Cunningham used the honor to make a push for funding county councils on aging. The annual Elder Hop event on New Year's Day in Orangeburg was his brainchild as a fund-raiser for the Meals on Wheels program. Born in Washington, he lost his journalist father at age 12. Cunningham went to work in the U.S. Supreme Court as a page at age 14 and subsequently worked under J. Edgar Hoover at the FBI. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He lost two brothers in the war. After earning a law degree from the University of Virginia, he did advanced studies at the University of Chicago and Oxford University. He married his late wife Jacqueline in 1946. An infant son, Paul, died in 1954. He is survived by two daughters, Manhattan psychotherapist Kathryn Janus (wife of Jeffrey Janus), magazine journalist Amy Cunningham of Brooklyn (wife of Steven Waldman), son Austin Cunningham III, a business owner residing in Swansea, and two school-aged grandsons Joseph and Gordon Waldman of Brooklyn. His younger sister, Mrs. Clotilde Luce, at age 88, still works at New York City's renowned Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. As a longtime author of articles for The Times and Democrat and other publications, Cunningham wrote from his vast repertoire of life experiences. He offered insight on historical figures from George Washington and Abe Lincoln to Bill Clinton. He spent a weekend in a state prison, at his own request, gathering material to provide insight on life behind bars. Most recently, Cunningham was the subject of a story about his experience as an usher on the podium at Franklin Roosevelt's presidential inauguration in 1933. Also, he was honored this past week by the Orangeburg County Community of Character initiative. The board of directors voted to create the Austin Cunningham Orangeburg County Community of Character award. It will be given once a year to worthy citizens who exemplify the character traits that make their communities better places to live, work and play. A memorial service for Cunningham will be held at noon Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Orangeburg. The family will receive visitors from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Dukes- Harley Funeral Home.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I have significant concerns about the spending bill before us this week. How will billions spent on school snack programs and repairs to the Smithsonian Institution stimulate the economy? How will $3 billion being spent for a prevention and wellness fund stimulate the economy? It is clear that this spending package has become a one-stop shop for every item on a spending agenda--a massive, unprecedented spending bill aimed to bypass the normal appropriations process and subsidize a broad range of existing and new government programs. We must do better, and together we can do better to create jobs. A targeted stimulus package of tax relief and assistance for small businesses would fuel this Nation's entrepreneurial spirit and help private industry and individuals create jobs. Our focus should be on growing the American economy and not on growing an already massive government. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, yesterday we witnessed an achievement of democracy, the peaceful transfer of power and welcoming our new President, Barack Obama. I want to congratulate President Obama and wish him well. I wish to thank President George W. Bush for his service to this Nation and, most importantly, his support of our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, along with their intelligence services and first responders. As a veteran and father of four military sons, I believe President Bush should always be appreciated for defeating terrorism overseas to protect American families at home. The Bush success is clear today. We have not been attacked in the last 7 years. Today I look forward to working with President Obama as we have a respectful debate on the future of our Nation. We must work together for prosperity and security for all Americans. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th. My deepest sympathy to the family of the late Camilla Knotts Williams, 100 years of age, of Orangeburg, South Carolina.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of legislation with a proven record of stimulating the economy and creating jobs. Members of the Republican Study Committee have introduced the Economic Recovery and Middle-Class Tax Relief Act, legislation that is fiscally responsible and one that will stimulate job growth in the private sector rather than the Federal Government. This package includes tax relief for American families, businesses, and entrepreneurs. It allows businesses to expense the purchase of assets which will encourage growth and job creation. This job does not threaten American families with hyper-inflation or saddle future generations with evermore debt with hundreds of billions of dollars in spending. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to consider these proposals. These are proposals that will address the economic downturn and will not demand government spending. We should remember that Jerry Bellune of the Lexington County Chronicle is correct: This is the people's money, not the government's. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had the privilege of attending the opening of a new branch of the Harvest Hope Food Bank in Cayce, South Carolina, welcomed by Mayor Elise Partin. This expansion of Harvest Hope comes at a time when job losses in our community have increased the need for food banks, and many individuals find it difficult to travel to other locations. Last year alone, Harvest Hope distributed 2.4 million pounds of food in Lexington County, and they expect that number to grow to well over 3 million in the coming year. With growing demand, I am grateful that Harvest Hope has chosen to expand their operations. I wish to commend Denise Holland, Executive Director of Harvest Hope, for her leadership. Additionally, Mitch Watson, the incoming chairman of the board, the volunteers and local churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to the food banks deserve our utmost gratitude for their service to our community. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the South Carolina National Guard. In 2008 they achieved the highest number of judge advocate generals serving in the Nation, according to Scott Bell, National Guard historian. This significant milestone is a tribute to the South Carolina Bar and to the professional leadership of Colonel Barry Bernstein, state judge advocate for the South Carolina National Guard. Twenty-four of the State's 27 JAGs have been awarded Global War on Terrorism campaign medals. As a former staff judge advocate, I understand and appreciate and know firsthand the work that our JAG Corps has done to provide legal counsel to our military leadership and to our brave men and women in uniform. Theirs is an important part of the defense of American families by defeating terrorists overseas. I saw this when I visited the 218th Brigade JAG during quarterly visits in the last year at Camp Phoenix in Afghanistan. I commend Colonel Bernstein and Adjutant General Stan Spears for their leadership and all the members of the South Carolina JAG Corps on this achievement. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11th.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, on December 18, Paul Weyrich, one of the founders of the modern conservative movement, died. He successfully worked to evolve conservatism from a status of negativism to a dynamic movement promoting creative and meaningful reforms. I personally saw his success firsthand with the American Legislative Exchange Council developing State legislative reforms. And with Dr. Robert Krieble, I served on the delegation in August 1991 of the Krieble Institute to Sofia, Bulgaria, where Paul Weyrich gave presentations to the newly elected democrats of the National Assembly who helped Bulgaria emerge from the darkness of totalitarian Communism. Bulgaria today is a model free market democracy as a valued member of NATO and the European Union. His service to our nation will always be appreciated. John Gizzi, columnist for Human Events professionally penned the following thoughtful tribute to Mr. Weyrich on the day of his passing. [From Human Events, Dec. 18, 2008] Paul Weyrich: RIP (By John Gizzi) Paul Weyrich--``The midwife of the New Right''. . . ``Pope Paul''. . . ``The Man Who Taught Conservatives to Network''-- passed away this morning after a long illness. Weyrich was called a lot of things--and some of them that originated on the left are unprintable--but one thing admirers and enemies of Paul Weyrich found inarguable: that in 66 years of life, the man who launched the Heritage Foundation and Free Congress Foundation and played a key role in mobilizing cultural conservatives into political battle was someone who left postwar conservatism and the world a different place than it was before he came on the political scene. In short, he was a man of consequence. Born in Racine, Wisconsin, Weyrich had a passion for politics almost since childhood. Active in Young Republicans at the University of Wisconsin (Madison), the young Weyrich quit college to become a political reporter for the Milwaukee Sentinel and later became a television reporter in Kenosha, Wisconsin and then in Denver, Colorado. In 1967, Weyrich came to Washington as press secretary to conservative Sen. Gordon Allot (R.-Col.). At one point, Weyrich later recalled to me, he had received an invitation by mistake to a luncheon of liberal staffers on Capitol Hill Weyrich attended anyway and, in his words, ``I saw all the liberal groups and staffers going through issues, giving assignments to people, and agreeing to meet again. Conservatives needed to be doing the same thing and I decided to do something about it.'' Beginning with staffers from conservative House and Senate offices, and later with leaders of national right-of-center groups, Weyrich began regular lunches and meetings that are today a staple of the modern conservative movement. With the financial support of Colorado beer baron Joseph Coors, Weyrich and fellow Hill staffer Ed Feulner launched the Heritage Foundation in 1973. A counterforce to the liberal Brookings Institute, Heritage would grow into one of the most respected ``think tanks'' and provide the intellectual firepower in the Reagan Administration in 1980 and to Congress after Republicans won control of both Houses in 1994. In the 1970s, Weyrich helped launch the Committee for the Survival of a Free Congress (which later became the Free Congress Foundation) and the Moral Majority. Both groups were pivotal in mobilizing religious conservatives into political activity for candidates and, in 1978, played critical roles in the elections of such conservative titans as Sens. Bill Armstrong (R.-Col.) and Gordon Humphrey (R.-NH) and Reps. Newt Gingrich (R.-GA) and Dan Lungren (R.-CA). Quoting Napoleon's celebrated question ``How many legions does the Pope have?'' Weyrich once told me, ``Believing Christians now have many legions--and they're voting.'' (Raised a Roman Catholic, Weyrich himself became angry when a priest attacked something his then-boss Allott was supporting in the Senate; he thereupon joined the Eastern Rite Orthodox Church and later became a deacon.) Weyrich attempted to bring change and fresh activity to every aspect of politics. As more and more countries became democratic and elected their leaders, Weyrich became president of the Krieble Institute from 1989-96 and trained political activists in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. (At one point, he and fellow Krieble trainer Gary Hoffmeister performed a vaudeville skit to demonstrate campaigning to budding Russian politicians.) The former TV newsman founded the satellite television station National Empowerment Television and later hosted a talk show on satellite radio. Occasionally, Weyrich critics on both the right and left would bring up his penchant for abrupt replies and gruffness. His response to me was ``I never wanted everyone to like me-- just enough people so we can get political change.'' In September of this year, more than 400 friends, Members of Congress and other political leaders packed the Four Seasons Hotel to pay tribute to the activist, who had been in failing health from a spinal injury in '01. In thanking his friends, Weyrich recalled how, in spite of his health problems, life had been good to him: an only child, he had had a strong marriage to wife Joyce that produced five children; interested in the U.S. Senate all his life, he got to work there; a lover of trains, he served on the national board of Amtrak and the Amtrak Reform Council; a lifelong conservative, he played a major role in shaping its modern form. And, even when we disagreed or he took issue with Human Events, Weyrich was a faithful reader who would frequently cite columns in our publication. I already miss Paul Weyrich very much. We all will in the future.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, America's ally Israel remains under constant and frequent attack by Hamas. Noted columnist Charles Krauthammer recently revealed in a column in The Greenville News that Hamas has cruelly launched 6,464 rockets into Israel in the last 3 years. No other country has endured such attacks. Now Israel has chosen to defend itself by going after the Hamas terrorists. The loss of life is terrible, but it is Hamas that bears the responsibility. I saw firsthand, while visiting Israel this summer, that Hamas has fired rockets against civilians in Israel. A peaceful relationship between Israel and Palestine is in the best interest of both nations. It will only be accomplished if Hamas agrees to stop firing rockets targeting civilians. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th. God bless Torry Lyons and Eric Dell upon their marriage tomorrow at St. Peter's Catholic Church.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, this year we should work immediately to address the challenges facing our Nation. Recent job losses and a decline in the housing market have led many Americans to lose confidence in our economy. I am optimistic, however, that sound bipartisan solutions that support small businesses and provide tax relief to American families will mean a quicker recovery and less of a burden on future generations of taxpayers. As we expand opportunities for job creation, Congress should promote an all-of-the-above energy strategy. We cannot sustain our expensive and strategically dangerous dependence on foreign oil. While there remain enemies who threaten our freedoms, I am grateful that our fighting men and women remain committed to their duty. We must defeat terrorists overseas to protect American families at home. We must always honor our military and veterans. I am confident that we will lead our Nation toward greater prosperity and security if we trust and invest in the ingenuity and spirit of the American people with limited government. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I think it is reasonable to assume that I am not alone when I say that my office has been contacted with hundreds of phone calls and e-mails asking Congress not to spend billions more to bailout the Big 3 American automakers. Congress has already asked the American taxpayer to stomach a $700 billion package of economic relief aimed at unfreezing the credit markets. It is wrong to ask American families to trust that billions in bailout relief for three specific companies will do anything but cement a dangerous and expensive precedent for future big government spending and control of a vital industry in America. In fact, at this time the credit markets have not been unfrozen after the onslaught of this recent economic downturn, and I hope Congress, this current administration, and the incoming administration will ensure that the programs we have passed into law already are implemented and reviewed. Recent reports of a failure to adequately utilize the oversight mechanisms outlined in the economic rescue package are troubling. The taxpayers deserve to know that we are following the letter of the law. Nevertheless, the debate today is on whether we should give $15 billion dollars to help shore up the books of General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. The primary argument that continues to be made in support of this bailout is predicated upon the claim that bankruptcy is not an option. Never mind that other companies and industries--most notably the members of the airline industry--have successfully emerged from bankruptcy stronger, more agile, and successful. We have a bankruptcy process in place, the sole purpose of which is to deal with circumstances similar to those that GM, Ford, and Chrysler face. Unfortunately, in typical Washington fashion, Congress wants to reinvent the wheel and create a new process and a new bureaucratic office in the form of a ``Car Czar.'' Such a redundant proposal would be slightly less harmless were a $15 billion taxpayer funded price tag not tacked onto it. But it is. The bankruptcy process that already exists does not spell the end of a company or the loss of every one of their jobs. The scare tactics that have been spread around that without this multi-billionaire bailout, the American auto industry would disappear is just not the case. In fact, bankruptcy procedures would allow the companies to restructure to make them competitive in the global market. Bankruptcy is never an ideal situation for any company but it is far more preferable to spending billions of taxpayer dollars and ceding control to big government. It should be noted that opposition to this massive bailout is not a commentary on my or my colleagues' support for the American auto industry. We represent American automotive dealerships, American automakers, parts manufacturers, the people they employ, and in many instances, we own American automobiles. We want to see these companies prosper, build the future fleet of automobiles for the world to drive, and continue to employ millions of hardworking Americans. What many of us are unwilling to accept is the suggestion that taxpayers need to be signing the check to keep particular businesses in a particular industry afloat when there is a sound, bankruptcy process already available. It is clear from every angle that the American auto industry needs to make some dramatic changes to their business model and to the current agreements they have with the unions who represent their employees. These changes will make them financially stronger and more competitive. It will help protect current and future employees. They can accomplish this without a taxpayer funded bailout, and it would be unwise to betray the interests of American taxpayers by choosing to simply throw money at the problem.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards recently announced their latest list of newly National Board Certified teachers. I am grateful to report that the 176 teachers this round from the Second Congressional District of South Carolina represent the highest number of any district in America. I know the citizens of the Second District are extremely proud and grateful to have such well-qualified professional teachers working to educate their children. Families understand that a strong education is the foundation for future success. We must continue to bring parents, teachers and school administrators together in a common pursuit of high quality, accessible and affordable education. This should be done with the utmost respect for the unique needs and challenges of our local schools. Our schools should be run by dynamic elected local school boards. I want to thank our Nation's professional educators for their dedication to teaching our children and building a brighter future. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, on Saturday, November 15th, South Carolina lost a distinguished statesman with the death of former State Senator Marshall Parker of Oconee County. A thoughtful tribute to his courageous service was published November 18, 2008, in The State newspaper of Columbia, South Carolina, professionally authored by John O'Connor. [From The State, Nov. 18, 2008] One of First Elected Democrats Who Later Ran as a Republican Dies (By John O'Connor) Marshall Parker, who helped blaze a path for state Republicans in the 1960s, died at his Oconee County home Saturday. He was 86. Parker was among the first elected Democrats to run later as a Republican, twice losing U.S. Senate contests against Ernest ``Fritz'' Hollings in 1966 and 1968. Parker was born in Seaboard, N.C., but was first elected to the Seneca City Council and Oconee County Board of School Trustees before winning a state Senate seat in 1955. Parker served a decade in the S.C. House. ``He taught me about working hard,'' said grandson Burl Williams, who frequently mended fences at Parker's farm. ``He had a presence...you could see people looked up to him.'' In 1966, Parker decided to become a Republican and challenge friend and former colleague Hollings for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by Olin Johnston's death. The race was decided by several thousand votes, with some of Parker's supporters believing he had won. ``If that race had gone another few weeks, (Parker) might have won it,'' said Crawford Cook, who worked on both Parker's and Hollings' campaigns. ``There were none any tougher than that first one.'' Parker believed his role in creating the state technical college system was his most important accomplishment, friends said. Others also credited him as an example for those switching to the Republican Party. Williams believed that Parker, as a dairy farm owner, understood early that the Republican Party better matched his ideals. ``There were people who stood up and were candidates even though they couldn't win,'' said Crawford Clarkson, a former Parker campaign chairman. ``He was a sterling individual; an absolutely incorruptible politician.''

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I would like to submit the following op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal on November 12, 2008, by Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It conveys the strong and important relationship between the Iraqi Kurdish population and the United States as well as their efforts to help build a peaceful Iraq. I was fortunate this year to visit the Kurdistan Region, and I know firsthand of Kurdish appreciation of the American people. [From the Wall Street Journal, November 12, 2008] Kurdistan Is a Model for Iraq--Our Path to a Secular, Federal Democracy is Inspired by the U.S. (By Masoud Barzani) Iraq's Kurds have consistently been America's closest allies in Iraq. Our Peshmerga forces fought alongside the U.S. military to liberate the country, suffering more casualties than any other U.S. ally. And while some Iraqi politicians have challenged the U.S.- Iraq security agreement, Iraq's Kurdish leaders have endorsed the pact as essential for U.S. combat troops to continue fighting terrorists in Iraq. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is committed to a federal, democratic Iraq that is at peace with its neighbors. We have benefited enormously from the service and sacrifices of America's armed forces and their families, and we are deeply grateful. We are also proud to have shared in such sacrifices; my brother was among those severely wounded during the liberation of Iraq. Last year, following a U.S. request, we deployed Kurdish troops to Baghdad. These troops played a decisive role in the success of the surge. Last month I once again visited Baghdad to meet with the leadership of the federal government. We stressed our commitment to developing an Iraqi state that abides by its constitution and that is based upon a federal model with clearly delineated powers for its regions. In spite of all this, some commentators now suggest that the Kurds are causing problems by insisting on territorial demands and proceeding with the development of Kurdistan's oil resources. These allegations are troubling. We are proceeding entirely in accord with the Iraqi constitution, implementing provisions that were brokered by the U.S. In the constitutional negotiations that took place in the summer of 2005, two issues were critical to us: first, that the Kurdistan Region has the right to develop the oil on its territory, and second, that there be a fair process to determine the administrative borders of Iraq's Kurdistan Region--thus resolving once and for all the issue of ``disputed'' territories. Unfortunately, ever since the discovery of oil in Iraq in the 1920s, successive Iraqi governments have sought to keep oil out of Kurdish hands, blocking exploration and development of fields in Kurdistan. Saddam Hussein's government went even further, using Iraqi oil revenues to finance the military campaigns that destroyed more than 4,500 Kurdish villages and to pay for the poison gas used to kill thousands of Kurdish civilians. The Kurdish leadership agreed to a U.S.-sponsored compromise in 2005 in which the central government would have the authority to manage existing oil fields, but new fields would fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the regions. Since then, the KRG has taken the lead with Baghdad in negotiations on a hydrocarbon law that is faithful to Iraq's constitution and is conducive to modernizing Iraq's oil infrastructure and substantially increasing its oil production. We have awarded contracts for foreign oil companies (including some American ones) to explore our territory. In so doing, Kurdistan is not threatening the unity of Iraq. It is simply implementing the constitution. The ``disputed territories'' have a tragic history. Since the 1950s, Iraqi regimes encouraged Arabs to settle in Kirkuk and other predominantly Kurdish and Turkmen areas. Saddam Hussein accelerated this process by engaging in ethnic cleansing, expelling or killing Kurds and Turkmen, or by requiring nationality corrections (in which non-Arabs are forced to declare themselves to be Arabs) and by moving Arabs into Kurdish homes. The dispute between Baghdad and the Kurds over Kirkuk has lasted more than 80 years and has often been violent. All sides have now agreed to a formula to resolve the problem, to bring justice to Kirkuk, and to correct the crimes against Kurds committed by Saddam Hussein's regime. Iraq's constitution requires that a referendum be held in disputed territories to determine if their populations want to join the Kurdistan Region. Conducting a plebiscite is not easy, but it is preferable to another 80 years of conflict. If the pro-Kurdistan side should lose the referendum in Kirkuk, I promise that Kurdistan will respect that result. And if they win, I promise that we will do everything in our power to ensure outsized representation of Kirkuk's Turkmen, Arabs and Christians both on the local level and in the parliament and government of the Kurdistan Region. Regional stability cannot come from resolving internal disputes alone. That is why expanding and deepening our ties with Turkey is my top priority. My meeting last month in Baghdad with the Turkish special envoy to Iraq was a historic and positive development. There should be further direct contacts between the KRG and Turkey, as well as multilateral contacts that involve the U.S. We are eager to work with Turkey to seek increased peace and prosperity in the region. I am proud that the Kurdistan Region is both a model and gateway for the rest of Iraq. Our difficult path to a secular, federal democracy is very much inspired by the U.S. And so we look forward to working with the Obama-Biden administration to support and defend our hard-fought successes in Iraq, and to remain proud of what the Kurdistan region is today: a thriving civil society in the heart of the Middle East. When we insist on strict compliance with our country's constitution, we are only following America's great example.