C. Young

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman for his comments, but it is important that the defense committees know for a fact as opposed to the debate on the floor. So we have got to oppose the amendment at this time. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), the very distinguished chairman of the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), the distinguished chairman of the Armed Services Committee.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me the time. I want to compliment him for having produced this very important supplemental appropriations bill in record time, and a very good bill. I want to expand a little on what the chairman has said about this bill. For example, we have increased the President's budget by $850 million to ensure that Army tracked combat vehicles such as Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles will be upgraded, especially for the units that will be rotating into Iraq in the coming months. An increase of $360 million in equipment for the Marine Corps is provided based on an assessment of their most pressing shortfalls. And $273.7 million additional is provided for Air Force procurement, including additional predators, electronic countermeasures to protect our aircraft, and funding to ensure the continuation of the C-17 production line. Very importantly, Mr. Chairman, the committee recommendation supports and enhances the President's request for the National Guard and Reserve forces. We have included in the war supplemental portion of this bill a total of $3.57 billion for the Guard and Reserve, an increase of $320 million over the amounts requested by the President. We have been able to add to the request the following items: $230 million for the Abrams Tank Integrated Management or AIM program, to support fielding of National Guard combat brigades; $50 million for 42 Bradley fighting vehicles to complete two Army National Guard combat brigades; and $40 million to cover shortfalls in the Army Reserve personnel accounts. All and all, Mr. Chairman, this is a good bill. It does speak to the needs of those who are fighting the war. I highly recommend its passage.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in recognizing the accomplishments of Palm Harbor University High School boys and girls varsity soccer teams. Both teams were recently crowned 2006 Florida State Soccer Champions (Class 5A). The Palm Harbor University Hurricanes boys' team (26-4) shut out defending champion, Auburndale, 3-0 to claim the state title. The girls' team (20-1) also left their competition scoreless, as they triumphed over Bloomingdale High School 2-0 to win the Class 5A finals. This was the second state championship for the Palm Harbor University boys (2002, 2006) and the third title for the girls team (1999, 2000, and 2006). Palm Harbor University made history with the 2006 championships, marking only the second time in Florida where a public school won boys and girls soccer titles in the same year. For the benefit of my colleagues, following my remarks I will include reports from the St. Petersburg Times about the championship efforts of these two teams. Congratulations to Coach Mike Mannino and Coach John Planamente for their leadership, dedication and the positive examples they set. In addition, Principal Harry Brown and his administration, Athletic Director Bob Heintz, the faculty and staff, the parents, the students, the alumni and the fans should all be applauded for their community spirit and faithful support. Most importantly, I would like to commend those outstanding student athletes who exemplified the meaning of sportsmanship, hard work and competitive spirit. All around, a job well done! You have made us all proud and we look forward to supporting Palm Harbor University boys and girls soccer teams next year. [From the St. Petersburg Times, Feb. 10, 2006] Palm Harbor Claims Third State Crown (By Keith Nebuhr) Fort Lauderdale.--One day after stunning the Nation's top- ranked team, Palm Harbor U. claimed an even bigger victory. And this one comes with a ring. Behind solid play on both ends, the Hurricanes defeated Bloomingdale 2-0 in the Class 5A final at Lockhart Stadium on Thursday night to complete 2 days in South Florida the players aren't soon to forget. Annie Stalzer's goal in the 48th minute gave PHU the lead. Kelly Brinkman added a score in the 78th minute that iced it. When the game ended, PHU players raced toward the sideline to celebrate with fans. After accepting the gold medals and the championship trophy, they took a team picture. Many then called friends and relatives on their cell phones to give them the news. ``We've been play so well'' Stalzer said. ``This is the perfect season! We couldn't ask for anything better.'' The title is the third for PHU (20-1), which also earned championships in 1999 and 2000. The Hurricanes lost to Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 3-0 in last season's final, but this time, the Hurricanes weren't to be denied. Since the start of its district tournament (a span of seven games), PHU outscored opponents 24-2. And it beat Aquinas 2-1 in the semifinals. ``The experience of being here helped,'' Hurricanes coach John Planamenta said. ``Every year, we've taken another step.'' Bloomingdale (24-2-1), going for its second title, had allowed 10 goals all season before Thursday. Only once had an opponent scored more than one. In the playoffs, just one of the Bulls' previous opponents found the net. ``They played a great game,'' Bloomingdale coach Sue Peet said of PHU. PHU outshot Bloomingdale 16-4 (the Bulls had two shots in the first 75 minutes) and made sure it had two or three defenders around star midfielder Marissa Kazbour at all times. PHU was equally solid on offense. But though the Hurricanes constantly pressured Bloomingdale's defense, they couldn't break a scoreless tie until Stalzer's goal, which bounced off one defender and over the head of goalkeeper Cristina Coca.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Madam Speaker, last night in this Chamber, as the President of the United States was encouraging Americans to support our troops, my wife was sitting in this gallery right over here, and she was ordered to leave the gallery because she was doing, and this was in the middle of the President's speech, what the President said we should all do. She had on this shirt, a very conservative shirt, long sleeves, high neck. But it says ``Support our Troops.'' Someone at this door in the gallery ordered her to leave. When she got into the corridor, they explained to her that she was a demonstrator, that she was a protester. Besides that they lied about what she did. They said she had on a jacket, she flashed open the jacket and exposed this shirt. Not true. She did not have a jacket on. Then they called her a demonstrator and a protester. When asked about this incident by a reporter from the St. Petersburg Times in my home district, they denied, denied, and said she left on her own volition. My wife supports our troops on every day, every hour, every waking hour. It is with a passion, because of a passion that comes from the hours and the days and the weeks and the months that she has spent in our military hospitals ministering to those who have been wounded in the line of duties, helping with their families. Yes, she has a real passion for our troops, and she shows it in many, many ways. Most members in this House know that. But because she had on a shirt that someone did not like that said ``Support our Troops,'' she was kicked out of this gallery while the President was speaking and encouraging Americans to support our troops. Shame, shame.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include tabular and extraneous material on the conference report to accompany H.R. 2863.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 639, I call up the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 2863) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the Defense appropriations bill, which this conference report is about, is also the vehicle for a number of other issues. Those other issues have been discussed very thoroughly during consideration of the rule, so I am going to reserve my comments strictly to the area of the Defense appropriations bill. Mr. Speaker, this bill is to provide for the security of our Nation and to appropriate the funds to pay for the equipment, the training, the consumable supplies, but more importantly, for the men and women who serve in our uniform, those who make it possible for us to sleep tonight, well, not tonight, because we are not sleeping tonight, but to make it possible for Americans to sleep tonight, knowing that they are secure because of these brave warriors who are prepared to protect America at any instance. This bill, for example, includes the money for the pay raise for the members of our military. The bill provides a bridge fund of $50 billion for the conduct of the global war against terror in Afghanistan and Iraq and other places. It provides for replacing the equipment that has been destroyed or worn out during the conduct of the war. It provides additional funding to provide more effective ways to protect against and defend against the terrible tragic IEDs. It provides armor for our vehicles. Mr. Speaker, I am going to be brief. I just want to hit some of the highlights of what the bill does. I want the Members to know that this appropriations bill funds the insurance and death gratuities that we have increased for the members of our military. It provides basically the President's request for a fairly aggressive shipbuilding program. Mr. Speaker, this is a really good Defense appropriations bill. It was strongly supported when it passed the House 6 months ago, Mr. Speaker; but because of other delays, we are just now getting to vote on this final package. This is a good bill, and I do not think there is any controversy associated with the defense part of this conference report. Mr. Speaker, I include the following tabular material for the Record. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.900 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.901 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.902 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.903 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.904 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.905 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.906 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.907 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.908 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.909 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.910 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.911 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.912 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.913 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.914 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH18DE05.915 Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the chairman of the Appropriations Committee. (Mr. LEWIS of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that the negative comments that we have just heard from two previous speakers, while they relate to parts of this conference report, they do not relate to the defense appropriations bill, which is the main vehicle that we are voting on tonight. So I would just hope that Members will understand we are at war, we need to do a lot for our national security. We need to do a lot for the men and women who provide for that national security and wear our uniform and who go to war, and I just hope that we can give them a strong vote of confidence with a strong vote on this bill.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution, especially to congratulate those millions of Iraqi citizens who in the face of adversity were willing to stand up and exercise their right to vote, to establish their own government; and I think that is something we should be very proud of. But as representatives of the American people for whose safety we here in this House are responsible, we had better recognize that there is a global war on terror being launched against us. While a major battlefield, Iraq is just one of the battlefields. Afghanistan is one of the battlefields. Another battlefield was in 1993 when the World Trade Center was bombed with six lives being lost. Another of the battlefields was June 1996 when the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia were bombed when 19 of our airmen lost their lives. Another of the battlefields was in August of 1998 when our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed, 259 lives lost, 11 of those Americans. October of 2000, another of the battlefields against terror was the bombing of the USS Cole off the shore of Yemen. Seventeen American sailors died, many others injured. Then was September 11, at the Pentagon, when 189 lives were lost when the airplane flown by terrorists flew into the Pentagon. Another was September 11 and the World Trade Center was bombed. Airplanes crashed. Suicide bombers flew the airplanes, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives. Mr. Speaker, this is a global war on terror; and if we do not win the battle in Iraq, where else might we win it, or where else might we have to fight it? We had better be sure of what we are doing before we make a decision that will allow terrorists to regroup, to recover, to rearm, to retrain and become even a bigger enemy and a bigger threat than they are today to the security of the American people who we represent here in this Chamber today.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 12 of rule XXII, I move that meetings of the conference between the House and the Senate on H.R. 2863 be closed to the public at such times as classified national security information may be broached, providing that any sitting Member of the Congress shall be entitled to attend any meeting of the conference.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the motion to instruct on H.R. 2863.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, I think that it is important that we make it very clear that we are opposed to the use of torture, period. As a matter of fact, the basic law of the land already says that we are opposed to torture. And so I have no problem with the gentleman's motion as it relates to that issue. But I must tell you that, Mr. Speaker, I am really offended by a provision in this amendment that we are talking about that guarantees to terrorists, and understand who those terrorists are, that guarantees to terrorists the same rights under the Constitution of the United States that our law-abiding constituents enjoy. That offends me. And I just do not think that we ought to be giving a terrorist the same protection of our Constitution that you and I have. Not just part of our Constitution, not just one or two amendments or two articles or sections, the entire Constitution would apply to those terrorists. So that does offend me. But I understand that the President's office is in serious negotiations with Senator McCain, and we hope that a reasonable agreement on this issue will be reached so that we can get on with this important Defense Appropriations bill that we in the House passed 6 months ago.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1 of rule XXII and by direction of the Committee on Appropriations, I move to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 2863) making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to the conference asked by the Senate.

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

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Americans can sleep well tonight because our soldiers are out there on the front line against terror making sure that we can do that. And we owe them a lot. We owe them our thanks. We owe them our appreciation. We owe them the necessary equipment to carry out their mission, to protect themselves while they are doing that, and we owe them our support. And it is important that we let them know without any doubt that we support them, that this Congress supports them. And that is why, in case there is any confusion about how we would like Members to vote on this resolution tonight, we want them to vote ``no.'' This is not a good resolution. Incidentally, in case the Members have not noticed, Jack Murtha spent more time tonight speaking on the floor than he has in the last 20 years combined presenting the appropriations bills. Jack and I have been friends for a long time, as he suggested, and we have worked together. He was my chairman for a long time. I have been his chairman for a long time. We work together for the best interest of our Nation and for those who protect our Nation. And he has received many accolades tonight and properly so. Chairman Hunter, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, also deserves accolades. He was willing to offer this resolution, which we all are going to vote against, I hope. Chairman Hunter was an airborne soldier in Vietnam, and he led a platoon of Rangers in Vietnam. Chairman Hunter deserves an awful lot of thanks and appreciation for the work that he did then and the work that he is doing tonight here on the floor. Mr. Speaker, this is not about Jack Murtha tonight, and it is not about Duncan Hunter. This is about 296 of us who voted to support the President going into Iraq to fight terror, to fight Saddam Hussein and his vicious armies. Once you have committed to a war or to a battle, it is like some other things in life, once you are committed, you are committed, like it or not. And we got committed when we voted to send troops to Iraq. Now, how do you get out of a commitment like that? Well, you can win. That is the preferred way. Or you can lose. We do not like that. You could retreat, or you could surrender. I do not think we like either one of those two. Or there is another way: we could negotiate our way out. But in a case of global terrorists, whom do you negotiate with? They hide. They sneak. Would you negotiate with Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Al- Zarqawi? Whom do you negotiate with? You do not have anybody to negotiate with because they are pure and simple terrorists. Mr. Speaker, there are many things that have been said tonight on both sides of the aisle that are very important. There has been a little bit of spin here and there, but that is not unusual for a legislative body like this. But, Mr. Speaker, there is no place, when we are dealing with the security of our Nation and the security of the American people, there is no place for politics on either side. So tonight, Mr. Speaker, we need to send a strong message to our troops and to their families. For those families who are dealing with the loss of a loved one, for those families who are dealing with a seriously wounded soldier or marine who might be at Walter Reed Hospital or at Bethesda Hospital or at Landsthul in Germany, we need to let them know that we are here to support them. In a few short days when we will be back to legislative business, there is another issue that we have to deal with, and I am going to take advantage of this extra minute to tell the Members what it is. Somebody in the Pentagon has ruled that if Jack Murtha and I go to hospital with my wife, Beverly, which we do on occasion, and she makes us empty our wallets to help a family that is struggling to meet their expenses, some regulation at the Pentagon says that is illegal, that is bribery. What can I bribe a wounded soldier to do? He has already done everything that he can do for me. So we need to change that. So we need to change that. Chairman Hunter and I and Mr. Murtha and I have worked together with our counterparts in the Senate, and we intend to fix this on the first legislative or appropriations bills we have access to. So that is what this is about tonight, to let our soldiers win this war against terror not only in Iraq, but in Afghanistan and anywhere else that terrorists raise their ugly heads. This is not limited to Iraq. Iraq is one of the major battlefields. Afghanistan is one of the major battlefields. My friends, we are in it for the long haul against the threat of terrorism, and it is important that we prevail and support those on the front line against terror and vote ``no'' tonight on this resolution that does not do any of what I just said.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Pinellas County, Florida, which I have the privilege to represent, is Florida's most densely populated county. You would not know it though because our county commissioners have done an outstanding job over the years in preserving park lands and greenways for our residents and visitors to enjoy Florida's natural beauty. At the point of that effort has been Pinellas County's Assistant Administrator Jake Stowers, who has poured his life and soul for more than 30 years into giving our urban community an abundance of green spaces and outdoor recreational opportunities. As Jake said in a recent interview by the publication Bay Soundings, ``I can have you in the woods in 15 minutes.'' And he's right. The National Association of Counties and the Trust for Public Land recognized Pinellas County's efforts this spring by presenting it with the prestigious County Leadership in Conservation award at a national convention in our Nation's Capital. Following my remarks, I would like to include for my colleagues a profile of Jake Stowers from the spring 2005 edition of Bay Soundings. It includes information about Pinellas County's unique commitment, under Jake's leadership, to preserving our county's environment. The county is home to a 47-mile urban trail called the Pinellas Trail, 4,200 acres of parkland, 14,000 acres of preserves including the recently completed 8,000-acre Booker Creek Preserve, and Fort DeSoto Park, which this year was ranked as our nation's most beautiful beach. Along with the members of the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, Jake has had a hand in every one of those projects. Mr. Speaker, Jake Stowers is a case study of what love and passion for your job will yield, in this case for the greater good of an entire community. It has been a real pleasure to work with Jake on a number of projects over the years and I know the people of Pinellas County will greatly miss him when he retires next year. However, the legacy of his lifelong work will live on for generations of future Pinellas County residents and visitors. [Bay Soundings, Spring 2005] Jake Stowers: Designing With Nature (By Mary Kelley Hoppe) Jake Stowers has a passion for livable communities, places you can work and call home and still be able to get away from it all without leaving town. He found his patch of paradise in Pinellas County, where he was born and raised near Safety Harbor. Home today is along an intercoastal waterway in Largo, where he lives with his wife, Jo, and two sons. Just as a wellspring of environmental consciousness in the 1970s was sparking a wave of landmark federal clean water and air legislation, Stowers began his career with Pinellas County as an urban forester. His initial plans to study law were scrubbed after a wildlife biologist at the University of Florida fueled his appetite for field work. After graduating with a degree in forestry, he went on to receive a masters degree in agriculture with a forestry focus. On a summer internship with the Department of the Interior in Gainesville, Stowers studied ways to keep hungry migratory blackbirds out of crop farms. Following a short stint as Ft. Lauderdale's first urban forester, he headed back home to Pinellas County and a job that allowed him to pursue what has become a life-long passion, infusing a growth-hungry county with green spaces and corridors for wildlife and folks seeking escape from the urban jungle. ``I can have you in woods in 15 minutes,'' boasts Stowers, an avid angler and hunter whose dad taught him to flyfish. Indeed, Florida's most densely packed county harbors a remarkably rich number of natural getaways accessible within a quick drive. Along with a 47-mile urban trail that runs north and south, Pinellas County has 4,200 acres of parkland and 14,000 acres of preserves including the more than 8,000- acre Brooker Creek Preserve completed last year. Fort DeSoto Park at the county's southernmost tip is the top ranked beach in the continental U.S. When Stowers retires next year as assistant county administrator, he'll leave an indelible mark as a catalyst and champion for environmental stewardship and balanced growth. While quick to credit county commissioners and residents who have repeatedly supported conservation efforts at the ballot box, he's lauded as the go-to person who has helped steer, nudge and implement numerous environmental initiatives and policies. For the past 30-plus years, he has worked behind the scenes to facilitate conservation land purchases, establish an environmental trust fund that's leveraged millions of federal dollars, and craft smart growth policies--at the bidding of and, simultaneously influencing, the county commissioners he serves. ``Jake is such an incredible asset,'' says County Commissioner Susan Latvala, who recently returned from Washington, D.C. where Pinellas County's environmental initiatives were recognized with a prestigious award for County Leadership in Conservation from the Trust for Public Land and the National Association of Counties (NACo). ``His knowledge, love and passion for the environment are contagious,'' she adds. Almost everyone can recall a favorite book that had a major impact on their lives. For Stowers, it was ``Design with Nature'' by Ian McHarg, hailed as one of America's most influential landscape architects. McHarg's book, published in 1969, placed landscape architects at the center of an emerging environmental movement. Long before words like watersheds and impervious surface became important in planning cities and buildings, it was the first to discuss what we now call sprawl and advocate a means for sustainable urban development. The message was this, says Stowers: ``Let the natural systems guide you in designing where to build on a property.'' McHarg's ideas made a lasting impression. As an urban forester starting in 1974, Stowers worked to strengthen local ordinances that spelled out how sites should be developed. Once the county determined the land use, ``our job was figuring out `how do I build it in the best way,''' he said. ``We'd literally go out and walk the woods, putting stakes in the ground,'' trying to steer builders clear of the wetland fringe. ``Early on it was very contentious, but developers came to see it as part and parcel of developing wisely.'' A county charette completed just before Stowers came on board earmarked environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The seminal document became a roadmap for county commissioners in the decades to come. Their commitment coupled with behind-the-scenes work by Stowers and others paid off. To date, all but one of the 162 properties flagged in the charette have been purchased, notes Latvala. Stowers rose to become assistant director of a fledgling environmental management department guiding it through a period of significant growth. ``I kind of inherited Jake,'' said former director Steve Peacock, now with Florida Design Consultants. ``It was one of the best things to happen to me and the organization.'' The two were involved in the county's aggressive land- buying campaign to acquire lands that would ultimately form the 8,300-acre Brooker Creek Preserve, a vast wilderness area located in the northeast corner of Pinellas County. The land was snatched up in parcels with earliest purchases targeted to protect groundwater quality and waters flowing into Lake Tarpon. Adoption of the county's growth management plan in 1989 encouraged expansion of the conservation lands around that area. A Penny for Pinellas sales tax and state Preservation 2000 funds provided additional funds. ``Once we had the land, we needed to let people come in and the concept of environmental education centers evolved,'' Stowers says. ``It was the commitment of the county commissioners to build these that became instrumental in passing the second penny tax.'' ``He's a rainmaker,'' says former County Commissioner Sallie Parks. ``Jake was always good at understanding where there were areas for compromise.'' Most weekends find Stowers out on the water. Fort DeSoto and Weedon Island are favorite boating destinations, but the quiet stretches of Tampa Bay's Braden and Hillsborough rivers hold special charms. ``I can take a fly rod and popping bug or a spider and catch bluegill all day,'' says Stowers. Fishing is a family affair, exercised every chance they get. Stowers recalls a trip deep into the Alaskan wilderness where the family spent time with Apabaskan Indians, whose poverty failed to dim their joy for the land and fishing. ``We try to build those kind of cultural experiences in whenever we can,'' he says.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my unanimous consent request at this time to consult with the Senate and see if we cannot resolve this problem.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this morning I had the great honor to join in ceremonies at Camp Shelby, Mississippi as we sent Task Force IV, The 53rd Brigade Combat Team headquartered in Pinellas Park, Florida to join Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The backbone of this task force operation is a contingent of 1,200 citizen soldiers from Florida National Guard units. They will be led in this operation by Brigadier General John M. ``Mitch'' Perryman, the first Florida General Officer to deploy and lead a Florida formation in combat overseas since World War II. These 1,200 patriots from Florida, along with 250 soldiers from units in Tennessee, Kentucky, Iowa, Nebraska, and Vermont, were mobilized in April to begin their training and preparation for this mission to train the Afghan National Army. An advance party from the 53rd Brigade is already in Afghanistan preparing for the arrival of this unit. The 53rd Infantry Brigade has earned a national reputation for excellence and achievement in service to our Nation and our great State of Florida. It was among the first units in the Nation to be activated following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Their mission was to guard airports, seaports and nuclear facilities. Members of the 53rd also proudly served side by side with Special Operations forces, the 3rd Infantry Division, and the Marine Expeditionary Force during Operation Iraqi Freedom. They fought for nearly a year in the streets of Baghdad and Ramadhi. Many of those soldiers returned in April 2004 and were quickly deployed last summer to assist Floridians throughout our state who were devastated by four hurricane strikes. They served for up to 70 days helping with our state-wide recovery effort. A large number of the troops my wife Beverly and I met with today at Camp Shelby are eagerly volunteering for a return to Southwest Asia to serve with Task Force Phoenix after having served earlier tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. The troops that deploy for this mission join 1,976 Florida Army Guard and 200 Florida Air Guard troops who are currently deployed overseas. Since 9/11, 6,980 of the Florida Guard's 12,000 soldiers and airmen have been activated overseas to join in the international war on terrorism. Mr. Speaker, it was an honor and a privilege to be with these soldiers today to see the spirit of pride and devotion with which they serve. They are America's Team that seeks to root out terrorists to protect our nation and our allies. Their motto is ``From the Front!'' which is where Florida's Guardsmen have found themselves over the almost 4 years that we have fought this international campaign against terrorists. Under the outstanding leadership of Florida's Adjutant General Douglas Burnett, the 53rd Brigade Combat Team is ready to carry out this latest mission to serve as ambassadors for freedom and peace overseas. They are a credit to our state, our Nation, and the United States Army.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I would like to suggest to the gentleman that we think this is a good amendment, and it certainly is consistent with the conversation that the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha) and I have both had with the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), and we are prepared to accept the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, on my reservation, I make a point of order against the amendment because it proposes to change existing law and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill and, therefore, it violates clause 2 of rule XXI. The rule states in pertinent part: ``An amendment to a general appropriations bill shall not be in order if changing existing law.'' The amendment imposes additional duties. I ask for a ruling from the Chair.

Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I reserve a point of order against the gentleman's amendment.