BARS. TONE. CR:46. CU NEWSPAPER PICTURE OF LIEUTENANT ROBERT GOODMAN, UNITED STATES NAVY PILOT SHOT DOWN OVER LEBANON AND HELD PRISONER BY SYRIANS IN DAMASCUS. SYRIA'S MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, FARUQ AL SHAR, DECLARES (IN DAMASCUS) THAT THE PRISONER IS SAFE AND WILL NOT BE RELEASED. CR:70. CU REVEREND JESSE JACKSON STATING THAT HE HAS MADE A MORAL APPEAL TO PRESIDENT ASSAD OF SYRIA FOR GOODMAN'S RELEASE. CR:78. JACKSON ARRIVES IN DAMASCUS AND MEETS WITH PRESIDENT ASSAD AND NAVY PILOT GOODMAN. JACKSON OBTAINS GOODMAN'S RELEASE. VS JACKSON AND GOODMAN. CR:113. JACKSON AND GOODMAN DEBARKING PLANE ON THEIR RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES. GOODMAN MAKES STATEMENT: "GOD BLESS AMERICA". JACKSON GIVES THANKS, PRAISES SYRIA AND PRESIDENT REAGAN. SHOTS OF RONALD REAGAN, JESSE JACKSON, LIEUTENANT ROBERT GOODMAN, JR., AND HIS FAMILY IN THE ROSE GARDEN AT THE WHITE HOUSE. REAGAN PRAISES JACKSON'S MISSION. CI: US RELATIONS: SYRIA. PERSONALITIES: GOODMAN, ROBERT, JR. PERSONALITIES: JACKSON, JESSE. PERSONALITIES: SHAR, FARUQ AL. PERSONALITIES: ASSAD, HAFEZ. PERSONALITIES: REAGAN, RONALD.

A Michael Jackson tribute dancer performs for tourists, dancing over the stars on Hollywood Boulevard with dance partner "Statue T"

BARS. TONE. CR:46. CU NEWSPAPER PICTURE OF LIEUTENANT ROBERT GOODMAN, UNITED STATES NAVY PILOT SHOT DOWN OVER LEBANON AND HELD PRISONER BY SYRIANS IN DAMASCUS. SYRIA'S MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, FARUQ AL SHAR, DECLARES (IN DAMASCUS) THAT THE PRISONER IS SAFE AND WILL NOT BE RELEASED. CR:70. CU REVEREND JESSE JACKSON STATING THAT HE HAS MADE A MORAL APPEAL TO PRESIDENT ASSAD OF SYRIA FOR GOODMAN'S RELEASE. CR:78. JACKSON ARRIVES IN DAMASCUS AND MEETS WITH PRESIDENT ASSAD AND NAVY PILOT GOODMAN. JACKSON OBTAINS GOODMAN'S RELEASE. VS JACKSON AND GOODMAN. CR:113. JACKSON AND GOODMAN DEBARKING PLANE ON THEIR RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES. GOODMAN MAKES STATEMENT: "GOD BLESS AMERICA". JACKSON GIVES THANKS, PRAISES SYRIA AND PRESIDENT REAGAN. SHOTS OF RONALD REAGAN, JESSE JACKSON, LIEUTENANT ROBERT GOODMAN, JR., AND HIS FAMILY IN THE ROSE GARDEN AT THE WHITE HOUSE. REAGAN PRAISES JACKSON'S MISSION. CI: US RELATIONS: SYRIA. PERSONALITIES: GOODMAN, ROBERT, JR. PERSONALITIES: JACKSON, JESSE. PERSONALITIES: SHAR, FARUQ AL. PERSONALITIES: ASSAD, HAFEZ. PERSONALITIES: REAGAN, RONALD.

NAME: BRITNEY1 200904 TAPE: EF04/0933 IN_TIME: 10:47:36:19 DURATION: 00:03:09:03 SOURCES: ABC/APTN/VNR / Jive/Zomba DATELINE: Los Angeles - 19 Sep 2004 RESTRICTIONS: music/performance rights must be cleared-No Internet SHOTLIST: JIVE/ZOMBA 1. Clip ' Oops ' ABC. - No Access Internet 2. Various of people gathered outside home of Britney Spears' tailor where she apparently got married 3. Close-up people standing outside front door 4. Pan from street to home, crowd in front of home 5. Close-up crowd 6. Pan to front of home APTN File Los Angeles - 11 February 2002 -Crossroads premiere 7. Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake APTN File Los Angeles - 28 January 2003 - The Recruit premiere 8. Britney Spears and Colin Farrell File - VNR London - 26 January 2004 - Pepsi Advert Launch 9.VS Britney Spears fiddles with wedding ring APTN Los Angeles - 19 September 2004 - Emmy Awards 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Ellen DeGeneres/Nominee: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program" ("Britney got married again yesterday") "She did, congratulations. You know, everybody is looking for happiness, everybody is looking for love, everybody has a different way of going about it. I wish her the best." 11. SOUNDBITE (English) Jim Belushi/Actor, "According to Jim": "She likes to party I guess, got married twice this year. A lot of presents trying to fill up that dinning room. I think she is cool." APTN File Los Angeles - 17 November 2003 - Britney Spears Walk Of fame 12.VS Britney Spears 12. SOUNDBITE (English) Bill Maher/Political Satirist: "I didn't really think I was really in the running so I'm ok with it and I heard that she wanted to try for the baby on the wedding night. That's what she said, I guess she's trying to squeeze it in before the annulment." JIVE/ZOMBA 13. Video Clip " My Prerogative ' Britney Spears IT'S WEDDING NUMBER TWO FOR BRITNEY Pop singer Britney Spears married her fiance, dancer Kevin Federline, in a surprise ceremony, it was reported on Sunday. The wedding was held on Saturday evening at a private home in the Studio City area in Los Angeles with 20 to 30 people attending, "Entertainment Tonight" said on its Web site. Nicole King, a spokeswoman for BWR Public Relations, which represents Spears, did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Spears, 22, and Federline, 26, announced their engagement in June after they began dating earlier this year. It was the second marriage in nine months for Spears. In January she married childhood friend Jason Alexander in a surprise wedding in Las Vegas, only for the marriage to be annulled 55 hours later. At the time, Spears' record label, Jive, released a statement saying that Spears and Alexander took a joke too far. Federline appeared in the movie "You Got Served" and performed as a backup dancer for singer Justin Timberlake, Spear's former boyfriend. He was previously involved with actress Shar Jackson of TV's "Moesha" with whom he has had two children - a two-year-old and a newborn. MUSIC CLEARANCE DETAILS TITLE: 'Oops (I did it again)' ARTIST: Britney Spears WRITER: PUBLISHER: Zomba LABEL: Zomba TITLE: My Prerogative ARTIST: Britney Spears WRITER: TBC PUBLISHER: TBC LABEL: Zomba

Close-up of Michael Jackson tribute dancer simulating Michael's trademark moves with Michael's star on Hollywood Blvd foreground

17:58:58:15 Debra Messing (1:18) / 18:03:09:15 Neil Patrick Harris (0:18) / 18:26:30:15 Hunter Parrish (0:34) / 18:30:35:15 Daniel Kim (0:03) / 18:31:12:15 Omar Epps (0:03) / 18:32:07:15 Alexander Gou ...

HOUSE FLOOR DEBATE: The House meets for legislative business Suspensions (2 bills): 1) H.R. 3945 - Hurricane Katrina Financial Services Relief Act of 2005 (Sponsored by Rep. Baker / Financial Services Committee); 2) H.Res. 368 - Congratulating the State of Israel on the election of Ambassador Dan Gillerman as Vice-President of the 60th United Nations General Assembly (Sponsored by Rep. Schiff / International Relations Committee) H.R. 1461 - Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2005 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Baker / Financial Services Committee) H.J.Res. 65 - Disapproving the recommendations of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (Privileged Resolution) (Sponsored by Rep. LaHood / Armed Services Committee) H.R. 420 - Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2005 (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Smith (TX) / Judiciary Committee) H.Con.Res. __ - To make amendments to H.Con.Res. 95, the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2006 (Subject to a Rule) TimeCode: 10:03:56.6 the speaker: the house will be in order. the prayer will be offered by our chaplain. the chaplain: o god of light and understanding, fill your people with great expectations. with your guidance and creative presence, good people working together can accomplish almost TimeCode: 10:04:11.6 any goal they set before them. heartfelt prayer must conform their intention to your holy will. be with the members of congress today as they accomplish the work of the people in this house of representatives. TimeCode: 10:04:29.0 stir within them a wisdom that penetrates every problem. send them sound knowledge to surround every issue important to this nation so that the consequences of their action, TimeCode: 10:04:46.0 which will be felt around the world, may build true security and grant lasting peace both in our day and forever. amen. the speaker: thank you, TimeCode: 10:05:02.8 chaplain. the chair has examined the journal of the last day's proceedings and announces to the house his approval thereof. pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, the journal stands approved. the pledge of allegiance will TimeCode: 10:05:20.5 be offered by the gentlewoman from ohio, mrs. jones. mrs. jones: i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. TimeCode: 10:05:40.5 the speaker: the chair will at this time entertain 10 one-minutes on each side. the gentlewoman from north carolina, for what purpose do you rise? TimeCode: 10:05:49.0 ms. foxx: to address the house for one minute. the speaker: without objection. ms. foxx: thank you, mr. speaker. following a historic election, the iraqi people took another huge step towards democracy with nearly 79% approving a new constitution. however, this political milestone was not reached without a cost paid by our TimeCode: 10:06:05.6 american soldiers. as we sadly mark the 2,000th death in iraq, we must take time to honor the sacrifice our soldiers have made for this country. our men and women are fighting terrorists in iraq so that we do not have to fight them in this country. now is the time to honor these TimeCode: 10:06:21.1 soldiers and thank their families for the sacrifices they are making to keep our country safe. unfortunately, there's some out there who have chosen this solemn occasion to score political points. they're using this opportunity to call for withdrawal of our troops from iraq. TimeCode: 10:06:35.8 nothing could be more wrong. bailing out would hand a victory to the terrorists and a defeat to the united states. one group is actually using this occasion to raise funds. featured on their website is a television ad featuring a coffin in the sand. TimeCode: 10:06:52.3 click on this ad and you're immediately taken to a contribution page asking for a donation. mr. speaker, we need to continue to honor our troops by staying the course in iraq. using these sacrifices for political purposes, as many are doing, is wrong. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman TimeCode: 10:07:07.7 from oregon rise? mr. blumenauer: i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. blumenauer: madam speaker, our chaplain reminded us that the actions on the floor of the house are felt around the world. well, today one half of the people who are ill around the TimeCode: 10:07:23.6 world are sick needlessly from waterborne disease, and up to five million are going to die this year as a result. we know how to solve this problem and the solution is affordable. TimeCode: 10:07:38.1 for what it costs europeans for perfume in a year or less than what americans spend on elective surgery, we could fulfill the united nations' commitment to cut in half the people without safe drinking TimeCode: 10:07:54.8 water and sanitation by the year 2015. sadly, the united states, despite its leadership in the united nations on this issue, still itself doesn't have a comprehensive program to address this inaction. TimeCode: 10:08:12.5 our international relations committee is sending to the floor bipartisan legislation to correct this policy deficiency. h.r. 1973, the senator paul simon water for the poor act, will establish safe drinking TimeCode: 10:08:27.9 water and sanitation as a core foreign policy principle and create a plan. today's the last day to add your name to the list of sponsors. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. mr. blumenauer: i ask that you do so before it reaches the floor. TimeCode: 10:08:42.7 the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? mr. poe: i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. poe: madam speaker, in the early morning hours of this past weekend i accompanied zapato county sheriff gonzalez and his swat team and poss sees patrolling the border in TimeCode: 10:09:00.7 mexico. every day he leads his 24-member force into the daily criminals crossing the border, searching for human smugglers. TimeCode: 10:09:17.6 these outlaws have better vehicles, electronic surveillance equipment than our good guys. they even track our peace officers with g.p.s. when they use their cell phones. they make $30,000 a week. sheriff gonzalez makes about TimeCode: 10:09:33.0 $40,000 a year. sheriff gonzalez is an unwavering patriot and outstanding texas lawman. he is defending america against illegal invaders and fighting the war against vicious, violate drug cartels that threaten our home and country. he and his dedicated deputies TimeCode: 10:09:49.0 need resources and funding to help fund the war for the border. our homeland is worth protecting. that's just the way it is. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlelady from ohio rise? mrs. jones: scuningt 1 and revise and extend. TimeCode: 10:10:03.8 the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized. mrs. jones: thank you. madam speaker, i rise today to discuss the lives of three great women. the old people used to say that trouble comes in threes, and the threes i'm thinking of are constance baker motley, who was TimeCode: 10:10:21.4 the first african-american woman elected to the new york state senate in 1964, first woman to serve as manhattan burrough president in 1965 and TimeCode: 10:10:34.5 appointed the first african-american judge in 1966. number two is c. delores tucker, the first african-american woman to serve as secretary of state of the commonwealth of pennsylvania and in any state in america. she went on to be an advocate for appointment of women in the presidential administrations TimeCode: 10:10:51.6 and thirdly, we lost rosa parks this week. three significant, hard-working, dedicated african-american women who stood out in history in the work that they did. i extend today -- i stand today and ask all of you to join me TimeCode: 10:11:07.3 in extending sympathies and condolences to the families of c. delores tucker, constance baker motley, and rosa parks. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from indiana rise? mr. pence: i ask unanimous TimeCode: 10:11:22.5 consent to address the house for one minute and revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. pence: when it comes to making tough choices in the wake of hurricane katrina, madam speaker, presidential leadership will make the difference. TimeCode: 10:11:37.2 yesterday in remarks before the economic club of washington, d.c., the president of the united states called on congress to, quote, redouble our efforts to be wise about how we spend your money. the president went on to say we can help the people of the gulf coast region recover and rebuild and we can be good TimeCode: 10:11:53.2 stewards of the taxpayers' dollars at the same time. he called on congress to reduce unnecessary spending to identify offsets and pledged again to offer spending rescissions to provide the emergency relief, in his words, in a fiscally responsible way. TimeCode: 10:12:10.8 president george w. bush yesterday encouraged congress to push the envelope when it comes to cutting spending and his strong leadership will make the difference. congress should heed the call of president bush to rebuild with generosity and fiscal TimeCode: 10:12:26.1 responsibility in the wake of hurricane katrina. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from ohio rise? mr. kucinich: request permission to address the house and revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. TimeCode: 10:12:39.2 mr. kucinich: thank you, madam speaker. i'm urging all members of the house to join in support of house resolution 151, which is a resolution of inquiry that requests the president of the united states to provide to the house of representatives documents in his possession TimeCode: 10:12:55.4 relating to the anticipated effects of climate change on the coastal regions of the united states. with the devastation of hurricanes wilma, rita, and others, we are aware that TimeCode: 10:13:12.1 there's a new phenomenon that is affecting this country with respect to climate change. scientists may dispute whether or not the meteorological changes that we have witnessed are somehow related to changes TimeCode: 10:13:27.9 in the global climate, but one thing's for sure, it's important that congress begin a dial long with the administration -- a dialogue with the administration. it's important we find out what connection there may be with climate change and effects on TimeCode: 10:13:42.0 coastal regions. hurricane katrina certainly illustrated that we should be concerned about climate change. this resolution of inquiry now sponsored by 151 members of the house aims to get the facts from the administration, begin a dialogue that will be TimeCode: 10:13:57.6 important to our nation's economy and our national security. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from georgia rise? mr. price: i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. price: thank you, madam speaker. madam speaker, have you seen the headlines? bird flu anxiety spreads across europe. TimeCode: 10:14:14.7 bird flu could kill 150 million people. w.h.o. warns of dire flu pandemic. media should report facts, not create panic. unfortunately, today many of the stories we see and read are short on facts and long on panic and it's time that we TimeCode: 10:14:32.5 brought some sanity to all of the sensationalism. no one should doubt the potential of the bird flu, however, responsible people are working diligently to be certain we are prepared for any threat and are able to respond quickly. but certain facts are important to keep in mind. this evian flu virus has been TimeCode: 10:14:49.6 around since at least -- this avian flu virus has been around since at least 1977. it's not new. the c.d.c. reports the current risk to americans is, quote, low, unquote. so there's cause for concern, not panic. TimeCode: 10:15:04.5 our real concern should be expanded. we need to address our ability to respond to any infectious disease, providing incentives to u.s. based countries building immunization and building a program are two of the steps we should take. TimeCode: 10:15:19.0 and importantly, these actions should move forward in an environment of concern not panic. review TimeCode: 10:15:47.3 our progress in iraq. TimeCode: 10:15:48.1 what's important is resolving the mess. hear what the experts are saying. a retired general, former head of the national security agency, said the invasion of iraq will turn out to be the greatest strategic disaster in u.s. TimeCode: 10:16:05.5 history. the national security advisor under the first bush said you have to know when to stop using force. you can encourage democracy over time with the assistance and aid the traditional way. not how the neoconservatives are TimeCode: 10:16:18.3 trying to do it in iraq. and lawrence wilkerson, a retired lieutenant colonel, said president bush's foreign policy was ruinous and said that we have courted disaster in iraq in north carolina and iran. these are not the words of partisans or the board members TimeCode: 10:16:36.0 at moveon.org. these are experts in america and the american people know it's time for a new direction and priorities. the current path is not a path to success. it's time for the president to level with the american people and produce a plan forward. the speaker pro tempore: for TimeCode: 10:16:51.7 what purpose does the gentleman from south carolina rise? mr. wilson: i ask permission to address the house for one minute. revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. wilson: madam speaker, i am thrilled that president bush has nominated a son of south carolina to serve as chairman of the federal reserve board. as a boy in dillon, south TimeCode: 10:17:08.2 carolina, ben bernanke demonstrated his brilliance for economics at a young age. enjoyed calculus, and eventually received his doctorates from the massachusetts institute of TimeCode: 10:17:22.8 technology where he specialized in monetary policy. throughout the course of his career, he has taught our nation's top schools and been a leader of our economic institutions. as president bush's economic advisor, he has played a pivotal role in sustaining economic TimeCode: 10:17:40.1 growth in our country. today dr. bernanke is respected as one of the world's most accomplished monetary economists. as a successor to blarme alan greenspan, he will certainly have big shoes to fill. with his background, i am TimeCode: 10:17:55.6 confident he has the blodge, experience, and ability to serve as chairman of the federal reserve board. in conclusion, god bless our troops and we will never forget september 11. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from new york rise? the gentleman is recognized. TimeCode: 10:18:11.9 mr. meeks: it is with great pain that i stand here today to mourn the recent passing of several phenomenal women and leaders in our nation's struggle for equal justice under the law. the passing of rosa parks, it's a sad reality, but i stand to TimeCode: 10:18:28.7 commemorate the triumphant lives. judge motley and rosa parks faced racism head-on and continued to work for a more just world until their last days. rosa parks was 92 years old and almost made it to the 50th anniversary of the montgomery TimeCode: 10:18:44.5 bus boycott which she set in motion by refusing to give her seat to a white man in a montgomery segregated bus system. she was arrested for her action. as a new yorker i hold dearly the legacy of judge motley, that is why i introduced legislation TimeCode: 10:18:59.1 to honor her. constance baker motley won nine out of 10 civil rights cases she argued before the supreme court. she worked on the major school segregation cases including brown v. board of education and advised civil rights cleared TimeCode: 10:19:16.0 including martin luther king jr. she was the first african-american to serve in the united states senate and first black woman to be appointed to a federal judgeship. rosa parks once said memories of our lives, of our works, and deeds will continue in others. she was absolutely right. not only will the memories live TimeCode: 10:19:30.5 on but the legacy has forever stirred the resolve of many in our nation to advocate for social justice, human dignity, and harmony. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlelady from new york rise? mrs. kelly: to address the house for one minute. TimeCode: 10:19:45.5 revise and exten. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized. mrs. kelly: i rise today as we near the end of breast cancer awareness month to emphasize we must continue to do everything possible to help women across our country suffering from breast cancer. this congress must remain committed to increased breast cancer research and ensure the TimeCode: 10:20:02.1 necessary laws are place so that no woman is forced to fight breast cancer and red tape at the same time. i urge my colleagues to support the bipartisan breast cancer patient protection act that i sponsored together with the gentlewoman from connecticut, TimeCode: 10:20:18.2 ms. delauro, 151 co-sponsors in the house have recognized the importance of passing this bill. we need more support. TimeCode: 10:20:24.0 together we can improve treatment coverages and access to in patient care for the more than 200,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year. the widespread commitment to fighting breast cancer was seen in so many amazing community efforts this past month, i particularly want to recognize TimeCode: 10:20:40.5 the outstanding efforts of lillian jones and our hudson valley chapter of the american cancer society. they organized our very successful making strides against breast cancer walk in central valley new york. also deserving a tremendous praise are willa wright and the putnam county chapter of a.c.s. TimeCode: 10:20:57.9 and so many groups in new york's hudson valley who continue to unite and fight breast cancer. congress must unite and fight breast cancer right along with them. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from new york rise? the gentleman is recognized. TimeCode: 10:21:13.1 mr. bishop: mr. speaker, too many american families have experienced the loss of a loved one or know someone close who has suffered from some form of cancer. breast cancer in particular is the leading cause of death among women between 40 and 55, including my sister-in-law, abby TimeCode: 10:21:28.8 ir win, who died at age 41 after an 11-year struggle. 200,000 new dayses of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year alone, including 1,100 in my district. the good news is the 96% survival-rate if breast cancer TimeCode: 10:21:47.4 is -- survivoral rate if breast cancer is discovered early. back home on long island i'm proud to have an active breast cancer advisory board with TimeCode: 10:21:58.9 leading researchers, advocates, and survivors, i found their insights and ideas to be invaluable. we should continue to do all we can every day not just during breast cancer awareness month to encourage the surviferse, volunteers, and health care professionals to keep up the TimeCode: 10:22:13.4 fight against breast cancer. mr. speaker, by raising awareness we bring ourselves that much closer to the promise of a cure. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? mr. hensarling: i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. hensarling: madam speaker, this week the house will begin TimeCode: 10:22:30.0 work on reconciliation which is a way that we begin to reform out-of-control spending programs in order to help pay for the hurricane relief. there are only three ways we can pay for this hurricane relief. either number one we are going to raise taxes on the american TimeCode: 10:22:44.9 people yet again. we are going to pass debt on to our children. or we are going to find a way to moderate the growth of federal programs. now, the democrats say that this is tantamount to massive cuts that will hurt the poor. madam speaker, next year's budget is going to be greater TimeCode: 10:22:59.8 than this year's budget which was greater than last year's budget. what we call mandatory spending, which encompasses most of these welfare programs, mandatory spending is going to grow at a rate of 6.3% as opposed to 6.4%. i believe only an accountant for TimeCode: 10:23:17.7 enron would call that a cut. also, madam speaker, the best way to help the poor is through paychecks not welfare checks. under the economic policies of this administration, four million new jobs have been created with a future. TimeCode: 10:23:31.7 we have the highest rate of home othership in the history of america and unparalleled economic growth. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from california rise? mr. lantos: madam speaker, i would like to extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. TimeCode: 10:23:46.1 mr. lantos: madam speaker, three generations ago hitler threatened to destroy the jewish people and the appeasers and the pseudo sophisticates said it was merely auditory. TimeCode: 10:24:02.0 a few months ago the leadership of syria threatened to destroy the prime minister of lebanon and the pseudo sophisticates and the appeasers thought it was only auditory. TimeCode: 10:24:19.7 yesterday the president of iran announced it is his policy to destroy the state of israel. and the pseudo sophisticates and the appeasers again say this is only oratorry. i call on the united nations, TimeCode: 10:24:38.7 all civilized nations to take appropriate action in the u.n. and individually, denouncing this outrageous statement. there is no room for the president of a nation to call for the destruction of a member TimeCode: 10:24:56.0 state of the united nations, a democratic ally of the united states. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlelady from the district of columbia rise? ms. norton: to address the house for one minute. TimeCode: 10:25:07.4 the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. norton: madam speaker, it has been -- i've had to commemorate two important black women who died earlier, c. TimeCode: 10:25:23.2 delors tucker, rosa parks. this morning i rise to celebrate the life of one of america's great lawyers, consequence tans baker motley, the first black woman on the federal bench. TimeCode: 10:25:34.9 that however is surely not her greatest public service. what greater service to your country than to have been an architect of the legal strategy that brought equality under law to the united states. TimeCode: 10:25:50.0 she argued 10 cases before the supreme court, perhaps the most notorious was the james meredith case that integrated the university of mississippi. she made 22 trips into mississippi for that case alone. the university of alabama, the university of georgia where she TimeCode: 10:26:08.5 helped shar lane hunter gault integrate that university. charlane hunter gault said, i'm quoting her, ms. motley talked about the south in those days as if it were a war zone and she TimeCode: 10:26:22.3 was fighting in a revolution. no one was going to distract her from carrying her task to successful conclusion. indeed, in the 1960's the south was a war zone. not only for activists but for their lawyers. TimeCode: 10:26:38.2 in a car with medgar evers, mr. evers told her to put away her legal pad and not look back. he was later assassinated. she was so outstanding that every office wanted her to be there first. TimeCode: 10:26:53.3 she was the first woman to serve in the new york state senate, the first to service manhattan bar president. she was the first woman and for me perhaps the most important of her firsts, to argue a case before the united states supreme court because she inspired a TimeCode: 10:27:11.1 whole generation of young lawyers. it should astonish us that the first african-american woman was appointed to the bench only in 1966. only 40 years ago. it should remind us that the TimeCode: 10:27:25.7 integration of the courts of our country is part and parcel of establishing equality under the law. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlelady from california rise? ms. watson: unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady's recognized. ms. watson: dentistry must stop TimeCode: 10:27:47.5 mercury in dental fillings. the common name is silver. the term is deceptive because it contains more than 50% mercury. who can conclusively say dental mercury is safe when in our TimeCode: 10:28:00.6 bodies? it is indisputed as a fact that mercury vapor is released during the entire life of a mercury filling. madam speaker, mercury amalgam is considered dangerous when TimeCode: 10:28:16.0 it's put in the mouth and labeled a hazardous waste when it's coming out. dental offices contribute approximately 54 tons of toxic mercury to the environment each year. TimeCode: 10:28:31.0 mercury hurts the body's immune system. mercury also causes neuro development problems. my bill will protect children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers immediately. we have abandoned other remnants TimeCode: 10:28:50.5 of pre-civil war medicine and we have abandoned all other uses of mercury in the body. now is the time to ban mercury in dental fillings. madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: for TimeCode: 10:29:03.7 what purpose does the gentleman from illinois rise? >> madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. jackson: madam speaker, did you see the headlines? sox win the world series. the speaker pro tempore: the TimeCode: 10:29:19.8 gentleman will remove his hat. the gentleman will have to remove his hat. mr. jackson: i thank the gentlelady. this house will never be out of decorum, i see that. the headlines are clear the sox win the world series and i rise to congratulate the 2005 world series champions, the chicago white sox, on their first title TimeCode: 10:29:37.2 in 88 years. not only were they in first place in the central division every single day of the 2005 baseball season, they also had the best record in the american league for the entire season as they amassed a total of 99 wins. this team had no batters with an average above .300. they in no superstars, yet they TimeCode: 10:29:53.5 came together as a team led by manager ozzie guillen, characterized by their stellar pitching and tenacious defense. this team epitomized the work ethic of the city of chicago. i would like to congratulate the houston astros on a great season and fard-fought series. TimeCode: 10:30:09.6 every game was close. i also would like to congratulate the championship series m.v.p. paul corner could TimeCode: 10:30:19.6 he. congratulations are also in order for the entire front office of the white sox including the chairman, vice chairman, general manager ken williams who are the architects of this championship team and madam speaker, last but not TimeCode: 10:30:30.0 least, i would like to congratulate the dedicated and long suffering pans city of chicago on the south side who once again celebrate a champion. to my friends and colleagues from the other side, both democrats and republicans, na-na-na-na-hey, goodbye. TimeCode: 10:30:49.0 maybe next year, guys. thanks and god bless you. thank you, madam speaker. go, sox. the speaker pro tempore: the chair lays before the house an enrolled bill. the clerk: h.r. 1409, an act to amend the foreign assistance TimeCode: 10:31:04.9 act of 1961 to provide assistance for orphans and other vulnerable children in developing countries and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: the chair lays before the house a communication. the clerk: the honorable the TimeCode: 10:31:20.2 speaker, house of representatives, sir, this is to notify you formally, pursuant to rule 8 of the rules of the house of representatives, that i have been served with a subpoena issued by the district court of johnson county, kansas, for testimony in a criminal case. after a consultation with the office of general counsel, i TimeCode: 10:31:37.3 have determined that compliance with the subpoena is consistent with the precedents and privileges of the house. signed, sincerely, julyly mertz, district director -- julie mertz, district director. the speaker pro tempore: for TimeCode: 10:31:53.6 what purpose does the gentleman from georgia rise? mr. gingrey: madam speaker, by direction of the committee on rules, i call up house resolution 508 and ask for its immediate consideration. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the resolution. the clerk: house calendar 104, house resolution 508, resolved, that at any time after the adoption of this resolution the speaker may, pursuant to clause TimeCode: 10:32:11.6 2-b of rule 18, declare the house resolved into the committee of the whole house on the state of the union for consideration of the bill h.r. 420, to amend rule 11 of the federal rules of civil procedure to improve attorney accountability and for other TimeCode: 10:32:27.2 purposes. the first reading of the bill shall be dispensed with. all points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. general debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the TimeCode: 10:32:41.8 chairman and ranking minority member of the committee on the judiciary. after general debate, the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the TimeCode: 10:32:58.8 committee on the judiciary now printed in the bill. the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. notwithstanding clause 11 of rule 18, no amendment to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be in order except those printed TimeCode: 10:33:14.7 in the report of the committee on rules accompanying this resolution. each such amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time TimeCode: 10:33:30.6 specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the house or in the committee of the whole. all points of order against TimeCode: 10:33:44.4 such amendments are waived. at the conclusion of consideration of the bill for amendment, the committee shall rise and report the bill to the house with such amendments as may have been adopted. any member may demand a separate vote in the house on any amendment adopted in the TimeCode: 10:34:00.4 committee of the whole to the bill or to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute. the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to final passage without intervening motion except one motion to recommit or with or TimeCode: 10:34:17.9 without -- one motion to recommit with or without instructions. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from georgia is recognized for one hour. mr. gingrey: madam speaker, for the purposes of debate only, i yield 30 minutes to the gentleman from massachusetts, TimeCode: 10:34:30.4 mr. mcgovern, pending which i yield myself such time as i may consume. during consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. madam speaker, house resolution 508 is a structured rule. it provides one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and TimeCode: 10:34:47.5 ranking minority member of the committee on the judiciary. it waives all points of order against consideration of the bill and it provides gnat amendment in the nature of -- that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the committee on the judiciary now printed in the bill shall be considered as TimeCode: 10:35:03.1 an original bill for the purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. it makes in order only those amendments printed in the rules committee report accompanying the resolution. it provides that the amendments printed in the report may be TimeCode: 10:35:15.1 offered only in the order printed, may be offered only by a member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall TimeCode: 10:35:30.3 not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the house or in the committee of the whole. this resolution waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report and it provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. TimeCode: 10:35:48.0 madam speaker, i rise today in support of house resolution 508 and the underlying bill, h.r. 420, the lawsuit abuse reduction act of 2005. first, i want to thank -- or i want to commend representative TimeCode: 10:36:06.0 sensenbrenner, the distinguished chairman of the committee on the judiciary, not just for the underlying bill, but for a number of recent bills aimed at strengthening our legal system by protecting people's rights under the law and shielding them from frivolous proceedings. TimeCode: 10:36:21.5 additionally, i want to thank representative lamar smith, the chairman of the subcommittee on the courts, the internet, and intellectual property, for sponsoring h.r. 420. madam speaker, over the past couple of weeks, this house has taken several important steps to reform our legal system to TimeCode: 10:36:39.0 relieve our overburdened court dockets and drastically reduce the number of costly frivolous claims against innocent and legitimate businesses. on october 24, we passed and sent to the president's desk s. 397, the lawful commerce in TimeCode: 10:36:56.9 arms act of 2005, by a vote of 283-144 in the house. i might add that in the spirit of bipartisanship, 59 democrats, one independent joined 223 republicans in TimeCode: 10:37:12.5 passing this landmark legislation that refocuses liability for gun violence on the actual criminal, the person who pulled the trigger. additionally in this house, 226 republicans along with 80 democrats passed h.r. 554, the TimeCode: 10:37:30.4 personal responsibility in food consumption act of 2005. this bill also reaffirms the need for individuals to take responsibility for their own actions and not expect someone TimeCode: 10:37:43.6 else to foot the bill for the adverse health consequences of their own gluttonny. today, mr. speaker, we have another -- gluttony. today, mr. speaker, we have another opportunity to pass meaningful legislation to strengthen our court system TimeCode: 10:37:58.8 even further and to protect the falsely accused. the lawsuit abuse reduction act of 2005 will go a long way to curb the actions of individuals who would seek to abuse our courts by gaming the judicial system. TimeCode: 10:38:13.8 last week, there were probably millions of people across this country who tuned in, ticket in hand, to see if they had won a $340 million powerball jackpot. unfortunately, they're also people who look to the courts, TimeCode: 10:38:33.4 legal briefs in hand, as if it were the powerball lottery. however, madam speaker, it is the american people and small businesses that pay the ultimate price for frivolous lawsuits and this type of jackpot justice. they pay for it through high TimeCode: 10:38:49.7 prices for goods and services. they pay for it through diminished quality of products. they pay for it through loss of economic freedom. and they pay for it through a clogged court system that has been turned into an a.t.m. for junk lawsuits. TimeCode: 10:39:04.9 in fact, the current tort system is estimated to cost the american people well over $200 billion, that's with a b, per year. clearly the lawsuit abuse reduction act of 2005 is a bill that is sorely overdue, sorely TimeCode: 10:39:22.4 needed, and i might add, was approved by this house in the last congress by a vote of 229-174. with respect to the underlying bill, it would amend federal rule 11 of civil procedure by restoring the mandatory TimeCode: 10:39:38.9 sanctions for the filing of frivolous lawsuits. this bill would require that courts impose an appropriate penalty on attorneys, law firms, or parties who continue to file frivolous lawsuits. also, this bill would eliminate TimeCode: 10:39:56.6 the free pass provision that allows attorneys to avoid sanctions if they withdraw their frivolous claim after a motion for sanctions has been filed. madam speaker, h.r. 420 also would prevent forum shopping by TimeCode: 10:40:15.3 requiring that personal injury cases only be brought in those jurisdictions either where the plaintiff, the defendant, or a related business resides, or where the alleged injury or surrounding circumstances occurred. TimeCode: 10:40:28.3 this act would also institute a three strikes and you're out sanction that would suspend an attorney from practicing in federal court if a federal judge determines the lawyer has violated rule 11 on three or more occasions. h.r. 420 clearly emphasizes TimeCode: 10:40:46.8 that personal responsibility is not just some catch phrase that applies only to some people such as a fast food connoisseur, an arms owner, a firearms owner, a consumer, or, indeed, a doctor. TimeCode: 10:41:02.9 personal responsibility and professional accountability should be the rule for those in the legal field too, and that's why this house should pass this bill. in cloaching, madam speaker -- in closing, madam speaker, i TimeCode: 10:41:16.7 would just emphasize that house resolution 508 is a straightforward rule and h.r. 420 is a straightforward bill. simply put, it just makes sense to stop and punish the willful abuse of our legal system by TimeCode: 10:41:32.2 the slash-and-burn tactics of frivolous lawsuits. as always, i look forward to the consideration of this rule, and i ask my colleagues to support it and the underlying bill. and madam speaker, with that, i reserve the balance of my time. TimeCode: 10:41:47.8 the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from massachusetts. mr. mcgovern: thank you, madam speaker. i want to thank the gentleman from georgia, dr. gingrey, for yielding me the customary 30 minutes. and i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks, TimeCode: 10:42:01.9 and i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized. mr. mcgovern: madam speaker, here we go again. you know, whenever the republican leadership appears to be floundering or simply needs some legislative filler, they turn to the judiciary committee for some kind of anti-lawyer, anti-lawsuit bill. we recently considered a bill TimeCode: 10:42:17.9 to ban lawsuits against people who want to sue fast food companies even though these cases are nonexistent. now we're here considering another bill that will pass the house and go nowhere in the senate. the fact is that the republican leadership has run out of TimeCode: 10:42:33.3 meaningful legislation to consider. they've run out of ideas. so here we are once again considering another bill that attacks america's judicial system and takes away rights from our fellow citizens. time after time, the republican leadership refuses to bring TimeCode: 10:42:49.3 necessary legislation to the floor. where, madam speaker, is the legislation combating poverty or ending hunger or increasing access to affordable and comprehensive health care? where are their priorities? there are 45 million americans TimeCode: 10:43:05.4 who have no health insurance in this country. where is the increase in the minimum wage? where is the legislation to lower gas and oil prices? it was comical to see the republican leadership gather at a press conference the other day in reaction to the news TimeCode: 10:43:21.3 that oil companies are making record profits. and what was their response? they very nicely asked the oil companies to do more. well, why should the oil companies do more when they passed legislation to give the companies more tax breaks and subsidies? TimeCode: 10:43:36.5 where is the oversight into the iraq war? over 2,000 americans have lost their lives in iraq and all we get from this leadership and all we get from this white house is stay the course. well, stay the course is not a policy. it is a sound bite. we owe our young men and women more than just a sound bite. TimeCode: 10:43:52.9 where is the genuinely independent 9/11-style commission to investigate the botched response to hurricane katrina and to make recommendations on how to prevent such another tragedy in the future? where is the fully constituted functioning ethics committee to TimeCode: 10:44:08.2 look into the numerous ethics charges mounting in this body? no, here we are dealing with legislation that we dealt with last year that's going nowhere. the fact is the republican leadership doesn't care much about these issues, and i know that they're out of step with the american people on these TimeCode: 10:44:24.1 issues. so instead, they bring us the lawsuit abuse reduction act once again. this is like watching a bad tv rerun. it wasn't good the first time, it's even worse the second time. remember, we considered this bill last year, and just like last year, it will pass this TimeCode: 10:44:41.8 republican-controlled congress, they'll do their press releases, they'll send it over to the senate, and it will go nowhere. later today, we will hear from members of the house judiciary committee who will have particular subject expertise on the specifics of this TimeCode: 10:44:55.3 legislation. i will leave it to these members to explain the intricacies of the federal code and the rules of civil procedure and how rule 11 fits in. i would like, for a few minutes, however, to talk about the continued abuse of power that the republican majority takes to a new level today. TimeCode: 10:45:12.0 under this rule and under this bill, republican fund raises are rewarded while the majority party continues its unabashed assault on the judicial branch of this nation. don't just take my word for it, madam speaker, one of the TimeCode: 10:45:25.2 broadest arrays of groups i have ever seen has come together to oppose this misguided, shortsighted, mean-spirited legislation. these groups include but are certainly not limited to the naacp legal defense fund, the american bar association, the national conference of state TimeCode: 10:45:44.0 legislatures, the national women's law center, and the consumers union. the one that stands out the most, however, is the opposition from the judicial conference of the united states. what is that? what is this conference that opposes what my republican friends will describe as a TimeCode: 10:45:58.3 critically important piece of legislation? the judicial conference was created by this very congress in 1922. the congressionally mandated mission is to be the principle body concerned with the TimeCode: 10:46:13.5 administration of the united states courts. the presiding officer of this organization is none other than the chief justice of the supreme court. and you know what the judicial conference has to say about this legislation? in a three-page letter to chairman sensenbrenner in short they say it's unnecessary and it TimeCode: 10:46:29.1 is harmful. if they were less judicious in their choice of words they would say what i say, it stinks. but what they say, madam speaker, this group representing the federal judges of this country, is that this legislation is fatally flawed. TimeCode: 10:46:45.4 they say that rule 11 of the federal rules of civil prudeure -- procedure what the underlying aims to fix is working better today than ever before. if their lert to the judiciary committee committee chairman they say that federal district TimeCode: 10:47:00.1 judges are united in their opposition to any legislation which seeks to amend rule 11. they specifically urge congress to reject this legislation. colleagues, let's think this through for just a second, shall we? TimeCode: 10:47:15.3 the organization representing president appointed, senate confirmed judges thinks this legislation is unwise. why? why? why? -- why do we think we know better than the federal judges? i would laugh if i didn't think TimeCode: 10:47:32.3 the majority was so sincere in their attempts to undermine the constitutional rights of every single american. shame on you. shame on all you for trying to eviscerate the constitution all for a few extra campaign dollars, because that's what this is about. the underlying legislation is not sound public policy, plain TimeCode: 10:47:50.4 and simple. quite on the contrary it's outright political grandstanding. let's be honest and let's call this bill and this debate what they really are, legislative abuse and a political charade. the majority's reckless disregard for judicial integrity TimeCode: 10:48:05.4 marks our constitution's separation of powers doctrine and i implore my colleagues to reject this rule and the underlying legislation. i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from georgia. mr. gingrey: madam speaker, in TimeCode: 10:48:21.7 response to some of the comments that were made, i just want to hold up this document that lists over 300 groups in support of lara, lawsuit abuse reduction TimeCode: 10:48:37.2 act of 2005, and ask unanimous consent that these be included in the record. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. gingrey: i'd like to also point out that the federal judicial center was in opposition to class action reform which we passed in the TimeCode: 10:48:55.0 previous congress and the 108th, by a vote in this body of 279-149. so with that i will continue to reserve the balance of my time. TimeCode: 10:49:09.2 the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from massachusetts. mr. mcgovern: if i could inquire of the gentleman how many more speakers he has. i'm the last speaker. mr. gingrey: we don't actually have any additional speakers at this time so right now i'm TimeCode: 10:49:23.4 reserving the balance of my time for the purpose of closing unless another speaker -- mr. mcgovern: will i close. madam speaker, i would like to ask unanimous consent to enter into the record as well a letter signed by a number of groups urging a vote against h.r. 420. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. TimeCode: 10:49:38.9 mr. mcgovern: i would like to send the letter that was sent to every member of congress by michael s. greco on behalf of the president of the american bar association opposing this legislation. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. mcgovern: i would also like to insert into the record the text of the letter that i mentioned in my opening speech TimeCode: 10:49:56.1 from the judicial conference the united states which very strongly opposes this legislation. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. mcgovern: madam speaker, i think the reason why we have no other speakers on this side is because everything that possibly could be said was said last TimeCode: 10:50:10.3 year. and so all we need to do is just replay the tape recorder and listen to the arguments. we just seem to be repeating the same debates over and over and over again. again i would urge my colleagues to vote against this TimeCode: 10:50:23.9 legislation. this is unwise policy. i understand that the genesis of this legislation is to appeal to those who like to contribute lots of money to particular campaigns, but quite frankly i think that's not a sound reason to pass this legislation. as i mentioned before, the judicial conference of the TimeCode: 10:50:40.8 united states has outlined very clearly why this is a bad bill. i would hope that my colleagues would listen to some of the experts and do what is right and reject this legislation. with that i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from georgia. TimeCode: 10:50:54.8 mr. gingrey: madam speaker, i might point out that the people that oppose this legislation as the gentleman from massachusetts mentioned earlier are the very one that is support his party. i think that there's a little balance there if that be true in TimeCode: 10:51:12.5 either instance. madam speaker, i'd first like to close this debate by thanking my colleagues for a very productive discussion of both the rule and h.r. 420. the opportunity before this house today, it's another example of how this congress is TimeCode: 10:51:28.3 improving our legal system and preventing frivolous lawsuits from closing the doors ever justice for those who have truly been harmed. contrary to what the opponents of legal reform might say, the underlying bill as well as other TimeCode: 10:51:42.7 recent bills do not demonstrate contempt for our legal system or the eseemed profession of attorneys, but rather demonstrate respect for the important and historic role of our judicial system in defending the rights and ensuring the constitutional application of TimeCode: 10:51:58.2 the laws. frivolous lawsuits have not only driven up cost and destroyed economic opportunity for the american people, but they have also damaged the image of the courts. and when the american people stop respecting the decisions of the judiciary, the courts begin TimeCode: 10:52:15.5 to lose their effectiveness and they cease to perform their actually mandated role. so for the sake of the courts and for the sake of the american people, we in this house need to push forward with this additionalle, meaningful, and genuine reform. TimeCode: 10:52:32.3 therefore i would like to urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, of the center aisle, to support this rule and the underlying bill. madam speaker, with that i yield back the balance of my time. and i move the previous question. TimeCode: 10:52:47.4 the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. without objection, the previous question is ordered. the question is on adoption of the resolution. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. the ayes have it. the resolution is agreed to. and without objection the motion TimeCode: 10:53:03.5 to reconsider is laid upon the table.no carrierringconnect cl realignment commission as TimeCode: 10:54:14.4 submitted by the president on september 15, 2005. the question is on the motion. so many as are in favor say aye. those opposed, no. the motion is agreed to accordingly, the house resolves itself into the committee of the TimeCode: 10:54:30.7 whole house on the state of the union for the consideration of house joint resolution 65. the chair appoints the gentleman from georgia, mr. gingrey, to preside over the committee of the whole. the chairman: the house is in TimeCode: 10:54:52.3 the committee of the whole house on the state of the union for the consideration of house joint resolution 65 which the clerk will report the by title. the clerk: house joint resolution 65, joint resolution disapproving the recommendations of the defense base closure and TimeCode: 10:55:09.1 realignment commission. the chairman: without objection, the joint resolution is considered as read the first time. pursuant to section 2908-d of public law 101-510, debate shall not exceed two hours. TimeCode: 10:55:25.5 the gentleman from california, mr. hunter will be recognized for one hour in opposition to the joint resolution. and a member in favor of the joint resolution will be recognized for one hour. the gentleman from illinois. TimeCode: 10:55:41.4 for what purpose does the gentleman from illinois rise? mr. chairman, i'd like to claim the time, the one hour, in support of the resolution. the chairman: the gentleman from illinois, mr. lahood, will be recognized for one hour. TimeCode: 10:55:57.1 the chair recognizes at this point the gentleman from california. mr. hunter: mr. chairman, at this time i yield 30 minutes to the gentleman from missouri, mr. skelton, and i ask unanimous consent that mr. skelton be allowed to control this time. TimeCode: 10:56:13.0 i would also ask unanimous consent that i be allowed to designate mr. hefley as controlling our time. the chairman: without objection. the gentleman from california. TimeCode: 10:56:29.7 mr. hunter: mr. speaker, thank you. mr. speaker, tonight m. the end of a long and difficult process for selecting military installations for closure and realignment. TimeCode: 10:56:43.8 under the brac law, the recommendations made by the 2005 brac commission will be combining unless a joint resolution of disapproval such as the one before us today is enacted. for those of us with military installations in our districts, TimeCode: 10:57:00.1 the brac process is a trying one. and i might mention we have had four brac rounds previous to this one. every one of us spend the last four years making a case to the pentagon and brac commission with respect to the military TimeCode: 10:57:15.4 value of our bases. nevertheless both d.o.d. and the brac commission have determined that a portion of our military infrastructure should be closed or realigned. as a result, the final recommendations of the commission include 22 closures that you would -- we would TimeCode: 10:57:31.7 designate as major closures, 33 major realignments and many smaller closure and realignment actions. according to the commission these actions will save more than $15 billion over the next two decades with annual savings of more than $2.5 billion after TimeCode: 10:57:50.1 implementation. some of my colleagues have questioned the need for a round of brac and the timing of this round. while i understand and appreciate such concerns, i believe that these issues have been thoroughly discussed and debated. in addition, by a vote of 43-14, TimeCode: 10:58:03.9 the armed services committee reported this resolution adversely to the house with a recommendation that it do not pass. as such, i intend to vote against house joint resolution 65 today. thereby allowing the brac TimeCode: 10:58:18.3 commission recommendations to stand. i would urge my colleagues to join me in doing so. on a final note, i would like to thank the brac commissioners for their service. since their appointments this spring, the commissioners visited more than 170 installations, conducted 20 TimeCode: 10:58:35.0 regional hearings and 20 deliberative hearings and participated in hundreds of meetings with public officials. and i thank also, mr. chairman, i would likely like to thank the chairman of the commission -- i would particularly like to thank TimeCode: 10:58:49.2 the chairman of the commission, mr. principi. he hook on another tough one in chairing this commission. it's a commission where you get beaten up lots of times. second-guessed a lot, cross-examinationed a lot, yet it's a necessary position and one that requires a guy or a lady with a lot of integrity. TimeCode: 10:59:09.1 and chairman principi is just such a person. i know also we had on our committee two former members of the armed services committee were on the brac commission, jim bilbray and jim hansen, and mr. TimeCode: 10:59:25.5 chairman, they have served us well as senior statesmen in what amendment to very, very difficult roles. i would like to acknowledge the good work of all the commission ers, it's not an easy job and to TimeCode: 10:59:39.4 some degree a very thankless job. nonetheless it's necessary and they put a lot of time and a lot of sweat into this process. so i want to thank them. mr. chairman, with that, i reserve the balance of my time. TimeCode: 10:59:56.3 the chairman: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from illinois. mr. lahood: mr. chairman, i ask unanimous consent to revise and extend in support of the

Close-up on feet of Michael Jackson tribute dancer performing Michael's dance moves at his star on Hollywood Boulevard

TIME LAPSE LONG WIDE SHOT stars and Milky Way over Grand Teton and Jackson Lake at night, Wyoming

A Crisp & Clean American Flag Flowing Softly in the Breeze by a Snowy Country Road after a Winter Storm in Jackson, Ohio for a Cozy White Christmas at Home in 2022

Michael Jackson tribute dancer and his partner "Statue T" perform for tourists, dancing over the stars on Hollywood Boulevard as camera circles around them

A Michael Jackson tribute dancer performs for tourists, dancing around the stars on Hollywood Boulevard

Aerial view of Michael Jackson tribute dancer performing for tourists, dancing around the stars on Hollywood Boulevard

Michael Jackson's star on Hollywood Boulevard - hand places votive candle in scene, illuminating the star

A Michael Jackson tribute dancer replicates Michael's trademark moves, including the Moon Walk, for tourists on Hollywood Boulevard with partner "Statue T" performing backup

Time lapse over Jackson WY, moving through the forest, tracking the night sky.

Panning night time lapse in the forest at Phillips Canyon outside of Jackson WY.