H6156 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 20, 2012 

Afghanistan in which he flew over 2,000 

hours in Harrier aircraft. 

b 1020 

A southwestern Pennsylvanian at 

heart, it should come as no surprise 

that Otis was known, while seated in 

the cockpit, to listen to the Steelers 

while flying in the skies over Iraq. But 

more than anything, Lieutenant Colonel Raible was a father, a husband, and 

a son; a proud dad of three children, 

ages 11, 9, and 2. Otis so loved and was 

loved by his family. 

As his mother Belvina of North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, said, her son 

died defending all that he held dear. 

‘‘He was the best of the best,’’ she said. 

Indeed, Mrs. Raible, he was. 

Today, we as a Nation say ‘‘thank 

you’’ to Lieutenant Colonel Raible and 

to his entire family. We’re so grateful 

for your service and for your sacrifice 

protecting our freedom. Through your 

service, you have made your family 

and your Nation better. Through your 

sacrifice, you have made America 

stronger. Through your courage, you 

have made America proud. 

Many times, I’m sure you soared 

above the clouds where you could 

touch the face of God. Now you rest in 

his loving arms for eternity. Thank 

you, Colonel. Our Nation thanks you, 

as well. 

f 

THE PUERTO RICO POLITICAL 

STATUS PLEBISCITE 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair recognizes the gentleman from 

Puerto Rico (Mr. PIERLUISI) for 5 minutes. 

Mr. PIERLUISI. On November 6, the 

U.S. territory of Puerto Rico will hold 

a plebiscite on the island’s political future. Voters will be asked if they want 

to continue the current status or to 

seek a new status. Voters will also be 

asked to express their preference 

among the three alternatives to the 

current status recognized as legally 

and politically viable by the Federal 

Government and international law: 

independence, nationhood in free association with the United States, and 

statehood. 

This plebiscite is different from previous plebiscites in Puerto Rico. It will 

be the first time that island residents 

have an opportunity to answer ‘‘yes’’ 

or ‘‘no’’ to the question of whether 

they support the status that Puerto 

Rico has had since 1898. This question 

has inherent value in a democracy 

where a government’s legitimacy is 

based on the consent of the governed. 

And this plebiscite will only include 

those status options identified as valid 

by Congress and the White House. True 

self-determination is a choice among 

options that can be implemented, not 

an exercise in wishful thinking. 

If a majority of voters express satisfaction with the current status, Puerto 

Rico’s status would not change at this 

time. Likewise, if there is majority 

support to change the current status 

but not majority support for one of the 

three alternatives, Puerto Rico’s current status would also continue. However, if the majority votes against the 

status quo and in favor of statehood, 

free association, or independence, Congress and the President should take action that honors that choice. 

Top Democratic and Republican leaders have indicated they will take the 

results of this plebiscite seriously. 

That is as it should be. The United 

States is the greatest democracy in 

history and a champion of peaceful 

self-determination around the world. 

Consistent with this principle, I am 

confident that Federal officials will respect the choice made by their Federal 

citizens from Puerto Rico if they express a clear desire to change the island status. 

Now I want to speak directly to the 

men and women I represent in Congress. This plebiscite will have a real 

impact on you, your family, and the future of the island we love. It is important that you make your voice heard 

and your vote count. 

It is well-known that I oppose the 

current status and advocate for statehood for Puerto Rico. Whether it is 

called ‘‘territory,’’ ‘‘commonwealth,’’ 

or ‘‘colony,’’ the current status denies 

us the most fundamental rights in a democracy: the right to choose the leaders who make our national laws, and 

the right to equal treatment under 

those laws. In my view, the current 

status is an affront to our dignity. 

In my office hangs a framed photo of 

servicemembers from the island who 

have lost their lives since 2001. They’re 

the latest in a long line of Puerto 

Rican patriots who have fought and 

fallen for this Nation. This photo inspires me, but it also makes me sad. I 

cannot understand how we, such a 

proud people, can voluntarily submit 

to a status that makes us second-class 

citizens in the country that we have 

defended for generations. 

I realize that after nearly 115 years, 

the prospect of change can be unsettling, but I also know that there is 

nothing more powerful than an idea 

whose time has come. We deserve better than what we have, and the time 

has come for us to seek a new status 

that will empower us to realize our full 

potential. 

Among the alternatives to the current status, I believe statehood is the 

right choice. Independence and free association are worthy options, but both 

would place at risk our U.S. citizenship 

and Federal support under programs 

like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security for future generations of Puerto 

Ricans. Because I believe the overwhelming majority of Puerto Ricans 

are opposed to breaking or substantially weakening the strong political, 

social, and economic bonds that have 

formed between Puerto Rico and the 

United States, I think the only viable 

alternative to the status quo is statehood. At this critical moment in history, we should aspire to perfect our 

union, not to sever it. 

The current status is about secondclass citizenship, which we should rise 

up to reject. Independence and free association are about separation, which 

would diminish the opportunities available to our children and grandchildren. 

Statehood is about equal treatment. It 

would deliver to Puerto Rico what all 

free people deserve: full voting rights, 

full self-government, and full equality 

under the law. 

This November, I hope that the U.S. 

citizens of Puerto Rico will send a 

clear message to Congress that they’re 

ready to make a change. 

f 

IN HONOR OF OFFICER BRADLEY 

FOX 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair recognizes the gentleman from 

Pennsylvania (Mr. FITZPATRICK) for 5 

minutes. 

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I 

rise this morning to honor the life and 

memory of Pennsylvania Police Officer 

Bradley Fox. 

Brad Fox was a 5-year veteran of the 

Plymouth Township Police Department in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. 

Having grown up in my home of 

Bucks County, Officer Fox graduated 

from William Tennent High School and 

went on to serve his country for 10 

years in the United States Marine 

Corps. 

A well-decorated soldier, Officer Fox 

received, among other accolades, the 

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement 

Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and 

the National Defense Service Medal. 

Upon returning from his military 

service, Officer Fox joined his local police force in Montgomery County, 

where he built a life for himself, his 

wife, Lynsay, their daughter, and a second child who is on the way. 

On the night of Thursday, September 

13, the family, friends, and fellow officers of Brad Fox received the phone 

call they hoped would never come. Officer Fox was responding to a report of a 

hit-and-run in his suburban Philadelphia township. As he was investigating 

the incident, both Officer Fox and his 

canine companion were ambushed by 

the suspect and attacked, which left 

Officer Fox fatally wounded. 

Yesterday afternoon, I attended the 

burial services for Officer Fox at the 

Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Bucks County. The show of support from the local law enforcement 

community and the people of southeastern Pennsylvania as a whole was 

inspiring and it was heartfelt. 

To see that in such a short lifetime 

this father, husband, brother, son, veteran, and police officer had touched so 

many lives was a testament to the kind 

of person that Brad Fox was. He dedicated his entire life to service to his 

community and to his country and 

should serve as an example to every 

one of us. 

Every day in Montgomery County 

and in Bucks County and in communities across this great Nation, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and 


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September 20, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6157 

paramedics are working to preserve the 

public safety. These men and women 

wake up every morning and head to 

work not knowing what dangers they 

may encounter during their shift. The 

loss of Officer Brad Fox serves as a 

somber reminder of the risks our police 

officers face each and every day. 

Here in our Nation’s capital, just a 

few miles from where I stand at this 

very moment, is the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Etched 

into this memorial are the names of 

countless men and women who gave 

their lives in service to their communities. Sadly, Officer Brad Fox will join 

that roll of honor. 

Also carved on the memorial are 

quotes which capture the spirit of 

those honored there, including one 

from former President George H.W. 

Bush, which reads: 

Carved on these walls is the story of America, of a continuing quest to preserve both 

democracy and decency, and to protect a national treasure that we call the American 

Dream. 

There can be no doubt that Officer 

Bradley Fox did his part in his quest to 

preserve the American Dream. Our 

country owes a debt of gratitude to Officer Fox and to his family for the sacrifice he made and they made to keep 

his community a safe place to work 

and to live and to raise a family. 

f 

b 1030 

A WORLD AT PEACE, FOR OUR 

GRANDCHILDREN AND THEIR 

GRANDCHILDREN 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 

California (Ms. WOOLSEY) for 5 minutes. 

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, in April 

of the year 2004, I rose in this Chamber 

to speak for 5 minutes about my conviction that the war in Iraq was a dangerous, immoral policy, and it was 

hurting America and our national security. 

Since then, I’ve delivered a similar 

message nearly every day that it was 

possible when we were in session, and 

once the Iraq war finally drew to a 

close, I moved on to focus on the ongoing military occupation of Afghanistan, which soon will be in its 11th 

year, costing us more than 2,000 American lives and more than half a trillion 

dollars and counting. 

Today is my 440th 5-minute Special 

Order calling for an end of these wars 

and the safe return of our troops to 

their families right here at home. I’m 

not proud of having reached that number. I would much prefer that the 

speeches were no longer necessary. 

But since I’m retiring from the House 

at the end of this year, my 20th year in 

Congress, one of my biggest disappointments is that we haven’t shown the 

leadership, the courage, and the resolve 

to finally secure peace. 

We are still mired in this Afghanistan conflict, even though the evidence 

is overwhelming that it’s doing more 

harm than good, even though it’s 

emboldening terrorists and insurgents 

rather than defeating them, even 

though it’s breeding resentment of 

America instead of winning hearts and 

minds. We are still mired in this conflict, even though a clear majority of 

the American people no longer want 

any part of it. 

I will not return to the House in 2013, 

so this will be one of my final opportunities to press this point. But as long 

as our troops remain in harm’s way, 

and as long as this dreadful policy continues, I will continue to speak out and 

speak up. 

I know there are many proud and 

fearless opponents of this war on both 

sides of the aisle who will continue to 

lead this effort right here in Congress. 

Time and time again what I have advocated is not just an end to these wars, 

but the beginning of a new approach to 

combating terrorism and keeping 

America safe. 

We need to lead with American cooperation and compassion around the 

world, not American weapons and 

brute force. We need SMART Security, 

a plan that puts the focus on development and diplomacy. We need a strategy that gives people hope and improves their lives instead of invading 

and occupying their lands. 

This is not only the humane approach, Mr. Speaker, it’s also the more 

pragmatic one, the one that will truly 

advance our national security goals, 

and it’s a lot more cost-effective. Helping people costs pennies on the dollar 

compared to waging war. A lot of people have said to me over the years, 

WOOLSEY, your problem is that you 

think we can have a perfect world. 

Well, consider me guilty as charged. 

I don’t believe there is anything 

wrong with idealism and ambitious 

goals because I’m absolutely certain 

that if we don’t strive for a perfect 

world, we won’t ever come close to providing a safe, secure, and peaceful 

world for our grandchildren and their 

grandchildren, and that’s our job here 

in Congress. 

f 

ENERGY CLOSURES AND LAYOFFS 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair recognizes the gentleman from 

Pennsylvania (Mr. THOMPSON) for 5 

minutes. 

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Speaker, this week another American energy-producing company announced plant closures and worker layoffs, citing the Obama administration’s 

authoritarian regulatory regime in 

part as a rationale for its decision. 

Yesterday Alpha Natural Resources 

announced closures of eight coal mines 

in three States, one of which is located 

in the Fifth Congressional District of 

Pennsylvania, which I’m proud to represent. Company officials, in announcing the closures, cited ‘‘a regulatory 

environment that’s aggressively aimed 

at constraining the use of coal.’’ 

The decision will result in layoffs of 

1,200 workers and an immediate 400 

jobs lost in Virginia, West Virginia, 

and Pennsylvania. 

The fact that the coal industry is facing tough times isn’t news. They have 

other energy competitors, including 

natural gas, and challenges with coal 

transport costs, energy, and labor 

costs. The issue that’s newsworthy is 

the additional burden being placed on 

American employers during such difficult and tough economic times. 

The administration’s announced intentions to eliminate coal, our most 

abundant natural resource, from our 

fuel mix, with no clear plan to replace 

it with any effective alternative, has 

taken a significant toll on employers 

and individuals across my home State. 

Here are several news headlines of 

closures and layoffs in my home district from the past several months: 

September 18 headline: ‘‘Alpha Natural Resources closing eight coal 

mines.’’ Twelve hundred companywide 

layoffs and an immediate 400 jobs cut 

in Virginia, West Virginia, and my 

home State of Pennsylvania. 

August 30 headline: ‘‘Another round 

of Joy workers laid off,’’ The Derrick: 

In August, Joy Mining Manufacturing in 

Franklin, Venango County, Pennsylvania, 

posted another round of employee layoffs, 

and 43 employees were notified they had been 

furloughed from their jobs. The week before 

that, 19 others were laid out. Joy Mining is 

the largest private-sector employer in 

Venango County. 

February 9 headline: ‘‘Local Officials 

Respond to Shawville Power Plant Closure’’: 

GenOn Energy has about 80 employees at 

its plant in Shawville, Clearfield County, 

and contributes roughly $225,000 dollars annually in local taxes. GenOn offers jobs not 

only through its plant but through Amphfire 

coal and trucking firms, which means a loss 

of 100 to 200 workers in it is next several 

years. 

January 26 headline: ‘‘FirstEnergy 

Shutting Down 6 Sites in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland’’: 

In January, FirstEnergy announced that 

the new environmental regulations led to a 

decision to shut down six older coal-fired 

power plants in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and 

Maryland, affecting more than 500 employees. 

Coal operations are closing, forcing 

more workers into unemployment as 

countless indirect coal jobs have been 

put at risk because of the President’s 

unwavering commitment to end coal. 

Our most abundant natural resource is 

a source of domestic energy. 

In the aftermath of all these closures 

and job losses in my district, along 

with numerous across my State and 

the country, it is becoming increasingly clear that this administration expects the consumers of Pennsylvania to 

bear the costs of a poorly thought out, 

poorly defined, and poorly explained 

environmental agenda. 

But it’s not just a war on coal, it’s a 

war on electricity and jobs. The shuttering of a record number of coal-fired 

power plants threatens thousands of 


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