Congressional Record UNUM

E PLURIBUS

United States

of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 111th

 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m.

Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

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H93 

Vol. 155 WASHINGTON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2009 No. 4 

House of Representatives 

The House met at 9 a.m. and was 

called to order by the Speaker pro tempore (Ms. TSONGAS

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). 

DESIGNATION OF THE SPEAKER 

PRO TEMPORE 

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following communication from the Speaker: 

WASHINGTON, DC, 

January 9, 2009. 

I hereby appoint the Honorable NIKI TSONGAS to act as Speaker pro tempore on this 

day. 

NANCY PELOSI, 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

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PRAYER 

The Chaplain, the Reverend Daniel P. 

Coughlin, offered the following prayer: 

As a parent encourages a child or a 

mentor calls forth the hidden potential 

of an intern, Lord our God, may You 

bless all who work as the 111th Congress, especially new Members. 

Remove fear and confusion, which 

only inhibit good judgment and leadership. Strengthen the resolve and compassion of all Members, that they may 

serve Your people with renewed clarity 

of vision and refined purpose that will 

soon unify this Nation in self-discipline 

and confidence. 

For You reward the just and their 

deeds, both now and forever. 

Amen. 

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THE JOURNAL 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair has examined the Journal of the 

last day’s proceedings and announces 

to the House her approval thereof. 

Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved. 

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the 

gentleman from Texas (Mr. POE) come 

forward and lead the House in the 

Pledge of Allegiance. 

Mr. POE of Texas led the Pledge of 

Allegiance as follows: 

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. 

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ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER 

PRO TEMPORE 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

Chair will entertain up to five requests 

for 1-minute speeches on each side of 

the aisle. 

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A NEW DIRECTION IN THE MIDDLE 

EAST 

(Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given 

permission to address the House for 1 

minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) 

Mr. KUCINICH. In Gaza the United 

Nations gave the Israeli Army the coordinates of a U.N. school, and the 

school was then hit by Israeli tank fire, 

killing about 40. 

The U.N. put flags on emergency vehicles, coordinating the movements of 

those vehicles with the Israeli military, and the vehicles came under attack, killing emergency workers. 

The Israeli Army evacuated 100 Palestinians to a shelter, and then bombed 

the shelter, killing 30 people. 

Emergency workers have been 

blocked by the Israeli Army from 

reaching hundreds of injured persons. 

Today’s Washington Post: ‘‘100 survivors rescued in Gaza from ruins 

blocked by Israelis. Relief agencies fear 

more are trapped, days after neighborhood was shelled.’’ 

Today the U.S. Congress is going to 

be asked to pass a resolution supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza. I’m 

hopeful that we don’t support the inhumanity that has been repeatedly expressed by the Israeli Army. 

The U.S. abstained from a U.N. call 

for a cease-fire. We must take a new direction in the Middle East, and that 

new direction must be mindful of the 

inhumane conditions in Gaza. 

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HONORING THE LIFE OF DENNIS 

BARNEY 

(Mr. FLAKE asked and was given 

permission to address the House for 1 

minute.) 

Mr. FLAKE. Madam Speaker, every 

so often a community is blessed with a 

giant of a man, a man whose imprint 

and influence will be felt for generations to come. Such is the case with 

Dennis Barney, who passed away this 

week at the far too young age of 62. 

Countless organizations like the 

United Way, the Boy Scouts, the Boys 

and Girls Club, the United Food Bank 

and the Arizona Interfaith Movement 

have profited from his generosity. 

Thousands of students, families and individuals have benefited from his kindness, his example and his inspired 

counsel. 

Still, it was within the walls of his 

own home that his most important 

work was accomplished. Along with his 

wife, Ann, he raised a remarkable family of 10 children who will surely carry 

on his great legacy. 

May every community in every State 

across this great land be so blessed as 

to know such a giant of a man as Dennis Barney. 

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OIL COMPANIES REDUCING 

EXPLORATION 

(Mr. ALTMIRE asked and was given 

permission to address the House for 1 

minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) 

Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, remember the ‘‘Drill here, Drill Now’’ 

rallying cry we heard nonstop on this 

floor? Even when the lights were off 

and Congress was in recess, the other 


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