E96 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 15, 2009 

that there is no such thing as a benign occupation, as Israelis had once deceived themselves into believing. Our unit not only arrested terrorist suspects but also dragged 

people out of their beds in the middle of the 

night to paint over anti-Israel graffiti and 

rounded up innocents after a grenade attack 

just to ‘‘make a presence,’’ in army terminology. At night, in our tent, we argued 

about the wisdom of turning soldiers into policemen of a hostile civilian population that 

didn’t want us there and which we didn’t 

want as part of our society. 

A majority of Israelis emerged from the 

first intifada convinced that we need to do 

everything possible to end the occupation 

and ensure that our children don’t serve as 

enforcers of Gaza’s despair. That was why I 

initially supported the 1993 Oslo peace process that took a terrible gamble on Yasser 

Arafat’s supposed transformation from terrorist to peacemaker. And even after it became clear that Arafat and other Palestinian 

leaders never intended to accept Israel’s legitimacy, I supported the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, simply to extricate 

us from that region, knowing that we would 

not receive peace in return. 

And now my son is fighting in Gaza. The 

conflict he and his friends confront is far 

worse than my generation’s experience in 

Gaza. In our time, we were confronted with 

mere rocks and Molotov cocktails; my son 

faces Iranian-supplied anti-tank weapons— 

one more price we will pay, along with the 

missile attacks on our towns, for the Gaza 

withdrawal, just as the Israeli right had 

warned. 

Still, I don’t regret that withdrawal. If 

Israelis are united today about our right to 

defend ourselves against Gaza’s genocidally 

minded regime, it is at least partly because 

we are fighting from our international border. My son and his friends have one crucial 

advantage over my generation’s experience 

in Gaza: They know, as we did not, that 

Israel was ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for peace, uprooting thousands of its 

citizens from their homes and endorsing a 

Palestinian state. My son confronts Gaza 

knowing that its misery is now imposed by 

its leaders. He knows that his country was 

even prepared to share its most cherished national asset, Jerusalem, with its worst 

enemy, Arafat, for the sake of preventing 

this war. That empowers him with the moral 

self-confidence he will need to get through 

the coming days. The face of my Gaza enemy 

was a teenager throwing rocks; the face of 

Gavriel’s Gaza enemy is a suicide bomber. 

But we are hardly free of moral anxiety. 

Even as I pray for Gavriel’s physical safety, 

I pray too for his spiritual well-being: that 

his tank doesn’t accidentally shell civilians, 

that he isn’t caught in some terrible mistake, which can so easily happen in a war 

zone where terrorists hide behind innocent 

people. 

For the past eight years, Israel has fought 

a single war with shifting fronts, moving 

from suicide bombings in Jerusalem and Tel 

Aviv to Katyusha attacks on Israeli towns 

near the Lebanon border to Qassam missiles 

on Israeli towns near the Gaza border. That 

war has targeted civilians, turning the home 

front into the actual front. And it has transformed the nature of the conflict from a nationalist struggle over Palestinian statehood 

to a holy war against Jewish statehood. Except for a left-wing fringe, most Israelis recognize the conflict in Gaza as part of a larger 

war that has been declared against our being 

and that we must fight. 

But how? Even some right-wingers are saying that we should have declared a unilateral 

cease-fire after the initial airstrike and then 

dared Hamas to continue shelling our towns, 

rather than risk another quagmire. And even 

some left-wingers are saying that we should 

now destroy the Hamas regime and then 

offer to turn Gaza over to international control or, if possible, an inter-Arab force led by 

Egypt. Every option is potentially disastrous. Most Israelis agree on two points: that 

we cannot live with a jihadist statelet on our 

border, and that we cannot become occupiers 

of Gaza again. 

The despair of Gaza is contagious. One 

friend, a Likud supporter, said to me, ‘‘I 

don’t know what to hope for anymore.’’ 

Meanwhile, I try to reassure myself about 

Gavriel’s safety. Growing up in Jerusalem 

during the suicide bombings in the early 

2000s, he has already known danger, intimacy with death. A 13-year-old acquaintance 

was stoned to death, and was so mutilated 

that he could be identified only by his DNA. 

A friend lost the use of an eye in a bus bombing on his way to school. At least now, 

Gavriel and his friends can defend themselves. Perhaps one reason most of them volunteered for combat units was because now 

the generation of the suicide bombings can 

finally fight back. 

Just before the conflict in Gaza began, I 

happened to visit Gavriel at his base. His 

unit’s barracks had been turned into what 

young Israelis call a ‘‘zula’’—a hangout. 

There were muddy couches, chairs without 

backs, a darbuka drum, a TV (Jay Leno was 

on). It could have been a teenage scene anywhere in the West, except that hanging on 

the walls were Hamas banners captured by 

the unit’s veteran members in a previous 

round of fighting in Gaza. In a corner of the 

room hung a photograph of a fallen soldier. 

Across the bottom someone had written, 

‘‘What was the rush, Shachar? Why did you 

have to leave us so soon?’’ 

Even now, perhaps especially now, I feel 

that our family is privileged to belong to the 

Israeli story. Gavriel, grandson of a Holocaust survivor, is part of an army defending 

the Jewish people in its land. This is one of 

those moments when our old ideals are tested anew and found to be still vital. That provides some comfort as Sarah and I wait for 

the next text message. 

Yossi Klein Halevi is a senior fellow at the 

Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies of 

the Shalem Center in Jerusalem and the author of ‘‘At the Entrance to the Garden of 

Eden: A Jew’s Search for God with Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land.’’ 

f 

CONGRATULATING THE HAMILTON 

EMERALD KNIGHTS UPON WINNING THE 2008 NEW YORK STATE 

BOYS SOCCER CLASS D CHAMPIONSHIP 

HON. JOHN M. McHUGH OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 15, 2009 

Mr. MCHUGH. Madam Speaker, I rise today 

to congratulate the Hamilton Central School 

District Emerald Knights upon winning the 

2008 New York State boys soccer class D 

championship. This was the second state boys 

soccer championship team in Hamilton Central 

School’s history, and I am proud to represent 

them. 

On November 16, 2008, the Hamilton Emerald Knights won the New York State class D 

championship when they defeated the defending state champion Chazy Eagles, also from 

my upstate New York Congressional District, 

by a score of 4–3. In that game, the Emerald 

Knights rallied to come from behind and win 

after trailing the Eagles 3–0 with less than 18 

minutes to play. Senior midfielder and FirstTeam All-State selection, Nathan Steward, tallied the Emerald Knight’s first goal in the 63rd 

minute bending in a 30-yard shot from the 

right side into the top of the net. Senior 

midfielder Matthew Broedel cut the Knights’ 

deficit to 3–2, netting a low shot to the far post 

with 8:05 left in regulation. Then, with 2:44 remaining, Nathan Steward’s free kick once 

again found the leg of Matthew Broedel, 

whose second goal tied the game at 3–3. The 

game was finally settled only 42 seconds into 

the sudden death period when sophomore forward Daniel Kraynak scored the game-winner 

for the Knights on a pass from senior Alex 

Thompson. William Keever’s three saves in 

goal and a solid defensive effort helped earn 

Hamilton its first State championship since 

1997. Of note, Matthew Broedel was named 

championship MVP. 

The Hamilton Emerald Knights completed 

the 2008 season with a record of 22–2. They 

were coached by Brian Latella and assistant 

coaches Brian Rose and Trevor Chapman; 

William Dowsland is the athletic director. Other 

team members were Alex Bowie, Bobby Dick, 

Phil Douchinsky, James Gorman, Blaine Holcomb, Mikey Jones, Adam MacBain, Brendon 

Meeks, Daniel Meeks, Jake Smith, Josh 

Sorosky, Jack Sullivan, Joe Taranto, Drew 

Thompson, Keith Upton and Tyler White. The 

scorekeepers were Robert Reed and Tim 

Noel. The managers were Lucas Ord, Brian 

Meeks, Ben Knect, and Ryan Tuttle. Team 

statisticians were Kaitlyn Askew and Alison 

Hansen. 

Madam Speaker, it is an honor to have the 

opportunity to recognize the Hamilton Emerald 

Knights boys soccer team for their significant 

accomplishment. 

f 

INTRODUCTION OF THE CHARITABLE DRIVING TAX RELIEF 

ACT OF 2009 

HON. THOMAS E. PETRI OF WISCONSIN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 15, 2009 

Mr. PETRI. Madam Speaker, today, I am introducing the Charitable Driving Tax Relief Act 

of 2009 to remove a serious ‘‘disincentive that 

limits the participation of many in charitable 

activities. Charitable organizations play an important role in our society, and it is important 

that Congress not stand in the way by penalizing those who wish to offer their services to 

these groups. 

Under current law, individuals that volunteer 

their time and energy by driving their personal 

vehicles on behalf of a charitable group can 

end up with an unpleasant surprise in the form 

of an unanticipated tax bill. Specifically, volunteer drivers receiving reimbursement for the 

use of their vehicle are taxed on these payments to the extent that they exceed 14 cents 

per mile. This treatment stands in stark contrast to the 55 cent allowance for reimbursement for the business use of that same vehicle. 

The Charitable Driving Tax Relief Act will 

equalize the tax treatment of charitable reimbursements with those received for business 

driving because the point of the payment is 

essentially the same, that is, to cover the cost 


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January 15, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E97 

of operating a personal vehicle while performing an important service in the pursuit of 

a greater good. 

To achieve this end, my legislation would 

exclude from gross income any reimbursement received for the use of a volunteer’s car 

while assisting a charitable group, limited only 

by the cap the Internal Revenue Service sets 

each year regarding business driving. This 

treatment would be available only for services 

provided without compensation and drivers 

would be required to maintain sufficient 

records to substantiate the charitable use of 

their vehicles. Finally, this bill drops the requirement that charitable groups report these 

reimbursements to the IRS, removing an administrative and paperwork burden that detracts resources from their larger purpose. 

Each day, thousands of Americans lend a 

hand in providing transportation services to a 

multitude of organizations engaged in good 

works. These activities include assisting individuals with their routine grocery shopping, 

providing the use of a four-wheel drive vehicle 

to transport home-visit nurses during inclement weather, delivering meals as part of a holiday food drive, helping individuals to keep 

their medical appointments, and many more 

similar activities. 

These volunteer drivers are donating their 

time and their talents, not their vehicles, and 

accepting reimbursement for the use of that 

car, incidental to their time and talent donation, is a reasonable act, which should not result in an additional tax liability. Today, when 

it comes to driving a personal vehicle, our tax 

code makes a distinction between business 

and charitable uses. This distinction is a mistake; it is a serious disincentive to charitable 

activities, and it should be corrected. I encourage my colleagues to support the continued 

efforts of our charity-minded constituents by 

cosponsoring the Charitable Driving Tax Relief 

Act of 2009. 

f 

CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE 

PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION 

ACT OF 2009 

SPEECH OF

HON. BOB ETHERIDGE OF NORTH CAROLINA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 

Mr. ETHERIDGE. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today in support of H.R. 2, Children’s Health 

Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 

2009. This bill will ensure that health coverage 

continues for the 7 million children currently 

covered under the Children’s Health Insurance 

Program, and will extend coverage to an additional 4 million children who are currently uninsured. Without the legislation, the CHIP would 

end on March 31, 2009. 

CHIP provides health care coverage for children in families that earn too much to qualify 

for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private 

insurance. In 2007, more than 240,000 children in North Carolina received health coverage through North Carolina’s CHIP, NC 

Health Choice for Children. Under the legislation, North Carolina’s allotment would increase 

by 81 percent over the current level from $136 

million to $245 million. North Carolina has 

296,000 uninsured children, the sixth-largest 

number in the country. Two-thirds of uninsured 

children in North Carolina live in a home 

where at least one parent works full time. 

As North Carolina’s former Superintendent 

of Public Instruction, I have seen first hand 

that healthy children are better prepared for 

learning and success. The Children’s Health 

Insurance Program ensures that America’s 

children are as healthy and productive as possible and that they can grow up to fulfill their 

potential. Untreated illnesses can have longterm consequences, and access to health care 

can head off expensive treatments down the 

road. As a Nation, we must protect our most 

vulnerable citizens. 

I still regret that the bill will be funded by a 

tobacco-tax increase. The tax in H.R. 2 falls 

disproportionately on North Carolina, and on 

the Second District in particular. I understand 

the burden this will place on farmers who work 

hard to build a better life for their own children, and I will continue to work to support 

these families as they adjust to transformations in the global economy. However, 

with one out of eight children in North Carolina 

lacking health insurance I will vote for this legislation. 

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to 

join me in voting for the children of America’s 

working families. 

f 

CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE 

PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION 

ACT OF 2009 

SPEECH OF

HON. DANNY K. DAVIS OF ILLINOIS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today in strong, unwavering, and steadfast 

support of the reauthorization of SCHIP to provide healthcare for millions of uninsured children. SCHIP is a critical safety net for children. As Chief Justice Thurgood Marshall 

once said, ‘‘The measure of a country’s greatness is its ability to retain compassion in times 

of crisis.’’ Providing healthcare for low-income 

children, especially during this economic crisis, 

reflects a commitment to the least among us 

as well as sound economic policy. A healthy 

child is prepared for school and life. A healthy 

child does not require costly emergency room 

visits. I applaud House leaders for including 

mental health parity and dental coverage for 

children. 

In Fiscal Year 2007, SCHIP provided health 

care to over 345,000 children in Illinois. Unfortunately, due to overwhelming need, Illinois 

faced a shortfall in federal spending last year. 

This bill does much to address this gap. Specifically, in addition to preserving coverage for 

the 7 million children currently in the program, 

this bill expands coverage to another 4 million 

children in need. 

I want to briefly mention the efforts of Chicago Public Schools in helping low income 

families overcome many of the barriers that 

often prevent them from enrolling in SCHIP. 

The Children and Family Benefits Unit assisted approximately 60 schools in a recent 12 

month period, helping over 4,200 families’ 

complete applications to enroll into the Illinois 

CHIP, including Medicaid. I am proud of this 

effort in Chicago, and I am pleased that this 

bill will continue to support such programs. 

In closing, this bill will provide much-needed 

health care for low-income children in Chicago, Illinois, and the nation, and I look forward to this bill being signed into law in the 

near future. 

f 

THE IRAQI REFUGEE AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE, RESETTLEMENT, AND SECURITY 

ACT OF 2009 

HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 15, 2009 

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Madam Speaker, 

I rise today with my good friend and colleague, Congressman JOHN DINGELL and almost 15 original cosponsors in strong support 

of the Iraqi Refugee and Internally Displaced 

Persons Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act of 2009, a bill which I 

am reintroducing for the 1st Session of the 

111th Congress. 

The comprehensive legislation I am introducing today addresses this crisis and the potential security break-down resulting from the 

mass influx of Iraqi refugees into neighboring 

countries and the growing internally displaced 

population in Iraq, and also facilitates the resettlement of Iraqis at risk. 

The plight of Iraqi refugees and IDP’s is 

worsening by the day. It is heartbreaking to 

hear the stories of families who fled for their 

safety, are now unable to work and have subsequently depleted their savings in order to 

survive. 

I believe that the United States has a moral 

obligation to take the lead and provide a ‘humanitarian surge’ in responding to this crisis. 

The future of the Middle East depends on it. 

I would like to thank Congressman DINGELL

for his continued leadership in the House of 

Representatives on this issue and for his help 

in drafting this legislation as well as the other 

original co-sponsors supporting this bill. As I 

have said on many occasions, this must not 

be a partisan issue, but rather Congress and 

the Administration have an obligation to work 

together before the Iraqi refugee crisis further 

destabilizes the region. 

I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, which will provide much needed relief for Iraqi refugees and IDP’s. I call on 

the leadership of the House to support this bill. 

f 

REMEMBERING MAJOR JOHN P. 

PRYOR, MD 

HON. JOHN H. ADLER OF NEW JERSEY

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 15, 2009 

Mr. ADLER of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, on Christmas Day, 2008, an enemy mortar 

round struck the living quarters of Major John 

P. Pryor, MD, in Mosul, Iraq where he was 

stationed while on his second tour of duty as 

an Army Reservist. Major Pryor died of his 

wounds. 

Major Pryor was widely recognized as one 

of our country’s finest trauma surgeons. On 

the battlefield, he fought to save the lives of 


SMARTINEZ on PROD1PC64 with REMARKS