Mr. Speaker, I Rise Today To Recognize

Over The Last Five Years, The Administration And The Majority In Congress Have Appropriated Less Than $900 Million For Port Security Grants - Despite The Coast Guard's Determination That $5.4 Billion Is Needed Over 10 Years.

As A Father And Grandfather, I Have Witnessed Firsthand The Joy Of New Life Entering The World. I Know The Pain And Apprehension That Goes Along With Premature Births And Birth Defects.

It Matters Not What Your Individual Position Is On Either War We Are Currently Prosecuting - In Iraq Or Afghanistan - Certainly We Can All Agree Protesting At Military Funerals Is A Cruel And Unnecessary Hardship On Our Military Families During Their Most Difficult Hour.

I Worked With The March Of Dimes To Enact Legislation For A National Birth Defects Prevention Program To Provide Surveillance, Research And Preventive Services Aimed At Reducing The Rate Of Birth Defects.

To Honor Our National Promise To Our Veterans, We Must Continue To Improve Services For Our Men And Women In Uniform Today And Provide Long Overdue Benefits For The Veterans And Military Retirees Who Have Already Served.