george tiller and condemning his brutal murder at church. i thank representative slaughter for this resolution. dr. tiller was a husband and a father, he studied at the university of kansas school of medicine, and searched his country as a united states navy flight surgeon intern. despite attacks and threats against him, he continued his service as a tireless advocate for women's health and women's rights. on may 31 he was brutally gunned down in broad daylight in his place of worship by an extremist who took the law into his own hands. enough is enough. it is time for us to condemn this act of violence and state forcefully we will not condone murrer -- murder, threats, or intimidation in the future. in addition to my condolences to the family, i extend my gratitude to them for his life, his courage, his unyielding support for women, their health, and freedom to exercise their constitutional rights. i yield back. soil the gentlelady yields back. the gentleman from north carolina. mr. coble: i continue to reserve the balance of my time. mr. sp

george tiller, recognis

george tiller over the weekend in four years the bush administration went out of its way to protect doctors from being forced to provide services they found objectionable, yet did nothing to shield physicians providing legal and life protecting medical care to women from ongoing harassment, threats and violence. this is unconscionable and must change in my judgment. the federal government must send the gibbet-- that acts of violence will not be tolerated. i was pleased to learn that attorney general holder has indicated that the u.s. marshal service will begin protecting certain abortion clinics and doctors, and this is a good first step. today "the new york times" also pulled on attorney general holder to revitalize the national task force on violence against healthcare providers. that was originally established in the 1990's. i realize this task force would be under the jurisdiction of the department justice, not hhs. i want to know number one, would you support its revitalization and how does hhs intend to work with the department justice to ensure that these acts of violence are elimina

. >> as the president have anything to say about the closing of the clinic run by george tiller? >> i do not know. >> newt gingrich says the media has to pretend that joe biden knows what he is doing? >> should i speak on behalf of the elite media? the vice president is among the most trusted advisers that the president has, in the role that he plays is very significant, from his efforts to implement the recovery plan, through the efforts on foreign policy, we are grateful to have him, as the country is for his service. >> when you briefed the president, did you have any information about the suspect? >> this was, about one out of 55, 2:00. all that i knew was, somebody had gone in with a gun, shot at the security guard, the individual was fired at, the individual was 89 years old, or 90 years old. i did not have the age when i was talking to the president. i assume he has been given more updates. if there is information -- >> 90 years old? >> that is what i have seen on the way out, the age of the gunmen who entered the museum. i saw this on television, i have not been on the e-

george tiller, we have conditions here that warrant this legislation, h.r. 1741. it is terrible that violent acts are perpetrated here in america, that they're used -- violent act comes about through the use of firearms and other matters and, therefore, there will be witnesses that is necessary to bring these people to justice. i cannot imagine to allow these heinous crimes be perpetrated and then we are not able to prosecute because a witness is frightened for them and their family. the legislation that we are now speaking to provides that protection, and i ask my colleagues to support the legislation and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman's time has expired. the gentleman from california. mr. issa: at this time i would continue to reserve, mr. speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california continues to reserve. the gentleman from georgia is recognized. mr. johnson: mr. speaker, may i inquire how many more speakers the gentleman from california has remaining. mr. issa: i thank the gentleman. i'm prepared to yield back if the g

resolve" clause -- and i quote -- "we express great sympathy for the family, friends and patients of george tiller. we recognize that acts of violence should never be used to prevent women from receiving reproductive care and we condemn the use of violence as a means of resolving differences of opinion." i think that my colleague, in her eloquence here, has said it all. and i urge those people who are anonymously holding up this bill, holding up this resolution, come to the floor, have the courage and the guts to look out at this chamber and explain why you don't believe we should condemn acts of violence to prevent women from receiving their health care. come to the floor and explain why you're not ready to condemn the use of violence as a means of resolving differences. this is the greatest democracy in the world. we will not be the greatest democracy in the world if we decide we're going to take the law into our own happens and kill people whom we disagree with. so i beg my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to rethink their position because i can tell you, anyone who doesn't know senato

george tiller, and offers our condolences to his wife, four children, and 10 grandchildren. he was known as a doctor of last resort and a friend to women when they were in desperate need of support and care. his murder in his church in wichita where he served as an usher and where his wife sang in the choir was a violent and lawless and senseless act. at his memorial service this past saturday, he was remembered for his sense of humor and spirit. let us also remember him for his courage. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from california rise? >> unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. royce: mr. speaker, news came yesterday that will laura ling and euna lee, two american journalists held in north korea, and held there since march, have been found guilty of illegally entering north korea. they have been sentenced to 12 years of hard labor. these court proceedings were a cruel joke. nothing more than a kangaroo court. i know of no justice system in north korea. the two should be immediate