mr. johnson: i reserve my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from north dakota. mr. pomeroy: i yield two minutes to the gentleman from oregon, mr. defazio. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. mr. defazio: i thank the gentleman for the time. thank him for his leadership on both the issues before us regarding social security. the protection of our social security numbers is vital. i once had a reporter come to my office and say i have something to show you. she pulled out a piece of paper and she said, here's your social security number. i bought it for $15 on line. that should not be allowed. that should be an illegal activity in this country. but the other issue just -- that preceded this is equally important to 40 million people who collect social security and a number of people who collect veterans benefits and that is a meaningful and well deserved cost of living adjustment for real increases in the cost of living for senio

mr. johnson. i would like to thank them -- general hammaren and mr. johnson. i would like to thank them for their work. the proposed repeal of the common law -- of the law, and read -- commonly referred to as don't ask, don't tell is no different among the u.s. military, as the pentagon's report demonstrates. however, i think we can agree on a few facts as we begin this important hearing. we can all agree that our military today is the most effective, most professional, and arguably the most experienced force that our nation has ever had. we can all agree that we appreciate an honor the service of every american who wears the uniform of our country, as well as their families, especially during this time of war, regardless of whether they are straight or gay. and finally, i think we can all agree, and i certainly would, that is capable professional force of ours could -- and i emphasize could -- implement a repeal of don't ask, don't tell if ordered to, just as they so ably and honorably do everything else that is a cast of them. what i want to know and what is

mr. johnson? >> mr. chairman, senator mccain, thank you very much for the opportunity to testify here today. by now, you have had the opportunity to read the report have co-ampe and i authored. we hope it speaks for itself. our basic assessment is that our military can make this change, provided we do so in an orderly and reasonable manner, in accord with the recommendations for implementation we offer in our report. this morning, i would like to take a moment to talk to you not in my capacity as co-author of this report, but as the lawyer of the defense department. i want to repeat and elaborate upon what secretary gates and and mullen have said, and ask that the congress not leave our military state on this issue in the hands of the courts. i offer no view about the constitutionality of "don't ask, don't tell," or a prediction about the outcome of the litigation that is under way. but regardless of how you feel about "don't ask, don't tell," or gays serving openly in the military, the fact that there i

mr. johnson and i participated in many of those. we held 140 demographically selective focus groups. nine-12 jr. and listed male combat arms, nine to 12 mid- grade non-commissioned females. we engaged service academies, pmen.s, and shift m we met with the number of veterans groups, service organizations, and groups both for and against the repeal of don't ask/don't tell. one of the more difficult tasks through a non-dod-managed confidential mechanism and through rams were, we engaged currently servicing gay and lesbian service members. it is the largest and most comprehensive review this department of defense has ever undertaken. based on all that we saw and heard, our assessment is that, when coupled with prompt implementation of recommendations we offer, the risk of repeal of don't ask/don't tell to overall military effectiveness is low. as the secretary mentioned, it is important to note that assessment is based upon the prompt implementation of the recommendations. . we believe it can be adequately addressq"@tv the oscars. in addition to commitment to leadership, professionalism

mr. johnson. i would like to thank them -- general hammaren and mr. johnson. i would like to thank them for their work. the proposed repeal of the common law -- of the law, and read -- commonly referred to as don't ask, don't tell is no different among the u.s. military, as the pentagon's report demonstrates. however, i think we can agree on a few facts as we begin this important hearing. we can all agree that our military today is the most effective, most professional, and arguably the most experienced force that our nation has ever had. we can all agree that we appreciate an honor the service of every american who wears the uniform of our country, as well as their families, especially during this me of war, regardless of whether they are straight or gay. and finally, i think we canll agree, and i certainly would, that is capable professional force of ours could -- and i emphasize could -- implement a repeal of don't ask, don't tell if ordered to, just as they so ably and honorably do everything

mr. johnson. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. mr. johnson: thank you, congressman foxx, mr. speaker, i have to say that in my five terms here, has to take the award for the most creatively misleading acronym that i've ever seen attached to a bill. this may constitute a quote-unquote dream for a small number of people who choose to disregard our disobey the law. but it is in fact a sobering reality for america. the stark reality for citizens all over the nation who obeyed the law and to whom this is an affront. it's an affront and a stark reality that middle american families struggling to pay their bills and send their children to college only to find their own sons and daughters bumped aside by illegals in the process. it's an affront and a sobering reality to the american taxpayers and their children and grandchildren who are going to pay this bill to the tune of billions of dollars over the future and it's also a reality that 10% of americans who are unemployed, who realize that the effect on the infrastructure of america in this b

mr. johnson? >> i'm going to be the general counsel of the defense department here for a moment and note what secretary gates said this afternoon which is that there is clearly increased activity on this issue in the courts. we had an experience in october where a judge told us literally overnight to stop enforcing this policy. which is not the way to make a major personnel policy change within the military in a force as big as ours. so what secretary gates is saying to us is that we can do this in an orderly fashion, consistent with our recommendations and have the congress bring about repeal. in that way. or we can do this in a very abrupt way over which we have very little control. we saw a taste of that last month in october when we were enjoined from enforcing the policy. from my legal point of view, i think that the better course is to do this in an orderly fashion and not deal with... have to face whatever the courts are going to hand us. >> lehrer: you said there will be some initial disru

mr. lazard to read the spirits of officer suguitan. >> on saturday generate 23, 2010 at 1721 hours, ms. johnson phoned the police to report that her roommate, mr. smith, was suffering from psychological problems, had been drinking, and was taking medication. in her request for the police, this johnson indicated mr. smith was not known to carry weapons and that she wanted vice from officers on how to deal with mr. smith. she needed assistance based on his behavior. officers brodericks suguitan and samuel fung arrived at the scene within four minutes. officer suguitan and fung were met by the woman outside of her porch. officer suguitan observed at the front door of the residence was open and stepped inside. officer suguitan noticed mr. smith and mr. rios, an additional roommate, were standing face to face having a conversation. both men were approximately 7 feet in front of officer suguitan. officer suguitan looked at both men and stated, how are you doing, we are here to help. mr. smith and mr. rios both faced officer suguitan. immediately, officer suguitan realized mr. smith's and were behind

mr. johnson and carter and as well as everybody for the extraordinary efforts over the past year. i fully endorse the report. findings and implementation plan recommended by the working group. it was given a tall order. indeed nothing less than producing the first truly comprehensive assessment of not only the impact of the law governing but also about how best to implement a new policy across the joint force. the secretary indicated surveyed our troops and spouses. consulted proponents of repeal and examined military experience around the world. they also spoke with serving gays and lesbians as well as former members of the military that are gay and lez i an. the result is one of the most expansive study done on military personnel issued and i applaud the time committed. the working group focus and findings and recommendations, rightly on those that would be most effected by a change in the law. our people all of our people. so for the first time the chief's and i have more than just anecdotal everything to inform the advice we give civilian leaders. we discussed this yourselves

mr. johnson knocked on the door. you may have figured it out by now. to us, he was still the great dark man. a mythical man or object to desire. it was probably why we jumped to attention. jesus. tucking the incriminating evidence. wait. let this go down first. >> why? i don't know. seems rude. ben widened his eyes at me. did you learn that from miss manners. i hid myself. this probably made me look grand. that somehow seemed preferable. men opened the door. he was standing there. i'm sorry fellows. come on in. our visitor shot a quick glance. can we get you something to drink? remaining seated. there's a soda machine. no thanks. did you have a hard time finding us. i'm michael i said. finally standing. this is ben. he shook our hands. i'm patrees. i am worried that it might make me squirm. i found it hospitable. that it put he more at easy. we're glad you came. patrice smiled. ben caught my guy. he began to rearrange the forskin. it seemed to swell. when he removed it, he said, i open it's okay. i'm sort of a kiss pig. no problem. as i caught my breat

mr. johnson and i participated in many of those. we held 140 demographically selective focus groups. nine-12 jr. and listed male combat arms, nine to 12 mid- grade non-commissioned females. we engaged service academies, pmen.s, and shift m we met with the number of veterans groups, service organizations, and groups both for and against the repeal of don't ask/don't tell. one of the more difficult tasks through a non-dod-managed confidential mechanism and through rams were, we engaged currently servicing gay and lesbian service members. it is the largest and most comprehensive review this department of defense has ever undertaken. based on all that we saw and heard, our assessment is that, when coupled with prompt implementation of recommendations we offer, the risk of repeal of don't ask/don't tell to overall military effectiveness is low. as the secretary mentioned, it is important to note that assessment is based upon the prompt implementation of the recommendations. . >> 92% say that their ability was ablgood, very good, or not affected at all. the percentage was 3% or 4% for the

johnson, discharged at least two rounds of his firearms that mr. smith and his willful attempt to stop the threat posed by mr. smith. noticing that mr. smith was still advancing, officer suguitan discharged more rounds, mortally wounding him. mr. smith collapsed in the doorway of his residence. officer suguitan and his partner quickly responded to a residence in response to a citizen needing assistance in meeting with your roommate. officer suguitan was in the of the confronted with a life- threatening soup -- a circumstance and his attempt to offer the suspect assistance in dealing with his mental issues. with practically no time to react to the threat to his life, that does his partner, and a citizen requesting assistance, officer suguitan reacted under tremendous circumstances by discharging his department's firearms and ending on stopping the threat posed by the suspect. officer suguitan, in a split- second, had to act on the threat posed by a his environment and realize that he and his partner and the reporting party were in grave danger of se

mr. johnson's foot, he broke the rose bush, he broke it, it's a stem. oh, no. oh, no. little nelie cried. please, no. nobody listens to her. people blamed nellie. nellie belly swelly, nellie belly swelli. nellie goes to the dark. she goes and returns and takes away her toys. nellie, no more a child, nellie no more a child. no ticket parade. but in her little tiny heart -- president chiu: thank you. next speaker. >> ladies and gentlemen, i'm clementinaagriev. i'm a member of de sen pofment ra guadalupe. -- de senora guadalupe. i represent thousands of latinos. we are the ones who bring food to your tables. we are the ones who do dirty jobs, who do the cleaning. we are the ones who take care of the elderly. even including myself, to take care of patients. this is a country of immigrants. we come from different nationalities. different backgrounds. different walks of life. but we need diversity in this country. therefore, i am asking you to please consider when you designate the new mayor, the one who is going to include the city and help us, we the latinos are part of th

mr. johnson's foot, he broke the rose bush, he broke it, it's a stem. oh, no. oh, no.d. please, no. nobody listens to her. people blamed nellie. nellie belly swelly, nellie belly swelli. nellie goes to the dark. she goes and returns and takes away her toys. nellie, no more a child, nellie no more a child. no ticket parade. but in her little tiny heart -- president chiu: thank you. next speaker. >> ladies and gentlemen, i'm clementinaagriev. i'm a member of de sen pofment ra guadalupe. -- de senora guadalupe. i represent thousands of latinos.

mr. johnson's foot, he broke the rose bush, he broke it, it's a stem. oh, no. oh, no.d. please, no. nobody listens to her. people blamed nellie. nellie belly swelly, nellie belly swelli. nellie goes to the

mr. gene green of texas for today. ms. eddie bernice johnson for today and the balance of the week. mr. pastor of arizona for today. mr. poe of texas for today after 4:00 p.m. mr. reyes of texas for december 21 and 22. mr. young of florida for today. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the requests are ordered -- are granted. the chair will entertain requests for one-minute speeches. for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? mr. gohmert: to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. gohmert: thank you, madam speaker. madam speaker, this bill that's just passed is a bit indicative of how things have gone here in the last two years. people didn't have a chance to read the bill. people didn't have a chance to make amendments to the bill. there is no question the heroes from 9/11 deserved our full attention. they deserved to have proper moneys raised in proper ways in order to fund their proper treatment. that should have been done, but it wasn't. now we come rushing here at the last minute

mr. johnson-now you call him pop pop for the last 20, 30 years-he's in recovery, and you never knew it. i often share that, for me, i've had many people, even while working here say, "i can't believe you ever used drugs or alcohol." and i laugh because you know i say i can provide you with a list of people who 5 years ago would say they couldn't believe that i'd ever be in recovery. so pro act does a lot of work in breaking down a stigma to show that recovery is possible, that recovery happens; even having a place like this in the community shows that there is a place where recovery happens, rather than just a place where people can go buy drugs or alcohol. not saying that therapy is not important, i'm not saying that recovery through an outside entity is not important, because truly they are a basis. but when we come out of those places, when we try to establish our lives, there are barriers there, there are boundaries there, and sometimes we need the help to get past those boundaries. and pro act is definitely been the help for me to get past some of those boundaries, yes. pam, recove

mr. johnson, the entire new york jets organization. it is an honor and a privilege to work every ad i and coach every day in the national football league. you come in con tact with a lot of good people in our building every day, players, staff, coaches and i let everybody down everybody with my actions. my actions were inexcusable and irresponsible. >> he is going to cry. >> he needs some cheering up. maybe this will help. >> how about japanese sub titles from the japanese cats? paul, too stiff a penalty or light? >> no, about right, but this is what is wrong with this country. we have -- let me get started here on my soapbox. we have the sporting world where people are packing guns. they are not paying their child support and making me laugh again. you have a guy who kills dogs, michael vick who is the king of the league again. this is a guy who gets fined for doing something dennis the men nis would do. this is such a minor thing. >> interesting point. john, i can see you are about to say something. >> he is a jack hole and he deserv

mr. johnson: thank you, mr. speaker. you know it's just a few days until all tax paying americans will be hit with the largest tax height in history in the wake of the -- tax hike in history in the wake of the longest recession since the great depression. given this country's economic condition a huge tax hike is what we don't need. we ought to be creating jobs, boosting the economy. apparently the democrats think a $3.8 trillion tax hike is the answer. i say make the tax rates permanent, let's get this economy moving again with new jobs and investment. empower small businesses to grow, hire and expand. they can add more employees, buy more equipment, and rent bigger spaces. we ought to support them by stopping the largest tax hike in history. if we want americans to prosper, they want, need, and deserve better than the democrat massive tax increases. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from colorado seek recognition? mr. perlmutter: to address the house for one minute. the speaker

mr. johnson. i would like to thank them -- general hammaren and mr. johnson. i would like to thank them for their work. the proposed repeal of the common law -- of the law, and read -- commonly referred to as don't ask, don't tell is no different among the u.s. military, as the pentagon's report demonstrates. however, i think we can agree on a few facts as we begin this important hearing. we can all agree that our military today is the most effective, most professional, and arguably the most experienced force that our nation has ever had. we can all agree that we appreciate an honor the service of every american who wears the uniform of our country, as well as their families, especially during this time of war, regardless of whether they are straight or gay. and finally, i think we can all agree, and i certainly would, that is capable professional force of ours could -- and i emphasize could -- implement a repeal of don't ask, don't tell if ordered to, just as they so ably and honorably do everything else that is a cast of them. what i want to know and what is

mr. johnson and general hamm have testified earlier, through the many questions in the survey, you get a pretty clear view of the views of the force in terms of this change. >> in addition, in his opening statement, admiral mullen pointed to polling done before integrating the military that showed 80% of troops then opposed it and many saying they would leave the service if it happened. today senator saxby chambliss of georgia raised that same concern. by his reading of the pentagon report, more than a quarter million troops might up and leave if don't ask don't tell is lifted. >> what if it does happen? what if those 265,000 resign from the military over the next short period of time? what are you going to do? >> if i believe that a quarter of a million people would leave the military immediately, if given the opportunity, i would certainly have second thoughts about this. but i don't believe that. >> secretary gates on the idea of mass depart tours. there's also the question of why now? why war time. should we be tinkering with don't ask don't tell? republican senator collins handled t

mr. johnson, thank you so much for being with us. me ask you, both the marine corps commandant and air force saying there is some risk to troops in the field if the ban is repealed right now. now, that is half the service chiefs with big concerns about repeal. is the data in your report strong enough to counter that criticism? >> well, first of all, everyone should understand that the chiefs -- it would not be a surprise that, on this complex issue you have differing points of view. our analysis over a ten-month period involved conversations with tens and tens of thousands of service members. it was one of the largest surveys ever, 115,000 respon dants, and it was the judgment and is the judgment of general hamm and myself that the overall risk to military effectiveness of repeal is low. now, a large part of that assessment encompassed the war fighting units, which general amos, general casey, general schwarz were they concerned about. what we saw is while the predictions for negative consequences in war fighting units were higher th