H.R. 418, the realID act has passed the House 261-161 with 11 not voting on February 10th, 2005. It got included in Conference in H.R. 1268, which originally passed the Senate 99-0 on April 21st, 2005. The conference report was agreed to by the House 368-58 with one present and 6 not voting on May 6th, 2005 and also agreed to by the Senate 100-0 yesterday. Some are calling this national ID, which I disagree because it only sets out a certain federal standards but leaves issuing control with the states, but gives the Secretary of Homeland Security the power to declare if certain state's ID card, generally understood to be the driver license, is not in compliant with the federal standards. This will prevent states like the People's Republic of California to issue driver license to illegal immigrants. Among many other improvements, it also ties in temporary driver license's expiration date with foreigner's visa expiration date.

I support our president and our troops. I prayed this day and everyday that God watch over our troops, bless, protect and deliver them. I honor their sacrifices and this day I also pray for comfort for the families and friends of:

1. Staff Sergeant Anthony L. Goodwin, 33, of Mount Holly, NJ, who was assigned to 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

2. Lance Corporal Nicholas C. Kirven, 21, of Richmond, VA, who was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.