Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1101.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to re-introduce the ``Coast Guard Academy Opportunity Act,'' legislation to create new opportunities for careers in the U.S. Coast Guard with a geographically and politically diverse group of colleagues. They are: Representative Elijah Cummings of Maryland, Representative John Duncan of Tennessee, Delegate Madeleine Bordallo of Guam, Representative Corrine Brown of Florida, Representative Yvette Clarke of New York, Delegate Pedro Pierluisi of Puerto Rico, Representative Michael Michaud of Maine, Representative Betty McCollum of Minnesota, Representative Janice Hahn of California, Delegate Gregorio Sablan of the Northern Mariana Islands, Representative Jack Kingston of Georgia, and Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota.

Currently, Members of Congress are allowed to nominate a limited number of candidates to the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. However, the smallest of the five federal service academies-- the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA)--does not accept congressional nominations.

Instead, the USCGA admits candidates through a process that resembles the admissions processes of civilian colleges and universities. Without a congressional nominations process, the applicant pool of candidates to the USCGA is predictably less geographically diverse than at the other military service academies. The inevitable result of a less geographically diverse applicant pool is a less geographically diverse class. The statistics bear this out; in fact, the incoming Class of 2016 does not have a single cadet from: Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, or Guam.

Under the ``Coast Guard Academy Opportunity Act,'' starting in academic year 2014, each Member of Congress could nominate up to three qualified candidates to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. In turn, the Coast Guard would be required to fill a quarter of slots for the incoming class from this pool of congressional nominations comprised of qualified, geographically diverse applicants. Then, in each subsequent academic year, half of the slots in each incoming class would have to be filled through the congressional nominations process.

This legislation would not require the Coast Guard to lower its student selection criteria or increase the size of the student population. To the contrary, it anticipates that the Coast Guard will continue to use its criteria to select the best candidates from the pool of Member-nominated candidates for half of the slots in the incoming class, just as it will do to fill the slots in the other half of the incoming class. The ``Coast Guard Academy Opportunity Act'' simply seeks to make Congress a partner in helping to put talented young people--from every corner of the country--on the path to a rewarding career in the U.S. Coast Guard.

I urge support of this commonsense, bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the ``Contract Screener Reform and Accountability Act.''

Together with my colleagues in the House, Representative Nita Lowey of New York and Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, I am introducing this legislation to reform, enhance oversight of, and provide greater workforce protections to the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) contract screener program known as the Screening Partnership Program (SPP). I am very pleased that a companion measure is being introduced in the other chamber by Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio.

Specifically, the ``Contract Screener Reform and Accountability Act'' would:

Bar subsidiaries of foreign owned corporations from providing for security screening at domestic airports under the SPP;

Mandate covert testing of contract screeners so that their performance can be monitored and compared to airports where screening is carried out by TSA and protect the integrity of those tests by imposing penalties for compromising such testing;

Require security breaches at airports with contracted screening services to be reported;

Ensure national security through requiring training for the proper handling of sensitive security information at SPP airports;

Provide new compensation, benefits, and whistleblower protections for screeners; and

Enhance customer service for the flying public who are screened at SPP airports.

With enactment of the ``FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012'' (P.L. 112-95), subsidiaries of foreign owned corporations are permitted, for the first time since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, to provide screening services at our nation's commercial service airports. This change in law was enacted without debate about the security implications and despite the need, in the current economic climate, to encourage opportunities for U.S. companies rather than outsourcing work and diverting taxpayer dollars to subsidiaries of foreign owned corporations.

The reforms concerning covert testing are necessary in light of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General's previous finding that the contractor for screening services at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), the nation's largest and busiest airport with contract screeners, compromised covert testing.

It is imperative that the integrity of covert security testing be protected so that we are assured that contract screeners perform at the same level as Transportation Security Officers.

TSA has reported numerous security breaches occurring regularly at airports with contract screeners, including at SFO. These breaches include contract screener personnel not detecting prohibited items such as knives and bullets in carry-on baggage, improperly clearing passengers without verification of their identity, and not conducting the required additional screening of passengers referred to secondary screening.

For example, on August 21, 2009, a passenger at SFO alarmed the walk- through

metal detector and was referred to the secondary area for additional screening. The passenger promptly let herself out of the holding area and collected her accessible property. It was three minutes before an employee of the private screening company noticed that she was missing.

More needs to be done to prevent security breaches at SPP airports.

Similarly, given that the documented mishandling of sensitive information can have tragic consequences, more needs to be done to prevent such violations as well.

Today, TSA does not have a process in place for ensuring that all employees of corporations with contracts for screening services receive training on the proper handling of sensitive information.

This is the case despite several instances of sensitive security information having been mishandled by employees of corporations with contracts for screening services under the SPP.

For example, on July 18, 2010, a new hire training manual containing sensitive security information (SSI) about screening practices was stolen after a private security company employee in possession of the manual removed it from SFO. In response, TSA sent a letter to the company that conducts screening services for SFO, as well as to all other SPP contractors, directing that any SSI materials be retained in a secure fashion at the airport and only removed with expressed, written permission of a TSA Contracting Officer.

I understand that similar incidents have occurred at other SPP airports. However, since TSA has not always taken action or documented their actions to correct the mishandling of the SSI information, reports on such incidents are currently unavailable.

Regarding workforce protections, the bill would protect workers' pay and benefits by requiring that when an airport privatizes, the private screening company provide Transportation Security Officers employed at the time of the switch the right of first refusal to screening jobs and offer compensation and benefits equal to or greater than what they received at the time the contract was awarded.

No worker on the front lines in securing our aviation system should lose their job, see a reduction in pay, or lose benefits because an airport opts to utilize a private screening company.

As all of my colleagues can attest to, customer service at airports, and in particular in the security screening lanes, is an issue that evokes passionate reactions from constituents all across the country.

Currently, there is no requirement that private screening companies report customer complaints regarding their screening experience to TSA or Congress. The bill would provide the public an avenue for expressing concerns with screening at airports with contract screeners, thus ensuring that the flying public's concerns can be addressed.

In the wake of the deadly attacks of September 11, 2001, TSA was created to secure all modes of transportation so that a terrorist attack on the scale of 9/11 would never happen again.

Since TSA's earliest days, it has struggled to fulfill its mission, but, with every passing year, it matures and improves as a security agency. Opponents of TSA have not forgone any opportunity to exploit a misstep to advance their ultimate goal--the dismantling of TSA. At the same time, they have willfully turned a blind eye to lapses, breaches, and problems at airports secured by contract screeners.

Just as we must act to strengthen TSA's security operations, it is imperative that we address SPP's glaring security challenges.

It is my hope that the ``Contract Screener Reform and Accountability Act'' be enacted to ensure that we do just that.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the ``Flight School Security Act of 2013.''

This bipartisan legislation closes a known aviation security gap by requiring individuals seeking flight training on aircraft with a maximum certified takeoff weight of more than 12,500 pounds to be checked against the terrorist watchlist prior to receiving flight training.

I am proud to have the Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Transportation Security, Cedric Richmond, and the Chairman of the Committee's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies, Patrick Meehan, as original cosponsors of this important legislation.

Under current law, a flight instructor, pilot school, or aviation training center are only required to check aliens--non-United States citizens--against the terrorist watchlist and receive a determination from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as to whether that individual presents a risk to aviation or national security prior to providing flight training.

U.S. citizens who seek the same training do not undergo these simple checks.

As a matter of practice, daily checks against the terrorist watchlist are only undertaken for aliens and individuals who hold valid airman's certifications issued by the Federal Aviation Administration; TSA does not check the names of those seeking or undertaking flight training against the watchlist until after they have already been trained on how to fly a plane and are applying for a certificate to take their first solo flight.

The ``Flight School Security Act of 2013'' closes this security gap by requiring that any individual seeking training in the operation of any aircraft having a maximum certified takeoff weight of more than 12,500 pounds, including a United States citizen, be checked against the terrorist watchlist to ascertain if the individual may pose a threat to aviation or national security and receive a determination from the Assistant Secretary that the individual does not pose a threat that warrants denial of access to such training.

The ``Flight School Security Act of 2013'' would subject individuals seeking flight school training to the same terrorist watchlist check that anyone taking a flight domestically undergoes.

It does not compel United States citizens to provide the exhaustive list of personally identifiable information, including fingerprints, which are required to be provided by an alien seeking flight training.

Mr. Speaker, the ``Flight School Security Act of 2013'' is a common sense, bipartisan bill, crafted in consultation with both TSA and stakeholders.

The bill is the product of the oversight work of the Committee on Homeland Security and represents a common sense solution to a glaring security gap.

Just last week, in an appearance before the Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Transportation Security, the TSA Administrator, John S. Pistole, stated that this security gap is an issue that has to be addressed, that Congressional action would be welcome, and that checking those seeking flight training against the terrorist watchlist prior to them commencing flight training would be the best security.

I urge my colleagues to support the ``Flight School Security Act of 2013'' so that we can be secure in the knowledge that no person who poses a security threat that is significant enough to be blocked from boarding an aircraft is allowed to learn to fly one.

Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing legislation that strengthens our transportation security.

The 9/11 Commission identified key vulnerabilities that existed across our transportation security and how they were exploited by the 9/11 hijackers.

Soon after 9/11, industry representatives across the transportation sector, including labor, cargo and aviation representatives came together to support the Transportation Security Administration in developing a robust and layered security program that addressed threats and vulnerabilities across the aviation security.

The Aviation Security Advisory Committee, first established in 1989 after the Pan American World Airways Flight 103, has played a critical role in the development of transportation security policies and protocols.

However, under TSA, the ASAC remained inactive for several years and reportedly reorganized in 2008 and renewed with a charter in 2011 after receiving pressure from Congress to reconstitute this group.

This was done after stakeholders expressed ongoing frustrations to Congress about the lack in dialog between them and TSA in developing transportation security policies.

This legislation will establish the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) into law and will ensure that TSA engages with critical stakeholders prior and throughout the modification of critical policy changes such as the one announced last week.

Specifically, my legislation authorizes the ASAC and requires the establishment of targeted working groups on air cargo, general aviation, perimeter security and risk based security, which will allow the ASAC to address security issues that require effective collaboration between the government and the private sector.

One glaring example that underscores the need for this legislation is TSA's recent decision to modify its prohibited items list and allow knives and sporting equipment that could be used as weapons through checkpoint security without a robust and formal engagement with stakeholders.

TSA decided that passengers would be allowed to bring knives with blades as long as 2.36 inches on airplanes. Further, TSA adjusted its ``Prohibited Items List'' to allow passengers to bring up to one hockey stick, one lacrosse stick, two golf clubs, and small souvenir bats as carry on items.

Not surprising, this announcement immediately received significant criticism from industry representatives, air carriers, passenger groups, flight attendants, pilots, law enforcement groups and even the representative for TSA's frontline screener workforce.

I too have expressed my deepest concerns with this policy, not just because TSA is allowing certain questionable items aboard a plane without a justification for its decision, but because TSA decided not to consult with stakeholder representatives prior to announcing changes to this policy.

The general public and stakeholders such as flight attendants, pilots, airlines, and air marshals are the most affected by this decision.

By authorizing the ASAC into law, we can ensure that TSA will not dismantle the important advisory committee and be required to utilize this valuable mechanism when developing policies that impact millions of passengers and critical stakeholders.

I want to also recognize my colleagues Congressman Richmond, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security, and all other members of the Subcommittee, including Congresswoman Jackson Lee and Congressman Swalwell, as original cosponsors to this legislation.

Enactment of my legislation will increase security in the aviation system and mitigate ever-present terrorist threats.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a courageous volunteer firefighter, Mr. Jerry Barber.

In addition to serving his community as a volunteer firefighter, Mr. Barber is a member of the Leland High School Class of 1978, the cook for the Leland High School Booster Club, and he is also a carpenter.

Mr. Barber got his inspiration to be a volunteer firefighter from former Chief James Hasting of Leland, Mississippi. Mr. Barber thought he was brave and wanted to be like him. So, he started asking Chief Hasting about being a firefighter. Chief Hasting told him, ``it's not about the money, it's about the life and property you save for others.''

In 2006, Chief Michael Johnson of the Leland Fire Department hired Mr. Barber as a volunteer firefighter, where he is still employed. Since then he has taken great pride in being a fireman through training and certification. He is certified in Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). He is also trained and licensed to drive fire trucks along with mechanical knowledge and equipment maintenance of the truck. In addition to that, Mr. Barber has undergone training in other fire equipment operation and safety. Mr. Barber has excelled up the ranks since 2006 to become the Assistant Chief of the Leland Fire Department.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Jerry Barber for his dedication and passion for serving the city of Leland, Mississippi.

I rise to recognize a remarkable veteran, Marine Master Sergeant Elbert Lester. On Friday, November 2, 2012 Marine Master Sergeant Elbert Lester, now eighty-seven years of age, was awarded the Muntford Point Marines' Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress for distinguished achievement.

The Munford Point Marines were the first African-Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps in 1941, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Fair Employment Practices Commission, ultimately forcing the Corps to recruit blacks. When asked, ``Why did you choose the Marine Corps?'' he replied ``They decided that for me.'' He then explained while at the Army recruiting station, the black company was asked for volunteers to go into the Marines. No one did. ``So, they put our names in a hat and my name was one of those that were pulled. I was one of the unlucky ones.''

Elbert Lester was assigned to the 27th Depot Company as a Corporal and would leave the service as Master Sergeant. Following training, his unit was put aboard a ship in Norfolk, VA to Guadalcanal, a thirty-day voyage that would begin his time of service in the South Pacific. Most of the 19,000 black Marines trained at Munford Point were assigned to ammunition and depot companies, bring ammunition and supplies to the front lines, and returning wounded and dead to transport ships.

After the war, he returned to Quitman County, Mississippi where he married his childhood sweetheart Pearline Williams. They have thirteen children: Frank, Teresia, Pearlie Mae, Elbert Jr., Patricia, Lacresia, Napoleon, Miranda, Alberta, Timothy, Roderick, Darius, Cornelius and three adopted: Waring, Tiffany and Kikera Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Lester have been married for 65 years and live on their 80-acre farm. They attend Woodland Missionary Baptist Church, where they both sing in the choir.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Monford Point Marine Master Sergeant Elbert Lester for his sacrifices in promoting democracy around the world and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a courageous and remarkable veteran, Mrs. Pamela W. Walker.

Mrs. Walker was born and raised in Leland, Mississippi. She is one of seven children born on September 27, 1962 to Mr. Vernell and Mrs. Claudine Wilson. She is married to Mr. Lester Walker and has three sons: Jarvis, Reginald, and Derrick.

Mrs. Walker graduated from Leland High School in 1980. She went on to further her education at Alcorn State University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985; her Bachelor of Science degree in 1994 from Mississippi Valley State University; and her Masters of Science in 2002, also from Mississippi Valley State University.

Mrs. Walker joined the Army ROTC at Alcorn State University, on May 15, 1984. She has served a total of 26 years in the military. Over that time period, she has attended several military schools, received numerous awards, and she has served overseas in FEPA-Okinawa, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Iraq, and Korea.

Furthermore, her determination and drive to serve this country has pushed her up the ladder in leadership. She was appointed Second Lieutenant (1984), First Lieutenant (1987), Captain (1991), Major (1998), and she retired as a Lieutenant Colonel (2006).

Mrs. Walker is currently an elementary teacher in Greenville Public School District (Mississippi), where she has been for 23 years. She has learned a lot about life during her time in the service, and it has helped her in her classroom.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Pamela W. Walker for her time and dedication to serving our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a war veteran, Mr. Andrew L. Hawkins.

Mr. Hawkins is a native of Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. He is the youngest son born to the late Dave and Evelyn Hawkins of Webb. He received his early education in the West Tallahatchie School District and is a 1966 graduate of West District High School of Sumner. Mr. Hawkins migrated to Chicago, IL after graduation, and shortly thereafter was inducted into the United States Army.

Mr. Hawkins attended Basic Training and Advanced Infantry Training (AIT) in Fort Polk, Louisiana. He qualified with the 45 caliber, M-14 and M-16 as a marksman and sharp shooter. His next duty station following AIT landed him in Southeast Asia (Vietnam) from 1969 to 1970, where he served one year of duty initially while stationed in La Kai for several months with the First Infantry Division. The remainder of his tour was with the 101st Airborne Division, where he was wounded in action and was awarded a Purple Heart Metal and returned home.

After being honorably discharged from the Army, he began pursuing higher education at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois on the GI Bill. He completed his bachelor's degree and much of his master's at DePaul. He later moved back to his home state of Mississippi because he felt that his military experience had equipped him with life skills and discipline to cope with life challenges back home. Mr. Hawkins attributes his will to survive and success to his parents, community, elementary and high school teachers, and his strong spiritual upbringing.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing wounded Vietnam War Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Mr. Andrew L. Hawkins, for his dedication and service to his country while in the United States Army.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable veteran, Elizabeth Michelle Woods. She is a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Delta.

Ms. Woods joined the United States Army Reserves while a senior in high school at East Side High School and served eight years with the 479th Ordnance Company. She completed a tour of duty in Operation Desert Storm as an assistant squad leader. She earned the U.S. Army Achievement Medal, the U.S. Army Certificate of Achievement and other awards. After returning from Saudi Arabia she obtained an Associate of Arts Degree in Social Work.

Ms. Woods earned the rank of Sergeant Promotional after serving our country for 12 years and received an Honorable Discharge. During and after completion of her military

service, she continued her educational pursuits and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work, a Masters Degree in Social Work, and an Executive Masters of Science Degree in Health Administration.

Ms. Woods stated that her service to America taught her that she can succeed in her life pursuits. She has utilized her social work skills during her tenure in law enforcement and developed a Crime Victims Assistance Program with the Department of Veterans Affairs where she provided mental health services. Ms. Woods has also served as Director of Social Work at Delta Health Center and Aaron Henry Health Center. Ms. Woods is the daughter of the late Percy and Annie Woods.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Elizabeth Woods for her dedication to serving our great country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a remarkable veteran of the Korean Conflict from July 30, 1954 until July 25, 1957.

Ned Gathwright served in the United States Army in the Infantry 11 Bravo Company. He received his Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. His duty stations were Airborne School at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Co E 505th Infantry 2nd Airborne Battalion Group in Augsburg, Germany. For his service, he has received the National Defense Medal, Parachutist Badge, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Mr. Gathwright's early education was in the Coahoma County Schools, graduating in 1954 from Coahoma County Agricultural High School. In 1957, he enrolled at Coahoma Junior College on the Montgomery GI Bill. Upon graduating, he entered Jackson State University and received his Bachelor Degree in 1960. The Quitman County School District employed him in the district's Science and Math Departments the same year. He continued his formal education at UCLA, Texas A & M, Michigan State University, and received his Master in Education at the University of Mississippi.

He is married to the former Fannie Hurst and they have two daughters: Sabrina and Katrina. He's a member of the Greenhill Missionary Baptist Church and Coahoma Community College Board of Trustee.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Ned Gathwright, who has dedicated his life to serving his country and community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a minority businesswoman and entrepreneur, Mrs. Brenda Love.

Mrs. Brenda Love is a woman on the move and with many talents. She was born to Martha Lewis and the late Grant Jones, Sr. Until the age of 14, she was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Later, her mother relocated the family to Vicksburg, Mississippi to be closer to her grandmother, Mrs. Ola Mae Williams.

Mrs. Love credits her ambition to her mother, whom she learned from an early age to work hard, keep good credit, pay your bills, and take care of your kids.

Mrs. Love worked for the Federal Government for 20 years until she decided to step out on faith and follow her heart to being an entrepreneur. She is the owner of Love Income Tax Service, which has been in business for 17 years, with 6 full-time employees. She and her husband, Jacob, own Unique Banquet Hall, which is a thriving gathering place serving the Vicksburg area. She also is a Realtor-associate with Coldwell-Banker All Stars. Brenda, who has been married for 23 years to Jacob, has also owned and operated Unique Impressions Restaurant and Lounge. In her spare time, she loves to decorate and coordinate weddings. Mrs. Love is a member of the Warren County Board of Realtors and also serves on the board for the Vicksburg Convention Center and City Auditorium.

Mr. and Mrs. Love have three children, Jakayla, Jacob, and Manekia Love-Jackson and two grandchildren, Mikayla and Madison.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring a minority businesswoman and entrepreneur, Mrs. Brenda Love.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Mr. Aaron Honeysucker. Aaron was born in Camden, Mississippi in 1948. He is the father of three adult children-- Felicia A. Berry, Marcus M. Honeysucker, and Chelsie B. Coleman. Mr. Honeysucker is a retired military veteran who served during the Vietnam War.

While serving in the military, Mr. Honeysucker also worked as an insurance salesman from 1972-1980. He's currently a small business owner and sells real estate. Mr. Honeysucker graduated from Velma Jackson High School in 1967, Hinds Junior College in 1972, and Jackson State University in 1997.

Mr. Honeysucker is a member of several social & civic organizations including the Veteran of Foreign Wars, JSU Alumni Association, Blue Bengal Athletic Association, Woodhaven Homeowners Association, The Retired Active Reserve and Armed Forces Association, and Red Cross Volunteer.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Aaron Honeysucker for his dedication to serving to our great country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an active soldier, Captain Tamiko Wright.

Captain Wright is a 1996 graduate of Vicksburg High School. Upon graduating from high school, she attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Kinesiology. She also holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Columbia Southern University and is currently seeking an additional Masters degree in Logistics.

Captain Wright is employed by the Combined Support Maintenance Shop (CSMS) at Camp Shelby, Mississippi where she is the Supervisor of Production Control. Captain Wright oversees the flow of approximately 1500 work requests per month on various types of military equipment. Her additional duties at CSMS include Anti-Terrorism Officer, Assistant Safety Officer, Hazardous Waste Management Coordinator, Sexual Harassment Officer, Assistant Operating Manager and SAMS-1E training officer.

Captain Wright and her husband, Larry Wright, reside in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and have two lovely daughters: Amari, 7 years old and Lorrie, 2 years old.

Captain Wright has dedicated over 12 years to the Mississippi Army National Guard. While doing so, she has served her country in deployments for Operation Iraqi Freedom to Kuwait and served on the S1 administrative staff for Operation Clean-Up during Hurricane Katrina.

Captain Wright is presently serving as Company Commander of the 1387th Quarter Master Water Supply Company in Greenville, Mississippi. Her successful career includes: Platoon Leader for D1 367th Maintenance Company, DeKalb, Mississippi; Executive Officer, 367th Maintenance Company, Philadelphia, Mississippi; and Acting Commander of the 367th Maintenance Company.

While attending Officer Candidate School (OCS), Captain Wright was named Outstanding Graduate for excellence in academics and leadership; she also received the Erickson Award for the candidate whose overall class ranking was number 1 based on overall criteria; and the Adjutant General Award for outstanding leadership ability. She also received numerous decorations and badges: the Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Device, Mississippi Longevity Medal, Mississippi Emergency Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Army Service Ribbon.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring an active soldier, Captain Tamiko Wright.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a remarkable veteran of the Korean Conflict from 1954-1957, Pastor Jesse J. Jossell, Jr., of Marks, Mississippi.

Jesse was born in Coahoma County on September 5, 1935 to the late Jesse J. and Cordelia B. Jossell, Sr. His family later moved to Quitman County, Mississippi where he attended school and in May 1954 he graduated from Marks Industrial High School. He received his Associate of Arts Degree from Coahoma Junior College in May 1959. In 1961, he received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Jackson State College, now Jackson State University. He also attended Howard University in 1965. In 1969, he earned a Master of Science Degree in Natural Science from Oklahoma State University and later a Master of Education Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision in 1973.

From 1960 until 1973, Jesse Jossell worked for the Quitman County School District in Marks, Mississippi as a classroom science teacher and science supervisor before accepting a principal position at the Falcon Junior High School in 1973.

In 1973, Jesse Jossell was asked to seek the office of Superintendent of Schools in the upcoming State and County Elections in 1975. Just four years earlier, the leadership in the black community under the new voting rights law sought to test this new tool. Jesse by far was the most attractive candidate and offered the best opportunity to elect an African-American to a countywide position. For two years, voter registration was the order of the day. More than 1,500 African- Americans were added to the voter rolls by qualifying deadline. Although Jesse and the other black candidates were not elected, three years later he was elected the first African-American to the Quitman County Board of Supervisors.

Jesse Jossell was later called into the ministry, where he has served as Pastor of Holly Grove Missionary Baptist Church since 1984. Through his work as pastor, he has provided child care to working mothers, especially single low-income and those trying to better themselves by going to school.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Pastor Jesse Jossell, Jr. for a life of dedication to bettering the lives of the least among us.