Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable student, Ms. Shalaria Jackson.

Ms. Jackson is a senior at Humphreys County High School. Throughout her years in school, she has been a part of many leadership organizations, such as: TATU, SADD, Sister of Sophistication, and Senior Select.

Upon graduation, she plans to attend Mississippi State University to major in Biochemistry to one day become a Medical Examiner.

Being a part of senior select gave her the opportunity to experience the work force; never did she think that she would have such a great effect on her coworker's lives. She has learned the basics of becoming and working as a Chancery Clerk assistant at the Humphreys County Court House.

She also learned the patience it takes to work well with others in a work setting environment. What she learned at work, she applied it to school and vice versa. She helped with the paperwork, greeted the patients and staff with such great hospitality, operated the telephones and also helped other coworkers when her tasks were completed.

It was not an easy job for her to juggle school and work, but she kept the faith and pushed forward.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Shalaria Jackson for her dedication to serving others and giving back to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the City of Jackson, which was founded in 1821, at the site of a trading post situated on a ``high handsome bluff'' on the west bank of the Pearl River.

Jackson's history tells that the trading post was operated by a French-Canadian trader named Louis LeFleur, and the town originally was called LeFleur's Bluff.

The Mississippi state legislature wanted the seat of government moved out of the Natchez area and into a more central location. It commissioned three men to locate an ideal place for a town that could become the state capital.

After surveying areas north and east of Jackson, Thomas Hinds, James Patton, and William Lattimore proceeded southwest along the Pearl River until they came to LeFleur's Bluff in Hinds County. Their report to the General Assembly was that this location had ``beautiful and healthful surroundings, good water, abundant timber, navigable waters, and nearness to the Natchez Trace.''

A legislative act dated November 28, 1821 authorized the location to be the permanent seat of government for the state and that it would be named Jackson--in honor of Major General Andrew Jackson who would later become the seventh president of the United States.

The building of a new state house had top priority, and a $3,500 contract was awarded to build Mississippi's first capitol: a two-story brick structure that was 40 feet by 30 feet. Shortly after the adoption of the Constitution of 1832, which ensured Jackson would be the permanent capital, the Mississippi legislature authorized the construction of a new and much larger house of government.

This magnificent example of Greek Revival architecture remained the seat of state government until 1903. It lay dormant for several years, and then served as state offices until the late 1950s and as the state historical museum until 2005. Surviving extensive damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Old Capitol was lovingly restored and opened to the public as a state house museum in 2009.

A third capitol building, referred to as the ``New Capitol,'' was completed in 1903. This magnificent structure, patterned after the National Capitol, is a major tourist attraction today, as well as the focus of Mississippi state government activities.

Two other buildings are worthy of note in Mississippi history. The Governor's Mansion, authorized in 1839 and completed in 1842, is the second oldest residence of its type in the nation; it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Jackson's City Hall, built in 1846 for less than $8,000, is still the working seat of municipal government after more than 140 years. The massively-columned, three- story building and the gardens that surround it are two of the most photographed locations in the city.

Jackson's growth in the 1800s was slow and sometimes painful. During the Civil War, the town was ravaged and burned three times by Union troops under the command of General William Tecumseh Sherman. Surprisingly, the City Hall was spared the torch. It was rumored that Sherman bypassed the building because it housed a Masonic Lodge and that the Union leader was a Mason. More likely, its use as a hospital was the reason the building was not burned.

Although less than 8,000 people lived in the Jackson area at the turn of the century, its population began accelerating rapidly after 1900, and it is now one of the dynamic growth areas of the Sunbelt. In 1990, the population of the Metropolitan area rose to 395,396. It is a major distribution center with a prime location equal distance between Memphis and New Orleans, north-south, and between Dallas and Atlanta, east-west.

As a major distribution center, efficient transportation facilities are a must. Eight major air carriers--American Eagle, Continental, Delta, Northwest Airlines, US Airways Express, and Southwest Airlines-- provide service in the Jackson International Airport and Hawkins Field. Amtrak provides daily passenger service to Chicago and New Orleans. The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad and scores of major truck lines provide freight service to all parts of the nation.

A new, state-of-the-art convention center, the Jackson Convention Complex, opened in January 2009, in downtown Jackson, the beating heart of this vibrant, modern city. JCC offers conferencing technology, a 380-seat theatre, and more than 110,000 square feet of prime meeting and exhibit space. The complex is near Jackson's arts district, hotels, entertainment and restaurants.

Jackson boasts two regional shopping malls, numerous multi-store centers, and a wide array of antiques, gift stands and craft shops.

Eleven hospitals, including the nationally renowned University of Mississippi Medical Center, provide diagnoses and treatments for thousands of patients in the region.

Every major church denomination is represented in the city, and there are more than 400 houses of worship scattered throughout the 105 square miles of community. An excellent public school system is an integral part of the area, and one university and six colleges and junior colleges are located within 15 miles of Jackson's center.

Residents of the City with Soul are extremely proud of their Southern hospitality and lifestyle. Community support is strong for a symphony orchestra, an opera, ballet companies, professional theater groups, and a beautiful new art museum.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the City of Jackson, Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a group of women who has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and a desire to serve

their community, Vicksburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The Vicksburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has served the Warren County community and the State of Mississippi through informational meetings, social and civic engagement.

The idea of an alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in Vicksburg, Mississippi, was realized in February 1976 when Maggie Walker and Gloria Hebron discussed the possibility of becoming active in a nearby alumnae chapter. While developing a list of potential members to accompany them, they asked themselves, ``Why join another Chapter when there are at least 15 to 20 inactive members in our city?'' With this in mind, they contacted National Headquarters, requested an application for a charter, and sent out a call for inactive Deltas to come forward to serve our city and local communities.

The Vicksburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was chartered by 14 of the 18 Deltas who came forth when on Saturday evening, November 6, 1976, then Southern Regional Director and future 19th National President Yvonne Kennedy installed them into the Vicksburg Alumnae Chapter. This event took place at the Holiday Inn, on Clay Street, in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

The Vicksburg Alumnae Chapter boasts 83 members for the 2013-2014 sororal year. All are registered voters and hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree.

Vicksburg Alumnae Chapter members actively participate in Vicksburg and surrounding communities through annual blood drives; walk-a-thons; HIV/AIDS awareness programs; Habitat for Humanity; refurbished and maintain The Delta Room at Mountain of Faith Ministries Women's Shelter; youth educational scholarships, mentoring, and ACT workshops; financial management workshops; cultural awareness programs, including Jabberwock; educational forums; and meet the candidates political awareness forums.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Vicksburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for its dedication to serving others and giving back to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the City of Canton, Mississippi.

Madison County, the 23rd county in Mississippi, was named for the fourth President, James Madison, and was created in 1828 out of Yazoo and Hinds Counties. It incorporates lands between the Pearl and Big Black Rivers

where General Andrew Jackson met with the Choctaw Chieftain, Pushmataha. That meeting resulted in the 1820 Treaty of Doak's Stand.

This area attracted large numbers of settlers from Virginia and the Carolinas who came to farm the lush, rolling hills, and fertile soil.

In 1833, the Madison County Board of Police (a governing body similar to today's supervisors) appointed surveyor John B. Peyton to select a geographical center for a new county seat and to lay it out in blocks. In 1834, 40 acres of land belonging to Killis and Margaret Walton were deeded to the county for $100. The land was divided into square parcels with the plot nearest the center reserved for the public square.

In 1836, the town was legally incorporated and boasted a population of 400. The first recorded ordinance made it a misdemeanor to gallop horse, mare, or mule on any street or alley.

By 1838, Canton boasted two banks, two hotels, ten dry goods stores, a drug store, three groceries, a bakery, a tin shop, three tailor shops, and two watchmakers. The public buildings were a courthouse, jail, church, and a female academy. The town enjoyed notoriety for having as visitors the celebrated original Siamese twins, Chang and Eng, who ordered two custom suits from Perlinsky's Tailor Shop.

There are two stories concerning the naming of Canton, and both attribute the name to Chinese origin. One states that Canton, Mississippi is the exact opposite side of the world as Canton, China, and was thus named. The other story states that the daughter of a Chinese family died in the area and the sympathetic community named the town for the family. There is really no more proof for one over the other, it's just which one you wish to believe.

The very center and glory of our town is the beautiful Greek Revival Courthouse. Members of the local Masonic Order laid the cornerstone to the Courthouse in July 1855. The Board of Police paid $26,428 for it, as well as $65 per month to a commissioner to supervise proper construction--a magnificent sum at that time. The brick used were salvaged from the old Courthouse that had been condemned in 1840 because of the deterioration of the mortar. The new Courthouse was the scene of a huge Fourth of July celebration in 1857, but was not legally accepted until 1858. The beautiful iron fence was added later at a cost of $5,250. The large dome (twenty feet in diameter and thirty feet high) has twice been threatened with removal for security reasons. The first time was during original construction in 1856, and the second time was during remodeling in 1925. Both times the women of the town were successful in protecting it by insisting that ``beauty prevail over reason.''

The Courthouse has also served as a gathering place to welcome the railroad, send soldiers off to war, as a Court of Justice and the Seat of county offices, a polling place, an early library, a theater, and a hospital during the yellow fever epidemic.

The happenings within the Courthouse walls have reflected the humorous, chivalrous, hardheaded, hospitable personalities who have given the South its distinctive character. During reconstruction, there was so much ballot box stuffing and tensions that when Election Day threatened to become bloody, a group of officials dispersed a gathering crowd by climbing into the dome and shooting down rocks with slingshots.

The legal chambers within the Courthouse have witnessed many fiery trials, several of which resulted in duels between lawyers. When dueling had been outlawed in the state, Judge Calhoun and Judge Bowers, respecting the law, traveled together to Vicksburg and crossed the river into Louisiana to settle a court quarrel with pistols. Neither man was injured; it was simply a matter of honor.

In 1994-1995 a new Courthouse was built one block north of the Square and the beautiful old Courthouse underwent a $2,000,000 renovation. The 1855 cornerstone was opened and re-laid by the Masonic Order. The first floor is currently home to the Madison County Economic Development Authority, and the old courtroom, on the second floor, is currently not in use.

In 1982, the Canton Courthouse Square District was officially entered into the National Register of Historic Places and declared one of three best examples in the State of Mississippi.

The Courthouse Square, still the focus of exciting activities, is the scene twice yearly of the nationally famous Canton Flea Market Arts & Crafts Show. The Market attracts up to 100,000 visitors annually from across the United States and beyond.

It is estimated that over $20,000,000 in public and private funding has been invested in the Canton Square District, including the new and old Courthouses.

In recent years, the beauty, uniqueness, and preservation efforts of our Courthouse Square and Historic District, with its beautiful homes, have attracted the attention of Hollywood. In addition to the five major films, many advertising agencies have chosen Canton as the location for commercial and corporate shoots, and PBS again chose the town for a segment of a six hour blues documentary on blues great Skip James to air in 2003.

With the site of the Nissan Automotive Plant located one mile south of the city, proposed plans for the Mississippi Film Complex, and the continued efforts toward preservation by the community, Canton's future is well-assured.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the City of Canton, Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Pastor Horace Buckley a native Jacksonian.

Reverend Buckley is a graduate of Lanier High School and Mississippi Valley State University, where he received the Bachelor of Science Degree. He received the Master of Education Degree in Counseling from Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama. Reverend Buckley received the Doctorate of Divinity Degree (Honoris, Causa) from Natchez College and the Mississippi Baptist Seminary, May 2003 and June 2003 respectively.

He is a former classroom teacher, having both interned and taught at Coleman High School in Greenville, Mississippi. In the Jackson Public Schools, he has worked as a high school counselor, a volunteer track coach and a middle school assistant principal. He is a recipient of the Jackson Association of Educator's ``Friend of Education'' Award and numerous other citations and awards.

He is a Hall of Fame Inductee in track and field, both at his Alma Mater and in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. He served for 16 years in the Mississippi House of Representatives.

Reverend Buckley is a man of God who holds to his convictions and walks by faith and not by sight. He received the call to serve as pastor of Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in 1969 and has transformed a two Sunday a month worship service to full-time worship services. His dedicated and extraordinary leadership resulted in the retirement of mortgage in 1973 and 1991.

In 1980, the church held its Centennial Celebration Service. On April 18, 1993 the church broke ground on its $1.2 million Family Life Center which houses an array of ministries and serves the community where the church is located and where as a boy Horace Buckley spent his formative years growing up.

Reverend Buckley is married to the former Myra Beamon. They are the proud parents of four adult children: Dr. Horace A. Buckley, Carol LeJune Buckley, Dr. Cedric Buckley and Reverend Reginald M. Buckley and currently are grandparents to eight grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Reverend Horace L. Buckley for his dedication to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Town of Jonestown, Mississippi.

The Town of Jonestown, Mississippi elected its first black Mayor, James A. Shanks, in June 1973. During these times, the struggle for freedom was very high, especially in the South. Mayor Shanks took advantage of available opportunities from federal, state and local resources. He partnered with organizations like the National Conference of Black Mayors and Mississippi Conference of Black Mayors.

Additionally, Aaron E. Henry and other civil rights activists provided valuable assistance to Jonestown. Mayor Shanks and the Board of Aldermen, enhanced the community through housing, water and sewer projects, recreational facilities, and to improve the lives of the citizens. Mayor Shanks served a total of 12 non-consecutive years as mayor.

In June 1980 Jimmy Wilkins was elected Mayor and continued moving Jonestown forward through excellent programs made by his predecessor. A modern fire station, a new fire truck and water and sewer projects were completed, upgraded housing complexes and new single family housing during Mayor Wilkins' tenure. Mayor Wilkins served eight nonconsecutive years (1981-1985 and 1993-1997).

In 1989, Bobbie Walker became, the first female elected Mayor of Jonestown. In addition to ongoing projects, Mayor Walker increased community development by utilizing college volunteers, working with Habitat for Humanity and the Sisters of the Holy Name, whose members reside in Jonestown. They provide a cadre of services to citizens through education, medical contact, and recreation.

In June 1997, Joe W. Phillips was elected Mayor of Jonestown. He emphasized a sense of community and urged the people of Jonestown to be proud of their community. Mayor Phillips continued to enhance the Town of Jonestown during his two non-consecutive terms in office.

Patrick Leon Campbell was the youngest black Mayor elected to office in Jonestown and the State of Mississippi at age 28 in 2001.

He was instrumental in numerous revitalization projects via grants such as the Mississippi Historic Preservation Grant, Small Town Limited Municipality Grant, Planning Grant, Water & Sewer Grant, Public Safety Grant, Home Grant, and others. Mayor Campbell initiated the Jonestown High School scholarship fund, and reinstated the Annual Jonestown Day Celebration which brings many former citizens and tourists to town. In June of 2013 Mayor Campbell was re-elected Mayor of Jonestown and with eagerness sought out numerous economic development opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing an amazing Town for their dedication to their community and change.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the historically rich, rural town of Bolton, Mississippi.

The beginnings of the Town of Bolton stemmed around one of history's most sought after resource and highly demanded man-made commodity: the modern railroad system. Prior to its incorporation in 1871, the area now known as Bolton was a deer path with most of its land dedicated to plantation owners. One of the plantation owners, Colonel Thomas Jefferson Bolton, was a well-known railroad builder and settled in the area prior to the Civil War. After posing a compromise with another prominent plantation owner in the area, a deal was reached and the Clinton/Vicksburg railroad companies constructed a railroad depot on Colonel Bolton's land; henceforth, naming the area and the station depot Bolton.

Within a few decades of establishing the railroad depot, the Civil War began and Bolton became involved in one of the Union forces most critical battle. In 1863, during General Grant's march to Vicksburg, Champion's Hill (a small community on the outskirts of Bolton) was the scene of a decisive battle between the Union and Confederate forces. The defeat of Confederate troops paved the way for the resultant siege and fall of Vicksburg. Eight years after the defeat, the Town of Bolton was incorporated and had reached a population of just under 800.

The Town of Bolton has withstood many changes, both good and bad. In 1878, many residents succumbed to a yellow fever epidemic. Economically, however, the town was booming with businesses that lined the main thoroughfare between Vicksburg and Jackson. Farming was the main occupation for many in the town as much of the area had acres upon acres and rich farmland. In 1903, the constructed an artesian well, measuring 1,638 feet in depth. This well subsequently provided the townspeople with approximately two million gallons of water at the lowest price possible for the time period. In 1908, the town built and equipped a modern light plant. Two cotton gins processed numerous bales of cotton, aiding in the economic stability of the town.

With the construction of the interstate highway system, much of the continuous traffic seen passing through Bolton quickly diminished, much to the delight of the residents of Bolton. Once the new bypass highway was constructed, business plummeted to include only the local residents and the occasional traveler. A shift in demographics also began, growing minority than in previous decades past. Today, the town's population is approximately 567, with mostly 75% of the residents being African American. There are currently symbols from the town's early beginnings still existing, such as the Gaddis and McLaurin Feed and Seed Store, the Lummus cotton gin, and original artesian well, all of which are monumental landmarks that have stood through the multiple changes and are a testament of the resolve of the citizens of Bolton. In addition to old landmarks, new ones have also emerged, such as the town's City Hall, multiple institutions of worship, a veterinarian, library, medical clinic, and a number of small businesses, primarily owned and operated by African Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Town of Bolton as a resilient, historically rich rural town that has remained committed to maintaining its close-knit community ties within and outside its city limits by staying true to its roots in agriculture and local owned businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the historically rich city of Lexington, Mississippi.

Lexington is a city in Holmes County, Mississippi. The population was 2,025 as of the 2000 census. It was named in honor of Lexington, Massachusetts. Like much of the state, Holmes County suffered during and after the Civil War.

The City of Lexington is served by the Holmes County School District. It is also served by a private school called Central Holmes Christian School (formerly Central Holmes Academy).

The City of Lexington also has some rich African-American History. It is the root for the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) (formerly called the Church of God when it got its Lexington beginning) by founder Bishop Charles Harrison Mason.

The City of Lexington can also boast as having the first black- elected school superintendent in the State of Mississippi--Elder William Dean, who is now pastor of the St. Paul Church of God in Christ here in Lexington. The church is situated next to the beautiful campus of Saints College (now closed to students) but is used for multiple purposes, especially its church-like edifice commonly known as ``Holy Hill.''

Saints College was founded by an African-American, Dr. Arenia Mallory as Saints Industrial and Literary School.

The historically black school was renamed and is currently called Saints Academy. Dr. Mallory served as president of the school from 1926 until her death in 1983. It is run under the Church of God in Christ. Dr. Mallory was an active member of the COGIC church and participated in the Women's Department and was the leader in the national church. She also served as the Vice President of the National Council of Negro Women from 1953-1957.

Lexington is also the home of the Dr. Arenia C. Mallory Community Health Center, Inc. (Mallory CHC) founded by Dr. Martha Davis (now deceased). Its mission is to provide high quality, customer oriented and cost effective healthcare services in a safe and accessible environment to all persons of Holmes, Carroll, Madison, Leflore counties and surrounding communities. Its motto is ``Enter a Patient, Leave a Friend.'' (See more about the clinic at http:// www.mallorychc.org/)

The City of Lexington is also the home of the Community Students Learning Center (CSLC) founded by longtime African-American natives Leslie and Beulah Greer: ``Our Mission for the Community Students Learning Center is to promote community and educational change, by providing state-of-the-art leadership development and personal improvement opportunities for youth, adults, and seniors.'' Its motto is ``In Relentless Pursuit of Education and Knowledge. (See more about CSLC at: http://www.communitystudentlearning.org/)

The City of Lexington was at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement in Holmes County, Mississippi. Brave men and women, black and white, protested, challenged and worked hard to bring about racial harmony. While some success in that regard was made, the city and County both still could currently use more racial reconciliation, according to some of the residents.

In addition to numerous historical firsts, today, the City of Lexington also boasts first ever Black Mayor of Lexington, Mississippi--the Honorable Mayor Clint Cobbins, who is currently leading his community toward progress.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the City of Lexington as a resilient, historically rich rural town that has maintained its community ties inside and outside its city limits by staying true to its roots in agriculture and local owned businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule that allows for consideration of H.R. 4681, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015.

I am troubled that just 11 amendments were allowed under the rule and many solid amendments that would enhance oversight and transparency were blocked, particularly an amendment by

Representative Gabbard to expand the authority and oversight of the intelligence community by the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.

With respect to the underlying bill, I would like to discuss a number of provisions that deserve to be highlighted.

The bill sets the stage for potentially significant reforms to government contract employees' ability to access classified information that warrant thoughtful consideration by the House and further clarification.

Specifically, H.R. 4681 directs the Director of National Intelligence to ensure that elements of the intelligence community engage in continuous evaluation of its employees to detect behaviors that may result in unauthorized disclosures.

The bill also directs a cost-benefit analysis of replacing the standard periodic reinvestigation process with automated continuous evaluation programs. While I agree that there are weaknesses in the current security clearance process that warrant reform, it is important that, before wholesale changes are made, Congress expresses its expectations about the scope of such programs, establishes metrics for evaluating their efficacy, and ensures that due process protections for impacted individuals are available.

We have an obligation to 5.2 million Americans whose livelihoods depend on maintaining their security clearances to ensure that agencies that establish these programs do so in a manner that guards against abuses, including targeting and retaliation by supervisors, as well as improper or excessive invasions of privacy.

The urge to adopt continuous evaluation in response to high-profile incidents involving individuals with access to classified information who violated the terms of their oath is understandable. However, the adoption of continuous evaluation does not absolve the intelligence community of its obligations to bolster the protection of its classified holdings.

Regrettably, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4681 may send the wrong message to agencies, as it does not include language to direct agencies to raise the bar on access controls, thereby giving the impression that our concern is principally about employees' actions and behaviors.

I appreciate the gentleman yielding.

I also have concerns, Mr. Speaker, about the bill's view of the future of security clearance investigations and adjudications and the degree to which it sets the stage for computers and algorithms to replace humans in the process.

Specifically, it direct the DNI to conduct a cost-benefit analysis on reducing or eliminating the manual process for security clearance investigations and adjudications.

The guiding principle in the adjudication process is the concept of the whole person, where information is brought to bear to give a picture of an individual. The prospect that we would empower a computer to render judgment of a person's integrity, character, and loyalty to our Nation is troubling.

In the coming weeks, I will be introducing a comprehensive security clearance reform bill that, among other things, addresses known weaknesses in the current system, establishes expectations for continuous evaluation programs, and demands proper performance from investigative service providers.

It also would greatly expand the resources and responsibilities of the Public Interest Declassification Board. A well-resourced and robust board is essential to increasing accountability of the intelligence community. I am pleased that the underlying bill will renew the authorization of the board.

Before I yield back, Mr. Speaker, I would note that, while I am pleased that the bill authorizes intelligence operations within DHS, I am disturbed that, in advance of today's vote, members of the Homeland Security Committee staff were not granted access to the classified annex of this legislation, as it is relevant to the committee's oversight jurisdiction.

I would hope that, as this bill moves through the legislative process, the stovepipes that exist within this Chamber that hinder critical information-sharing and oversight can be overcome for the benefit of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in reluctant opposition to H.R. 3361, the USA FREEDOM Act, which I cosponsored at introduction. I am troubled by the changes that were made to the bill behind closed doors that stripped key protections and opened the door to bulk collection. The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board found the NSA's bulk collection of metadata to be illegal and called for it to be stopped. The legislation before us today includes language that raises the specter of the programs continuing in some limited form. This is not what the law or the American people demand.

I had intended to support the USA FREEDOM Act, which at introduction would have brought an end to the NSA's bulk metadata program, however, changes that were made to the measure, outside of the committee process, behind closed doors, at the insistence of the NSA undercut the bill. In its current form, the ban on bulk collection is watered down and potentially exploitable by proponents of these programs. In the original bill, the phrase ``specific selection term'' was narrowly- defined as ``a term used to uniquely describe a person, entity or account.'' In the version before us today, that definition was significantly re-written to allow the list of potential selection terms to be so open-ended as to encompass whole area codes or ZIP codes. In effect, bulk collection could continue under this definition.

I am also troubled that H.R. 3361 no longer includes language to establish an independent public advocate. Such a position is essential to give voice to ordinary Americans in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), which sets the legal parameters for NSA surveillance. The absence of such a position means that the FISC will continue to hear only from the government. There would be no one to stand up before the court and challenge the government's legal positions on what surveillance is permissible and represent the American public, whose data is being collected.

The arguments for ending the NSA's bulk metadata programs are strong one. Since it came to light last year that the NSA had assembled a database that includes calls made by nearly every American since 2007, many of us have asked tough questions about whether it was constitutional or even effective as a counterterrorism tool. A January 2014 Pew Research poll found that 70 percent of Americans believe they should not have to give up their privacy in order to be safe from terrorism with a majority expressing disapproval of the NSA surveillance program outright. The record on the effectiveness of these programs is scant. Before his recent retirement, NSA Director General Keith Alexander testified before Congress that these bulk collection programs foiled ``one or perhaps two'' terrorist plots against the United States but provided no further detail. The Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, has stated that the number of prevented plots is not an appropriate metric to measure whether the programs are necessary or useful.

I had hoped we could come together and act on the recommendations of the independent Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) and end what the Board determined to be illegal programs. Unfortunately, what we have before us does not bring about the changes in the law that would be necessary. I appreciate that some of my colleagues will vote for this measure to move the ball forward and get the issue before the Senate. There's certainly a case to be made for such an approach but given that the proponents of these programs have repeatedly exploited ambiguities in the law to advance their own ambitions, I cannot stand by and let the measure pass, in its current form.

For these reasons, I reluctantly oppose H.R. 3361.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding young lady making a difference in her school and her life. She is a student at West Tallahatchie High School in Tallahatchie County, MS, Ms. Mary Ann Tyler.

Ninth grade is a time when most fourteen year olds are just entering their first year of high school and getting acclimated to it. Ms. Tyler's life changed in the ninth grade. She became a teenage mother. But she did not let that change define her future.

Ms. Tyler said she started believing in herself and taking steps to define and construct her future. She started by attending class more often, turning those absentees into presents; she began joining school organizations and clubs. Those among other changes have been the turning point of life.

There is a saying that ``attitude can help determine your altitude.'' Well, Ms. Tyler has embraced that philosophy which has yielded her some positive returns. During her tenth grade year, she joined the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and the Student Government Association (SGA) where she did more than just join, she was elected by her peers as the secretary. Organization and reliability is a great attribute.

As a member of the Future Business Leaders of America she progressed to the state competition to represent her school and there she placed third in the Community Service Project division of the FBLA competition.

The years just kept getting better and the growth and development in Ms. Tyler was starting to take notice. She rejoined the FBLA and SGA school organizations in her junior year of high school. This time she served as the Vice-President of both organizations, a position bestowed upon her through the voting process of peer election. She was also inducted into the Beta Club and voted the ``Most Improved Student.''

By the time Ms. Tyler was a senior in high school, leadership was natural and parenting was a role that she did not take for granted. She not only wanted to challenge herself to reach higher ground but, she also wanted to use her climb as an example for her child, knowing that someday she would tell her story of being a teen mom but not letting that define her future. During her senior year, Ms. Tyler became the president of SGA and the treasurer of the Beta Club.

Her grade point average has soared to 3.79, which was commendable, given her responsibilities.

Ms. Tyler's plans beyond high school include college with her sights set on a degree in Business Administration, then on to graduate school to pursue her MBA. You see all those years in FBLA and SGA have paid off because they have motivated her to think about her future. She has a dream of owning her own business. I am proud to have Ms. Tyler as a citizen of the Second Congressional District of Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Mary Ann Tyler, an amazing student for her dedication to succeed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable, well-rounded, and highly driven young woman, Mrs. Destiny Kyles-Jones. Born to Mr. Dennis Kyles, Sr. and Ms. Machelle Shelby Kyles on April 25, 1991, Destiny was raised in the small, close-knit town of Bolton, Mississippi.

As a child, Destiny was an outstanding young woman who was deeply involved in her community and church home. She regularly attended Holy Ghost Missionary Baptist Church in Clinton, Mississippi and was active in Sunday school and various other auxiliaries.

Destiny is not only a well-mannered young woman, but also exceptionally bright. Her academic ambitions were accomplished and exceeded during her matriculation at Clinton High School, where she graduated in May 2009. She furthered her education at Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi, ultimately receiving her B.A. in Business Administration.

During her time at Tougaloo College, Destiny was well known among her peers, faculty, and administrators. She was a highly prestigious scholarly student, graduating Sum Cum Laude in May 2013.

Among her extra-curricular activity involvements included Dazzling Divas Dance Team, Toast Masters, Pre-Alumni Council, Vice President of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Financial Secretary of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and Tougaloo Ambassadors of Meritorious Scholars.

While Destiny was heavily involved in student government and served in several positions, among them were Miss Freshman, Junior Class Representative, and Miss Tougaloo College.

As Miss Tougaloo College, Destiny embodied the noble qualities of her beloved college. Her kind spirit and positive attitude was highly infectious, affording her the opportunity to be featured with First Lady Michelle Obama on CNN and in Ebony Magazine as one the nation's Top Ten HBCU Campus Queens in 2013.

Currently, Destiny attends Texas A&M University, where she is pursuing her Masters degree in Business Administration. She also is employed with the Department of Justice through an opportunity afforded her via the Homeland Security Initiative at Tougaloo College. She resides in Rockwell, Texas with her husband Jarred Jones.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Destiny Kyles-Jones for her remarkable academic and extra-curricular performance as a young adult.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Coach O'Keefe Henderson.

Coach Henderson is a proud product of Canton and a 1999 graduate of Canton High School. He attended Holmes Community College on a football scholarship. He received a football and track scholarship at Mississippi Valley State from 2002-2004.

After receiving ALL-SWAC honors in both sports he played two years of professional football in Laredo and Killeen, Texas. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Jackson State University in 2009 receiving a bachelor's degree in Health Physical Education and Recreation (HPER).

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Coach O'Keefe Henderson.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cadet/Lieutenant Colonel De'Ahnera Manyfield who is the daughter of Mr. Timothy and Mrs. Angela Manyfield, and she is a senior at Jim Hill High School.

Cadet/Lieutenant Colonel Manyfield currently serves as her unit's Commanding Officer. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is actively involved on the student council, varsity softball team, varsity soccer team, JROTC academic bowl, JROTC sabre team, and JROTC drill team. Her leadership ability has been recognized with a number of awards including three Superior Cadet Awards.

She attended Girls' State at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was appointed County Lawyer; the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Symposium at Millsaps University; and the Military Order of World Wars (MOWW) Leadership Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama. She has performed over 800 service learning and community service hours. She has been accepted to the Air Force Academy's Preparatory School.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Cadet/ Lieutenant Colonel De'Ahnera Manyfield.

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to honor a tremendous student Mr. Samuel D. Foster, Jr., who is a Wingfield High School Senior graduating in the top five of his senior class.

Mr. Foster, throughout his high school career, was always a shy and timid young man who valued the opportunities given to him by his school. No matter the challenge, Mr. Foster strived to maintain good grades and also value knowledge.

Mr. Foster was inducted into both the National Honor Society and the Entergy Scholars, which displays a group of students who have expressed on enhanced interest in being the best that they can be. Being a part of the National Honor Society, he has been very helpful volunteering for his school's annual college fairs. Mr. Foster is also an active volunteer at his church, the New Galilean M.B. Church, where he helps out mostly during the holidays.

Mr. Foster is the son of Samuel and Anita Foster and has shown great accomplishments throughout his whole life, but now being a high school senior; he has advanced up the ladder of excellence and is now given the title of Valedictorian, holding over a 3.5 grade point average at Wingfield High School.

Along with being Valedictorian, Mr. Foster has even had the honor of being voted Mr. Wingfield of his high school for the 2013-2014 school years.

In addition to being Mr. Wingfield, he has also won first place in the district reading fair, being able to make it to the regional reading fair to represent the high school Division-F for Jackson Public Schools.

Mr. Foster plans to attend Jackson State University on a full scholarship, where he plans to double major in Manufacturing and Design Technology and Art.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Samuel D. Foster, Jr.