Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1184, congratulating the 2009-2010 University of Maryland Men's Basketball Team, Greivis Vasquez, and Coach Gary Williams on an outstanding season. The University of Maryland Terrapins have had an outstanding season. The Terrapins completed the regular season with a 23-7 record and completed the Atlantic Coast Conference season with a 13-3 record. This year will mark its 24th tournament appearance, and I extend my congratulations to the University of Maryland; Head Coach Gary Williams and his staff; the hardworking players, especially Greivis Vasquez; and the fans. I wish them all well and wish them continued success, except there are several Kentucky teams that will be playing, so I obviously have to support my team.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Campbell).

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Tom A. Curtsinger of Owensboro, Kentucky for his service both to his country and the Commonwealth.

Born in Graves County, Mr. Curtsinger grew up working on his family farm and honorably served in the US Air Force during World War II. After his service, Mr. Curtsinger received his bachelor's degree in agriculture and his master's degree from the University of Kentucky.

Tom and his wife Rose were married in 1954, and they have five children, ten grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. In 1968, when Mr. Curtsinger was hired as Daviess County's 2nd Extension Agent, the Curtsinger family moved to Owensboro, where they still reside today.

During his work in Daviess County, crop yields improved by nearly 100 percent, an accomplishment that greatly benefited his community.

For all his hard work and dedication, Mr. Curtsinger received the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation's Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award on December 12, 2000. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rural Life Celebration Committee recognizing Mr. Curtsinger's commitment to promoting the agriculture industry and helping his community.

As a leader in Daviess County, Mr. Curtsinger has been involved with many organizations, including serving as Treasurer and Secretary of the DC Lions Club and past president of the Kentucky Agriculture County Extension Agent Association. Mr. Curtsinger has also served as an honorary board member of the DC Farm Bureau and is the founder and organizer of the Annual Agriculture Farm Expo.

I want to thank Mr. Curtsinger, along with Rose and their family, for serving as role models for all Kentucky families, especially those within the rapidly changing farming industry. I wish them nothing but the best, and I hope their success continues for many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a historic and beautiful place in the Commonwealth of Kentucky--Cloverport. On Wednesday, February 11, 2010, Cloverport will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its incorporation.

Cloverport, originally a pioneer community called Joe's Landing, was established by Joe Huston in 1798 and renamed Cloverport in 1828.

Like many other places in the Commonwealth, Cloverport is rich in history, especially Civil War history. Joseph Holt, a major figure in the Civil War, was born and is buried six miles north of Cloverport. Holt was Postmaster General and briefly served President James Buchanan as Secretary of War. He also served Abraham Lincoln as his Judge Advocate General.

I always enjoy visiting Cloverport. Cloverport Days is one of my favorite fall events, giving the town an opportunity to come together and showcase its incredible hospitality and all it has to offer.

I am proud to represent the citizens of Cloverport and they should be celebrated for their contributions for making Kentucky such a wonderful place to live and visit. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Cloverport and congratulating them on 150 amazing years.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the gentlelady from Ohio for her kind words about Brescia University. I rise today in support of House Resolution 1043 recognizing Brescia University for 60 years of leadership in higher education.

Brescia University, located in Owensboro, Kentucky, has provided quality liberal arts education and worked to prepare its students for successful careers since 1950. The only Catholic university in western Kentucky, Brescia's mission and spirit emphasizes ``Making a difference,'' encouraging students to serve others in the community.

For over 60 years, the faculty, staff, and students have carried out the vision of their founder, Sister Angela Merici, who believed that education creates a stronger and more just society. These individuals have given so much to the Owensboro community and the entire region.

Students at Brescia enjoy a more personalized education with a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Brescia takes pride in creating an atmosphere of community, while paying close attention to the individuality of their students. The university offers six different degrees in over 60 different programs, as well as 15 athletic teams that participate in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

I'm proud to represent Brescia University in Washington, and I'm proud to represent the Owensboro-Daviess County community in which it is located. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution and join me in commending Brescia for its commitment to service, faith, and education.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a great place in the Commonwealth of Kentucky--Grayson County. On Monday, January 25, 2010, Grayson County will celebrate its 200th birthday.

The county was established in 1810 as the 54th county in Kentucky. It was named after Colonel William Grayson, a Virginian statesman and Revolutionary War aide to General George Washington.

Col. Grayson once owned over 5,000 acres, which included the western end of Grayson County. As the story goes, Washington purchased the land from Henry Lee, the father of Robert E. Lee, by trading his favorite horse.

Grayson County includes many great attractions, offering individuals a great place to visit and live. Grayson County's Twin Lakes and the Rough River State Resort Park offers countless recreational opportunities, including swimming, nature trails, boating, tennis, and go-cart racing as well as campsites and lodging.

I am proud to represent the citizens of Grayson County and they should be celebrated for their contributions to making Kentucky such a wonderful place. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Grayson County and congratulating them on 200 amazing years.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Aaron and Ashley Reding of Howardstown, Kentucky as the recipients of the 2010 American Farm Bureau Federation's Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award.

On January 11, 2010, the couple was announced as the winners of the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Achievement Award at the American Farm Bureau Federation's 91st annual meeting in Seattle, Washington. The Redings had gone on to win this national title after being named the Kentucky Farm Bureau's Outstanding Young Farm Family in December of 2009.

The award recognizes young farmers and ranchers that have excelled with their respective operations and that have demonstrated a sense of commitment to promoting the agriculture industry. This honor is a well- deserved recognition of the rapid growth and financial progress of the Reding family's farm as well as a testament to years of hard work and dedication.

The Reding family operates a large-scale row crop operation and this year they grew 1,500 acres of both corn and soybeans in addition to 450 acres of wheat. Aaron bought two farms in the early 2000s and was later granted ownership of his family's farm in 2003. Ashley has also dedicated her life to agriculture, retiring from teaching to stay home and tend to the human resource and technological aspects of the farm, as well as to raise their three children.

The Redings have assumed a leadership role within their community, promoting not just their farm but the agriculture industry as a whole. They regularly host school tours and county leadership groups and often work with chemical and seed companies in conducting research. Aaron and Ashley have even combined forces with their local press to draft an informative story about GPS and farming.

Among other organizations, both Aaron and Ashley are members of the American Soybean Association. Aaron is president of the Kentucky Soybean Association, a member of the county extension council and is a regional officer for the State Young Farmer Association. He is also currently the vice president and chairman of the policy development committee while Ashley is an active member on the women's committee.

I want to thank Aaron and Ashley, along with their children, for serving as a role model for all Kentucky families, especially those within the rapidly changing farming industry. I hope their success continues for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1007, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today commending the University of Alabama for winning the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Pasadena. It is special to me for three quick reasons, among others. One, my brother is a graduate of the University of Alabama, both the undergrad and the law school, in Tuscaloosa. And really good friends of mine had a son, number 75, Barrett Jones, the right guard--I think he played both sides--but an outstanding young man. His mother was a high school classmate of mine, and his father and his father's family are good friends of ours, and I wish them a lot of luck.

Another thing is, there have been two coaches in the SEC to win SEC championships from two different schools. One is Nick Saban, who won it at LSU and now at Alabama, and Bear Bryant who won it at Alabama and the University of Kentucky.

The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa. It was founded in 1831. The University of Alabama is the oldest and largest of the State's major research universities, with student enrollment of approximately 29,000. The university has 12 academic divisions and houses the only publicly supported law school in Alabama.

The University of Alabama is widely recognized as a premier university. The university is consistently ranked among the top 50 public universities by U.S. News & World Report and has the most students of any institution named to the USA Today All-USA College Academic Team. The University of Alabama is widely known as one of the Nation's flagship public universities. And one special person to be affiliated and attend the law school is Harper Lee, who wrote ``To Kill a Mockingbird,'' a very special lady to the citizens of Alabama and the country.

The University of Alabama's athletic program has excelled throughout the history of the institution. The Alabama Crimson Tide football program was started in 1892 and is the university's most nationally known athletic program. The program has won 22 SEC titles, 13 national championships, and, this year, one Heisman Trophy. The Crimson Tide has also produced 18 Hall of Famers and 96 All-Americans.

On January 7, the University of Alabama won the 2009 BCS championship game against the University of Texas. Sophomore running back and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram was named the team's offensive MVP, and sophomore defensive end Marcell Dareus was named the defensive MVP.

I congratulate the University of Alabama, the team, and Head Coach Nick Saban on winning this BCS championship. And I congratulate Mark Ingram and the team for winning the 2009 Heisman Trophy. After Alabama won the 1978 national championship in a very famous and legendary college game against Penn State in the Sugar Bowl on December 31, 1978, just the previous spring the University of Kentucky had won the national championship in basketball; so immediately the next weekend or so they played each other in basketball, and I will never forget the University of Kentucky fans unfolding a banner that said ``Congratulations from one champion to another.''

It showed a lot of class for my fellow Kentuckians to do that to another school. But it showed a lot of spirit in the SEC and the pride we have in each other. And of course after last night, and we expect this weekend, the University of Kentucky's basketball team will be ranked number one. So hopefully, after this spring, the University of Alabama fans, like my friend from Birmingham here with me today, will

be able to congratulate our team, the University of Kentucky, on winning the national championship following Alabama this year. That is our hope. And I endorse this resolution. I urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to Mr. Bachus from Alabama.

I have no further requests for time.

In closing, and I should have said before about Boise State, they had an outstanding team this year. And I also want to close with Texas. I didn't mention the University of Texas. What a quality program, quality athletes, quality coach. And there was a special relationship with a Colt McCoy, the quarterback, and Jordan Shipley, the wide receiver. If people had a chance to watch the game, Colt McCoy I think went out on the second possession injured.

If the story that I have heard is correct, which has been told to me, is their fathers played together at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. And so these kids have known each other their entire life, and probably were sitting on the stage that they had always dreamed of played together their entire life, and then within the second series Colt McCoy was injured. If you watched the game, there was nobody that played as well on the field that night as Jordan Shipley. And I imagine he just increased his game to make up for his friend. And that just shows the class of Texas. Those are two athletes I mentioned. All of them are wonderful and fantastic young men. And I want to congratulate them as well.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

As well as the previous resolution, I actually have another brother who graduated from Northwestern University, along with my sister-in- law. That is where they met, but the undergrad school, not the medical school. But they certainly loved and enjoyed their time at Evanston next to one of our world's great cities, Chicago.

I rise today in support of the House Resolution 1004, congratulating Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine for its 150 years of commitment to advancing science and improving health.

The Feinberg School of Medicine was founded in 1859 as the Medical Department of Lind University. The department became Chicago Medical School in 1864. The medical school affiliated with Northwestern University in 1870 and was renamed the Feinberg School of Medicine in 2002.

The School of Medicine has exemplified excellence since its founding in the 19th century. It was founded with the intention of leading the reform of the medical education system. Northwestern School of Medicine led reform by demanding an extended program, correlated hospital instruction, a graded curriculum, and rigorous graduation requirements. The school also premiered the honors program in medical education in the combined M.D./Ph.D. program.

Today, the Feinberg School of Medicine remains at the forefront of medical education. It is ranked among the top 20 American medical research schools by U.S. News & World Report and accepts only 6.5 percent of applicants. The Feinberg School of Medicine is also part of the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, one of the Nation's leading academic medical centers focused on research, education, and clinical services.

Today, with an increasing need for health care and constantly changing resources and technology, the demand for high-quality, innovative medical schools is high. Feinberg School of Medicine provides this challenging education based on ongoing research and the latest developments.

I am happy to congratulate the Feinberg School of Medicine on the 150th anniversary of their founding and ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlelady from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert).

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 776 and yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Dartmouth Outing Club on 100 years of service to the United States and its wilderness.

The Dartmouth Outing Club was formed in 1909 to stimulate interest in out-of-door sports. Club membership increased steadily, and by 1920 two-thirds of Dartmouth's student body were members of the outing club. Today the club has over 1,500 student members and is the largest collegiate outing club in the Nation.

Due to its large membership, the club is organized as an umbrella organization in which smaller clubs that specialize in an aspect of outdoor recreation are housed. These specialized clubs include Outward Bound, Bait and Bullet, and the Ledyard Canoe Club. Every year, the Outing Club organizes freshman trips during pre-orientation to encourage freshman class bonding and membership in the club.

The Dartmouth Outing Club, or DOC, has consistently focused on promoting outdoor activities. DOC provides students with the opportunity to participate in outdoor projects, trips and classes. DOC cares for over 100 miles of hiking trails, organizes projects such as the building of the Class of '66 Lodge, and organizes winter sport trips such as ski and snowboard trips.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Dartmouth Outing Club, it is important to recognize their contributions to the students, alumni and New Hampshire wilderness. The DOC encourages students to be active and to remove themselves from the stresses of collegiate life and participate in outdoor activities.

For over 100 years, the Dartmouth Outing Club has provided a service connecting the students of Dartmouth with the New Hampshire wilderness to benefit both. I congratulate the students and alumni associated with the Dartmouth Outing Club on the occasion of their 100th anniversary. I have visited Dartmouth's campus, and the wilderness around there is absolutely stunningly beautiful both in New Hampshire and Vermont, which is just across the river. I think it is worthy of support, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1008, honoring the contributions of Catholic schools.

January 31 through February 6 has been designated Catholic Schools Week. 2010 marks the 36th annual Catholic Schools Week, jointly sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Supporting Catholic Schools Week and the work of Catholic schools demonstrates support for the vital role that Catholic elementary and secondary schools play in providing a quality education to the 2.2 million students enrolled across the Nation.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops states Catholic schools have a graduation rate of 99 percent, and about 97 percent of Catholic high school graduates go on to postsecondary training, to 4-year colleges, to community colleges, or to technical schools. In addition to academic success, Catholic educators place an emphasis on the importance of moral and social character development. By emphasizing the importance of developing character as well as academic knowledge, Catholic school educators help students become good citizens as well as academic leaders.

The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2010 is ``Dividends for Life.'' This theme highlights the good work done by the Nation's Catholic schools, and it reminds parents that the dividends of a Catholic school education--students prepared in faith, knowledge, morals, and discipline--last a lifetime. The investment in a Catholic school education yields a lifetime of knowledge, moral and social guidance and community.

I recognize and appreciate the work of Catholic schools, their administrators and teachers, parents, and volunteers in providing a quality academic, moral, and social education. Catholic schools are an invaluable resource to students, parents and to communities.

I have the great privilege of representing the Second District of Kentucky. Throughout the Second District, there are settlements from migration into Kentucky that have traditional Catholic backgrounds, wonderful school systems, and wonderful people who are teaching in the school system, who are maintaining the school system, and who are ministering at the schools, and there are the local citizens who fund- raise and who do things for the schools. Their principal areas are throughout the district. There's Bardstown, Kentucky, which is a beautiful city, and then there's Owensboro, Kentucky, a great vibrant city on the Ohio River. Both of their Catholic high schools are very successful in students, in athletics, and in serving their communities. I also have a section of Louisville. Though the schools are not in my district, Louisville has a great tradition of great Catholic high schools and of the Catholic education.

On behalf of the people of the Second District, which has such a great tradition, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from one of our great national treasures, the city of New Orleans, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cao).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1015-- Congratulating the Penn State women's volleyball team on winning the 2009 NCAA Division I National Championship.

Pennsylvania State University, or Penn State, as it is widely known, is a public research university founded in 1855 as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania. In 1875 the school became Pennsylvania State College and in 1989, became Pennsylvania State University. Today, Penn State offers 160 different majors and has over 43,000 students enrolled at the main campus.

Penn State has a strong reputation for its academic excellence. It is known as one of the ``Public Ivies'' and as a premier research institution. Notable alumni can be found in every region of the nation and abroad.

Penn State athletics are also known for their excellence. The Nittany Lions have won 65 national collegiate championships, 37 of which are NCAA championships. The women's volleyball team won one of Penn State's most recent national titles.

The Nittany Lions women's volleyball team has a long history of winning. In the national championship, the Nittany Lions continued their long-standing winning streak to 102 wins, the longest NCAA Division I winning streak. During the 2009 season, Penn State clinched its 7th consecutive Big Ten title and its 13th Big Ten title in its history. The Nittany Lions

also own the longest road winning streak with 50 straight road wins. Head coach Russ Rose led the team to his 1001st career victory in the championship game.

In the championship game against the University of Texas, senior Megan Hodge led the team with 21 kills, while Blair Brown and Darcy Dorton contributed with 12 kills each. Megan Hodge, Blair Brown, Alisha Glass and Arielle Wilson were also named All-Americans.

I congratulate Penn State and the team, the players, head coach Russ Rose, the students, faculty and alumni. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson).

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a distinguished lady of Kentucky, Lucy Glenn Taylor. A third generation funeral home director and community leader, Lucy lived her life by the philosophy ``always be kind to others,'' a motto which translated into her daily life.

Lucy dedicated her life to others starting at a young age. During World War II Lucy organized and managed funeral services while members of her family were in military service. Many have said that she even helped move caskets from time to time.

Lucy went on to become the director of her family's funeral home in 1978 and it was her notorious kind demeanor that inspired her children to continue the family business. Lucy always took the time to get to know those who used her family's services and was a well-loved and respected member of the community.

Once named the First Lady of the Year by Beta Sigma Phi International Service Sorority, Lucy took on several leadership roles within her community. She was a member of the Pilot Club for 50 years, during which she once served as president, and served on the board of directors for the Elizabeth Munday Center and Kentucky Wesleyan College. Among other organizations, Lucy was involved with the Junior League of Owensboro, Wendell Foster Bazaar, the Isaac Shelby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was also a member and former president of the Franklin School PTA.

Always poised yet genuine, those who had the privilege of meeting Lucy Glenn Taylor never forgot her. Lucy never intended to draw attention to her acts of kindness. To the contrary, she would quietly extend a hand to those in need.

Sadly, on Monday, January 4, 2010, Lucy Glenn Taylor passed away in her home at the age of 88. I join with her family, friends, and confidants in mourning her loss. Although we may have lost one of the Commonwealth's most loyal friends, Lucy's legacy will continue through the countless number of people whose lives she touched.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I appreciate the gentleman from Flint here today, and I know the people of the State of Alabama appreciate having Mark Ingram in their State and going to school at the university. I rise today to support this House resolution, congratulating the Flint native Mark Ingram, University of Alabama sophomore and running back, on winning the 2009 Heisman Trophy, honoring both his athletic and academic achievements.

And that's important. The idea to award the most outstanding college football player was originally conceived by members of the Downtown Athletic Club who appointed a club trophy committee charged with conducting the first award presentation at the conclusion of the 1935 football season. In 1936, following the death of John W. Heisman, the Downtown Athletic Club trophy renamed the award the Heisman award.

On Saturday, December 12, 2009, University of Alabama student and running back Mark Ingram was elected as the 75th winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy as the most outstanding college football player in the United States for 2009. This season, Mark rushed 249 times for 1,542 yards with 15 touchdowns, while catching 30 passes for 322 yards, leading Alabama to an undefeated regular season and a number one national ranking.

Mark was named the AP Offensive Player of the Year as well as the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and his rushing total established a single season record at Alabama. Mark has been recognized as a superior college football player, but his team and coaches also deserve recognition. Ingram is the University of Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner.

The team's head coach, Nick Saban, and all Alabama fans share in Ingram's excitement. On January 7, led by Coach Saban, the University of Alabama football team enjoyed the perfect end to a perfect season, winning the BCS championship game against the University of Texas. Mark was recognized as offensive MVP of the national championship game, running 116 yards and scoring two touchdowns.

Just 6 months ago, Mark was a new starting running back, not the household name that he is today. Watching Mark deliver his humble and heartfelt acceptance speech gave us all insight into this outstanding young man and student athlete that Mark truly is. His dedication to the team and school as well as his hard work is the reason he received this exceptional award.

In his acceptance speech when he received the Heisman Trophy, he congratulated his offensive line, and I have a special connection there. I had a classmate from high school that I graduated with whose son was on the offensive line. I graduated with the young man's father. His mother is a friend of mine as well, and his family is a close friend of mine. His name is Barrett Jones. So we congratulate them. As any running back knows, that's why you win Heisman Trophies, because you have a great offensive line.

People that I know that are close to the University of Alabama football program talk about what an outstanding young man Mark Ingram is. He is not just great on the football field, but he is great on the campus. He represents the university well, and he represents Flint, Michigan, well by not just by being a great running back but by being a great person.

I extend my congratulations to Mark Ingram, to Head Coach Saban, to the players and the fans, to the University of Alabama; and I ask my colleagues to support this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) such time as he may consume.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to another gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bonner).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mark Ingram was an outstanding young man to watch. I watched most of the games he played on television, and actually had a chance to see the BCS game myself. He just seemed like an outstanding person. And like I said, the people whom I know who are close to the program--my in-laws live in Alabama--said this couldn't have happened to a better person. He is a person who exudes leadership on the football field, and I was told he is not just somebody that you want to just cheer for, but somebody who you want to be around. That says a lot for him.

I urge the passage of this resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a truly remarkable Kentuckian, Floyd Hays Ellis. Over the course of his long and storied life as a farmer, soldier, businessman and state senator, Bowling Green's favorite son embodied the values of the ``Greatest Generation'' to which he belonged.

Generous in the extreme, Ellis was just as thoughtful a legislator as he was a friend and father. Known for his winning smile and wry sense of humor, he proved to be a canny businessman, as well. He served for 20 years as the president and CEO of the Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corp., in addition to chairing the boards of Citizens First Bank, Trans Financial Bank Corp., Commonwealth Health Corp. and the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives.

Though many people who enjoy his level of success often sacrifice their private lives for the sake of their profession, Floyd never put his work before family and friends. To the contrary, Floyd's natural sociability and devotion to his loved ones was perhaps his most remarkable trait.

Sadly, on Saturday, December 12, 2009, Floyd Hays Ellis passed away in the company of his long-time group of friends and confidants; and while Kentucky may never again see one of its finest sons, the evidence of his legacy will be visible in the countless lives that he touched.

Madam Speaker, I participated in an official trip to the Middle East to visit troops and commanders on the ground. As a result, I missed two votes on Monday, December 14, 2009. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes 969 and 970.