Chaka Fattah

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of our nation's gifted veterans, Commander Paul S. Anderson, Chaplain in the United States Navy. Commander Anderson has enjoyed a long and illustrious career as a Chaplain in the United States Navy. For twenty- five years he served as pastor, counselor and mentor to the thousands men and women of the Navy and the Marine Corps providing them with moral and spiritual support.

Commander Anderson personifies honor, courage and commitment. He truly is a talented and gifted chaplain who has enjoyed amazing reach and impact to all who have benefitted from his ministry.

On May 1, 2015 the Navy says farewell to one of its best and most dedicated chaplains as Commander Anderson will retire from active duty service. He leaves his watch with the confident assurance that serving in one of the most distinctive ministries in the world was God's specific calling on his life. He has served his country with honor and distinction and today we honor him for his commitment and service.

Chaplain Anderson concludes his Navy career path as the Deputy Chaplain for Joint Forces Headquarters-National Capitol Region at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. His portfolio included Joint Plans and Operations for Religious Support for ceremonies and circumstances that might overwhelm the capacity of civil authorities. Prior to that assignment, he was the Chief of the Department of Pastoral Care and Clinical Ethicist at the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Commander Anderson has served nobly at duty stations across the nation and around the world. They include: Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, Gulfport, MS ; USS MIDWAY (CV-41), Yokosuka, Japan; Chief of Naval Personnel Command, Washington, D.C.; Marine Corps Base, Okinawa, Japan; Naval District Washington, D.C.; USS MONTEREY (CG-61), Norfolk, VA; Boston University, Boston, MA; Southwest Asia Region, Manama, Bahrain; Maritime Helicopter Strike Wing, Mayport, FL; National Naval Military Medical Center; Bethesda, MD; Walter Reed Army Medical Center; Washington, D.C.; Fort Belvoir Community Hospital; Fort Belvoir, VA; Joint Forces Headquarters-National Capital Region and Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C.

His decorations include Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3); Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal; Meritorious Unit Commendation Award; Good Conduct Award; Humanitarian Service Medal (2); National Defense Service Medal (2); Global War on Terrorism Medal (Expeditionary); Global War on Terrorism Medal; Sea Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon.

Chaplain Anderson has earned four graduate degrees; a Master of Divinity from Andrews University, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternate Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity and is a certified Life Coach.

Commander Anderson anchors his life with the following text: Psalms 37:4-5; Proverbs 3:5-6; John 14:1-3; Romans 8:28; Galatians 6:9; and 1 John 1:9.

On behalf of a grateful nation we salute you Chaplain Anderson, and wish you fair winds and following seas as you enter retirement and embrace a new chapter in your life.

I thank the gentlewoman from Alabama and those others who have cosponsored this, including Congresswoman Roby from Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation is so vitally important. I take it as one of my life's greatest honors to have served for the last 20 years in the Congress with John Lewis. He literally changed our Nation through his bravery.

On a day like today, this is the date that 25 years ago, Nelson Mandela

walked out of prison and into the Presidency in South Africa, and as those foot soldiers walked across this bridge on Bloody Sunday, they helped create a circumstance in which we would have, as a President of the United States, Barack Obama. We cannot separate these issues. They are inextricably intertwined.

Mr. Speaker, I want to say to my colleague from Selma who represents so ably the new South that our Nation is so much better for the struggle in Selma, for the sacrifice, and not just in those who are famous like Dr. King or John Lewis, but I met at her side Ms. Boynton, a 105-year-old woman who walked across that bridge that day, just in this Capitol less than 20 days ago.

I want to thank her for her leadership on this issue and thank her as we celebrate and commemorate these 50 years and as we dedicate ourselves to fight for the right to vote for every single American without equivocation or compromise.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the National Federation of the Blind.

For 75 years NFB has served as the voice of the blind in Washington and through their affiliate organizations in every state across the country. I congratulate them on this milestone of service, their advocacy efforts on behalf of blind Americans, and their continued work to make our communities more just, equal, and safe for blind individuals.

As the largest organization of blind and low-vision people in the country, NFB works day in and day out to change what it means to be blind and to help realize the complete integration of blind individuals into society.

On this 75th anniversary, I join in celebrating the National Federation of the Blind's long-list of achievements and look forward to their continued success representing the million-plus blind individuals in the United States.