Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished 13-year coaching career of Jackie Sherrill at Mississippi State University, where he has served as head coach since 1991. With his retirement at the conclusion of the 2003 season, Coach Sherrill exits as a quarter-century coaching institution after serving at eight different universities. His trailblazing efforts as a coach and player have netted him two national championships as a player, countless accolades as a coach, and the satisfaction of driving three major programs to unparalleled heights on the college grid scene.

At the time of his retirement he was the dean of Southeastern Conference football coaches and the face of Mississippi State University football. During his tenure as coach of the Bulldogs, Coach Sherrill:

Recorded back to back winning seasons during his first 2 years at MSU. Prior to that time the Bulldogs had produced only one winning season in the previous nine before him.

Directed the Bulldog program to six postseason berths, recurring prosperity unmatched in the school history. He is only the second head coach ever to take the institution to more than two bowl games and the first to lead the school to two consecutive postseason victories.

Retired as the most winning football coach in MSU history. Over his 13-year span at the helm of the Bulldogs he won 74 games, lost 74 games, tied 2 games and had 7 winning seasons. For the span from 1997- 2000, Coach Sherrill's teams won 33 games, of which 20 were SEC games, lost 15 games, won the Western Division Championship, and participated in three consecutive bowl games. No school in the SEC West had a better five-year regular season mark during that time.

Bulldog fans responded. Coach Sherrill rallied a fractured fan base, producing record amounts of giving and attendance. He gave Bulldog fans a winning attitude and elicited emotion and passion for the program like no one else. The number of fans grew, as did appreciation for Mississippi State football on the State, regional, and national level.

Twenty-three of the top 25 crowds--including the top 14 ever to see the Bulldogs play at MSU's Scott Field, have come during Coach Sherrill's tenure. In addition to the sell out throngs, he has made the Bulldog football program attractive for national and regional television network audiences. MSU football has been televised 70 times during his 140 games as head of the program.

All that success on the field, at the turnstiles, and in achieving national rankings and postseason bowl berths, has fueled success in the construction and improvement of football facilities. Coach Sherrill oversaw the refurbishing of State's entire football complex. New or renovated weight training facilities and sports medicine areas, modern equipment and locker rooms, full team meeting rooms and individualized teaching cubicles were just the beginning of a stronger program's modern infrastructure. In 1996, MSU completed the John H. Bryan Sr. Athletic Administration Building that holds all the football coaching offices. A $30 million enlargement of Scott Field's east side in 2001 added 50 luxury skyboxes, an additional 1,700 club level seats, and 7,600 seats in the upper deck. The stadium hosts completely remodeled dressing rooms for both home and visiting teams, and a new recruiting lounge for Bulldog football prospects.

Coach Sherrill has been loyal to Mississippi State, even when at the height of his success larger universities called, he always reminded fans that he planned to retire at MSU. For Coach Sherrill, it isn't just about football. You will see his fevered enthusiasm at the Bulldog basketball games as well. Coach Sherrill is a fan, not just of Bulldog football or even basketball, but of Mississippi State University and all the students that make up the MSU family.

His support is not surprising; after all, his arrival as State's 30th head coach was a homecoming of sorts for Coach Sherrill in Mississippi. Though born in Duncan, OK, Jackie Sherrill spent his youth in Biloxi where he starred on the football team at Biloxi High School. He played on two Shrimp Bowl teams and as a senior earned high school all-America distinction and most valuable player honors before graduating in 1962.

From Biloxi, Jackie moved to Tuscaloosa to play for the legendary Paul ``Bear'' Bryant. Jackie played seven different positions for the

Crimson Tide from 1962 until 1965. He lettered 3 years at Bama and played on Bryant's 1964 and 1965 national championship teams.

Upon earning a bachelor of science degree with a major in general business and a minor in social science at Alabama in 1966, Jackie launched an assistant coaching career that included stints on not only Bryant's staff, but those of respected coaches Frank Broyles at Arkansas and Johnny Majors at Iowa State. He followed Majors to Pittsburgh where Jackie served as Assistant Head Coach until launching his own head coaching career at Washington State in 1976. He returned to Pittsburgh when Majors departed for the University of Tennessee, and Coach Sherrill continued his storied career at Texas A&M and finally at Mississippi State University.

Coach Sherrill's record extends beyond MSU, and we are proud he concluded his career in his home state. Coach Sherrill is number No. 4 behind Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden and Lou Holtz as the NCAA's Most Winning Active Coach by wins; and No. 22 by win percentage.

Coach Sherrill is one of a select group of head coaches in NCAA history to take three different schools to postseason bowl competition. Jackie Sherrill joins Lou Holtz, Ken Hatfield, Dennis Franchione, John Makovic and Mack Brown as the only active head coaches with that distinction. Coach Sherrill is one of only two Division 1-A head coaches ever to lead three different schools to 10 wins or more in a season.

Over 100 of Coach Sherrill's pupils have advanced to careers in professional football and over 80 percent of his student-athletes have graduated during his career. Currently, 20 Mississippi State players coached by Jackie Sherrill play in the National Football League.

Away from reporters and public relations experts, Coach Sherrill would quietly visit hospitals dressed and painted as a clown to cheer up sick children. He would hear about a terminally ill State fan in the hospital and routinely and discretely visit the fan. He would take children with cerebral palsy, cancer, mental disorders or other afflictions to games with the team, or to eat meals with the players.

Jackie Sherrill has become a leader in supporting the Leukemia Society of Pittsburg, the Boys Club, the Shriners Children's Hospital of Houston, the Boy Scouts, and the Palmer Home for Children in Columbus, Mississippi--where my wife Leisha serves on the Board. Jackie is a popular motivational speaker, missing few opportunities to address student and campus groups, alumni gatherings, and civic organizations.

Coach Sherrill was always gracious in victory giving full credit to his team. In defeat he took the high road and accepted the blame. His relationship and commitment to the players began during recruiting and remained steadfast through graduation. He stood by his players when some fans or sports writers would criticize. He was supportive and loyal and faithful to his players. He loved them and they played their hearts out for him.

Coach Sherrill's future is still undecided. He wants to spend more time with his wife Peggy and his children Elizabeth, Kellie, Bonnie, Justin, and Braxton. He has said he may coach his grandson's little league team or help out in junior high or high school. He says he looks forward to actually being able to play golf in season, but we expect to see him every football Saturday in the stands dressed in Maroon and White with a cowbell in his hands.

Mississippi State University will miss Jackie Sherrill, but his legacy at MSU will never be forgotten.

Mr. Chairman, I commend you for your work, the whole House, the ranking member, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) for their good work, the bipartisan work in response to what we have seen across the country, and that is a rising up of outrage of families and individuals saying ``enough.''

Our Nation is better than this. We can do better than this. In our public airwaves and in the public square we can be decent. We do not have to glorify what is indecent. We do not have to be profane. We can entertain and enlighten without going to the worst among us or to the lowest common denominator.

Today, we are passing legislation that reaffirms long-established constitutional standards of decency, and we are saying to the networks, and we are saying to the radio stations, you need to do better. There will be three strikes, three opportunities, and if you violate the decency standards three times, then you are in danger of losing your rights and privileges as a licensee. We are increasing the fines to say that there will be a cost, a significant cost of ignoring the common standards of decency.

We hope that through this effort, we will see more corporate responsibility, as well as the common good and public responsibility to bring our standards back up; to affirm it, to establish standards over responsibility, and then have enforcement mechanisms of accountability.

Mr. Chairman, this is good legislation and in the best spirit of the Nation. We are decent people and a good Nation; and we want to maintain, preserve and protect that, for the country and our culture, for our communities and our families.

Mr. Chairman, I commend the gentleman from Michigan for the bipartisan spirit in which this is done, and look forward to having this legislation passed and signed into law.

Mr. Speaker, next month, Don Ray, a great servant in Mississippi will be leaving his home and work in my district to serve a higher calling. We will miss him in the South, but the Lord has called him to a church in Michigan, and we are proud and excited he will be responding to this, the highest of callings.

Don and Jeannie Ray have reared a wonderful and loving family: son Craig; daughter Jene with her husband Michael Barranco and their children Mia Julia and Michael; daughter Jerri with her husband Ralph Ross and their children Jennings and Graeme; daughter Julie; and son Kyle with his wife Hilmari and their children Baylor and Carly Marie. Five children and six grandchildren are fitting legacy for anyone, but Don has made an impact in many other ways: the Church, higher education, and the world of finance.

Don has served as Vice President for Development at Belhaven College since November of 1999. Under his leadership, Belhaven has brought in multi-million dollar deals significantly increasing the vitality and stability of the

campus, including funding a new student center. Alumni have been rejuvenated and their positive excitement has led to more and greater financial commitments to the institution. His direction created a vibrant and engaging Homecoming event that has Belhaven alumni eagerly anticipating their annual visit to Jackson, Mississippi.

Belhaven College and Mississippi will miss Don and Jeannie Ray, but the First Congregational Church of Otsego, Michigan will benefit from his years of experience as a pastor and administrator. Before serving in development in higher Christian education including service at Belhaven College, Millsaps College, and Wheaton College, Don served at various churches as a youth pastor and senior pastor.

Don excelled in his previous career of financial planner. He began with Connecticut General Life Insurance in 1964 as an estate planner and business analyst. He moved up the corporate ranks through Northwestern Life Insurance and A.G. Edwards & Sons. He was selected by ``Money Magazine'' as one of the ``200 Best Financial Planners in America'' in 1987 and again in 1990. In 1991 he left Financial Review Services, where he served as president of the full services financial planning firm, to begin serving higher Christian education.

For about 25 years, Don Ray has been a Certified Financial Planner and he has a total of 40 years in the financial and estate planning industry. He is a past president and chairman of the board of the Mississippi Chapter of the International Association of Financial Planning, has served as an adjunct faculty member of the College for Financial Planning, and has been a member of both the Registry for Practicing Financial Planners and the Institute for Certified Financial Planners. His training in finance has benefited the Kingdom through gifts to education, churches, and other organizations for many years. He has served on the boards of several Christian organizations including Pioneer Bible Translators, Wheaton Christian Academy High School, Windsor Park Manor Retirement Center, Marble Retreat for Clergy, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Board of Stewards at Galloway United Methodist Church. Don and Jeannie both have served long hours in ministries at Galloway in Jackson and that congregation will certainly miss their gifts and their spirit of servanthood.

I know Belhaven College will be sad to see him go, though they, too, are excited about his new opportunity. I believe Belhaven President Dr. Roger Parrott described Don Ray's service best: ``Don was exactly what we needed for this season of Belhaven's growth. He has helped us broaden our base of support among our friends and alumni, crafted together major gifts that have catapulted us forward, and created a platform of professionalism among the team that will carry us forward. Please join us in praying for Don's ministry.''

The motto of Belhaven College is ``to serve, not to be served.'' That phrase is the executive summary of Don Ray's life so far, and I believe will continue for many years to come. I hope Congress will join me and Belhaven College, a great Christian liberal arts college in my district, in saluting the service of Don Ray and wishing him the best in his return to the ministry.

Mr. Speaker, this month James Huff retires--again. A mentor, a confidant, a family friend, and a counselor since before I ran for Congress, Jim represents the best Mississippi has to offer and will be irreplaceable on my staff.

Jim and Marilyn Huff reared two children and proudly claim 5 grandchildren. For 32 years he worked at the Masonite Corporation in Laurel. As operations manager at Masonite, he was one of the leading businessmen in Jones County, where I grew up and first appreciated his wisdom, wit, and integrity.

President George H. W. Bush put Jim's knowledge and expertise to work, appointing him Mississippi's state director of the Farmers Home Administration. Excelling as administrator and leader, Jim was next asked by President Bush to come to Washington DC and serve as the national administrator of the Rural Electrification Administration.

Years later, Jim's political knowledge of Mississippi and Washington DC benefited my work both in my first campaign for Congress and then as I worked to serve the constituents of Mississippi's Third District. Few freshman Congressmen could boast of such unique experience on staff. His guidance was exceptional; his advice, outstanding.

Jim continues to be a servant in his community. He is a leader at the Hebron Baptist Church where his abilities as a sunday school teacher and work as a deacon are well known and appreciated. Active in the Kiwanis Club, people in Jones County know they can come to Jim for advice and assistance during life's struggles.

The pages of Mississippi record a lifetime of public service and private engagement from Jim Huff. He will never fully retire. He may have more time now to work his cattle farm and relax at his favorite fishing hole, and more time to spend with his loving family.

When I think of Jim Huff, I think of honesty, service, humor, and experience. I thank him for his service to this office and to Mississippi. I join the rest of my staff in saying we will miss him, but I know I will see him often because he is more than a colleague and assistant. He is family and will remain near in my heart, constant in my thoughts, and always in my prayers.

Mr. Speaker, this month begins a new year in which Congress will face new challenges and opportunities. The same is true in Mississippi where Governor Haley Barbour presented his first State of the State Address last night, after his inauguration earlier this month. A new administration requires experienced and talented individuals to shape the policy and politic of the state. Governor Barbour has one of those rising Mississippi stars in John Rounsaville. Today I make these remarks to honor John's service to me, to recognize the challenges we faced together as he now embarks on this new opportunity.

It was January 1999 when John Rounsaville first joined my team. After graduating from Calhoun City High School, he earned a degree in agribusiness and followed that with a Masters of Business Administration, both from Mississippi State University. He came to Washington, DC to work on my staff to address, among others, agricultural issues--a $4.6 billion industry in Mississippi.

He demonstrated a keen insight on the legislative process and quickly grasped the intricacies of Capitol Hill politics. Quickly, he moved from Legislative Assistant to Legislative Director, and most recently as my Deputy Chief of Staff. Over the years I grew to trust his counsel and respect his instincts as we successfully moved legislation into law, brought appropriations to Mississippi, protected our state's military facilities, and represented the needs of my constituents here in the Nation's Capital.

Now John has returned home to Mississippi and will serve as policy adviser to our new Republican governor. Our office will miss his experience, knowledge, and skills, but Mississippi will continue to benefit from his hard work to the service of our great state.

Governor Barbour has hired a good man. John mastered the practices and methods of success in Washington, but never forgot those Mississippi values taught to him by his parents. John never lost his roots, never forgot his home, and never lost sight of our goal to serve Mississippi. John's heart has always been in Mississippi and now he returns there to continue to advance smart, conservative, positive public policy.

John Rounsaville left a formative mark on the shape and operation of my office. We will miss his good nature, humor, and dedication to his work. But I thank him for his service to this office and to Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday we celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Starkville, Mississippi and honored a native son and civil rights leader, Harry Nash Sykes. During his life he overcame adversity to excel as a public servant, educator, and athlete.

Sykes was born on April 1, 1927 to Marie Hall Sykes and P.K. Sykes in Starkville, Mississippi. He spent his early childhood years there and when he was 16, his family, led by his father P.K. Sykes, a tenant farmer and part-time minister, moved to Chicago.

While still in school, Sykes worked in a can factory for 72 cents an hour to help support his family. After World War II, he combined athletics with academics and became a four-sport star in high school, graduating in 1948 to attend Kentucky State University on a basketball and track scholarship. Sykes earned a bachelors degree in physical education from Kentucky State and later earned a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Minnesota.

After graduating from Kentucky State University in 1952, Sykes joined the world famous Harlem Globetrotters through the 1954 season. From 1954 until 1962, he taught high school mathematics for the Lexington Public School System at Dunbar High School and coached the Junior High School's basketball team. Sykes built a diverse business career as an insurance salesman, the Business Development Officer for Second National Bank, a real estate broker, and the Contract Compliance Officer with Frankfort, Kentucky's Department of Finance.

In 1963, Sykes was elected as the first African American councilman for the city of Lexington. He was reelected in 1965, 1967 and 1969. Between 1967 and 1969, Sykes also served as Mayor Pro-Temp. In 1971, he ran for Mayor of Lexington, but lost by a narrow margin. From 1972 to 1974, he served as Acting City Manager and, from 1974 until 1975, worked as the Acting Chief Administration Officer (CAO) for the Urban County Government.

Sykes served his community on various boards and commissions including the Board of Management of the YMCA and the Historical Pleasant Green Baptist Church. In 1968, he founded the Lexington- Fayette County Urban League and served as president until 1972. Sykes has been honored with numerous awards, including the Outstanding Citizen's Award by the Council of Christians and Jews in 1969.

Sykes is married to Geraldine Higgins Sykes and has five children: Harry, Melvin, Paula, Kevin and Kermit and members of their extended family still live in Starkville and Oktibbeha County, where Sykes is remembered and proudly called a son of Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, as we wrap up this year's congressional work, I want to take this opportunity to salute and honor Mike Chappell, a native of McComb, Mississippi. He has been a trusted advisor, wise counselor, and valued assistant to me both during my work in service of Mississippi's Third District, and in my campaigns for that office.

Over the past seven years I saw Mike hone his natural political instincts and quick grasp of policy into a strong ability to shape and influence the debate and outcome of our work. He knows the ``Four Ps'' of congressional work: process, politics, policy, and personalities.

After my first election, he helped me open my congressional office and has served diligently each year since. But a few months ago he moved on to the private sector to work in the firm Fierce & Isakowitz, described by Fortune Magazine this year as ``the most skilled practitioners of persuasion in Washington.''

Mike has been a friend on whose advice I could always trust and whose instincts for policy and politics are the best in the business. He knows how the Hill game is played, he knows the players, and he has memorized the playbook. Fierce & Isakowitz has hired a great asset and while I certainly miss him, I am excited for his new opportunity.

Mike Chappell is an example of the type of political leadership Mississippi has to offer our country. His work has been a tribute to his parents, his community, his alma mater--the Golden Eagles of the University of Southern Mississippi--and his state. I also appreciate the sacrifice of his wife Angie as Mike put in long, hard hours in my office over the past several years.

I know while working in the private sector he will continue to advance and represent the values we share, those values he learned from his parents in McComb, those values he continues to exhibit in his advancement of positive policy here in our nation's capital.

Mike Chappell left a formative mark on the shape and operation of my office. We will miss his humor, wit, and passion for his work. But I thank him for his service to this office and to Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sylvester Croom, who was named head football coach of the MSU Bulldogs on December 1, and to salute Mississippi State University for its wise choice in athletic leadership.

Mississippi State University chose Coach Croom based on his skill, his talent, his experience and his resume. While race was not a factor in the decision, I am mindful that Coach Groom becomes the first black head football coach in the NCAA Southeastern Conference. I am proud that it is a Mississippi institution that has broken that color barrier.

Coach Croom was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Growing up in Mississippi's eastern neighbor, he played as starting center at the University of Alabama under legendary Coach Paul ``Bear'' Bryant. After securing a bachelor's in history, Croom played professionally with the New Orleans Saints. He returned to the Crimson Tide as a graduate assistant (obtaining a master's of educational administration) and as a linebackers coach.

He has served on the coaching staff of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Indianapolis Colts, the San Diego Chargers (making it to the Super Bowl) and the Detroit Lions. Mississippi's gain is Wisconsin's loss. MSU gains Croom as head coach as he concludes a strong season as running backs coach for the Green Bay Packers where he has been on staff with Coach Mike Sherman since 2001.

MSU is the flagship university in Mississippi's Third Congressional district. Located in Starkville, Scott Field is home to Bulldogs and cowbells. We are proud to welcome Sylvester Groom as MSU's 31st Head Football Coach. He will replace the most winning coach in Mississippi State's history, Jackie Sherrill, who retires this year with a distinguished and honorable legacy.

I salute MSU President Charles Lee and Athletic Director Larry Templeton for their wisdom in this decision and once again congratulate Sylvester Croom and the Bulldogs.

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt in my mind that Coach Croom will make us proud in Mississippi. We are already thrilled and excited about the prospect of our future together.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute to Specialist Jeremy DiGiovanni who was killed in action Saturday, November 15, in Iraq. Along with seventeen other American soldiers, including another Mississippian, PFC Damien Heidelberg, Jeremy was killed in the collision of two Black Hawk helicopters.

Jeremy was a member of the A Company, 4th Battalion, 101st Airborne based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and he served as crew chief on one of the Black Hawks. Jeremy hailed from Pike County, Mississippi, and he served his country proudly and with honor.

Specialist DiGiovanni made the ultimate sacrifice defending our Nation and helped free millions of men, women, and children from the tyrannical grasp of an evil and brutal dictator. We Mississippians are so proud of the men and women we have serving in Iraq and appreciate their dedication to defending freedom and democracy.

I ask my fellow Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to remember Jeremy and his family during this difficult time. To his family, our prayers are with you, and we are grateful for Jeremy's courage and service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute to Private First Class Damien Heidelberg who was killed in action Saturday, November 15, in Iraq. Along with seventeen other American soldiers, including another Mississippian, Specialist Jeremy DiGiovanni, Damien was killed in the collision of two Black Hawk helicopters.

Damien was a member of the First Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The little town of Shubuta, Mississippi was home to Damien. He was the ninth Mississippian to die in Iraq since the war began, and he served his country proudly and with honor.

PFC Heidelberg made the ultimate sacrifice defending our Nation and helped free millions of men, women, and children from the tyrannical grasp of an evil and brutal dictator. We Mississippians are so proud of the men and women we have serving in Iraq and appreciate their dedication to defending freedom and democracy.

I ask my fellow Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to remember Damien and his family during this difficult time. To his family, our prayers are with you, and we are grateful for Damien's courage and service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening before the House to pay tribute to Specialist James ``Jimmy'' Chance of Kokomo, Mississippi. Specialist Chance was a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard serving in C Company of the 890th Battalion attached to the Army's 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Iraq.

Tragically, Specialist Chance was killed on Thursday, November 6, 2003, when his vehicle struck a landmine near the Syrian border. He was the first of our own Mississippi National Guardsmen to lose his life while bravely serving in the Iraq War.

Specialist Chance is a true American hero who has paid the ultimate price to protect our country from terrorists and defend the liberties of the citizens of the United States of America. Furthermore, he has unselfishly given his life to win freedom for the people of Iraq who suffered under the unbearable rule of an evil dictator. These are people he did not know, but yet, he has helped give millions of Iraqi men, women, and children, the chance to live lives of freedom and independence like we know at home in the United States.

Even though I know his family is enduring great suffering as a result of their loss, I hope they will find peace in knowing that Specialist Chance bravely served his country and his countrymen and defended the values and principles that Americans hold so dear. Specialist Chance was a defender of peace and a lion of liberty.

Specialist James Anderson Chance, III, represents the best of Mississippi and our Nation. I ask my colleagues in Congress to join me in honoring his courageous service, and ask that you pray that his family will find peace during this trying time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm), and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte) and all of his staff who have worked in a bipartisan manner with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner) and myself as we have brought this much-needed legislation through the committee and now to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

I want to thank those leaders at Mississippi State University who had the foresight and the ability to bring to our attention here on the committee and in my office the need that we have, the critical need, the desperate need that we have to be able to help our students, our veterinarian students who

often end up their education with up to, on average, $70,000 in debt. When that occurs, it is so difficult for them to pay the debt and practice in rural or underserved markets and make the type of salary that is needed to be able to retire that debt and pay that debt and raise a family, start a family and start their dreams. And so we are doing just as we have done for medical doctors and dentists and nurses and teachers, and, that is, starting a program that will help them repay their debt, that will pick up those obligations, if in return, they will agree to serve in those areas where we have critical shortages in the rural and the large-animal practices and the underserved markets. Not only will they fill that critical need that is so important not only in animal health, but as it relates to the connections to human health, and in national security, and in homeland security, where we have new threats of bioterrorism, or we have the outbreaks of dreaded diseases that we have seen ravage not only Europe, the economy and the agricultural economy in Europe with mad cow disease, that in those times of crisis those that sign up and meet these requirements and then have their debts repaid, will agree to serve their country, in essence, a National Guard for veterinarians.

So we see today a way to meet the critical shortage of veterinarians in rural and underserved markets. We see a way to encourage the service to our country in homeland security and to meet the threats of either bioterrorism or major animal disease outbreaks. This is much-needed legislation that will help us as we go forward.

Again, I want to thank the committee, the staff, the chairman, and the ranking member for all their help and assistance in getting us to this point. We hope that this legislation can pass not only today in the House but move quickly through the Senate as we address this much- needed legislation and to address the critical shortages that we face in rural districts like mine and across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Deacon Walter Gray, affectionately known as Walter, a constituent of mine from the Norris-High Hill community in Scott County, Mississippi, who died on September 13, 2003. Walter was 81 years of age, and a World War 11 veteran.

Walter was born and raised in Scott County, and before adulthood was an active leader in his community. God, Family, and Friends, in that order, were his priorities. He instilled these priorities in his family and community. He was a trustee and the treasurer of the Green Grove United Methodist Church, and was thoroughly respected by church members and parishioners. He set a peerless example in the way he conducted his own life.

Aside from his church, and being an employee of Forest County, Walter loved basketball and particularly enjoyed cheering his grandson, Greg Carter, playing for the Forest High School Bearcats and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. When either of these two teams were playing during Greg's time as a player, you could always count on Walter's presence. One of the highlights of his life was seeing Greg attain a basketball scholarship at Mississippi State University, graduating and being named to the All SEC Team. Because he loved to talk about his church, his grandchildren, basketball, and Mississippi State University, anyone could always generate a good conversation with Walter.

In his funeral eulogy his pastor found it difficult to find enough adjectives to describe the high esteem the community held for Walter, and how sorely he was going to be missed by his family, friends, his county, and Mississippi. He stood, as a stout oak, as mentor and role model for his children Lenal, James, Bobbye Carter, Lois Briskey and eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, and countless other young people of his church family. What a legacy for Mississippi!

Perhaps, the most soulful words of all voiced about Deacon Walter Gray were those written by Nancy, his wife and helpmate of 64 years:

A golden heart stopped beating,

Hard-working hands at rest,

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

Mr. Speaker, Deacon Walter Gray truly represents the best of Mississippi. I ask Congress join me in remembering him and recognizing his life now that he has gone on to be with his Heavenly Father.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 530 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today before this great body to honor a fellow Mississippian who lost his life while helping millions of people here in the Washington- Baltimore area recover from Hurricane Isabel.

Mr. Aaron Presley was one of 100 Entergy Mississippi linemen who left family and friends and drove hundreds of miles from home to be a part of the force helping restore electrical service after the devastating storm. He loved his work and he especially loved to do his part to help storm victims get their daily lives back to normal.

On Saturday, September 20, while working in Pikesville, just outside of Baltimore, Aaron was killed when he came into contact with an energized power line that had been downed in the storm.

Aaron was a senior lineman based in Madison, Mississippi. A resident of Flora, where I now make my home, he was only 45 years old and had 25 years of service with Entergy. He leaves behind his wife, Kim, two children and two stepchildren, to whom we offer our sincere condolences.

As the D.C. area continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Isabel, let us never forget the sacrifices of all the men and women working with utility crews to restore our electric service. We must appreciate how dangerous their work is and be grateful for the job they do.

And let us never forget Aaron Presley, who sacrificed his life in the service of others.