Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, as I rise today to speak against this flawed Violence Against Women Act that the House is presenting, let me point out this picture. This picture is a picture of Marissa Alexander, a 31-year-old mother of three with a master's degree and no prior convictions, who received a 20-year sentence for firing a warning shot in the air to warn off an attack by her husband. At the time that it occurred, there was a restraining act. Let me point out that this shot did not injure anyone, yet she will be in jail until 2032.

The imbalance in the system is obvious. Just minutes before she fired the shot Marissa's husband told her, ``If I can't have you, no one is going to.'' Sadly, millions of abused women have heard these exact words and not lived to tell about it.

Battered women like Marissa need support and counseling.

Battered women like Marissa need support and counseling so that they don't find themselves in these situations. Jailing them for 30 years is unacceptable.

This is the beginning, not the end. Along with the NAACP and other groups, we will fight to make sure we turn over this horrible ruling and stand up to the legal system that persecutes women who defend themselves. Those women need help, not prison.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the reading.

Mr. Chairman and Members of the House, I'm very excited that finally we have an amendment that I think everybody can support since everyone supports law enforcement.

This amendment fully funds the Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance Program in the amount of $20 million. This program was designed to help local government respond to extraordinary law enforcement emergencies after they have exhausted their own budgets. The Emergency Law Enforcement Assistance Program authorizes the Attorney General to provide funds, equipment, training, intelligence, and personnel to alleviate the financial impact of unforeseeable emergency law enforcement situations.

This program was authorized in 1984 but has not been funded since 1996. Had it been funded, this program would have helped a community in my district. In October of 2007, a 7-year-old girl, Somer Thompson, went missing on her way home from school. The Clay County sheriff's office followed garbage trucks and found Somer's body in a Georgia landfill 2 days later. Thanks to this quick thinking, her killer was captured and will never harm another child.

Investigations like this one cost a lot of money. Overtime, lab tests, travel costs, and numerous unforeseen expenses can blow even the most prudent budget. Small communities simply lack the resources to pursue investigations on this scale. The sheriff told me he had exhausted his budget for the year on overtime just for this one case.

I did what I could to help scrape together grants from other sources, but this program would have filled the gap. By the way, the sheriff and almost everyone in Clay County is a Republican, but this is not about party. It's about doing what is right. In an era when local government can barely afford the police they have, a major crime can wipe them out and leave the community more vulnerable. The basic purpose of government is to protect the citizens. This amendment will make sure police can do it without worrying about a crisis that will break their budget.

I yield to the gentleman from Virginia.

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

I thank the Members of the House.

Madam Speaker, let me just say, in having served on the committee for 19 years, it is the House bill I am very disappointed with. Secretary LaHood stated it best: it's the worst bill he has seen in 35 years. Of course, it's the worst bill I've ever seen. I sat through that markup from 9 o'clock in the morning until 3 o'clock in the morning, and it was a nightmare, since many of the proposals dismantle transportation.

I can truly say that people come to this floor often raving against the Senate. I now say thank God for the United States Senate because they have come up with a commonsense bill that we can fund and pass-- and go home. It's a bill that would fund transportation and really put about 2 million people to work. We have many projects in the Florida area that could benefit from our passing comprehensive transportation, but more than that, we have such a high unemployment rate in Florida-- 9 percent--that every $1 billion we spend in transportation will generate 44,000 permanent jobs.

In talking about rules and regulations, visiting us today in the Capitol is the Hawk family, whose daughter was killed because of pollution. When we talk about regulations, surely we've got to strike a balance. We have regulations for a purpose. When we raise our hand to defend and protect the public, we're talking about the Constitution, but we also have a responsibility to make sure that we protect the public and have a balanced approach and not destroy all of the regulations pertaining to the environment, which is what the House bill did in the markup.

We can go on and on, but let me just tell you as I close that you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. Pass the Senate bill.

Mr. Speaker, I would encourage every Member to defeat the previous question so we can end this legislative circus and bring the bipartisan Senate transportation bill to the floor.

Our Nation's infrastructure is at a critical juncture, and the traveling public and men and women who build our roads and rails don't have time for the games that the Republicans are playing with this bill.

The Republican ``my way or the highway'' attitude is not how we should legislate. Transportation has always been a nonpartisan issue, but that has changed since the new Republican leadership took control of the House. In just 2 years, the Republican leadership has ruined a process that used to be bipartisan from a committee that used to be bipartisan. I think Secretary LaHood said it best when he said that this bill that the Republicans are bringing to the floor is the worst bill he has seen in 35 years.

We are in danger of letting our transportation system fall into total despair, slowing the economy even further and putting the traveling public in harm's way.

The American Society for Civil Engineers give America a D grade in infrastructure quality and has estimated $2.2 trillion is needed to bring our Nation's infrastructure to good repair. Transportation for America reports that there are 69,000 structurally deficient bridges nationwide. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said the Nation will lose $336 billion in economic growth over the next 5 years due to inadequate infrastructure. The World Economic Forum ranks the United States of America 24th in infrastructure quality. We are the world's largest superpower and we should never be ranked 24th in anything.

The Senate amendment that was offered by the Democratic leadership on the committee would fund 2 million jobs every year, provide continued dedicated funding for public transit, streamline project permitting in a responsible way, strengthen Buy America requirements, increase funding for safety programs, and--let me emphasize--is fully paid for.

Transportation and infrastructure funding is absolutely critical to this Nation and, if properly funded, serves as a tremendous economic engine to job creation. The Department of Transportation statistics show that for every $1 billion we invest in transportation, it generates 44,000 permanent jobs.

Again, I would encourage every Member to vote ``no'' on the previous question. All we're asking for is an up-or-down vote on the Senate bill.

When I was a kid, we used to say, ``I dare you.'' I double dare you, my Republicans. Bring the bill to the floor for an up-or-down vote.

I heard someone on the floor yesterday talking about the Senate, that we need to do away with the Senate. I now thank God for the United States Senate, because they are behaving very responsibly. They passed a bill with over 80 percent of the Members voting for a bipartisan transportation bill. That's what we've always had in the 20 years I've been on the committee.

Let's pick up that Senate bill. Let's pass it, send it on to the President to create jobs, and let's see what happens at the next election.

Thank you, Chairman Mica and Mr. Rahall.

I will vote for this 3-month extension. But I have got to tell you, the Republican leadership has turned the House floor into Frankenstein's laboratory. Instead of bringing up a transportation bill that could get the support

from both sides, they brought a bill to the floor that couldn't get support from either side. Now, after they couldn't convince the Tea Party Members that transportation is actually very important to our economy, they're taking parts from different bills and creating the monster that they call ``transportation.''

It's a very sad time for transportation in the House of Representatives. The Republican leadership has ruined a process that used to be bipartisan, from a committee that used to be bipartisan. This is not the way to run the U.S. House of Representatives, and it is clearly not the way the American people want it to be run.

I've been on the Transportation Committee for 20 years, and it has never been partisan. We were the committee that moved people, goods, and services, and put millions of people to work. Now we gut funding, abandon core programs like transit and hazmat safety, and argue about issues that aren't even germane to transportation.

The Republican leadership has had a war on our Transportation Committee from the very beginning. First, they removed the firewalls from the trust fund and would no doubt be raiding it if we had any money in it. They cut the size of our committee in half. Then they gave us all freshmen Members, many who don't know how to say anything but no, no, no, no, no, no, no. And then for 2 straight years they've gutted transportation funding in the Ryan budget.

You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.

President Barack Obama said recently that Republicans used to like to build roads. All of our stakeholders support a comprehensive transportation bill, and I am hoping that we can pass--I hate to say it--the Senate bill--we used to do the work--but I hope we can pass the Senate bill. I really want to say thank God for the United States Senate because finally we have some people that are pulling together a transportation bill that really will put the American people to work.

Mr. Chairman, let me just say one thing. You know, you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time; and I can tell you, the Republican budget is not fooling anybody.

I just want to talk about one aspect of the President's budget on transportation. We know for every billion dollars that we spend, it generates 44,000 jobs. However, the Republicans refuse to pass a budget.

The Transportation Committee, throughout the history, has been bipartisan. We have worked together. The Republicans and the Democrats over in the Senate have passed a bill. The Republicans refuse to take up the bill on transportation because, for once, you don't want to put the American people back to work.

I say again, you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.

I want to first thank the Congressional Black Caucus for their leadership. The fact is that they are the conscience of this Congress. Thank you so very much.

Let me say that transportation and infrastructure, if adequately funded, will generate thousands of jobs. In fact, for every $1 billion we invest in transportation it generates 44,000 permanent jobs and $6.2 billion in economic activity. With the CBC's initial investment of $50 billion in infrastructure funding, this budget would create over 2 million good-paying jobs. It would also allow us to fix our failing bridges, aging transit systems, and crumbling roads.

In addition, let me mention one thing about the VA. The Republicans often mention, What did the Democrats do when they were in charge? We passed the largest VA budget in the history of the United States of America.

Republicans often talk the talk. Democrats walk the walk.

Thank you, Mr. Rahall, for your leadership on this transportation bill.

You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.

When President Barack Obama came to the floor, he mentioned to the House that Republicans used to like to build some roads. Well, it is a sad state of affairs in this House of Representatives and a sad day as far as the committee is concerned because we used to have a process that was bipartisan. We worked together.

We can't pass a transportation bill. The only thing we passed was a new bridge for Minnesota. We had to transfer 30 acres of land in one individual congressional district. But the leadership of the Transportation Committee of this House of Representatives can't find floor time to debate a piece of legislation that would create and maintain millions of good-paying jobs for hardworking Americans. Republicans refuse to work with Democrats in crafting a transportation reauthorization bill that has caused us the opportunity to deliver much-needed relief to the States and to the traveling public.

Certainly, at a time when our Nation's unemployment rate remains at 9 percent, an adequately funded 6-year surface transportation reauthorization bill is critical. What our country needs is a surface transportation bill. But let me be clear: we don't need a 5-year bill with 2-year money.

Transportation and infrastructure funding is absolutely critical to our Nation. We know for every billion dollars we spend, it generates 44,000 permanent jobs. We need and deserve a long-term transportation bill, but the Tea Party members won't be happy until we are riding horses on dirt roads again.

We need to pass the Senate transportation reauthorization bill and add some sanity to this process and send a bill to the President that actually helps the traveling public and puts the American people back to work.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the citizens of the Third Congressional District of Florida, I want to express my condolences on the passing of Ms. Ada Sharpton on Thursday, March 23, 2012, in Dothan, Alabama. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of this loving and devoted mother.

With great reverence, I add my voice to the chorus of praises and sincere appreciation for the lifetime works and experience of this extremely passionate and loving soul, inspiration, and friend to all. Few people have the opportunity to influence so many in their life. All who came into contact with Ada were especially blessed. Her intensity was born of love, her insistence was driven by her determination to

ensure we have the tools to succeed; her style was to embrace our souls, hearts, and even squeeze a little harder, just to get our attention.

As we join with her loving family, we see in their eyes this boundless love and the meaning of her life, so richly captured by their individual and collective accomplishments, and for whom she served as the driving force. From a very young age, she encouraged her son Al to preach the word of God and to stand up for the rights of those who have no voice.

As Ms. Ada Sharpton transitions home again, we say thank you Ada and we thank God for you, always and forever.

Before I begin, let me just mention that today, visiting us in the Capitol, is the former mayor of Jacksonville, Mr. Peyton, and I want to welcome him to his Capitol.

I want to thank the gentlewoman from Miami for her comments and, really, all of our colleagues from both sides of the aisle.

This is a very tough time for us, being the Representative from Sanford, Florida.

I want to commend, first of all, the mayor, Mayor Triplett, and the county commissioner, Ms. Williams, and the city manager. We met Friday for over 5 hours, discussing what we could do to bring some kind of clarity to this situation.

This is a tragic situation. In having met with the family, met with the mother, it was very, very difficult to talk with the mother and father and know that I truly feel that justice has not taken place.

In the society that we live in, it's very important that we have to feel that the criminal justice system is fair and is fair to all parties. I cannot stand before you today and say that I feel that the system has operated fairly.

One of the first things I asked to happen is that there be an arrest. Well, we don't have an arrest. It's 25 days.

The second thing I asked is that we release the tapes, and we have released the 911 tapes. I've got to tell you, it has taken on a life of its own, because the things that were told to me in the meeting are not the things that were reflected in the tapes.

So you have the media looking into it, and I call them the fourth branch of the government. They can verify what's on the tapes. They can verify whether or not you would take someone's comment as to what they said happened when this young man is not there to tell his side of the story.

We have a person that everyone talks about was over the Neighborhood Watch. I want to point out, self-appointed over the Neighborhood Watch--self-appointed. That means, was not trained.

Clearly, if you listen to the tapes, the police dispatcher told him to stand down. Less than 5 minutes later, this young man was dead. He was just walking at the time. He was a black African American that on the tape said looked suspicious. It was raining, and you're looking suspicious in a neighborhood when just walking on the sidewalk.

He started following him, and the dispatcher said clearly, more than once: We need you not to follow this young man. We are on the way. We will handle it.

Less than 5 minutes later, this young man is dead.

This is not acceptable in this society. I have asked that the Justice Department--and I want to thank all of the tri-caucuses for weighing in on the importance of having an independent investigation, and that's the Justice Department. They've committed that there will be no stones unturned and that they will look into what has happened as far as the violation of his civil rights, whether it's a hate crime. But, in addition, we want to make sure that we have an independent review of how the police force has handled this situation.

I have some grave concerns when I discuss some of the things that have happened. For example, he was drug tested. He was tested. He had alcohol in his system. Yet, the person that did the shooting was not tested in any manner--no drug tests, no alcohol tests, no lie detector tests. It is just his word that he felt threatened. So, therefore, he shot to kill. That's unacceptable.

We are a better society than that, and we are going to work to make sure that this will never happen again. To whom God has given much, much is expected.

Mr. Speaker, to a remarkable woman who will be terribly missed: my heart and prayers go out to the family and friends of the Honorable Willye Dennis. Willye Dennis was a good friend, a political pioneer, a dedicated public servant, and an ardent fighter for the African American community in Jacksonville. An outstanding state House representative and 10 year NAACP--Jacksonville President, she will always be remembered and in the heart of the entire Jacksonville community.

Known as a fearless warrior, Ms. Dennis was a formidable political force who influenced a generation of city leaders. Inspired by her strong belief in equal opportunity, she was a true civil rights champion, who went on to greatly influence the community as a whole, as well as the Duval County school system.

Ms. Dennis lived her entire life in Jacksonville. She studied at Old Stanton High School and was later hired by the city's library system in 1951. She earned a bachelor's degree from Clark College in Atlanta, a Master's in Library Science from Atlanta University, and completed her Doctoral studies in Public Administration at Nova University in South Florida.

While she continued to work for the library until 1980, Mrs. Dennis incorporated her own business, Fam-Co Learning and Development Inc. in 1978. And by 1992, the company was labeled one of America's 10 best daycare centers by Child magazine.

As branch president of the Jacksonville--NAACP from 1984 until 1994, she dedicated a great deal of her time pursuing a court case to complete the desegregation of the Duval County school system. Largely because of her efforts, the school system negotiated an agreement in 1990 that led to the creation of the county's magnet school system.

In the words of one of Jacksonville's finest civil rights activists, Mr. Rodney Hurst, ``she (Willye Dennis) was a tireless worker . . . committed to the NAACP . . . she was one of those brave, unsung she- roes that are not given the recognition they deserve.''

I will always remember her strong will power, relentless drive, intelligence and energy. And as one of Jacksonville's civil rights pioneers, I am certain that she will serve as an inspiration for others to follow her footsteps in the future.

Often I say, God is good, and the audience says, All the time. But God has been good for giving us the life of Donald Payne.

You know, when you're born, you get a birth certificate, and when you die, you get a death certificate, and that dash in between is what you have done to make this place a better place, and Don Payne has done his work.

When I think of what Paul said, You have fought a good fight, and he has. And you've finished the course, but there is still work for us to do.

We talk about Don, Donald Payne, and all of his work in Africa, and I don't know anyone that knew the continent or the people more than Donald Payne.

But I want to mention that my first trip as a Member of Congress was with Congressman Payne, and we went to Ireland and we went to other countries. He was an international leader.

I want to thank his family, the constituents that sent him here. You know that you sent someone here that loved. He loved the Lord, but more than that, he was what we want our public servants to be: someone that actually believes in serving the public.

So Donald's work speaks for itself, and we are so grateful that we've had the opportunity to serve with him.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and staff. And in fact, I participate in a weekly prayer call, and I have asked all of the parishioners and participants to pray for him and his family, and all of the constituents who cared about him in the State of New Jersey.

Beyond a doubt, our Nation will mourn the loss of such a dedicated Member of Congress, who lived his life as a true symbol of an ideal public servant.

I feel privileged to have been able to work with Congressman Payne on a number of issues throughout the years. For me personally, within the Congressional Black Caucus, and for the Congress, he was a leader on all issues relating to the continent of Africa. He knew all of the leaders, and knew extraordinarily well the various countries' histories and domestic politics, and worked tirelessly throughout his tenure to resolve numerous deep seated conflicts on the continent, while leading many congressional delegations to war torn areas. Indeed, Congressman Payne always spoke out on behalf of people who struggled in many of the most difficult nations around the world: from Rwanda to Sudan and Haiti, to the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Congressman Payne will be deeply missed here in Washington. I will always remember his soft spoken manner, will power, drive, intelligence and energy. And as the first African-American to serve in the House of Representatives from the state of New Jersey, I am certain that he will serve as an inspiration for others to follow in his footsteps.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of original Montford Point Marine Sgt. Earl Evans, Jr., USMC.

I was honored to host Mr. Evans here in the Capitol the day the House voted on the Congressional Gold Medal for the Montford Point Marines. I was lucky enough to have lunch with him that day and was able to listen to how proud he was to have served his nation. A picture from that day sits on my desk right now. He was in the House gallery when the final vote of 415 0 was completed and all the Members of this body turned to give him and other Montford Point Marines a standing ovation.

Deacon Earl Evans, Jr., son of the late Earl J. Evans and Delcie Alston Ogburn, was born on September 25, 1929, in Greensboro, North Carolina. He departed this life on February 14, 2012.

Earl received his formal education in the Greensboro, North Carolina, public school system. Because of his love for the military, he joined the United States Marine Corps in September 1946. During his years of active service, he attained the rank of Sergeant and deployed to places such as Guam and Korea. Earl's plans as a career Marine ended in 1953 due to injuries sustained while in combat. He received numerous awards and citations including the Purple Heart Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korea Service Medal with one Silver Star, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Award, United Nations Service Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He retired from the Marine Corps on July 8, 1953, with an Honorable Discharge.

Upon being discharged from military service and returning home, he met and married the love of his life Madie Louise Vines of Greensboro, North Carolina. This union was blessed with two daughters, Ramona and Frenita.

Earl dedicated over 34 years of Federal Service which included seven years as a Special Policeman for the District Government and 25 years with the Veterans' Benefits Office in Washington, DC, from which he retired.

Earl was a fervent believer in Christ. He joined Bethesda Baptist Church on October 26, 1958, and served in the following ministries: Male Chorus, Sunday School, Williams Memorial Bible Class, Men's Ministry, Leader of Prayer Group 22, Baptist Training Union, Vacation Bible School, Club 66, the Old Timer's Quartet and numerous activities. He was ordained as a Deacon under the late Pastor, Reverend John D. Bussey.

Earl truly loved life and possessed many talents. He was a creative and intellectual person. He memorized Bible verses and always found things to invent around the house. His other gifts included sewing, cooking, singing, composing music, playing instruments, writing many poems and speeches, often at the request of others. He was an avid fisherman and gardener.

He always stayed involved in one activity or another. Earl volunteered locally at his neighborhood Ardmore Village Association as a Block Captain. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, H Chapter 7 of Bowie, Maryland, and the Montford Point Marine Association, Chapter 6 of Washington, DC.

Earl leaves to cherish his memory, a devoted wife, Madie; two daughters, Ramona Reed-Sellman of Capital Heights, Maryland, Frenita (Clarence) Hope of Silver Spring, Maryland; nine grand-children and twelve great-grandchildren. Also, he leaves behind, a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lavalle and Hugo Hendricks of Palm Coast, Florida, and Reverend Chester (Beverly) Burke, Jr., and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor the life of Mr. Leon C. Johnson, Sr.

Mr. Johnson was born in Columbia, South Carolina, on August 13, 1936, to Maceo P. and Ella L. Johnson, and passed on January 17, 2012. As a young man he was tagged with the nickname of ``Lion,'' denoting strength of character, leadership, determination and pride. This mantle he wore with pride and resolve, which he ably demonstrated as head of the family after the passing of his father and following his tour of duty during the Korean Conflict. Leon Johnson served from that point forward as the father figure and big brother for his younger siblings, Josephine, David, Theodore and Kenneth, as well as the co-leader of the Johnson family with his elder brother Maceo. Together, they instilled the virtues of family unity, sibling pride, honor, respect and drive to succeed. And each member held true to those life learning tenets and did achieve to those professional heights of success and service. All accomplished under the loving and watchful gaze of their mother, Ella Johnson and aunt, Annie Baisden, two women of strength, courage and determination, who vowed to raise the finest ``gentlemen and lady'' in the Johnson family tradition, both of whom preceded Leon in death, but left an indelible mark on everyone.

Leon graduated from Stanton High School in 1954 and attended Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, was a proud veteran who served his country in the Army during the Korean Conflict and began his professional career with the United States Postal System where he served in a variety of managerial positions until his retirement. He continued his service to the postal system and its many employees as a long time member of the Postal Credit Union Board of Directors. Leon is survived by his loving and caring wife of 52 years, Barbara Green Johnson; his son, Leon C. Johnson, Jr., and daughter Michelle, 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, and a host of aunts, nephews, nieces and special friends.

His passing marks a very special moment, which is reflected in the depth of loss felt and hope renewed. Leon was a loving, caring family man and a dear friend to so many. It is said

that his was an infectious personality touching all whom he met. His legendary sense of humor was a joy and a comfort, adeptly conveying his care, concern and passion for others and it was limitless in its reach into the heart, soul and mind of those who bore witness to this wonderful and selfless man. His love of family and friends formed an unbreakable bond which withstood and weathered all manner of life's success and challenges, those of his own and of his loved ones and friends. This pure and deep love influenced his pledge to each of them to love, support, help and guide them through life, to celebrate their achievements and embrace their challenges. He stood proudly by his family and gave his best so that each would achieve and in so doing, give unto others the best of themselves in service to mankind. He gave so much, yet every sacrifice was meant to empower those whom he loved and in so doing he gained immeasurably in pride, stature and humility. His service to and love of family was a willing sacrifice willingly undertaken and richly rewarded as evidenced by his unabridged pride in all of his family's accomplishments and their resultant service to their communities. Never at a loss for words was Leon, through his humor, his compassion, his leadership, his fierce and determined support and his sheer love of family. This was a man of genuine love and compassion, and in his passing, a true celebration of life was held to remember and hold in highest esteem this man, this father, this husband, this brother and this friend.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask that you join me in honoring the life of a man who leaves behind a record of service that speaks volumes about his life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Central Florida YMCA for their ``Red Tail Pilots Tribute'' event to congratulate the Tuskegee Airmen.

I am very pleased to talk about the pioneers who laid the groundwork for what we as African Americans have been able to accomplish over the last 70 years. In fact, when President Roosevelt began training African American troops, the Tuskegee Airmen excelled in protecting the bombers attacking enemy positions better that any other units in the United States Army Air Force.

And every single one of the first class of pilots of what became known as the Tuskegee Airmen had a college degree. One of them was Benjamin O. Davis, a graduate of the Untied States Military Academy at West Point, who became the first African American to earn 3 stars in the United States Air Force.

In 1940, the Selective Service and Training Service Act, enacting the first peace-time draft in the United States' history was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Under the Act, all American males between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-five years had to register for the draft . . . and it went on to say ``there shall be no discrimination against any person on account of race or color.''

Following this, the first aviation class at the Tuskegee Institute with 13 cadets began in 1941. In March 1942, five of the 13 cadets in the first class completed the Army Air Corps pilot training program and earned their silver wings and became the nation's first black military pilots.

Soon afterwards, the newly formed United States Air Force began plans to integrate its units as early as 1947, and in 1948, President Harry Truman enacted Executive Order Number 9981, which directed equality of treatment and opportunity to all in the United States Armed Forces. This order, in time, led to the end of racial segregation in the military forces. This was also the first step toward racial integration in the United States of America.

Beyond a doubt, the positive experience, the outstanding record of accomplishments and the superb behavior of the black airmen during World War II, and after, were important factors leading up to the historical social change that led to racial equality in America.

The Tuskegee Airmen will live on forever in the pages of history because they accepted the challenge proudly, and succeeded in proving to the world that blacks could fly. These men fought two wars--one against a military enemy force overseas and another one against racism at home.

I am reminded of the words of the first President of the United States, George Washington, whose words are worth repeating at this time:

``The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country.''

Thank you for your service for your country and your continued service for your fellow veteran in these difficult times we all endure.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 72, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''