Floor Statements

With gas prices soaring to all-time high records, families in east Tennessee and all across America are struggling to make their ends meet. The Democratic budget resolution fails to meet the test of fiscal responsibility miserably. Instead of exercising fiscal restraint and lowering taxes, the Democrat budget raises taxes by over $683 billion over the course of 5 years. You heard me correctly, $683 billion over the next 5 years. This is the largest tax increase in American history, and it blows away the previous tax increase record in 1993 by $443 billion. Families in east Tennessee will be forced to pay over $2,611 in new taxes because of the Democrat budget.

I am supporting the Republican budget which addresses the bloated government in Washington, lowers taxes on struggling citizens and families, addresses the unfunded liabilities of Social Security and Medicare, and reins in the out-of-control spending here in Washington.

I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the fiscally responsible Republican budget.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Cocke County Naval Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NJROTC) program for their achievements this past year. In 2007, the Cocke County NJROTC program was ranked number one in the State of Tennessee and number six in the United States in competitions including academics, athletics, and military drill.

In addition to achieving such great accolades in competitions, the Cocke County NJROTC planned, coordinated, and completed 2,153 community service hours in the Cocke County, Hamblen County and Knox County areas during the 2006-2007 school year.

The Cocke County NJROTC is a citizen leadership program designed to develop informed and responsible young men and women who embody honor, self-reliance, self-discipline, and respect to authority in a democratic society.

This achievement is a true honor to all the young men and women involved in the Cocke County NJROTC program. The rankings, each respectively, show the dedication and commitment to service and our Nation.

It is exciting for me to see the young men and women of Cocke County NJROTC establishing such high standards at a young age and it bestows great promise for the State of Tennessee and our Nation alike.

Madam Speaker, I ask that the House join me this evening in honoring the Cocke County NJROTC program for their commitment to excellence, dedication, and promise as future leaders of America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the efforts of the volunteers of Tennessee and the First District. Of One Accord Ministry is a charity that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Tennessee has been called the ``Volunteer'' state by the great efforts of our citizens during The War of 1812. Since The War of 1812 the people of Tennessee continue to show pride, dedication and service through volunteer efforts. People from around the nation are moving into my district to enjoy the wonderful quality of life found in it's beauty and the spirit of its people. Our first volunteers were heroes serving in The War of 1812 and our citizens today are heroes sacrificing their time and effort to volunteer in an assortment of ways.

Of One Accord Ministry serves two rural and lowly populated counties in my district and continually utilizes the efforts of nearly 500 people during 2007. These 500 volunteers have sacrificed over 51,533 hours of service and have served over 71,695 people in various ways. The ministry serves from four physical sites offering emergency food distribution, meal delivery for seniors five days a week, participating in our states summer feeding program, offering a free medical clinic, doing home repairs, organizing the county's Christmas programs and others.

Of One Accord does not work alone. They work hand-in-hand with schools, clubs, scouts, and Postal workers to help complete their mission. Similarly, partnerships with businesses, hospitals and laboratories provide other services for the clinic. The help does not stop there; many others supply resources and help in any way possible.

We tend to overlook the millions of volunteers across the nation giving their time and efforts. Madam Speaker, I rise today to applaud the volunteers from Of One Accord Ministry who have served for twenty years and all of the volunteers in Tennessee's First District alike.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and life of Delmer Wallen, Sr., a true asset to the First Congressional District of Tennessee, who passed away January 28, 2008.

Delmer Wallen, Sr. lived a life of service and entrepreneurship, and was known by all for his compassion to all those around him.

He was born in Kyles Ford, Hancock County, Tennessee and lived in Kingsport for most of his life. Mr. Wallen was employed as president and general manager of Kingsport Grocery Company thirty-two years. He was in the wholesale grocery business for forty years managing multiple companies.

A great community leader, Delmer Wallen, Sr. served on numerous boards including Holston Valley Community Hospital and the Salvation Army in Kingsport, Tennessee.

In 1986 Delmer served as president of the Harlan County, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Sullivan County Republican party which further shows his commitment to the community that he lived in.

Delmer was also a fifty-year member of the American Legion and served this great country in the Korean War as a member of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.

Delmer also showed his commitment to his faith by regularly attending West View Primitive Baptist Church. During his time spent with West View Primitive Baptist Church, Delmer served in various positions such as church treasurer and adult Sunday school teacher.

Madam Speaker, I ask that the House join me this evening in offering our sympathies to the family and friends of Delmer Wallen, Sr. He was a dedicated member of the community, the church, and the United States and a true friend of the First District. His service is greatly treasured and he will be deeply missed.

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

It is with great sorrow and profound gratitude that I rise to support this resolution to honor the life and service of senior Border Patrol guard Luis Aguilar, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on January 19, 2008. He died after being struck by a vehicle driven by a suspected smuggler in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area of California.

The work of a Border Patrol agent is inherently dangerous. In the normal course of their work, they run the risk of heat exhaustion, frostbite, and other challenges from the outdoor environment. Of even greater concern is the threat from smugglers and criminals seeking to illegally cross our borders who engage in violence against our Border Patrol agents.

As more agents, assets, and infrastructure are placed along the border, criminal activity is prevented from continuing with impunity. The unfortunate result of gaining operational control of our borders is an increase in violence targeted at agents. And we have seen a significant spike in the past several years, with nearly 1,000 assaults on agents last year, ranging from rock throwing to sniper attacks and to murder.

Agent Aguilar's death serves as a stark reminder of the risk our law enforcement agents face every day as they seek to secure our Nation's borders. These despicable criminal acts will only strengthen our resolve to secure our borders with additional agents, fencing, vehicle barriers, and technology. The Border Patrol plays a vital role in protecting America, and the sacrifices of its agents will not be forgotten.

I recently conducted an overnight visit on the Southwest border and saw firsthand the challenges and the dangers that these agents face. I returned with the clear resolve to support all the tools, resources, infrastructure, and policies necessary to gain operational control of our borders.

I would like to recognize the excellent work of U.S. law enforcement personnel and the Government of Mexico for tracking down and arresting the primary suspect in the murder of Agent Aguilar on January 22. For the sake of the Aguilar family, the Border Patrol and the justice for Agent Aguilar, I ask the Government of Mexico's continued cooperation and support to extradite this individual to the United States for trial.

The men and women of the Border Patrol face challenges and threats every day with vigilance, dedication to service, and integrity as they work to strengthen our national security and to protect America and its citizens.

I would like to once again extend my condolences to the Aguilar family and sincerely thank Agent Aguilar for his service to our Nation.

I would also like to extend my condolences for the recent passing of Agent Aguilar's mother, Cecilia.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from California, my good friend, Mr. Royce.

I have another speaker, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my good friend, Mr. Bilbray, from California.

Mr. Speaker, as I prepare to close, I want to again thank the Aguilar family and pass on the American people's condolences to the Aguilar family. I want to thank his fellow Border Patrol agents who are willing to protect our freedoms each and every day, and I would like to urge my colleagues in support of this resolution this afternoon.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Cocke County Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) program for their achievements this past year. In 2007, the Cocke County NJROTC program was ranked number one in the State of Tennessee and number six in the United States in competitions including academics, athletics, and military drill.

In addition to achieving such great accolades in competitions, the Cocke County NJROTC planned, coordinated, and completed 2,153 community service hours in the Cocke County, Hamblen County and Knox County areas during the 2006 to 2007 school year.

The Cocke County NJROTC is a citizen leadership program designed to develop informed and responsible young men and women who embody honor, self-reliance, self-discipline, and respect to authority in a democratic society.

This achievement is a true honor to all the young men and women involved in the Cocke County NJROTC program. The rankings, each respectively, show the dedication and commitment to service and our Nation.

It is exciting for me to see the young men and women of Cocke County NJROTC establishing such high standards at a young age and it bestows great promise for the State of Tennessee and our Nation alike.

Madam Speaker, I ask that the House join me this evening honoring the Cocke County NJROTC program for their commitment to excellence, dedication, and promise as future leaders of America.

Mr. Franks, thank you for your leadership on this very important issue.

To many of us across this great land of America, life is an emotional issue. To many of us, it is a Biblical issue. The Bible actually tells us that we are knit together in our mother's womb.

Let's go back and just think about a day that we lost a lot of Americans. Let's go back to September 11th, 2001. If you are listening across this great land, just think back how you felt on September 11th when you learned that 3,000 Americans had been killed. Do you remember where you were? Do you remember how you felt? It was 3,000 Americans killed that day. I know exactly where I was and I know how I felt.

Now, where were you on September 12th, September the 13th, September the 14th, September the 15th? Those days, almost 4,000 Americans were killed, and every day subsequent. We are losing Americans to the tune of almost 4,000 Americans a day.

Ronald Reagan once said ``abortion is only advocated by persons who have themselves been born.'' His pro-life position was not limited to the beginning of life issues, but extended all the way to natural death. It is clear that Reagan would have stood against pro-assisted suicide and euthanasia laws. In 1988, he declared ``The right to life belongs equally to babies in the womb, babies born handicapped and the elderly and the infirm.''

In the years since our Supreme Court ruled on Roe v. Wade and declared abortion a constitutional right, the assault Mother Theresa rightly called the ``war against the child'' has claimed nearly 50 million Americans, 1.2 million every year, and, yes, almost 4,000 babies every day.

Pro-life policies such as parental consent and waiting periods enjoy tremendous public support, 82 percent and 74 percent respectively. Washington, this Congress, should deny hundreds of millions of dollars to Planned Parenthood and abortion centers that promote and perform abortions here and abroad. The unborn child has the right to life, and that right should not be taken away.

Roe v. Wade was poorly conceived and morally wrong. This decision should be overturned. Life begins at conception. An unborn baby should share the birthright of all Americans, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I yield back to the gentleman.

Thank you, Kevin. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your friendship.

You know, we have been here almost a year now, and as I look at my fellow freshmen, I feel blessed to represent the American people with some of the best people that I know, good people that are willing to come here and work hard and try to get things done for the American people.

I grew up in the mountains of east Tennessee. My dad has got a sixth grade education. I was able to start a business. I was able to succeed. I was able to serve in the Tennessee legislature. It just goes to show that in America, you can do whatever you want to do.

Henry Ford once said, ``If you think you can or if you think you can't, you are right.'' That is common sense. If you go out there and you make things happen and you are willing to work hard, good things will happen for you. Henry Ford knew it. Teachers know it all across America, moms and dads and all across America.

We live in a blessed Nation. As a matter of fact, it even talks about that in the Bible. In Psalms 33:12, it says ``Blessed is the nation whose god is the Lord.'' We are a blessed people, and I feel very blessed to represent the people of northeast Tennessee back in my beloved mountains where common sense reigns, American values reign.

You know, we are in America today and we are in an America where we spend too much money. Ronald Reagan understood this. When Ronald Reagan was President, he once said, ``We don't have a trillion-dollar debt because we don't tax enough. We have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much.'' And I can tell you, Ronald Reagan would not have been pleased with this Congress this year because we have certainly, under the majority rule, they tried their best at every turn to find a way, a new way, to tax the American people.

There are moms and dads sitting around the kitchen table all over this great country trying to put a budget together. They are trying to put a budget together to decide how they are going to take care of their kids, how they are going to buy gas for their automobile, how they are going to pay their heating oil bill, how they are going to pay for college for the next generation, how they are going to save for retirement, how they are going to provide for their health care costs that keep increasing day in and day out.

The American people are looking for leadership. And when this new majority took over last year, they promised open, accountable, transparent government that was going to get results for the American people. Well, the results that this Congress has brought about, actually, over the last week or two have started to come back to some common sense. It took them about 50 weeks to get there, the longest in history; but finally they are starting to come back and going to pass some bills that cut their spending by about $20 billion. Thank goodness we had a President that said, I am going to veto if you spend too much. Thank goodness we had a minority party who stood up and said you are not going to spend too much money.

Moms and dads across America can spend their money better than a Congress. Moms and dads know the answer of how to raise their kids better than a

bureaucrat in Washington that has never met those kids.

This majority has failed the American people right up to the last week or so. The majority failed to pass 11 out of 12 appropriation bills.

Funding for this Congress and for this government actually ended back in October, and here we are on the eve of Christmas and we are still waiting to put the final touches on a budget that should have been done back in October. You couldn't do that back home in east Tennessee. You can't do that in any city in America. You have got to use common sense and you have got to pay your bills on time.

Michelle talked a moment ago about the majority has failed to protect the taxpayer with the AMT fix. You see, no leadership, no results. And that is basically where we are at. If the AMT is not fixed this week, it will leave 23 million taxpayers owing more money and not bringing their refunds home the way they expect. It will be a tax increase on the middle class. No leadership, no results.

Then, you look at the energy bill that has been talked about all year. Finally passed one this week. It is amazing, you get to the 11th hour of the 11th month and you finally start to pass some of these bills. But an energy bill that basically had everything in it except energy. We had an energy bill that had regulations, we had an energy bill that had taxes, and we had an energy bill that had no energy. No leadership, no results. And we are certainly seeing that today.

Then we had a majority party that has tried their best to do everything they can to make sure that the troops didn't receive the funding that they deserve. I went over to Iraq and spent time with the men and women in uniform, and there are young men and women over there that the American people would be very proud of. They want to be there; they volunteered to be there. They want to come home, but they want to come home in success, not in failure.

We have a majority party that actually had a leadership back in the spring that said: we failed. I can tell you, I can tell my colleagues, we have not failed. America has not failed. Ronald Reagan also used to say when he said tear down that wall, he said they lose, we win. I would hate to be in a situation in this war where we have to look back and say, we lost, they won. And we won't do that if we protect our men and women in uniform. And we can do that. As a matter of fact, there is a bill on the Senate floor tonight to make sure that funding is available for our men and women in uniform across the globe, not just part of the globe, but across the globe. See, if you have no leadership, you have no results.

And then the majority party has talked about health care, probably one of the most pressing issues facing the American family today. We talk about a need to fix health care, but we have not seen it in this Congress. The American people demand the ability to be able to go out and afford and feel reasonably comfortable that their children, themselves, and their moms and dads are going to receive the health care that they need. And there are solutions to those problems, but you have to have leadership to get results. No leadership, no results.

Then the cost of energy. When this majority party took over, it was interesting. if you look back, they said: the Republicans have left us in a lurch. Our cost of energy is skyrocketing. If you will give us the opportunity to lead, we are going to lower the cost of energy. When the Republicans gave up the majority in January, oil was $56 a barrel. Now it is $90 a barrel or thereabouts. $56 to about $90 a barrel. That is going in the wrong direction. Again, no leadership, no results.

The American people want us to come together, work as a team, and work on these issues, health care, energy, funding our troops so we can win, taking care of immigration, building the fence, making sure we have a secure Nation, making sure that we have an education system where our children can feel reasonably sure that they can go out and get the education they need. That is the type of leadership we need. That is the type of leadership that was promised for the most honest and ethical and open Congress ever. I am still waiting.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be with you.

If you look at the 9,000 earmarks that are in there, special projects, the one that leaps out to me and leaps out to the people of northeast Tennessee is over a million-dollar hippie museum in New York. That is not the way the people of east Tennessee want to spend their hard-earned money. There are better ways to spend money in Tennessee and across this great land.

As I said earlier, moms and dads are really trying to figure out how they are going to take care of their kids. They don't need Members of Congress or bureaucrats in Washington trying to spend their money on hippie museums in New York. They need to know they can fill up their tank with gas and be able to afford it. Or be able to take the kids out for a meal and be able to afford it. Or be able to afford a month's worth of energy to keep their kids warm. Or be able to buy health care and be able to afford it. Or know that they have a Congress that is going to take care of illegal immigration because they are worried that a country that is not secure is not long to be a country.

Those are the things that the American people are concerned about. They are not concerned about trying to have special pork barrel projects to help a Member of Congress get reelected. They are concerned about making sure that their family is taken care of. That is what we ought to be concerned about. That is what I think the freshmen Republicans came here to do.

I started off tonight by saying I am blessed to be able to stand on the House floor of the United States Congress.

Come from humble beginnings back in the mountains of east Tennessee and be able to come here and represent just some commonsense American values, and that's what the American people want.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and life of Patsy Marie Fitzgerald Sanders, a resident of the First Congressional District of Tennessee, who passed away December 12, 2007.

Patsy Sanders was a foundation to her family and our thoughts and prayers are with her husband of 52 years, Joe, and their daughters Jolene, Arlene, Darlene, and son Jacky.

As a lifetime member of Hales Chapel Christian Church, Patsy showed the love for her family and community that would shine to all who met her.

She was also a member of the Washington County Commission. As a Commissioner, she had a reputation of fairness and concern for the advancement of her county.

Madam Speaker, I ask that the House join me this evening in offering our sympathies to the family and friends of Patsy Marie Fitzgerald Sanders. She was a dedicated mother and an irreplaceable servant of her community.

Her service is greatly appreciated, and she will be deeply missed throughout Northeast Tennessee.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Rita Engle Wells a resident of the First District, who died November 28 of this year.

Mrs. Wells was a pillar of her community and cornerstone of her family. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Randy and two daughters Ashley and Rachelle. She was active in the youth ministry as a member of Solomon Lutheran Church.

She loved life and shared that with the children at East View Elementary School, where she was a second-grade teacher. Her kindness for others showed on a daily basis.

Mrs. Wells was well respected by her students, colleagues, and parents as an admired educator. She had been described as a `light of love' to those around her.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my fellow members to join me in honoring the life of Rita Engle Wells, a loving wife and mother, a true servant in her community, and a compassionate educator, whose commitment and unwavering determination will be greatly missed throughout East Tennessee.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of James `Jim' Myron, a resident of the First Congressional District of Tennessee, who died November 19, 2007.

James Myron was a lifelong resident of Johnson City. He was co-owner of Black Tie Formalwear and Janes's Lunch Box, two staples in downtown Johnson City.

Mr. Myron was a member of the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Neighborhood Association, and active throughout the community.

He was dedicated to his family. He is survived by his wife, Jane Moon Myron, who our thoughts and prayers are with during this time.

Mr. Myron enjoyed the surroundings of the First District. He was known for his love of the beautiful mountains, area lakes, and the local sports scene.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my fellow members to join me in honoring the memory of James `Jim' Myron, a successful businessman, a true servant of the community, and a dedicated family man. He will be missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of our American heroes, the men and women who have served this great Nation, our veterans.

On June 15, the House passed the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations and did not appoint conferees. The Senate passed the same in September, on September 6, over 60 days ago; and they immediately appointed conferees.

This tactic of holding veterans funding hostage creates a dangerous precedent. The House is now faced with unrelated policies being forced into this bill.

Veterans funding is not a means of playing politics. Using our veterans and funding our next year's election is unconscionable.

Fund the veterans, and let's move on to the next piece of legislation. Our focus should be on keeping our promises to our veterans and those who have served so bravely.

Madam Speaker, separate these bills.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ralph Harr of Bristol, Tennessee who passed away November 2, 2007.

Mr. Harr was born April 4, 1926 to the late William and Addie Cowan Harr, and he was a lifelong resident of Sullivan County. Ralph graduated from Blountville High School and attended King College. He served our great Nation in the U.S. Army.

Ralph was an established businessman. He co-owned and operated Bristol Auto Auction for over 48 years.

Mr. Harr was a dedicated public servant. He served from 1952 until 2001 as the Clerk and Master of Sullivan County Chancery Court. Ralph served as County Commissioner for 30 years and was a member of the influential Budget Committee and the Sullivan Partnership Network. It was evident to anyone who knew him, he cared for Sullivan County in a fashion that is difficult to find.

As a devoted family man, he will be missed by his wife of 43 years, Marjorie Willis Han, son Jon Paul, daughter Jackie, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and so many friends.

Madam Speaker, I ask that the House join me this evening in honoring Ralph Harr for his service to this great Nation, commitment to making life better for those around him, and love for his family and friends. We have lost a tireless leader in the First District, he will be greatly missed.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1473, to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to require child care providers to provide to parents information regarding whether such providers carry current liability insurance.

Working parents depend on child care so they can earn an income needed to support their families, as well as ensure that their children are well cared for in a safe environment while they are working. As such, child care is an integral part of the daily routine of millions of American families with young children. Research clearly shows us that the quality of child care has a lasting impact on a child's well- being and ability to learn.

Children in poor quality child care have been found to be delayed in language and reading skills and display more aggression toward other children and adults. School-age children's academic performance is enhanced by attending formal child care programs of at least adequate quality, according to several studies.

The bill before us today does not reauthorize the Child Care and Development Block Grant. Rather, it amends current law to do several things. Most importantly, it requires each provider to openly post whether or not they have current liability insurance covering the operation of the child care business, and it requires each provider to supply parents with a written notice stating whether or not the provider carries liability insurance, including the amount of such coverage.

This legislation does not supersede any State regulations regarding facility licensure or insurance requirements. We as the Federal Government are simply asking providers to inform parents whether or not they hold liability insurance. While we have not utilized the normal process of committee consideration through hearings and markup of this legislation, we do support the purpose of this legislation in providing notification of insurance to parents. I hope to see the Child Care and Development Block Grant come before this committee for reauthorization during the 110th session of Congress. As we move forward reauthorizing this program, we must consider policy that makes way for learning environments to exist where children can obtain the cognitive skills or other skills needed for them to succeed socially and academically.

Federalizing child care is not the purpose of this bill, but rather properly and consistently informing parents of whether or not the child care center has liability insurance. In the future, we must ensure that Federal policy continues to provide States maximum flexibility in developing child care programs and policies as well as parental choice so the parents are able to decide the best-suited care for their children. I thank Representative Barrow for introducing this bill, and ask my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, 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 H.J. Res. 58, expressing support for the designation of the month of October as ``Country Music Month'' and to honor country music for its long history of supporting America's Armed Forces and its tremendous impact on national patriotism.

Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the southern region of the United States. I am proud to represent the birthplace of country music, Bristol, Tennessee. Country music has roots in traditional folk music, Celtic music, blues, gospel music, and old-time music and evolved rapidly in the 1920s.

Its sound and style has changed dramatically over the years. In the early years, country music was more of the honky-tonk sound from the likes of Ernest Tubbs and Hank Williams. In the 1930s and 1940s, another form of country music emerged, western country. These songs romanticized the life of the lonely, but heroic cowboy on the western frontier. Some of those famous for this western style were Gene Autry, America's singing cowboy, and Roy Rogers, who later teamed with wife Dale Evans to become the famous duo of the genre.

Country music morphed once again in the early 1950s with a sound that became known as rockabilly, a combination of rock and roll and hillbilly music. This sound was made popular by many performers who developed staying power in the country music industry. They include the Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, and, of course, the king himself, Elvis Presley.

By the 1960s, country music found its home in Nashville, Tennessee. The Nashville sound was born. This was most definitely the sound of country, but the sixties saw more steel guitars and drums in the Nashville sound. This era of country music was the beginning of the age of contemporary country music which ushered in today's most popular artists, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Reba McEntire.

Today, country music is at its highest peak of popularity. As of 2007, country is the most popular radio format in America, reaching 77.3 million adults, almost 40 percent of the adult population, every week.

Country music is a story of family, faith, freedom, pride and patriotism. It embodies the American spirit and has played an integral part in encouraging Americans to support our Armed Forces. These songs invoke feelings of determination, liberty and responsibility, all of which this great country was founded upon.

In 1964, October was declared Country Music Month in honor of its rich history and tremendous impact on national patriotism. Country music is America's music, and for this reason I urge my colleagues to support H.J. Res. 58.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).

Mr. Speaker, I yield back my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.