Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mrs. Alice Nickens, one of my most senior constituents on the occasion of the recent celebration of her 100th birthday. Mrs. Nickens has had the good fortune to witness all of the remarkable events and changes that shaped our country during the 20th century.

Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Nickens is a retired educator who taught at every school in Hertford County. She began by teaching history as a senior at Waters Normal Institute before beginning her formal career as an educator in 1922.

Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Nickens indicated that, ``in those days'', a person didn't have to go to college in order to teach. Mrs. Nickens was considered bright in her subjects and she acknowledges that she was fortunate to have gotten a teaching position. She earned an undergraduate degree from Hampton Institute in Virginia and a masters degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and she never looked for another job.

Mr. Speaker, for 95 long years, Mrs. Nickens has been a dedicated member of Pleasant Plains Baptist Church. She taught Sunday school for 50 years, emphasizing the power of prayers and the providence of the Lord.

Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Nickens acknowledges the fact that she is very blessed to have lived such a long and productive life. She realizes that many people take their health for granted and neglect to go to the doctor for regular visits. She warns that some of the diseases with which we suffer today could be prevented if folks would simply commit to take care of themselves and make regular visits to the doctor whether in good or poor health.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Mrs. Alice Nickens, an exemplary citizen as she celebrates her 100th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall vote No. 142. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, due to an emergency, I was not present for Rollcall votes Nos. 48 and 49. Had I been present, on Rollcall vote No. 48, I would have voted ``aye''; on Rollcall vote No. 49, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, earlier today in rural Edgecombe County in the community of Battleboro, we announced that we would file a bill tonight called ROLE Model Initiative, Respecting Our Leaders in Education. The event was held at Phillips Middle School in Battleboro where we had more than four dozen education professionals, parents, teachers and students representing rural North Carolina. This bill is being introduced so that we can have our local systems get funding, because we have mandated that they follow the IDEA Act and the No Child Left Behind Act and we have not provided the funds for these acts. One speaker today described these two acts, Individuals With Disabilities Education and No Child Left Behind, as trains on the same track headed toward one another, bound to collide. We want to have a moratorium so the States can opt out of the penalty phase of No Child Left Behind until we fund IDEA.

Mr. Speaker, as we continue to celebrate Black History Month and the achievements and the accomplishments of African Americans in America, today I would like to recognize Elizabeth City State University, one of our historically black universities located in my congressional district, and Chancellor Mickey Burnham, trustees, faculty, alumni, and students.

Elizabeth City State University was founded in 1891 ``for the purpose of teaching and training teachers of the colored race to teach in the common schools of North Carolina.'' Just three decades after the Civil War ended, African Americans worked hard to live up to the ideals of liberty and freedom. Although there were many challenges faced by African Americans, many persevered and took advantage of established institutions such as Elizabeth City State University in the hopes of educating African Americans.

Despite the obstacles, there was a positive belief that the key to a successful future lies in education. This belief remains today.

As I think about the bright educators and students trying to be triumphant over adversity, I feel very proud of Elizabeth City State University. I wish Elizabeth City State University continued good fortune and success as they work to educate all of our people.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), my leader, before I got to Washington; and I thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek), who will speak later on.

I am proud to stand here tonight as an American, indeed, an African American. I am proud to live in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, the land of opportunity. But there is a problem. There are some for whom the promise of America is not being realized. They are the unemployed, the laid off, the jobless, those whose unemployment has run out, and those who have been looking for a job so long that they have given up.

America can do better. Why are we not doing better? I submit it is because we have the wrong priorities, and I submit that the budget that our President presented to us last week has the wrong priorities.

I want to talk just briefly about a section of the country, North Carolina, a section of North Carolina, rural, poor, eastern, that I represent. It is called the First Congressional District. It is largely rural, largely African Americans, Native Americans, facing devastating job losses and obviously sweeping economic concerns. I am deeply concerned about the well-being of thousands of families, thousands of unemployed, thousands of laid off who live in my district.

During the President's State of the Union address in January, I listened carefully and I heard nothing that would tend to address the needs, the hopes and desires of those of whom I speak. Yes, after reviewing the proposed budget, my concerns continue to grow. With a staggering 31,767 people unemployed in the First District as of December 1, 2003, additional plant closings and layoffs threaten to raise that number even higher and to stress and distress an already unstable economy.

In fact, just last week Rubbermaid of Greenville, North Carolina, announced plans to lay off another 315 workers this coming month. They join the ranks of other plant closings, dozens in my area, since the summer of 2003.

During his State of the Union address, the President promised more tax cuts, more permanent tax cuts. He had already promised that those would generate jobs. We have heard that pitch before. It has not materialized, and we do not believe it is going to materialize this time around, so that is why we are here tonight. We have to continue to speak out and cry out and make a plea that we will change our policies and provide opportunities for families, for jobless, for people who are hurting, people who are losing hope.

Since 2001, this Nation has lost 2.9 million jobs. Locally, in Vance County, one of the counties I represent, they suffer an unemployment rate of 12.5 percent, more than double the national unemployment rate. The President's priorities do not appear to match those of working families in eastern North Carolina. We have a few millionaires in eastern North Carolina, but they are very few.

With jobs continuing to disappear, despite 3 years of promises through tax cuts, our families want to enjoy the same quality of life afforded every other family throughout the Nation. They want to live in a sound economy, free of the fear of losing their jobs. They want to raise their families, have good health care, and to continue to express their patriotic values as Americans.

This budget relies on tax cuts which sacrifice priorities for funding at home for those items that I just mentioned. On last year's tax cuts, the poorest 20 percent of North Carolinians received a mere $69. We know about the theory, if you give it to the rich, it will trickle down, but it is not working. We are losing jobs.

I sent the President a letter last week inviting him as he travels to please come to northeastern North Carolina, please visit Roanoke Rapids, Henderson, and Rutherford, North Carolina, to see what is happening when people lose their jobs, lose their hope, are standing in the unemployment line, and finding that their unemployment has run out.

As I said earlier, America can do better. We have the ability. We have the technology. We simply have to get our priorities straight in order to help those who are most in need. I thank the gentlewoman from California so very much for this opportunity.

I thank the gentlewoman. I look forward to that.

Mr. Speaker, due to inclement weather, I was not present for rollcall votes Nos. 6 and 7. Had I been present, on rollcall vote No. 6, I would have voted ``yea''; on rollcall vote No. 7, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mrs. Everlee Smaw Mills, one of my most senior constituents on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Mrs. Mills has lived through and experienced every noteworthy event in our nation's history that has punctuated the 20th Century. At the tender age of 16, instead of engaging in some of the lighthearted, fun activities enjoyed by youth today, Mrs. Mills was experiencing an America devastated by the stock market crash of 1929 and the onslaught of the Great Depression. At a time when she should have been enjoying life and planning for what little prosperity a segregated nation could offer an under-education Black woman, Mrs. Mills as a youth was facing bread lines and food rations.

Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Mills is a remarkable woman, not just because of her long tenure but also because of her resolve to do well in all circumstances. For instance, she lived through the death of both parents at an early age, World War I, death of her spouse, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, death of three of her children, and has seen our troops sent to Iraq to battle terrorists.

Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Mills gave birth to 11 children and fed and nurtured many others, including grandchildren and neighborhood youth who wandered home with her children. It is my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that she never turned anyone away who needed a helping hand. Mr. Speaker, this remarkable lady, worked in a domestic capacity until she retired at the age of 75, and over the years she and her husband, (decedent) William Mills never once accepted welfare. As a widow, since the late 1940s, Mrs. Mills taught and stressed the importance of self- sufficiency to her children. They were taught to ``pay their own way'' in society.

To Mrs. Mill's credit, Mr. Speaker, her children have grown under the shade of her guidance to enter a cadre of notable professions. For instance, her children are employed in the following capacities: US Air Force serviceman, an engineer who has been assigned to work on NASA projects, a representative with the Wall Street Currency Exchange Department, the first Black elected to the Board of Commissioners in Beaufort County, an accomplished welder for the most prestigious truck body builders in the country, Hackney & Sons, and one daughter and son who have become ministers.

Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Mills is a lifelong member of Beebe Memorial CME Church of Washington and was named the Woman of the Year in the 1980s and Woman of Distinction in 2001. She is revered in her church for the solid advice that she imparts to the youth and her peers, and has become a well-respected pioneer in building church programs.

Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Mills is a true marvel. She still lives independently and enjoys ``Soap Operas''. She reads the Bible religiously. Her family history is traced in Beaufort County as far back as slavery. Her love for the area runs deeper than we understand. It pleases Mrs. Mills greatly to be simply a loving mother, devoted church member and lifelong resident of Beaufort County, North Carolina. I ask my Colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Mrs. Everlee Smaw Mills, an exemplary citizen.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidable detained on official business and was not present for rollcall votes Nos. 634 through 637. Had I been present, on rollcall vote No. 634, I would have voted ``yes'', on rollcall vote No. 635, I would have voted ``yes'', on rollcall vote No. 636, I would have voted ``yes'', and on rollcall vote No. 637, I would have voted ``Yes.''

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

Mr. Speaker, we gather this afternoon to honor a great man and leader who blazed trails for African Americans not only in North Carolina but throughout the Nation, Congressman George Henry White from my home State of North Carolina.

I want to express my appreciation for the strong bipartisan support from the North Carolina delegation and the sponsorship of this bill.

We are here today, Mr. Speaker, to show our appreciation for Congressman White by naming the post office after him in Tarboro, North Carolina, the town which he represented; and the County of Edgecombe, which he represented with distinction as a part of the second congressional district, I now have the great privilege of representing that same community, humbly following in his footsteps.

Mr. George Henry White was born in Rosendale, Bladen County, North Carolina, during slavery. He grew up the son of a sharecropper in nearby Columbus County. He was educated at the Whitten School in Lumberton. He first embarked on his trail of excellence when he left his job as a farm laborer and ventured here to the Nation's Capital to attend Howard University. Many people mistake him as being a graduate of Howard Law School, but actually he was a graduate of high school and Howard undergraduate school.

Upon graduation from Howard University in 1877, Mr. White returned to North Carolina settling in the coastal town of New Bern, to begin the fight to better his North Carolina for all families and helping empower the African American community.

He became a teacher and then a principal and is credited with establishing four new schools. Mr. White knew then what we all know now: information is power, and the key to steering one's own course is a quality education.

While living in New Bern, where he also worked as an attorney, having read law to become a lawyer, Mr. White embarked upon a career in public service spanning more than 2 decades when, in 1880, he was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives.

In 1884 he was elected to the North Carolina State Senate. And in 1886 he was elected as a solicitor for the second judicial district of North Carolina where he served two terms. During this time, George Henry White was the only African American district attorney in the United States. Continuing a political career steeped in innovation and leadership, blazing trails unheard of in his day, in 1894 Mr. White moved to Tarboro. It might be interesting to know that the one reason he moved was because there was redistricting going on and his hometown of New Bern was carved out of the second district. So he just packed up and moved down to Tarboro, North Carolina, his wife's hometown.

Three years later, he would become Congressman White, and only the third African American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina, John Adams Hyman being the first, Henry P. Cheatham the second.

Congressman White was the only African American in the United States Congress during his two terms and was the highest-ranking elected African American in the United States. He essentially represented not only citizens of the second congressional district but all 10 million African Americans across the Nation. He was the last former slave and the last African American to serve in the Congress during the post- Reconstruction era.

He opened doors while in Congress to pave the way for the civil rights movement more than half a century later. He campaigned against racial discrimination and urged enforcement of the second section of the 14th amendment.

In January 1901, his last year in office, Congressman White proposed a bill that would make lynching of African Americans a Federal crime. Unfortunately, this bill did not pass; but it did have some impact in the Deep South in particular. Despite Congressman White's passionate plea, as I indicated, the term ended without his bill passing.

George Henry White's farewell speech on the floor of Congress, often referred to as the ``Phoenix Speech,'' or his farewell speech, was made January 29, 1901: ``This, Mr. Chairman, is perhaps the Negroes' temporary farewell to the American Congress; but let me say, Phoenix- like he will rise up some day and come again. These parting words on behalf of an outraged, heartbroken, bruised and bleeding, but God- fearing people, faithful, industrious, loyal, rising people full of potential force.''

Mr. Speaker, while Congressman White is deserving of far greater accolades, and I am sure they will come in time, it is my great pleasure to offer this legislation on his behalf. I urge the passage of this bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand at this time as the designee for the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) on behalf of this resolution. I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of S. 1590, legislation naming a postal facility after the late James E. Davis.

S. 1509, which was introduced by Senator Schumer on September 8, 2003, was unanimously adopted by the Committee on Government Reform on November 6, 2003. An identical bill, H.R. 3012, sponsored by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) has the support and cosponsorship of the entire New York delegation.

Mr. James Davis was born in 1962 and graduated from Tilden High School in Brooklyn, New York in 1980. He obtained a degree from Pace University in 1989 and then joined the New York City Correctional Department. He became a police officer in 1991 and was assigned to the 73rd Precinct in Brooklyn. A youth officer, Mr. Davis served in the New York Police Department until he decided to enter the political arena in 1988 by running for assemblyman for the 43rd District. Although unsuccessful, he ran again and won office in November 2001, where he served as councilman for the 35th District.

Tragically, as we have just heard, Councilman Davis's life was cut short when he was gunned down in a violent shooting in the City Hall at the young age of 41.

Mr. Speaker, James Davis was a man of the community. He has dedicated his life to improving conditions in Brooklyn, New York, helping young people realize their dreams and stopping urban violence.

I commend my colleagues, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) and Senator Schumer for seeking to honor the legacy of Councilmember James Davis and urge the adoption of this bill.

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

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

I am honored and pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 3185, legislation naming a postal facility after Hugh Gregg. H.R. 3185 which was introduced by the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass) on September 25, 2003, was unanimously approved by the Committee on Government Reform on October 8, 2003.

H.R. 3185 has the support and cosponsorship of the entire New Hampshire Congressional delegation. Hugh Gregg, a former Republican Governor of New Hampshire from 1953 until 1955, was born in New Hampshire and became its youngest Governor at the age of 34. A graduate of Yale and Harvard Law School, he served as a Special Agent of the Counterintelligence Corps during World War II and the Korean Crisis.

A well-known businessman and community leader, Mr. Gregg passed away on September 24, 2003 at the age of 85. Hugh Gregg was remembered as a statesman and gentleman. His love for his State and country and dedication to public service was well known.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleagues for seeking to honor the late Hugh Gregg and urge swift adoption on H.R. 3185.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I support Senate Joint Resolution 18 which recognizes Inspectors General for their efforts to prevent waste, fraud and abuse over the past 25 years. In fact, as has been just pointed out, the House passed H.J. Res. 70 by voice just a few days ago.

Twenty-five years ago the Inspector General Act of 1978 established, for the first time, IG's in 12 executive branch agencies. They proved so successful that today there are IG's in 59 Federal agencies. The Inspectors General report both to the agency head and to Congress and are one of Congress's principal watchdogs in the executive branch.

IGs have a tough job. As independent investigators within Federal agencies, they are often the last person a manager wants to hear from.

The IGs returned over $4.5 billion to the Federal Government during fiscal year 2002 in restitutions and recoveries. IG audits also identified another $72 billion in funds that could be used more efficiently and effectively. They also had more than 10,000 successful criminal prosecutions.

The IGs make similar contributions year after year. They have more than proven their usefulness to Congress and the American people. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution commemorating their 25th anniversary.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, Sargent Shriver is a humanitarian, an advocate, a public servant, and a leader whose contributions to his country and his fellow man are immeasurable. Leading President Johnson's War on Poverty, Shriver ushered in many of the great society programs aimed at helping Americans better their lives. A list of programs Sargent Shriver started, defended, and expanded, and which remain in place today, are the Peace Corps, which in 1961 he helped organize and became its first director, Head Start, Job Corps, Legal Services, Upward Bound, Community Action, Foster Grandparents, and VISTA. Along with his wife Eunice, the founder of Special Olympics International, Sargent Shriver has nurtured the Special Olympics since 1968.

A man of stellar character and tireless energy, Shriver was raised on a farm in Westminster, Maryland. He worked his way through college, graduating from Yale University, cum laude, in 1938, and Yale Law School in 1941. Shriver served 5 years in the Navy during World War II ending his service as Lieutenant Commander.

Sargent Shriver worked to unite common concerns of the citizens of America and of the world. In 2001, during a speech at the 40th Anniversary of the Peace Corps Vigil at the Lincoln Memorial, Shriver stated: ``Be servants of peace; work at home as you have worked abroad, humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your citizens, serve your cities, serve the poor. Join others who serve. Serve, serve, serve. That's the end. That is the challenge. For in the end, it will be the servants who save us all.''

Be servants of peace. This is an important directive not only for the Peace Corps, but for all of us who work to seek to make America and the world a better place, as Sargent Shriver has. We owe men and women like Sargent Shriver a debt of gratitude and this resolution serves to do that.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in support of H.R. 3300, sponsored by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).

Walter Ehrnfelt, Jr., was first elected mayor of Strongsville, Ohio, in 1978. He was elected for six 4-year terms until his death on May 25, 2003. He was a devoted family man, public servant, and businessman. He served the citizens of Strongsville in many capacities. He was a member of the Strongsville school board, and was later elected president of the board and served as county councilman prior to being elected mayor. In addition to holding positions in many civic organizations, he was an honorary trustee of the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Strongsville United Methodist Church.

I am honored to join my colleagues seeking to honor the many contributions of Walter Ehrnfelt, and I urge swift passage of H.R. 3300.

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