Floor Statements

Let me start by thanking the gentlewoman for yielding 4 minutes to me to speak on a very important issue in my congressional district, and that is the naming of this Federal courthouse in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. I also want to thank the gentleman from Florida for his kind remarks about my good friend Judge Small.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay honor to a constituent, a friend, and a community leader by naming the Federal building in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, as the ``J. Herbert W. Small Federal Building.'' I would also like to thank the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Oberstar, and the ranking member, Mr. Mica, for their leadership in ushering this bill through the committee process. I would also like to thank each member of the North Carolina delegation, both Democrat and Republican, for their support of this legislation.

Almost 2 years ago, Mr. Speaker, this identical bill passed the House with unanimous support, but, regrettably, it was not taken up in the other body. I am confident that the Senate will see the bill through the process this session so we can now bestow this great honor upon Judge Small.

Mr. Speaker, Judge Small is a lifelong resident of Elizabeth City, North Carolina. He has dedicated 52 years of his professional life to improving the lives of the residents of Eastern North Carolina and in particular the Albemarle region. He began to practice law in Elizabeth City 2 years after I was born, 1949, after graduating from the University of North Carolina Law School at Chapel Hill. So the UNC fans have two reasons to celebrate today: the naming of this Federal building as well as the great victory that we saw this weekend.

Judge Small served as special counsel to the Congressional Committee on Intergovernmental Relations and later served 8 years as county attorney for Pasquotank County. He was elected district attorney for the First Judicial District of North Carolina for three consecutive terms.

As a young lawyer, I opposed Herb Small in the courtroom on several occasions. I was a defense lawyer; he was the prosecutor. He was a strong and effective district attorney. During his tenure, he served as chairman of the District Attorneys Advisory Committee, was president of the District Attorneys Association, and was appointed by the Governor to the State ``Jail Study'' Commission.

In 1979 Herb Small was elected Superior Court judge for the First Judicial

District. In the early years of his judgeship, I again had the opportunity to argue cases before his court. He was a firm but fair judge, always treated everyone who came before him with great respect. Herb Small served as resident Superior Court judge for 17 long years and was elected president of the North Carolina Conference of Superior Court Judges and represented the Conference on the North Carolina Policy and Sentencing Commission. I am proud to have been able to call Judge Small my judicial colleague when I became a judge after I was elected as a resident Superior Court judge in 1988. While Judge Small preceded me on the bench by almost a decade, he welcomed me among the ranks and always offered guidance and insight.

Judge Small served as chairman of the Albemarle Hospital board of directors and as chairman of the American Red Cross Chapter. He has been actively engaged in other civic, charitable, and service organizations, including Jaycees, Boy Scouts, Volunteer Firemen, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Elks Club, and Red Men. He was given the Distinguished Service Award by the Jaycees, the Volunteer of the Year Award by the Chamber of Commerce, and the Order of Long Leaf Pine by our great State of North Carolina for outstanding community involvement. During World War II, Judge Small served 3 years in the United States Navy.

Judge Small has been married for 57 years to Mrs. Annette Ward Small, a very delightful lady. They have four children, Elizabeth, John, Fran, and Carol; and they have nine grandchildren.

I thank the gentlewoman for the additional minute. When I get talking about Judge Small, I get carried away, Mr. Speaker. He's such a dear friend.

Judge Small has been married for 57 years to Mrs. Annette Ward Small. They have four children, and I mentioned their names. They have nine grandchildren, Rachel, Matthew, John, Mary, Margaret, Ruth, Allison, Katie, and Chris.

I can think of no finer individual, no person who's more deserving of this honor than Judge J. Herbert Small. The people of Elizabeth City and the First Congressional District of North Carolina are grateful for his commitment to community and his great and extraordinary leadership.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the dedication and labors of the people at Greenville branch of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. The Greenville branch of the Food Bank has distributed more than 50 million pounds of food to people in 10 counties since 1999. While this reflects a tremendous amount of success and effort, it also highlights the intensity of hunger facing families in eastern North Carolina.

The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina was established in 1980 to provide food to people at risk of hunger in 34 counties in central and eastern North Carolina. In 2006-07, the Food Bank distributed over 32.6 million pounds of food through 870 partner agencies including soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and afterschool programs for children.

Nearly 30 percent of the people served by the Food Bank's network are children, and another 18 percent are elderly. Thirty-eight percent of the families served are the ``working poor''--people who work hard and still have to choose between eating and other basic necessities such as medicine and housing.

Even before this severe economic downturn, families were struggling to put food on the table. And as the crisis deepens, it is intensifying the struggle for millions of Americans to keep from going hungry.

Food banks across the country are seeing appreciable increases in requests at a time when the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that more than one in ten American households are struggling to get enough food.

In the nation with the safest, most abundant food supply in the world, it is unconscionable that so many people go hungry. There is a moral obligation and a necessary responsibility we have as Americans to ensure a strong country for future generations. I am proud that the good people at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina have answered that call.

Madam Speaker, today I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating and acknowledging the efforts of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, which embodies the essence of what we believe in: local citizens and businesses pulling together to help solve a local problem.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank personally Congressman Waxman, Congressman Rangel, Congressman Obey and particularly their staffs for their hard work on this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, no one disputes that we're in an economic crisis. It continues to deepen. Families are hurting. In my home State of North Carolina, more than one-third of our 100 counties are now suffering from double-digit unemployment, including 10 of those counties in the First Congressional District.

Without question, we need to quickly pass this stimulus bill this afternoon which will put people back to work, provide relief for the people who need it the most and make investments in our future. Americans demanded change last November. And we must answer that call today. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this conference report.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee for yielding this time. This is a very important subject in all of our States.

Madam Speaker, without question, the people of my State in North Carolina are hurting very badly. Unemployment figures show that the number of counties with double digit unemployment actually doubled to 34 during the month of December. That is more than one-third of the counties in my State now suffering from double digit unemployment.

When people lose their jobs, they lose access to affordable health care, and it is the children, just as the gentleman from Washington just said, it is the children who suffer most in these circumstances. Today, we have an opportunity to take another step toward ensuring that every American child has access to affordable health care regardless of family circumstances.

With the passage of this bill, my State of North Carolina will reduce the number of children who lack health insurance by 46 percent. That is 136,000 children. There will be similar impacts across the country. I urge my colleagues to join me in approving this important bill.

I probably will not take the 3 minutes, but I thank him for his leadership on the committee. As well, I thank the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Waxman.

Mr. Speaker, this is an important issue. In my district, at least, it is very important. This is not an academic issue. It is very important. I am pleased that we now have another chance to pass this vitally important bill, because it has become increasingly clear that, with the digital transition deadline looming just days away, literally millions of Americans are at risk of being left in the dark.

With an estimated 6.5 million households still unprepared for the digital transition, it is clear that a short delay is necessary. There are 6,000 households on the waiting list for converter box coupons in my district alone, and that number grows daily. So a short implementation delay is necessary, and I do not see the problem in granting this request.

Without a delay, many of these people would be without television service and would be at risk in the event of a disaster or of a national emergency. I represent a rural area where many people rely on over-the-air television broadcasts. So this issue is particularly important for districts like mine. People clearly need more time to learn just what this transition will mean for them.

The distinguished ranking member of the committee says that they have had enough time and that there are procedures in place for making it happen, but people need more time to learn. Even my constituents who manage to buy the box could still be left without a signal. Analog signals travel further than digital signals, and many people may still need a new digital antenna to receive the signal.

So, Mr. Speaker, in closing, I wish the Energy and Commerce Committee had the opportunity to mark up this bill, because I believe there are still some issues that are unresolved in the legislation. However, I strongly support this bill as it is written, and I look forward to its swift passage this afternoon so that consumers can be given more time to prepare for this tremendous change in their lives.

Madam Speaker, this week we have yet another opportunity to ensure that every child in America has access to health care. And during these tough economic times, it is even more critical that we move quickly and send the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act to President Obama for his signature.

In my State of North Carolina, there are about 240,000 children enrolled in the program. But we still have an estimated 296,000 children who lack health insurance. By passing this bill, Madam Speaker, we can reduce that number by 46 percent. Our children need health insurance now.

I hope you will join me in approving this important bill this week when it comes to the floor.

Madam Speaker, families from my district in eastern North Carolina are working to recover from tornadoes over the weekend that killed two people and displaced up to 125 people.

Please join me in expressing our deepest sympathies to the families affected by this damaging storm. They should know that our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Tragically, the tornado claimed the life of 11-year-old Joshua Wiggins, a bright, outgoing sixth-grader at Toisnot Middle School in my hometown of Wilson, North Carolina. He played the drums, enjoyed soccer, and sang in the chorus. The tornado also took the life of Maryland Gomez, a 61-year-old mother from Kenly, North Carolina.

The tornadoes, believed to be EF-2 to EF-3, moved northeast along the Interstate 95 corridor at 45 to 55 miles per hour with winds of 130 to 135 miles per hour.

I want to give thanks to the North Carolina Department of Transportation workers who have been clearing fallen trees from roadways and to the Progress Energy crews who are restoring power along the storm's path.

North Carolina Governor Michael Easley has requested a U.S. Small Business Administration disaster declaration for Wilson and Johnston County areas affected by deadly tornadoes.

Madam Speaker, our hearts go out to the community and especially to the families directly affected by this tragedy. Although this natural disaster may have destroyed many homes and upended the lives of many families, the people of North Carolina are generous and caring. I have no doubt we will pull together to rebuild these communities to make them stronger than ever. I look forward to working with my colleagues to assist the families in need and to helping them to move forward from this tragedy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and applaud The Honorable Mildred Council, Mayor Pro Tempore of Greenville, North Carolina. Known across the state for her longtime community service, Mayor Pro Tempore Council has spent 20 years steadfastly representing her constituents. The National League of Cities recently honored Mrs. Council with its 2008 Women in Municipal Government Leadership Award on Friday, November 14, 2008. This award recognizes women for implementing civic programs in local government. Mrs. Council has devoted her life and career to social work and public service, including a focus on mitigating the effects of sickle cell syndrome on her communities. Her example and accomplishments should serve as a model for future women leaders.

Mrs. Mildred Council is a native of Bethel, North Carolina. She graduated from Shaw University with a bachelor's degree in sociology, and later earned a master's degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin. After first being elected to the Greenville City Council in 1987, she established Greenville's first Youth Council. She also cofounded the Women/Ladies of Distinction program, which mentors at- risk young female students in North Carolina schools. She has also served on 17 boards and commissions in her career including Sheppard Memorial Library Board and the Recreation and Parks Commission. She has been a 4-H leader, serving as a role model for many children in Pitt County.

Mayor Pro Tempore Council has been recognized throughout her career for her distinguished service. In 2006, she was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by North Carolina Governor Mike Easley. She was awarded the National Association of Black Social Workers 33rd Annual Conference Certificate of Appreciation for Significant Contribution to the African-American Community in 2007. She is also the recipient of the North Carolina Women in Municipal Government For Service As President Award. Further, she has received three awards from her religious community, including the Christian Awareness Organization Humanitarian Award.

Mayor Pro Tempore Council's commitment to her community is based in her strong faith and it permeates into all aspects of her life. She continues to work tirelessly to serve and assist the people with the greatest needs. With her help and support, there is now a Pitt County Habitat for Humanity office, located in the heart of Greenville. Her dedication to the community she faithfully serves truly makes her an exceptional leader and role model. She embodies the true spirit of a public servant by dedicating each day to improving the quality of life for every person living in her community.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in recognizing the efforts and accomplishments of Mildred Council.

Madam Speaker, I rise today before you to pay tribute to the United States Coast Guard, who will be the honored service on October 18th, 2008, during Military Appreciation Day at East Carolina University's home football game against Memphis. East Carolina University, which is in my district, has long demonstrated an appreciation for the Armed Services and the incredible sacrifices their members make on a daily basis.

The United States Coast Guard operates several commands in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, which I have the privilege of representing. Among these commands is the National Strike Force Coordination Center (NSFCC), which is responsible for responding to chemical, biological, and radiological events, National Security Events, and Weapons of Mass Destruction events. The NSFCC is the command component of three subordinate teams and oversees operations of the Atlantic Strike Team, Gulf Strike Team, and Pacific Strike Team.

Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City is an Air Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, Port and Waterway Patrols, and Homeland Security component. Air Station Elizabeth City also supports the Coast Guard Atlantic Area, and International Ice Patrol. Support Center Elizabeth City is responsible for providing logistical support for the tenant commands located on the Coast Guard base in Elizabeth City.

Coast Guard Station Elizabeth City deals with surface response for Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, Port and Waterways Patrols, and Homeland Security. The Aviation Repair and Supply Center (AR&SC) is responsible for maintaining the parts and supply inventory, technical data and conducting repairs for Coast Guard aviation assets. The Aviation Technical Training Center (ATTC) is responsible for training mechanical and electrical aviation engineers and airmen.

During the ECU game, Rear Admiral Ronald Hewitt, Commander of Maintenance and Logistics Command Atlantic Area, will serve as the senior Coast Guard representative. Petty Officer Joseph Ruggiero will assist with the coin toss. Petty Officer Ruggiero received the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart Medal for his selfless service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A Coast Guard fly-over will precede the action on the field, and the Coast Guard will display several small boats, a dive locker, and information tables to represent various service missions.

Madam Speaker, it is with tremendous pride that I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to all of our armed services, but especially the United States Coast Guard for their continued support and vigilance in defense of our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today before you to draw attention to an issue which concerns our continued efforts to establish democratic principles around the world. The recent conflict between Russia and Georgia has highlighted the acute need for the U.S. to maintain and strengthen its resolve to support and strengthen the former Soviet Republic countries.

Kazakhstan is among these countries and it is an important partner in many ways. Kazakhstan is a key energy-producing ally where a large number of U.S. corporations are doing business as part of the global effort to meet our domestic energy needs.

While I certainly appreciate that Kazakhstan has worked closely with the U.S. on matters of nonproliferation, I have become increasingly concerned by reports indicating that Kazakhstan's governmental system lacks the basic rights of democracy: elections are neither free or fair; political opposition faces physical danger; there are few independent media outlets; the wide-scale corruption which has begun to affect major U.S. companies doing business in Kazakhstan; and, there is no respect for human rights, religious freedom, freedom of speech or economic liberalization.

Last year's election in Kazakhstan was far from democratic. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev's reelection in 2005 with 91 percent of the vote prompted widespread complaints of vote fraud. The Nur-Otan party which supports President Nazarbayev won all 98 contested seats in the country's parliamentary election last August. Pledges to institute overhauls have failed to move forward according to recent reports by the U.S. Department of State and Freedom House.

In fact, a number of opposition parties have decided to boycott Kazakhstan's upcoming Senate elections with one of the opposition parties stating that ``we do not intend to give a veneer of `competition' to a forthcoming farce and to become a pseudo democratic entourage''.

As part of an agreement that allows Kazakhstan to ascend to the Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a multilateral organization devoted to European Security, Kazakhstan pledged to implement an opposition party law and other reform measures by the end of this year. To date, little has been achieved and opposition parties assert that they are not consulted with on formulating an opposition party law.

I applaud my distinguished colleagues Chairman Alcee Hastings of Florida and Co-

Chairman Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland for holding a hearing hosted by the Helsinki Commission on July 22, 2008, titled ``Promises to Keep: Kazakhstan's 2010 OSCE Chairmanship''. In maintaining the Commission's monitoring duties, the hearing focused on allegations of corruption, human rights abuses and religious intolerance in Kazakhstan. This was the second in a series of hearings during which my colleagues questioned the selection of Kazakhstan as the next leader of the OSCE and its commitment to reform measures. Kazakhstan's Chairmanship has been a controversial issue as many human rights groups and lawmakers have cited a poor human rights record and lack of democratic reform in Kazakhstan. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher testified that political and economic overhauls are needed in Kazakhstan, adding ``That is the only way to get away from corruption''.

A month prior to this hearing, Chairman Hastings and Co-Chairman Cardin led a bi-partisan delegation to Kazakhstan in order to attend the OSCE's 17th Annual Session, which took place in Astana, Kazakhstan's capital city. Additionally, Members of the delegation met with President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Prime Minister Karim Masimov and Secretary of State Kanat Saudabayev.

Clearly Members of the Commission remain concerned not only by the promises made to establish democratic reform by year's end, but also by ``very serious allegations'' of corruption in the oil-rich nation which could further complicate its relations with the U.S. and the West, as well as human rights abuses, human trafficking, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and rigged elections. When democracy fails that spills over into every other walk of life and the people of Kazakhstan are the ones who suffer.

I know my colleagues in the U.S. Congress share my concern and I encourage our collective support of the Helsinki Commission in calling on the government of Kazakhstan to uphold its commitment to establish democratic reforms as it has promised to do.

Madam Speaker, people in the Republic of China will be celebrating their National Day this October 10. Taiwan is one of our largest trading partners and has worked very hard in reducing its trade surplus with us year after year. A democracy, Taiwan shares many economic, social and cultural values with us. We know for a fact that Taiwanese tourists choose the United States as their first destination, when traveling outside of Asia. We know Taiwan has more than 30,000 and students studying in the United States. A majority of their cabinet secretaries were educated in the United States and have advanced U.S. degrees

Their newly elected Present is a Harvard-educated attorney. Taiwan's ties to us are many and our mutual relations seem to have dramatically improved with the recent appointment of their top Washington envoy: Ambassador Jason Yuan. Ambassador Yuan is one of the most distinguished diplomats from Taiwan and knows Washington well.

I am happy to learn that Taiwan has recently improved its relations with the Chinese mainland as well. There have been visits by Taiwan leaders to the mainland and vice versa. Both sides are engaged in productive discussions over the reduction of tension in the Taiwan Strait and the improvement of ties. They are building mutual trust and confidence in their bilateral relations, nurturing a long-lasting amity.

Congratulations to Taiwan and the Taiwanese people.

Madam Speaker, on the day that the House is considering far-reaching legislation that encourages the development of renewable energy please join me in applauding the efforts of the National Renewable Cooperatives Organization (NRCO).

The North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC) recently announced its participation in the efforts of this newly formed national cooperative to help electric cooperatives develop renewable energy resources through projects and infrastructure improvements.

NCEMC is a generation and transmission cooperative that supplies all or part of the energy needs to the state's electric cooperatives. North Carolina's electric cooperatives provide energy to 2.5 million people in 93 of 100 counties, primarily in rural parts of the State. The electric cooperatives own and maintain 95,000 miles of power lines, by far the most of any electric utility in North Carolina.

Generation and transmission cooperatives across the nation are already working to further develop renewable resources and many are purchasing renewable energy credits. NRCO provides expertise and information for participating co-ops and provides the opportunity to match the needs of some cooperatives with the practical potential of others.

It is anticipated that NRCO will work with the North Carolina's electric cooperatives' newly formed renewable company, GreenCo Solutions, Inc., to identify cost-effective projects and opportunities to purchase renewable energy credits that will benefit consumers in the future.

By working closely together and sharing information, these electric cooperatives will able to minimize investment risks and maximize the benefits. This is an important effort with enormous potential to help move America toward energy independence.

Madam Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in applauding the important outstanding collective and collaborative efforts of the North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation and the National Renewable Cooperatives Organization.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Norman L. Mebane Jr., was born in Merry Hill, North Carolina. He graduated from high school in Bertie County before earning an associate's degree from Pitt Community College. After 2 years of honorable service in the U.S. Army, Mr. Mebane returned home and worked at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company.

He attended Thomas Nelson Community College, and then earned a bachelor of science degree from St. Augustine's College where he was also inducted into Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society and received special recognition as a Presidential Scholar.

Mr. Mebane then worked as a crop and livestock farmer before moving on to the trucking business. He founded N.L. Mebane Trucking Company, Inc. and later founded Mebane Rural Initiative Institute, Inc. and Mebane Investment Properties LLC. His entrepreneurial successes were recognized by North Carolina Department of Transportation with the Minority Business Enterprise Award of the Year.

Mr. Mebane currently serves on the RBC Centura Bank Region II Advisory Board and the Economic Development Council, and he previously served as part of the Historical Hope Foundation, Transportation Development Council, North Carolina Governor's Conference on Small Business and the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Minority Business Expansion Council. Mr. Mebane also serves as a board trustee for Elizabeth City State University and Martin County Community College.

It is certainly fitting that Elizabeth City State University would honor Mr. Mebane because he fully understands the importance of community involvement and he truly dedicates himself to serving others. He is an outstanding member of our community who deserves our highest thanks and praise.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this great North Carolinian and American, Mr. Norman L. Mebane, Jr.

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor today to rise and recognize the National Association of Medical Minority Educators, Inc., also known as NAMME, for their years of support for health professionals from traditionally underrepresented and disadvantaged populations.

Established in 1975, NAMME aims to increase the presence of minority health care providers. To achieve this goal, the founding members of NAMME have worked tirelessly over the years to provide motivated students with access to education, training, and practice in the health care profession.

Since its inception, NAMME has strived to prepare students for success in health related fields including dentistry, optometry, public health, and veterinary medicine. The organization holds as its core values its ability to develop and sustain productive relationships and to produce action oriented programming for stakeholders. NAMME has established an extraordinary reputation of providing exceptional professional development opportunities for its members. NAMME is hopeful that these significant opportunities will ultimately translate to the reduction in health disparities among underserved populations. Madam Speaker, I commend NAMME for its vision and foresight in identifying this service which is so greatly needed in disadvantaged communities.

Today, with alumni across the country, NAMME stands as one of the leading organizations for providing the type of training and informational resources that will greatly benefit small communities. Programs are available that nurture and support individuals through all stages in their pursuit of a career in health care.

NAMME will hold its 33rd Annual Conference in Arlington, Virginia on September 17-21, 2008 where House Majority Whip, The Honorable James E. Clyburn will serves as the keynote presenter.

Madam Speaker and Distinguished Colleagues, I hope that you will join me today in honoring NAMME and the substantial contributions this organization has made to provide access to health care education for underrepresented and disadvantaged communities.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed from two bills, H.R. 2125 and H.R. 1650.