Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I respectfully pause today with a heavy heart as I share with my colleagues the sad news of the passing of my good friend Attorney Louis Jordan who was a native of Warren County, NC and lived in Goldsboro, NC. Louis slipped away from us last night leaving his wife Nancy James Jordan and their two adult children, Kevin and Kelly.

A good number of years ago, both Louis and I attended North Carolina Central University. It was there that we became roommates and subsequently grew to be very close friends. After graduation, I returned to my hometown of Wilson and Louis settled in Goldsboro. For more than 35 years, Louis provided a tremendous service to the Wayne County community through his community-oriented practice of law.

Madam Speaker, with many years between us and our law school days, our paths once again crossed. I was a sitting Superior Court Judge and Louis was a practicing attorney who argued many cases before me. He was never one to shy away from a fight and was equipped to slay any legal giant. Louis represented his clients well.

Louis later became an ordained minister and through his ministry exhibited his true dedication, commitment and loyalty to his community. He was a great mentor to the youth of the community and contributed great counsel and leadership to the City of Goldsboro's Board of Education and the Goldsboro public schools.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Attorney Louis Jordan. The City of Goldsboro, the State of North Carolina and the United States of America have suffered a great loss.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of America's most deserving citizens, Mrs. Bella Russell who will be celebrating her 100th birthday on January 1, 2008. Mrs. Russell resides in Warren County within my Congressional District and is the grandmother of our friend and colleague, Congressman Albert Russell Wynn.

Although Mrs. Russell was born in the County of Warren, she moved to Camden, NJ as a young child where she attended the public schools. In later years, Mrs. Russell married John Wesley Russell and through this marriage, three children were born. She is now the matriarch of this wonderful family with 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren.

From the State of New Jersey, the family relocated to North Carolina where they acquired a 200-acre farm. While Mr. Russell operated the farm, Mrs. Russell dedicated much of her time as a homemaker and occasionally assisted on the farm. She was also very actively engaged in her community and served as 4-H Club Leader for more than 10 years.

Madam Speaker, Mrs. Russell has dedicated 70-faithful years of her life as a member of Russell Union RZUA Church. She has served as Church Mother for 50 years and took great pride in organizing church clubs and groups.

Madam Speaker, over her lifetime, Mrs. Russell has lived through some of the most significant historical periods of our time. Like so many of the great historical monuments she has stood the test of time and has survived Reconstruction; lynching; WorId War I; the Great Depression; WorId War II; the period of segregation; the Civil Rights Movement; Voting Rights Movement; School Desegregation and other momentous times. She is indeed a walking history reference and we take great pride in recognizing her for being blessed with such longevity.

I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Mrs. Bella Russell, a most deserving American.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlelady from the District of Columbia for her friendship

and thank her for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to very briefly comment on H.R. 4210. This is a bill that I introduced to name the post office located at 401 Washington Avenue in Weldon, North Carolina, after a very dear friend of many, many years, Mr. Dock M. Brown.

We are seeking to name this post office as the Dock M. Brown Post Office Building. Dock Brown, Mr. Speaker, has been a friend and supporter for many years. He is a pillar of leadership in the Halifax County community and throughout our congressional district. And I might say parenthetically, Mr. Speaker, that the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia also has roots in Halifax County, North Carolina, and it is just ironic that she happens to be on the floor at this very moment.

Mr. Speaker, Dock Brown was born on January 30, 1929, in Halifax County to a wonderful couple, Nelson and Vilvie Brown. Dock Brown's father, as was my father, was a veteran of World War I. Dock would soon follow in his father's footsteps by also serving our country as a sergeant in the United States Army.

Mr. Brown graduated from J.A. Chaloner High School in 1948 and entered historic Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, that fall. In 1951, just 1 year before he was to graduate from that institution, Dock Brown was drafted into the United States Army and was given orders to fight in the Korean War.

Dock Brown served 12 long months in Korea before returning to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, his native home State, to serve out the remainder of his tour. Immediately after his discharge, Dock Brown resumed his education at Shaw University, where he received his undergraduate degree in history.

To fulfill his dream of becoming a school teacher, Dock attended another great institution, which was my alma mater, North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina, where he received a master's degree in sociology and school administration.

Dock Brown is an extraordinary educator. He taught history at Weldon High School and Eastman High School for 24 years and served as principal of Pittman High School for 10 years. His positive impact on the youth in Halifax County cannot be measured. He touched so many young lives, and it was Dock Brown's encouragement that has served as a catalyst and foundation that propelled many of those young people to grow into well-established, productive, progressive citizens.

Dock Brown also served as an appointed official in Halifax County. He served on the County Board of Health. And for 19 years he served on the Board of Mental Health, where he served as chairman for the last 4 years of his tenure. He was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the State Mental Health Association for his tireless dedication to the issue of mental health.

He served 7 years as a trustee at Elizabeth City State University and 2 years as an appointee to the Governor's Commission to evaluate superior court judges.

Mr. Speaker, Dock Brown has also served, as we do, as an elected official. For 8 years he served as a county commissioner in Halifax County; 2 years in the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 7; 8 years as a commissioner on the Weldon Town Board.

For his untiring service to the State of North Carolina, Dock Brown was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by then Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. This is the highest civilian honor granted to a citizen in North Carolina.

Religion has played a major part in the life of Dock Brown. He has been an active member of the First Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids since the age of 11, where he served in many capacities including that of ordained deacon for more than 50 years.

He has been married to his devoted wife, Helen Brooks Brown, for 54 years. Together they have reared two children: Dock Brown, Jr. and Ivy Brown Singlton. Ivy is married to Lieutenant Colonel Terance Singlton, II, who proudly serves us in the United States Army.

I am so proud, Mr. Speaker, to have authored this legislation to honor this individual. Dock Brown has dedicated his entire life to serving others and has touched entire generations of young people.

This legislation has the entire support, bipartisan support, of my delegation. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4210.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlelady from the District of Columbia for her friendship and thank her for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to offer my support for H.R. 3179, the matter that has been introduced by Mr. Towns of New York, which is entitled the Local Preparedness Acquisition Act. This is a fine piece of legislation, and I urge our colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this matter.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2484) to rename the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development as the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the Senate bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to express my strong support for S. 2484, a bill to rename the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development as the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. I am proud to lend my support to a bill aimed at honoring such a compassionate and wonderful human being.

Often we miss out on the opportunity to honor people while they are with us. Today, I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join with me in seizing the moment and commemorating Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a tireless advocate for children. While Eunice Kennedy Shriver is perhaps best known for her efforts on behalf of those affected by mental retardation and for the creation of the Special Olympics, she has also been a leader on many other fronts. In particular, it is wholly appropriate that we name the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development after Eunice Kennedy Shriver, as she was instrumental in establishing the institute just over 45 years ago during the administration of her brother, John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

In the nearly half a century since its founding, the institute has helped make great strides in the advancement of child health and human development, including dramatically reducing sudden infant death syndrome and infant mortality.

One of the goals of the institute is to ensure that children have the opportunity to reach their full potential and live healthy and productive lives. Her commitment and dedication to helping children meet these goals has been unwavering.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, it is important that we, before it is too late, that we honor this great American, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, today by renaming the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development after her. I support this good bill and urge all of my colleagues to do the same.

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

I want to thank the distinguished gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry). You are absolutely correct. This legislation is only meant to change the name of the single institute within NIH and to have no other effect, no other effect on the NIH or its organization. We do not intend to change or even signal any other change at the NIH.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very special high school in my congressional district: North Edgecombe High School. This school, which is located in Tarboro, NC, was ranked among the top high schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

This year, only 34 high schools in North Carolina were recognized with this great honor and I am so proud that the Mighty Warriors of North Edgecombe High School achieved this great feat. The dedication of the administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, and students to ensure the success of the young generation is to be commended.

Madam Speaker, North Edgecombe High School is seated in a rural area of my district. It educates over 350 students in grades 9-12. Its population is 90 percent minority and 70 percent are labeled as ``disadvantaged students.'' As we from rural districts know, funding for public schools can be concentrated on the metropolitan areas of the state while the rural areas are seemingly forgotten. With limited resources they continue to prepare all students both academically and socially to successfully meet the challenges of an ever-changing society.

The largely affluent Research Triangle Park area which includes Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill had no schools that made the list. This is a true testament to the hard work, dedication and determination of our teachers and students at North Edgecombe High School.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the accomplishment of North Edgecombe High School. It is my most sincere hope that the teachers, students, and parents continue to work hard to ensure that they make the list again in the coming year. I hope other schools in my district will look to North Edgecombe High School as an example of excellence and a model to emulate.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2601) to extend the authority of the Federal Trade Commission to collect fees to administer and enforce the provisions relating to the ``Do-not-call'' registry of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, this legislation, which we refer to as H.R. 2601, was introduced by the distinguished ranking member of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, my good friend Mr. Stearns from the State of Florida. This bill is to extend the authority of the Federal Trade Commission to collect the fees that administer and enforce the provisions relating to the national do-not-call registry.

In 2003, Mr. Speaker, Congress passed the Do-Not-Call Implementation Act, which authorized the FTC to establish fees sufficient to implement the national do-not-call registry as originally authorized by the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act of 1994. I don't think it's hyperbole, Mr. Speaker, to say that this may quite possibly be one of the most popular laws and government initiatives in our Nation's history. Consumers have registered more than 146 million telephone numbers since the registry became operational in 2003.

The FTC's authority to annually establish the appropriate level of fees to charge telemarketers for access to the registry expires, yes, it expires in 2007, and Mr. Stearns's bill, as amended, in the Energy and Commerce Committee renders that authority permanent. If Members of Congress wish to avoid the wrath of millions of angry constituents who are being called by telemarketers during dinner time, it is in our best interest to facilitate the continuing operation of the do-not-call registry and vote for this bill.

As is the case with the vast majority of the legislation passed out of the subcommittee of which I am a member, this is a bipartisan bill. I'm proud to say that, Mr. Speaker. We worked on this measure together. This is a bipartisan bill that was crafted in consultation with the appropriate agency of expertise, in this case the Federal Trade Commission. The bill passed my subcommittee by a voice vote on October 23; and a week later, on October 30, it was unanimously approved by the full Energy and Commerce Committee. It is fully deserving of quick passage on the floor of the House today.

As usual, Mr. Speaker, the staff on both sides of the aisle worked together on this bill, and with Ranking Member Stearns as well as Ranking Member Barton of the full committee, they should all be commended for their ongoing cooperation with the chairman, the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), and the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush), who chairs the subcommittee.

So, Mr. Speaker, with that said, I am going to urge a ``yes'' vote.

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

I want to thank the gentleman for his comments.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am ready to close this out. But I am sure the American people will be very appreciative that we are willing to extend this to become a permanent program, the do-not-call registry.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3541) to amend the ``Do-not-call'' Implementation Act to eliminate the automatic removal of telephone numbers registered on the Federal ``do-not-call'' registry, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

The bill that we now consider on the floor is related to the previous bill that we just adopted. H.R. 3541, the Do-not-call Improvement Act of 2007, ensures that Americans who signed up to be on the do-not-call list remain on the do-not-call list. As the law currently stands, consumers are automatically purged from the registry after a 5-year period and they are forced to re-register their phone numbers with the FTC. Consequently, if we do nothing, of the 132 million telephone numbers that are currently listed on the do-not-call registry, almost 52 million of those numbers will expire and once again be fair game for telemarketers.

I guarantee you, Mr. Speaker, that the vast majority of these consumers are unaware that they must relist their phone numbers. As was the case with the previous bill, I don't think Members of Congress want to incur the wrath of millions of angry constituents and family members who thought they were safe from the nuisance of telemarketers, but are once again getting their pestering phone calls every evening. I might also add that September 28, the date in which 52 million numbers will expire, is right before election day. Need I say more?

The authors of the bill, my good friend Mr. Doyle, who will speak in just a few moments, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, and my friend Mr. Pickering from Mississippi, are both valued members of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and they are to be commended for their bipartisan cooperation. On October 30 the bill was amended at the full committee markup to require the FTC to periodically scrub the do-not-call registry to remove phone numbers that have been disconnected or reassigned and further requires the commission to report to Congress on the accuracy of the registry. As such, H.R. 3541 ensures that the do- not-call list is fair and accurate and that only those American consumers who do not wish to be called by telemarketers are on the registry.

This is a thoughtful, bipartisan piece of legislation, and I urge its adoption.

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

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield 4 minutes to my good friend from Pennsylvania, a gentleman who works so hard for his constituents, Mr. Doyle.

Mr. Speaker, this has been a good debate on this issue, and I want to thank both the gentlemen who have authored this bill for their passion and for their leadership and what they do for the Congress.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today and ask my Colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in paying tribute to Professor Billy C. Hines, one of Elizabeth City State University's most accomplished Professors.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Hines is now in his 33rd year as Professor of Voice, Director of Choral Activities and Artist-In-Residence at Elizabeth City State University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Stillman College and a Masters of Arts and Masters of Education degree in Music and Music Education from Teacher's College at Columbia University. Further, he holds a Certificate in Managing the Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Professor Hines has propelled the Elizabeth City State University Choir to a world renowned status. The University Choir, acclaimed as an ``incredible group of voices,''

performs annually on tour throughout the United States, Europe and Africa and on campus. In May, 2005 Professor Hines arranged for the choir to travel to Nigeria, West Africa for a 15-day tour of seven cities. Its eclectic musical taste and resplendent audience appeal thrilled the standing-room only audiences everywhere they performed.

Madam Speaker, also in 2005, I am proud to announce that the University Choir was featured at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference Gospel Extravaganza under the inspiring directorship of Professor Hines. The performance was amazingly captivating.

In 1985, Professor Hines took advantage of an opportunity for his Choir to tour the Grand Bahamas Islands. Enthusiastic audiences received them everywhere they sang. In 1980, Governor James B. Hunt invited the University Choir to perform for his historic second consecutive inauguration as Governor of North Carolina.

Madam Speaker, although Professor Hines is a native of Alabama, North Carolina has adopted him as their own. He is an accomplished baritone soloist, a skilled adjudicator, clinician, and conductor. In past years he has conducted the Wayne County North Carolina School Spring Music Festival, the Junior High Honors Chorus as well as the Senior High Women's Chorus at the Summer Music Camp of the University of Wisconsin. Professor Hines has left lasting impressions with his outstanding performances with the North Carolina Junior High All-State Chorus, and with his contribution to the Edgecombe County Choral Festival.

Locally, Professor Hines has directed the Evelyn A. Johnson Community Singers for the past 25 years. The Singers are especially known for their annual rendering of Handel's Messiah, a free performance held for the public at various sites. For over 10 years Professor Hines has been invited to conduct a week-long workshop and concert of the Interstate Church Musicians and Choir Guild. Over 80 church musicians from throughout the Roanoke-Chowan area participate each year.

Madam Speaker, Professor Hines' accomplishments are limitless and I value this rare opportunity to share this abbreviated account with my Colleagues. On behalf of my Colleagues and the great state of North Carolina, I wish Professor Hines God's blessings as he continues to share his extraordinary talents with our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, this Democratic Congress was elected to take our Nation in a new direction. We have worked to make meaningful changes for American families by passing fiscally responsible appropriations bills that fund priorities here at home, priorities neglected by the President and the previous Congresses. But every step of the way, President Bush has stood as a roadblock to the progress Americans demanded.

For example, House Democrats worked in a bipartisan way to pass legislation authorizing the popular Children's Health Insurance Program, but the President used his veto pen to say ``no'' to providing health care to 10 million children. We passed the vital infrastructure bill, known as WRDA, which authorizes critical projects to protect communities across the country from natural disasters. The President again said ``no.'' But, fortunately, our Republican colleagues joined us in overriding the veto.

Mr. Speaker, now President ``No'' has vetoed yet another important bill that invests in labor, health, and education priorities for our country. It is again time for House Republicans to stand with us in supporting this bipartisan legislation opposing yet another veto.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3461) to establish a public awareness campaign regarding Internet safety, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3461, the Safeguarding America's Families by Enhancing and Reorganizing New and Efficient Technologies Act of 2007, or the SAFER NET Act as we refer to it, was introduced by Congresswoman Melissa Bean from Illinois. The bill, Mr. Speaker, has 41 cosponsors, and it was reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee with unanimous, bipartisan support just 2 weeks ago, I believe it was, on October 30. As a member of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, I want to thank the gentlelady for her ongoing and tireless efforts to protect children from the lurking dangers on the Internet.

Earlier this year, the distinguished gentlewoman (Ms. Bean) introduced H. Res. 455, which was a resolution supporting the goals of National Internet Safety Month, which passed the House on June 12. As such, the bill on the floor today is a quality legislative extension of her previous work on Internet safety.

H.R. 3461, the SAFER NET Act, directs the Federal Trade Commission to carry out a nationwide public awareness campaign about Internet safety and directs the Commission to annually report to Congress on its activity to promote Internet safety. The bill, as amended, authorizes $5 million for 1 year to carry out this public awareness campaign.

Currently, Mr. Speaker, the Federal Trade Commission is engaged in numerous activities to promote awareness and on-line safety habits. The Commission has established a toll-free number which serves as a help line where consumers can file their complaints. Moreover, the FTC has set up a very special Web site, www.OnGuardOnline.gov, that is all one word, to provide tips to consumers in protecting themselves and their children from Internet fraud.

Lastly, the Federal Trade Commission is engaged in a public awareness campaign to promote Internet safety through a child friendly mascot named Dewie the Turtle, much the same way that Smokey the Bear successfully promoted the prevention of forest fires many years ago. The office responsible for managing these initiatives is the Division of Consumer and Business Education. And Congresswoman Bean's bill will aid the FTC in its laudable efforts to protect children from inappropriate content and from the predators that would do them harm.

Mr. Speaker, the Internet is one of the most significant technological developments in the history of humankind, and my friend, Mr. Markey, who spoke just moments before me, made that point in a profound way. The way people obtain information and communicate with each other has been completely revolutionized in a manner unthinkable just 20 years ago. However, with this great revolution comes a price. Our children are now more vulnerable to the despicable creatures that would prey on them by exploiting the powers of the Internet. It is, therefore, imperative that we in Congress do everything we can to fulfill our duties to promote healthy and safe environments for our children. The SAFER NET Act is a quality step in the right direction. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation and pass the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I don't have any further speakers on this side. I am ready to close this out and to yield back my time. Before doing so, I again want to thank Ms. Bean for this legislation and thank Mr. Upton for his advocacy and his passion for this issue. These legislators work very hard to bring this issue to the forefront, and they have done a magnificent job in doing this today.

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

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

Madam Speaker, it is with great admiration and respect that I take this time to recognize a dear family friend and one of this Nation's most distinguished citizens, Reverend Randolph Thompson. On October 28, 2007, the Thompson Family will gather at Sammy's Shrimp Box Restaurant in the Bronx, New York for a very fitting occasion--to celebrate Reverend Thompson's 80th Birthday.

Madam, Speaker, I am honored to rise today to share with my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives the accomplishments of this remarkable man. Reverend Thompson was born in Cat Island, Bahamas on October 28, 1927. He received his early education in the Bahamas. In 1948 Reverend Thompson was licensed to preach at Bethel Baptist Church in Nassau, Bahamas. He was ordained in 1953 at Oak City Baptist Church in Method, North Carolina. In 1954 Reverend Thompson received his B.A. Degree from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and in 1957 he received his M.Div Degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, New York.

As Reverend Thompson traveled about from state to state he remained true to his commitment to be active, productive and dedicated to every facet of his community. He served as Interim Pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church in St. Paul, Minnesota; Pastor of Victory Baptist Church in the Bronx, New York for 27 years; Director of Baptist Education Center in New York; President of the Nassau Bahamas Association; Chairman of the Committee of the United Missionary Baptist Association in New York; Assistant Dean of Empire State Congress of Christian Education in New York; Instructor of Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention in New York; Pastor of Jackson Chapel First Baptist Church in Wilson, North Carolina; President of NAACP in Wilson, North Carolina; Vice Chairman of the Housing Committee for the Baptist World Alliance in Miami Florida; Parliamentarian for the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Miami; Dean of J.T. Brown Seminar School for Ministers and Missionary Workers in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He also served as Extension School Instructor at Florida Memorial College in Miami, Florida and Bible Expositor with the Baptist Council of Greater Miami.

Madam Speaker, I first met Reverend Thompson during my teen years when he accepted the call to become Pastor of my home church in Wilson, North Carolina, Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church. Reverend Thompson brought a new vision and perspective to our Church and made a tremendous difference in our community. My father was the Chairman of our Deacon Board and the two men shared a strong bond of love and friendship. When my father many years later became sick while visiting New York City, it was Reverend and Mrs. Thompson who were there during this time of need.

Reverend Thompson has received countless awards for exemplary service to his community. As a testament, the Victory Baptist Church in the Bronx, New York presented Reverend Thompson with a plaque in recognition of 50 years of outstanding service in the ordained ministry and 27 years of service as pastor. He was also presented with a plaque from the Governor General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for outstanding service to the community in the tri-state areas of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Madam Speaker, for 51 years Reverend Thompson has been married to the former Bernice Coleman of New York City. Mrs. Thompson is a retired New York City Counselor. Reverend and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of five children: Evania Thompson, Esquire is a Law Librarian who currently teaches at the College of the Bahamas; she and her spouse, Robert Frazier have one son, Khalil Frazier; Danita Thompson, MBA, is a High School Math Teacher in the Bronx, New York and is a graduate of Hampton and Atlanta Universities; Danita is the Co-founder and CEO of Onyx Vizion Production Company; Randolph C. Thompson, Esquire, is a Private Attorney at Law in Washington, DC and New York and is a graduate of Hampton University and Catholic University Law School; Stephen Thompson who is a recent M.A. recipient in the Faculty of Social Sciences is a graduate of Connecticut's Wesleyan College, Hebrew University and is also an aspiring writer; and Ranice Adegbile, a Graduate of Brown and New York Universities is a homemaker; she and her spouse, Oluwole Adegbile have two children, Ayoka and Ayomiku.

I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Reverend Randolph Thompson.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding this time to me and also thank him for his leadership as the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

I also want to thank the Democratic leadership for bringing this bold and visionary legislation to the House floor today. I also want to thank my Republican friends who are willing to vote with us on this important measure.

Madam Speaker, I represent the 15th poorest district in the United States of America. Thirty percent of the children in my congressional district live below the poverty level. So this is not an academic discussion; that is real serious business for the people of my district in North Carolina.

So I ask my friends and colleagues today to listen to this debate. Don't let it just go over your head. But if you would please listen to this debate, listen to the plea of the children of America, and please consider voting for this very important legislation. The children of my district, the children of America need you.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing and congratulating Alice Eason Ballance of Winsor, North Carolina. Mrs. Ballance was recently named as this year's Experience Works Prime Time Award recipient for North Carolina. This national award program honors individuals over the age of 65 who continue to make meaningful contributions in the workplace, and who best reflect the characteristics of leadership, learning, mentoring and contributing to the nation and their local communities.

Mrs. Ballance is highly deserving of this honor after a lifetime centered on helping others, particularly those who need assistance the most. She continues to work hard each day to help the poor and disadvantaged in eastern North Carolina and has realized many successes along the way.

Mrs. Ballance understood the power of voting and mounted a highly successful voter registration drive where she personally taught people to read to enable them to overcome literacy tests. Among her many accomplishments, she has helped displaced sharecroppers find housing, worked to open the welfare system to anyone who needed assistance, and developed poverty and jobs programs.

She has been recognized many times for her selfless efforts, with honors including the Long Leaf Pine Award from former North Carolina Governor James Hunt, a Community Service Award from former President Bill Clinton and the Nancy Susan Reynolds Award for Extraordinary Leadership.

Today, the 88-year-old Mrs. Ballance still works 9 hours each day as the director of Kiddie World--Mary Alice Day Center overseeing the delivery of daycare services to 150 children and 25 adults. She is an energetic inspiration to all who know her. Mrs. Ballance embodies the true spirit of commitment and compassion; she has given all that she can to her community.

The communities in eastern North Carolina are better for Mrs. Ballance's efforts, so it is a great honor for me to recognize the success and achievements of this outstanding resident of the First Congressional District of North Carolina.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to pay tribute to Mrs. Sallie Baldwin Howard, a native and resident of Wilson, North Carolina. For many years, Mrs. Howard dedicated her life to educating and serving the people of Northeastern North Carolina. She was recently honored as the Wilson Human Relations Commission 2007 Paul Lee Stevens Humanitarian for outstanding service to her community.

Madam Speaker, Mrs. Howard, who is affectionately known as ``Bibi,'' dedicated much of her life as a teacher in the New York City Public School System during her early years, but for the past 15 years she has donated all of her time and energy to rallying youth in Wilson, challenging them to be exemplary citizens and great achievers.

Madam Speaker, high praise is due to Mrs. Howard for her success in overcoming the racial and gender prejudices of her time. Mrs. Bibi Howard was born in Wilson, North Carolina, to Narcissus and Marcellus Sims on March 23, 1916. She overcame countless challenges growing up in the Jim Crow South as the daughter of sharecroppers. Nevertheless, she was driven and focused and graduated as valedictorian from Charles H. Darden High School in 1938. Mrs. Howard attended Hunter College in New York City where she earned both her bachelor and masters degree in education.

She taught for nearly 30 years as a first grade teacher in New York. While there, she worked in the New York City American Negro Theater, which helped start the careers of Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee and Esther Rolle. There she honed her acting, directing and writing talent, finding a voice through her art. Her Off Broadway play The Passing of a Dinosaur is still performed today in local schools.

Upon her retirement, Mrs. Howard returned to Wilson to lead the Christian Education Department of the St. John AME Zion Church. Her enthusiasm for education and the church inspired many of the youth of the community. Along with many other projects, Mrs. Howard founded the Youth Enrichment Program with Dr. JoAnne Woodard in 1989, and focused the program on lasting scholarship, a commitment to the cultural heritage of African Americans, and promoting the arts. Bibi Howard's tireless work to enrich the community inspired Dr. JoAnne Howard to create the one of the first public charter schools in the state, and the only public charter school in Wilson, the Sallie B. Howard School for the Arts & Education. The school, along with the Youth Enrichment Program, has been an invaluable asset to our community.

Madam Speaker, in honor and recognition of Mrs. Sallie Baldwin Howard's diligent service as an educator and leader, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this great woman.