Floor Statements

I want to thank my friend, Congressman Etheridge, for yielding me this time. This is a very important issue for North Carolina, and I want to thank him for allowing me to come to this floor tonight to add my comments to this subject. Also I want to thank my good friend Mike McIntyre. He spoke just a few minutes ago. Mike and Congressman Etheridge both are dynamic leaders of the Agriculture Committee. They both serve as chairmen of subcommittees on the Committee on Agriculture, and they are leading the way. I want to thank them publicly for their extraordinary leadership.

But, Mr. Speaker, I have come to the floor tonight to, again, talk about this serious drought. My colleagues are absolutely correct. North Carolina is experiencing its worst drought in 50 long years. In fact, nearly three-quarters of North Carolina's 100 counties, that is 75 or more counties, are experiencing an exceptional drought, the most severe category listed by the Drought Management Advisory Council. The council also lists the remaining counties as experiencing extreme drought or severe drought conditions. This is very serious for North Carolina.

The conditions have been so severe that several of our communities have as little as 3 months of water left remaining. If North Carolina does not see significant rain, some areas face prospects of water rationing. Yes, water rationing, or potentially running out of water entirely. The climate data shows that this spring and summer was the area's driest period since 1948.

North Carolina, Mr. Speaker, is taking this problem seriously. Currently, 106 public water systems have already adopted mandatory water restrictions, while 118 have enacted voluntary restrictions. I was on a program a few nights ago with the Speaker of our House of Representatives in North Carolina, Speaker Joe Hackney, and I told Speaker Hackney that I would be on the House floor tonight with our friend Bob Etheridge and we will be talking about the drought. The Speaker of my House told me, ``Congressman, with all due respect, you need to talk about more than the drought. You need to provide resources for the farmers and others who are affected by the drought.''

This is very serious. As anyone can imagine, the effects on agriculture have been brutal. Congressman Etheridge talked about it a few minutes ago and Congressman McIntyre and my friend Congressman Spratt, they all talked about it. The effects have been absolutely brutal. It is estimated that peanut production is down about 20 percent from this time last year. Hay production has been cut nearly in half, and soybean production is down by more than a third. My colleagues, that is serious. In many parts of my district, and Congressman Etheridge has the map there with him in the well of the Chamber, these conditions are so dry that the soil at the bottom of drainage ditches has started to crack, and water in streams and creeks has ceased to even move. For many, the water table has also dropped to the point where there is virtually no water in the ground. The drought also means that there is less water available for our cattle and horses and other uses. At this point, some farmers will likely have to abandon their crops, particularly our peanut farmers. The consequences will be even more serious if there is no significant rainfall between now and February.

Our U.S. Department of Agriculture declared 85 North Carolina counties disaster areas last month, making farmers eligible for low- interest emergency loans. And we are certainly thankful for that. But our farmers still need more help, and that is what Congressman Etheridge was talking about a few minutes ago. We are facing the kind of disaster that could push many of our farmers out of business and off of their farms. Congress must move quickly to avoid worsening this natural disaster.

So, I am confident, I am extremely confident that the Democratic majority will rise to the occasion. We will certainly encourage the leadership to do that. We will make the resources available for our citizens. And I pray, Mr. Speaker, that the President of the United States would not veto that legislation, that he will sign it into law.

Thank you, Mr. Etheridge, for your extraordinary leadership, and thank you for what you mean to North Carolina.

Mr. Etheridge, are you beginning to hear from our farmers across North Carolina? Are they calling your office like they are calling my office?

I discern a sense of desperation among our farmers. They are looking to their Federal Government for a response. Is that what you are finding?

If we don't do it, it won't happen.

Madam Speaker, it is with tremendous pride that I rise today to pay a sincere tribute to the Search and Rescue Team of Lieutenant Marc Tunstall, Ensign Jason Evans, Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike Ackermann and Petty Officer 3rd Class Steven Acuna. These men of Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City rescued a downed Navy fighter pilot from the Atlantic Ocean this past Thursday.

At 6 p.m. on October 11, 2007, Lt. Marc Tunstall and Ensign Jason Evans, pilot and co-pilot of a Coast Guard HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter found the downed F/A-18 Hornet nearly 80 miles off Cape Henry, Virginia. Rescue swimmer Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike Ackermann was dispatched to retrieve the pilot from the ocean, whereupon the rescued pilot was hoisted in the helicopter by flight mechanic Petty Officer 3rd Class Steven Acuna. The rescued pilot was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where he is in stable condition, with only minor injuries from the crash.

Madam Speaker, this successful rescue is one of nearly 360 search and rescue missions executed every year by the men and women of Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City. In the last 60 years, the Air Station has rescued or assisted over 10,000 people. I am proud that Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City is located in my district, and more proud of the exemplary work and bravery exhibited by the men and women who save hundreds of lives each year. I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the commendable work of Lt. Tunstall, Ensign Evans, Petty Officer 2nd Class Ackermann and Petty Officer 3rd Class Acuna.

Madam Speaker, on the occasion of Taiwan's National Day, I would like to join my colleagues in wishing Taiwan and its people many happy returns and especially an early return to the United Nations.

In recent decades, Taiwan has impressed the world with its economic development and progress in the areas of human rights and political freedom. Taiwan has also been a partner with the United States in our global war against terror.

Best wishes to Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian and Taiwan Representative in Washington, Dr. Joseph Wu. Representative Wu has impressed everyone on the Hill with his knowledge, industry and professional demeanor.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1506.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my friend and my colleague, Mr. Clay from Missouri, for yielding this time to me to speak to this very important legislation. I also want to thank Mr. Westmoreland for his leadership on the committee. This is a bipartisan piece of legislation that I hope this body will pass unanimously.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for H.R. 3382 and to urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I am the primary sponsor of H.R. 3382, and I'm proud to say that I am joined by the entire North Carolina delegation, both Democrat and Republican. I am seeking to name the post office located in the downtown area of Goldsboro, North Carolina, which incidentally is the home of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. We're seeking to name this post office as the Philip A. Baddour, Sr. Post Office.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Baddour was my friend. He was also a well- respected member of the Goldsboro City Council for 16 long years. After his service on the council was complete, Mr. Baddour continued to be involved in the civic life of his community, and he leaves a legacy of service in the perfect sense of the word.

Madam Speaker, Philip Baddour, Sr.'s occupation was that of a downtown merchant for more than 30 years. His service on the city council was his second calling, and he served in that capacity from 1979 until 1995. During his tenure on the council, he served as mayor pro tempore and was instrumental in improving the lives of the citizens of Goldsboro, of all races and backgrounds. He was known as the people's representative because of his ability to listen and understand the concerns of his constituents and because he always stood up for those who did not have a voice.

Upon his retirement from the council, Mr. Baddour was honored with a key to the City of Goldsboro and a resolution from the North Carolina League of Municipalities for his many years of public service. Former North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., honored Mr. Baddour as a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, for individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to our State. It is the highest civilian honor that can be granted in the State of North Carolina.

Mr. Baddour dedicated his time and was very compassionate about his community, a community that had given him so much in his youth. He served as director of Wayside Fellowship and was the recipient of the Cancer Society's Outstanding Crusade Volunteer Award. He was also active in the Cub Scouts and the Boy Scouts of America. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church and served as chairman of the parish council. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Nothing was more important to Philip Baddour, Sr. than his family. He was married to Louise Farfour for 60 years. Together, they reared four sons who have followed in their father's footsteps by themselves being community leaders and outstanding citizens. Philip, Jr., his son, my dear friend, is an attorney and former majority leader of the North Carolina House of Representatives. Richard is the athletic director at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Stephen is a retired public schoolteacher. And Neil is a real estate broker. Philip Baddour also had eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Sadly, Madam Speaker, Mr. Baddour, Sr. passed away in April of 2002 after giving so much to his community, to his State and his country.

Madam Speaker, I can think of no finer individual in Wayne County, North Carolina, and no person who is more deserving of this honor than Philip A. Baddour, Sr. The people of Goldsboro and Wayne County and the First Congressional District of North Carolina are grateful for his commitment to community and his great leadership. I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring this great public servant by passing H.R. 3382.

Again, I want to thank the gentleman from Missouri and the gentleman from Georgia, my friends, for yielding this time. I thank them for their service.

I want to first of all thank the gentlelady from Ohio for her leadership here in the Congress. One of the first Members that I met when I came to Washington 3 years ago was Stephanie Tubbs Jones. She is engaged all the time and is certainly representing the constituents of her district. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share a few thoughts with you this evening.

We have just finished the 37th Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

I want to delineate between the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Those are two separate entities. So often people confuse those entities, but the Congressional Black Caucus proper is simply an unofficial organization of the 43 CBC members, African American Members who are serving in the Congress who meet from time to time to discuss public policy issues. It is not a foundation; it is simply an informal gathering of Members of Congress.

By contrast, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is a very formal organization. It is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt foundation that has been in existence for many years. I want to start off by making that point abundantly clear.

The Congressional Black Caucus is composed of 43 members. We hear that number from time to time. That's a very important number. It has not always been 43 members. The African American representation here in Congress has evolved over the years, and now it is at its highest point in its history; 42 African Americans serve in the House. Of those 42, 40 are full voting Members of the House of Representatives. The other two have the right to vote in committees and in the Committee of the Whole, but not in the full House, because they represent the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. Hopefully one day in the not too distant future even those two Members will have a right to full participation here in the Congress.

But having 42 African Americans in the House of Representatives is significant. That is 17 percent of the House of Representatives, at least the Democrats in the House of Representatives come from the Congressional Black Caucus, and so that is very important.

So over the years, the Congressional Black Caucus has seen fit to annually produce an annual legislative conference whereby African American leaders from all across the country can come to Washington in fellowship and interact and network with other people across the country, and then we conclude the week by having a gala or an annual dinner. We have just completed the 37th annual conference this past week, and it was a smashing success.

I want to thank all of those persons who had a hand in making it happen. Kendrick Meek from Miami, Dade County, Florida, is the leader of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. We used to call him a part of the 30-something club, but he has now passed that great 40- year-old mark, but he is still young and energetic and dynamic.

No, ma'am, I am not. I am a member of the 60- something.

But Kendrick Meek has led our organization, and we had a very, very good conference last week. I am not going to go into all the details, I am sure my colleague, Donna Christensen, who was also my cochair last week may give you details about it, but it was a wonderful week.

We had brain trust on just about every topic that you can imagine. We had a gospel extravaganza, and one of my choirs from North Carolina came to Washington and really, really had a magnificent showing in that extravaganza. Then we had a prayer breakfast. We are very close to prayer in the Congressional Black Caucus, because we know it has been our faith that has brought us thus far along the way. Then we concluded on Saturday night with our gala. I don't know how many thousand people were at that dinner.

Yes. There were more, more like 4, 5,000 people in attendance at the dinner, and it was a great success.

I want to thank all of those persons who had a hand in making the week the success that it was, particularly Dr. Elsie Scott and the staff of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

You know, Congresswoman, I say in speeches all the time and I will say here on the House floor today, you know, we get credit for a lot of things that we really don't deserve, Members of Congress. We cut the ribbons and take pictures and sit in meetings and engage in unnecessary debate sometimes, but it is the staff that does the heavy lifting and gets the job done. So kudos to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation staff.

Let me conclude by saying that since 1868 there has only been 122 African Americans who have served in the United States Congress. That is an actual statistic. Our research shows that 19 African Americans served in the House of Representatives during the Reconstruction. Four of those were

from my district that I now represent, which is the northeastern corner of North Carolina. Eight of those were from South Carolina, which is the district that my good friend, the majority whip of this House, Congressman Jim Clyburn, represents. But we have only had 122 African Americans to serve in this body. We have come a long way to have 42 African Americans serving in the House and one in the Senate.

We have a lot of work to do, and I am going to close by simply saying that we had a good week and a very successful week. I know it's self- serving for me to say this, Congresswoman, but I think it's the best conference that we have had in our 37 years. So many people deserve the credit.

We had a southern missionary Baptist preacher who came to Washington and delivered a powerful sermon. When I first suggested Dr. Jones' name a few months ago, a few people were skeptical because they had not heard of him before. When they came up with their name, I had not heard of their name before.

So I thought it was time to have a southern minister. Dr. Clifford Jones did a wonderful job, as did Rev. William Barber from Goldsboro, North Carolina, who delivered the prayer for the Nation. Dr. Barber is also the State president of the NAACP in North Carolina, and it was just a wonderful occasion. You would have had to have been there to really appreciate it, and hopefully persons who didn't come this year may see fit to come next year.

Thank you, staff. Thank you all of you who had a hand in making this happen, including the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus itself. I failed to mention the name of Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. Congresswoman Kilpatrick is leader of the Congressional Black Caucus, and that's a tough job, leading 43 diverse politicians. But she reconciles all of our differences, all of our views and leads the Black Caucus with great distinction. Thank you as well to Congresswoman Kilpatrick.

Mr. Speaker, the news about health care in our Nation continues to get more discouraging, especially when it comes to health insurance for children. New Census data shows that the number of children without health insurance in the United States has grown over the last year by 700,000, to nearly 8.7 million children. This means that now one in nine American kids do not have health insurance.

To try and reverse these unacceptable trends, the Democratic Congress voted last month to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program. Our legislation will provide an additional 5 million low- income children with the health insurance they need to live healthier lives. These kids are already eligible but not enrolled.

Mr. Speaker, President Bush has threatened to veto this legislation, despite bipartisan support it received in Congress and from our Governors. In the face of these discouraging new Census numbers, it is time for the President to end his veto threat and pledge his support for this legislation that will provide 11 million children with the health care coverage they need and deserve.

Madam Speaker, I support Taiwan's application for United Nations membership. Since 1971, Taiwan has had no representation in the United Nations. Its 23 million people have been deprived of their fundamental human rights. It is now time to remedy this situation.

The United Nations has persistently rejected Taiwan's application on the basis of U.N. Resolution 2758 passed in October 1971. The resolution claims that Taiwan is part of the PRC and, therefore, Taiwan's representation in the United Nations would serve no purpose. This argument is flawed since it fails to recognize the fact that Taiwan is a sovereign government with its own national flag, constitution, armed forces and is recognized by more than 20 independent nations. Even more importantly the people of Taiwan have authorized their leader, President Chen Shui-bian to express to the world the desire of Taiwan to belong to this important world body.

Madam Speaker, the people on the island of Taiwan are able and willing to contribute to the United Nations and to world peace, justice, and prosperity. Let us give Taiwan our support in its bid to be a member of the United Nations.

Mr. Speaker, for months now we have heard from our Republican colleagues that September would be a critical month for the war in Iraq. Earlier this year when this Democratic Congress and the American

people voiced their overwhelming opposition to President Bush's troop escalation plan, our Republican colleagues said, ``Give the President time.''

The problem is, both the Republican Congress and the Bush administration have been moving the time frame for success on the troop escalation plan. First it was June. Then it was August. Finally, a couple of months ago, Republican leaders agreed that September would be the defining month.

It is clear that President Bush has no intention of ending the troop escalation in Iraq, even though the Iraqi Government has failed to meet the benchmarks that he himself outlined earlier this year. President Bush is determined to leave as many troops in Iraq as possible, no matter what the facts suggest.

The question now is, will Congressional Republicans finally break away from the President and do what is right for this Nation and for the military? Congressional Republicans must realize that the time has come to change course.

Mr. Chairman, I am proud of the Democratic majority for its boldness in bringing this Energy Bill to the House floor on this Saturday morning.

You know, 20 years ago it was the academics that were talking about energy independence and climate change. Today, it is a

conversation all across America and the American people are expecting us to do something about it.

This Energy Bill is not a perfect bill but it is a responsible piece of legislation. It represents the views of competing interests and it begins us on that long road to energy independence.

My State of North Carolina is eager to be part of developing solutions. We have lost over 100,000 textile jobs since 1997. This legislation will usher in significant job creation that will replace some of the lost jobs. Microcell Corporation is a hydrogen fuel cell company in my district that's made a giant leap and is now ready to produce their cells on a large scale. With this breakthrough, over 1,000 good paying jobs will be created in this rural district.

I am proud to tell you that our State legislature has enacted an ambitious Renewable Portfolio Standard that is reasonably related to our ability to reach energy independence. Other states have done the same thing and others will do so as we move in this new direction.

Finally, I am proud to be a part of an effort to include Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the research and development of Cellulosic Ethanol for transportation fuels. These institutions have wanted to be part of developing ethanol from biomass but they have not had the opportunity.

This bill makes $50 million available for minority serving institutions to engage in this research on a competitive basis. I introduced this concept to the Energy and Commerce Committee and I am proud that we finally reached a bipartisan agreement to include this language in the final bill.

I urge my colleagues to vote for final passage.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Chairmen Dingell, Rangel, Pallone and Stark for their bold leadership in bringing this legislation to the House floor. As Congressman for the 15th poorest district in the Nation, a district where 50 percent of the children qualify for SCHIP, I enthusiastically support passage.

The CHAMP Act of 2007 reflects what should be our Nation's priorities. It is the duty of Congress to keep the promise of our Constitution, to provide for the general welfare of our people. What better way, Mr. Speaker, to keep that promise than to guarantee that our children are afforded adequate health insurance.

The sad fact is that a majority of uninsured children are minority, including 1.4 million black children and 3.4 million Hispanic children. In my State of North Carolina, 195,000 children are eligible but not enrolled in the program. We have a moral obligation to ensure all children who are unable to afford insurance have that insurance. To do less would be shameful.

Let me close, Mr. Speaker, by thanking the gentleman for giving me this time and also expressing disappointment with my Republican friends who have engaged in nothing but obstructionism and filibuster as we have struggled to bring this legislation to the floor.

You insisted on reading a 495-page bill, consuming 18 hours of our committee time. You have made your adjournment motions this week, and you have wrongfully suggested that we want to insure illegal aliens. That's wrong. And then you accuse us of taking Medicare benefits from our seniors; and then you use that worn out phrase, ``tax increase''.

The American people have figured it out. You are doing every conceivable thing to prevent giving insurance coverage to 5 million children of the working poor.

My friends, you are wrong.

Madam Speaker, today, many American families will finally receive a long overdue pay raise when phase one of the Federal minimum wage increase takes effect.

It has been 10 long years since American workers have seen an increase in the Federal minimum wage, the longest gap in the history of the law. Over that decade, inflation has all but erased the effect of the last increase, leaving millions of families, including military families, struggling to survive.

Currently, Madam Speaker, 10 percent of military spouses earn between $5.15 and $7.25 an hour. These 50,000 military families are part of the nearly 13 million Americans who will benefit from the Federal minimum wage increase that takes effect today.

Madam Speaker, increasing the minimum wage is just one part of a broader American agenda to strengthen the economy and help working families. Democrats believe that all Americans, not just the privileged few, deserve to make a living wage.

I am proud that we passed this legislation, and especially glad that it will help so many of our military families.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an outstanding citizen, Mr. Ernest R. Sutton. Mr. Sutton, a native of Elizabeth City, NC, is retiring after 36 years of loyal, dedicated service to the North Carolina Department of Correction. He has served this department in many capacities and now completes his career as the Superintendent for the Pasquotank Correctional Institution. Mr. Sutton is a graduate of Elizabeth City State University in 1977 with a bachelor's of science degree in political science.

I have had the privilege of knowing Mr. Sutton for many years as a friend, supporter, and community leader in the Albemarle Region of our state. I first met Mr. Sutton when he was intricately involved in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mr. Sutton currently serves as the Chairman of the Leadership Development and Governance Committees for the American Hospital Association. He is also a member of the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Community Relations Committee.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Sutton is an activist for change. In 1997, he introduced the first Hospital/Prison ``Health Fair'' in North Carolina, and played a key role in the transition of Albemarle Hospital from county owned to a free standing Regional Hospital Authority. In 2000, Mr. Sutton led the development of a unique process to search for and secure a new hospital president and CEO for Albemarle Hospital, Elizabeth City, NC.

Mr. Sutton served as past Vice-Chair of the International Association of the Friends of Africa; past Chairman of the Albemarle Hospital Authority Board of Commissioners; past Chairman of the Albemarle Hospital Executive Committee; past Chairman of the Personnel and Grievance Committee of the Albemarle Hospital Board of Trustees; and past Co-Chair of the Community Relations Committee of Elizabeth City, NC. He also served as Treasurer of the North Carolina 12th District NAACP, past member of the North Carolina Cultural Alliance, and past member of the North Carolina Council on Alcoholism.

Mr. Sutton's work reaches far beyond Elizabeth City. His article ``Ernest R. Sutton: Growing Potential,'' which emphasizes his passion for leadership and human resources development, was featured in the September 2002 issue of Trustee Magazine. He was also interviewed on diversity in health care in the Bridges Magazine--Institute for Diversity in Health Management in the Fall of 2002. As President of Faith Consultants, LLC, Mr. Sutton has conducted several health care lectures and seminars at local universities and for many religious organizations.

Mr. Sutton has received many awards for his work. In 1984, he was the recipient of NAACP Outstanding Humanitarian Award, and went on to receive the silver, gold, and platinum Gavel Awards from the Governance Institute of Physicians, Trustees and Healthcare Executives in La Jolla, CA. In 2002, he received the North Carolina Hospital Association Trustee Service Award: Trustee of the Year, and received the Harvard School of Conflict Resolution and Healthcare Negotiations: Graduate with Distinction Award.

Over this extensive career, Mr. Sutton has made a tremendous impact on his community. Through his commitment and devotion to service, he has helped to lay the ground work for continued change in both Elizabeth City and beyond. I ask that all of my colleagues join me in paying tribute to an exemplary citizen, Mr. Ernest Sutton.

Madam Speaker, on July 4, 2007, Mr. Herbert Woodard, Sr., a resident of my home community of Wilson, North Carolina will celebrate his 100th birthday. And on July 8th, Mr. Woodard's family, friends and members of the community will join together to pay special tribute to this extraordinary man.

I have had the privilege of knowing Mr. Woodard all of my life as a family friend and neighbor. A remarkable person with an entrepreneurial spirit, Mr. Woodard was born during a period in our history when significant educational opportunities were not available to African- Americans. As a result, Mr. Woodard only received a fourth grade education. Notwithstanding this tremendous obstacle, Mr. Woodard's work ethic demonstrates that diligence and determination produce lifetime rewards. As a self-employed businessman, Mr. Woodard's businesses have ranged from that of a gas station to baseball parks and hotels. He sold and delivered coal to local businesses, and has even cleaned septic tanks. As an accomplished and humble businessman, he has gained the respect and admiration of his community.

Madam Speaker, although a skilled and savvy businessman, Mr. Woodard always makes a practice of giving back to the community. Each holiday season, Mr. Woodard gives turkeys to senior citizens at his church. He also donates to charitable organizations that provide services to children and veterans.

Mr. Woodard and his devoted wife of many years, Mrs. Georgia Battle Woodard have nurtured a strong and loving family. During a recent visit to the Woodard home, I asked Mr. Woodard to what does he attribute his longevity, and he said ``I took care of my family.'' What a powerful statement in so few words.

Madam Speaker, It is with great pride that I acknowledge the achievements of Mr. Herbert Woodard, Sr. His many accomplishments have made him a well respected person in our community. It is with extreme pride that I ask my colleagues to rise and join me in marking this monumental occasion in the life of Mr. Herbert Woodard, Sr.

Mr. Speaker, first let me thank the chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), for yielding me this time and thank him for his leadership as chairman of the Health Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, the subject of public health remains a top priority for rural America, including my home district of eastern North Carolina, the First Congressional District. Health has been an issue that has not always included the topic of disparities and the lack of access for minority communities and low-income communities. But under the leadership of this chairman, I am confident that we are now going in another direction and we are going to confront head on the issue of disparities. I want to thank the chairman and the committee for making the decision to go in that direction.

But, Mr. Speaker, I have come to the floor today to address the subject of medications that are intended to combat tropical diseases and their access to the developing world. My desire, Mr. Speaker, is for the House to further cooperate and work with the other Chamber in search of a solution to the tropical disease epidemic facing the developing world. These diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and malaria and tuberculosis, continue to inflict millions of impoverished people because of the lack of medicines. In addition to perpetuating extreme poverty, these diseases also prevent millions of people from working and participating in family or community life. So as we discuss

this very important issue, I would like for us to also consider the issue of tropical disease-combating medications in developing countries.