Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian on the occasion of his First Anniversary in office. He was elected to a second presidential term last year.

For more that 50 years, Taiwan and the United States have enjoyed a close relationship with each other economically and politically. Taiwan is our 8th largest trading partner and we are Taiwan's largest trading partner. We look forward to continuing this mutually beneficial relationship. Further, we are committed to the Taiwan Relations Act and believe in a peaceful resolution to the Taiwan issue.

Mr. Speaker, I have been informed that in recent days, Taiwan's two major opposition leaders visited China and were well received by Chinese leaders. I am pleased to see that Taiwan President Chen has been deft in his handling of the current cross-strait relations. Continued peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is in every nation's best interest.

I join many of my colleagues in thanking Taiwan President Chen and his people for their total support of the United States, especially in the area of combating global terrorism. In the wake of 9/11, the government of Taiwan gave a million dollars to the Twin Towers Fund of New York. Two months ago, Taiwan gave another million dollars to the Pentagon Memorial Fund. To help fight terrorism, Taiwan has joined the United States and other international organizations through participation in anti-money laundering campaigns, the proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) and the Container Security Initiative (CSI). Taiwan Representative David Tawei Lee said it well, ``Only by standing together will we succeed in making the world a safer place.''

Mr. Speaker, Taiwan Representative David Tawei Lee came to Washington, DC, last July, and since then he has made many friends on the Hill. We are very impressed with his intelligence and industry. Taiwan couldn't find a better diplomat than Dr. David Tawei Lee in representing Taiwan's interest in the United States.

I wish to express my congratulations to the people of Taiwan on the occasion of their President's First Anniversary in office. I hope that high ranking officials from Taiwan, such as President of Taiwan, the Foreign Minister, and the Defense Minister will be able to come to Washington, DC, to communicate directly with members and administration officials on issues of mutual concern.

Mr. Speaker, I rise and ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Dr. Boisey O. Barnes who will be honored by the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc.

in conjunction with the National Medical Association on Friday, July 22, 2005 at the Sheraton New York Hotel. Dr. Barnes is being honored for his outstanding contributions to cardiology as an acclaimed physician, researcher, educator, humanitarian and spokesman.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Barnes is a native of my hometown of Wilson, North Carolina. His parents were Dr. B.O. Barnes and Flossie Howard Barnes. He graduated from Charles H. Darden High School in 1960, Johnson C. Smith University in 1964, and the Howard University School of Medicine in 1968. While in high school, Dr. Barnes distinguished himself as a scholar and an outstanding quarterback on the football team.

Dr. Barnes' father practiced medicine in our hometown for many years prior to his untimely death in 1956. His patients were the poor and disadvantaged minority citizens of the county who basically could not afford health care but he provided it without reservation. One of the local elementary schools in our community is named ``B.O. Barnes Elementary School.'' Mr. Speaker, it was this family background of public service that has laid the foundation for the great work of Dr. Barnes.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Barnes has held a number of significant positions over the years including that of Founding Member of the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc; developer of the Echocardiography, Laboratory at Howard University Hospital; Lead Investigator for ARIES, the first national cholesterol study in African Americans; and recipient of the Favorite Doctor in D.C. Award.

However, it is not the work for which he has already been honored that is most impressive nor is it the numerous accolades he has received from such notables as the D.C. Medical Society, Providence Hospital and President Bill Clinton. Rather it is the work that has received no recognition that makes Dr. Barnes a truly special individual.

Over the last 30 years, Dr. Barnes has acted as a dedicated servant to one of our nation's most disadvantaged communities. As the only Board Certified Cardiologist in Anacostia, Dr. Barnes has devoted his career, his talents and his long list of credentials to fighting the number one killer in our nation, heart disease. Over three decades, Dr. Barnes has stood for dedication, service and compassion in an environment that rarely affords either.

For his steadfast work through adversity and breakthrough accomplishments in the field of cardiology, I call upon my colleagues to join me today in rising to honor this truly great man and praise not simply his individual deeds but the body of his work. Dr. Barnes is a remarkable physician and a credit to his field; I thank him for his service, and thank his lovely wife of decades, Bernadine and their two precious daughters, Tamera and Bridget, for sharing Dr. Barnes with us.

Mr. Speaker, on June 1, 2005, U.S. Army Corporal Phillip Charles Edmundson of my home community of Wilson, North Carolina, became the first war casualty since Vietnam. I rise today to remember his bravery by reading a poem he wrote just prior to his death, ``A Soldier's Reflections'':

``I was that which others did not want to be.

I went where others feared to go

and did what others failed to do.

I asked nothing from those who gave nothing

and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness .

. .

Should I fail, I have seen the face of terror;

felt the stinging cold of fear;

and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's love.

I have cried, pained, and hoped . . .

But most of all, I have lived times others would say

were best forgotten.

At least some day

I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was . . . `a

soldier.' ''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember U.S. Army CPL Phillip Charles Edmundson, of my hometown of Wilson, NC, for serving our country during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Corporal Edmundson made the ultimate sacrifice for our country when he died on June 1, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO. He was just 22 years old.

Corporal Edmundson was the first person from my community to die in combat since Vietnam. While we are saddened at this great loss, we are so honored to claim Corporal Edmundson as the product of our community.

Corporal Edmundson had re-enlisted while in Iraq and was scheduled to be promoted to sergeant. During his funeral service, Corporal Edmundson was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart posthumously for his bravery and dedicated service.

It was my honor to represent U.S. Army CPL Phillip Charles Edmundson and to have a friendship with his parents, Robert Edmundson and Anne Edmundson. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed and his service was greatly appreciated.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit for the Record a poem by CPL Phillip Charles Edmundson.

A Soldier's Reflections

I was that which others did not want to be.

I went where others feared to go

and did what others failed to do.

I asked nothing from those who gave nothing

and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness .

. .

Should I fail, I have seen the face of terror;

Felt the stinging cold of fear;

and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's love.

I have cried, pained, and hoped . . .

but most of all, I have lived times others would say

were best forgotten. At least someday

I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was . . .

``A Soldier''.

--CPL Phillip Charles Edmundson

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words.

Mr. Chairman, first let me thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown) for her extraordinary work on this issue. She is very effective, and I want to thank her very much for her work.

Mr. Chairman, let me join the chorus of support for this amendment. This amendment will eliminate a provision of the bill that prohibits Amtrak from using funds to operate all 15 of the railroad's long- distance trains, some of which provide essential services to rural areas, such as my rural district in eastern North Carolina.

This amendment will save our national passenger rail network by ensuring that 23 States, 258 local communities, and over 4 million rail passengers continue to benefit from Amtrak's service.

Mr. Chairman, Amtrak has been there. Amtrak has stood the test of time, and it must be preserved. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, last week the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), majority leader, blamed House Democrats for the fact that the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct has still been unable to hear the case against him. Mr. Speaker, House Democrats are trying to abide by the rules that this House passed at the beginning of the year. It is the Republicans and the chairman who refuse to follow the rules. They want to appoint a partisan staff director to lead their efforts on the committee despite House rules that explicitly state staffers be nonpartisan professionals.

The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct is supposed to be a place where Members can get straight, unbiased, trustworthy ethics guidance. How can Members who might have disagreements with the House leadership feel comfortable going to the committee for advice if they fear committee staff members are incapable of performing their official duties in a nonpartisan fashion?

I wonder, Mr. Speaker, why the Republicans want to appoint partisan staffers to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Could it be that they like a partisan staffer in a room when decisions are made about certain Members of this House? We have to wonder.

Madam Speaker, these attacks against the gentlewoman from California (Leader Pelosi) and Senator Durbin are nothing more than an attempt by the congressional Republicans to divert attention away from the war in Iraq to comments made by two of our Democratic colleagues.

Republicans know that the war in Iraq is not going well right now. They have an administration that is clearly not leveling with the American people. Earlier this month, Vice President Cheney told a national audience that the insurgency in Iraq was in its last throes. Well, we all know that is not the case.

I think Washington columnist Richard Cohen got it right this morning when he wrote that these partisan attacks are the latest in a series of attacks by Washington Republicans to silence the opposing views. Cohen wrote, ``The contempt the Bush administration has shown for world opinion and international law, not to mention American traditions of jurisprudence, is costing us plenty. We are not the Soviet Union, and we are not Nazi Germany, and Dick Durbin did not intend to say we are. His detractors have to know that. Their intention, however, is not to answer criticism, but to silence a critic.''

Democrats will not be silenced.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the chairman's resolution which commemorates the bravery of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who took part in Operation Eagle Claw 25 years ago. I want to thank my friend, the chairman from New Jersey, for his extraordinary leadership on this issue.

Madam Speaker, the resolution also commends our Special Operations Forces who are risking their lives for our country today. On April 24, 1980, 8 patriots lost their lives in an effort to rescue hostages from the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The classified mission was noble in its purpose, yet difficult and risky.

On November 4, 1979, terrorists stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took 66 American hostages. President Carter sought the hostages' release through diplomatic means but his efforts were to no avail. Ultimately, he approved a hostage rescue mission known as Operation Eagle Claw.

On April 24, 1980 a task force of Army Special Operations Forces, Army Rangers, Air Force Special Operations Wing personnel, and U.S. Navy, Marine and Air Force pilots launched Operation Eagle Claw. They landed in a remote desert in Iran, 200 miles away from Tehran, and planned to execute the hostage rescue mission the following day. However, Madam Speaker, a series of mishaps forced Operation Eagle Claw to be aborted and led to the deaths of 5 brave airmen and 3 Marines.

On January 20, 1981, after 444 days, the U.S. hostages were freed. Nevertheless, it was clear from the tragic deaths of those brave servicemembers during Operation Eagle Claw that our Special Operations Forces needed and deserved more and better resources to do their job.

Congress created the U.S. Special Operations Command, or SOCOM, so that their needs would be met. Today SOCOM consists of more than 50,000 uniformed personnel, jointly integrated from the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force and the Marine Corps, all striving to support our Nation's national security interests.

Operation Eagle Claw represented the best equipment and personnel available at the time. However, SOCOM has elevated crew-on-crew familiarity, team proficiency, and equipment interconnectivity to a new level of excellence.

Madam Speaker, our Nation owes a debt of gratitude to the members of the Special Operations community, particularly those who have given their lives, such as those 8 service members who died during our Operation Eagle Claw. Our Special Operations Forces are truly, truly the quiet professionals committed to the concept of selfless service.

So as we face the challenges of terrorists and weapons of mass destruction, Special Operations Forces provide a vital tool to defend our great Nation abroad. The resolution brought before us today recognizes this contribution. And I again want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton) for offering this resolution. I urge all of my colleagues to support its adoption.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Reverend David Lewis Moore for his important work in North Carolina. Reverend Moore was recently chosen as one of 10 national recipients of the 2005 Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Award. This honor includes a monetary award of $105,000 which Reverend Moore can utilize to assist him with his work in the community.

Reverend Moore's efforts in rural Beaufort County, North Carolina have transformed the lives of hundreds of residents and provided health care to thousands struggling with poverty and illness.

After attending Seminary and receiving a Master's Degree at Yale University, Rev. Moore became Pastor of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Beaufort County and immediately set out to improve the quality of life of the region's low-income residents, most of whom are African-American. The county, which is also home to a small but significant number of Latino farm workers, has the highest rates of HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and heart disease in North Carolina; and we should commend Rev. Moore's diligent efforts over the years to combat these very serious and detrimental conditions.

Rev. Moore founded Metropolitan Community Health Services in 1990. One of its core programs is the Agape Community Health Clinic which offers health care to some 4,000 low-income people every year. Initially, the clinic operated with little financial support, but it grew in size through grants that Rev. Moore obtained, including one that paid for a doublewide trailer to serve as the clinic's headquarters. Soon the clinic will expand to a renovated bowling alley, thanks to funds raised by Rev. Moore.

Not stopping at improving health care for the region's poor, Rev. Moore also mobilized area churches from across the U.S. and Canada to assist in the reconstruction of homes following Hurricane Floyd. As a result, 43 new homes were constructed.

Rev. Moore has also helped to develop more than 500 units of housing for families, single mothers, senior citizens, victims of domestic violence, people with disabilities and migrant workers.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate Rev. David Lewis Moore on receiving this

award and ask my colleagues to join me in thanking him for his work, past, present and future, on behalf of the people of North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding American citizen, Mrs. Doretha Ward Kent, on the occasion of her much deserved retirement. For 25 years, Doretha Kent faithfully and diligently served in various capacities with the Wilson County School System and as a community volunteer.

Mrs. Kent was one of three daughters born to William and Dora Ward of Stantonsburg, North Carolina. She attended Springfield High School and then further pursued her education at Wilson County Technical Community College where she received an Associate Degree in Computer Technology.

Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Kent dedicated 20 long years of her life as a Teacher's Assistant at Wells Elementary School where she nurtured and helped to develop the young minds of thousands of students. She spent five years as a Media Assistant at Beddingfield High School highlighting the positive activities of students. Mr. Speaker, I am certain that both educational institutions will truly miss the valuable services that Doretha Kent provided over the years.

In addition to being a dedicated public servant Mrs. Kent founded NC Love in Action, a medical assistance program aimed at helping disadvantaged citizens of Wilson County. She is a member of Mt. Zion FWB Church and serves on the Usher Board and Finance Committee.

My relationship with Doretha Kent is one of personal friend and fellow community leader. We have worked together for so long in our effort to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens. I am honored to sponsor this tribute on this occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in honoring this great woman of uncompromising moral integrity and devotion to God and community. Her service to her community, the State of North Carolina, and the United States of America are greatly appreciated.

Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Madam Chairman, I bring this amendment to the floor today on behalf of myself, the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes), and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott) in order to provide much needed financial assistance to our Nation's minority farmers, and to the 1890 Land Grant Colleges and Universities.

While I generally support this legislation, it falls short, in my estimation, in the area of funding for rural development. We must, Madam Chairwoman, offer more outreach and more technical assistance to our farmers. During fiscal year 1983, President Reagan initiated the Small Farmer Outreach Training and Technical Assistance program in response to the USDA task force on black farm ownership.

It reflected a commitment to implement Reagan's Presidential Executive Order 123-20 dated September 15, 1981, to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities by addressing the many civil rights issues that are confronted by the agency.

This is the only program, the only program implemented by the USDA that directly helps minority farmers who are losing their farms at a rate that far exceeds their white counterparts. I, therefore, Madam Chairman, urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my

name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1449.

Mr. Speaker, tonight we have all talked about how sweet and how wonderful it was for the University of North Carolina to be crowned as the NCAA Champions. But Mr. Speaker what makes this team so special is how well they exemplified what it means to be a team.

Winning the five games on their way to claiming their fourth national championship, three different players led the team in scoring and four players led the team in rebounding. Sean May certainly earned the honor of tournament MVP. But the road to the finals required the collective effort of the entire team.

After two easy wins again, Oakland and Iowa, Carolina fans collectively held their breath when the referee's whistle blew in the final seconds against Villanova. Fear of a shooting foul turned into the joy of a traveling call against Villanova, and the Heels held on for the one-point win. A strong game against Wisconsin then sent Carolina on to the final game in St. Louis.

The game brought together the two best teams in the country. It was a fitting finale to a memorable season and an exciting NCAA tournament. Fittingly, the game was full of tension and drama until the waning seconds. Illinois showed the perseverance and will that had resulted in 37 wins, while Carolina showed the determination, the unity, and the cohesion needed to overcome a team that went undefeated for much of the season.

This Carolina team, Mr. Speaker, would have made Dean Smith proud, because they won using a primary tenet of his Carolina way: They shared the ball and they played unselfishly. By playing as a team, they led the Nation in scoring and assists, and they played at a pace very few teams could manage.

Therefore, on behalf of the citizens of the First Congressional District of North Carolina, my congratulations go to Coach Williams and to every member of the University of North Carolina basketball team. You have made us proud across our State and you have shown us the great benefit of working as a team. Congratulations and best wishes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1638.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of Eastern North Carolina's great public servants, Bishop J.E. Reddick on the occasion of his seventieth birthday celebration.

Bishop J.E. Reddick was born on Easter Sunday afternoon on April 21, 1935. After completing high school in 1953, Bishop Reddick received his collegiate and professional training at Shaw University, A&T State University and Hampton Institute. He is the recipient of the Bachelor of Bible Degree and the Master of Bible Philosophy Degree from the American Bible Institute of Kansas City, Missouri and has received two honorary Doctor of Divinity Degrees from the Universal Bible Institute of Alamo, Tennessee and Shaw University Divinity School respectfully. The United Christian College in Goldsboro, North Carolina awarded him the Doctor Humane of Letters.

Aside from his talents as preacher, teacher and leader, Bishop Reddick's main forte is his ability as a builder and administrator. He has set Free Will Baptist precedents in the area of church renovation, construction and programs. Bishop Reddick is founder of the Mt. Calvary Free Will Baptist Church, which today is revered as one of the most functional, practical and attractive churches in the Free Will Baptist connection. He led Maury Chapel Free Will Baptist Church congregation from a deteriorating building into a new church structure. Piney Green and Union Grove Free Will Baptist Churches were remodeled under the leadership of Bishop Reddick.

Bishop J.E. Reddick remains highly active in his community. He presently serves as President of the National Convention of Free Will Baptist USA, General Bishop of the United American Free Will Baptist Denomination and Presiding Annual Bishop of North West ``B'' annual Conference. He also serves as Board Member for Millennia Community Bank (Greenville, NC) and Kinston Housing Authority. He previously served as a Board Member Chairman for the North Carolina Department of Social Services. Bishop Reddick retired from the Lenoir County Public School System after serving 30 years. Bishop Reddick was awarded the ``Legion of Honor Award'' by the National Chaplain's Association, which is presented to a clergyman for outstanding achievements and accomplishments, and has served 58 years as a Minister of the Gospel.

Bishop Reddick credits his success to faith in God, Christian principles, love from family and support of friends. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating this fine man on seventy years of accomplishments, and wish him many more.