Floor Statements

First, I want to thank you, Mr. Lowenthal, for those kind words and thank you for your leadership. Thank you for yielding time today and for working very hard to bring this important resolution to the House floor. I also appreciate the work of the Natural Resources Committee chairman, Doc Hastings, and Ranking Member Pete DeFazio, and you, Mr. Young, for considering this resolution expeditiously and for seeing that it was favorably reported by the committee.

Also, let me thank Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut, who used to serve in this body and now serves in the United States Senate, for introducing a companion bill in the Senate. His support is critical, and I thank him for his commitment to this important issue. I hope that the Senate will act as expeditiously and in as bipartisan a fashion as has the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Joint Resolution 120, a bill that I introduced that will formally approve the location that was selected by the Administrator of the General Services Administration of a memorial that will recognize the thousands of slaves and free persons of color, or as historians sometimes refer to, free Negroes, who fought for independence during the American Revolution.

Federal law requires, Mr. Speaker, that the location for the memorial identified by the Administrator of GSA be formally approved by Congress within 150 days of receiving the recommendation by the GSA Administrator.

The memorial that will eventually be constructed to honor tens of thousands of slaves and free people of color who helped to secure American independence during the Revolution will be a fitting tribute to their heroic actions that helped shape the very foundation of our Nation.

For generations, historians estimated that at least 5,000 African Americans--both slave and free--fought for American independence. Revised estimates now show more than 10,000 brave men joined the fight. At least 252 of these patriots came from North Carolina, and at least 109 of those came from my congressional district, the counties of Bertie, Chowan, Craven, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton, Pasquotank, and Perquimans.

The president general of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution wrote of the brave souls who fought for freedom when they themselves were not free that ``they deserve special recognition in order to help better educate our country.''

In 2008, the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution published landmark research containing the names and communities of these African American patriots. The research is continuously updated with the discovery of new heroes. Scores of African American men and women have been accepted by heritage societies that had not been previously open to their membership.

The desire to honor these brave men and their descendants in a permanent and meaningful way had long been championed by a distinguished Member of this body who has since passed away, Congressman Donald Payne, Sr. Congressman Payne introduced authorizing language as far back as 2005. After Congressman Payne's death, I have worked to get this effort to the finish line, guided by his words that ``this memorial is an important chapter in the reclamation of African American history.''

There are over 2 million descendants of these Revolutionary War patriots nationwide. This eventual memorial will show the Nation, and it will show the world, Mr. Speaker, that the sacrifices and heroic efforts of African Americans--both slave and free--who took up arms to secure America's independence are not forgotten. It will permanently affirm what we know to be true: these patriots and their service to our then-infant Nation will forever be of preeminent historical and lasting significance to our country that they fought to create.

Again, I thank you for the time, Mr. Lowenthal.

Mr. Speaker, with the stroke of a pen 49 years ago today, several weeks after I finished high school, then-President Lyndon Johnson signed into law two of the largest and most important health-related programs the country had ever seen, Medicare and Medicaid. Those programs were created nearly half a century ago because our Nation's leaders saw, time and time again, the hopelessness of people who had no way to provide the most basic level of health care for themselves and their families.

It was President Harry Truman who initially conceived of a health care safety net for struggling Americans. Nearly 70 years ago, Truman said: ``Millions of our citizens do not now enjoy good health. Millions do not have security against the economic effects of sickness . . . and the time has arrived for action to help them get that protection.''

Since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid, no achievement has been as significant and consequential as the Affordable Care Act. In addition to providing affordable health insurance, to some for the first time ever, the ACA has also provided for significant expansion of states' Medicaid programs so that individuals with incomes less than 138 percent of the poverty level could finally have access to basic care.

A Supreme Court case would make Medicaid expansion voluntary. Now, nearly half a century after Medicaid was created to help the least among us, 24 States in this country, 24 States believe it best to disenfranchise millions and deny them access to Federal dollars they rightfully deserve by not expanding their programs.

States that have refused to expand point to the increased costs as a main reason for their decision. But, Mr. Speaker, the Federal Government has committed to pay 100 percent--that is, 100 percent of the cost of expansion--for the first 3 years and then 90 percent beyond the first 3. Nationally, the States would see only a 1.6 percent increase in their share of Medicaid spending, a 1.6 percent increase to provide health care for millions of deserving individuals.

The benefits of expansion far outweigh the costs. In my home State of North Carolina alone, expanding Medicaid will save the State more than $65 million over the next 8 years and would benefit its economy by adding nearly $1.5 billion to the State's revenue. It would not only help to save jobs, but help to create them, too. That is just in North Carolina. And this same scenario is playing out in nearly half of all the States in our country.

The cost of not expanding is simply too great. Pungo Hospital, located just outside of my congressional district in Belhaven, has closed its doors, closed its doors because North Carolina refuses to expand Medicaid.

The decision by Governor Pat McCrory and the Republican-led State legislature has cost a woman her life. Portia Gibbs was 48 years old. She had a heart attack and died on her way to the nearest open hospital, which was an hour away.

Providing care to the sick and injured is a moral imperative that Harry Truman saw nearly 70 years ago when he first spoke about it. Congress and President Lyndon Johnson believed caring for the least among us was a moral necessity when Medicare and Medicaid were passed and signed into law.

At the signing ceremony 49 years ago, former President Harry Truman said of the people that would benefit from Medicare and Medicaid: ``These people are our prideful responsibility, and they are entitled, among other benefits, to the best medical protection available. We don't want them to have any idea of hopeless despair.'' That was President Harry Truman.

In response to Truman, President Lyndon Johnson said improving the health of all Americans ``calls upon us never to be indifferent to despair. It commands us never to turn away from helplessness. It directs us never to ignore or to spurn those who suffer untended in a land that is bursting with abundance.''

Those elected officials standing in the way of Medicaid expansion should

simply reflect on President Johnson's words. In a country that has come so far--so far--Americans who struggle financially deserve better than that. They deserve better than to have their elected officials tell them that their worth in this world is tied to their ability to afford health insurance.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1010, the minimum wage increase, to jump-start the middle class, instead of this partisan lawsuit attacking President Obama.

Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, hasn't it been the tradition of this House that the Speaker yields to Members who want to make unanimous consent requests during the course of debate?

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the resolution authorizing the Speaker to bring a legislative branch lawsuit against the President.

Never before in the history of the Congress has there been institutional litigation between two coequal branches of government-- never.

Don't my Republican friends understand that the House's acting alone cannot by itself enforce a legislative enactment? It must be bicameral.

This resolution will establish a precedent unknown in our jurisprudence. It is an abuse of power. It will threaten the separation of powers principle and the checks and balances that we have long cherished in this country.

Do you want the judiciary to become the arbiter of disputes between Congress and the President? Our branches are coequal.

Do you really want to cede to the courts the authority to resolve disputes between the branches?

Would you want the President to sue the House for missing a budget deadline? Where does it end?

How do you plan to pay for this litigation? This resolution would give the Speaker a blank check to pay legal costs and expert costs, which would add to the deficit.

I call on House Republicans to talk to objective legal scholars, to read the literature and court decisions, to protect the integrity of our Federal system, and to reject this dangerous legislation.

This is a very sad day in the House. I know what you are doing, and the American people know what you are doing. You are using this legislation in your constant effort to discredit President Obama. Every day that President Obama has occupied the Oval Office, you have attacked him. You have attacked his ideas, and you have attacked those who surround him and his Cabinet. You are denying the American people a functioning government.

I sincerely believe that you are trying to set the stage for a despicable impeachment proceeding should you hold the majority in the House and gain the majority in the Senate. Shame on you, House Republicans. Shame on you.

I ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this rule and on final passage.

Mr. Speaker, as many of my colleagues know, I spent 30 years in a courtroom, one-half of those as a judge, including 2 years on the North Carolina Supreme Court. I have taken particular interest in House Resolution 676, and I have spent considerable time researching the standing of the House to initiate litigation against a President or Department heads or Federal agencies to seek ``appropriate relief for failure to act in a manner consistent with the duties of the executive branch.''

Never before, Mr. Speaker, in the history of the Congress, has there been ``institutional litigation'' between two coequal branches of government--never. There have been prior cases involving individual Members of Congress who have alleged that their vote had been nullified by Presidential action, but none of them succeeded.

This bill will clearly authorize institutional litigation between the legislative and executive branches--unprecedented, Mr. Speaker.

The Republicans have chosen to proceed with a one-Chamber resolution. The Affordable Care Act, I remind you, was a two-Chamber enactment. The House, as an institution, as a subset of the Congress, Mr. Speaker, cannot by itself enforce a legislative enactment. It must be bicameral.

This misguided and politically-motivated resolution will establish a precedent that is unknown in our jurisprudence. It is an abuse of power on the part of House Republicans.

If this bill passes and this Republican-controlled House initiates a lawsuit without Senate authorization, it will threaten the separation of powers principle and the checks and balances that we have long cherished in our country.

I ask my colleagues: Do you want the judiciary to become the arbiter of disputes between the Congress and the President? Do you really want to cede to the courts the authority to resolve disputes between the branches?

If you set this precedent, then, in the future, the House or the Senate, acting alone, could simply allege a constitutional violation against the President and get its day in court.

Well, what happens if a President is unhappy with the House or with the Senate? Could she just allege a constitutional violation and have the courts settle the dispute? If this precedent is established, will the House be able to sue the Senate or the Senate sue the House? Where does this end?

I call on my Republican friends to talk to objective legal scholars and read the literature and prior court decisions, protect the integrity of our Federal system, and reject this resolution.

Finally, I ask the proponents of this legislation to tell me two things:

Tell me, what relief are you asking the court to impose? I suppose your answer would be, well, we want the court to tell President Obama that he lacked authority to extend the employer mandate.

Why are you upset about that? I thought you didn't like the employer mandate.

Well, tell me, how do you plan to pay for this frivolous litigation? Under this resolution, Mr. Speaker, the Speaker of the House will have unbridled discretion to pay legal costs and expert costs. I did not know that the House of Representatives has the authority to pass a bill that will require unbudgeted spending that will add to the deficit that you constantly bemoan. How much will this litigation cost the taxpayers?

Mr. Speaker, this is a very sad day in this House. I know what you are doing, and the American people know what you are doing. You are using this legislation in your constant effort to discredit President Obama and set the stage for a despicable impeachment proceeding should you hold the majority in the House and gain the majority in the Senate.

Shame on House Republicans. Shame on you for this type of politics.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate a company in my district called the IDEAL Fastener Corporation.

Recently, they announced a $5.7 million expansion of their facility in Oxford, North Carolina. This expansion will create 155 jobs by the year 2019, and it is welcome news for Granville County, which is an important part of my congressional district. Now, Mr. Speaker, 155 jobs in some communities across our great country may be relatively small, but in this rural community, this is a big deal.

IDEAL Fastener Corporation was established in 1936 by Elie Gut, and it has been a strong member of the Oxford community since moving its corporate headquarters there in 1966. IDEAL Fastener Corporation is still family owned and is operated by Ralph and Mary Gut and their three children--Jeff, Steven, and Michelle.

Since bringing their world headquarters to Oxford, IDEAL Fastener Corporation has grown to become the second largest zipper manufacturer in the entire world with production and sales facilities in over 20 countries. They are in the process now of launching three new products and are making major capital investments that will benefit their employees and the North Carolina economy.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday of this week, July 21, I marked my 10th anniversary here in the House of Representatives; and if there is one thing that I have come to recognize and appreciate, it is that small businesses and small industries are what drive our economy. Companies like IDEAL Fastener Corporation are the lifeblood of our economy.

I congratulate IDEAL Fastener and the Gut family on this tremendous, tremendous announcement. I wish them nothing but continued success in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce to my colleagues the formation of a new House caucus to be known as the State Medicaid Expansion Caucus. I am delighted to cochair this caucus, along with my good friend, Congressman Hank Johnson, from the State of Georgia.

Madam Speaker, this caucus is 33 members strong. We want to demonstrate to recalcitrant Governors and State legislatures across the country the overwhelming public support to provide health care to low- income single adults, particularly those ages 18 to 65.

The majority of our caucus members are from States that have made the shortsighted and politically-motivated decision to exclude the very people the Medicaid program was established to help in the first place.

To date, 26 States and the District of Columbia have seized the opportunity to expand coverage to millions of Americans. These States made the wise and moral decision to not only ensure that their residents can get the care that they deserve, but they made a smart economic decision to pull billions of dollars in additional Federal funding into their economies.

These funds have the triple benefit of yielding better health outcomes for the low-income and poor, creating health care-related jobs, and driving down the aggregate cost of health care over time.

In contrast, 24 States have not yet expanded Medicaid. They have irresponsibly chosen to turn their backs on more than 5 million Americans that need this coverage. What are those 5 million Americans going to do when they get sick? What are 500,000 North Carolinians going to do when they need medical care?

Madam Speaker, I will tell you what they are going to do. They will either not seek the treatment that they need, causing their condition to get worse, which will lead to missed work and, therefore, unable to pay their bills. Ultimately, they will find themselves in a much worse situation than if they had coverage that they deserve.

The other option is that they will do what many uninsured people have always done out of necessity: go to an emergency room, be treated, and walk out with a bill that they have no ability to pay. Hospitals will then write the cost of treatment off as uncompensated care.

In order to recoup some of the lost money, hospitals will then increase the cost of their procedures, which results in higher premiums for the insured. Medicaid expansion isn't just good for our insurance premiums, but it is also good for the State's bottom line.

In North Carolina alone, expanding Medicaid will save the State more than $65 million over the next 8 years. Expansion would benefit our economy in North Carolina, adding nearly $1.5 billion to the State's revenue.

North Carolina drugmakers and medical device manufacturers will need to expand their workforce, adding a total of 23 jobs to the State. That is just in our State. The benefits of expansion nationally are far greater, yet the same scenario is playing out in nearly half of all of the States.

Twenty-four States' decision to not accept billions of dollars in Federal support defies logic and will prove catastrophic for the very people the Medicaid program is intended to help.

A critical point that many people overlook is the fact that, under the act, the Federal Government will pay 100 percent of the cost of expansion through the year 2016 and 90 percent of the costs thereafter.

The public demands action in States that have not expanded, and members of this caucus are tired of inaction. We are disgusted that these States have such careless disregard for poor people. We will continue to press this issue until all 50 States have expanded their Medicaid program.

Again, I thank Congressman Hank Johnson, the 31 other members of the State Medicaid Expansion Caucus, and the many advocacy organizations for their courage to fight for those who are being blocked from the most basic level of health care.

I thank Mr. Polis for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the rule for H.R. 5021. This closed rule prevents an opportunity for us to address the larger issues related to passing a long-term surface transportation reauthorization, and that is what Mr. Polis and Mr. Welch are talking about. I agree.

The constituents that I represent in North Carolina feel that it is critical to extend the highway trust fund. This bill is only one piece of what must be done to strengthen our Nation's infrastructure and economy.

The need to pass surface transportation reauthorization funding is extremely critical. MAP-21 expires at the beginning of October. At the same time, each day brings us closer to a highway trust fund shortfall and risks putting major transportation projects on hold and stalling our economy.

The North Carolina DOT has indicated that the highway trust fund insolvency would jeopardize 108 projects and 20,000 jobs across my State.

Eastern North Carolina remains one of the poorest districts in the country despite the economic resurgence many other areas of the country have seen. Strengthening infrastructure helps encourage economic development, increase commerce and improve tourism. We cannot afford to halt construction, growth, and progress. We must find a way to provide consistent and robust transportation funding. We need a fix to the reauthorization act.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this closed rule so that we can have a larger conversation about the long-term surface transportation reauthorization.

Mr. Speaker, during rollcall 359 on final passage of H.R. 6, the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act, my vote was incorrectly recorded as ``no.'' I intended to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, today it is with profound grief that I rise to commemorate the life of Carolyn Ingram Thornton, a great leader, public servant and phenomenal woman who will be greatly missed in her home community of Durham, North Carolina.

Carolyn Thornton reserved her place in history as the first African American woman to serve on the Durham City Council in 1978. She also was the first African American female probation officer in the State of North Carolina. In 1968, Mrs. Thornton was appointed as the Chief Psychiatric Social Worker at the Cooperative School for Pregnant Girls. In addition to these accomplishments, she served as the director of Social Work and Mental Health at historic Lincoln Community Health Center for 31 years.

During the course of her tenure, the citizens of Durham had the unique opportunity to watch Mrs. Thornton successfully embark on building a brighter future for women, children, and mentally disabled citizens in her community.

As a native of Durham County and due to her honorable contributions to Durham, Mrs. Thornton will now and forever be a daughter of Durham. As a member and former President of the Durham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Mrs. Thornton regularly supported community volunteering and fundraising initiatives. She also served as President of the Durham Chapter of the Links, Inc.

Mrs. Thornton was born in Durham to Charles J. and Bernice H. Ingram. After graduating from Hillside High School with honors, Mrs. Thornton earned Bachelors' degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1957. Mrs. Thornton also earned a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

To cherish her memory, Mrs. Thornton is survived by two sisters, Audrey Ingram Johnson and Dr. E. Lavonia Ingram Allison; one sister-in- law, Carolyn Thornton Walker, and three children, Susan Kane, Gail Monje Thornton, and Rick Thornton.

Mr. Speaker, Carolyn Ingram Thornton was a loving mother, sister, friend and public servant and her passing will surely be felt by all of those whose lives she touched. She will forever be missed but never forgotten in the city of Durham and her by friends and family across the State and Nation.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, the amendment that I am offering today with my good friends--Congressman Langevin, Congressman Price, and Congressman Quigley--will increase funding for FTA technical assistance and training back simply to the 2014 levels.

Individuals with disabilities and older adults disproportionately rely on public transit to live, learn, work, and access recreation in their communities. There is a complex and ever-evolving need to adapt our transit systems and services, so they are more accessible for people with disabilities and older adults who rely on them.

FTA, Mr. Chairman, has a long history of working with Easter Seals, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and others to provide training, technical assistance, and other problem-solving support to the transit industry, people with disabilities, and older adults; and it is imperative for this work to continue as more people age and more people with disabilities seek to live as independently as possible.

I yield to the gentleman from Iowa.

Thank you, Mr. Latham.

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

Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent that we go back to page 70 for the purpose of offering an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, if I would have been able to offer my amendment today, it would have clarified an existing Federal highway priority corridor between Raleigh, North Carolina, and Norfolk, Virginia.

It would have also codified the corridor as a future interstate highway. This designation, Mr. Chairman, could eventually improve transportation and commerce and economic development in North Carolina and Virginia.

Eastern North Carolina, Mr. Chairman, remains one of the poorest areas in the country, despite the economic resurgence many other areas of the country have seen. My amendment, if it had been made in order, would enable future construction between Raleigh and Norfolk to build on an existing corridor where half of the route already meets Federal freeway standards.

Improving on existing infrastructure can save taxpayer money and help expedite the project's completion.

Mr. Chairman, I urge colleagues in future debates to consider this request.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of the en bloc package that is before us tonight, which includes my amendment that will finally recognize the valiant service of merchant mariners who operated domestically during World War II.

Ensuring that individuals who sacrifice so much in service to our country receive the recognition they deserve is one of the most important jobs we have as Members of Congress.

I am grateful for the bipartisan support my amendment has received from colleagues like my good friends Janice Hahn from California and Walter Jones from North Carolina. With support for my amendment coast to coast, I am proud to stand here today one step closer to correcting an injustice that has remained for over 70 years. Madam Chair, after 70 long years, these mariners deserve to receive recognition for their service to our country.

I thank the chairman, I thank the ranking member for including this amendment in the en bloc package this evening, and I ask my colleagues to support final passage.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor William Earl ``Bill'' Myers who, today, will receive the 2014 Heritage Award from the North Carolina Arts Council. Bill Myers has dedicated his life to education and the arts.

Bill Myers was born 81 years ago in Greenville, North Carolina. From a very early age, Bill showed great musical ability. This talent prompted Bill's grandmother to enroll him in piano to develop his skills.

Over the years, Bill continued his quest for musical excellence, joining the high school band, while also playing piano for church Sunday school.

Recognizing his gift, Bill's Sunday school teacher took him to New York City to attend a convention. During the trip, Bill visited Radio City Music Hall, saw the Rockettes perform, went to the Apollo Theater, and saw Willis ``Gator Tail'' Jackson perform his saxophone. That performance proved to be life-changing and served as Bill's inspiration to pursue the saxophone.

Not long after the New York trip, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Bob Lewis was hired as the school's new band director. Bill idolized Bob Lewis. Everything he did impressed Bill, from his style of dress to his shined shoes, and Bob played the saxophone.

It was the tremendous influence of Bob Lewis and his piano teacher, Ms. Albright--both graduates of Virginia State University--that prompted Bill to attend that institution.

Since Bill didn't have the resources to attend college, he began performing his musical talents. He joined bands in Greenville that played at the Tropicana Club, the Blue Moon Club, and the Red Rose Club. Eventually, Bill was able to save enough money to attend Virginia State University, where he majored in music and mastered the saxophone.

In 1955, Bill graduated from Virginia State University and joined the United States Army as a second lieutenant.

After his military service, Bill's father arranged an interview for him to teach at Frederick Douglass High School in Elm City, North Carolina. The school needed a new music teacher, and Bill was a perfect fit.

As a teacher, Bill was really disheartened by the students' lack of cultural exposure, so Bill made sure to expose them to the arts and other communities and to opportunities beyond their town.

Due to his work and commitment, Bill was eventually promoted to assistant principal before deciding to pursue a master's in education at East Carolina University.

After completing graduate school, Bill attended the Principal's Executive Program at the University of North Carolina, which led to him being named principal of the newly-integrated Elm City High School.

After the county's school systems merged, Bill became principal of Elm City Middle School and eventually became assistant superintendent of schools for personnel, becoming the first African American in the county to hold that position.

Throughout the course of his long life, Bill still manages to perform with his band of 60 years called The Monitors. The band often boasts that Roberta Flack was its first vocalist.

I would be remiss, Mr. Speaker, if I did not mention Bill's wife, the former Diana Davis--yes, my first cousin--the love of his life for 51 years. The two were married in 1963. I remember it so well. I was their wedding driver.

They have two wonderful children, Michael Earl and Michelle Earlisa; and they have, together, four grandchildren--William, Madison, Cameron, and Mikayla.

Bill is a devout member of the St. John AME Zion Church in Wilson, where he leads its powerful gospel choir.

Mr. Speaker, today, I ask my colleagues to join me in offering our heartfelt congratulations to a great North Carolinian, to a great American, Mr. William Earl ``Bill'' Myers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Weyerhaeuser Company on being recognized as one of best corporate citizens in the nation. Weyerhaeuser ranked sixth on Corporate Responsibility Magazine's 100 Best Corporate Citizens 2014 list.

Since 1957, Weyerhaeuser has been an important part of communities throughout eastern North Carolina. Weyerhaeuser employs 1,051 North Carolinians and helps sustain families and businesses in rural communities across the state. More than 545,000 acres of land in North Carolina is owned or leased by Weyerhaeuser. The company's Softwood Lumber Mill in Plymouth and the Carolina Timberlands and GHW Operations Center in Washington are essential economic drivers for North Carolina's First Congressional District.

North Carolinians benefit from Weyerhaeuser's presence in our state. The company is an important economic contributor through job creation and business development, but importantly serves as an environmental steward and engages in philanthropy throughout the state. Over the last six years Weyerhaeuser has donated more than $2.5 million to philanthropic causes in North Carolina communities. Nationally, Weyerhaeuser and its employees have donated more than $215 million since 1903 to support education and youth development, affordable housing and shelter, human services, civic and cultural growth, and environmental stewardship.

Corporate Responsibility Magazine's 100 Best Corporate Citizens 2014 list evaluates companies based on climate change, employee relations, environment, finance, governance, human rights, and philanthropy. I am proud to represent Weyerhaeuser and am grateful for their extraordinary efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding the outstanding efforts of Weyerhaeuser employees in North Carolina and across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bridgestone Americas, one of our nation's leading tire manufacturers, as it celebrates the 40th anniversary of its passenger and light truck tire plant in my hometown of Wilson, North Carolina.

I have represented the Wilson plant for nearly ten years and am reminded each time I pass it on my way to Washington, DC the impact it has had on the City of Wilson and Wilson and Edgecombe Counties, and indeed the state of North Carolina.

For 40 years, the Wilson plant has built a reputation for producing superior, high quality products that help protect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians in my state of North Carolina, across the country, and throughout the world.

The Wilson plant produced its first tire on March 1, 1974. Since then, Bridgestone Americas' Wilson plant has grown to be Wilson County's second largest employer and has provided good paying, stable jobs for thousands of people that call eastern North Carolina home.

Bridgestone Americas' Wilson facility is massive, spanning some 500 acres with two and a half million square feet of workspace. In January 2014, the plant received the highly sought and prestigious ``Zero Waste to Landfill'' certification by Underwriter Laboratories.

Bridgestone Americas is committed to environmental sustainability so much so that the men and women who work at the Wilson plant developed the land surrounding the facility into the Freedom Wildlife Habitat and Refuge. The area was certified as a ``Corporate Lands for Learning and Wildlife at Work'' site by the U.S. Wildlife Habitat Council. I am particularly proud of the Wilson employees who contributed their time and resources to make our region a better place to live and work.

Without question, Bridgestone Americas and their facility in Wilson, North Carolina have contributed greatly to our state and national economies. The Wilson plant is an integral part of our community and a great corporate partner for our region.

I am so pleased to recognize Bridgestone Americas' 40th year of manufacturing passenger and light truck tires in their Wilson facility and look forward to sharing in many more of their achievements.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate my dear friend Dr. Debra Saunders-White on her installation as the 11th Chancellor of North Carolina Central University. Dr. Saunders-White will be formally installed as Chancellor on April 4, 2014 and will become the first female to hold that post at NCCU.

Great leaders motivate others to reach their full potential and show others through their actions that they can make a difference. Dr. Saunders-White is a great leader who will lead current and future generations of NCCU Eagles by motivating them through her leadership, her words, and her actions. Like many students at NCCU, she is a first- generation college graduate. Her mother grew up a sharecropper in North Carolina while her father was a car salesman. Dr. Saunders-White's journey to become leader of a world-class research university will show students what is possible through lifelong commitment to bettering the lives of others.

As institutions of higher learning like NCCU face pressure to do more with less, we increasingly rely on strong leaders with innovative perspectives to shape the future of education. Dr. Saunders-White brings valuable business experience, administrative knowledge from outstanding institutions like Hampton University and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and a comprehensive understanding of higher education from serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S.

Department of Education. Those experiences will enable NCCU to become more connected to the Durham community, the state, and our global economy. Her vision of leveraging resources, preparing students for an ever-changing world, and guiding NCCU to the forefront of affordable and quality academics will position the University to excel for years to come.

Dr. Saunders-White understands that quality higher education has never been as important to succeeding in a global economy as it is for today and tomorrow's young minds. I congratulate Dr. Saunders on her installation. NCCU is blessed to have such an experienced, innovative, and inspirational leader as its 11th Chancellor.