Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to thank Chairman Thomas. He has been a great chairman and has worked with everybody on both sides of the aisle and is sorely going to be missed. I know he doesn't like people to say nice things about him because he does not want to be known as a nice guy, but he truly is.

Florida, like other States, does not have an income tax, and only recently have the residents again been able to deduct the sales taxes from their Federal income tax. That is called parity. It is parity with other States. This deduction was about to expire at the end of 2005.

In recent months I and many others from States that only have a sales tax have heard from many constituents who are concerned about whether or not they will be able to claim this deduction as they begin their taxes, due April 15. Thankfully this legislation before us today will extend this critical provision.

I know throughout the last several months I have probably been the biggest nag to Mr. Thomas about this issue. I know all of my colleagues from States that only have sales tax also have been making their views known that this does need to be continued.

I certainly want to stress that it is common sense, and, again, it is just parity. And we do need this very much-needed tax benefit and it is good that we are able to deliver it just before the holidays.

I want to thank the chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a group of women from Rainbow Springs, Florida who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their efforts to help the soldiers serving in Iraq. The Chatty Hatty Red Hat Ladies of Rainbow Springs have adopted soldiers serving in Iraq, sending them care packages each and every month. The Ladies deserve recognition for their efforts.

Earlier this year, the Red Hat Ladies contacted my office to find soldiers from the 5th District currently deployed in Iraq. The Ladies were looking to adopt a couple of soldiers from the district and to send them packages filled with necessities and goodies. These women wanted to let our troops know their friends back home support their service in the Global War on terror.

As you might imagine, those first few soldiers grew to nearly 30 soldiers that the Ladies eventually adopted. Each month they put together three large care packages for the troops, and once a quarter they send over a special box of movies so that the soldiers can have a ``movie night,'' complete with packages of popcorn.

To help celebrate Christmas, the Ladies and their friends took up collections and donations to ship the troops a Christmas tree with all the trimmings, as well as individual stockings stuffed with gifts. This way the soldiers can enjoy Christmas, even though they are still serving in Iraq and missing their friends, family, and loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, volunteer groups like the Chatty Hatty Red Hat Ladies of Rainbow Springs are just one of the thousands of dedicated organizations throughout the Nation who support our troops overseas. Millions of Americans have donated their time and their money to ensure that our troops know the folks back home support their mission and hope they return home safely. The Red Hat Ladies are to be commended for starting this adopt-a-soldier program and for helping to brighten their days of service.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to honor a gifted student and boundless volunteer who has proven that anyone can be an asset to their community, no matter their age.

A fourth generation Floridian, Bailey Lesten Douberley is the 8-year- old son of Chad Douberley and his wife, Susan Larkin-Douberley, of Dade City. Although a third grade student at Centennial elementary school, Bailey takes math and language classes at the fourth grade level. In addition to being a talented student, he is also an active member of First Baptist Church in Dade City.

With the President's push for increased charitable involvement, Bailey is a prime example of establishing your course at a young age. By channeling much of his energy into efforts to help others, Bailey serves as a shining example of service for his entire community.

At the recent Welcome Home Troops event held for Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery, Bailey was on hand to move tables, hang signs, arrange chairs and assist in any way needed. Bailey is a frequent helper at the monthly car shows in Dade City and annually volunteers with his mother at both the Sparklebration and Kumquat festivals. Bailey is particularly active at local benefit functions such as the Patrick Cooper benefit dinner and the Josh Cooley benefit dinner and is always on hand to assist at the annual fundraiser, Academy at the Farm weekend rodeo event.

The holiday season is especially busy for this tireless volunteer. During the Thanksgiving holiday, Bailey helps pack baskets for needy families and during the Christmas holiday, he lends a hand to the Toys for Tots program and the Shoebox program, sending care packages to U.S. troops.

Aside from his busy schedule, Bailey finds time to play little league baseball and is a member of the Recreation and Travel ``Bulls'' ice hockey team, the progressive 4-H Club and Pack 301 Boy Scouts.

On behalf of Dade City and its residents, I applaud Bailey for his efforts and I encourage others, young and old, to follow his lead and answer the call to volunteer. I am proud to represent this young man and many more like him who give back so much to the community

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a Prisoner of War from World War II, Steve Raymond of Lecanto, Florida. While serving as a volunteer in the Army Air Corps in the Philippines, Mr. Raymond was among 78,000 American and Filipino soldiers captured by the enemy and forced to participate in what became known as the Bataan Death March.

Mr. Raymond has written a book, ``Too Dead to Die: A Memoir of Bataan and Beyond,'' about his experience as a POW. This first-hand account recreates his experiences from daily journals that he kept while imprisoned by the Japanese. It also details his memories of the sixty mile force-march along the Bataan Peninsula to a prison camp known as Camp O'Donnell.

During the Bataan Death March, many of the prisoners were beaten, beheaded, tortured and left to die along the side of the path. For those not executed along the way, the entire group went without food, and many contracted malaria and dysentery.

Once at Camp O'Donnell, the 9,000 remaining prisoners were forced to drink from one water fountain, tortured and beaten, and were kept from learning anything about the outside world or how the war was progressing.

Mr. Raymond was kept prisoner in the Philippines for a year and a half, and then moved to Japan. While a prisoner in Japan, he was forced to work in a steel mill. Other POWs took were put to work as stevedores, coal and copper and bauxite miners, and in aircraft manufacturing plants and shipyards.

Following the surrender of the Japanese in 1945, Mr. Raymond was hospitalized for nearly a year to recover from his malnutrition and disease. After his recovery, Mr. Raymond enrolled at the University of Missouri and graduated with Bachelor of Journalism and Master of Arts degrees. He then entered into a long and successful career as a newspaperman, eventually retiring from the Tampa Tribune in 1978.

Mr. Speaker, veterans of the Bataan Death March like Steve Raymond should be recognized for their service to our nation and for their commitment and sacrifices in battle. With fewer than a hundred or so of these brave prisoners of war still alive, it is incumbent on all Americans to hear their stories and preserve their memories. Steve Raymond should know that we truly consider him one of America's heroes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Leo C. Hanson, a native of the Buffalo, NY, area who served with honor and distinction during World War II. Drafted into the United States Army on January 6, 1940, Mr. Hanson earned the Purple Heart for wounds received in battle.

Discharged on June 16, 1945, Mr. Hanson completed his military service holding the rank of staff sergeant. Since then he has continued to support his fellow soldiers by working with veterans' service organizations. Mr. Hanson is a lifetime member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

His unit served under Gen. George Patton, one of the most famous American generals of all time. A tank commander, Mr. Hanson served in the Algeria and French Morocco campaigns in Northern Africa. He also served in Normandy, Sicily, Northern France and Rhineland. His Purple Heart was bestowed for wounds to his arm received at Omaha Beach, and to his leg while in Normandy. Despite these injuries, Mr. Hanson continued to engage the enemy in battle and fight for the cause of freedom.

Mr. Speaker, soldiers like Leo C. Hanson should be recognized for their service to our Nation and for their commitment and sacrifices in battle. I am honored to have presented Mr. Hanson with his long overdue Purple Heart. He should know that we truly consider him one of America's heroes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a Prisoner of War from World War II, Ray Knisley, Jr. Born in Massachusetts, Mr. Knisley served in the U.S. Army and was captured by the Nazi Army.

Mr. Knisley served as a medical aid man with the 117th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron. While encamped near the German border of Alsace Lorraine on New Year's Eve, 1944, his entire unit was overrun and he was taken prisoner. For the next several months, Mr. Knisley was transferred between several prisoner camps, finally being rescued by the Russian Army on April 28, 1945.

Following World War II, Mr. Knisley raised his family in Massachusetts. He and his wife have five children, nine grand children and six great grand children. In 1985 Mr. Knisley moved to West Palm Beach, where he worked as a volunteer at the local Veterans Affairs Hospital for twenty years. He specialized in working with fellow prisoners of war; eventually assisting more than two hundred former POWs receive a one hundred percent disability rating. He recently moved to Chiefland about a year ago.

Mr. Speaker, prisoners of war like Ray Knisley, Jr. should be recognized for their service to our nation and for their commitment and sacrifices in battle. With thousands of World War II veterans passing a way each year, it is incumbent on all Americans to hear their stories and preserve their memories. Ray Knisley, Jr. should know that we truly consider him one of America's heroes.

Mr. Speaker, as vice chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, I rise with very mixed emotion. I am certainly happy that Chairman Buyer is bringing this important bill to the floor that will extend several worthy veterans programs and add a new provision that will improve education opportunities for the spouses and dependents of our severely wounded veterans.

I urge my colleagues to support the bill in a bipartisan manner. However, I am disappointed that to date negotiations with the other body on Chairman Buyer's package of veterans initiatives, which was very, very bipartisan, has produced only limited progress. And there is a real possibility that many good provisions passed by both the House and the other body might not become law.

These bills include improvements to VA medical care, hospital construction and maintenance projects and a wide range of veterans benefits. From my subcommittee's perspective, important improvements include small business and employment legislation that is widely supported by the administration and the veterans community.

For example, our legislation will improve the competitive status of veterans and disabled veteran-owned small businesses seeking to win VA contracts. As the Members know, Public Law 106-50 and Executive Order 13360 direct Federal agencies and departments to award at least 3 percent of Federal contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, service-connected veteran-owned businesses.

To date the only department to make that goal was the Department of State in fiscal year 2004. This is an unacceptable record for a nation whose armed forces are engaged in hostilities as we speak. One of our bills, H.R. 3082, will help rectify that shortfall in at least the Veterans Administration Department.

The small business provisions of H.R. 3082 would provide VA acquisition staff additional tools that would give veterans and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses priority in many VA contract competitions.

The bill would also ensure that surviving spouses who retain control of those businesses after the veteran owner dies continue to enjoy status as a service-disabled veteran-owned business for up to 10 years.

In short, at least at the VA, the veteran business owners will be treated

fairly and enable the VA to set a standard for other Federal agencies. Mr. Speaker, the bill also makes several other improvements to the employment programs operated through the veterans employment and training service at the Department of Labor.

I am especially pleased that H.R. 3082 includes provisions of a bill I introduced to improve licensing and credentialing of veterans based on skills and experience they gained during their military service.

Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, this is an excellent bill. We need to pass it and make sure that the Senate gets the message loud and clear.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Hans Geissler, the founder of Morning Star Fishermen. Mr. Geissler was recently selected from a group of volunteer and service organization workers aged 60 and older who were nominated to participate in a symposium at Stanford University. This symposium highlights community service and the use of business experience in the volunteer service field.

Since leaving the French Foreign Legion and retiring from a career as a plumbing contractor, Mr. Geissler has worked tirelessly to help solve one of the world's biggest problems--world hunger. Based out of his 11- acre facility in Dade City, Florida, Mr. Geissler

teaches aquaculture classes to people from around the world. Morning Star Fishermen also works to help establish tilapia-breeding tanks in foreign nations. Students who travel to the Dade City facility learn how to raise tilapia as a high-protein food source back home in their own communities around the world.

Civic Ventures, a think tank based in San Francisco, noted Mr. Geissler's work. Civic Ventures asked for nominations of people over the age of 60 who are using their experience to solve social problems. The think tank received 1,200 nominations, and named 71 Purpose Prize Fellows.

Mr. Geissler will attend the symposium in September and hopes to work with other participants to gather new ideas on how best to grow Morning Star Fishermen into the future.

Mr. Speaker, civic-minded individuals like Hans Geissler help make our cities and municipalities better places to live and work. The motto of Morning Star Fishermen is ``Give a man a fish, he eats for one day. Teach a man to raise fish, the whole community eats.'' People like Hans Geissler prove that one person can indeed make a positive difference throughout the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a husband and wife from Dade City, Florida who were recently awarded the prestigious 1000 Friends of Florida Award. Bob and Sharon Blanchard are the owners of a two thousand plus acre working ranch in the heart of Pasco County. In addition to breeding horses and cattle and hosting an annual steeplechase event, the Blanchards have taken the extra step to provide environmentally sensitive stewardship of their ranch.

Little Everglades Ranch has been reforested and is a conservation easement, assuring it will be protected from development. The Blanchards have also taken leadership roles in the Coalition to Protect Our Water Resources.

During his acceptance of the award, Bob Blanchard said that after his retirement, he was wondering what to do with the rest of his life. He credits his wife for being the driving force behind their efforts to make waves for the good of the community.

1000 friends of Florida promotes healthy urban and natural places by wise management of growth and change. 1000 Friends of Florida helps citizens have the technical knowledge and access needed to ensure that public and private decisions lead to livable communities.

Mr. Speaker, environmentally engaged citizens like the Blanchards are to be commended for not only maintaining a working ranch in the midst of a growing suburban region of Florida, but for also doing so in a way that protects our fragile ecosystem. I Applaud the Blanchards on earning the 1000 Friends of Florida award and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exploits of one of Florida's National Guard Units-- Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery.

In April of 2005, 139 soldiers from Battery B began a deployment that would take them to Afghanistan. For over a year, the unit brought security to the Afghani people by conducting patrols, guarding critical military bases, and providing a presence to deter Taliban insurgents. This past July, after their heroic service, elements of Battery B began returning to the United States. Thankfully, during their deployment, the unit suffered no fatalities.

Last month, I had the privilege of meeting with these brave individuals, many of whom live within my congressional district. The courage and selflessness of our soldiers never ceases to amaze me. I was also touched when I learned that during its tour, Battery B used an American flag that flew over the United States Capitol--a little piece of home halfway around the world.

Mr. Speaker, the war on terror is a long-term commitment, one that will require courage, sacrifice, and hard work. When I see the steadfast resolve of soldiers with Battery B, I know that we will prevail in this conflict. In closing, I want to thank the men and women in our Armed Forces, as well as their families, for making tremendous sacrifices to defend our freedom. May God bless you all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an accomplished family with nurseries in several of the agriculture hotspots of Florida's 5th District. The entire Klinger family has taken a leadership role in growing the Florida agriculture industry, including fighting for increased relief funding for communities devastated by natural disasters.

The Klingers own and manage the lake Brantley Plant Corporation of Longwood, working as a team to grow their business and give back to their friends and neighbors. The family owned company currently has locations in Lake Brantley, Center Hill and Windermere.

Started by Paul Sr. and his wife Regina in the 1970s, the Klingers today boast three generations working in the family business. Paul's four sons Bill, P.J., Dan, and John run the nursery operations, but still rely on Paul Sr.'s years of experience and advice.

In addition to his active role in the nursery, Bill also served as the 2004 President of the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association. He is involved in politics and is a tireless advocate for the green industry and Florida agriculture.

P.J., who is the Director of Research and Development at the Center Hill operation in Sumter County, has also taken a leadership role in the community and serves on the Extension Advisory Board. He oversees growing practices at all three sites and monitors compliance with Best Management Practices. P.J.'s three sons also work for the family business. Ben is the dispatcher at the Lake Brantley plant, Brad is in sales and Barrett is the Assistant Nursery Manager at Lake Brantley.

Serving as the manager of the Center Hill nursery, Dan is joined by his son Adam, who serves as the Nursery Manager at the Windermere location, and a daughter Ashley who is in customer service.

John manages the Longwood nursery and has three children, Caroline, Katie and Jack, who are eager to join the family business one day as well.

Mr. Speaker, families like the Klingers deserve recognition for their hard work and dedication to Florida's agricultural community. They have dedicated their lives to grow their business, improving the lives of area residents by growing and expanding their plant operations, and bringing quality jobs to the entire region. The Klingers are to be commended for their work and I wish them the best of luck as they continue operations in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joseph E. Johnston, Jr., the winner of the 2006 Great Brooksvillian of the Year Award. The Award is presented annually to a current or former resident who has made a significant impact on the city of Brooksville.

Mr. Johnston has a long record of service to the city and to the entire community. Born in

1922, Mr. Johnston has served with distinction as a Florida State Senator and the attorney for the city of Brooksville and the Hernando County School Board.

In addition to his personal service to the city, Mr. Johnston's son, City Council member Joe Johnston III, has continued the family's commitment to public service. At the council meeting where Mr. Johnston's award was first announced, it was his son Joseph who thanked his fellow council members on behalf of his family.

Mr. Speaker, the city of Brooksville is lucky to have a man like Joseph E. Johnston, Jr. to take an active role in our community. I am proud to recognize his accomplishments, and congratulate him on being named the 2006 Brooksvillian of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, 150 years ago two rural communities, Melendez and Pierceville, merged to form the city we know today as Brooksville, FL. Located in the heart of Florida's Nature Coast, since its founding in 1856, Brooksville has grown into a community with a rich history and unique traditions.

Unlike many Florida towns, Brooksville is not named for a local resident or indigenous Indian Tribe, but for one of the 19th century's foremost spokesmen in the halls of Congress, Preston Brooks. Mr. Brooks of South Carolina was a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1853 to 1856, and is the city's namesake. The citizens of Hernando County admired his defense of States' rights and voted to give the county's largest settlement his name.

In 1856, the city of Brooksville was still in an unsafe part of the State. Located in the northeastern corner of the city is the historic Fort Desoto. This fort was used as a trading post and a military fort, providing protection as well as leading the economic growth of the region.

Originally settled by four families, Brooksville eventually grew into a flourishing commercial and residential community. The Howell family settled in the northern part of the city, the Mays family in the eastern section, the Hale family in the western section and the Parson family in the southern region. These four families helped contribute to the growth of the city and of the entire region.

Today Brooksville houses numerous modern medical facilities, a community college, three city parks, an outstanding library, thriving shopping centers, and a regional airport.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the city of Brooksville on its 150th anniversary. It has taken the combined efforts of generations of proud Brooksvillians to grow and strengthen this great city and make it what it is today. I wish the city of Brooksville the best of luck with their anniversary celebrations and good fortune during their next 150 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the amazing achievements of Jimmy Seeman of Dade City, Florida. Already exhibiting an entrepreneurial spirit at the age of 17, Jimmy runs his own 40-acre nursery, Gardens Wholesale Nursery.

Jimmy began to take an active interest in the agricultural field at the age of 13 while working alongside his father at his lawn maintenance business. Starting by growing a few plants on the side, Jimmy eventually expanded his operation and opened his own nursery. Today Gardens Wholesale Nursery includes several employees and 40-acres of plantable land.

Showing an amazing drive for personal growth, Jimmy has taken it upon himself to learn Spanish to better communicate with many of his employees, often waking at 3 a.m. to study and practice his Spanish. Jimmy has also taught himself to fix computers and install irrigation.

With the support of his parents, Cathy and Jimmy, and his two brothers, Michael and Jacob, Jimmy has shown that neither age nor experience are required to be an accomplished businessman. Through hard work and dedication Jimmy has proven to his family and friends that he is well on his way to achieving remarkable success in his chosen field.

Mr. Speaker, it is young men and women like Jimmy Seeman that should be congratulated for contributing to the American Entrepreneurial spirit. I look forward to following Jimmy's career as he runs Gardens Wholesale Nursery and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Lt. Col. Curt Edward Stover, a soldier who has served his county with honor and distinction. Lt. Col. Stover is retiring this week following 22 years in the United States military.

First commissioned in the U.S. Army July 6, 1984, Lt. Colonel Curt Edward Stover received his B.S. degree from Texas A&M University. Upon his entry into the Army, he was commissioned Air Defense Artillery.

Traveling around the world during his 22 years of dedicated service, Lt. Col. Stover has served in the Korean demilitarized zone, as well as two tours in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. One of the first soldiers to transfer into the Space Operations Command after it was created, Lt. Col. Stover is Airborne and Air Assault qualified. He has also attended Command General Staff College and held two joint assignments with the Air Force.

During his career, Lt. Col. Stover was a Platoon leader, a Motor officer, a Battalion S-4, a Task Force S-4, a Patriot Battery Commander, a Squad Tactical Officer USMA, a Patriot Battalion Executive Officer, and on the Architecture Branch Chief Space Command.

Retiring with numerous decorations for his years of service, Lt. Col. Stover has earned the Defense Meritorious Service medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Korean Defense Service Medal. It is clear that during his decades in the armed forces that he has served with both honor and distinction.

Mr. Speaker, it is soldiers like Lt. Col. Stover that help make our military the finest fighting force in the world. This Congress congratulates Lt. Col. Stover on his retirement and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.