Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize the outstanding success of ``Pride of the Mountains,'' the Western Carolina University Marching Band. This outstanding marching band, led by director Robert Buckner, has been awarded the 2009 Sudler Trophy. This prestigious award, made possible by the John Philip Sousa Foundation, is a world-class mark of distinction for college marching bands.

The Sudler Trophy is awarded biannually to collegiate marching bands and their directors who raise the bar for college marching bands across America. This year, the Sousa Foundation has recognized Mr. Buckner and ``Pride of the Mountains'' for their exciting and artistically outstanding performances. I believe that this national recognition of their dedication to excellence will inspire other college musicians to follow in their path.

Marching bands motivate our sports teams and their fans on the field, and ``Pride of the Mountains,'' has been energizing Western Carolina University's students and football team since 1938. ``Pride of the Mountains'' is indeed a source of pride not only for Western Carolina University, but for everyone in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in commending Western Carolina University's ``Pride of the Mountains.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rebecca Parris, a remarkable young woman in Swain County, North Carolina.

Miss Parris, a student of Swain County High School, raised over $4,000 for the Shriners Hospital for Children in Greenville, South Carolina. Miss Parris was inspired to take action upon hearing that reductions in donations and increasing medical costs could lead to the possible closure of the Greenville hospital, which serves children in the Greenville and Western North Carolina areas. To help keep the hospital open, Miss Parris coordinated and hosted a fundraising event, ``Shriners for Minors,'' in Bryson City, North Carolina on August 8, 2009. The event included participation by a number of vendors and children's activities organized by her fellow high school students. After the event, Miss Parris made a visit to the hospital to present the donations and over 70 donated toys.

Miss Parris has always worked hard to serve those in her community. As an elementary school student she made Christmas gifts for local nursing home residents. Miss Parris maintains an excellent academic record and has been inducted into the National Honor Society this year. She is part of the track and cross country team, plays basketball, and is the best marksperson on the shooting team at Swain County High School. She also worked full-time at a grocery store over the summer while organizing the fundraiser.

Madam Speaker, Miss Parris's dedication to children in need in our mountain region and her efforts on behalf of the Shriners Hospital for Children are a great source of pride to me and to Western North Carolina. Miss Parris exemplifies the motto of Swain County Schools: ``Our Best and Then Some.'' I urge my colleagues to join me today in commending the outstanding efforts of this remarkable young woman.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1002, the Pisgah National Forest Boundary Adjustment Act of 2009. I would like to thank the chairman and the ranking member for their hard work and their support.

This bill would simply extend the current boundary of the Forest Service to include 213 acres of land that is already owned and maintained by the U.S. Forest Service, as well as 88 acres currently owned by a regional nonprofit land trust.

This bill has bipartisan support from the entire North Carolina delegation, for which I am very grateful.

This bill will help the Federal Government meet several objectives. First, it will clarify the boundary that identifies parcels of land that are already owned by the Forest Service. Secondly, it will help to guarantee the conservation of pristine acreage that promotes water quality as well as tourism in the region of western North Carolina. Third, it will help thousands of visitors each year access Catawba Falls, a uniquely beautiful cascade that is already on Forest Service property.

H.R. 1002 explicitly protects the rights of private property owners. This bill will preserve the natural treasures and make sure that the public has adequate access to publicly owned land. In addition to being cosponsored by the entire North Carolina delegation, this bill has received unanimous and bipartisan support in the House Committee on Agriculture.

I am grateful to all of my colleagues for their support, as well as to the staff of the Committee on Agriculture for all of their hard work.

Madam Speaker, as football season kicks off, I am reminded of the exceptional coaches I've worked with over the years. I have been lucky to learn from great men like Mike Ditka, Johnny Majors, Phillip Fulmer, Now Turner, and my high school football coach Boyce Deitz. During high school, Coach Deitz influenced me more than anyone outside of my immediate family. Of all the coaches I've had before or after, he has had the strongest and most-lasting impact on my life. Most adults still can remember the name or face of one childhood coach who taught them a better way to throw a ball, improve their time, or overcome an obstacle that seemed insurmountable.

Today, we live in a time when young people face serious challenges to their well-being. Childhood obesity has reached record proportions. School drop-out rates approach fifty percent in many urban school districts. Nearly one million minors report association with gang activity. Where these trends are at their worst, coaches often play a critical role in equipping young athletes with the tools to make better choices. Coaches dedicate countless hours of their time helping young people build strong work ethics, communicate effectively, and work as part of a team. The coaches, who have the vital role of parlaying those values to our youth, make up the backbone of youth sports programs.

To recognize the service of youth sports coaches for their tremendous contributions, I have been working with Rep. Mike McIntyre and other Members of the U.S. House to enact the first ever National Coach Appreciation Week. This week can be a time to recruit hundreds of thousands of new coaches, and to honor every youth, JV, and Varsity coach who gives so much to our Nation's next generation of leaders.

My high school football coach taught me to be both mentally and physically tough. He constantly challenged me to improve myself, including encouraging me to run track to improve my speed on the football field. Coach Deitz warned me early on about excessive media attention and said `you will never be as good as they make you out to be and you will never be as bad as they make you out to be.' His advice has guided me through the highlights and rough patches of my college and NFL career, and in my current role as a Member of Congress. When I was elected to Congress, I knew I had to surround myself with the best staff I could, so Coach Deitz was one of my first hires.

We stand at a crossroads in which all of us must reflect on the qualities that have helped American society thrive and endure. Through National Coach Appreciation Week, our Nation will recognize those such as Coach Deitz who teach values such as teamwork, discipline, and leadership to our Nation's youth. These fundamental life skills are instrumental to ensuring success throughout an individual's educational, family and professional life. I thank the great coaches I've had, and I look forward to National Coach Appreciation Week, a time to honor the coaches who have taught us the life lessons that have made us who we are today, as individuals, as communities, and as a country.

Madam Speaker, for myself and for everyone whose life has been touched by a coach, I rise to thank these most influential and indispensible individuals. I encourage my fellow Members to vote in support of establishing the first ever National Coach Appreciation Week.

Madam Speaker, as the son of a rural postal carrier, I was raised with the United States Postal Service as an integral part of my community, my family, and my life. I grew up understanding the vital role a rural post office can play in terms of jobs, small businesses, and local economies. Today the Postal Service is in jeopardy. With increasing reliance on electronic communication, fewer and fewer citizens are using standard mail to send and receive correspondence.

To counter the reduction in usage and their enormous deficit, the United States Postal Service has been forced to implement difficult cost-cutting measures. Among these measures is the consolidation of numerous post office branches throughout the country. In my postal region alone, the Mid-Carolinas District, 6 of the 80 post offices that service the area have been closed in the past year. The Post Master General estimates that over the next year, approximately 300 post offices nationwide will be forced to shut their doors. This will result in job losses and reduced community access to postal services for individuals and businesses.

I am particularly concerned about the Oteen Post Office in Asheville, which is currently under review for consolidation in my district. There has been tremendous local resistance to the possible closing of the Oteen Post Office, especially because the facility is located directly across the street from the Charles George Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The VA hospital is reliant on the Oteen Post Office to meet the correspondence needs of its patients, as well as the critical administrative needs of the medical center staff. For example, the Oteen facility provides fee-based presorting services to 18 different departments of the VA hospital and early mail pick-up to expedite the delivery of vital medical paperwork. Should the facility close, employees of the VA hospital and citizens in the area would have to drive almost 14 miles roundtrip to access the nearest retail postal facility.

Furthermore, it is important to remember that many elderly and rural citizens, poor people and people without permanent residences rely solely on post office boxes to receive their mail. By closing the Oteen Post Office, as with many post offices around the country, we are complicating access to these post office boxes and putting further strain on our veterans, senior citizens, and those with limited means.

Consolidation of post offices is not the best solution to this crisis. In many instances, it is detrimental. Rather than shutting post office

doors, we should look at other streamlining solutions that are already being successfully implemented. We should explore proven solutions such as adjusting post office hours to reflect customer use, extending early retirement eligibility to USPS employees, and adjusting postal delivery routes to better reflect the diminished volume of mail.

Madam Speaker, we need to keep Oteen and post offices like it open. I strongly encourage my colleagues to consider alternatives to rural post office consolidation and job loss that will help streamline the efforts of the postal service, cut costs, and increase efficiency.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding public servant and dedicated volunteer in Yancey County, North Carolina. Mr. Clyde McIntosh of Burnsville has dedicated his life to service and activism. After graduating from Burnsville High School in 1950, Mr. McIntosh proudly served four years in the United States Navy. Upon completion of his service, he moved back to the mountains of western North Carolina, where he built a successful real estate and development business and operated a dairy farm. During this period, he worked diligently toward the goal of preserving the rural heritage of the area.

Mr. McIntosh assumed public office when he was elected Sheriff of Yancey County in 1986. From 1999 to 2005, he served on the Board of Directors of the Yancey County Department of Social Services, spending a portion of his tenure as Chair. For many years, Mr. McIntosh has been an active community volunteer for the Lions Club and Meals on Wheels.

Mr. McIntosh has worked for years to educate Yancey County youth on the importance of civic engagement and community involvement. He has acted as a mentor for the Young Democrats organization of Yancey County, encouraging young people to be politically active.

I commend his outstanding contributions to the Democratic Party. In April 2001, he was named Mountain Democrat of the Year and also served as Yancey County Democratic Party Chair throughout the years. He has served as Precinct Chair for both Jacks Creek and Burnsville Townships, and he is currently the Burnsville Township Chair.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Clyde McIntosh and recognizing his service to Yancey County, North Carolina.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of an esteemed constituent, Captain George Bryan ``G.B.'' Houghton of Candler, North Carolina. Captain Houghton, a member of the 421st Fighter Squadron, was killed on June 22, 2009 while on a nighttime Air Force training mission in Utah. This young man showed remarkable courage and dedication while serving our country. His family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Jack M. Farmer, a distinguished member of our Western North Carolina community. Mr. Farmer dedicated his life to benefitting his community, and it was with great communal sadness that we mourned Mr. Farmer when he passed away on September 26, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Leming Farmer, his sons, Bruce Alan Farmer and Phillip Marlowe Farmer, and 6 grandchildren.

Mr. Farmer was born on July 8, 1937, in Haywood County, North Carolina. A graduate of the Florida School of Forestry, he went on to serve as the District Ranger of North Carolina District 9 for 37 years. Because of his outstanding service, Mr. Farmer was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2000 by Governor Jim Hunt. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is one of the most prominent awards presented by the Governor of North Carolina, only available to those who have dedicated over 30 years of service to the state.

In addition to his forestry service, Mr. Farmer was actively involved in his community. He was instrumental in the establishment of Pinnacle Park, a 1,100 acre public park filled with frequently-used hiking trails. Mr. Farmer also served on the Jackson County Green Ways Committee, on the Board of Directors of Cullowhee Fire Department, and as the President of the Jackson County Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, Mr. Farmer worked with

Jackson County Housing to construct elderly housing and with the Jackson County Department on Aging to build access ramps for the disabled elderly. He was also an active member of the First Baptist Church of Sylva since 1965, where he often served as a Deacon.

I am proud to have had Mr. Farmer as a constituent. I extend my condolences to his family and offer my most sincere appreciation for his service to North Carolina.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Jack M. Farmer, a distinguished member of our Western North Carolina community. Mr. Farmer dedicated his life to benefitting his community, and it was with great communal sadness that we mourned Mr. Farmer when passed away on September 26, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Leming Farmer, his sons, Bruce Alan Farmer and Phillip Marlowe Farmer, and 6 grandchildren.

Mr. Farmer was born on July 8, 1957 in Haywood County, North Carolina. A graduate of the Florida School of Forestry, he went on to serve as the District Ranger of North Carolina District 9 for 37 years. Because of his outstanding service, Mr. Farmer was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2000 by Governor Jim Hunt. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is one of the most prominent awards presented by the Governor of North Carolina, only available to those who have dedicated over 30 years of service to the state.

In addition to his forestry service, Mr. Farmer was actively involved in his community. He was instrumental in the establishment of Pinnacle Park, an 1,100 acre public park filled with frequently used hiking trails. Mr. Farmer

also served on the Jackson County Green Ways Committee, on the Board of Directors of Cullowhee Fire Department, and as the President of the Jackson County Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, Mr. Farmer worked with Jackson County Housing to construct elderly housing and with the Jackson County Department on Aging to build access ramps for the disabled elderly. He was also an active member of the First Baptist Church of Sylva since 1965, where he often served as a Deacon.

I am proud to have had Mr. Farmer as a constituent. I extend my condolences to his family and offer my most sincere appreciation for his service to North Carolina.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, I want to commend the chairwoman for her extraordinary leadership in the Small Business Committee, along with Ranking Member Graves, their hard work, their dedication and truly working in a bipartisan way. Far too often here in Washington, it's too much partisanship. But within this committee we're seeing the great leadership and the great work of Chairwoman Velazquez.

Also I would like to congratulate the ranking member on the subcommittee, Mr. Luetkemeyer, for his outstanding work and all the members and staff and their hard work and their dedication on this very important legislation that can help us get out of the recession through the work of our small businesses.

Mr. Chairman, as we observe Small Business Week, we have an opportunity to not only celebrate small businesses but to strengthen them.

Entrepreneurs are the beating heart of the American industry. They don't just create jobs, more jobs than big businesses, they unlock more new markets and create more products. Entrepreneurs generate 60 to 80 percent of all new positions and are the most effective drivers of the economic growth.

At a time when big companies are slashing their work force, we need to invest in businesses that are creating jobs, not cutting them. Entrepreneurial development programs or ED, do just that. And the benefits don't stop at small business community.

Every dollar spent on these initiatives drives another $2.87 back into the economy. In 2008 alone, ED programs pumped $7.2 billion into communities across the country. They also laid the groundwork for 73,000 new jobs.

Small businesses have a history of sparking recovery. The Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act will give them the tools they need to succeed. As the name suggests, the Job Creation through Entrepreneurship Act, or H.R. 2352, focuses on the job creators. It will give existing firms the tools necessary to succeed and allow new businesses to get off the ground.

That's important because small firms can pull us out of this recession. After all, they did it in the mid-1990s. At that time small firms created 3.8 million jobs, ushering in an era of prosperity.

Today, national unemployment is on the rise. By 2010, it is expected to reach 9.8 percent. In my home State of North Carolina, it's already 10.8 percent. That is why H.R. 2352 is so important. It incentivizes our job creators so they can put Americans back to work.

Small Business Administration ED programs are critical resources. Small firms that use these services are twice as likely to succeed. This legislation takes important steps in strengthening ED. ED helps entrepreneurs do everything from draft business plans to access capital. It also encourages entrepreneurship within underrepresented groups and underserved communities.

H.R. 2352 includes language to encourage veterans and Native American business ownership. It modernizes SCORE, makes improvements to the Women's Business Centers and establishes distance learning initiatives.

As we celebrate Small Business Week, I can't imagine a better time to invest in entrepreneurs. They are all a very vital and very important part of our economic recovery, not only in this year but in decades to come. Small businesses have sparked recoveries in the past, and with the proper tools, will do it again in the future.

I strongly urge and support H.R. 2352.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Mrs. Dahlkemper).

Mr. Chairman, I would like to inquire how much time is left on both sides

I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Nye).

I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire).

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

Mr. Chairman, again, I would like to commend Mr. Luetkemeyer, the ranking member, for his hard work, for his dedication, and for his true leadership in a bipartisan way on the subcommittee.

At this time, Mr. Chairman, we have no further speakers. I will reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor America's entrepreneurs, those distinguished individuals who support our communities, drive innovation, and keep our nation strong. Small businesses bring fresh ideas to the table, develop the resources to meet the demands of an ever-changing world, and make a meaningful impact on our neighborhoods. Entrepreneurs are responsible for providing 60 to 80 percent of all new jobs, giving them the potential to propel rapid economic growth and expand ever-developing fields. Some of the country's largest companies began as start-ups in small offices, homes and garages exploring these new fields. Limited only by their imagination, these firms performed cutting-edge work in emerging industries that have become the very foundation of our society.

As our nation and the world face the most difficult economic conditions in decades, entrepreneurs have the potential to lead us back to prosperity. The resiliency and adaptability shown by small businesses in past recessions demonstrate their capability to meet the challenges standing in their way and emerge stronger than ever. America's small businesses will drive the economic recovery from this downturn and our economy will emerge stronger than ever. Times may be tough, but America's entrepreneurial spirit is tougher.

To recognize the monumental achievements of our nation's small firms, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has declared May 17-23 as the 46th Annual National Small Business Week. The House Small Business Committee is celebrating all our country's hard-working entrepreneurs by saluting the Heroes of Small Business, those men and women who have shown the strength, leadership, and resourcefulness that keep our economy moving forward.

I ask that you, Madam Speaker, and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in recognizing and thanking Mr. Sutton Bacon for his tremendous accomplishments on behalf of small businesses. Mr. Bacon is President and CEO of Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC), the largest outdoor recreation company in the United States. He is responsible for overall business strategy and operational performance of the employee-owned company, which draws over half a million visitors every year. Located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NOC has been honored by several publications for its exemplary facilities and service excellence.

Mr. Bacon is an active conservationist, serving on the boards of multiple outdoor recreation and natural preservation organizations. He is an advocate of increased youth involvement with nature, and established the NOC Foundation to provide better access to outdoor experiences, equipment, and education for youth and underserved communities. A classically trained musician, Mr. Bacon has performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and has performed on GRAMMY Award-winning commercial records.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Bacon has exemplified the remarkable accomplishments of which America's entrepreneurs are capable. This week, he will testify before the House Small Business Committee to share his story. I ask that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join with me in honoring him for the extraordinary work he has done for the small business economy. His efforts demonstrate that if given access to the right resources, America's small businesses can be the catalysts that lift our economy from the current downturn and put us on the road to recovery.

Madam Speaker, I had the privilege of co-chairing the 57th Annual National Prayer Breakfast with my colleague, Congressman Vern Ehlers of Michigan, on February 5, 2009. This annual gathering is held here in our Nation's Capital and is hosted by Members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives weekly prayer breakfast groups. Every president since Dwight Eisenhower has spoken at the National Prayer Breakfast. This year, we were honored to have the participation of our President and the First Lady. President Obama continued the longstanding tradition of addressing the Breakfast. We were encouraged and inspired by his words as well as the remarks shared by the Right Honorable Tony Blair.

This year we hosted a gathering of over 4,000 individuals from all 50 States and from 182 countries around the world. So that all may benefit from the prayerful message relayed at the National Prayer Breakfast, I would like to request that a copy of the transcript of the 2009 proceedings be printed in the Congressional Record at this time.

57th National Prayer Breakfast--Thursday, February 5, 2009, Hilton

Washington Hotel, Washington, DC

Co-Chairs: U.S. Representative Vern Ehlers and U.S. Representative

Heath Shuler

Congressman Vernon Ehlers: Good morning. Welcome to the

National Prayer Breakfast.

Congressman Heath Shuler: I am honored to introduce a great

leader from North Carolina. Michell Hicks is the Principal

Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokees. He was elected to the

position in 2003 and re-elected in 2007. He and his wife

Marsha have five children. Chief Hicks is joined by Amanda

Wolfe, who has won the honor of being Miss Cherokee. They

will now offer our pre-breakfast prayer, the Lord's Prayer in

English and Cherokee. Chief Hicks.

Chief Michell Hicks: It is an honor to be here this

morning. I want to thank the Congressmen for the invitation

and, most importantly, to thank the Lord for blessing each

one of us today.

Miss Cherokee: ``Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed

be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as

it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And

forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us

not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is

the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.

Amen.''

Chief Hicks: (translates the Lord's Prayer in Cherokee)

Congressman Shuler: I would like to introduce our special

guests that we have here this morning. Most of the folks at

the head table will be introduced in their place in the

program, but we would like to introduce the others as well--

Mrs. Anita Skelton, daughter-in-law of the Congressman;

Joanna Ehlers, the spouse of my co-chair; my wife, Nicole;

and the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.

Congressman Ehlers: I have the pleasure of introducing

several heads of state and heads of government who have

traveled to Washington to participate in this important

event. I would ask you to join me in welcoming:

President Rene Garcia Preval of Haiti

President Gloria Arroyo of the Philippines

Prime Minister Sali Berisha of Albania

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski of Macedonia

Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam of Mauritius

We cannot recognize all of the foreign dignitaries without

recognizing our own Vice President Biden.

It is a pleasure to have all of you here. In addition to

those I have introduced, we also have former heads of

government, vice presidents, and first ladies from the

nations of Bulgaria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the

Dominican Republic, the Fiji Islands, Indonesia, Kenya,

Mozambique, Pakistan, Senegal, and Tanzania. You all are most

welcome. We are honored by your presence. Thank you all for

being here.

Let me just say a bit about our weekly prayer breakfast--

just so you know where we are coming from. Every Thursday

morning from eight to nine o'clock, a group of us get

together for prayer and singing. As we are singing hymns,

echoing through the corridors of the Capitol, and then

engaging in prayer, it always strikes me: ``This is

wonderful, right here in the capital of the United States, we

are having this wonderful ceremony together, this event where

we are recognizing God's place in our lives.'' Every week

when we kick it off, the first words are ``welcome to the

best hour of the week.'' That is the way we feel about it. We

are glad to welcome you to the best hour of the year, right

here in this room.

Congressman Shuler: On Thursday mornings, it is very

special that we have members of Congress, both Democrats and

Republicans, who check their political parties at the door

when they attend our breakfast. We are there to be united, to

fellowship, to worship, to sing and to praise together. Many

times we laugh together, we hear funny stories, and we cry

together about the times that we miss our families and when

we struggle. It is our members of Congress reaching out to

one another and in prayer. We cherish those moments together.

Each week we actually sing a hymn. The singing is not very

good, I might add. It is very special that we have every

state as well as 182 nations represented here today. We get

to hear some wonderful singing and wonderful worship on this

great day. I would like to introduce to you professional

musicians to take the members of Congress's place. I think

God really appreciates that. Our musical guests this morning

are Casting Crowns, led by Mark Hall.

Casting Crowns: [sing] ``Oh, what I would do to have the

kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat; I'm in onto

the crashing waves. Just step out of my comfort zone to the

realm of being known where Jesus is and is holding out his

hand, but the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at

me, reminding me of all the times I've tried before and

failed. The waves, they keep on telling me time and time

again boy you'll never win, you'll never win but the voice of

truth, it tells me a different story. The voice of truth says

do not be afraid, and the voice of truth said this is for my

glory out of all the voices calling out to me I would choose

to listen and believe the voice of truth.

And oh what I would do to have the kind of strength it

takes to stand before a giant with just a sling and a stone.

Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors shaking in

their armor, wishing they'd of had the strength to stand, but

the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me,

reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed,

the giant keeps on telling me time and time

again boy, you'll never win (never win), you'll never win but

the voice of truth tells me a different story, the voice of

truth says ``do not be afraid'' and the voice of truth says

``this is for my glory.'' Out of all the voices calling out

to me I would choose to listen and believe the voice of

truth. The stone was just the right size to put the giant on

the ground and the waves, they don't seem so high on top of

them looking down and I soar with the wings of eagles if I'd

stop and listen to the sound of Jesus singing over me and the

voice of truth tells me a different story, the voice of truth

says ``do not be afraid,'' and the voice of truth said ``this

is for my glory,'' out of all the voices calling out to me I

would choose to listen and believe, I would choose to listen

and believe, voice of truth, and I, I will listen and believe

because Jesus you are the voice of truth.''

Congressman Ehlers: Any Thursday morning that you are free,

you are welcome to come to our weekly prayer breakfast. It is

now my pleasure to introduce Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson of

Missouri to present a reading from the Holy Scriptures.

Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson: Many of you all know that in

Genesis 33 we find the reunion of Jacob and Esau. As a young

man, Jacob had swindled the inheritance away from his twin

brother Esau by tricking their blind father Isaac. After that

treachery, Jacob flees for fear of Esau's reprisal. Jacob

toils away in a faraway land and builds up for himself great

wealth. However, God leads Jacob back to the land of his

birth to fulfill the covenant God had with Abraham. Jacob is

so afraid of Esau that he divides his people so that some may

survive the coming battle. I will read to you now from

Genesis chapter 33, verses 1-12:

And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked and behold Esau was

coming and four hundred men with him, so he divided the

children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants,

and he put the servants with their children in front, then

Leah with her children and Rachel and Joseph last of all. He

himself went on before them bowing himself to the ground

seven times until he came nearer to his brother. But Esau ran

to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed

him and they wept. And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw

the women and children, he said ``who are these with you?''

Jacob said ``the children whom God has graciously given your

servant.'' Then the servants drew near, they and their

children, and bowed down. Leah likewise and her children drew

near and bowed down, and last, Joseph and Rachel drew near

and they bowed down. Esau said ``what do you mean by all this

company that I met?'' Jacob answered, ``to find favor in the

sight of my Lord.'' But Esau said, ``I have enough my

brother, keep what you have for yourself.'' Jacob said, ``No,

please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my

present from my hand, for I have seen your face which is like

seeing the face of God and you have accepted me. Please

accept my blessing that is brought to you because God has

dealt graciously with me and because I have enough.'' Thus he

urged him and he took it, then Esau said ``let us journey on

our way and I will go ahead of you.''

Congressman Ehlers: To present a prayer for national

leaders I call to the platform one of the pillars of our

House breakfast for many years, Congressman Ike Skelton.

Congressman Ike Skelton: Whenever we pray, we should keep

in mind the words of the British Poet Alfred Lord Tennyson

who wrote: ``more things are wrought by prayer than this

world dreams of.'' May we pray?

God Almighty and the Father of us all--as is stated in the

Constitution of this great country: ``we have common purpose

as the people of the United States, that we are to form a

more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic

tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the

general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty for

ourselves and our posterity.'' Throughout our history, Lord,

you have granted us leaders in national government, in

industry, commerce, science, education and religion to serve

this common purpose--for this we thank you. In our own day,

we pray for our President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle,

Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill. We also pray for

the members of the Congress, our leaders, Speaker Nancy

Pelosi and the other leaders in the Congress, the Supreme

Court, our cabinet members, our military leaders, and all

government leaders in the states and the local communities.

Help them to fulfill their sacred pledge and perform their

duties with wisdom and compassion. May they seek your

guidance by prayer, the support of the citizenry by listening

to genuine needs, and witness to your strong arm behind

everything. May leaders in business and economics be blessed

with personal integrity and professional collaboration. Lord,

bless our nation's leaders in religion and education so that

they provide a powerful vision for your people. Instill in

them common hopes and greater understanding of themselves and

others--together, creating imaginations will establish a

common ground to plant seeds for the future. In our families,

Lord, raise up new leadership for our nation, may parents

prove to be good role models by their faithfulness, self

discipline, and basic moral standards. Help them to encourage

young people to have great expectations and to accomplish

great deeds. Especially, we pray today for those families who

are involved in military service. Protect them, sustain them

until they return safely and together with them we live in

peace. In you, oh Lord, we find the power to live our

constitutional convictions and in you we place our trust,

calling upon your Holy Name, now and forever. Amen.

Senator Johnny Isakson: Good morning. I am Johnny Isakson

from Georgia, and I am honored to Co-Chair the Senate prayer

breakfast.

Senator Amy Klobuchar: I am Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota,

the other Co-Chair. On behalf of the United States Senate, we

would like to welcome you today.

When Johnny and I took over the Senate prayer breakfast

this year, we inherited some changes. There was a new Senate

food service manager and she tripled the price of the

breakfast. More importantly, they took the grits off the menu

which did not sit well with Johnny or any of the other

Southerners. Picture this, here I am, the first woman to do

this, a Northern Senator, and the grits disappear from the

menu and the price triples. This is a true crisis in

leadership. So we asked for some divine intervention. After

some tough negotiations, the price came down and, as if by

a miracle, the grits returned to the menu.

Senator Isakson: Mr. President, if a Minnesota Yankee can

save grits for a Southern Republican, there is hope for

bipartisanship.

We gather together every Wednesday, not as Republicans or

as Democratic members of the Senate, but as Americans with a

deep and abiding faith in God and the hope for the future of

our country, and the hope for the future of our world. As we

do so, we gather not seeking what we do not have in common,

but relishing that which we do have in common--a deep and

abiding faith in Our Lord, and a great appreciation for our

great country, the United States of America.

Senator Klobuchar: Our Senate prayer breakfast is truly a

special occasion. It is a chance for us to share and to build

friendships which might not otherwise be possible. This is

especially important for all of us. The daily pressures of

our work can way too often limit our horizons and narrow our

circle of friends. These same pressures also make it all too

easy for us to lose our way. Through prayer we can find our

moral compass that will guide us back and lead us forward.

And through prayer we are also humbled--that is important

since modesty too often appears to be one of the first

casualties of a life in Washington. As a new Senator, I found

the prayer breakfast to be a respite from the day to day

quarrels and strategic maneuvering of Washington. I have

actually gotten to like grits and meet some new friends like

Johnny.

Senator Isakson: Our Founding Fathers created this nation

as one nation under God and we know that we are also one

world under God. As we gather and pray together, we pray for

the strength of our country, knowing that just as the

breakfast we have enjoyed sustains our bodies, the faith we

share in common with our God sustains our soul.

Congressman Shuler: As was mentioned earlier, the House and

the Senate alternates chairing the National Prayer Breakfast,

with his year's Prayer Breakfast being run by the House. We

call on all of our colleagues and ask them to participate for

various roles in the program. When we first put the program

together, our next presenter was a member of the U.S. House.

Since then, she has gotten herself into a new job in the

Senate--but we still claim her as one of us. To present a

reading from the Holy Scripture, I am happy to introduce my

friend and the new Senator from New York, Kirsten Gillibrand.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: It is an honor to be among so

many faithful. I would like to offer a reading from Matthew,

chapter 5, verses 14-16.

``You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot

be hidden, neither do people light a lamp and put it under a

bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to

everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine

before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your

Father in Heaven.'' Heath asked me to reflect on what this

scripture meant to me. I thought about this passage and the

parable of the talents. I believe that as God has blessed me

with certain skills and talents, as New York's newest

Senator, I offer them up for public service, with much

gratitude and humility in my heart. May each deed from my

hands and each word from my lips reflect God's light and his

love for the world.

Congressman Shuler: It is now my pleasure to introduce

Congressman Todd Akin of Missouri, who will present a prayer

for world leaders.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Otis Herman Glenn, Jr., a Vietnam Veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart.

As a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, Sgt. Glenn fought valiantly in the battles of Khe Sanh and Con Thien in Southern Vietnam.

For his truly heroic and fearless service in Vietnam, Sgt. Glenn was awarded the Presidential Citation for Bravery. After being wounded in combat in 1968, Sgt. Glenn was awarded the Purple Heart. When his tour in Vietnam ended, Sgt. Glenn returned to North Carolina and married Mrs. Judith Glenn.

While Sgt. Glenn left the jungles and rice patties of Vietnam in 1968, the damage done to his lungs when in combat proved fatal in 2007. After 27 years of marriage, Mrs. Glenn watched as the effects of Vietnam slowly ended her husband's life. Mrs. Glenn made a pledge to properly honor her husband's passing.

In April of 2009, Mrs. Glenn was accompanied by family and friends as Sgt. Glenn's name was read in front of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall. Because his death was not classified as killed in action, Sgt. Glenn's name is not eligible to be engraved in the Wall. However, his name will be added to the Vietnam War Honor Roll Book to serve as a lasting reminder of his service and sacrifice.

I would like to recognize Judith Glenn for her tireless efforts to memorialize her husband, and I ask my colleagues to join me in fulfilling Judith's promise to pay tribute to her beloved husband.

It is with great respect that I commend the service of this brave Marine who joined hands with countless other patriots to fight for our great nation. I hope that today's generation of young men and women will follow the shining example of patriotism and dedication to freedom modeled by Sergeant Otis Glenn and the other heroes of the Vietnam War.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Cliff Dodson on his impending retirement.

For the past nine years, Mr. Dodson has served our community as the Superintendent of Buncombe County Schools. As Superintendent, Mr. Dodson has demonstrated his dedication to quality education and has ardently worked to improve educational opportunities for all children. Through his dedication and commitment to education, Mr. Dodson has helped shape the future of Western North Carolina.

He began his service to education thirty-eight years ago as a science and physical education teacher. He has continued to work tirelessly on behalf of children in various roles as an educator, as an Assistant Principal, as a Principal, and for the past twenty-three years as a public school Superintendent.

Mr. Dodson proven himself an accomplished public servant by successfully overseeing the educational direction of over 25,000 students and effectively administering a budget of almost a quarter of a million dollars. Due to his outstanding efforts he has been recognized by the North Carolina Association of Educators as Superintendent of the Year.

I deeply appreciate that under his direction during these difficult economic times, Buncombe County has ensured that 12,000 students can receive free or reduced-price hot cafeteria meals. He has certainly set an admirable example for future public servants who follow in his path.

Mr. Dodson has also served on the Board of Directors for numerous education-based organizations including the United Way, Children First, and the North Carolina School Administrators Association. In addition to his service in the field of education, as an honored veteran, Mr. Dodson earned the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for his service as a United States Marine.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Mr. Cliff Dodson today and I want to thank him for his invaluable contributions to the Western North Carolina educational community and to wish him well in his retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the invaluable contributions of a group of altruistic college students from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC. INSULATE! is an ongoing project at Warren Wilson College through which students assist low income home- owners in reducing their utility bills and their carbon footprints by means of weatherization.

As part of the INSULATE! program, students weatherized 5 homes in five days during their Spring Break this year. The students were able to help one 84-year-old retiree who was spending over a third of her income on utilities alone. After the students' intervention, her utility costs have decreased over 20 percent.

Their efforts will be filmed later this year in an attempt to educate and empower those with similar ambitions on how to help reduce their carbon footprint.

The benefits of increased energy efficiency at a national level are immense. As the United States moves towards energy independence and a large-scale reduction of greenhouse gases, efficiency must play a major role. The ultimate goal of the INSULATE! program is ambitious, they seek to improve the lives of those less fortunate on an individualized basis. The potential on a national level is staggering--in Western North Carolina alone there are 44,000 eligible households. For each of these households helped by INSULATE! roughly two tons of carbon dioxide are prevented from escaping into the atmosphere each year.

On behalf of myself, and my constituents, I would like to thank the INSULATE! program for their contribution to meeting America's energy goals and for their assistance to those less fortunate in our community.