Howard Coble

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California, and I will be very brief. I thank the ranking member, Mr. Rahall, and the chairman of the subcommittee for your generous words. I am not sure that I am deserving, but I am appreciative. I appreciate the diligence which the Coast Guard men and women display daily in the discharge of their duties.

There is an old adage that is as old as the Coast Guard, and that is when distress calls are received, the Coast Guard must go out. It says nothing about them coming back. Most of them do come back, but on occasion, they don't. We should always remember that very clearly.

Again, I thank you for this honor.

Will the gentleman yield?

I will be very brief.

In thanking Mr. Rahall and Mr. Hunter, I failed to thank the chairman. That is a mistake you should never commit. So I thank you as well, Mr. Shuster. Thanks to all of you.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, the recent rumors circulating around Capitol Hill suggest that President Obama may seek advice and counsel from Al Sharpton regarding the identity of our next Attorney General. I hope this is only a rumor.

Al Sharpton seeks out matters that involve conflict, turmoil, and violence. I do not recall Al Sharpton appearing at an event where racial harmony was promoted and encouraged. Permit me to compare Al Sharpton with Loretta Lynch, President Obama's recent nominee to become our next Attorney General.

Mr. Speaker, I was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, and decades later, Loretta Lynch was born in Greensboro. I am about to insert oars into unknown waters to me, that is, Senatorial waters involving judicial nominees. What I know about Loretta Lynch, Mr. Speaker, is limited, but what I do know about her is favorable, and she has been twice confirmed by the United States Senate.

Some have compared Al Sharpton with Dr. Martin Luther King, not a good comparison.

Dr. King was a unifier, a promoter of racial harmony. The good news is Al Sharpton does not measure up to Dr. Martin Luther King. More good news: Loretta Lynch is no Al Sharpton.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentlewoman from North Carolina, the Honorable Alma S. Adams, be permitted to take the oath of office today.

Her certificate of election has not arrived, but there is no contest and no question has been raised with regard to her election.