Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, yesterday my flight was cancelled due to weather and I missed the three suspension votes.

On rollcall No. 292--H. Res. 421--Recognizing and commending the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on its 75th year anniversary, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 293--H.J. Res. 40--Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009, I would have voted ``aye.''

On rollcall No. 294--H. Res. 489--Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the brutal suppression of protesters and citizens in and around Tiananmen Square, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I take this occasion to honor Rear Admiral Joel Whitehead of the United States Coast Guard for his service to the United States Congress and for his 38 years of service to our country.

Admiral Whitehead presently serves as the Commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District in New Orleans where he is responsible for Coast Guard operations in 26 states, over 1,200 miles of Gulf of Mexico coastline and 10,300 miles of inland waterways including the entire lengths of the Mississippi, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, and Tennessee River systems. As commander of the largest Coast Guard District, Admiral Whitehead leads over 9,000 active duty, reservists, civilian members and Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers. From 2003 to 2005, then Captain Whitehead served as Chief of Congressional Affairs and as Acting Assistant Commandant for Governmental and Public Affairs. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work closely with him during this time. My staff and I have often relied on Admiral Whitehead's knowledge and understanding of the missions, challenges and responsibilities of the United States Coast Guard to help me in my leadership roles on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee and in numerous other venues where his great depth of experience was invaluable.

Admiral Whitehead comes from a distinguished military family that has served this nation since before the American Revolution. His oldest known ancestor, Isaac Whitehead, served in the militia of the New Haven Colony in Connecticut as early as 1643. The Whitehead family moved westward in 1666 to become founders of the Elizabethtown, New Jersey Colony and again to Morristown, New Jersey where Onesimus Whitehead was a member of the New Jersey militia when George Washington encamped in Morristown the winter of 1779-80 and endured a winter as severe as that at Valley Forge where thousands died. His family having been awarded land for their service in the Revolutionary War, Isaac Whitehead IV moved to the Finger Lakes of New York about 1700 where the Whitehead family remained until they again traveled westward in 1826 after the opening of the Erie Canal. The Whitehead family remained in Ohio until the outbreak of World War II when Admiral Whitehead's father James entered the Army and served over 20 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. In 1968 Admiral Whitehead's brother Scott also answered the call to serve his Nation, joining the United States Marine Corps while in college and recently retiring as a Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Admiral Whitehead has served at sea and ashore in a variety of operational and policy tours during his career. A native of Newport News, Virginia, he graduated from Walsingham Academy in Williamsburg, Virginia. He began his military career at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut in 1971, where he was

elected Class President and served as a Regimental Commander in the year of his graduation in 1975. Ensign Whitehead first trained new Cadets of the Class of 1979 as a Summer Ensign at the Coast Guard Academy. He then went to Governor's Island, New York, to serving two years aboard the cutter MORGENTHAU as Anti-Submarine Officer, Weapons Officer and Deck Watch Officer. He later served as Executive Officer of Marine Safety Office, Albany, New York. There, for the first, but not last time in his career, he led the Coast Guard's response to an environmental crisis when he was second in command during the first ``Superfund'' cleanup in the nation's history.

After earning a Master's Degree in Public Administration at the State University of New York at Albany, Lieutenant Commander Whitehead and his family accepted their first tour in Washington, D.C., where they spent some 12 years during his career. There, he helped negotiate the worldwide implementation of international MARPOL Treaty at the International Maritime Organization in London and subsequently wrote the U.S. federal regulations to enforce them in the United States. When the EXXON VALDEZ disaster occurred in 1989, Lieutenant Commander Whitehead was assigned for two weeks to assist the Admiral in charge of the cleanup. He ultimately stayed for almost a year as an adviser to the Federal On-Scene Coordinator and later wrote the federal report detailing the government's response and recommendations that came from the lessons learned from this historic event. Following the EXXON VALDEZ response in Alaska, Lieutenant Commander Whitehead returned to Washington, D.C., to assist in implementing the newly passed Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and later served as a Program Reviewer for the Coast Guard's budget where he was responsible for program oversight and development for almost one-third of the Coast Guard's operating budget. He also led the Coast Guard's efforts with the new presidential administration's transition team in 1992.

Again in the field from 1993 to 1996, Commander Whitehead was assigned as Deputy Group Commander of Group Woods Hole, Massachusetts, where his group responded to more than 4,000 law enforcement boardings and 5,400 search and rescue cases resulting in over 450 lives saved. In 1996, Commander Whitehead was selected to study for a year with 17 select military officers as a National Security Fellow at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. From that elite educational experience he again found himself in Washington working for the Commandant of the Coast Guard as the Chief of Strategic Planning for the U.S. Coast Guard. There his team developed the Coast Guard's strategic vision, Coast Guard 2020 and pioneered a scenario-based planning process to develop long-range strategies to plot the Coast Guard's future.

It was not long afterward that Captain Whitehead was in command in Boston as Commanding Officer of Marine Safety Office Boston. There he managed the explosive growth of Liquefied Natural Gas transits through the port, Sail Boston 2000 and led the federal response to the largest oil spill in Boston's history: the 2000 Tank Vessel POSAVINA spill, which put over 59,000 gallons of fuel oil in the harbor. Under his leadership the Coast Guard collected an unprecedented 89% of the oil from that near-pristine waterway that had just undergone a $4 billion, 10-year water quality improvement project.

In 2001, Captain Whitehead was transferred early to begin his close association with the Gulf of Mexico when he was selected as Chief of Staff of the Eighth Coast Guard District. There he managed the day-to- day operations of a 200 person staff and 9,000 Coast Guard men and women located at sub-units throughout the heartland of America and the Gulf of Mexico. He was there only a few months when the attacks of 9/11 occurred and, as acting District Commander, he personally led the federal maritime homeland security response on the inland waterways, Gulf of Mexico ports and offshore oil and gas fields. Recalling over 800 Reservists to protect the Nation's busiest ports and the energy gateway to America, he reorganized the District staff to include the first Homeland Security staff element in the Coast Guard.

Returning to Washington in 2003, Captain Whitehead assumed the reigns of the Coast Guard's relations with Capitol Hill as the Chief of Congressional Affairs. There he managed some 25 young Coast Guard men and women at DOT Headquarters, in the House of Representatives and the Senate, and organized over 100 Congressional and staff delegation visits to the field. It was there I met Captain Whitehead as he worked the many policy and budget issues including the growing Deepwater acquisition project, homeland security and port security issues.

While Chief of Congressional Affairs, he was promoted to Rear Admiral in 2004 and officially became the Assistant Commandant for Governmental and Public Affairs. As the heartrending events of Hurricanes KATRINA and RITA unfolded in 2005, Admiral Whitehead ably represented the Coast Guard in Washington as a national spokesman alongside the Secretary of Homeland Security and provided numerous briefings to Members of Congress and Congressional committee staffs. In addition, he orchestrated an extraordinary and expansive media effort documenting the Coast Guard's historic response to that natural tragedy.

In 2006, Admiral Whitehead volunteered to return to New Orleans, this time to lead the Eighth Coast Guard District. Faced with the rebuilding of many Coast Guard facilities destroyed or damaged during the hurricanes, he prepared the staff for more hurricanes and tropical storms, as well as the ubiquitous flooding from the inland river system. During his tenure, the Coast Guard responded flawlessly to over 8,100 search and rescue cases. Then in 2008, during the fifth most active weather year since 1944, Admiral Whitehead led his Eighth District team through Tropical Storms EDOUARD, FAY and HANNAH, as well as Hurricanes DOLLY, GUSTAV and IKE in which 220 people were saved. In the largest oil spill in many years in New Orleans when the motor vessel TINTOMARA and the tug MEL OLIVER collided on the Mississippi river, Sector New Orleans and the Eighth District responded immediately and effectively, partially opening the port to traffic within days and fully opening it within two weeks to prevent a multi-billion dollar economic loss. The Midwest floods of Iowa and Missouri in 2008 also set records, only to be surpassed in 2009 by the flooding of the Red River of the North in which the Coast Guard rescued by helicopter and small boats over 105 people.

Admiral Whitehead has earned numerous military decorations during his years of active duty, including the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Coast Guard Commendation medal, the 9/11 medal, as well as numerous unit commendations and team awards. He has also received a number of other honors, including being named the Distinguished Alumnus in Public Administration & Policy for 2007 at the State University of New York at Albany. He is also an Honorary Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, a recognition which the Admiral is most proud of. Over the years, Admiral Whitehead has also been able to serve his alma maters as a Director of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association and from 1999-2003 as a member and Chairman of the Alumni Executive Council at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, which represents more than 20,000 alumni in 120 nations.

This week, Admiral Whitehead will leave his post in New Orleans and retire after 38 years of honorable service to the Coast Guard and the Nation. He will be missed as a military congressional affairs alumnus in the United States House of Representatives and Senate. It has been my pleasure to work with Admiral Whitehead over the years. On behalf of all who have also been able to work with him, we wish Admiral Whitehead, his wife Martha, whom I have had the pleasure of knowing for many years, and his two wonderful daughters Christine, a medical student at the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia and Katherine, a fine art photography major who will graduate this year from the Corcoran College of Art and Design here in Washington, the best in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently approved Taiwan's request to participate in the 62nd annual World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva later this month. Taiwan is a longtime ally of the United States, and we applaud the WHO's decision to include Taiwan in the WHA.

While the threat of a pandemic outbreak pales the countless other world health concerns, preparing, planning and responding to an outbreak requires the participation of every country. Asia is an area of great concern because of its large concentration of people, history of viral outbreaks and the inexplicable refusal of some countries not to comply with pleas for cooperation by international health experts. This refusal is a threat to the world's safety and cannot be ignored.

For its part, Taiwan has done an excellent job assisting and preparing for a future health emergency. Its medical system has been described as ``robust, solidly established and well resourced'' and it participates in disease prevention efforts in other countries throughout the world. Now that Taiwan has a role at the WHA, it can partner with world health leaders to generate support from some of the recalcitrant countries that have ignored the WHA in the past.

Taiwan's ascension into the WHA is well deserved and should be recognized by the United States. Having a cohesive and efficient international health monitoring and response system is in everyone's interest. Ultimately, the American people, who are deeply invested in the international health community, will benefit from Taiwan's success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay final tribute to one of North Carolina's native sons and a veteran of the United States Coast Guard. A beloved son, husband and father, Commander Keith Alan Willis, U.S. Coast Guard, passed suddenly while serving as Commanding Officer in Coast Guard Cutter TAHOMA (WMEC 908) since May 2007. He most recently served as the Coast Guard Liaison as Commander, U.S. Second Fleet after having served as Assistant Coast Guard Liaison at U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Joint Forces Command from August 2004 through August 2006. Commander Willis was a 1989 graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy, with a Bachelor of Science in Government. In 2000, he completed a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Troy State University, and in 2004, he completed a Master's Degree in National Security Policy from the U.S. Naval War College.

Commander Willis' prior assignments included enlisted service from 1983 to 1985, during which time he was stationed on USCGC DAUNTLESS and at the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) program in San Diego, California. After BOOST, Commander Willis reported to the Coast Guard Academy. Following graduation in 1989, he reported to USCGC HARRIET LANE in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he served as a Deck Watch Officer, Combat Information Center Officer, Weapons Officer, and Assistant Navigator.

Upon departure from USCGC HARRIET LANE in 1992, Commander Willis reported to Law Enforcement Detachment 8-G in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he served as Officer in Charge, and made deployments on a variety of U.S. Navy ships, and a deployment to the Middle East to assist in enforcement of the U.N. Sanctions against Iraq. Commander Willis reported to USCGC BEAR in Portsmouth, Virginia, as the Operations Officer from 1994 to 1997. In August 1997, he reported to the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area command staff, where he served until July 2001 as a member of the International Operations branch. In that capacity, Commander Willis helped direct and execute the Tradewinds series of exercises in the Caribbean, which included participation by fourteen Caribbean nations.

Commander Willis then reported to USCGC DAUNTLESS in Galveston, Texas, as Executive Officer in August 2001, after which CDR Willis reported to the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, graduating in May 2004. Following graduation, Commander Willis then reported as Assistant Coast Guard Liaison to Fleet Forces Command and Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia, and served in that billet until assignment in August 2006 to the newly established position of Coast Guard Liaison to Commander Second Fleet.

Commander Keith Willis, born in Frisco, North Carolina, is remembered for his Christian faith, devotion to his family and dedicated service to the United States Coast Guard. May God rest his soul and provide comfort to his family.

Madam Speaker, Michelle Obama is enjoying immense popularity throughout America. She has been described as a ``breath of fresh air'' and the ``First Lady we have been waiting for.''

A Democrat constituent spoke to me several days ago expressing approval of the First Lady's high marks, but she furthermore expressed concern that we do not forget Mrs. Obama's immediate predecessor, Mrs. Laura Bush. I am in agreement with my constituent in that I am pleased for Mrs. Obama, but I don't want her high marks to diminish the high marks Laura Bush recorded.

Madam Speaker, there is no blueprint for successfully filling the office of First Lady. Members of Congress have elections and constituents to provide constructive criticism along the way. The First Lady has no such benefit, and as a result, she must master the art of on-the-job training with the world's microscope on her every move.

Mrs. Laura Bush perfected this art as well as any other First Lady in our history. Not only is her list of accomplishments long and meaningful, but they were achieved with little fanfare during a tumultuous period in our history.

She is responsible, Madam Speaker, for spearheading the effort to bring the National Book Festival to the National Mall. She led the charge to bolster Teach for America, which helped increase the number of teachers being produced by this program every year. All of these teachers will teach in impoverished urban and rural schools. She helped stave an impending crisis in our libraries, which were facing a 40 percent rate of attrition. Furthermore, much of her time overseas was spent sharing information on HIV/AIDS and malaria awareness and the needs of women.

Madam Speaker, Mrs. Bush has sought no praise or public attention. This is exactly why her accomplishments should be recognized--and perhaps even memorialized to some extent so that future First Ladies can learn from her legacy.

When Mrs. Bush was asked whether she would assume a role by a previous First Lady, she replied that she would define her role as First Lady for herself.

Mrs. Bush's demeanor portrays her as quiet and unassuming. Oftentimes, Madam Speaker, people--male and female--who maintain quiet, unassuming roles are not seriously embraced. Oftentimes, they are cut adrift or cast aside; not true with Laura Bush.

We wish Mrs. Obama well as she commences her role as our First Lady, while at the same time I want us to favorably recall the 8 years Laura Bush served as our First Lady.

Mr. Speaker, eight people died 1 month ago when a gunman opened fire at the Pine Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center in Carthage, North Carolina. On that dreadful day, the staff and residents at Pine Lake Center responded very effectively and professionally. Equally professional and effective were the law enforcement community and the citizens of Carthage and Moore County.

This cruel and unforgivable act imposed upon Pine Lake that day did not succeed in defeating the spirit of the

Pine Lake facility, Carthage and Moore County.

Mr. Speaker, we extend our condolences to the survivors of the eight whose lives were so brutally taken on that ill-fated day.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Brigadier General (BG) Gill P. Beck, who has been selected by Appalachian State University's (ASU) Alumni Association to be the sole recipient of its 2009 Distinguished Alumnus Award in a ceremony to be held this Saturday, April 25, 2009, at the Broyhill Inn in Boone, North Carolina.

General Beck was selected for this honor due to his remarkable record of leadership and service to the public in both his professional and military careers, and for his many contributions to civic and charitable causes in his community.

A third-generation Mountaineer and third-generation North Carolina attorney, Gill Beck attended Appalachian State from 1974 to 1978 on a football and academic scholarship. Describing himself as ``the slowest quarterback in the state'' in high school, he showed his ``coachability'' by switching positions and playing center in college. Three years later, he was named team captain and distinguished himself as the team's best blocker. A three time All-Southern Conference first- team selection, he was selected as ASU's athlete of the year during his senior year.

While at ASU, he distinguished himself academically as well, making the Chancellor's List all eight semesters, twice being named an Academic All-American, graduating second in his class with a 3.98 grade-point average and earning an Army ROTC scholarship to study law at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. After graduating with High Honors from law school, he entered the Army JAG Corps, where he spent the next six years on active duty and represented the Army in a wide variety of litigation matters.

A resident of Greensboro, Beck has served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of North Carolina since 1992. He currently serves as the Chief of the Civil Division, United States Attorney's Office, where he is responsible for directing all civil litigation against or for the United States within the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, as well as prosecuting criminal forfeitures that involve drug or money laundering offenses. As a federal prosecutor, he has spearheaded a number of high- profile civil actions, including several that involve the fight against fraud and whose resolution protected the rights and interests of taxpayers. In 1997, the U.S. Department of Justice presented Gill Beck with its highest award, the Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award, for his initiative and success in one such action that recovered more than $180 million for taxpayers.

Since completing his initial active duty tour in the Army, Gill Beck has continued his military service as an Officer and Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve. In a promotion ceremony at Fort Myer, Virginia, in December 2008 that was presided over by the Judge Advocate General of the Army, Lieutenant General Scott C. Black, Beck ``pinned on'' the rank of Brigadier General after being nominated by President Bush and being confirmed by the United States Senate. In an investiture ceremony that day, BG Beck was also installed as the Chief Judge, U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals (IMA), U.S. Army Legal Services Agency (USALSA).

BG Beck's previous military assignments include Commander, 12th Legal Support Organization, Staff Judge Advocate Task Force 134 (Operation Iraqi Freedom), Staff Judge Advocate, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, and Brigade Judge Advocate, 108th Division (Institutional Training), and a total of thirteen years on active duty with tours in the 1st Infantry Division, 3d Armored Division, 82nd Airborne Division, and Litigation Division (USALSA).

Madam Speaker, during his 2005 tour of duty in Iraq, then-Colonel Beck and his family provided an illustration of just how important the initiative and contributions of individual members of our armed forces and their military spouses ``back home'' are to the success of our military operations and humanitarian endeavors abroad. What began as a simple personal request to his wife, Mary Jo, to send toys, trinkets and candy to present to the Iraqi children turned quickly into a community-wide effort. ``Operation Toy Drive,'' which was coordinated by Mary Jo and her friend, Hillary Bouknight, resulted in the collection of tens of thousands of items that were transported by a U.S. based charity, Operation Give, and shipped by FedEx (without charge I might add) to the U.S. military for distribution by our U.S. service men and women to the children of Iraq. Indeed, not only did Mary Jo orchestrate the effort but the entire Beck family, including his sons, Gill Jr. and Jon, got into the act. In addition to collecting toys from others, Jon even donated a bear he had received for his birthday.

Before concluding my remarks, I'd also like to make mention of BG Beck's outstanding commitment to his profession and voluntary service with the N.C. Bar Association (NCBA). He has served as a member of the Board of Governors of the NCBA, past Chair of the NCBA's Government and Public Sector Section, and while deployed to Iraq in 2005, was selected to receive the association's Government and Public Sector's Distinguished Attorney Award as North Carolina's top government and public sector attorney. In describing why he was chosen for the award, Linda Miles, the city attorney of Greensboro stated, ``Gill Beck embodies all of the virtues of a public servant. He is a person of integrity, honesty and loyalty in his service to his country in every way.''

Madam Speaker, in closing, I would just note that BG Beck and his family are among those who represent the best of America. His dedication to duty, reputation for integrity, and commitment to improving the well-being of others, whether in his hometown and state or more than half a world removed, are exemplary. I am happy to convey my personal best wishes to General Beck and his family and ask that you and our colleagues in the House join me in recognizing BG Beck not only on the occasion of his fitting selection as Appalachian State University's Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for 2009, but also for his lifetime of service and commitment to others. -

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

During my tenure in the Congress, I have consistently opposed granting the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate tobacco. I do so based upon my philosophical beliefs and the ramifications that this legislation would impose upon my congressional district and my State.

It is my belief that allowing the FDA to regulate tobacco in any capacity would inevitably lead to FDA regulating the family farm. This creates uncertainty and adds another burden to the already overwhelmed

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009.

Requesting Member: Congressman Howard Coble

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement account

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Burlington-Alamance County Regional Airport

Address of Requesting Entity: 3441 North Aviation Drive, Burlington, North Carolina 27215

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $855,000 for lengthening the existing runway to 6,400 feet. Specifically, funds will be used for site preparation, along with paving and airfield strengthening of a 1,500-foot runway extension to 6,400 feet. The airport is located in the heart of North Carolina's premier area of growth and development along the Interstate 40/Interstate 85 corridor between Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill and Greensboro-High Point-Winston- Salem. While completion of significant airport enhancement projects such as the installment of a High Intensity Runway Lighting System and the strengthening of the existing runway to support 120,000-pound aircraft have been successful in increasing corporate air traffic, safe operations of these aircraft are marginal on the airport's existing 5,000-foot runway. This project received $1,000,000 in Fiscal Year 2004 and $980,000 in Fiscal Year 2008.

Requesting Member: Congressman Howard Coble

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Federal Highway Administration Transportation and Community Systems Preservation account

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: North Carolina Department of Transportation

Address of Requesting Entity: North Carolina Department of Transportation, 1542 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $427,500 for the widening of SR 1306 and SR 1363 (Mebane Street) from SR 1158 to NC 54 in Burlington, North Carolina. Specifically, this project, TIP number U-3303, proposes to widen to multi-lanes SR 1306 and SR 1363 (Mebane Street) from SR 1158 (Huffman Mill Road) to NC 54 (Chapel Hill Road) in Burlington, NC. The length of the project is 2.4 miles. Right-of-way acquisition is currently underway and construction is set to begin in Fiscal Year 2009. This project has received no prior federal appropriations.

Requesting Member: Congressman Howard Coble

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Federal Railroad Administration Grade Crossings on Designated High Speed Rail Corridors account

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: North Carolina Department of Transportation

Address of Requesting Entity: North Carolina Department of Transportation, 1542 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $2,280,000 for the Southeast High Speed Rail (SEHSR) Corridor Initiative from Greensboro to Charlotte. The project is located on the rail corridor between Greensboro and Charlotte. Specifically, funding will be used to restore three double track sections, adding capacity, improving freight and passenger service reliability and bi-directional operation. North Carolina has invested significant funds to renovate or replace all passenger stations, improve grade crossing safety, and reduce travel time by approximately one hour to be automobile-competitive. The corridor supports

some 60 freight and 6 passenger trains daily. The project will be developed and implemented with the communities, Norfolk Southern Railway, and the North Carolina Railroad Company.

Requesting Member: Congressman Howard Coble

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Federal Highway Administration Transportation and Community Systems Preservation account

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of High Point, North Carolina

Address of Requesting Entity: 211 South Hamilton Street, High Point, North Carolina 27261

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $95,000 for the High Point Greenway Project. The project encompasses a 3.8 mile greenway is located in High Point, North Carolina and funding will be used for completing the remaining 1.1 miles to create walking, jogging, bicycling and other recreational activities. The City of High Point is contributing $1.3 million to this project, and needs federal assistance to complete the project. This project meets all of the requirements of FHWA's Transportation, Community, and System Preservation program from which federal funds are being sought.

This area is rapidly urbanizing and opportunities to preserve and develop recreational resources in the future will be limited. The High Point Greenway provides high quality healthy living resources to the citizens of High Point and Guilford County, as well as to tourists from across the world who visit the City. Some of those tourists include people who visit High Point for the International Furniture Market, which is the largest home furnishings trade show in the world, and is the largest biannual event in the state to which an average 140,000 people from more than 100 countries attend.

Requesting Member: Congressman Howard Coble

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Federal Transit Administration Bus and Bus Facilities account

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Greensboro, North Carolina

Address of Requesting Entity: Greensboro Transit Administration, 320 East Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, North Carolina 27401

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $1,140,000 for the Greensboro Maintenance/Operations/Administration Transit Facility, Land Acquisition, Design and Construction. This project, NC TIP number TD- 4915, would replace the existing facility that is too small and outdated to handle Greensboro's growing fleet and operations. The facility will enhance the Greensboro Transit Authority's service delivery efficiency and the quality of transit services. No previous funds have been appropriated for this project. Dollars will be used for land acquisition, design and construction. Rep. Mel Watt is the lead on this request.

Requesting Member: Congressman Howard Coble

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: COPS Law Enforcement Technology account

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: North Carolina State Highway Patrol

Address of Requesting Entity: 4702 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $350,000 for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) Communications Enhancement project. Specifically, funds will be used to purchase and install a state-of-the-art communications console at Troop D Headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina. The console to be replaced is outdated technology and parts are no longer available. Parts must be scavenged from other abandoned consoles of the same vintage (if they can be found) or fabricated.

Requesting Member: Congressman Howard Coble

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: COPS Law Enforcement Technology account

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Alamance County, North Carolina

Address of Requesting Entity: 124 West Elm Street, Graham, North Carolina 27253

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $500,000 for the 800 MHz Emergency Communications System Conversion project in Alamance County, North Carolina. Specifically, funds will be used to convert its current VHF emergency communications system to an 800 MHz emergency communications system between January 1, 2009 and July 1, 2009. The reason for converting to the 800 MHz emergency communications system is based on two primary needs: safety and interoperability. Under the current VHF system, there are areas within the county that are without coverage which causes a safety issue for many of our system users and health and/or safety issues for those in need of emergency services. There are times when the users are unable to communicate with anyone. Because many of the users in Alamance County are on different VHF systems, there is also a lack of interoperability between users. Currently, only the City of Burlington, the Town of Elon, and the Town of Gibsonville Guilford/Greensboro's 800 MHz system.

Requesting Member: Congressman Howard Coble

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration account

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: North Carolina State University's National Textile Center and the Textile/Clothing Technology Corporation [TC] \2\

Address of Requesting Entity: N.C. State University, Contracts and Grants, Administrative Services Building III, Raleigh, NC 27695 and 211 Gregson Drive, Cary, NC 27511

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $100,000 for the National Textile Center and the Textile/Clothing Technology Corporation [TC] \2\. Specifically, funding will be used for developing new materials; providing trained personnel, industrial partnerships and technology transfer mechanisms; strengthening the nation's textile research and education efforts; and improving textile and apparel productions techniques. This request was almost made by Reps. Watt, Myrick, Hayes, Shuler, and Butterfield.

Requesting Member: Congressman Howard Coble

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Department of Education Elementary and Secondary Education (FIE) account

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC-G)

Address of Requesting Entity: 1601 MHRA Building, 1111 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27412

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $250,000 for the ON TRACK--LEARN MATH project. Specifically, funds will be used to develop a reform-based problem-solving mathematics enrichment program for use in after school settings with elementary school-aged children. Undergraduate majors in elementary education at UNCG and elementary school teachers in Guilford County will team together to deliver the ON TRACK programs. The ON TRACK program, together with current efforts spearheaded by local and state curriculum directors, will address several problems related to mathematics instruction and achievement: the manner and methods used to teach mathematics, low student achievement, teachers' low expectations of students in this area, and the upcoming reforms to the NC mathematics curriculum in 2009. To foster student engagement and parent support for this program, the program will provide fun, stimulating activities that use hands-on experiences to reinforce conceptual learning. This project has not received federal funds and is lead by Rep. Brad Miller

Requesting Member: Congressman Howard Coble

Bill Number: H.R. 1105

Account: Health and Human Services Office of the Secretary account

Legal Name of Requesting Entity: University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC-G)

Address of Requesting Entity: 1601 MHRA Building, 1111 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27412

Description of Request: Provide an earmark of $238,000 for the North Carolina Council for Health Literacy project. Specifically, dollars will be used to support the infrastructure for this initiative, which would address health literacy. This includes support training for public health and clinical health professionals; statewide readability service, media campaign; and targeted research and evaluation projects. This project has not received federal funds and is lead by Rep. Brad Miller.

Madam Speaker, great sports teams become known for doing everything well, but at least one thing better than everyone else. Championships are earned by those teams that can adapt during a title run. That's exactly what happened to a high school football team in our congressional district that was known for an explosive offense, but won a state championship by having its defense rise to the occasion. On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we wish to congratulate the football team of West Rowan High School for winning the North Carolina 3A state championship. The Falcons soared to new heights with the first football championship in the school's history.

The championship was not won with an explosive offense for which West Rowan is known, but by a spectacular display of defense that forced six turnovers. The team was led by Head Coach Scott Young who was able to pull the squad together and make them believe they were capable of anything. As a result, the Falcons finished the season with an impressive 15-1 record that was capped with a dominating 35-7 win over West Craven High School.

The championship season was a team effort led by seniors AJ Little, Brantley Horton, Nate Dulin, Austin Greenwood, Tim Flanagan, Jeremy Melchor, Kameron Finchum, Jonathan Hill, Matt Bishop, Marquise Allison, Matt Turchin, Josh Safrit, Marco Gupton, Dylan Andrews, Brett Graham, Ricky Moore, Kenderic Dunlap, Joseph Kerley, Garrett Teeter, Daniel Spainhour, Dustin Davis, and Casey Reavis, juniors Kevin Parks, Jr., Maxx Gore, Ershawn Wilder, Jon Crucitti, Quan Cowan, Coleman Phifer, Desmond Shaver, Chris Smith, Jairahmai Robinson, John Jancic, Tim Pangburn, Rodney Cline, Mackel Gaither, Altariq Abraham, Eli Goodson, and Josh Poe, sophomores Trey Mashore, Nolan Phillips, BJ Sherrill, Aakeem Minter, Dominique Noble, Eric Cowan, Patrick Hampton, Tyler Mullis, Emmanuel Gbunblee, Charles Holloway, Armando Trujillio, Justin Teeter, Xavier Still, Tim Jancic, Davon Quarles, Kendall Hosch, and freshmen Christian Hedrick, Jarvis Morgan, Louis Kraft, and Troy Culbertson.

Also assisting the team during this outstanding 15-1 season were assistant coaches Ed Bowles, Butch Browning, Jeff Chapman, Joel Crotts, Tim Dixon, Ralph Ellis, David Hunt, Lee Linville, Joe Nixon, Kevin Parks, Sr., Stevie Williams, and Durwood Bynum, athletic trainer Amber DeDoming, video coordinator Alan Champion, and ball boys Bryant Young, Marcus Corry, Jr., and Owen White.

Again, on behalf of the Sixth District, we would like to congratulate Principal Jamie Durant, Athletic Director Todd Bell, Head Coach

Scott Young, and everyone affiliated with the West Rowan Falcons for proving the old football adage that great defenses win championships. Congratulations to West Rowan on a spectacular season and for winning the North Carolina 3A state championship.

Madam Speaker, while the Super Bowl may be over, we cannot close the books on this football season without mentioning a high school in my district that truly defines the word super. On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we wish to congratulate the varsity football team of Thomasville High School for winning the North Carolina 1-AA, championship. The Bulldogs won the title on December 13, 2008, with a convincing 42-13 win over East Bladen High. This adds to the winning history at Thomasville High, which will place an 8th championship trophy in its collection.

This year's championship, which was won at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, meant that the Bulldogs, who were led by Head Coach Allen Brown, completed an undefeated 16-0 season. The Bulldogs are accustomed to winning; Thomasville has won 4 of the last 5 State championships in their division.

While there were many strong efforts, the championship win was a team effort led by seniors Chris Brooks, D.J. McLendon, Brad Wilkes, Dujuan Ingram, Brandon Moss, Heath Stroud, Martez Wilson, Vince Sanders, Alex Parham, David Coard, Desmond Hare, Robert Benjamin, Darius Baxter, Thomas McLendon, and Roberto Duhart, juniors De'arius Dow, Jonathan Hinson-Brady, Malcolm Ivory, Brandon Lucas, Ralph Woods, C.J. Campbell, Tywon Little, Demonte Kearse, Brandon Royall, Vince Gobble, Mark Green, Tariq Camp, Joe Baranowski, and Kevin Green, along with sophomores Isaiah Williams, Robert Davis, Ian Flowers, John Campbell, Devonte Gordon-Hunter, Lawson Hodges, Lawrence Thomas, Steven Stanly, Jaquan Daniels, Sherrod Young, Kesean Green, and James Boyd.

Also assisting the team during this incredible season were assistant coaches Roger Bryant, Sam Captain, Heath Williamson, Nick Sweitzer, Jaz Tate, Tyler Tobin, Stan Baranowski, Brandon Staton, and Richard Herman, community coaches Vince Brown, Ed Courtney, Kemp Harvey, Don Osborne, and Benjie Brown, trainer Kenney Coker, AV Crew Travis Leonard, Wade Loftin, Casey Medlin, and Adam Oakley, middle school head coach Kelvin Carraway, and team doctors David Williams and Robin Williams.

Again, on behalf of the Sixth District, we would like to congratulate Principal Dirk Gurley, Athletic Director Woody Huneycutt, Head Coach Allen Brown, and everyone affiliated with the Thomasville High School Bulldogs on having another great season and for winning the North Carolina 1-AA football championship yet again. The Bulldogs are super once more.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment will immediately help textile and apparel companies because it will cover all uniforms purchased by the Transportation Security Administration employees.

The program can easily be expanded by the Obama administration to cover FEMA, U.S. Customs, Border Protection, and U.S. Immigration Service, nearly 100,000 uniformed employees in all.

And as an aside, my friend from North Carolina has already mentioned it, but the apparel and textile sector has been plagued as a result of the dismal economic climate that we face now. They've lost over 60,000 jobs during the last 12 months. North Carolina alone has lost 8,000 textile and apparel jobs. Forty-four textile plants in America were closed during the past year, 14 in North Carolina.

And not unlike my friend, Mr. Kissell, I, too, come from a textile family. My mama was a textile worker; sewed pockets in overalls at the old Blue Bell plant in Greensboro. So I know the significance of a textile check subsidizing the family income.

I urge support of this amendment, and I urge my colleagues to support it as well.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, I regret to inform the House of the passing of a former Member of this body, Horace Kornegay. Horace was elected as a Democrat to the 87th Congress and the three succeeding Congresses. He did not seek reelection in 1968 and became the vice president and counsel, then president, and subsequently chairman of the Tobacco Institute. He returned to Greensboro, North Carolina, in January of 1987 and resumed the practice of law and remained there until his passing today.

Madam Speaker, I would ask the Chair to allow a moment of silence in memory of Horace Kornegay.

I thank my friend from Louisiana for yielding.

Last week, I voted ``no'' on this bill for two reasons. Number one, I don't like to hurriedly vote on significant legislation. I'd rather do it thoroughly and deliberately.

The second reason, my telephone calls and e-mails were overwhelming in opposition against the bill. On Monday I voted ``no.''

The telephone calls and e-mails continued to be overwhelming, but guess what: Then in favor of the bill. Now I'm not exclusively dictated by telephone calls and e-mails, but neither do I dismiss them, Madam Speaker.

And I weighed this very carefully. And by having waited, I think we did improve the bill.

The increase of the FDIC threshold to $250,000, a good move; the AMT patch that will affect favorably 21 million middle class families, a good move; SEC, I am told, Madam Speaker, is addressing or has addressed the mark-to-market issue, a good approach. Compelling arguments can be proffered on both sides of this issue, but I believe, Madam Speaker, that inaction is not an option.

I don't believe the sky is falling. I was told that earlier and I refuted it. And I think when I disagree with the sky falling charge, that's not irregular for me to refute it.

Now, this vote for me, I am voting ``aye'' today, and it may be politically damaging. And the sky may fall tomorrow, but it will fall upon my head; it won't fall upon anyone else's, and no one else will be adversely affected.

I believe that the limited access to credit--and in many instances no access to credit--can certainly contribute to a crisis. And we can put on blinders and go one way or the other, but I think this is a bill that must be addressed today, it must be addressed in a positive way, both sides of the aisle. My friends to the left, my friends on this side have done a good job, I think, in crafting it, and I am pleased to announce that I am voting ``aye'' when the vote is called later.

I thank the gentleman for having yielded to me.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we wish to recognize and commend the Thomasville Fire Department as it prepares for its 100th anniversary, which is to be celebrated on October 4, 2008. This celebration will honor every firefighter, current and retired, who has served at the department.

Among those being honored include the oldest retiree, Ronald Rayman Meyers, who worked from August 5,1967, to December 31, 2005, and the youngest firefighter, Bradley Crafford, who joined in May of 2008. The October 4 celebration will be a commencement to Fire Prevention Week from October 5-11, 2008.

Established after a damaging fire in 1890 that wiped out nearly every business on East Main Street, the first department was officially organized in 1908, naming C.C. Hooks as the first Fire Chief. The first permanent station was established in 1922 on East Guilford Street.

Today there are a total of four stations (Pilot, Hasty, Thomasville, and Fairgrove), two engine companies, two ladder companies, and one squad unit, and a workforce of 61 employees who remain committed to protecting and educating the people throughout the community.

It is quite an achievement to render 100 years of service in any endeavor, and for the Thomasville Fire Department to do it while protecting and serving its community is all the more impressive. Again, on behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District, we are proud to recognize this great accomplishment.