Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as baseball fans across America anxiously wait to see who will win this year's World Series, the Sixth District of North Carolina waits no longer for one of its champions to be crowned. On June 4, 2005, the Southern Alamance Patriots captured the North Carolina Class 3-A state baseball championship by defeating Northwest Cabarrus two games to one at Doak Field on the campus of North Carolina State University. This year, Southern Alamance captured its first state title since 1988 and its third in school history.

With the series tied at one in the third game of the series, the Patriots scored an unprecedented eight runs in the first inning. This was an anomaly after the Patriots were held to only three hits in game two. The (Burlington) Times-News reported that the Patriots learned from their mistakes and took advice from their coach Jason Smith when he told them to not try to, ``. . . lift and hit it out. In this big park it is not going to happen.'' The players kept the ball on the ground and prevailed in what proved to be an exhilarating game.

Northwest Cabarrus went into game three on a ``high'' after beating the Patriots in game two. The game winning ``high'' was soon replaced with a ``low'' after the Trojan's starting pitcher, Robbie Gurley, walked two people and gave up a single in the first inning. Gurley was pulled and replaced by Joe Hubbard. After Hubbard could not get the job done and was replaced by a third hurler, the Patriots were confident after gaining an eight-run lead in the first inning. Among those who scored in the first were Thomas Sappelt, Michael Parker, Roy Albright, Brent Haynes, Jonathan Shields,

and Brad Thornburg. Northwest Cabarrus coach Joe Hubbard was quoted in the Times-News saying, ``We couldn't stop the first inning; it just snowballed on us.''

The series' Most Valuable Player Brent Haynes stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning with runners on second and third. Haynes hit a ground ball down the first base line and accumulated a RBI as Brad Thornburg whisked across home plate. Much to the dismay of the Northwest Cabarrus fans, the game ended under the 10-run rule.

After the dominating victory imposed by the Patriots, Coach Smith should be credited for much of the team's success. After coming off of a tough loss in game two, Coach Smith encouraged the players to play smart baseball instead of imitating the starlike swings of Barry Bonds or Sammy Sosa. Smart baseball for this team was to hit ground balls, which proved to payoff. Coach Smith had a strong coaching staff behind him that consisted of Eddie Wood, Paul Bishop, Nathan Holcomb, and Andrew Thomas.

Although the players' hard work and commitment to team excellence helped them succeed, they would be the first to tell you that the key to their success was impeccable leadership. We congratulate the players: Jimmy Robbins, Michael Pernell, Dave Sappelt, John Crawford, Jonathon Thrasher, Jonathan Shields, Michael Parker, Brad Thornburg, Jay Liddle, Reid Straughan, Richard Allred, Roy Albright, Brent Haynes, Thomas Sappelt, Gabe Shoffner, Cale Rogers, Zach Robinson, Luke Vandall, score keeper Stephanie Smith, and team manager Holden Walker. Each member of the team played a valuable role in their commendable season, which ended with a 27-5 record and a state title.

This 3-A state baseball championship brings pride back to the baseball program at Southern Alamance, and we congratulate Principal Kent Byrd, Athletic Director David Vaughn, the community of the Southern Alamance Patriots and most importantly the team and coaching staff for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to set forth some of the history behind, as well as describe the workings of the Private Calendar. I hope this might be of some value to the Members of this House, especially our newer colleagues.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding me this time. I say to my friend from the Green Mountains, he and I have different political philosophies, and my friend from Vermont and I are light years apart; but he will recall I vote with him every now and then, but I think he is wrong on this one.

The subcommittee on which I sit, the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the Committee on the Judiciary, we have conducted nine oversight hearings, Mr. Chairman; and although I am not sure the public at large is aware of this, section 215 now before us, the so-called ``library provision,'' does not even mention the word ``library.'' It covers business records. And, yes, section 215 could be used to obtain business records from a library. But we also know that from the Attorney General's oral testimony to our committee on April 6 section 215 has never been used to obtain business records from a library, nor has section 215 been used to obtain bookstore records, medical records, or gun sale records.

In fact, Mr. Chairman, no evidence has been presented to this committee, or to the Department of Justice's Inspector General, of any abuse of section 215 for any use. We also know that the Department of Justice's response to questions from our committee that terrorists are indeed using our libraries; so at some point, section 215 may well be needed there, as the distinguished gentleman from Virginia just said earlier.

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I want to go on record: some of my best friends are librarians, so I am in no way advocating turning the dogs loose on libraries. That is not the intent at all. I think section 215 has served us well. I do not think it has been abused.

Mr. Speaker, an organization dedicated to the awareness of Kawasaki Disease, A Kawasaki Heart, is striving to increase public knowledge of Kawasaki Disease (KD) throughout the United States and, more particularly, among medical professionals.

I recently learned of a close call suffered by 3-year-old Bailey Buffkin, the granddaughter of Janis Moore of Thomasville, North Carolina, and the daughter of Amber Brewer. Bailey became ill this past March and her mom wasted no time in seeking medical care. Fortunately, her pediatrician was familiar with the symptoms of KD. The accurate diagnosis and timely treatment means that Bailey has a better chance to live a happy and healthy life.

According to the American Heart Association, KD is a disease that primarily affects children under the age of 5 years. It is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. There are a few thousand new cases each year in the U.S. If not detected and treated immediately, it can result in permanent heart damage or even death. The cause of KD is unknown, but scientists who have studied KD think the evidence strongly suggests it is caused by an infectious agent such as a virus. Children with KD have high fever, red eyes and lips, strawberry tongue, a rash, swollen lymph nodes, and inflamed arteries. The usual treatment, intravenous gamma globulin, is highly effective at preventing the heart complications if administered within the first few days of illness. That is why it is so important that a child who is suspected of having KD is seen by a doctor quickly and diagnosed correctly.

Because there are relatively few instances of KD diagnosed in the United States, it is important that parents, guardians and the medical community become familiar with the signs and symptoms so that other children are diagnosed and treated as quickly as Bailey Buffkin.

Additional information may be located on the web site of the American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org) and A Kawasaki Heart (www.kawasakidisease.us).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 8, the Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2005.

I was proud to support the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, which included a permanent repeal of the Death Tax. Unfortunately, due to arcane rules of the Senate, this much- needed relief for working Americans is scheduled to sunset at the end of 2010. Since then, my colleagues and I have voted three times to make this repeal permanent. I am hopeful that both the House and Senate will finally agree to permanently repeal the Death Tax and send this legislation to President Bush for his signature.

Unless we pass this much needed legislation, my constituents in the Sixth District of North Carolina will once again be subject to the Death Tax in 2011. Further, the sunsetting of this tax makes it difficult for business owners to make strategic planning and investment decisions that could have a major impact on the future of their businesses and loved ones. Finally, I do not believe that we should punish American families who have worked diligently to provide for themselves and want to pass along their success to their children and grandchildren.

It is my belief that few sections of the tax code are more unfair and hazardous to the economy than the Death Tax. Conceptually and in practice, it diminishes personal incentive to remain industrious. Furthermore, it encourages people to become less reliant on themselves and their loved ones and more reliant on a government that is on occasions intrusive, confiscatory, and ill-suited to help people.

After 20 years in Congress, I still believe that smaller government and lower taxes are the most effective economic policies. Eliminating the Death Tax will continue to restore consumer confidence, spur capital investment, and create new jobs which are critical components of economic growth, particularly within the small business community.

Mr. Speaker, I support a complete and permanent repeal of the Death Tax.

Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, March 17, I missed rollcall votes Nos. 82-89. Had I been present on this date, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall votes Nos. 83, 84, 88 and 89. I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall votes Nos. 82, 85, 86 and 87. On this date, I delivered a eulogy at the funeral of my friend, Alamance County Commissioner Worthy B. ``Junior'' Teague.

Additionally, on Sunday, March 21, I missed rollcall vote No. 90. Had I been present on this date, I would have voted ``aye,'' but I was traveling on official business with International Relations Committee Chairman Hyde in Mexico

and Panama. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, I met with numerous government officials to discuss efforts to combat drug trafficking, prevent global terrorism, and to promote fair trade.

Finally, on Tuesday, April 5, I missed rollcall votes Nos. 91-93. Had I been present on this date, I would have voted ``aye'' on each of these votes. My mother, Mrs. Johnnie Holt Coble, died on April 2, 2005, and funeral services were conducted on April 5, 2005.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for yielding me this time.

Let me start, Mr. Chairman, by using three components: vehicular congestion, infrastructure that continues to deteriorate daily, and, of course, each is directly involved with highway safety.

As my colleagues know, Mr. Chairman, I have been an avid supporter of H.R. 3, and I am pleased that this bill is able to be considered on the House Floor today. As both a member of the prior conference committee and a cosponsor of both House reauthorization bills during the last Congress, I realize that members and staff, Democrats and Republicans alike, have worked tirelessly and relentlessly to produce today the best product possible for Floor consideration and deliberation.

At a time when we have much work to do to address our Nation's critical infrastructure, and, as I said, which is currently in dire need of upgrade and repair, this legislation is also a jobs bill and is obviously a jobs creator.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young); the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri); our Majority Leader, our Ranking Member on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for their openness and demonstrated leadership regarding measurable progress on the donor funding situation. As a longtime supporter of the SHARE coalition, I fully realize that this remains a sensitive issue that has historically yielded divisiveness, but I am confident that this issue can be resolved appropriately.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, the highway and transit reauthorization bill is long overdue, and we must not lose sight of the big picture regarding the critical importance this legislation offers. As my constituents in North Carolina, as well as the State infrastructure planners from across the country remind me on a regular basis, we must get a suitable transportation bill passed by both bodies expeditiously, and I look forward to remaining actively involved in the legislative process to ensure that all States receive the necessary funding and important policy initiatives H.R. 3 authorizes.

As I said at the outset, Mr. Chairman, vehicular congestion. It costs taxpayers millions of dollars each year, and I do not suggest that the bill before us will automatically cure that problem, but it will certainly address it and assuage the discomfort that results therefrom.

Mr. Speaker, following the New England Patriots' Super Bowl win, their third in the last four years, all of the talk was about the birth of a National Football League dynasty in the making. Those of us who reside in the Sixth District of North Carolina know all about football dynasties, and we are proud to report that the dynasty known as the Thomasville Bulldogs Football Team is back and champions once more. This year, Thomasville High School captured its fifth state championship in the school's history and its first since 1995.

The latest championship for Thomasville may have been secured in the most thrilling manner in the school's glorious history. On December 11, 2004, Thomasville defeated Wallace-Rose Hill 15-14 to capture the Class 1-A State football championship. That score doesn't begin to hint at the drama that ensued for the Bulldogs. Trailing 14-9, Thomasville was facing a fourth-and-1 situation, but the Bulldogs completed a pass for only eight yards, meaning that the ball went back to Wallace-Rose Hill with only 1:21 left to play. On the next play, however, divine intervention may have occurred. Defensive back Tavarius Henderson ran down Wallace-Rose Hill running back Leverne Coston, stripped him of the ball, recovered the fumble, and ran 10 yards

for the game-winning touchdown. The Bulldogs missed the two-point conversion, but it was unneeded as Thomasville hung on for the dramatic 15-14 victory.

The school's last-minute hero, Tavarius Henderson, told the High Point Enterprise that he knew he had to do something dramatic to win the game. ``I knew we had him (the running back) real good,'' the Bulldog told the newspaper, ``so I went for the ball. It came loose and the ball was right there, laying beautifully. I picked it up and went into the end zone.'' And with that play, Tavarius went right into the history books among the storied names in Thomasville football history. For his efforts, Henderson was named as the championship game's Most Valuable Player.

This may have been the most dramatic win, but Thomasville has a proud and rich football history and its color is brown--namely as in Coach Brown. In 2004, Coach Benjie Brown captured his first State title following in the footsteps of his famous father Coach Allen Brown who led the Bulldogs to State championships in 1988, 1991 and 1995. (Thomasville also won the 1964 State title in the old Western North Carolina High School Activities Association.) This 2004 championship was the school's first in the new Class 1-A division. The three titles secured by Coach Allen Brown were in Class 2-A. Allen Brown was the defensive coordinator for his son Benjie's first title as head coach. Benjie told the Greensboro News & Record that his father was a key to the victory. ``I couldn't have done it without him tonight,'' Coach Benjie Brown told the newspaper, ``and I'd like to think I had a hand in some of his.''

Both Coach Browns would tell you that it requires a whole lot of effort from a whole lot of people to win a State championship. Those of us who reside in the Sixth District congratulate each and every member of the Bulldogs squad. First the players: Brent LeMay, Jeremy McKiver, Cory Tobin, Willie Green, Chaz Leak, Quinton Jackson, Justin Little, Laviery Baxter, Bradley Watkins, Richard Norton, J.J. Lawson, Stephon Donnell, Scott Hines, Quan Warley, Jeriod Kersey, E.J. Abrams-Ward, Karim Eltokhy, Tavarius Henderson, Chris Webber, E.J. McCormick, Zeke Clark, Ricky Hunsucker, Bud Ray, Terrance Pearson, Jaz Tate, Brandon Johnson, Aundra Belle, Jamall Steele, Lorenzo Cannon, Kendarius Cox, Derek Medlin, Jason Hicks, Antonio Royal, Ratazio Baxter, Ari Foust, Brandon Taylor, Senneca Sammuels, Tommy Green, Cornelius Davis, Ji Soo Noh, Trey Ray, Joe Brewer, Jason Nelson, Dustin Gloor, Cody Smith, and Michael Byrd.

The players would be the first to tell you that they could not have done it without strong backing. We congratulate Head Coach Benjie Brown and his outstanding assistants Allen Brown, Roger Bryant, Sam Captain, Danny Medlin, Matt Pugh, Scott Pugh, Brandon Staton, and Nick Sweitzer. They were joined by community coaches Vince Brown, Ed Courtney, Kemp Harvey, and Don Osborne. Also offering valuable contributions were trainers Kenny Coker and Charles Crowell; statistician Barry Tucker; film crew members Travis Leanord, Wade Loflin, Casey Medlin, and Adam Oakley; Middle School Head Coach Eric Rader and his liaison Stan Baranowski; team doctors David Williams and Rob Williams; gym maintenance supervisor Bill Moore; and team managers Troy Butler, Keyshawn Green, Byron Lattimore, Marquis Love, Luke Williams, and Jonathan Wright.

The championship game was thrilling and the entire season validated Thomasville High School as one of North Carolina's true football dynasties. We congratulate Principal Dirk Gurley, Athletic Director Woody Huneycutt, the students, families, faculty, staff, and fans of the Thomasville Bulldogs on winning North Carolina's 1-A football championship.

Mr. Speaker, last week in Ashland, Virginia, Randolph Macon College hosted Guilford College for a collegiate basketball game. With the game tied in overtime and six-tenths of a second remaining, a Randolph Macon player was awarded two free throws. He converted his first one and intentionally missed the second, concluding that time did not permit Guilford to make a play.

Normally, that would have been sound strategy, but Guilford's Jordan Snipes grabbed the rebound and desperately heaved the ball the length of the court. Nothing but net and Guilford won on the shot seen around the world.

The moral of the story: whether in athletics or in life, even with the odds overwhelmingly stacked against you, do not quit. Do not give up, there is always a chance, even though remote, to prevail.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be passed over without prejudice.

Mr. Speaker, recently, the Honorable William L. Osteen, Sr., U.S. District Court Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina, received the Greensboro Bar Association Distinguished Service Award. I have known Bill Osteen for many years. Bill is an outstanding jurist, and I know of no more deserving recipient for this prestigious award.

As an aside, I had the honor of serving as Bill's Assistant United States Attorney, while he served as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina in the late 60s and early 70s.

Mr. Stephen Millikin, from the law firm Smith Moore LLP, delivered a wonderful speech at the presentation of the Greensboro Bar Association Distinguished Service Award. The Sixth District is proud of Bill Osteen, and I urge my colleagues to review the remarks made by my good friend, Steve Millikin.

I have referred to Steve as the ``Bob Dole of the Sixth District of North Carolina'' because, not unlike the great Senator from Kansas, Steve is an outstanding advocate for America's veterans. I hope you will enjoy Steve's remarks.

Remarks by Stephen P. Millikin at the Presentation of the Greensboro Bar Association Distinguished Service Award to the Honorable William L.

Osteen, Sr., April 15, 2004

The Greensboro Bar Association is pleased to present its

Distinguished Service Award for the year 2004 to a person

whose accomplishments in this community and throughout the

state are well known, and whose strength of character and

devotion to duty are universally admired. This person has

conducted himself among us in such a manner as to be a

splendid example for all to follow.

The Honorable William L. Osteen, Sr., hereinafter ``Bill''

or ``Bill Osteen'', was born in Greensboro, North Carolina on

July 15, 1930. He is the son of John Luke Osteen and Ruth

Tatum Osteen. His father was the well known and highly

respected first U.S. Probation Officer and the first Chief

U.S. Probation Officer for the Middle District of North

Carolina. He was a most jovial and friendly man by nature.

Bill's mother was a gentle giant of a lady though small of

physical stature. She died at an early age, but not before

she had a very strong influence upon Bill who promised his

mother that he would never take a drink of alcohol. Bill has

remained loyal to that promise throughout his life. Bill has

one brother, John Osteen, who is a graduate of West Point.

John made a career of the Army and retired as a major

general. He now resides in Brevard.

Bill married Joanne Bennett Snow on May 16, 1959. Joanne is

the daughter of John and Dorothy Snow. John Snow was an

attorney. Joanne attended Duke University where she graduated

with honors in Economics. Bill and Joanne have three

children: William L. Osteen, Jr., born in 1960, who is a

practicing attorney in Greensboro; John Osteen, born in 1962,

who now lives in Long Beach, California; and Robert Osteen,

born in 1966, who now lives near Charleston, South Carolina.

Bill Osteen has a family of which any man would be proud.

Bill Osteen graduated from Guilford High School in 1948,

from Guilford College in 1953, and from the University of

North Carolina School of Law in 1956. Throughout, Bill was an

outstanding student. After obtaining his law degree and

license to practice law, he was associated from 1956 to 1958

with W.H. McElwee, Jr., a prominent attorney in North

Wilkesboro. From 1958 to 1959, he practiced law as a sole

practitioner in Greensboro. From 1959 to 1969, Bill was a

partner in the law firm of Booth and Osteen in Greensboro.

From 1969 to 1974 he served by appointment of the President

of the United States as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle

District of North Carolina. From 1974 to 1991 he was senior

partner in the successive Greensboro law firms of Osteen &

Adams; Osteen, Adams & Tilley; Osteen, Adams, Tilley & Wall;

and Osteen, Adams & Osteen. He was appointed U.S. District

Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina by President

George Bush on June 18, 1991. He has served and continues to

serve in that high office with great distinction.

Bill has been active with the North Carolina Bar

Association, the North Carolina State Bar, and the Greensboro

Bar Association. With the North Carolina Bar Association he

was a member of and subsequently chairman of the North

Carolina Sentencing Commission, created by the North Carolina

legislature to write a suitable sentencing structure for

North Carolina. For the North Carolina State Bar, he was a

member of the State Bar Council from the 18th Judicial

District; a member of the Grievance Committee; a member of

the Professionalism Committee; a member of the Legal Aid to

Indigents Committee; and a member of the Special Committee to

Re-Write the Disciplinary Procedures Manual for Lawyers. He

was president of the Greensboro Bar Association in 1989-1990

and he served for a long period of time as a member of its

Executive Committee. Bill also served as president of the

18th Judicial District Bar in 1985. He is a permanent member

of the Federal Judicial Conference for the Fourth Circuit; a

past member of the Federal Bar Association; and a Fellow of

the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is a member of the

University of North Carolina Law Alumni Association and a

member of the Guilford College Alumni Association. He has

been a member of the Board of Visitors for the University of

North Carolina and a member of the Board of Visitors of Wake

Forest University School of Law. Bill is admitted to practice

in the North Carolina Supreme Court; the North Carolina Court

of Appeals; the United States District Courts for the Middle,

Western and Eastern Districts of North Carolina; the United

States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit; and the United

States Tax Court.

Bill was elected to the North Carolina Legislature in 1960

and again in 1962. He served as Minority Leader in both

sessions. He was appointed Chairman of the Guilford County

Economic Opportunity Council by the county commissioners in

1963. He was appointed by the Greensboro City Council as a

member of the City Zoning Commission from 1964 to 1966. He

was appointed by the Greensboro City Council as a member of

and Chairman of the City Human Relations Committee from 1966

to 1968. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the United

States Congress from the 6th District of North Carolina in

1968.

While serving as United States District Judge, Bill has

served as Chairman of the Committee on Codes of Conduct of

the Judicial Conferences of the United States, and he has

served on the Advisory Committee to the Chairman of the

United States Sentencing Commission. He also has heard cases

on appeal sitting as a member of the United States Court of

Appeals for the 4th Circuit.

Bill has also served in the military. He was in the United

States Army Reserve from 1948 to 1951, and was on active duty

from October 10, 1950 until December 12, 1951. He entered the

service as a private and was a Staff Sergeant at time of

discharge.

Bill has enjoyed participating in many athletic activities.

He has excelled in all sports that he has undertaken. He has

been a competitive golf player. He was number one on the

Guilford College golf team. His prowess on the tennis court

is legendary. While in law school, he reportedly could out-

punt the starting punter for the University of North Carolina

football team. To illustrate his ability and agility,

reportedly he earlier has been able to grab his left leg with

his right hand and then jump through that circle with his

other foot and leg, a trick few people are willing to

attempt.

Bill has been highly successful in all that he has

undertaken. As an excellent practicing attorney, U.S.

Attorney and U.S. District Court Judge, Bill has enjoyed a

reputation for honesty, professionalism, ethical conduct, and

a dedication to exerting a best effort and obtaining a best

result. Bill has an innate and keen sense of right and wrong.

He has always acted with diligence and competence. He has

been fair and judicious in his approach to all questions and

eloquent in his expression of thought. As U.S. District Judge

he has been appropriately firm and authoritative but also

compassionate.

Bill was commissioned a Judge of the U.S. District Court in

a ceremony in the Federal Courthouse in Greensboro on

September 27, 1991. He has proven to be true beyond any

reasonable doubt the things that were said about him and that

were predicted for him at that time. In many ways and

instances he has exceeded all expectations then expressed.

At the commissioning ceremony, Bill Davis on behalf of the

State Bar stated: ``I think that this is an absolutely

perfect appointment.''

George Mast on behalf of the N.C. Bar Association said:

``Bill stands tall in the forest of the legal community. What

he has been speaks with more eloquence than anything I can

say. His appointment tells us that our system is working;

that someone of (his) . . . quality and caliber and

distinction, honesty and integrity can be appointed as a

District Judge.''

Ralph Stockton for the ABA said: ``I tell you, it's hard

for me to imagine anyone more qualified to assume the role of

United States District Judge in the Middle District than Bill

Osteen.''

``Our investigation . . . specifically in Bill's case, has

to do with professional qualifications . . . in the area of

professional competence encompassing the qualities of

intellectual ability and capacity, judgment, writing and

analytical ability, knowledge of the law, and breadth and

depth of legal experience. Integrity, our number one

hallmark, includes the candidate's character and honesty in

legal and personal relations. Judicial temperament speaks for

itself and includes the candidate's open-mindedness,

decisiveness, freedom from bias, and commitment to equal

justice. In the course of our comprehensive investigation of

Bill Osteen . . . I

am pleased to report . . . that the ABA Committee reported to

the Attorney General of the United States and subsequently to

the Senate Judiciary Committee it's unanimous opinion that

Bill Osteen is well-qualified for this appointment. This is

the highest rating the Committee gives.''

Bill Osteen, Jr., justifiably proud of his father and law

partner, but being completely honest and candid, stated:

``There was only comfort through my father's presence, his

love and his support. And he's been there for each member of

this family every time it was needed . . . But his

magnificence as a father is probably only equaled by his

great ability and competence as a lawyer . . . Each time he

has taken a client--and I've practiced with him for four

years now, but I'm confident that this was true for his

entire 30 years. Each time he's taken a client, he has

brought to the representation honor, integrity, diligence and

confidence that are not to be found very often. There have

been a lot of big cases, a lot of outstanding cases, and

there have been a lot of small cases. But regardless of

whether a case was big or small, or whether it was important

to society or whether it was important only to an individual,

he has brought the same honor and integrity to each case; and

I'm proud to have practiced with him for the time that we

have.''

The Honorable Eugene Gordon commented: ``Bill . . . brings

to this court a vast experience gained from years of private

practice and an illustrious career in this district as United

States Attorney . . . Also, his legislative service and his

community service can't be overlooked. Those services are

very valuable for one who is called on to assume

responsibilities as a member of the judiciary is . . . The

efficiency and goals of the offices which he has served were

never in jeopardy; it was always done well. He has reflected

well upon himself, and he has served this area with

distinction . . . Bill is a good person, with a passion for

decency. He possesses no hatred, no jealousy, no envy or

ill will that I have ever discerned. The truth is simply

this. He is just a hard person to dislike.''

``It is our good fortune that one of Bill Osteen's vision,

ability and character has come forward for active service on

the bench . . .''

The Honorable Richard Erwin stated: ``Judge Osteen comes to

the federal bench as well prepared for the tasks awaiting him

as any judge I know. He has served as United States Attorney

for this district; in private practice he has represented

defendants charged with criminal offenses; and also

represented both plaintiffs and defendants in civil actions

before the federal courts . . . Judge Osteen also possesses

an even-handed disposition that we call judicial

temperament.''

The Honorable Frank Bullock commented: ``I don't believe

that President Bush has made a better judicial appointment

during his term in office . . . Bill Osteen should be a judge

of this court. He has dedicated his life to service, to his

family, to his church, to his state and to his nation. He has

served in the legislature and as United States Attorney and

as an officer of the state bar. I am confident that there is

no better trial lawyer in this district and in this state and

probably in this circuit or in this nation.''

The Honorable Woody Tilley said this: ``But not only is

Bill Osteen the best trial lawyer I've ever seen . . . he

also is one of the best people that i have ever known.''

These were not empty accolades or over statements. If they

missed the mark in any respect, it is because they understate

the exemplary qualities with which Bill Osteen has been

endowed and the principles which he has invariably followed.

The oath taken by Judge Osteen at his commissioning in part

is this: ``I, William Lindsay Osteen, Sr., do solemnly swear

that I will administer justice without respect to persons and

do equal justice to the poor and to the rich; and that I will

faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all duties

incumbent upon me as United States District Judge under the

Constitution and laws of the United States . . .''

Bill Osteen has been as faithful to this oath as he has

been to the promise he made to his mother years earlier.

Judge Osteen, the Greensboro Bar Association takes pride

and pleasure in presenting to you the highest honor it can

bestow, its Distinguished Service Award. This award is in

recognition of and is in deep appreciation for your having

demonstrated in many ways your deep devotion and constant

commitment to the honorable practice of law and to the better

administration of justice; for your having made enduring

contributions to the administration of justice and to the

public good through unselfish service to the community and to

the legal profession; for your adherence at all times to the

highest ethical standards of professionalism; and for your

thereby setting by example a standard of conduct and service

to which the members of the Greensboro Bar Association might

well aspire.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues who joined me yesterday, Mr. Speaker, in North Carolina's First Congressional District. A special election, as well as a primary election, were conducted. The special election was conducted for the purpose of electing a candidate to fill the unexpired term of our friend, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballance), who previously resigned.

G.K. Butterfield, a long-time politico, well known in North Carolina, was elected to that post yesterday. Mr. Butterfield served with distinction as a member, Mr. Speaker, of the Superior Court in North Carolina; and finally, with 2 years as a sitting member, as a jurist on the North Carolina Supreme Court.

Mr. Speaker, I know I join you and my colleagues in extending a warm welcome to G.K. Butterfield to the people's House.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price) from North Carolina's Fourth Congressional District.

Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present to my colleagues in the House the newly elected Member from North Carolina's First Congressional District, the Honorable G.K. Butterfield.

Mr. Speaker, the guest chaplain for today is Dr. Joe Collins; and as the Speaker pointed out earlier, Joe is presently the senior minister at the Mt. Carmel Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which is in the gentleman from North Carolina's (Mr. Burr) district. But Dr. Collins served for 8 years at the Central United Methodist Church in Denton, North Carolina, which is located in the district that I am pleased to represent.

Dr. Collins is a graduate of the Duke Divinity School and was awarded his Doctor of Minister degree from Drew University in New Jersey. Joe and his wife, Lynne, are parents of three children, and his son Garrett accompanies him today.

Mr. Speaker, we are indeed pleased to cordially welcome Dr. Collins to the people's House.

Mr. Chairman, this is a devastating amendment. It is not a big buyout for big tobacco nor for tobacco farmers. I urge defeat of the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Flake/Van Hollen Amendment.

A tobacco buyout is of vital importance to tobacco farmers in the Sixth District of North Carolina. These farmers are desperate to get out of a Depression-era system which makes the cost of growing tobacco in the United States greater than non U.S. production. When in my district, almost daily I see the disastrous effect this Depression era government program has on farmers.

Opponents who argue a tobacco buyout is a bail-out for big tobacco are dead wrong. This is not big tobacco getting a tax-break, this is tobacco farmers receiving benefits that are due to them because of a government program created in the 1930's. Tobacco companies have grown to rely on foreign imports of tobacco to manufacture their legal product because the inflated price of U.S. tobacco which is directly attributable to the quota system. Eliminating the quota system levels the marketplace for U.S. tobacco farmers and enables them to compete in the world market.

Second, the authors of this amendment mistakenly purport that a buyout is funded by general tax revenues. This is also inaccurate. The federal excise tax on tobacco accounts for approximately $7.5 billion dollars annually $37.5 billion over five years. These taxes are paid by consumers of these legal products, not by all taxpayers. My point is our government realizes excessive amounts of revenue compliments of a tax on the tobacco industry. We simply seek nine point six billion dollars over 5 years in return to save growers and communities that support tobacco production from economic devastation.

Some may argue this is an unnecessary expenditure, and my friends, I tell you your commodity is next. This amendment sets a dangerous precedent for all agriculture commodities and could have an adverse impact on regional and national commodities seeking compensation in the future.

A vote in support of this amendment would prevent the United States Government from exiting tobacco production. Sounds strange, I agree. Considering the tobacco debates on this floor in the past, I am surprised to see some of my colleagues supporting the continuation of a government controlled federal tobacco program. Let the free market work itself out and give my tobacco farmers a chance to succeed. I adamantly oppose this amendment and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, June 25, I missed rollcall votes 321-325. Had I been present on this date, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall votes Nos. 321-323 and ``aye'' on rollcall votes 324-325. On this date, I had committed to participating in an event in my congressional district that I was unable to miss.