Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I thank the distinguished chairman from Texas for having yielded, and I rise in support of H.R. 4078.

I have the honor and privilege of serving as the chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law, which among other things has jurisdiction over the Administrative Procedures Act. Our subcommittee has spent an enormous amount of time and energy reviewing proposals to refine the manner in which our Federal Government formulates and implements regulations. I have encountered two philosophies on improving our regulatory system. One philosophy is we routinely review and improve regulations, while others advocate that the Federal Government should issue yet more regulations.

It appears to me that the Obama administration has embraced the latter philosophy because red tape has been flying fast and furious during his tenure. His administration has proposed regulations that are expected to exceed $100 million at the rate of 125 every 2 years. Currently, there are 24 major rules in the pipeline for review by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. The results have been telling. During the first 26 months of the Obama administration, our Federal Government has added $40 billion of annual regulatory cost to our economy, and this year the Federal Register already exceeds 40,000 pages.

In the transportation arena, new DOT passenger protection regulations are estimated by the American Aviation Institute to cost $1.7 billion annually. In total, there are 10 new Federal aviation regulations that will cost $4 billion annually. Although they will produce no significant benefit to the traveling public, they certainly and inevitably will be passed along in the form of fees, reduced services, or increased prices.

Since 2008, the combined budget of regulatory agencies has ballooned 16 percent, topping $54 billion. During the same time, employment at the agencies grew 13 percent while our economy only grew by 5 percent and the number of private sector jobs shrunk by 5.6 percent.

The scene is ominous, and I think it reflects what has happened to our economy, but I also do not believe that the situation is hopeless. The need for regulatory reform has been emulated by every administration since President Ronald Reagan, but efforts have not been successful. Enacting H.R. 4078 will be a step in the right direction.

Several titles of this legislation which were approved by the Judiciary Committee will implement immediate relief.

The original provisions of H.R. 4078, the Regulatory Freeze Act, could reportedly save our economy $22.1 billion and save thousands of jobs without jeopardizing our safety.

H.R. 3862, the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act, will end the practice of special interests using consent decrees to bypass the regulatory process and imposing their will and priorities on affected communities.

H.R. 4377, the RAPID Act, will help end the permitting logjam that has stifled development investment without diminishing a single environmental standard or protection.

Regulations that are narrowly tailored, effective, and routinely reviewed can make our society safer and our economy stronger, but when they are ineffective or inefficient, our security is jeopardized, and so is our economy.

No, I was not aware of that. But job creators need some certainty about the regulatory forecast to make the kind of investments that will create jobs. The Freeze Act is carefully drafted to only freeze those regulations that cost the economy $100 million or more. Thus, a regulation that has $100 million in benefits would not be frozen by the bill.

Yes, I am telling you that.

Well, I don't know that, but if you will permit me, I will yield to the chairman for that.

I was not aware of the questions you put to me. I can neither embrace nor reject that.

Mr. Speaker, I stand today to honor the legacy and achievements of one of the greatest friends America has ever known, Mr. Maersk McKinney Moller, who died recently at the age of 98 in his home country of Denmark. Mr. Moller, whom I've known personally for more than 2 decades, was a Dane and an American by virtue of his American mother, a loyal husband, a doting father, a brilliant businessman, and a leading figure in the development of the modern globalized marketplace.

I initially met Mr. Moller, Mr. Speaker, in his Copenhagen office. We spoke for 35 to 40 minutes, and it became apparent to me that I was in the presence of a truly great man.

Mr. Moller loved America. It is no coincidence that his company's U.S. flag business unit, Maersk Line, Limited, owns and operates the largest U.S. flag fleet of vessels serving our military today. In fact, these U.S. flag vessels employ more American mariners and have delivered more of the critical material to supply U.S. troops in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts than any other carrier. And the same is true of humanitarian aid and every other category of government- impelled cargo carried by U.S. flag commercial vessels. Maersk McKinney Moller believed in the mission and basic goodness of America, and he demonstrated that belief throughout his life.

Mr. Moller, Mr. Speaker, was born in Denmark in 1913. He grew up in the shipping industry that his father, Arnold Peter Moller, had started in 1904. In 1940, after the occupation of Denmark by Nazi troops, all the company's vessels in international waters were ordered to neutral ports and a third of the fleet sought refuge in ports controlled by the United States.

Mr. Moller traveled to New York soon after the occupation and ran the operations from there through 1947.

Allied forces requisitioned the Maersk fleet and most were subsequently lost to German U-boats in the most devastating loss of merchant mariner life in history. At the conclusion of the war, Mr. Moller returned to Denmark and continued building a global business empire, becoming CEO of the group in 1965.

In 1991, Mr. Moller wrote a letter to then-U.S. Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney highlighting the longstanding connections between America and Maersk. Among other matters in the letter, Mr. Moller wrote:

Maersk is, and has always been, a strong advocate for

uninhibited free trade and the principles of freedom

consistently enunciated by the United States and Denmark. Our

entire organization, and especially Maersk Line, Limited will

be ready to serve anytime should that be desired.

Mr. Moller stepped down as CEO in 1993, but remained chairman of the AP Moller Group until 2003. Even through the last few months of his life, however, Mr. Moller went to work every day, walking up five flights of stairs to his office.

Through his vision and leadership, Mr. Moller built the largest container shipping company in the world, but never abandoned his love and appreciation for the United States and its people. Over 70 years, he personally cultivated and sustained a valuable partnership with the United States, one that continues to support and advance our commercial and national security interests around the world.

Finally, Mr. Moller was a citizen of Denmark, indeed, the world; but he will always have a special place of respect, admiration, and appreciation from the people and the Government of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, the citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina wish to honor Revolutionary War Brigadier General Jethro Exum Sumner's recent re-interment at the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in Greensboro, North Carolina. Brig. General Sumner received his full Masonic Rites for his great contributions to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, as well as to the state of North Carolina and the United States.

Born in 1733 in Virginia, he was a Sheriff, Justice of the Peace, and a member of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina. He fought during the French and Indian War as a commissioned officer in the Virginia Regiment, and served as Paymaster of the provincial troops of North Carolina. In 1776, he was appointed to the Provincial Congress as Colonel of the 3rd North Carolina Regiment. He earned his way from Colonel and all the way to Brigadier General of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, fighting at Eutaw Springs and Camden. He recruited soldiers for General Nathanael Greene, before the battle of Guilford Courthouse. If it wasn't for Sumner's recruiting, Gen. Greene would not have been as successful.

He was a member of Blandford-Bute Lodge, which is now Johnston- Caswell Lodge #10 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He was the one who planted the seed to form the Grand Lodge of North Carolina after the American Freemasons split from the Grand Lodge of England. He also was an officer of the lodge. Sumner was active in the creation of the Society of Cincinnati, serving as its first president. After he died in 1785, he was buried in Warren County, North Carolina. In 1891, his remains were moved to Guilford Courthouse by order of the North Carolina General Assembly.

In a public event on May 29, 2012, Brigadier General Jethro Sumner was laid to rest under a newly-restored memorial at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in a Masonic Funeral Ceremony. As a member of the Masonic Society, I was invited to attend the ceremony, but because of my congressional responsibilities, I had to return to Washington and was unable to participate.

On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we wish to honor Brigadier General Jethro Exum Sumner's re-interment and recognize his service and accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, family-owned businesses provide the structure at the core of every great community. As a result, it is necessary to recognize and celebrate the growth and success of these companies. The citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina would like to recognize Brady of Greensboro on its 50th anniversary as a North Carolina business.

Brady was started by its current chairman, Don Brady, in 1962, with only four other associates and a station wagon. The original company goal was the sale of HVAC commercial equipment. Today, Brady works to design integrated comfort systems for a broad array of North Carolina industries that exceed expectations of quality, reliability and efficiency. The Brady mission has evolved to helping building owners and asset managers maximize their energy resources by providing a complete suite of cost effective, integrated energy solutions to achieve significant overall cost savings, a goal which not only affects these industries, but our economy and the state, as well.

What began as a small sales operation in Greensboro, Brady now employs more than 300 North Carolinians in offices and stores across the state. Brady values its employees as the backbone of its business, providing extensive training for personal growth and development, creating a skilled work force in our state.

This year, Brady was also honored with the mid-sized ``North Carolina Family Business of the Year'' award from Wake Forest University. On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we would like to recognize and celebrate this leading local business on its 50th year of operation. We wish Brady more success and growth in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5512) to amend title 28, United States Code, to realign divisions within two judicial districts, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 5512, as amended, currently under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I support H.R. 5512, the Divisional Realignment Act of 2012, sponsored by Representative Bennie Thompson.

On March 13, 2012, the Judicial Conference of the United States adopted a draft bill that realigns divisions within the Eastern District of Missouri and the Northern District of Mississippi. The Divisional Realignment Act of 2012 reflects the draft developed by the Judicial Conference which the Judiciary Committee marked up on May 16. The realignments equalize workloads among divisions, maximize the use of court facilities, and shorten commutes for jurors and attorneys.

The bill is supported by the judges and attorneys from the two judicial districts and affected Members from Missouri and Mississippi.

The Congressional Budget Office states that H.R. 5512 will have ``only minimal administrative costs and thus no significant impact on the Federal budget.''

The only changes to the bill subsequent to our markup is the effective date. The local judges and the Judicial Conference asked Representative Bennie Thompson, the bill's sponsor, and the other members of the committee to include a 60-day delayed effective date. This provides the local judges in Mississippi and Missouri with more time to adjust their jury wheels to account for the new realignments. This is a good, commonsense change that helps with the administration of justice in the Northern District of Mississippi and the Eastern District of Missouri.

I hope, Mr. Speaker, that the Divisional Realignment Act of 2012 will be adopted by my colleagues, and I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman from Georgia for his generous remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to debate H.R. 5512, the ``Division Realignment Act of 2012.'' The Division Realignment Act of 2012 proposes to amend title 28, United States Code, to adjust divisions within two judicial districts. The realignment will occur between Missouri and Mississippi boundaries within the U.S. District Court. In response to population shifts and other factors, this legislation will transfer counties divisions in an effort to ensure more resourceful productivity on the district court level.

In particular, H.R. 5512 will separate the Northern District of Mississippi into three divisions consisting of, Aberdeen, Oxford and Greenville. Additionally, it seeks to amend Iron and Saint Genevieve Counties, in Missouri, from the eastern subdivision to the southeastern subdivision.

This legislation will aid in the equitable distribution of cases and administration functions for a faster and more efficient processing within the courts.

H.R. 5512 is necessary in maintaining the regulation of Federal statutory authority governing the Federal judicial system. The passage of this bill will assist in reducing case loads, promoting speedy trials, and ensuring that there is accurate jurisdiction within the federal districts among the states.

It is essential that we continue to aim for judicial effectiveness and sufficiency while adjusting to the continued growth and shifts within our communities.

Consistency is critical when the issue of judicial efficiency arises. It should be noted that while this legislation was acted upon swiftly, other important acts have failed to follow it its path. Proficiency within our courts is imperative therefore I encourage the Senate to act on President Obama's nominees so that American citizens can rely on an organized and effective judicial system.

As noted by Senator Leahy, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, despite the political party of the President in office, nominations to fill the positions of federal district court judges have always been confirmed quickly with deference given to the home state Senators who best know the nominees and their states. Never before in the Senate's history have the district court nominees been blocked for months as we have seen since President Obama's election.

Like many of my colleagues, it is my hope that both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate can end the damage of filibusters and quickly work toward the purpose of easing the burdens on our Federal courts that risk delaying justice.

Federal district court judges play an essential role in ensuring that Federal courts are able to provide fair hearings for all Americans. Similar to H.R. 5512, this is the same judiciary efficiency that the American people deserve.

Mr. Speaker, May 20, 2012, marks Taiwan President Ma Ying- jeou's second and final inauguration. It is not only Taiwan's democracy that its citizens and the world will celebrate that day, but also Taiwan's economic achievements of the last 60 years.

Just as it was an early Asian proponent of democratic principles and ideals, Taiwan was also an early adapter and proponent of what is commonly today called globalization. Taiwan, Asia's first Economic Tiger, embraced market reforms in the 1950s and quickly launched some of the best known, and most efficient, original equipment manufacturers that came to serve many U.S. firms. Today, Taiwan is a technology powerhouse and the island is firmly entrenched in the top tier of developed world markets.

While many other markets have shown a disturbing tendency to turn inwards when global economic conditions get tough, Taiwan has consistently kept its trade and investment doors open. A founding member of the Asia Development Bank in 1966, Taiwan also joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001 and further acceded to the VVTO's Government Procurement Agreement in 2009.

Since his first inauguration in 2008, President Ma has steadily removed many of the longstanding trade and investment barriers to mainland China, positioning Taiwan as a global gateway to and from the so-called ``Greater China'' market. This new outlook culminated in the 2010 signing of the Economic and Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) between Taiwan and mainland China. The ECFA benefits not only Taiwan firms and consumers, but aids U.S. interests by protecting intellectual property rights.

I encourage all of my colleagues in congratulating Taiwan President Ma on his inauguration, applaud Taiwan's many economic achievements since the 1950s, and support enhanced economic relations between the United States and Taiwan.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1864) to limit the authority of States to tax certain income of employees for employment duties performed in other States, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on H.R. 1864, as amended, currently under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1864.

On the way back to Washington, D.C., this past weekend, I looked around in my local airport and saw dozens of business travelers preparing to board airplanes to leave North Carolina and conduct business in other States. This happens, Mr. Speaker, every day in every State in America. The American workforce is more mobile in the 21st century than it has ever been.

Nonetheless, the diversity of State income tax laws places a significant burden on people who travel for work and their employers, many of which are small businesses. Currently, 41 States tax the wages earned by a nonresident for work performed there. I do not take issue with the right of those States to impose an income tax, but I am concerned that the disparity of tax rules among those States is damaging small businesses and stifling economic growth.

For example, some States require a nonresident to pay income tax if he or she works in that State for just one day. Other states do not collect tax until the nonresident works for a certain number of days in the particular jurisdiction. Small businesses must expend considerable resources to figure out how much they must withhold for their traveling employees in 41 different jurisdictions. Employees are also confused about when their tax liability is triggered and in which States they must file a tax return.

To alleviate this problem, on May 12 I introduced H.R. 1864, the Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act, with the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson). The bill we introduced establishes a clear 30-day threshold for tax liability and employer withholding. Under the bill, States remain free to set any income tax rate they choose.

Tax simplification--on both the Federal and State level--will allow workers and employers to predict their tax liabilities with accuracy and expend fewer resources researching the nuances of each State's respective tax law. The money they would have spent hiring accountants and tax lawyers can then be spent on creating meaningful jobs and growing the economy.

I urge all Members to cast a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to cast a ``yes'' vote on this matter, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3534.

Surety bonds are financial instruments used to provide financial security for large construction contracts. For example, prime contractors typically post payment bonds to assure subcontractors that they will be paid for their work. Prime contractors must also obtain bid and performance bonds to guarantee the owner that the work will be performed according to contract.

The federal government regularly contracts with privately-owned businesses to complete construction projects. In doing so, the government requires contractors to obtain surety bonds. But the security provided to the government by a surety bond is only as good as the capital or assets that stand behind the bond.

There are currently three ways a contractor can satisfy the federal government's requirement for adequate assurance of performance and payment. The contractor can obtain a bond from a corporate surety approved by the Treasury Department, give the United States a possessory security interest in low-risk, liquid assets, such as T- bills, cash, or cash equivalents, or the contractor can secure a bond from an individual surety.

In recent years, there have been a number of instances in which individual surety bonds have not provided the security they purport to offer. In some cases, this was because the value of the pledged assets had decreased significantly, like when the stock market suddenly dropped or real estate values plummeted.

H.R. 3534 addresses this problem by requiring individual sureties to pledge low-risk assets. This will benefit government and subcontractors, who typically get the short end of the stick.

I am happy to report that H.R. 3534 is supported by the American Subcontractors Association and the National Association of Minority Contractors.

I urge all members to vote ``yea'' on final passage for H.R. 3534.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4967) to prevent the termination of the temporary office of bankruptcy judges in certain judicial districts, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, North Carolina has a long and distinguished list of college basketball National Champions. This year, however, there is only one school from the Old North State that will earn the right to hoist a National Championship banner. No, I do not mean the North Carolina State University Wolfpack, nor the Duke University Blue Devils and not even the University of North Carolina Tarheels. Please join me, Mr. Speaker, in congratulating the Sandhills Community College Flyers upon their rise to the 2012 National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Championship.

Their 30 6 season ended with a commanding defeat of Cedar Valley College, from Dallas, Texas, by a score of 101 86. Outstanding play from Guard Daquain Towns, tournament MVP, and the tremendous coaching of Mike Apple led the Flyers, in only their third season, past teams in the play-offs from the Bronx, New York, Brookdale, New Jersey, and Prince George's County, Maryland. On March 17, the Sandhills Flyers became the first team from North Carolina to win a Division III National Championship and our office is proud to represent this fine group of young men. Each member of the Flyers deserves recognition for this outstanding achievement and they are:

Michael Collins, TJ Gill, Raheem Jolliffe, Chris Morrison, Daquain Towns, Dre Huntley, Chris Vinson, Trevor Cole, Mike Dorsey, Raheem Washington, Michael Robinson, TJ Jones, Tramaine Pride, Louis Craft, Kermeriaz Harrington, Erick Ewing, Markell Lotharp, Demontre Jones.

Coach: Mike Apple.

Athletic Director: Aaron Denton.

Congratulations also go out to Dr. John Dempsey and the Sandhills Community College family for putting together an organization that preserves North Carolina's premier basketball tradition while adding a new National Champion to our history books.

Mr. Speaker, last Saturday evening, I was watching the weekly Fox television program entitled ``Huckabee.'' Bullying was the featured issue.

Mr. Speaker, bullying has become a severely significant issue in some schools across our country.

Bullies, with limited exception, select their targets or victims in this manner: the victims are smaller in physical stature than are the bullies and are usually younger in years.

The victims of bullying become depressed and embarrassed, resulting in physical and emotional damage. One young lad became so distraught that he died by his own hand. Yes, he took his own life because of the damage that bullying had inflicted upon him.

The ``Huckabee'' program, in addition to having interviewed a bullying victim and his family, featured as well the director of the recently released movie entitled ``Bully.'' I urge you all to see this movie.

Mr. Speaker, I want to insist that bullies are punished at their schools by their parents and are prosecuted as juveniles if they are still minors.

We should cut no slack to bullies. They deserve no slack. If exposure could link the bullies to the aforementioned suicide, perhaps that should be pursued as well.

Mr. Speaker, this bullying plague must be resolved, but it will be resolved only when the bullies receive the punishment they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me today to introduce Army Chaplain Rudy Stevens.

Captain Stevens lives in North Carolina's Sixth Congressional District and serves the 2 504 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

During his tenure, Mr. Speaker, Captain Stevens has received many awards, most notably the Bronze Star, the Air Assault Wings, and Jump Wings. He has been deployed, Mr. Speaker, on separate occasions and will continue his duty with a deployment to Afghanistan in the coming months.

On behalf of the constituents of the Sixth District of North Carolina and my colleagues here in the people's House, Chaplain Stevens, we welcome you to the House of Representatives and extend our appreciation to you for having offered today's prayer.

Mr. Speaker, for the second consecutive year, a high school located in the Sixth District of North Carolina has captured a Class 3-AA state championship. The Northern Guilford Nighthawks won the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state championship, defeating Boiling Springs Crest, 31-7, on December 3, 2011.

Northern Guilford scored first but only had a six point lead going into the second half. Nineteen unanswered points, in the third quarter was too substantial for Boiling Springs Crest to overcome. ``I know I get credit,'' Northern Guilford Coach Johnny Roscoe told the Greensboro News & Record, ``But it's the assistant coaches and the players. They're the ones who really do it, and I can't say enough about them.''

The Northern Guilford Nighthawks finished their season with a 14-1 record and went undefeated, 7-0, in league play. The NCHSAA offensive and defensive players of the game were Nighthawks Daniel Downing and Scooter Mooney. T.J. Logan received the game's Most Valuable Player award with a five touchdown performance. None of these accolades would have been obtained without the hard work and determination from teammates Tre Purcell, Cameron Harris, Brett Welch, Austin Hoke, John McBeth, Ryan Dirks, Nick Jones, Austin Coltrane, Mark Mitchell, Avery Cooper, Shaquille Fields, Burney Sindab, Justin Timmons, Chris Ripberger, Malik Parker, Robert Willcox, Rory Bergen, Bernard Sindab, T.J. Ruff, Trip Dunn, Trevon Cooper, Frankie Lollis, Ryan Johnston, Trevor McKee, Austin Simmons, Max Klietsch, Tripp West, Blaine Jones, Eric Hong, Josh Steele, Kamen Smith, Chris Forlano, Trevor Beck, Rashad Martin, Sam Parker, Andrew Keen, Bryan Iddings, Taylor Rumley, Molick Scott, Josh Moore, Alex Hasler, and Carlos Williams.

The Nighthawks could not have achieved the state championship without the leadership of Head Coach Johnny Roscoe and his outstanding staff, including J.R. Troutman, Brian Thomas, Lee Meekins, Ben Hepler, Justin Davis, Todd Sharp, Tim Bagamary, Richard Burton, and Chris Shaffer. In addition, those aiding the title hunt were Stacy Come (Cheerleading), Ed Kimbrough (Band Director), Ashlyn Thomas and Jenna Livingston (Video), Britt Thomas (ball boy), Kirstin Shepperson (Team Physician), Justin Ollis (Trainer), Kalyn Wadsworth and K.T. Song (UNCG Athletic Training Interns), Mercedes Wiglesworth, Sydney Monroe and Taylor Phillips (Student Trainers), Perry Johnson (Manager) and a special thanks to Mrs. Jane Roscoe.

Congratulations are also deserved for those who supported the football program at Northern Guilford throughout its successful season including Principal Will Laine, Assistant Principals Doug Foutty, Kris Vecchione, and Travis Ward, as well as Athletic Director Brian Thomas.

Once more, on behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we congratulate the Northern Guilford High School football team, along with the faculty, staff and students for their championship season. While everyone remembers the first time they achieved a

major accomplishment, the Nighthawks proved that the second time is as sweet as the first.

Mr. Speaker, the saying that good things come to those who wait can be applied to the fans of the Walter H. Page High School football team. Page fans have been waiting since 1985 for their football team to capture a state championship. The Pirates completed a 15-0 perfect season with the title win, on December 3, 2011. I would like to take this time to recognize Page High School's football team, located in the Sixth District of North Carolina, for winning the Class 4-AA state championship. The Page Pirates defeated Garner High, 35-21, in front of more than 10,000 fans at BB&T Field in Winston Salem.

The Pirates took the lead in the second quarter and never looked back. ``Our kids believed they were supposed to be here, and I believe they not only deserve to be here, but to win it, and we did,'' Page Coach Kevin Gillespie told the (Greensboro) News & Record. The program's undefeated 15-0 record solidifies both his and the player's beliefs.

Garner High began to gain momentum and cut the lead to seven points in the third quarter, but Pirates quarterback, James Summers answered with a 54-yard touchdown on the very next play. This display of athleticism and determination earned him the game's Most Valuable Player award. All members of the Page football team contributed to the perfect season, including Jalen Gavin, Carter Stanley, Jonathan Lynch, Kysung Young, Brian Spain, Jarvis Small, Orlando Hatfield, Blake Hickman, Carter Greene, Jordan Putnam, Thomas Little, Christian Cranford, Marcus Demery, Ed Britt, Ryan Jackson, William Henry, Savon Wall, Shedrick Pate, Drew Rogers, Devonta Hooker, Kahlil Wilson, Evan Roer, A.J. Capel, Shaun Workinger, Grant Brewer, Eric Kelly, Justin Smith, Tim Wharton, Lorenzo Featherston, DeAnthony Brooks, Chance Maness, Ventura Anthony, Jacob Green, Anthony Hope, Chris Hamrick, Arrius McCain, David Jennings, Jaxon Cummings, Jonathan Smith, Kemp Young, Andrew Lamore, Dishon Stewart, Isaiah Towns, Rasheen Wall, Lewis Jones, Alex Alverez, Matt Mayfield, Tevin Morrison, Chris Mosley, , and Tommy Laughon.

Credit must be given to Head Coach Kevin Gillespie and his staff including Norman Weeks, Gordon Hagen, Todd Halkyer, Cody Page, Wilson Helms, Chris Ferguson, Kevin Harris, Earl Sams, Jesse Britt, Malcolm

Parker, Mark Raynor and Russell Mills, for the success and growth these young men accomplished this season.

Additionally deserving credit is Principal Marilyn Foley, Athletic Director Rusty Lee, Nikki Kennedy (Trainer), and Jeremy Godwin (Statistician).

They may have waited 27 years, but winning with a perfect record was worth the wait. Again, on behalf of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we congratulate the Page High School football program, along with the faulty, staff, students and supportive community for their championship season.

Mr. Speaker, last month I was a sick pup. This month, I am a recovering pup. During my sick pup days, I became the beneficiary of cards and letters from well-wishers, personal visits, telephone calls, and emails. Many of these expressions originated here in the people's House. And the purpose of my 1-minute today is to convey my expression of appreciation to my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, for their generous support during that period.