Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to rise today on behalf of New Ebenezer Baptist Church. This beacon of hope in Florence, South Carolina has provided faith and fellowship for its congregation for 100 years.

The rich history of this Florence religious institution began on August 5, 1907. The land for the church was donated by the late Deacon James Norwood, and New Ebenezer has stood on this same site for a century. In the early years, the church was served by Reverends A.J. Streater, Bass, T.T. Tucker, Sasser, and D.J. Johnson.

In 1927, Reverend J.L. Brooks became the pastor of New Ebenezer and served as its spiritual leader until 1941. He was succeeded by Revered W.A. Johnson, who grew the church spiritually and financially. Under his leadership, the present block structure was constructed in 1949. Ten years later, Reverend E.D. Dixon took over the helm of the church and succeeded in increasing the membership and paying off the church's mortgage.

Dr. John Julius Abney became the minister of New Ebenezer in 1963. He oversaw a tremendous time in the church's history. In his first year, a block hut was added to the church. His vision for the church's expansion was further realized with the addition of new properties and the expansion and renovation of the exterior and interior of the main sanctuary. These changes included the addition of a vestibule, the erection of the education building, the cornerstone laying for the main sanctuary, and renovations of the parsonage. It was in 1966, under Dr. Abney's leadership that the church received its first charter from the State designating it officially as New Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Dr. Abney's tenure of extraordinary change was followed by the service of Dr. William Edward Chancy who also presided over significant growth of the church in both membership and its footprint. Under Reverend Chancy's oversight, properties adjacent to the church were purchased, the parking area was paved, and a new bus was purchased. Perhaps the largest growth in the ministry of the church came with the addition of a child care center on site.

In 1981, Reverend Lewis P. Graham became the leader of the church in which he was raised. This son of the church led the congregation to install a new heating and air conditioning system, purchase a new piano and organ, and pay off the church bus.

Leadership of New Ebenezer fell to the church's officers from December 1988 to October 1989, and they continued to improve the church and its surroundings. Under their leadership, the Missionary Department undertook the project of converting the ladies lounge into a church library. Deacon Hosea Quillen, Sr. and his son donated most of the labor for this effort. The church officers also erected a new steeple and installed a new roof on the main sanctuary. Aluminum siding and painting was done to the exterior of the sanctuary and education building.

In October 1989, Reverend James E. Rutledge was called from East Orange, New Jersey to lead New Ebenezer. Under his leadership, Reverend Rutledge, new stained glass windows were installed, carpet was replaced and the choir loft was moved to the rear of the pulpit. The church was painted inside and out.

In 1993, Reverend Norman Gamble was called to serve as pastor of New Ebenezer Baptist Church and remains its pastor today. His service has involved great changes at the

church. He has increased the membership, established an Education Fund, and purchased two minivans, video equipment and computers. Part of his legacy includes the videotaping of worship services and outreach ministries to help the church reach the broader community. This church has served as a source of spiritual strength and service to others throughout its long history. It is a fixture in the Florence community and has been an integral part of countless lives over the years.

Madam Speaker, I commend Reverend Gamble and the congregation of New Ebenezer Baptist Church for their tremendous contributions to the faith community, and invite you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating New Ebenezer Baptist Church of Florence, South Carolina on its 100th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, when it comes to the war on terror, the President is always quick to remind members of the international community that they're either with us or against us. There is no neutral or impartial position that can be taken. Well, I'm here to tell my colleagues today that there is no nonaligned position that they can assume on child care. You either support working families with health care for their children, or you don't. It's just that simple.

Now, I've heard the specious claims that SCHIP is a form of socialized medicine. The President did not call it socialized medicine when he promised the American people he would seek to expand the program when he was accepting the party's nomination for a second term. Then again, how can it be socialized medicine when it covers 10 million children and not be socialized medicine for 6 million children?

And the outrageous claim that this Congress is neglecting poor children is inaccurate. We already provide assistance to poor children through Medicaid. SCHIP is designed to provide assistance to those working families whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid and too low to purchase private health care coverage.

If you do not want to provide relief to middle-income families, you should just have the guts to say so. But don't come here to the floor and mislabel this bill as socialized medicine or accuse Democrats of not prioritizing the needs of America's children.

I implore those of you who plan to vote to sustain the veto to reconsider your position. Think of how devastated you would be if your children and grandchildren had to go without basic health care. Imagine the hopelessness and despair you would feel in such a situation.

This is where we are today, because when you cast your votes today, you either stand with our children or you stand against them. There is no in between.

Let's vote to override the President's veto.

I thank my friend for yielding to me.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday the House will meet at 12:30 p.m. for morning- hour business and 2 p.m. for legislative business, with votes rolled until 6:30 p.m. We will consider several bills under suspension of the rules. A list of those bills will be announced by the close of business tomorrow.

On Tuesday, the House will meet at 9 a.m. for morning-hour business and 10 a.m. for legislative business. On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10 a.m. for legislative business. We expect to consider H.R. 1483, the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Act; H.R. 1011, Virginia Ridge and Valley Act; H.R. 505, Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act; H.R. 3685, Employment Nondiscrimination Act; and H.R. 3867, Small Business Contracting Act. On Friday, there will be no votes in the House.

I thank the gentleman for yielding. We do expect the bill to come back to the floor, and it is under discussion as to when that will be.

I thank the gentleman. We are still looking at that bill, and we expect next week to have some announcements about it.

I thank the gentleman. I can tell the gentleman that we are serious about extending coverage to 10 million children. I think that the issue you just raised is an issue that has been talked about quite a bit, especially in the media, for the last 2 or 3 days, and I suspect that that is one of the things that we would be taking a look at in order to try to bring some resolution to. I think, so long as we can maintain the intentions to cover 10 million children, everything else will be under discussion.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I wish I could give you some good sense of where we are with all of that. As you know, these discussions are taking place. The rules are a little bit different with the Senate than they are with us. We've done our work here on the House side. I would hope that those conference committees will get ready real soon. I'm sure that we'll take them up as soon as they are ready, and I hope that will be very soon. I have no sense as to when that will be. I'm very hopeful, like you are, I'm sure, that it will all be between now and November 16.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a friend and an entrepreneur who has overcome adversity and achieved great success. Lancelot Devon Wright, known as Lance to his friends, is being honored by his community and his family on October 23, 2007 for his 20 years of success leading businesses in Columbia, South Carolina.

Lance Wright was born to a single mom in Boston, Massachusetts in 1966. During his younger years, Lance was raised by both his mom, Joan Joanne Wright, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wright of Holly Hill, South Carolina. Lance and his mother moved to Columbia when he was 10 years old, and it is the town he still calls home. He spent his formative years at Fort Jackson elementary schools and W.J. Keenan High School. One of his passions in high school was tennis, and he was quite accomplished at the game. His competitiveness on the court was a precursor to his competitiveness in business.

Although Lance's family didn't have much financially, he did grow up with a tremendous work ethic. At the age of 14, he became a dishwasher for a local renowned caterer, Bob Funderburk. Mr. Funderburk served as a mentor to Lance, and set him on a promising path.

While a student at the University of South Carolina, Lance worked his way up at the USC Faculty House restaurant from kitchen manager, to food and beverage manager, and eventually he became a chef. These jobs enabled Lance to pay for college, help his family, and gave him the skills he would need to launch a career.

At 21, Lance left college to start his own restaurant, the Las Vegas Deli in downtown Columbia. He and his business partner, Lenwood Greene, employed 10 people and built a successful restaurant. After 5 years, The Deli, as it was known, was forced to close when the building owner sold the property. Lance and Lenwood then opened their second restaurant, The Grille. The business was such a success it spun off to create a nightclub called Sunset Place and a billiards hall known as Sunset Pub. Finally The Grille also launched a very profitable catering business.

It was during this time that Lance reignited his love for tennis. He joined a men's tennis team at Greenview Park in Columbia. As captain of their team, he recognized that the tennis facilities at Greenview were sorely lacking. He led an effort to get the City of Columbia to upgrade the facilities. In 1997, the City supported Lance and his grassroots effort, and made a commitment to build a new tennis facility. Today Greenview Park has nine lighted tennis courts, hosts numerous teams for league play and tournaments, and provides programs for youth.

In 1995, Lance married Adrienne Felder of Columbia. It became clear a few years into his marriage that his businesses were taking too much time away from his family. So in 1998, he made a break from The Grille and began Home Choice Mortgage in a spare bedroom at his home. The business grew to seven employees, and provided alternative financing for residential loans to many South Carolinians.

Yet Lance knew there were community needs and that he had the entrepreneurial skills to help address those needs. As a child, he often rode his bike to a pharmacy to pick up his grandmother's medical supplies and prescriptions. That experience helped him visualize the need for a mail order company to supply these products to rural communities and senior citizens. In January 2000 he launched National Direct Diabetic Supply. Lance and his two associates, Tom Crocker and Andre Lewis, began the company to serve diabetics by mail. The company grew so quickly they had to move every year for the first 3 years to accommodate its growth.

Currently the company exists as National Direct Home Pharmacy. It has added additional services which include a full service pharmacy. Lance, as CEO and President, oversees approximately 125 employees and serves patients all over the country. He still maintains the company headquarters in Columbia, South Carolina.

Lance continues to support the community and contributes generously to the arts, the First Tee golf program for youth, and the American Diabetes Association among other worthy causes. He and his wife, Adrienne, have two sons, Lancelot II and Sean Christopher.

Lance continues to support the community and contributes generously to the arts, the First Tee golf program for youth, and the American Diabetes Association among other worthy causes. He and his wife, Adrienne, have two sons, Lancelot II and Sean Christopher.

Madam Speaker, I invite you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating Lancelot Wright, Sr. for 20 years of entrepreneurial success and dedication to his community. His perseverance and passion have built a better life for his family, his community and the customers he serves. Lance is a true success story, whose life could have taken a very different direction. His family, faith and his fortitude helped him achieve remarkable things. I wish him continued success and Godspeed!

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the 30-somethings for allowing me to intrude on their discussion here this evening.

I think that tomorrow when we come before the American people to take a vote on whether or not we ought to override the President's veto, it's a very important program. I think it's important for the American people to think about a couple of mischaracterizations that have gone on concerning this program.

First of all, we are hearing our friends on the other side call this Children's Health Insurance Program some kind of step towards socialized medicine. I find that very strange that when the President came before the American people, asking for a second term, at his convention, when he accepted the nomination, he called for an expansion of the Children's Health Insurance Program, and I think we ought to ask ourselves how can a program be socialized medicine for 10 million children but it's not socialized medicine for 6 million children. I think that it says something about the commitment that the President made to the American people and to his own party at his last nominating convention.

Second mischaracterization I think that the American people ought to really think about, and that is the accusation that this Congress, our party, the Democratic Party is ignoring poor children by pushing this program. The fact of the matter is lower-income children will have an opportunity through Medicaid. That's there now. It's been there for a long time.

SCHIP was not designed for that purpose. This program was designed as middle-income relief, relief for middle-income families, for families whose children are in need of health care, but their incomes are a little bit too high for them to qualify for Medicaid but not high enough for them to be able to afford the health care that they need in the private market.

So I think that tomorrow, as we get ready to say to the American people exactly what our values are, I think that the people who are planning to vote to sustain this veto ought to ask themselves what is it that I'm doing, and I think that what they will be doing would be denying health care, denying to children, they will be denying relief to the middle-income families who work every day trying to make ends meet, but while they're trying to feed their families, to provide for their educations, to shelter them, they do not have enough left to afford the kind of health care that they need.

So I want to thank you all for highlighting this program this evening, and I know that for the 30-somethings it may not be all that important now but for us 60-somethings, this is a mighty important program for our grandchildren, and thank you so much for allowing me to intrude this evening.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 507 Care for Kids Act of 2007. As you know, this bill would award grants to states to: (1) provide comprehensive eye examinations by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist for children identified by a licensed health care provider or vision screener, with priority to children under age nine; (2) provide treatment or services to correct vision problems of such children; and (3) develop and disseminate educational materials on recognizing signs of visual impairment in children.

Madam Speaker, studies have shown that African-Americans were most likely to report that they do not have a regular eye care professional (21 percent). And Hispanics were least likely to have seen an eye care professional in the last year (43 percent).

Madam Speaker, like many diseases, vision problems can disproportionately affect certain ethnic groups. For example, African- Americans are five times more likely to have glaucoma, Hispanics are at the greatest risk for cataracts, and myopia or near-sightedness is much more common among Asians than other ethnic groups.

But the story doesn't end there, a new study by University of Michigan pediatricians suggests that poor, uninsured, black and Hispanic children are getting the least vision care services in this country. In all, non-Hispanic and non-black children were 47 percent more likely than Hispanic children--and 59 percent more likely than black children--to have received eye care in the last year. In addition, the study showed that uninsured black or Hispanic children were less likely than uninsured children of other races or ethnicities to have corrective lenses.

Madam speaker, we have to do better on providing care to these communities and giving these communities the healthcare professionals to deliverer such care. To date, the current enrollment percentages of African-American and Hispanic students in optometry school is dismal at best. In the United States, only 3.5 percent of currently enrolled optometry students are African American. Hispanics do not fare much better, when including the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico, the enrollment of Hispanics in U.S. optometry schools and Canada is even lower than that of African Americans.

So Madam Speaker while I strongly support this bill we must do more to address these disparities. Thus, the reason behind my outspoken wish to mandate vision care to the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) reauthorization. The lack of vision care for children can not be tolerated in this country and I look forward to working with the Congress in bringing this issue to the forefront of our debate around

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my outrage and utter disgust regarding the treatment of some of our brave men and women who have just returned home from serving gallantly in Iraq.

Recently, members of the Minnesota National Guard, known as the Red Bulls, were told that they did not qualify to receive benefits under the GI Bill. Why? Because they were deployed for 729 days in Iraq and not the 730 days mandated by the GI Bill to receive benefits.

The fact that they would deny educational benefits to courageous veterans who risked their lives defending our freedoms, many of whom were deployed for 20 consecutive months, is shameful and appalling. Supporting our troops means taking care of them when they come home and providing them with the benefits they have earned and rightfully deserve.

Mr. Speaker, if I might invoke the words of Alexis de Tocqueville: ``America is great because America is good. And if America ever ceases to be good, it will cease to be great.''

Mr. Speaker, this action does not reflect the goodness of our great Nation.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding at this time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the 112,000 uninsured children in my home State of South Carolina and the millions of other uninsured children across the country. Many of the uninsured children in my home State come from lower-income and working families, most of whom devote nearly all of their earnings to providing their children the basic necessities, such as shelter, food and clothing. Without CHIP, most of these families would not be able to provide their children with the health care they deserve.

Madam Speaker, in vetoing this bill, President Bush has shown the American people that his priorities are not with our Nation's uninsured; his priorities are not with the millions of families struggling to make ends meet. This President will have you believe that it is more important to reach out to America's millionaires and billionaires because, according to the President, they are the ones who are being left behind, not our children, not our uninsured, and not our hardworking families.

Madam Speaker, by opposing this legislation, the President is rebuking an overwhelming majority of Americans. CHIP has broad bipartisan support in the Senate and House, and 43 Governors and 300 advocacy groups have endorsed this legislation.

Support for this bill is high because it seeks to do what is right. It is right to insure children from poor and low-income families. It is right to extend coverage to 2.4 million minority children.

So I encourage my colleagues to do what is right and support this legislation. In doing what is right, you will be standing up for the uninsured. In doing what is right, you will be standing up for millions of hardworking American families. In doing what is right, you will be putting the needs of our children first.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a former mayor, educator and businessman who dedicated his life to his hometown of Lynchburg, South Carolina. The town is dedicating a park in honor of the late Clifton J. Jefferson on October 6, 2007, and I believe it is fitting that the U.S. Congress honors his public service as well.

Clifton Jefferson was born in Lynchburg on September 10, 1923. Raised by his grandparents, John and Carrie Jefferson, Clifton attended Lynchburg public schools until he reached high school. At that time, he moved to Florence to attend Wilson High School, and upon graduation matriculated at South Carolina State College.

Clifton Jefferson didn't come from a wealthy family, and he had to perform odd jobs to help pay for school. But he had a tremendous work ethic and real rapport with his fellow students. They affectionately called him ``Jeff,'' and elected him president of the Senior class at South Carolina State. He earned a bachelors degree in agriculture in 1946, and then decided to move to Baltimore, Maryland where he pursued further studies at Howard University, Morgan State, and the University of Maryland. At the time, Jeff helped integrate the University of Maryland as its first black student. He stayed on in Baltimore for eight years, but returned home when he was needed to care for his ailing grandmother.

Back at home in Lynchburg, Clifton Jefferson worked in the Lee County Public School System for 32 years. He began as a classroom teacher, became an assistant principal at Fleming Elementary and Mt. Pleasant High School, and went on to become principal of Bishopville Junior High School. He also held positions as assistant director of Lee County Vocational School, now known as the Lee County Career & Technology Center, and as coordinator of the Old Ceta Program, now Project ACT. All the while, he owned and operated Jefferson Funeral Home in Lynchburg.

Breaking color barriers was a common theme of Clifton Jefferson's life. He was elected the first black mayor of Lynchburg, and served his community for 16 consecutive years in that role. Some of his major accomplishments included integrating the Lee County sheriff's department, the county court house, and various agencies. He also brought the first Head Start program to Lynchburg.

During his tenure, Mayor Jefferson was instrumental in investing in his town's infrastructure by improving the water, sewer, and drainage systems, creating two parks, and increasing the number of town employees to provide services to the community. He also established the first Christmas parade and magnolia festival in Lynchburg.

Clifton Jefferson was an active member of Warren Chapel United Methodist Church, and held various positions on boards in Lee County and in South Carolina. His memberships included: the South Carolina Conference of Black Mayors, National Conference of Black Mayors, the World Conference of Black Mayors, South Carolina Municipal Association, Lee County Teachers Association, South Carolina Teachers Association, National Teachers Association, NAACP, Lee County Chapter of SC State Alumni, South Carolina Morticians Association, National Morticians Association, Florence Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the National Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

He was married to the former Gwendolyn Weaver, and the couple had six children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and all the members of this esteemed body to join me in recognizing the extraordinary work of Clifton J. Jefferson. I also commend the Town of Lynchburg for honoring their late mayor's great work by naming a park in his memory. This will serve as a lasting tribute for a gentle giant, who loved his hometown and succeeded in making it a better place.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a spiritual leader whose commitment to his congregation and to his church spans half of a century. Bishop Edward Smith, dedicated pastor of the Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, celebrates his 50th anniversary in the ministry this year. A beacon for hope in times of sorrow and an inspiring figure in times of celebration, Bishop Smith has faithfully and prayerfully served the Denmark community. I congratulate Bishop Smith on this significant milestone in his ministry.

In the Book of Micah we find the question, ``What does the Lord require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?'' Bishop Smith has certainly answered with an adherence to that biblical admonition. He began his service in 1957. Bishop Joseph Williams appointed the then Elder Smith as the new pastor of Progressive Church following the resignation of Elder Collins. In accepting this challenge, Bishop Smith said, ``The Lord saved me for service and if this is where I am to serve, here am I Lord use me.'' And so, with the Apostle Peter as his example, Bishop Smith sold his home in Columbia, South Carolina and went to Denmark to build a house for the Lord.

By fall 1959, Bishop Smith moved his church from Blackville, South Carolina to a storefront in Denmark, South Carolina, increasing his congregation from six to fifteen. With the power of faith, the force of hammers, and Bishop Smith as their guide, seven months of construction later, February 1963, there stood a new church on East Haynes Street.

Over the course of the 46 years that followed, he presided over an expansion that included a Progressive Child Development Center established in 1986, and the purchase of a sixteen acre track of land on Progressive Way, where Bishop Smith envisions a new K-12 school and efficiency apartments for the elderly. Today, the Progressive Church in Denmark attracts congregants from five neighboring counties.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating Bishop Edward Smith on his 50th Anniversary. Like his spiritual guide, Saint Peter, he has established a strong house for God. In addition, this vibrant and devoted civic leader has enriched the lives of many in Denmark, South Carolina. I commend his steadfastness on behalf of ``the least of these'' and I applaud Bishop Edward Smith for his half century of public service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Mr. Terry Friday and to express my deepest sympathy to his family on his passing on September 1, 2007.

Terry Friday was born on December 26, 1950, in Columbia, South Carolina to Joseph C. and Leola Lee Friday. A child prodigy, his musical genius became evident during his early years, and his family began to expose him to the world of music.

At the age of 6, he began his formal music training under his first piano teacher, Mrs. Margaret Thornton, who nurtured his love for music and encouraged what would become Terry's lifelong passion, sharing his musical gift with others. As he progressed through the Columbia public schools, other nurturing music teachers included Mrs. Haggler at Roosevelt Village Elementary School, Mrs. Barbara Bailey, and Mrs. Edna Pough, all of whom had a profound influence on his early training.

Terry excelled in almost all instruments, not only piano and organ. His special gift allowed him to play the flute, clarinet, French horn, drums, bells, and saxophone. His musical repertoire spanned the full range of music--classical, jazz, religious, hymns, spirituals and anthems, and contemporary gospel music.

Mr. Friday graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1969, where he was a member of the Marching 100 school band under the direction of the late Mr. ``Pop'' June. He continued his education at the University of South Carolina where he received his Bachelor of Arts (1973) and Master's (1979) degrees in Music.

During his high school years, Terry began his Church music ministry at Friendship African Methodist Episcopal Church, a church founded by his grandparents. He later served the Union Baptist Church of Columbia. In 1970, at only 20 years old, he became the organist at Ridgewood Missionary Baptist Church, where he served until 1989. It was during his tenure that the Ridgewood choir earned a national reputation for musical excellence.

In 1989, Mr. Friday was called to Washington, DC as the minister of music at the historic Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, the national cathedral of the AME church. During his tenure at Metropolitan, he served as musician/director at many prestigious events and ceremonies, most notably the Inaugural Prayer Services for President William Jefferson Clinton in 1993 and 1997 respectively.

In September of 1998, Terry was named Minister of Music at the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church of Washington, the oldest African American Baptist congregation in the nation's capital. Highly sought after by churches and choral groups, one of Terry's crowning achievements was playing the organ at the Washington National Cathedral.

Mr. Friday leaves behind legions of choirs, orchestras, and ensembles, all of whom benefited from his musical genius. One of his greatest joys was to feel the response of great choirs, as he accompanied them on the organ. On Saturday, September 7, friends and colleagues from across the country will gather at the Union Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina for funeral services and to celebrate the life of this great musician.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the life and legacy of Mr. Terry Friday, and I offer my deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a phenomenal figure in African American history, Ervin James, the founder of Jamestown in Florence County, South Carolina. The extraordinary legacy of Ervin James's life powerfully changed the course of African American history in the South during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Ervin James's legacy richly contributed to the story of black history after the Civil War, the story of southern agriculture, and the story of community development in a time when many groups of African Americans struggled to survive.

In 1870, Ervin James bought a sizable tract of land on his own from Eli McKissick and Mary Poston near Florence, South Carolina. The transaction was formally documented in a deed recorded on January 23, 1871. James's purchase developed into more than just a family farm. During the last two decades of the nineteenth century, his tract of land grew into a small rural African American community. The community thrived for 70 years, from its establishment in 1870 until its decline in the 1940s.

The development of Jamestown is a remarkable one. Beginning with Ervin James's

original purchase, the community expanded through cooperative purchase by James's five sons, Sidney, Ellison, Eli, Fisher, and James James as well as Ervin James's son-in-law, Alonza Wright. James's five sons and son-in-law divided up the original tract of land into six twelve-acre plots for each of them to farm individually. Throughout the last decade of the nineteenth century and the first decade of the early twentieth, these six men made several cooperative purchases to increase the collective land holdings of Jamestown.

All six names appear on a deed recorded on March 26, 1891. In that year, the men bought several tracts of land from J.A. Grice and his wife Sarah E. Grice, the daughter of Eli McKissick. A subsequent deed recorded on May 29, 1891 documents the purchase of more land from Rebecca A. Gibson acting as trustee for the will of Nathan S. Gibson who owned land that bordered the James family holdings. The practice of cooperative purchase continued into the next generation of the James family. On June 29, 1915, Ephraim Ford, Eli James, James James, Robert James, Pat James, Elliott James, Mitchell James, James Wright and Betsy Williams collectively purchased land from J.R. Moody. The presence of several surnames other than James on the deed suggests that several other African American families had established themselves in the community by that time or had married into the James family. Jamestown had become a community.

Land divisions were made during the earlier years of the community to establish individual homes and tracts of land for separate families to work. Over the years, the property was passed down to the family heirs in each generation who collectively owned the land of their ancestors.

Social historian Edward Magdol asserts that owning land where family members could be reunited, live, and work together were primary concerns of freed African Americans. The community of Jamestown embodied each of these aspects. Without the dream of Ervin James, Jamestown and its powerful influence on African American history in the South would not have become a reality.

A marker was erected in Florence County, Jamestown on July 23, 2006 commemorating the extraordinary achievement of Ervin James. The marker thus reads:

Florence County, 21-22, Jamestown

This African American community, which flourished here for

70 years, has its origins in a 105-acre tract bought in 1870

by former slave Ervin James (1815-1872). James, determined to

own his own farm instead of being dependent on sharecropping

or tenant farming, bought the tract from Eli McKissick and

Mary Poston. His five sons and a son-in-law later divided the

tract into individual farms.

Between 1870 and 1940 Ervin James's descendants and other

area families purchased additional land, creating a rural

community of about 250 residents. Among its institutions were

the Jamestown Cemetery, dating from its earliest days; the

Summerville Methodist Church (renamed Bowers Chapel),

established about 1880; and the Summerville Elementary

School, built in 1926.

Erected by Jamestown Reunion Committee, 2006

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding minority-owned business in my hometown of Columbia, SC, that has earned a reputation for excellence. Houston's Enterprise Catering Service is deservedly being honored by the Southeast Minority Business Development Agency with the Southeastern Regional Director's Award. This is the highest honor bestowed by the regional MBDA organization in recognition of a minority business's outstanding achievements.

Chef Frank Houston and his wife, Millie, are the power behind Houston's Enterprise Catering Service. Frank began cooking when he was a young boy growing up in Charleston, SC. His mother believed in the African-American tradition of teaching all children to cook. Young Frank soon became adept at preparing family favorites like shrimp and grits, homemade butter pound cake, fruitcake, and lima beans with rice.

Cooking was a passion that he learned early in life and was a skill he parlayed into a career. At age 16, he became a bus boy at the Francis Marion Hotel but quickly rose to become a waiter. Frank Houston's ambition and desire to learn everything about the restaurant business precipitated his climb through management and he ultimately became the dining room manager for the hotel.

Yet Frank knew his first love was in preparing food, and left his food service work to study culinary arts at Cornell University. After completing his studies, Frank used his background to launch a restaurant with partner Bob Funderburk. The two men successfully ran Funderburk Restaurant, but Frank knew he ultimately wanted to venture out on his own.

Starting his own catering company proved to be a challenge even for the successful entrepreneur. Frank moved to Columbia, and opened his own catering business in 1987. However, as the sole employee of the business, banks were wary of lending him start-up capital and he had to rely on his own financing. The first year was difficult. Houston's Catering sales reached only $50,000, but he didn't give up.

Fate intervened when Frank met his wife, Millie, in 1994. She was completing her degree in hotel, restaurant and tourism management at the University of South Carolina. The combination of their talents led to the creation of Houston's Enterprise Catering Service with Frank serving as chef and Millie managing the operations. The Houstons still received no financial backing and struggled to build their business on word of mouth. Their attention to detail and exquisite execution of upscale menus drew a new customer base solely founded on the company's reputation. By 2001, sales reached nearly $280,000, and Houston's counted among its clientele major corporations, community-based organizations, State agencies as well as private clients.

With the company's growing success, the Houstons believed they should continue to build their business while giving back to the community that had supported them. As they began to hire new employees, they made a commitment to hire those who were disadvantaged and in need of work. They created a secretarial position for single mothers, hired disabled workers and mentored youth during the summer.

The business has been challenged by the opening of the Columbia Convention Center in 2004, which provides special event services for clients who are required to use their food service vendor. Today, Houston's Enterprise Catering Service has a new contract to provide service for the convention center that once was his competition. This new contract in partnership with the Ovations Company is projected to double the Houston's sales figures to exceed $500,000 this fiscal year.

The company still remains committed to the community and giving back. Each year, Houston's contributes to AIDS benefits, the Oliver Gospel Mission, Harvest Hope Food Bank, and various women's shelters. They also participate in youth development programs like DARE, Buffalo Soldiers, and continue to mentor young people. The Houstons were instrumental in creating the ``Chef & Child Program,'' an initiative of Midlands Chef Association. They have received numerous commendations for their community service including awards from the American Culinary Federation.

The Houstons are grounded by their faith, and Frank currently serves as an associate minister at St. Peter Baptist Church in Irmo, SC. The couple has received citations for their outstanding support of their church.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me today in commending Houston's Enterprise Catering Service for its extraordinary accomplishments and its recognition as the recipient of the MBDA's Southeastern Regional Director's Award. I know firsthand of the wonderful food and service the Houstons provide, and I cannot think of another couple more deserving of the rewards they are reaping after years of hard work and community service. They are truly an example of the American dream, and I applaud their tremendous accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the resolution be laid on the table.

I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3162, the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007.

I want to commend Chairs Rangel, Dingell, Stark and Pallone for working with all of our caucuses in drafting this piece of legislation. I also rise to explain why I and many of my colleagues are unequivocal on the need for Congress to cover all eligible kids.

There is an old judicial axiom that says ``Justice delayed is justice denied.'' The same is true for health care, and there is no better example on how health care delay is health care denied than the story of Devante Johnson from Houston, Texas. Thirteen-year-old Devante Johnson from Houston, Texas, had advanced kidney cancer and could not afford to be without health care coverage. But, last year, the Johnson family spent 4 desperate months uninsured while his mother tried to renew his Medicare coverage.

For years, Devante and his two brothers were covered by Medicaid. Texas families who qualify for Medicaid or CHIP are required to renew their coverage every 6 months. Devante's mother, Tamika, had tried to get a head start by sending their paperwork 2 months before Medicaid was set to expire.

That application sat for 6 weeks until it was processed and then transferred to CHIP, because an employee believed the family no longer qualified for Medicaid. At that point, the paperwork got lost in the system.

For 4 months, Devante went without health insurance as employees unsuccessfully attempted to reinstate his coverage. As a result, he could no longer receive regular treatment and had to rely on clinical trials for care. Meanwhile, his tumors grew.

It wasn't until the State representative intervened that Devante's coverage was immediately reinstated. But it was too late. Devante Johnson died on March 1, 2007.

I want you to look at him. He has to mean something to you. For, in the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., ``There is nothing more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscious stupidity.''

We cannot allow this to continue. Support the Devantes of our great country and give health care to all of our children.