Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge) for yielding to me.

Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to come to the well tonight and to speak on behalf of one of our Nation's most promising leaders. I know that the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge) has spoken about his relationship with Senator Edwards. We have heard from the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Miller), the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McIntyre), and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price); and they have talked about the experiences they have had with him as well as his record here in this city in our other body.

I was asked the other day by a friend why was it that I thought that John Edwards was so optimistic about the future of this country when all the headlines around us seem to indicate something else. I said to him John Edwards was born in a little town not far from the town where I was born, Sumter. I was born in Sumter. He was born in Seneca. Geographically it is somewhat of a distance apart, but he was born and reared in a value system that I am very familiar with. A value system that is grounded in his faith which can best be described by the words found in the Book of Hebrews: ``Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.'' I think that John Edwards is optimistic about the future of this country because he has that kind of faith that comes out of a value system that tells us all that, as was said earlier, ``where there is no vision, the people perish.'' He has a vision for the future of this country, and he has expressed that vision time and time again throughout this Nation.

I heard it asked earlier what was the difference between John Edwards and Dan Quayle. The difference is very stark. John Edwards went before the American people. He laid out his life's history. He laid out his vision for the future. He told the people of this country where he would like to see us go, and he did so in such a way that exudes enthusiasm and optimism, and he endeared himself to the people of this Nation, and of course that is the difference. People got to know him. People got to see him. And people tell me that even when they did not vote for him because they may have thought someone else would make the better candidate, they really were moved by him. And today he is a part of what I consider to be one of the most promising teams of leaders this country has ever produced.

I want to close my comments tonight by dealing with an issue that I hear so much about: this issue of liberal versus conservative. In that little town of Sumter where I grew up, I was born and raised in the parsonage. My father was a fundamentalist minister who taught me in my early years that there are times when it is good to be conservative. He taught me that if I earn a

dollar, I ought to be able to save a nickle. He taught me that when I leave the room, I turn out the lights, I conserve energy. But on Sunday mornings after his sermon, he never asked his congregation to give conservatively. He always asked them to give liberally.

So I grew up thinking that it is good to be conservative at times, and it is good to be liberal at times. What life is all about is finding the balance that will make us all better for having lived it.

We see that balance in John Edwards, and as we go forward with this campaign, I think the American people will see that balance in John Edwards and John Kerry and will entrust the leadership of this Nation to that team that I am sure will make us all proud and bring back the dignity and respect that this Nation has always enjoyed.

I thank the gentleman for yielding to me, and I appreciate being here.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bishop Vernon Randolph Byrd, one of eight legendary leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) who will be retiring at this year Quadrennial Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. A native of South Carolina, Bishop Byrd received a public school education. After graduating from Bell Street High School, he enrolled at Allen University, where he received the Bachelor of Arts degree. He later received a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Boston University.

Called to preach at the age of 12, Bishop Byrd was licensed to preach at the age of 17. His ministry included pastorates at Macedonia AME Church in Seaford, Delaware (1954-1959); St. Paul AME Church in Hamilton, Bermuda (1959-1966); and Macedonia AME Church in Camden, New Jersey (1979-1984). He also served as Presiding Elder of the Newark District from 1966-1967.

Bishop Byrd was elected the 105th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church at 1984 General Conference and was assigned the 14th Episcopal District. He initiated numerous projects under his administration--one in particular was the Frank Curtis Cummings Health Clinic, which was built in Monrovia, Liberia.

During his tenure he presided over the 16th, 13th, and 5th Episcopal Districts, where his mission continued to be saving souls for the building of God's kingdom. His motto is ``Unless souls are saved, nothing is saved!'' Bishop Byrd holds memberships in the NAACP, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and the Royal Lodge of Scotland.

Bishop Byrd is married to Theora Lindsey Byrd. They are the parents of four.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Bishop Vernon Randolph Byrd upon his retirement from the Bishopric. He has provided tremendous leadership for the AME Church, and his long history of educational leadership and service will influence future generations for ages to come. AME founder Richard Allen would be deeply proud of his Episcopal descendent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bishop Frederick Hillborn Talbot, one of eight legendary leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) who will be retiring at this year's Quadrennial Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Bishop Talbot is a graduate of Allen University located in the Sixth Congressional District of South Carolina which I proudly represent in this august body. He also matriculated at Yale Divinity School, Pacific School of Religion, and Columbia Theological Seminary. He completed further postgraduate work at Teachers College, Columbia University, and as a Resident Fellow at Harvard University in the fall of 1989.

Bishop Talbot has served in the 6th, 16th, and 12th Episcopal Districts since being elected the 90th Bishop of the AME Church in 1972. He has also served as the denomination's Ecumenical Officer. Bishop Talbot currently serves in the 13th Episcopal District, which includes the States of Kentucky and Tennessee. He is second in the Church's seniority of Bishops.

In 1996, Bishop Talbot edited the Book of Original Prayers, which served as an official document for the 45th Session of the AME Church's General Conference. He also authored New Eyes for Seeing (1998), Walking Through A Service of Worship in the AME Church (2000), and God's Fearless Prophet (2002). Bishop Talbot has composed several tunes and texts--one of which was included in RISK, the worship book used by the World Council of Churches for its 5th Assembly held in Nairobi, Kenya. Three of his texts are found in the AME Church Hymnal.

Prior to being called to the ministry, Bishop Talbot served in the diplomatic service of his native land, the Government of Guyana. There, he was recipient of the coveted Cacique Crown of Honor (CCH) for meritorious service.

Bishop Talbot is married to Dr. Sylvia Ross Talbot of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in paying tribute to Bishop Frederick Hillborn Talbot upon his retirement from the Bishopric. He has provided tremendous leadership for the AME Church and his long history of community leadership and church service will influence many generations for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bishop Vinton Randolph Anderson, one of eight legendary leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church who will be retiring this year at the Church's Quadrennial Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Born in Somerset, Bermuda, Bishop Anderson attended private elementary schools in Bermuda, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilberforce University. He received a Masters of Divinity from Payne Theological Seminary in Ohio, and Masters of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Kansas.

Bishop Anderson was ordained an Itinerant Deacon in 1951 and an Itinerant Elder in 1952. At the 1972 General Conference held in Dallas, Texas, he was elected the 92nd Bishop of the AME Church. He has presided over the 15th, 9th, 3rd, 5th, and 2nd Episcopal Districts during his tenure. Bishop Anderson has also served as Bicentennial Chairman, Ecumenical Officer, and Chairman of the General Conference Commission.

Bishop Anderson's ecumenical involvements span worldwide. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the World Methodist Council and is past Vice Chairman of the North American Section encompassing the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. He is also past Chairman of the Committee on Religion and Society for the Global Economic Action Institute. Furthermore, Bishop Anderson has served as Chairman of Worship and Liturgy for the Consultation on Church Union. As Chairman, he provided leadership for the development of the Bicentennial Edition of the AME hymnal and the first Book of Worship. Bishop Anderson is a member of the General Commission of Christian Unity and Inter-religious Concern of the United Methodist Church; the Governing Board of the National Council of Churches; and the Advisory of the United States Office of the World Council of Churches.

Bishop Anderson is married to Vivienne L. Anderson. They have four sons.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in paying tribute to Bishop Vinton Randolph Anderson upon his retirement from the Bishopric. He has provided tremendous leadership for the AME Church and his long history of educational leadership and service will influence the lives of future generations for ages to come. Richard Allen the founder of the AME would be proud of his Episcopal descendant.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bishop Hamel Hartford Brookins one of eight legendary leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church who will be retiring at this year's Quadrennial Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Bishop Brookins was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilberforce University in Ohio and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Payne Seminary.

Prior to his election to the bishopric, Bishop Brookins pastored First AME Church in Los Angeles, California leading them through the building of a multi-million dollar cathedral. He also served as the first black president of the Wichita Ministerial Alliance. Bishop Brookins worked in the world of politics as manager and advisor helping to elect Thomas Bradley as Mayor of Los Angeles. He also served as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) Western Region, and as vice president of Operation PUSH. Further, Bishop Brookins founded the Martin Luther King Student Fund, organized the first Interfaith Service at the Hollywood Bowl, and also lead the Primary Convention to elect the first black city councilman and Second Convention to elect the first black school board member.

Elected at the 1972 General Conference held in Dallas, Texas, Bishop Brookins was assigned to the 17th Episcopal District. He was inspired by the people's struggle for freedom, and became an active participant in their cause. As a consequence, Bishop Brookins was barred from Rhodesia in 1975. He participated in the 6th Pan African World Congress in 1974. Bishop Brookins also served and revitalized the 5th Episcopal District by purchasing and building new churches, sending ministers to organize new churches in Southern California, and establishing an Economic Development Fund for the District. Bishop Brookins also served in the 2nd, 12th, and 13th Episcopal Districts, and is a past Ecumenical Officer.

Bishop Brookins is married to Rosalyn Kyle Brookins and they have three children.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in paying tribute to Bishop Hamel Hartford Brookins upon his retirement from the Bishopric. He has provided tremendous leadership for the AME Church and his long history of religious and political service and leadership will influence generations for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker I rise today to pay tribute to Bishop John Hurst Adams, one of eight legendary leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church who will be retiring at this year's Quadrennial Conference in Indianapolis, IN.

Bishop Adams was born in Columbia, SC, where he now lives after years of serving congregations and communities across our Nation. He grew up in the Waverly neighborhood of Columbia, which is located in the Sixth Congressional District which I proudly represent in this august body. He attended Waverly Elementary School, Booker T. Washington High School and John C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. Bishop Adams continued his education at the Boston University School of Theology, Harvard School of Divinity, and Union Theological Seminary.

Bishop Adams began his ministry with a small congregation in Lynn, MA. He taught at Payne Theological Seminary in Ohio and later served as President of Paul Quinn College in Texas for 6 years and as Chairman of the Board for 8. During his years at Paul Quinn College, the school received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and saw many new building renovations and improvements.

Bishop Adams next served as pastor at First AMEC in Seattle. From Seattle, Bishop Adams went to Los Angeles where he pastored Grant AMEC in the Watts section of Los Angeles. It was also in Los Angeles that Bishop Adams was elected the 87th Bishop of African Methodism.

Upon his election, Bishop Adams served the Tenth Episcopal District in Texas and later left his mark on the Second Episcopal District in the Mid-Atlantic States. Under his leadership, 40 new congregations sprouted throughout the district. From there, he served the Sixth Episcopal District in Georgia where he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Morris Brown College, Turner Theological Seminary, Interdenominational Theological Center and the Atlanta University Center. He also served on the Centennial Olympic Committee.

I was very proud when Bishop Adam's service called him to the Seventh Episcopal District in South Carolina, in 1992, to serve over the State's 609 AME churches. He arrived in South Carolina just in time to play a pivotal role in my election to this body. Bishop Adams currently serves the Eleventh Episcopal District, encompassing Florida and the Bahamas.

Bishop Adams is a strong believer that people must join together to do what they cannot do alone. To that end, he has founded the Congress of National Black Churches, the Institute on Church Administration and Management in Atlanta, Georgia; the Richard Allen Service and Development Agency in Washington, DC; and the Educational Growth Organization in Los Angeles, CA. He continues to serve on many Boards including that of the Interdenominational Theological Center, Institute on Church Administration and Management, Joint Center for Political Studies, Children's Defense Fund Black Community Crusade for Children, National Black United Fund, Industrial Area Foundation, National Urban League, and the Palmetto Project.

Bishop Adams has received many fitting honors and awards throughout his 25 years as Bishop. In 1996, he was awarded South Carolina's highest citizen honor, the Order of the Palmetto, in recognition of his contributions to the State.

Bishop Adams is married to his partner in the ministry, Dr. Dolly Adams of New Orleans, Louisiana. They have three daughters and five grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me today in honoring Bishop John Hurst Adams whose spirit, belief, and kindness have moved communities to action across the Nation. He is a roll model, a friend, an outstanding leader and a great American. His retirement from the Bishopric creates a void that will be hard to fill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bishop Zedekiah Lazett Grady, one of eight legendary leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church who will be retiring this year at the Quadrennial Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Bishop Zedekiah Lazett Grady was born in Loughman, Florida, the son of the late Walter and Sylvia Bynum Grady. He was educated in the public schools of Sanford, Florida and is a graduate of Crooms Academy. He further matriculated at Edwards Waters College and the B.L. Lee Theological Seminary, where he received an Associate of Arts and the Bachelor of Theology degrees. He also attended Allen University, where he received the Bachelor of Arts degree and Dickerson Theological Seminary, where he earned the Bachelor of Divinity and Masters of Divinity degrees. He furthered his graduate theological studies at the Union Theological Seminary in New York, New York and the Urban Training Center in Chicago, Illinois. He has received honorary doctorate degrees from Kittrell College in North Carolina, Allen University, and Edwards Waters College.

Bishop Grady has served the church and African Methodism for well over 40 years as a distinguished pastor, capable administrator, civic organizer, ecumenical leader, social reformer, teacher and Presiding Elder. He has served as pastor in Florida and South Carolina. For almost twenty years he was pastor of my home church, Morris Brown in Charleston, South Carolina. During his tenure there, Bishop Grady burned several mortgages, renovated the sanctuary, purchased and developed additional property, organized and developed several social service programs, and added 1,100 members to the church roll.

While serving as Presiding Elder of the historically rich Edisto District, the South Carolina Conference in the 7th Episcopal District, Bishop Grady distinguished himself by realizing a 10 percent increase in membership each year and increasing the number of pastoral charges from 24 to 35.

Bishop Grady has been lauded for his services as a key negotiator in the 1969 hospital strike in Charleston, South Carolina. He has also served as chairman and vice-chairman of the South Carolina Juvenile Parole Board, strategist and advisor of several State and municipal elected officials, and is a past Chairman of the Charleston Community Race Relations Committee. Bishop Grady was a member of the Charleston Housing Authority and has served as a delegate to five World Methodist Conferences. He also served on the local boards of C&S National Bank and NationsBank. He holds life memberships in Beta Mu Sigma Chapter, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and the NAACP.

On July 14, 1992, Bishop Grady was elected the 111th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and has served in the 16th and 9th Episcopal Districts and currently serves the 1st Episcopal District.

Bishop Grady is married to Carrie Etta Robertson Grady of Winnsboro, South Carolina. They have four children.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in paying tribute to Bishop Zedekiah Lazette Grady upon his retirement from the Bishopric. In addition to being a great religious leader, he has been a trusted personal confidant. I am proud to have called him my pastor and even prouder to call him my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bishop Frank Curtis Cummings, one of eight legendary leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) who will be retiring at this year's Quadrennial Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. A native of Alabama, Bishop Cummings is the son of Edmond and Annie M. Cummings.

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Daniel Payne College, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Seattle Pacific College, and a Doctor of Divinity degree from Shorter College. Bishop Cummings followed not only God's call but also his country's call and served in the United States Air Force for three years, and attended the Urban Training Center.

Bishop Cummings was ordained an Itinerant Deacon in 1948 and an Itinerant Elder in 1952. While in those positions, he pastored churches in Aldridge, Alabama; Bremerton, Washington; Santa Barbara, California; and St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1968, he was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the AME's Department of Church Expansion. He founded Allen Travel Service and served as the first Black Vice Chairman on the Civil Service Commission in St. Louis. In addition, he served as President of the Board of Directors for the West End Hospital Association.

Bishop Cummings was elected the 95th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church at the 1976 General Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. He has presided over the 8th, 1st, 11th, and 6th Episcopal Districts, and entertained the General Conference in New Orleans. He also served as national co-chairman of the first National Assemble of Black Churches in April 1984 in New Orleans. Bishop Cummings is married to Martha Colly Cummings and the couple has one child.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Bishop Frank Curtis Cummings upon his retirement from the Bishopric. He has provided tremendous leadership for the AME Church. His long history of educational leadership and service will influence future generations for ages to come. AME founder Richard Allen would be deeply proud of his Episcopal descendent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Bishop Henry Allen Belin, Jr., one of eight legendary leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) who will be retiring at this year's Quadrennial Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. A native of Louisiana, Bishop Belin is the son of Beatrice Boney Belin and Henry Allen Belin, Sr. His father was an active minister in the 8th Episcopal District for more that 60 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Theology degrees from Leland College in Baker, Louisiana and his Masters of Arts degree from the Lampton School of Religion in Jackson, Mississippi.

Bishop Belin pastored, remodeled, and built churches in both the 8th and 13th Episcopal Districts, including Payne Chapel in Nashville, Tennessee. He served as Presiding Elder in the 8th Episcopal District.

Prior to his elevation to the Bishopric, Bishop Belin was elected Secretary-Treasury of the AME Church Sunday School Union at the 1972 General Conference in Dallas, Texas. During his tenure, he bought land and built the new million dollar Publishing House Headquarters and remodeled the John Avery Apartment Complex. As publisher, he produced Cecil Cone's Identity in Crisis in Black Theology, George Champion's Pastor's Manual, volumes I and II, and Black Methodism's Basic Beliefs; George Sewell's Where Are You Going. He also produced Howard Gregg's The History of the AME Church, James Madison Granberry's The History of the AMEC Pension Department, and Robert H. Reid, Jr.'s Irony of African American History. In 1984, he finished one phase of his remarkable career when he published The AME Church Bicentennial Hymnal.

Bishop Belin was elected the 104th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church at the 1984 General Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, and has presided over the 15th, 16th, 12th, 3rd, and 7th Episcopal Districts.

Bishop Belin is married to Lucinda Crawford Belin, and the couple has three children.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Bishop Henry Allen Belin, Jr. He has provided tremendous leadership for the AME Church and his long history of educational leadership and service will influence future generations for ages to come. AME founder Richard Allen would be deeply proud of his Episcopal descendent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Deacon Ennis James (E.J.) McCorvey, Jr., a noted family man and community servant. A native of Tunnel Springs, Alabama, Deacon McCorvey was also a member of the prestigious Tuskegee Airmen crew.

Deacon McCorvey entered into eternal rest earlier this year, but his memory will remain with us because of his substantial commitment to his faith and contributions to his fellow citizens.

Deacon McCorvey attended Tuskegee Institute, leaving when he was drafted into the armed forces. He served his country as a mechanic for the famed Tuskegee Airmen. He subsequently worked as an aircraft mechanic and power collator operator at both Maxwell and Gunter Air Force Bases. After leaving active duty he became a successful entrepreneur in Montgomery, Alabama along with his three brothers. Throughout his business career, he continued to serve the public interest by helping numerous Alabama State College students acquire off campus housing while encouraging them to continue their academic studies.

A leader in all respects, Deacon McCorvey stood out the most while communing among the people of Beulah Baptist Church, where he was a member of the Deacon Board. He developed initiatives that included purchasing junior choir robes and chairs for the Sunday School classes. His selflessness became legendary in his church and throughout his community.

Deacon McCorvey is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mavis Davis McCorvey, his devoted son Ennis and daughter-in-law, Pamela, a loving daughter, Amanda Bowers and four grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in honoring the late Deacon Ennis James McCorvey, Jr., for a lifetime of family commitments and community fellowships. The people of his native Alabama, his family in South Carolina and all those who knew him will always remember him for his passion, integrity, and dedication to God and Country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of South Carolina's leading executives, Robert G. Wannamaker, General Manager of Tri-County Electric Cooperative. Mr. Wannamaker, who will be retiring at the end of this month, has spent his entire career insuring that rural areas in South Carolina's Sixth Congressional District have access to reliable, affordable electricity.

Throughout his 23 years with the Cooperative, Mr. Wannamaker has led his team to many profound successes, especially in times of crisis. This past January he impressively managed the effects of a natural disaster when one of the most violent ice storms in South Carolina's history tore through the state's Midlands leaving roughly 15,000 Co-op customers without power. Mr. Wannamaker directed a recovery process that had total restoration of power within a week despite extensive damage to more than 250 poles and 200 cross arms.

Mr. Wannamaker began his career with McCall-Thomas Engineering Company of Orangeburg as an Engineering Assistant. He was hired at Tri- County in January of 1972 by the late Dewey Kemmerlin, Jr. as a field designer and staking engineer. He was later promoted to the position of manager of member services, which he held until he left Tri-County Co- op to become the district manager of the Johns Island District of Berkeley Electric Co-op near Charleston. He is a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and the University of South Carolina and serves as a member of community development committees and organizations.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating Mr. Wannamaker on a distinguished career of insuring a better quality of life for rural citizens of South Carolina. His work has given thousands of customers the reliability and convenience of having efficient energy services through even the most challenging conditions. And he will be sorely missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to South Carolina's golfing ``phenom'' Erica Battle, a young lady who seems to be poised to make a big splash in the golf world in the not-to-distant future.

Just last week, this 19-year-old Irmo, South Carolina native, won the Sonic Women's City of Columbia Championship held at the Forrest Lake Country Club. She stayed focused through a rainy second day at the tournament to break the course record with a score of 4-under par 68. After the 3 day tournament, she emerged with a 2-over-par 218, and bested the second place finisher by five strokes.

Attaining such an accomplishment as a college junior is not unusual for this golf stand-out. As a high school player, Erica was named South Carolina's Female Athlete of the Year by The State newspaper and won the Beth Daniel Player of the Year award from the South Carolina Junior Golf Association. She qualified for the United States Amateur in 2002, won the 4A State Girl individual title in 2000, and led her Irmo High School golf team to three state championships.

She is also dedicated to help with charitable causes. Last August, Erica participated in the 13th annual Rudolph Canzater Memorial Classic that I host annually in Santee, South Carolina. Last year's tournament contributed $21,000 in college scholarships for 22 needy students, and $25,000 to an Endowment I have established at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. I played in the foursome with Erica on the first day of that two-day event, and got to see first hand the poise and maturity she has developed in the few years since she was my primary source for Girl Scout cookies.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and your colleagues to join me in celebrating the most recent success of Erica Battle, and in encouraging her to continue setting goals and records. Her success is a shining example to those who will follow in her footsteps.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a group of South Carolina workers who are dedicated to serving all of their customers, even in times of crisis. The 67 employees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative serve 17,000 customers in six counties in rural South Carolina, most of which are in the Sixth Congressional District which I am proud to serve in this body. These committed workers were the true heroes of a crushing ice storm that devastated a number of rural areas in January of this year.

The worst ice storm to hit South Carolina in three decades swept through the Midlands area January 26-30, causing enough destruction for the President to declare 17 counties a major disaster area. At the heart of this devastation were an estimated 15,000 Tri-County Co-op customers, who lost power in the midst of freezing temperatures and impassible roads. Within a few days the co-op, under the leadership of Robert G. Wannamaker, had mobilized a massive team effort to repair 250 broken poles and 200 cross arms restoring power to all but ten houses in their service area. They diligently worked in those remote areas to have full service restored to all their customers within a week.

This achievement of the Tri-County Co-op employees is indicative of their willingness to go beyond the call of duty to provide and maintain a better quality of life for rural communities in South Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I invite you and my colleagues to join me in thanking the brave and dedicated employees of Tri-County Co-op who jeopardized their own safety to insure their customers made it safely through the terrors of this year's winter storm. Their perseverance and dedication are greatly appreciated.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Henry Nehemiah Tisdale, the 8th President of Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. A native South Carolinian, Dr. Tisdale's commitment to higher education has enabled scores of students to achieve their dreams of a college degree. This year marks his 10th year as President of this esteemed institution, and I believe a good time to highlight some of his outstanding contributions to South Carolina's higher education community.

Born in Kingstree, South Carolina, Dr. Tisdale received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Claflin University in 1964. In 1967, he was awarded a Master of Education degree from Temple University, and in 1975, received a Master of Arts in Mathematics from Dartmouth College. He later obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mathematics from Dartmouth College in 1978.

Dr. Tisdale's professional experiences include a twenty-four-year tenure as Senior Vice-President and Chief Academic Officer at Delaware State University, where he also served for a year as Assistant Academic Dean for Administration, Planning, and Information Management.

His vision and zeal to position his alma mater Claflin University as a premier institution in the Southeast is nothing short of extraordinary. Under his tutelage, the University has earned ``Top Tier'' and ``Top Ten'' ranking among comprehensive baccalaureate granting institutions in the South with U.S. News and World Report's ``America's Best Colleges 2003. `` He has increased enrollment by 60 percent, achieved national accreditation for Business Administration and Teacher Education, restored many of the campus buildings, and transformed the campus with the new Living and Learning Center and Legacy Plaza.

Dr. Tisdale has also been the recipient of numerous honors and awards including the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) Distinguished Alumni Award, Who's Who Among Black Americans, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Educator of the Year Award.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in commemorating Dr. Tisdale's ten years at Claflin University. He has blazed a trail in his community through education and service that continues to influence future generations and enhance the national reputation of South Carolina in the field of higher education. Not only are Claflin's students and faculty, friends and alumni fortunate to have a person of Dr. Tisdale's caliber at the helm of their institution, but South Carolina is also a grateful beneficiary of Dr. Tisdale's passion for public service, and I am personally proud to have him as a personal friend.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mrs. Evelyn Alethia Bonaparte Haynes, a native South Carolinian whose dedication to the education of all children--regardless of economic background or racial identity--shines as an example to all who love children. On June 23, 2004, would have celebrated her 91st birthday, and in commemorating her legacy, I believe it is important to highlight a few of the contributions that she made.

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Mrs. Haynes attended Wallingford and Buist Elementary Schools and Charleston's Avery Institute. She later graduated from South Carolina State College--now South Carolina State University--where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. In 1958, she received a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education, Supervision, and Administration from Teachers College at Columbia University in New York.

Mrs. Haynes made significant contributions to the education of children through her dedicated service in a number of positions. She began her teaching career in Beaufort, South Carolina. In 1936, she was employed by the Charleston County Department of Education, now the Charleston County School District. She served as teacher and principal at Miley Hill Elementary School in Ravenel, South Carolina for 14 years. In 1964, she was appointed the Jeanes Supervisor for the Charleston County Department of Education where she served until 1967. It was during these years that I met and for three years worked in consultation with her. After desegregation of the public schools in 1967, she was the first African-American appointed to an administrative position in the Charleston County public school system. She became Assistant Personnel Director for the Charleston County Public School District and remained in that position until her retirement in 1974.

Retirement, however, did not quell her passion for service. In 1974, Mrs. Haynes was elected to the City of Charleston's Constituent School District #20 Board of Trustees and served in that position until 1978. She advocated for high academic standards, high-quality learning materials, smaller classes, competitive salaries, trained administrators, and parental involvement.

Mrs. Haynes received numerous awards, citations, and honors for her active membership in her church, her public service contributions, and her distinguished career in education. She has been recognized by the Charleston Branch of the National Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), by Shaw University, and by Miley Hill Elementary School for her achievements.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life and legacy of this venerable woman on what would have been her 91st birthday. She blazed a trail in her community through education and service that continues to influence future generations. This committed teacher from South Carolina has demonstrated with great fervor, her commitment to excellence and to the highest of

standards for the educational well-being of the children of South Carolina.