Floor Statements

I thank the chairman very much for yielding his time. And I do think it's important that the Members know that the committee under both Democrat and Republican chairmen have given every dollar, every person, every piece of equipment, every software that the Department of Veterans Affairs has asked for. And to do this at the 12th hour is not the way to make a difference in what we are trying to do.

Our committee, the authorizing committee, has made it their number one focus; and Members here know this. Mike Michaud and I together have worked with our committee members and other Members across the floor trying to make sure that the backlog is taken care of. This is purely a political stunt and not one that we should vote for.

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize the dedication and service of Chaplain David L. Gibson upon the occasion of his retirement. Chaplain Gibson is a proud resident of the Gulf Coast, where he is retiring after serving his nation with honor and distinction as Command Chaplain and Protestant Chapel Pastor at Naval Air Station Pensacola.

Chaplain Gibson was born in Mableton, Georgia, and began serving his community at an early age through religious education. He acted as a minster of Youth, Music, and Christian Education at numerous churches, first as an intern and ultimately as director of a tri-city area based in Midland, Michigan. After receiving his Bachelor's degree in Christian Education in 1980 and his Masters in Divinity in 1983, Chaplain Gibson was ordained in July 1984 and commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy.

Chaplain Gibson led his military communities spiritually in posts as Chaplain or Command Chaplain in Naples, Italy; Norfolk, Virginia; Yorktown, Virginia; and Beaufort, South Carolina; before arriving in Pensacola to serve in 1998. While assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola as the Assistant Department Head of the Naval Education and Training Professional Development Command, he designed and delivered over two hundred professional development courses. For his dedication and exceptional service, Chaplain Gibson was awarded the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. Following his promotion to Commander in 2003, Chaplain Gibson moved to serve at the Navy Chaplains School in Newport, Rhode Island for three years before returning to Naval Air Station Pensacola. In a further testament to his devotion to education, he earned his Doctorate of Strategic Leadership from Regent University in 2006.

During his career, Chaplain Gibson founded the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Program. Today, this program is the standardized training that all chaplains and other Navy

leaders receive in order to effectively deal with suicide situations. Further, he worked extensively on combat operation stress, particularly with its diagnosis and response. He co-authored a chapter in a 2012 Marine Corp University textbook on combat operation stress titled, ``Spiritual Injuries: Wounds of the American Warrior on the Battlefield of the Soul.'' He was also instrumental in training chaplains on how to minister to these hidden wounds. As a pastor and an educator, Chaplain Gibson has had an enormous impact on our Armed Services both in Northwest Florida and throughout the United States.

From an early age, Chaplain Gibson learned the importance of serving God and his community. It is evident that this dedication has remained over the years, and thousands have been touched by his presence and service.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it gives me great pride to honor the selfless service of David L. Gibson. My wife Vicki joins me in wishing David, his wife Tami, and their children, Zachary and Micah, all of the best.

Mr. Speaker, our economy continues to struggle, with nearly 12 million of our fellow Americans remaining out of work. Why, then, does the President still insist on standing in the way of creating new jobs by expanding America's energy sector by using all of our valuable resources--water, wind, solar, gas, and oil?

More American energy production would create jobs and grow our economy, in addition to lowering energy costs for hardworking Americans and strengthening our national security. These are the kind of goals that all Americans, Republican and Democrat, should be able to get behind.

But this President is clearly not serious about creating new jobs. He still has refused to approve the Keystone pipeline which would create 20,000 new jobs in America right away. It's been over 1,700 days. We've waited long enough. It's time to build the pipeline. It's time to create jobs.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1412) to improve and increase the availability of on-job training and apprenticeship programs carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

H.R. 1412, as amended, is another product of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs' work to improve the effectiveness of GI Bill benefits for veterans.

I want to express my appreciation to the Subcommittee Chairman Bill Flores, Ranking Member Mark Takano, and our new full committee Ranking Member Mike Michaud for working with us to bring this amended bill to the full House.

In general, H.R. 1412, as amended, responds to concerns about how to ensure that veterans make the best use of their hard-earned GI Bill benefits. Specifically, H.R. 1412 improves the GI Bill's on-the-job training option that offers veterans the opportunity to gain work experience and at the same time offers employers a lower cost while the veteran undergoes their training.

The bill, as amended, has two major sections. Section 2 would reduce the final required training salary of a veteran engaged with an employer's on-the-job training apprenticeship program from the current 85 percent of the fully trained wage for the job to 75 percent. This new requirement would be put in place for a period of 4 years, following the effective date of this section. The temporary decrease in the wage requirement will provide more employers the flexibility to offer OJT programs when they otherwise would not have been able to do so.

Section 3 would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to conclude agreements with other Federal agencies to have them further participate in the OJT program. If we're going to ask private employers to offer more opportunities to our veterans, the Federal Government ought to lead by example.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is another step in reducing the unemployment rate among our veterans and is fully paid for. I greatly appreciate the bipartisan manner in which our colleagues have worked to reach an accord on the final provisions of this bill, and I encourage all Members to support the bill.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I'm pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Coffman), the author of the bill and a stalwart supporter of America's veterans.

Mr. Speaker, we have no more speakers at this time, and so if Mr. Michaud is ready to close, we are prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, once again I encourage all Members to support H.R. 1412, as amended.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 570) to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for annual cost-of-living adjustments to be made automatically by law each year in the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous material that they may have on H.R. 570, as amended.

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

The author of the underlying bill, Mr. Runyan of New Jersey, has put forward a bipartisan proposal to make permanent the veterans cost-of- living adjustment. Currently, Congress must adopt annual COLA bills to ensure that payments to disabled veterans and survivors do not erode due to inflation.

Mr. Runyan's bill, which my amendment incorporates, would make this annual, and sometimes dangerously delayed, practice a thing of the past. A coalition of veterans groups expressed strong concern with some other elements of the underlying bill, which my amendment now seeks to address.

First, the concern was expressed that the bill would permanently extend the 20-year practice of rounding veterans COLA increases down to the next lower whole dollar. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that extending the round-down authority saves, relative to the baseline, over $1.3 billion over a 10-year period.

The veterans coalition was concerned about the cumulative effect that the permanent round-down would have, as well as the moral principle associated with logging savings on the backs of our disabled veterans.

To meet that concern, I worked with our ranking member to, first, sunset the round-down authority after 5 years, and second, we agreed with the committee's markup to find a way to reinvest savings associated with the round-down by improving benefits for other disabled veterans.

I am pleased to announce that my amendment contains such an improvement that it is now enthusiastically supported by the veterans groups.

Our bipartisan work would significantly increase the special monthly compensation payments made to our most severely disabled veterans by 30 percent through the year 2018, then 50 percent thereafter. This is a payment that goes to support catastrophically disabled veterans who are in need of aid and attendance. These are veterans who are missing limbs, totally blind, deaf, or who are so disabled that they require the need of special care in the home, all as a result of their military service.

Clearly, it's our duty to ensure that these most deserving service- disabled veterans are well-cared for, and my amendment to H.R. 570 will be a significant step in that direction.

And finally, the service organizations were concerned about the potential application of the so-called chained CPI at some point in the future that could potentially affect veterans COLAs. To allay that concern, my amendment specifies that the permanent veterans COLA only would be continued to the extent that the current inflationary index that is used now, the CPI for urban wage earners and clerical workers, continues in force.

I'm very pleased to say that, with the changes in my amendment, we now have a bill that can be supported by the veterans it is intended to benefit.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I'm happy to yield such time as he might consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Runyan), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for time. We're prepared to close, if the ranking member is as well.

Mr. Speaker, I once again urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 570, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I also thank my friend, Mr. Scott, for his kind words. I also want to thank Chairman Hensarling and Ranking Member Waters and Subcommittee Chairman Campbell, with his Ranking Member Clay, all the members of the Financial Services Committee and the House leadership for their support in bringing to the floor here today H.R. 324. It is a bill that grants the Congressional Gold Medal to the members of the First Special Service Force.

I also want to thank the members of the First Special Service Force Association, specifically Mr. Bill Woon for his advocacy, and for the association's efforts in continuing to spread the inspirational story of a truly heroic group of American and Canadian servicemen.

I would be remiss not to thank Congressman Al Green of Texas and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida for encouraging support from their caucus members for this broad bipartisan piece of legislation, and the 324 Members of this body who have cosponsored the bill.

I join my colleagues today in support of a bill that bestows upon the First Special Service Force the Congressional Gold Medal. It's Congress' highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievement and contributions for their superior service during World War II.

The First Special Service Force was a covert World War II military unit born through the efforts of President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The Force conducted ultrahigh-risk military missions in Italy and in France. Once sent into action, the First Special Service Force never failed a combat mission.

The First Special Service Force achieved remarkable success in battle and contributed prominently in the liberation of Italy and France. Most notably, the Force conducted battles south of Cassino, including Monte La Difensa and Monte Majo, two mountain peaks critical to the German defensive line.

During the night of December 3, 1943, the Force ascended to the top of the precipitous face of Monte La Difensa, where the Force suffered heavy casualties and overcame fierce resistance to overtake the German line.

The First Special Service Force lost a total of 2,314 men, which was 134 percent of the original combat force. These heroic servicemen represent the breadth of intrepidity and courage, and they have earned our country's deepest gratitude and highest praise.

Though many of the brave troops of the First Special Service Force have been lost to us, this gold medal is an important step in immortalizing their service and honoring the forefathers of today's Special Forces.

With just 6 days remaining until Memorial Day, I cannot think of a more appropriate way to honor the heroism and sacrifice of the warriors of the First Special Service Force, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.

To all of the men and women who have guarded our great Nation in the name of protecting and defending liberty that we hold so dear, we say thank you. And to all of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, may you forever remain in our hearts and in our prayers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Mr. Randy Joyce, the 2013 Air Force Association Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Joyce received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, with minors in Sports Medicine and Social Sciences, from the University of Mobile in 2000. Five years later, he earned a Certification in Gifted Education from the Okaloosa County Alternative Certification Program. He also is affiliated with the Air Force Association, the Civil Air Patrol, and the Okaloosa County Education Association. These achievements and affiliations prepared Mr. Joyce for his career in educating the students of Northwest Florida in the science, aviation, and aerospace fields.

For the last nine years, Mr. Joyce has been dedicated to serving the students of Crestview, Florida. Mr. Joyce began his teaching career at Richbourg Middle School. After five years at Richbourg, Mr. Joyce moved to Shoal River Middle School (SRMS) to teach classes in comprehensive sciences. He has spent the last six years teaching Aerospace and Aviation Science, a program in the Community High Okaloosa Institutes of Career Education (CHOICE) Aviation Institute. Mr. Joyce's dynamic and engaging teaching style has built tremendous interest in aviation studies at his school and has garnered him multiple nominations for the Teacher of the Year Award. This year, he has won that award.

A large part of Mr. Joyce's curriculum involves engaging his seventh and eighth grade students with hands-on educational tools. For instance, his classes visit Pensacola Naval Air Station twice per year to experience the evolution of military aviation while witnessing the impact that aviation and aerospace have on their lives. Mr. Joyce also takes his students to Challenger Learning Center every year to better connect the students with the roles they can play in the future of space exploration. The students participate in numerous labs during the course of the year that begin with learning the basics of lift, drag, gravity, and thrust, and culminate with building their own rockets, complete with making their own fuel mixtures. These exercises and experiences instill an interest in exploring the frontiers of aerospace and aviation in the many students who participate in these courses.

Mr. Joyce has demonstrated his commitment to the success of each of his students. The growing student interest in his Aerospace and Aviation Science course has led Mr. Joyce to push for devoting an entire school day to aviation coursework. He also serves as the Wellness Coordinator and the Academic Team Sponsor at SRMS, which is a further testament to his tireless efforts to benefit his students.

On behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to recognize Mr. Randy Joyce for his great achievements and honorable service. My wife Vicki joins me in wishing him all of the best for continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the One Hundredth Anniversary of the American Cancer Society.

Originally founded as the American Society for the Control of Cancer in 1913, the American Cancer Society promotes awareness and education, in addition to demonstrating an unmatched determination and commitment in supporting patients, survivors, and their families.

In 1944, the American Cancer Society began the prioritizing of cancer research and has to date been the largest non-governmental funder of cancer research. The American Cancer Society was instrumental in the passage of the Cancer Act of 1971, which established the National Cancer Institute to advance the detection of cancer and the application of cutting edge treatments.

Thanks in part to the American Cancer Society, the number of cancer deaths in America declined for the first time in history in 2006 and continues to decline today. The Society has made an incredible impact in the race to find the cure. Not only has the American Cancer Society been directly responsible for saving the lives of millions, but also for providing a light of hope in times of despair.

Relay for Life, which is the largest grassroots fundraising event in the world, was originally founded by an American Cancer Society volunteer over twenty years ago. Relay for Life is undoubtedly one of the most emotionally powerful group fundraising events, raising more than three billion dollars to date. This laudable event brings the Nation together to provide hope and strength amongst all those impacted by cancer.

On behalf of the United States Congress, I congratulate the American Cancer Society and its courageous members on the monumental impact they've made over the last one hundred years. My wife Vicki joins me in offering our best wishes in the fight against cancer and for the success of the American Cancer Society.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel Graham W. Fountain upon his retirement after a highly decorated and distinguished twenty-eight-year career in local and state law enforcement. Colonel Fountain's dedicated service to protecting and serving the people of Florida has been exemplary.

After graduating from Crestview High School in Crestview, Florida, Colonel Fountain attended Troy University, where he received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Criminal Justice. After completing his studies at Troy University, Colonel Fountain returned to his native Okaloosa County to become a Deputy Sheriff in the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. Colonel Fountain quickly established himself as a first-class law enforcement officer, and in 1991 he began his service in state law enforcement as a Law Enforcement Investigator with the Florida Office of the State Treasurer, where he served as an undercover operative, conducted interrogations, provided training to local law enforcement agencies, and drafted bill language for the agency to present to the Florida Legislature.

In 1995, Colonel Fountain returned to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's office, where he served as Undersheriff. In this important position, Colonel Fountain provided unparalleled leadership and administrative excellence overseeing over 250 law enforcement officers and support personnel.

Colonel Fountain's excellent record and demonstrated success led Florida Governor Jeb Bush to appoint Colonel Fountain as the Director of the Florida Department of Transportation's Office of Motor Carrier Compliance and Law Enforcement Operations. During his eight-year tenure at the department, Colonel Fountain spearheaded efforts to bring stakeholders in the trucking industry together with the Florida Legislature and Department of Transportation to dramatically improve the safety of Florida's highways without compromising the trucking industry's ability to transport freight. Colonel Fountain then brought his vast knowledge of the transportation sector to help develop Florida's ``Pre-Pass'' credentialing system, which has boosted efficiency and saved millions of hours of downtime. Colonel Fountain is an exceptional law enforcement officer and leader, and his sedulous work on behalf of the State of Florida was recognized by the Florida Department of Transportation when he was awarded their top honor, the ``Leader of the Year'' award.

Colonel Fountain has also used his vast experience in law enforcement to help improve local, state, and national efforts in homeland security, disaster preparedness, transportation, and law enforcement development. He has served in numerous important capacities outside of his law enforcement career, including as the Commissioner and Chairman of the Florida Commission on Law Enforcement Agency Accreditation, President of the State Law Enforcement Chiefs Association, Vice-Chair of Florida's Joint Task Force of Law Enforcement Communications for the Department of Justice's Homeland Security Advisory Council, and as a member of the Florida Seaports Security Standards Council. Colonel Fountain continues his outstanding service to Florida today as the Commissioner of the Florida Historical Commission.

Outside of his service to Florida, Colonel Fountain is a loving and devoted husband to his wife Felicia and a man of great faith. He is an active member of First Baptist Church in Crestview, where he serves in the church leadership. Colonel Fountain has also served in numerous capacities in state, local, and national political campaigns, including county chair and member of the National Public Safety Advisory Council and as Florida Co-Chair for Public Safety/First Responders.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Colonel Graham W. Fountain for his twenty-eight years of outstanding leadership and service to Florida. My wife Vicki and I wish Colonel Fountain and his family all the best.

Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to recognize the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders for their heroism and extraordinary service and sacrifice that lifted our Nation and helped propel the Allies to victory over Japan in World War Two.

On April 18, 1942, as a response to Japan's surprise attack on our Nation, eighty brave Americans from the 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) set out to execute a first-of-its-kind mission to bring the fight Japan started to their homeland. Led by then Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle, these heroic men all volunteered for what they were told to be an extremely hazardous mission and were still willing to put their lives in harm's way to help defend our great Nation.

The mission, thought by many to be near impossible, required innovations and extensive training to include secret preparations conducted in March 1942 at Eglin Field in the First Congressional District of Florida. These intensive preparations included training for accomplishing short takeoffs and landings and techniques for fuel efficient flying. Eglin Field helped serve as the proving ground for the military's innovations and techniques required to ensure these brave American's were ready for their mission.

After months of Japanese military successes in the Pacific, these brave airmen set out on a mission that changed the tide of the Second World War and lifted the morale and spirits of a grateful Nation. On that day, they

planned to launch their sixteen modified B-25 bombers from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, flying to Japan to drop their bombs and then fly on to land in a part of China that was still free from Japanese occupation.

However, despite their extensive preparations, the USS Hornet was discovered by the Japanese 170 miles further from their prearranged aircraft launching point. Still, these selfless and brave American's decided to continue with their mission despite the fact they were beyond the distance considered to be safe for launch. The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders deliberately accepted the risk that their B-25's might have only the fuel required to reach their targets but not enough to ensure their safe landing.

Despite the obstacles presented to these men, they successfully reached Japan, dropped their bombs and set on their journey to find a safe landing site. Because of their deliberate choice to launch early, they found themselves low on fuel navigating in increasingly deteriorating weather. None of the sixteen B-25's launched reached their pre-planned landing sites. Of the eighty Doolittle Raiders who conducted the raid, seven gave the ultimate sacrifice with the loss of their lives while defending the freedoms we all enjoy today.

The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders acts of heroism and extraordinary airmanship while facing unimaginable odds against their own safety and well-being is recognized as a turning point in the war in the Pacific. Their skill, valor, and selflessness boosted the morale of our Nation's military while causing the Japanese offensive pause as they moved resources to defend their own nation. This morale boost helped fuel the growing American offensive, ultimately leading to the United States victory in the Pacific.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it gives me great pride to recognize the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders on their 71st anniversary of their remarkable bombing raid on Tokyo during World War II. My wife Vicki joins me in thanking all the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders and their families for their sacrifice to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing a bill, the Veterans' Privacy Act, a bill that directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prescribe regulations ensuring that, when veterans receive care from VA, their privacy will not be violated by unauthorized video surveillance.

By its very nature, medical care requires that an individual forfeit some privacy in order to obtain treatment. However, when a veteran walks into a VA medical facility, they should not have to worry about a covert camera being in their treatment room.

Last June, a covert camera disguised as a smoke detector was installed in the room of a brain damaged veteran who was being treated at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center in Tampa, Florida. Upon discovering the hidden camera, the veteran's family was understandably outraged.

When the veteran's family asked about the camera, VA officials first stated that the camera did not exist, then changed their story and admitted that the ``smoke detector'' was actually a video camera. When further asked if the camera was recording, VA told the family that the camera was only ``monitoring'' the patient and was not recording. Only after inquiries by local media and the House Veterans' Affairs Committee did VA admit that the camera was recording. VA then removed the camera from the patient's room.

In the wake of this incident, I sent a letter to VA asking for its legal authority to place a camera in a patient's room without consent. VA stated that its legal opinion was that the hidden camera did not violate the law, but that it was developing a national policy to address the issue of video surveillance of patients. In response to a recent status request on this national policy from my staff, VA stated that it did not expect to have the policy finalized before September 2013, well over a year after this incident occurred.

I am deeply disturbed at VA's callous actions and response to the privacy interests of this veteran, and can't help but wonder whether similar incidents are occurring across the country, especially since VA still lacks a national policy in this area. The least we can do is ensure basic privacy rights of the men and women who have served our country when they seek the treatment they have earned.

Mr. Speaker, no veteran should have to worry about being secretly recorded when he or she goes to VA for medical treatment, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Veterans' Privacy Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of Northwest Florida's beloved Representative Clay Ford, Jr., who passed away on March 18, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer. Throughout his long and distinguished career in the United States Army and public service, Representative Ford served as a mentor and an inspiration to countless individuals. All those who have been blessed by his presence mourn the loss of a great man and unparalleled public servant.

Representative Ford, an Arkansas native, studied at the University of Arkansas, where he received his Bachelor's in Finance as well as his Juris Doctorate. He continued his education at Shippensburg University, where obtained his Master's in Public Administration. He married Carol Ann DeBusk Ford, of Little Rock Arkansas, and together they raised three sons, David, Doug, and Clay.

Representative Ford served proudly for more than 30 years in the United States Army as an infantry officer rising from the rank of Private to retire as Colonel in 1988. During his faithful years of service to our nation's Armed Forces, he filled important roles in both active, reserve, and the National Guard components of the Army. He served our country with honor and distinction, and he helped to protect the freedoms we all enjoy today. His many accomplishments during service include a NRA national record for the high power rifle competition.

In addition to his dedicated service to the Armed Forces, Representative Ford will be remembered for his leadership and contributions as a dedicated public servant. Before settling in Northwest Florida, he served his native state of Arkansas as a Representative of the Arkansas State Legislature from 1975-1976. In 1990 he was elected to the Gulf Breeze City Council in Florida, where he served until his election to the Florida House of Representatives in 2007. Representative Ford was widely respected by those who knew him. He was a man of conviction and compassion.

Aside from his leadership in the Florida House of Representatives, he was involved in a myriad of civic and veterans service organizations, including the Gulf Breeze Methodist Church, Gulf Breeze Rotary Club, Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Breeze City Council, Florida League of Cities--where he served as president from 2004-2005, National Rifle Association, American Legion, and Military Officers Association of America.

Throughout his life, Representative Ford served his nation and community with the utmost integrity and humility. To some, he will be remembered as a dedicated public official with an unwavering commitment to serving his community. To others, he will be remembered as a patriot who served our nation with honor and distinction. To his family and friends, he will most fondly be remembered as a man of faith and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His contributions to Northwest Florida, Arkansas, and our nation were truly exceptional and his legacy will not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to honor the life of Clay Ford, Jr. My wife Vicki joins me in extending our sincerest condolences and our prayers go out to his wife, Carol; sons, David, Doug, and Clay; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and the entire Ford family. He will truly be missed by all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and service of Northwest Florida's beloved Jim C. Bailey, who passed away on March 19, 2013. Throughout his long and distinguished career in academia and civil service, Mr. Bailey served as a mentor and an inspiration to countless individuals throughout Northwest Florida. He was a great man and an unparalleled public servant.

Mr. Jim Bailey was born on March 24, 1933. He married the love of his life, Patsy McClellan Bailey. They spent 53 dedicated and loving years together and raised 2 daughters, Jamie and Jena.

Mr. Bailey worked for Monsanto Corporation for 31 years before beginning a 22-year career in public service. During his tenure as the Representative for Escambia County School Board District 1, Mr. Bailey's commitment to the citizens of Northwest Florida never wavered. For 13 of his 22 years as a member of the School Board, he served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board. Mr. Bailey devoted himself wholeheartedly to his profession, and he played an important role in improving the school district.

Mr. Bailey's efforts and commitment to serving the people of Escambia County did not go unnoticed. He was honored with a Resolution on the floor of the Florida State Senate and was recognized by the Florida School Board Association for Outstanding Boardsmanship. Perhaps the greatest recognition was the dedication of the Jim C. Bailey Park at Hellen Caro Elementary School and Jim C. Bailey Middle School, both located in Pensacola, Florida and named to honor his outstanding service to our community.

Northwest Florida, the Escambia County School Board, and the many students and teachers whose lives were touched by Mr. Bailey, mourn the loss of a man of devotion and unwavering compassion. His contributions and service to the community will forever be remembered.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to honor the exemplary life of Mr. Jim C. Bailey. My wife Vicki and I offer our prayers to his wife, Pat; daughters, Jamie and Jenna; grandchildren, Jimmy, Joshua, Anna, Claire and Adrian; and his entire family. He will be truly missed by all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the legacy of a great American woman, Mildred Manning, a World War II Veteran, POW, and nurse in the Army Nurse Corps. Ms. Manning was the last survivor of the 66 nurses who were taken into captivity by the Japanese in May of 1942 on the island of Corregidor.

Ms. Manning was born in rural Georgia on July 11, 1914. She graduated from the Grady Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Atlanta and was head nurse at Grady before entering military service when she enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps in 1939.

Ms. Manning was stationed in the Philippines at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. She spent the first five months of the war treating servicemen at field hospitals in the Philippines, most notably during the retreat to the Bataan Peninsula, and then on Corregidor. After the U.S. surrender at Corregidor, Ms. Manning was taken prisoner.

She spent the next 33 months under guard at an internment camp, where she faced near- starvation and disease while treating nearly 4,000 men, women, and children. In the winter of 1945, Ms. Manning and the other nurses were finally liberated. For her service to this Nation, Ms. Manning received a Bronze Star and a message of gratitude from President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Two weeks ago, on March 8, 2013, Ms. Manning passed away in Hopewell, NJ at the age of 98. She is survived by her son, James Manning, and daughter, March Price, five grandchildren and a great-grandson. Her husband, Arthur Brewster Manning, died in 1994 and their youngest son, William D. Manning, died in 2006.

Ms. Manning once said of her internment, ``I came out so much better than many of my friends, I have never been bitter, and I have always known that if I could survive that, I could survive anything.''

Mr. Speaker, how privileged I am to be able to honor her life and pay tribute to her outstanding service to this nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished life and service of Mrs. Angelina Tabbitas Larsen. Mrs. Larsen, known by those in the community as ``Angel'', was born July 28, 1941 to Nunzio and Frances Tabbitas in Brooklyn, New York, and for the past few decades, Mrs. Larsen has called Northwest Florida home. She will be missed by many, but her memory will live on through the timeless legacy she leaves behind.

Mrs. Larsen spent her life in service to God and country. For twenty years, she dedicated her time to serving the brave men and women of our Armed Forces at the Pensacola USO Centers. Through her support and gratitude, she had the ability to lift spirits and bring warmth and merriment to our troops and their families.

To some, Mrs. Larsen will be remembered for her commitment to our nation's heroes; to others, she will be remembered for her strong faith in God and as a fellow member of Kingsway Church. To her family and friends, she will be remembered for Nana's Sunday dinner gatherings and as a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother.

On behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored to recognize the life and service of Mrs. Angelina Tabbitas Larsen. My wife Vicki joins me in extending our thoughts and prayers to her husband, Bob; daughter, Jeannie; sons, Salvatore, Mario, and Edward, and the entire Larsen family.