Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I missed rollcall Vote Nos. 17- 19 on January 26, 2010. Had I been present, I would have voted:

Rollcall Vote No. 17, Expressing support for designation of January 2010 as ``National Mentoring Month'', ``aye.''

Rollcall Vote No. 18, Recognizing the importance of cervical health and of detecting cervical cancer during its earliest stages and supporting the goals and ideals of Cervical Health Awareness Month, ``aye.''

Rollcall Vote No. 19, Expressing support for the designation of January 10, 2010, through January 16, 2010, as National Influenza Vaccination Week, ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Arthur Williams, a World War II veteran, a Tuskegee Airman, and a true American hero. Arthur spent a lifetime dedicated to his country, his community, and a loving father, and I am proud to honor his life of service.

Born in 1918 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Arthur grew up and lived in Pensacola, Florida. He joined the Army Air Corps at the height of World War II in 1942, hoping to become a pilot. A color blindness kept Arthur out of the sky, but would not keep him from serving his country. He entered the Army Air Corps Mechanic Training School in Lincoln, Nebraska, and graduated number one in his class in 1943. Arthur became a mechanic for the revered Tuskegee Airmen out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he served honorably until 1946. These Airmen flew 1,500 combat missions during World War II and received 95 Distinguished Flying Cross awards among them. For his service as part of the Tuskegee Airmen, Arthur was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, our nation's highest civilian honor, in 2007.

After his military duty, Arthur continued to serve his country. In 1963, he became the first African-American supervisor at the Pensacola Naval Air Station Reworks facility. He went back to school to earn his Associate in Arts degree from Pensacola Junior College and became a licensed real estate broker. An active member of the community, Arthur enjoyed singing in the Mount Zion Baptist Church choir and being a part of the American Legion Post 193. In April of 2008, Arthur was one of the veterans who participated in the inaugural Emerald Coast Honor Flight Program to bring WWII veterans from Northwest Florida to Washington, D.C. to see their memorial.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am humbled to recognize Arthur Williams as a World War II hero and a community leader. Our nation is proud and grateful for his courage, service, and patriotism. My wife Vicki and I offer our prayers for his entire family, including his son, Charles, his six grandchildren, two great- grandchildren, and entire extended family and friends as we remember and honor the life of Arthur Williams. He will be truly missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Deborah Lynn as the Walton County, Florida Educational Support Person of the Year for the 2009-2010 school year. I am honored to recognize her achievements and her dedication to the students and teachers of Northwest Florida.

Mrs. Lynn, affectionately known as Ms. Debby by her students, is the school nurse for Freeport Elementary School. She supervises the school's clinic, provides first aid for injuries, maintains health records, and administers medicine. But what sets Mrs. Lynn apart from her peers is her initiative. She created Freeport's annual Summer Safety program for students which brings community organizations into the school to teach students about summer safety. Mrs. Lynn also coordinates with the Walton County Health Department all student health screenings, records, and H1N1 vaccines. Finally, she goes above and beyond to also serve the school staff by organizing a mobile mammogram bus to visit the school annually and arranging flu shots for teachers and school employees.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Deborah Lynn as the Walton County Educational Support Person of the Year. Her passion for her students is commendable and her dedication to her profession makes her deserving of this award. My wife Vicki and I wish Deborah and her family all the best for the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Patricia Toy upon receiving the Walton County, Florida Teacher of the Year Award. Patricia is a dedicated teacher and public servant, and I am honored to recognize her achievements.

Patricia Toy has an extensive career in education. She earned her bachelor's degree from Eastern Kentucky University and her Master's in Education from Georgetown College in Kentucky. Past teaching awards include the Who's Who Among American Teachers Award in 1998, 2000, and 2002, as well as the Outstanding Educator Award from the Kentucky Governor's Scholar Program in 2001. She has been a teacher for over 28 years.

In her third year at Paxton School in Walton County, Patricia now teaches seventh grade language arts and high school Spanish. Her tremendous dedication to the students of Paxton has earned her the Walton County Teacher of the Year Award for 2010.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Patricia Toy as the Walton Teacher of the Year. She is a true community leader and a great educator. My wife Vicki and I wish Patricia and her family all the best for the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Deputy Curtis Cephas of the Escambia County Sheriff's Department upon receiving the Medal of Valor, the department's highest honor. Deputy Cephas risked his life in service to the community, and I am proud to recognize his selfless act of heroism.

On July 3, 2009, while off-duty, Deputy Cephas was informed by a local citizen that a nearby house was on fire. Deputy Cephas ran to the house, noticed smoke pouring from inside, and began searching the home to determine if anyone was inside. After discovering that the home's occupant was inside and unable to escape the fire, Deputy Cephas proceeded to enter the burning house and found the resident inside and immobile. He succeeded in pulling the man outside and safely away from the fire.

For his courage and bravery at extreme risk to his own life, Deputy Cephas is being awarded the Medal of Valor, the highest award of the Escambia County Sheriff's Department.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Deputy Curtis Cephas for going above and beyond the call of duty. He is a hero to the community and a true public servant. My wife Vicki and I wish Deputy Cephas and his family all the best for the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Officer Greg Gordon of the Pensacola Police Department upon receiving the Gold Medal of Valor, the department's highest honor. Officer Gordon is a dedicated public servant, and I am proud to honor his heroism and commitment.

On July 3, 2009, Officer Gordon was en route to police headquarters when he responded to a call regarding a 9-1-1 hang up. Upon arriving at the scene, he saw smoke coming from the house and was told the resident was likely still inside the burning building. When he did not receive a response from the front door, Officer Gordon kicked in the door and crawled under the smoke to find the home's occupant. Officer Gordon pulled the man through the burning house and safely outside. Although Officer Gordon and the resident were treated for injuries, both came out safely.

For this selfless act of heroism, Officer Gordon is being awarded the Pensacola Police Department's highest award, the Gold Medal of Valor. Officer Gordon is only the 10th police officer to receive the medal since the department was formed in 1821. He was first hired as a cadet in 1996 and was promoted to police officer in 1999. A former SWAT member, Officer Gordon is assigned currently to the Uniform Patrol Division. Part of his patrol jurisdiction includes my Pensacola office, and his service to our office has been outstanding.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize Officer Greg Gordon for going above and beyond the call of duty. He is a true American hero and an invaluable member of our community. My wife Vicki and I wish Officer Gordon and his family all the best for the future.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

As we Members come to the floor from time to time to pass resolutions, to talk about resolutions supporting athletic events or special occasions, it is always difficult for us to come to the floor to talk about people who have given their lives in the defense of this country, who have been injured in the duty that they are performing for this Nation.

Being at a forward operating base for someone within the intelligence community or the CIA is about as far outside the wire as you can get. In some of the most austere conditions, men and women are asked to ascertain intelligence so that we here in the United States of America can remain safe and secure in our homes and our business places. Seven individuals gave that ultimate sacrifice. It is altogether fitting that this House would pause to give honor to those seven individuals and their families, and to the individuals who have been injured. And as my colleagues have already said, I wish them a speedy recovery, but also to say thank you.

Thank you to the men and women of the clandestine services who are willing to do what they do 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We in this House, we as Americans, owe them a debt of gratitude that we will never be able to repay.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Marvin and Mary Lou Cohron on the occasion of their 75th wedding anniversary. Their 75 years of marriage is a testament to all American families, and I am proud to honor the Cohrons.

Marvin and Mary Lou first met at Excel Junior High School in Monroe County, Alabama, around 1932. Both were the children of farming families and spent much of their free time going to church services and social functions. On a Sunday evening, December 23, 1934, Marvin drove Mary Lou and some of her family to the home of the Justice of the Peace where the two were married. Marvin was 16 and Mary Lou was 15.

After their marriage, Marvin and Mary Lou tried their hand at farming. After 3 years of marriage, Marvin had saved enough money from the sale of collard greens they had grown to buy Mary Lou a wedding band. Marvin moved to Pensacola, Florida, in 1939 and started work at the Pensacola City Bus Company while Mary Lou continued working at Vanity Fair in Alabama until she was able to join her husband in Pensacola. In 1943, Marvin was drafted into the United States Navy where he served honorably in World War II. He then went to school on the G.I. Bill to learn refrigeration maintenance and repair. In 1950, Marvin began work at Navy Point stores before going into business for himself in 1958. He opened Cohron's Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Sales and Service and Mary Lou worked as the bookkeeper and secretary for the office. In 1986, the Cohrons retired. They now spend their days enjoying fishing, camping, and ballroom dancing. They belong to several seniors' dance clubs and Mary Lou belongs to the Red Hat Society.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize the 75th wedding anniversary of Marvin and Mary Lou Cohron. Their family has been an invaluable part of our community for over seventy years. My wife Vicki and I wish Marvin and Mary Lou, their 5 daughters, 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and great- great grandchild all the best.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Colonel Venetia E. Brown for 30 years of exceptional service and dedication to the United States Air Force and enduring contributions to our great Nation. She will retire from active duty on March 31, 2010.

Colonel Brown grew up in Niceville, Florida and entered the United States Air Force in 1980 as a graduate of the distinguished Officers' Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. She has served in a variety of personnel assignments at the unit and headquarters level both stateside and overseas, and has excelled in all leadership positions throughout her career. Her unique leadership and managerial talents were evident early in her career, affirmed by her selection as a captain to organize and direct the wing survival and recovery center, a function normally performed by a colonel. As a testament to her leadership skills, Colonel Brown has been the commander of a military personnel flight, mission support squadron, and deputy commander of a large support group and has produced outstanding results during inspections as well as motivated her subordinates to achieve their dreams. Additionally, she is a distinguished alumnus of Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, directing manpower and personnel legislative matters.

Prior to her current assignment, Colonel Brown served as the Chief, Compensation and Legislation Division, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters United States Air Force. She developed the first-ever Air Force Bonus Review Board resulting in $125M savings during fiscal year 2006 and $1B in out-years. Additionally, Colonel Brown secured $20.7M from the Air Force Board for compensation legislative initiatives and ramrodded Transformation legislation on civilian pay/hiring flexibility. A powerhouse crusader and remarkable leader, Colonel Brown was consistently given the tough issues and never failed the men and women of the Air Force.

In her most recent assignment, Colonel Brown served as the Director of the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council, Air Force Review Boards Agency, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. Over the past 5 and half years Colonel Brown guided the Secretary of the Air Force's Personnel Council through over 10,000 Board actions. Her excellent decisions ensured due process, equity, consistency, and fairness. Colonel Brown has the distinct honor of being consistently ranked as the number one of five directors in the Air Force Review Boards Agency. She has always upheld the highest standards of professional conduct and her warrior ethos has ensured complete success at every juncture and will be truly missed. I ask my Colleagues to join me in expressing our sincere thanks to Venetia, her spouse Michael, and their son Damone for their unwavering support of our country and the freedom we hold so dear. We congratulate Colonel Brown on the completion of an exemplary active-duty career and wish her well in the next phase of her life.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Betty Salter upon being awarded the Habitat for Humanity International Lifetime Achievement Award. Betty has dedicated her life to serving others, and I am proud to honor her service and commitment to the community.

Betty Salter is one of the founders of the Pensacola Habitat for Humanity and has served on the Board of Directors for 28 years. In the early years of the Pensacola affiliate, Betty served as chairman of the Family Selection Committee. In the late 1980's, when the affiliate could not afford to hire a director, she answered the call and volunteered as the Executive Director of Pensacola Habitat. Twenty years later, Betty remains the volunteer Executive Director. She and her husband James, also a volunteer, work six days a week building houses for low income families.

When Betty took over as Executive Director, the Pensacola Habitat for Humanity had built a total of four homes. Five years later, under Betty's leadership, house production jumped to twenty per year. Today, the affiliate builds between 55 and 60 homes each year. Betty's enthusiasm, energy, and generosity have motivated thousands of volunteers in our community to donate their time and their money in support of Habitat for Humanity. In 2004 and 2005, Betty helped lead the Pensacola affiliate through Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis, making sure projects continued as scheduled.

In addition to her service with Habitat for Humanity, Betty has been dedicated to all forms of housing assistance over the years. She served on the Board of Directors for Methodist Homes of Alabama and West Florida. She also served on the Board of the Children's Services Center for over twenty years. Betty has been awarded numerous honors over the years from many charity organizations. This year, Habitat for Humanity chose Betty as one of only four volunteers to award the first Habitat for Humanity International Lifetime Achievement Award.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored to recognize Betty Salter for her service to the people of Northwest Florida. She is a dedicated community servant who has sacrificed so much for others in need. My wife Vicki and I wish all the best for continued success to Betty and her husband James, children Gail and Jane, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and entire extended family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jerry Eubanks upon his retirement from the United States National Park Service. Jerry has been a life-long public servant, and I am humbled to honor his service and commitment.

A native of McCool, Mississippi, Jerry joined the National Park Service in 1960 after graduating from Mississippi State University with a degree in Civil Engineering. Since joining the Park Service, he has worked across the country from Missouri to California to Virginia to preserve and protect America's national parks. In 1976, Jerry became Assistant Superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina. Jerry moved to the Gulf Coast in 1984 to serve as Superintendent of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, where he has remained ever since.

As Superintendent of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Jerry has worked tirelessly to ensure the protection and viability of our area's natural resources and beauty. Over the past 25 years, he has led the park through numerous organizational and operational changes, resulting in substantial natural, cultural, and recreational program improvements. Among his many successes, Jerry helped lead recovery efforts during several damaging hurricanes including Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He was able to bring operations back online quickly after the storms, ensuring the repair and protection of damaged resources and the restoration of major infrastructure. For his efforts over the course of his career, Jerry has received numerous awards for exemplary service including the Department of the Interior Meritorious Service Award in 2000.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored to recognize Jerry Eubanks for his service to Northwest Florida. He is a dedicated community leader who will be sorely missed after his retirement. My wife Vicki and I wish all the best for continued success to Jerry and his wife Anne, his

children, grandchildren, and entire extended family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Charles Hildebrand, a community leader and public servant who is retiring from over thirty-five years of service with the Social Security Administration. Charles spent his career serving others, and I am proud to honor this dedication and service.

After graduating from South Carolina State College, Charles started his federal career in 1970 as a program specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He moved to the Social Security Administration in 1973 as a claim representative in Newark, New Jersey. From 1974 to 1977, Charles also served as the vice president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 2389.

Over the course of his career with the Social Security Administration, Charles worked as an operations supervisor, a level 2 manager, an analyst for the Georgia and North Florida area office staffs, and a level 1 manager. He graduated from the Atlanta Leadership Development Program in 1991. The SSA twice awarded him the agency's highest honor, the Commissioner's Citation.

Charles is also a community service leader. He serves as the 2009- 2010 Chairman for the EscaRosa Combined Federal Campaign local agency application review committee and the non-military agencies committee. He is also chair of the North Florida E-service and Integrity/Anti Fraud cadres. As chairman of the board of the Beach Institute Historic Association, Charles oversaw the development of a low-income rehabilitation project to serve the underprivileged in our area.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored to recognize Charles Hildebrand for his service to the people of Northwest Florida. He has been a dedicated public servant for forty years. My wife Vicki and I wish all the best for Charles, his wife, Iris, and his children, Nikki and Amii, as they embark on this next endeavor in their lives.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. J.E. ``Gene'' Smith, a national and community leader who is retiring from almost thirty years of service with the Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative. Gene spent his career serving others and giving back to our community, and I am proud to honor this dedication and service.

As the son of a gas utility worker, Gene became interested in utility work at a young age. He began his career with Huntsville Utilities in Huntsville, Alabama before moving to another utility job in Jefferson City, Tennessee. By the time Gene was 28, he was manager of a Sweetwater, Tennessee utility. In 1978, he moved to the world of electric cooperatives and went to work as the general manager of Escambia River Electric Cooperative in Jay, Florida. Three years later, Gene moved a few miles east to DeFuniak Springs to work for the Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative (CHELCO). He has served as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of CHELCO since 1981.

While at CHELCO, Gene has made a lasting impression on the electric cooperative community. He served on the board of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation from 1988 to 1993 with two years spent as the board's president. He also served on the board of the National Cooperative Services Corporation from 1995 to 2003 and as a trustee on the PowerSouth Energy Cooperative Board, representing CHELCO since 1981. Gene has been chairman of the Florida Electric Cooperative Association and the National Food and Energy Council Board. Because of his outstanding work on behalf of electric cooperatives, Gene was featured in American Executive Magazine in 2007. In February, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Board of Directors will present Gene with the Clyde T. Ellis Award. This award recognizes an individual who goes above and beyond the call of duty in furthering the principles and progress of rural electrification and the development and utilization of natural resources.

Beyond his expansive career accomplishments, Gene Smith has spent a lifetime dedicated to community service. He serves on the United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, the Board of Trustees of Northwest Florida State College, the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council Executive Committee, and the Rotary Club. He is also a very active member of the All Sports organization which raises money for local youth-oriented non-profit organizations with an emphasis on sports. Local beneficiaries include the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, and Special Olympics.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am honored to recognize Gene Smith for his service to the people of the United States. He is a dedicated community servant and national business leader. My wife Vicki and I wish all the best for Gene and his family as they embark on this next endeavor in their lives.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. W.A. ``Jake'' Jernigan, a Northwest Florida leader who passed away on October 9, 2009. Jake Jernigan spent his life serving our community and our country, and I am proud to honor his lifetime of dedication and service.

Born on October 20, 1919 in Baker, Florida, Jake Jernigan was the second child of Walter and Addie Cobb Jernigan. He lived on the Cobb family farm until moving to Crestview, Florida to attend grade school. In 1937, Jake enrolled at the University of Florida. However, the call of duty interrupted his education, and Jake joined the United States Army to serve during World War II. After his distinguished military service, he returned to the University of Florida where he met the future Senator George Smathers, working as a volunteer on Smathers' student body president campaign.

After graduating in 1942 with a degree in education, Jake returned to Crestview and taught for a short time at Laurel Hill before founding the Jernigan Insurance Agency and the Jernigan Construction Company. In 1950, he married Claire Covell of DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Jake developed the first affordable housing subdivision in Crestview in 1954 and he also founded the First National Bank of Crestview in 1956, where he served as its first chairman for ten years.

Jake also continued his life of public service as a member of the Crestview City Council and as a founder of the Okaloosa County Island Authority. In 1950 and again in 1960, he served as his old friend George Smathers' Northwest Florida Senate campaign chairman. Later in 1960, he served as John F. Kennedy's Northwest Florida campaign chairman.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize the life of Jake Jernigan. He will always be remembered by all of us in Northwest Florida as a true community leader. My wife Vicki and I offer our continued prayers for his children, Jill, Jan, Jack, Jenny, Tracey, and George, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and entire extended family as we remember and honor the life of Jake Jernigan.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Bert Sutton, a Northwest Florida leader who passed away on November 12, 2009. Dr. Sutton spent his life serving our community, and I am proud to honor his lifetime of dedication and service.

Dr. E.W. ``Bert'' Sutton was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and grew up in Port St. Joe, Florida. After graduating from the University of Alabama and then Tulane Medical School, Bert opened his first practice in 1960 in Santa Rosa County, Florida. In 1979, Bert was appointed Director of the Santa Rosa County Health Department, where he served for over 24 years until his retirement in 2003. He oversaw public health in the county for more than two decades.

In addition to his day-to-day duties at the Department of Health, Dr. Sutton was instrumental in the opening of the Rehabilitation Institute of West Florida in 1978, now a part of the West Florida Hospital System. The institute serves people recovering from accidents and those suffering from neurological or orthopedic conditions. He also helped found the Rehabilitation Foundation of Northwest Florida which provides financial support for disabled people to receive physical therapy and prosthetics. In 2001, Dr. Sutton helped establish the Santa Rosa Community Clinic providing medical services to the poor and uninsured. He always put service to others first, and he will be missed by all of us in Northwest Florida.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to recognize the life of Dr. Bert Sutton. With close to 50 years of faithful service to Northwest Florida, Bert will be forever remembered as a part of the fabric of our community. My wife Vicki and I offer our prayers for his wife, Fran, children, Karen, Sherman, Steven, Patsy, Erin, Stacy, and Tracey, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and entire extended family as we remember and honor the life of Bert Sutton.