Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to acknowledge Pastor Jim Schetler, who blessed us with our opening prayer today. Pastor Schetler comes to us from Pensacola Christian College Campus Church, a ministry involving over 1,500 members of the community, and over 4,000 Pensacola Christian College students when the school is in session.

His personal journey with God and the Holy Spirit has given him a dynamic and vibrant ability to make his preachings come alive to Christians of all ages. As a result, his Sunday morning services are now aired by television stations nationwide. Originally from Traverse City, Michigan, Pastor Schetler graduated from Pensacola Christian College in 1979 and has remained in its service ever since. He met his wife, Marilee, while he was a student at PCC, and has been blessed with three wonderful sons: Benjamin, Luke, and Drew.

Upon graduation, he spent the following 2 years traveling as a PCC representative. Afterwards, he and Marilee spent 6 months living in a kibbutz in Israel with the Baptists for Israel Institute. He then spent the next 7 years as a youth pastor of Campus Church until he became the pastor of Campus Church in 1988.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my friend, Pastor Jim Schetler, for joining us on the House floor today.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 4, the Personal Responsibility, Work and Family Promotion Act of 2003; and I support this important measure because it will remodel and improve the welfare reform legislation that has already helped millions of people off the welfare rolls, improved child well-being, lifted millions more out of poverty, and boosted personal incomes and improved the quality of life.

Take, for example, a family from my district in northwest Florida. James and his wife and their 2-year-old son had to relocate to DeFuniak Springs at a time when there were few job prospects in that community. In November of 2001, James and his family had to apply for cash assistance to meet their needs.

The couple agreed that James would participate in the Welfare Transition Program; and during the 2-week employment preparation program, he learned that he had an aptitude for the medical field.

Upon completion, he entered a community service work site at the Council on Aging; and during this service assignment, he demonstrated not only an aptitude but also the initiative to seek training and further experience. He qualified for financial assistance for training through the Workforce Innovation Act and completed training as a CNA through Walton County Vocational Tech.

Through his eagerness to learn, James was able to secure a paid position with the Council on Aging; and last February, he was hired to a full-time position with benefits and is no longer receiving cash assistance.

Mr. Chairman, this is just one of the many examples of how hard work, personal ambition, and a system that puts faith in the individual can be successful. Even with accomplishments like this, we can do a whole lot more. Our welfare system is not perfect, and we must improve it by offering reforms that promote a life of self-sufficiency, dignity and hope.

I hope that my colleagues support these important principles and will support H.R. 4.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of Florida's most cherished and dedicated civil servants, Tom Connell. Tom will be leaving our office at the end of the month to begin his much- deserved retirement and I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all he has given and wish him well in his future endeavors. For the past 5 years Tom has worked as the Veterans' and Military Affairs caseworker for Florida's First Congressional District. He is the ultimate professional, the greatest of friends, and one of the most valuable members of our organization.

Over 100,000 veterans and 18,000 active duty military personnel reside in the district I represent, giving Mr. Connell the heaviest case-load of all our caseworkers. He continuously brings unique and valuable insight into the primary issues faced in the office, drawing from over 30 years of active duty in the U.S. Navy. Entering the service in 1965, he sailed beneath the open seas as a submariner, serving as Chief of the Boat on three different submarines. For the last 5\1/2\ years of his duty, Mr. Connell was appointed Fleet Master Chief of CNET, all the while learning and developing the tools he would need to truly become the district's expert on veteran's affairs and military issues.

Kindly referred to as ``Father Tom'' around the office, he has infinite patience when dealing with the more challenging casework. Regardless, he listens and genuinely tries to resolve their issues as best he can. The phone on his desk never seems to stop ringing and walk-ins have become a part of his daily routine. A gifted public speaker, Mr. Connell has been an outstanding representative at various veterans rallies and numerous events.

Mr. Connell joined the office with considerable experience as a caseworker and was instrumental in getting the office up and running in very short order. A talented and strong leader, Mr. Connell continuously takes the time to train and advise other members of the staff in an effort to make our office the best it can be in representing the people of Northwest Florida.

Mr. Speaker, at the end of the month I will lose a great member of my team. Not a day goes by where Tom's tremendous sense of humor does not make us laugh and we will miss his unique capability of never letting us forget that we work for the greatest government in the world. Respected and admired by us all, I wish Tom nothing but the best as he embarks on his well-earned retirement with his beautiful wife Billie. He will be truly missed. Tom Connell, you are and always will be a reason for our success.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the message of the President be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered printed.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 10 o'clock and 11 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, January 29, 2003, at noon.