Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, there are many heroes who have worked countless hours to help victims of hurricanes recover. Mr. Bobby Clark is one of these heroes.

Bobby, along with his wife Lori and children, Danielle, Joe, and Jack, have a history of helping hurricane victims along the Gulf Coast. Following Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Bobby cleared roads of fallen trees, removed trees from his neighbors' homes or from driveways, and delivered supplies and food to victims.

Following Hurricane Katrina, Bobby along with his business partner Pat Achee traveled to Gulfport, Mississippi, to deliver supplies and check on family and friends. Soon after their arrival in Gulfport, they learned St. James Baptist Church was feeding about 300 people a day and sheltering dozens in its sanctuary. The two raised money to provide a generator for the sanctuary, and they also filled an 18-wheeler with food and supplies donated by the city of Fairhope.

Bobby's work at the church led him to meet Cleavon and Corrine Robinson, an elderly couple without home insurance. The couple's home was almost completely destroyed by a fallen tree. Bobby met with Bob Chatham of Chatham Home Planning, who drew up a house plan for Mr. and Mrs. Robinson.

Bobby then organized volunteers from the community to build the Robinson's new home in seven days. He developed a schedule and had volunteers working from dawn to dark, and the 864 square-foot house was actually completed in 6\1/2\ days!

This was the beginning of the nonprofit ``We Care'' of Baldwin County, whose mission is to repair or rebuild homes for people in need. The goal for 2006 is to build 15 homes. The residents and businesses throughout Mobile and Baldwin counties have also responded to Bobby's call, donating everything from the building supplies, to the furniture, to the landscaping, and even the lighting.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you and my colleagues to join me in honoring Bobby Clark for his selfless commitment to helping his community and inspiring others to do the same. His story serves as an inspiration not only to those of us who live across the Gulf Coast but also to people across the country. We need more people like Bobby Clark in this world--a true hero to those most in need.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor Mr. Joel B. Bullard, Jr., President of Joe Bullard Cadillac-Hummer on the occasion of receiving the 2006 Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award.

Joe has been a vital member of the Mobile, Alabama, community all of his life. He began his career at his family's car dealership, Joe Bullard Oldsmobile, in 1972 and rose through the ranks to become dealer in 1980. Under his leadership, the dealership has expanded, and he recently opened a 6.5 acre Cadillac and Hummer business.

In addition to his professional successes, Joe has long been a supporter of community organizations. He serves as a trustee of the United Way of Southwest Alabama, and he is past chairman of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. He has also served as a director for the Mobile Kiwanis Club, the Federal Reserve Board of New Orleans, the Mobile Airport Authority, Mobile Economic Development Council, and the Mobile Community Foundation.

Joe's long-standing commitment to the community combined with his business successes led to this well-deserved nomination. He was one of only 66 automobile dealers, from more than 19,500 nationwide, nominated for the 37th annual award. The Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award is the most prestigious and highly coveted award for car dealers, and the recipients are among the nation's most successful auto dealers.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my congratulations to Joe for being named Time Magazine's 2006 Quality Dealer Award recipient and for his many professional achievements. I know his wife. Foncie, his two children, and his many friends join with me in praising his accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor Dr. Samuel Eichold on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

As a Marine, internist, University of South Alabama medical school professor, founder of Camp Seale Harris for diabetic children, and creator of the Mobile Medical Museum, Sam Eichold has dedicated his 90 years to helping others.

Dr. Sam has been active in Mobile's medical community throughout his life. It was at the age of 59 when he left his private practice to become a medical professor at the University of South Alabama, where he still keeps an office.

In 1989, Dr. Sam was named Mobilian of the Year. He has also devoted much of his time to Mobile's art community. He has even served as a board member of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Music Society, and the Mobile Opera Guild, among others. He was given a Greater Mobile Arts Award by the Mobile Arts Council in October, and an art gallery at Spring Hill College bears his name.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating a dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout south Alabama. I know Dr. Sam's colleagues, his family, and his many friends join with me in praising his accomplishments and extending thanks for his many efforts over the years on behalf of Mobile and the First Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor St. Paul's Episcopal School on their 2006 5A Girls' State Indoor Track and Field Championship.

Head Coach Jim Tate has led St. Paul's to 32 state championships. Since 1983, Coach Tate's teams have claimed 74 separate state team championships in track and cross-country. Twenty-five of his former athletes have gone on to compete at the collegiate level in either track or cross-country. In 1999, Coach Tate was selected as the national cross-country coach of the year.

The St. Paul's girls' cross-country team holds the national record for the longest consecutive state championship streak in the nation, winning the state championship for 16 consecutive years (1983-1998). This year's girls' team proved to be champions in their victory on February 4, 2006, at Celebration Arena in Priceville.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating St. Paul's Episcopal School on a great season and their state championship. This school deserves public recognition for this great honor, and I extend my congratulations to each member of the team and coaching staff:

St. Paul's Girls' Varsity Indoor Track Roster, Emily Bender 9th, Eleanor Brown 9th, Malise Collins 8th, Emily Collins 11th, Paige Cunningham 12th, Maggie DeLaney 12th, Sophie Eldred 8th, Norah Gufstason 8th, Margaret Harkness 7th, Angelica Howard 11th, Kayleigh Hudson 7th, Mary Carleton Johnston 10th, Hannah Jones 7th, Allison Kneip 11th, Allison Lerner 11th, Taylor Luckey 8th, Mary Win McCarthy 10th, Molly McGee 11th, Brenna McGee 10th, Jordan McMullan 11th, Coco Montgomery 7th, Kelsey Outlaw 7th, Hannah Samman 7th, Jeannie Schottgen 7th, Katelyn Simpson 12th, Mae Stimpson 10th, Ellie Stimpson 8th, Victoria Strange 8th, Nancy Taylor 9th, Summer Thomas 7th, Neal Tisher 9th, Sydneyjane Varmer 10th, Angel Watson 9th, Katherine White 7th, and Morgan Yeager 10th.

Coaching Staff: Head Coach: Jim Tate, Assistant Coaches: Kelli Etheredge, Lyndell Farmer, Erin Moore, and Bill Quina.

Mr. Speaker, it is with both pride and pleasure that I rise this week to honor a great man, as well as a true friend, Mr. Jimmy Faulkner, on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

Few people have enjoyed a more wonderful life than ``Mr. Jimmy.''

As an Air Force pilot, young Jimmy Faulkner answered his nation's call to serve and serve he did, always with distinction, valor and honor.

Upon completing his service in the Air Force, Jimmy Faulkner set out to blaze a trail of success in the world of business, spanning 42 years as the owner and publisher of a chain of south Alabama newspapers, as well as serving as president of seven radio stations. At the same time, he continued to find a way to serve his community, state and nation, first by being elected the youngest mayor in America in 1941, when he was elected mayor of his beloved Bay Minette.

Years later, Mr. Jimmy would go on to serve Baldwin, Monroe and Escambia Counties by becoming one of Alabama's most respected and influential state senators. Twice he also ran for governor of Alabama.

Still later, Mr. Jimmy's entrepreneurial talents would give him the confidence to start Loyal American Life Insurance Company. And during most of the past 50 years, he has also been associated with Volkert & Associates, one of the top engineering, architectural, planning and environmental firms in the United States.

One of Jimmy Faulkner's passions has been his lifelong dedication to improving education. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Alabama Christian College in Montgomery, which was renamed Faulkner University in his honor, and Chairman of the Advisory Board for James H. Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette. Mr. Jimmy holds seven honorary doctorate degrees in law and humane letters, and he has served on several commissions that worked to improve Alabama's secondary education system.

Jimmy Faulkner was named the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce ``Person of the Century'' in 2000. In 2003, he was awarded the Alabama Press Association's ``Lifetime Achievement Award'' and received the Volkert Chairman's Award in 1994.

Mr. Speaker, there has been no other individual more important to south Alabama or to the life of his local community than James H. ``Jimmy'' Faulkner, Sr. He is an outstanding example of the quality individuals who have devoted their lives to public service, and I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating him on reaching this milestone. I know Mr. Jimmy's colleagues, his family and his many friends join with me in praising his significant accomplishments and extending thanks for his many efforts over the years on behalf of the First Congressional District and the entire state of Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church on the occasion of its 100th year.

St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church has been a vital partner of the city of Foley and the state of Alabama. The church was founded in 1906, and for a century, this congregation has been worshipping God and serving the people of south Alabama.

The congregation of St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church has used its resources

and opportunities to provide hope, comfort, instruction, and inspiration to so many along the Gulf Coast. Over the past two years, this parish has responded to the needs of the victims of Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina, including providing temporary housing, utilities and food for six evacuated families.

St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church has lovingly served the people of Foley through its contributions to Catholic Social Services for Baldwin County, Relay for Life, and Foley Alcoholics Anonymous.

It is my sincere hope that the St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church will continue to be such a source of inspiration, hope, and comfort to the people of Foley for another 100 years, and I rise today to salute this congregation and the many contributions they have made toward the betterment of south Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor Mr. Gary Denick on the occasion of his retirement after serving the U.S. House of Representatives for 28 years.

Mr. Denick joined the production staff of the House Recording Studio as a camera operator in 1978. He rose to production director and became director in 2002. Mr. Denick was even part of the history making crew that provided the first floor coverage of House proceedings.

Mr. Denick began his career in 1972 as a soldier in the U.S. Army after graduating from Miami University of Ohio. He was trained as a television specialist, served a tour of duty in the Republic of Korea and was honorably discharged in 1975. Over the course of his nearly three decades with the House Recording Studio, countless members and their staffs have come to know Gary and call him a friend, me included.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating a dedicated professional and friend to many throughout this body. I know Mr. Denick's colleagues, his family, and his many friends join with me in praising his accomplishments and extending thanks for his many efforts over the years on behalf of the House Recording Studio and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor Mr. Dan Hornak on tHe occasion of his retirement after serving the U.S. House of Representatives for 20 years.

From an elementary school teacher, to a sheriff's deputy, to a television news cameraman, there is not much that Dan Hornak has not tried. He joined the House Recording Studio staff in 1986 as a camera operator and rose to the position of television director. Over the course of his two decades with the House Recording Studio, countless members and their staffs have come to know Dan and call him a friend, me included.

In the midst of his professional schedule, Dan also found time to discover, restore, and return a stolen oil portrait to Italy. Among his many goals for retirement, Dan includes writing a book about returning this stolen portrait.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating a dedicated professional and friend to many throughout this body. I know Mr. Hornak's colleagues, his family, and his many friends join with me in praising his accomplishments and extending thanks for his many efforts over the years on behalf of the House Recording Studio and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor UMS-Wright Preparatory School on their 2005 4A Alabama State Football Championship.

In 1893, Dr. Julius T. Wright founded University Military School and Girls Preparatory School in Mobile, AL. In the fall of 1988, both schools merged and began the school year as one. UMS-Wright Preparatory School is a K-12 school with roughly 1250 students enrolled.

Terry Curtis, head football coach and athletic director, lead UMS- Wright to their third Class 4A State championship in the past 5 years. UMS-Wright's record throughout that time has been an incredible 68 wins and only 4 loses, which translates to a winning percentage of .944. In addition, Coach Curtis has been selected as a member of the 2005 Mobile Sports Hall of Fame. Like Coach Curtis, I am so proud of his players, and I know they worked hard for this great honor.

The UMS-Wright Bulldogs proved they are a team of champions in their victory on December 1, 2005, at Legion Field in Birmingham. They defeated Deshler 42-16 and made UMS-Wright the winners for the night and year.

Both teams had strong support from their families and fans. They traveled to Birmingham to support and cheer on their team. The fan support is a strong symbol of encouragement.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating UMS- Wright Preparatory School on their perfect season and State championship. This school deserves public recognition for this great honor.

I extend my congratulations to each member of the team and coaching staff:

UMS-Wright Roster

Tom Leatherbury, Senior; Terrell Edwards, Junior; William

Harvey, Sophomore; Bobby Jones, Senior; Louis Maisel, Senior;

Park Parker, Senior; Chris Carpenter, Junior; Taylor

Morrissette, Senior; Brandon Gibson, Junior; Joey Bacon,

Senior.

Colin Sigler, Junior; Preston Dial, Senior; Hayes Harris,

Senior; Michael Scott, Junior; Taylor White, Senior; Elliott

Pennington, Sophomore; Austin Hilyer, Sophomore; Edward

Williams, Senior; Miller Wright, Junior; Erling Riis, Junior.

Bill Davis, Sophomore; Drew Allen, Junior; Charles Jackson,

Senior; Henry Shields, Junior; Ley Bell, Junior; Blake

McMullen, Sophomore; Wyatt Ison, Junior; Rashod Bumpers,

Senior; Joe Grady, Junior; Brent Pettie, Sophomore.

Heath McGrew, Sophomore; Tyler Baxter, Sophomore; Robert

Williams, Sophomore; Charles Munderloh, Senior; Lee Peters,

Sophomore; Conrad Blunck, Junior; Cooper Perdue, Senior;

Chris Ramanauskas, Junior; Crain Rogers, Sophomore; Philip

Ison, Senior; Chase Cutrell, Sophomore; Howard Walker,

Senior.

George Oswalt, Junior; Nelson Argueta, Sophomore; Paul

Bouler, Senior; J.J. Gotlieb, Junior; Kyle Rehm, Senior;

Anthony Jelercic, Senior; Walker Plash, Senior; Steven Jones,

Sophomore.

Raymond Faircloth, Junior; Brooks Hieronymus, Senior;

McLeod Chunn, Sophomore; Richard Wilkins, Sophomore; Cameron

Gunter, Sophomore; Greg Zieman, Senior; Kyle Ellis, Junior;

and Morgan Kennedy, Sophomore.

Coaching Staff

Head Coach, Terry Curtis; Assistant Coaches, Brett

Boutwell, Rick Cleveland, Brandon Dean, Stacy Harrelson,

Gerald Jones, Phil Lazenby, Eddie Roberts, Jerry Simons, Jim

Sudeiha, and Don Urquhart.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the Government Street Presbyterian Church on the occasion of its 175th year.

Government Street Presbyterian Church has been a vital partner of the city of Mobile and the State of Alabama. The church was founded in 1831, and the present sanctuary was built in 1836. For 166 years, this congregation has been worshipping God from the same location. Designated a National Landmark, the oldest sanctuary in Mobile is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.

True to its mission to glorify God, the congregation of the Government Street Presbyterian Church uses its resources and opportunities to provide hope, comfort, instruction, and inspiration to all people so that they may become followers of Jesus Christ.

For the past twenty years, the Government Street Presbyterian Church has lovingly served the people of Mobile through its Coffee Club and Meals on Wheels, providing 35,000 meals annually to the homeless and poor. Members are also actively involved through urban ministries, international ministries, Baytreat ministries, worship, education, and fellowship.

It is my sincere hope that the Government Street Presbyterian Church will continue to be such a source of inspiration, hope, and comfort to Mobilians for another 175 years, and I rise today to salute this congregation and the many contributions they have made toward the betterment of south Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor Mr. William W. Wynne, Jr. on the occasion of his retirement after serving south Alabama for nearly 30 years. I also rise to congratulate him on his appointment to the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles.

A Mobile native, Mr. Wynne has served as a U.S. Probation Officer for the Southern District of Alabama, a district encompassing 13 counties in southwest Alabama, since 1976. He has served as the district's Chief U.S. Probation Officer since 1988. A nationally recognized leader, Mr. Wynne has overseen the district's advances in court management and automation. His tireless work led to the development of the Internal Operating Policy on Disposition of Criminal Cases in his district.

In the midst of his demanding professional schedule, Mr. Wynne also found time to serve on a number of national committees: the Automation and Technology Users' Group; the Probation and Pretrial Services Case Management and Statistics Umbrella Group; the Ad Hoc Task Force on Allotment Simplification; the committee on the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System; the Electronic Public Access Working Group; the Chiefs' Advisory Group; the District Court Advisory Group; the Budget and Finance Advisory Group; and the Law Enforcement Formula Group.

Mr. Wynne is an outstanding example of the quality of individuals who have devoted their lives to the field of law enforcement. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating him on this remarkable achievement. I know Bill's colleagues, his wife Laura, his family, and many friends join with me in praising his accomplishments and extending thanks for his many efforts over the years on behalf of the citizens of the First Congressional District and the state of Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to congratulate Loxley Elementary School on receiving the State Champion Award by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

The President's Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards program, available to the Nation's schools since 1966, offers presidential recognition and awards for fitness to all participating young people.

The State Champion award is presented annually to three schools in each state having the highest number of students scoring at or above the 85th percentile on the President's Challenge Physical Fitness Test.

As a State Champion, Loxley Elementary School is a role model for other schools because of its dedication to helping students encourage physical activity and gain fitness skills along with an understanding of the health benefits of being regularly active. Encouraging adequate amounts of daily physical activity is an excellent way to instill healthy lifestyle habits at an early age.

The five assessments of the President's Challenge Physical Fitness Test measure four components of physical fitness: a one-mile run/walk for heart and lung endurance; curl-ups for abdominal strength and endurance; a ``sit and reach'' stretch for muscular flexibility; pull- ups for upper body strength and endurance; and a shuttle run for agility.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Loxley Elementary School in Loxley, Alabama, for this honor. This school deserves public recognition and our appreciation for their concerted efforts to instill healthy lifestyle habits in the youth of south Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor Ms. Anna Belle Newman on the occasion of her retirement after serving Mobile County for 17 years.

Ms. Newman was elected to the position of general administrator of Mobile County in 1988, and she is currently the longest serving local Republican elected official in Mobile County. A ninth generation Mobilian, Ms. Newman is a graduate of Murphy High School. She attended both the University of Alabama and Spring Hill College.

In the midst of her professional schedule, Ms. Newman also finds time to serve the community. She is an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Colonial Dames of the 17th Century, and the Friends of Mobile. She is a former founding member of the Mobile Art Patrons League and a former member of the Mobile County Republican Executive Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating a dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout south Alabama. I know Ms. Newman's colleagues, her family, and her many friends join with me in praising her accomplishments and extending thanks for her many efforts over the years on behalf of Mobile County and the First Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, the city of Mobile and indeed the entire state of Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor him and pay tribute to his memory.

Mr. Victor A. McSwain was a devoted family man and dedicated community leader throughout his life.

Mr. McSwain began his 44 year career with the city of Mobile in his late teens. After serving in various positions, he worked his way up to the position of traffic engineer--a position he held for 17 years before becoming Mobile's director of transportation. Mr. McSwain worked for the city while obtaining two college degrees--a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of South Alabama and a master's degree in civil engineering from Penn State University.

In the midst of his intense professional schedule, Mr. McSwain also found time to serve in many community organizations. He served on both the city's Planning Commission and the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Mr. McSwain was a past president of the University of South Alabama Alumni Association, the Crichton Optimist Club, and the Order of the Inca, a local Mardi Gras Society.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout south Alabama. Mr. McSwain will be deeply missed by his family--his wife of 42 years, Barbara McSwain; his children, Angel Odom and Yvette Jones; and four grandchildren, Justin and Kyle Odom and Kelsey and Melody Jones--as well as the countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Mr. J.W. Andrews of Preswick, Alabama, on the occasion of his being honored by his community with the naming of the ``J.W. Andrews Road'' in Jackson, Alabama.

Mr. Andrews was born on August 30, 1919, and he has dedicated much of his life to the service of Clarke county. He married the former Ida B. Tiggs, and they had four children. He is the owner of Andrews Funeral Home in Jackson, Alabama; a business in which he remains active to this day.

In 1978, Mr. Andrews became president of the Clarke County Voter's League. In this position, he ensured African Americans were able to serve as deputy registrars with the Clarke County Board of Registrars.

In 1981, Mr. Andrews was recognized by then Alabama Governor Fob James who praised him for his support in the successful passage of a responsible education budget.

Mr. Andrews was also the first African American to serve on the Clarke County Board of Education, a capacity in which he served for two years.

In 1985, Mr. Andrews became the first of two African Americans to ever be elected to the Jackson City Council. He served on the city council for over 14 years in district one.

I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating J.W. Andrews for both the great success he has enjoyed in his life and his outstanding representation of the Clarke County, Alabama. I know his wife Ida, his children, many friends, and colleagues are also proud of him, and I wish Mr. Andrews and his entire family much health and success in the years ahead.