Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, the family of Da'Jour McMillian and the residents of the small town of Frisco City, Alabama, have reason to be exceedingly grateful this holiday season. Through the combined efforts of emergency rescue personnel, physicians, and industrial workers from Monroe and Mobile Counties, 22-month-old Da'Jour was saved from a situation that is certainly one of the greatest nightmares that could be experienced by any parent.

On Monday, November 1, 2004, Da'Jour was playing with his brother and sister off Central Street in Frisco City when he fell into an abandoned well measuring 14 feet deep. Almost immediately, the community went to work trying to recover him, an operation that took 13 hours and required the assistance of dozens of personnel. Because of the location of the well in relation to hidden power lines and potential unmarked water lines, the recovery operation was extremely dangerous and required a great deal of careful work and planning.

Through the entire ordeal, Da'Jour demonstrated a calm not usually found in a child of such a young age. In fact, he reassured the rescue workers with waves and smiles and by often telling those at the mouth of the well, ``I love you.'' Of the many reasons this story had a happy ending, none was more important than the positive attitude and playful nature of this little boy.

Mr. Speaker, in the difficult circumstances facing our world today, both here at home and abroad, it is important that Americans should be able to depend on their friends and neighbors in their hour of need. As the rescue of little Da'Jour McMillian clearly demonstrates, there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome without a strong sense of community and cooperation. I ask my colleagues to join with me in saluting not only Da'Jour and his family for their courage, but for the following individuals and organizations who played such an important role in his rescue: Chuck Murph, Rita Smith, Rennie Raines, and J. T. Johnson with the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency; Pastor Freddie Lindsey of the Monroeville Church of the Nazarene; Tom Lindsey of Simmons Ambulance Service; Frisco City Mayor Jim Cave; the Frisco City Volunteer Fire Department; Chief James Maples and the Frisco City Police Department; Dr. David Stallworth of Monroe County Hospital; Allen Nall of Roto-Rooter; Sam Covert of Alabama Power Company; William Snyder of Monroeville Water Works; Chief Eddie Everette and the Monroeville Fire Department; David Coggins with the Alabama Emergency Management Agency; Chief Mike Dean and the personnel of both the City of Mobile Fire Department and USAR Task Force 1; and Ronnie Wright, Bo Bosarge, and Michael Gates with Smith Industrial Services of Mobile.

Because of their efforts, this little boy and his family will indeed have a very bright holiday season.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the community of Elberta, Alabama, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its founding.

The site for Elberta was initially chosen by three German businessmen--Alexander Klappenback, F.W. Herdrick, and Henry Bartling-- who had journeyed to Baldwin County from Chicago, Illinois, for the purpose of creating a German settlement. The Baldwin County Colonization Company was created in November, 1903, to develop this settlement in an area along Perdido Bay known as the ``Elberta District.'' The town originally consisted of ten miles of roads and land that was divided into plots of 20- and 40 acres and sold to families moving into that area.

The first families arrived in the new settlement of Elberta in January 1904, and the area began to grow and prosper. Nearly five decades later, the Elberta Lions Club started a movement within the community to push for the incorporation of the area. The incorporation effort was successful, and one year later the first mayor and city council were elected for the newly created town of Elberta.

During its 100 years in existence, the members of this community have created a very rich and diverse history, and have worked tirelessly to provide the best benefits possible for themselves and their county. In the five decades that have passed since the incorporation of the town, the citizens and leaders of Elberta have done extensive work to put into place the resources that could be used to attract outside industry and lead to an increase in the population base.

Mr. Speaker, the residents of Elberta, Alabama, are firmly rooted in their proud past, and at the same time are keeping a careful and optimistic eye on the road ahead. The vision displayed by their community leaders during the past 100 years has led to the creation of a stable community and an anchor for all of Baldwin County, and I have no doubt that the continued inspired leadership and vision of today's residents and leaders will lead to even greater successes in the years ahead. It is my hope the Town of Elberta continues its story of success for another 100 years.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor Mr. John Saint, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mitchell Corporation in Mobile, Alabama, on the occasion of his being honored by the Mobile Civitan Club with its 56th Mobilian of the Year Award.

A native of Sand Mountain, Alabama, and a veteran of the Vietnam War, John Saint has been actively involved in the life of the Mobile community for many years. The Mitchell Company is one of the leading real estate and development companies in the southern United States, and its official work in the community is matched by its dedication to the families of Mobile and their needs. Under the guidance and inspiration of John Saint, the company has become one of the leaders in the area of charitable giving in south Alabama.

Each year, the Mitchell Company sponsors a ``Giving Tree'' fundraiser, in which area students contribute hand-made Christmas ornaments to decorate a tree in the company's offices. For each ornament received, the company makes a contribution to charity, and the success of this program has been tremendous. Under John Saint's leadership, the company in 2003 donated over $18,000 to Saint Mary's Home, a facility in Mobile that provides temporary shelter and residential treatment for abused and neglected children. Additionally, Mobile County schools which participated in the ``Giving Tree'' program received $20,500 in donations. All told, the ``Giving Tree'' program has over the years contributed a total of $70,000 to Saint Mary's Home and $113,500 to area public, private, and parochial schools.

Along with the ``Giving Tree'' program, the Mitchell Company provides free meals at Camp Smile, a summer program for adults with disabilities, and Camp Rap-A-Hope, a summer program for children battling cancer. The company also makes its corporate jet available to transport cancer patients to their chemotherapy appointments in states outside of Alabama and serves as the corporate sponsor for the Lady's Professional Golf Association.

The Civitan Club received numerous worthy nominations for men and women from throughout Mobile who in their own way also make significant contributions to their friends and neighbors on a daily basis. I am certain it is difficult to make the final selection for the Mobilian of the Year Award, but as in the past, this year's winner has shown a level of community support and charitable giving in the Mobile area which is, in my opinion, unmatched anywhere else in the state. John Saint gives as much as he does to his community, and inspires many other friends and coworkers to do likewise, simply because he says such a spirit of generosity comes naturally to him. There are hundreds of families in Mobile, Alabama, whose lives are richer because of his natural desire to support his fellow man.

Along with his many family, friends, and colleagues, both in Mobile and throughout the State of Alabama, I wish to extend to Mr. John Saint my warmest congratulations on the receipt of the Mobile Civitan Club's Mobilian of the Year Award.

Mr. Speaker, just over one week ago, the First Congressional District of Alabama and indeed, our entire State and Nation, said goodbye to another casualty of the war in Iraq.

Marine Sergeant Foster L. Harrington, a native of New York and longtime resident of Fort Worth, Texas, moved to Mobile, Alabama 18 months ago. Twelve years ago, he had joined the Marine Corps Reserve and was most recently assigned to an elite reserve unit, the 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, based in Mobile.

In June of this year, Sergeant Harrington's unit was activated and, following a pre-deployment stop in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, was sent to Iraq. His company was stationed in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq and it was in that region that, on September 20, 2004, the unit came into contact with members of the Iraqi insurgency. During an exchange of fire between the company and the insurgents, Sergeant Harrington was killed.

During his career in the Marine Corps Reserve, Sergeant Harrington set a standard of excellence and displayed the qualities of discipline, devotion, and dedication to country that are the hallmarks of men and women throughout the long and distinguished history of the American military.

Sergeant Harrington also displayed an active and deep concern for his neighbors in the Mobile area, serving as a firefighter and medic with the Seven Hills Volunteer Fire Department prior to his deployment to Iraq. A telling story of his concern for others came just days before he died. Even with the difficult situation he and his comrades were facing in Iraq, Sergeant Harrington's first concern was for his many friends and colleagues in the Mobile area who were awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Ivan. For several days prior to his death, including the Sunday before the attack which claimed his life, Sergeant Harrington telephoned his fiancee to check on her and her family and made sure they were out of harm's way.

It is appropriate for us to pause and give thanks to God that there are still young men like Foster L. Harrington. His life and actions personified the very best America has to offer.

Mr. Speaker, as you can imagine, south Alabama is truly mourning the loss of this fine young man. I urge my colleagues to take a moment and pay tribute to Sergeant Foster L. Harrington and his selfless devotion to not only our country and the freedom we enjoy, but to a people who are but now in the infant stages of a new life--a new freedom--in their own land.

We should also remember his fiancee, Fran Poston, and his many friends and colleagues in Mobile, Alabama. Our prayer is that God will give them all the strength and courage that only He can provide to sustain them during the difficult days ahead.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the community of Chatom, Alabama, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its founding.

Founded on October 4, 1904, Chatom was named the county seat of Washington County three years later. During the past 100 years, the citizens and officials of this community have created a very rich and diverse history, and have worked tirelessly to provide the best benefits possible for themselves and their county.

As a result of efforts by many individuals and community organizations, the county's first high school was located in Chatom, providing more readily-available educational opportunities for the families in the town and the surrounding area. Between 1952 and 1956, the Washington County Hospital and Nursing Home and the county's public library were both opened in Chatom, providing greater access to healthcare and cultural resources.

During the past four decades, the citizens and leaders of Chatom have worked tirelessly to put into place recreational and infrastructure resources which could be used to attract outside industry and lead to an increase in the population base. These innovations have included the construction of the Roy Wilcox Airport in 1963, the opening of an 18- hole public golf course in 1995, and the establishment of the Chatom Community Center in 2000.

Mr. Speaker, the 1,205 residents of Chatom, Alabama, are firmly rooted in their proud past, and at the same time are keeping a careful and optimistic eye on the road ahead. The vision displayed by their community leaders during the past 100 years has led to the creation of a stable community and an anchor for all of Washington County, and I have no doubt that the continued inspired leadership and vision of today's residents and leaders will lead to even greater successes in the years ahead.

It is my hope the Town of Chatom continues its story of success for another one hundred years.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 792) honoring the United Negro College Fund on the occasion of the Fund's 60th anniversary and the Fund's unflagging dedication to enhancing top-quality college opportunities to millions of students.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to pay tribute to Reverend P. H. Lewis, Sr., on the celebration of his 50th anniversary in active ministry.

A native of Wilcox County, Alabama, Reverend Lewis has for the past 34 years served as pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in Mobile, Alabama. Reverend Lewis graduated from Camden Academy in Camden, Alabama, and later from the Daniel Payne College and Payne Theological Seminary of Birmingham, Alabama. Following his graduation, he shared his gifts and skill as a pastor with several churches and congregations throughout Alabama: Miles Memorial A.M.E. Church in Birmingham, Gaines Chapel in Birmingham, Black Buff Circuit in Wilcox County, St. Mark A.M.E. Church in Tuscaloosa, and Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church in Selma.

Reverend Lewis is also recognized as one of the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. As the pastor of Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, he was the only minister in the City of Selma to act against a prohibition on gatherings focused on the discussion of race issues and open his church for such meetings. Many of the early civil rights rallies of the 1960s were held at his church, and he and members of his congregation hosted the now-famous march from Selma to Montgomery that was led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Reverend Lewis marched side-by- side with Dr. King on this difficult march and endured the same arrests, harassment, and abuse that so many of the hundreds of men, women, and children did on that day in March 1965.

He has throughout his life been a strong supporter of public education in Alabama and was the first African-American to serve on the Selma Public School Board. Reverend Lewis has also been extremely active in the life of the Mobile community. He is a member of the City of Mobile's Board of Adjustment, the Interdenominational Alliance of Mobile, the A.M.E. Ministerial Alliance of Mobile, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, the Mobile Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Board of Directors of Drug Free Mobile. During his life he has received numerous awards and citations for his religious, civic, and community involvement. In addition, he has during his career authored three well-respected books: Illustrations, Life is a Symbol of a Baseball Game, and Selma: The Other Side of 1965.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Reverend P. H. Lewis, Sr., for his many significant contributions to his friends, his congregation, his community, and to the citizens of Alabama. He has indeed been a genuine asset and friend to everyone with whom he has come into contact and shared his gifts, and I wish him and his family--his wife, Alice Grady Lewis, his three sons, and his four grandchildren--much happiness and success in the time ahead.

Mr. Speaker, on July 15 and July 19, 2004, I was unavoidably absent for rollcall votes numbered 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, and 393. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcalls 385, 387, 390, 391, 392, and 393. I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcalls 386, 388, and 389.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to pay tribute to Colonel Robert B. Keyser on the occasion of his retirement as Commander and District Engineer of the Army Corps of Engineers in Mobile, Alabama.

For the past three years, Colonel Keyser has served the Mobile District--comprised of an area ranging from Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia to all of Central and South America-- with an incomparable level of leadership and professionalism.

A native of Cornwall, New York, Colonel Keyser received his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He also received a Master's Degree in Engineering from the University of Florida and a Master's Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Colonel Keyser is registered with the State of Alabama as a professional engineer and was inducted into Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society.

Following his commissioning as a second lieutenant in the United States Army in 1978, Colonel Keyser went on to graduate from the Air Command and Staff College, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and from Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses. During his military career he served with the 588th Engineer Battalion at Fort Polk, Louisiana, the 2nd Engineer Battalion in Korea, the 94th Engineer Battalion in Germany and Southwest Asia, and the United States Army Total Personnel Command in Alexandria, Virginia. Prior to his assignment as Commander of the Mobile Engineer District, he served as Commander of the Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District.

Colonel Keyser has consistently drawn the recognition and praise of his colleagues and superior officers, and his outstanding performance as a member of the Army has resulted in his being awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal.

From his first day as Commander of the Mobile District, Colonel Keyser has taken a strong interest in the concerns of the many thousands of men and women living in areas under his jurisdiction. Time and again, he has risen above the challenges presented to his office, whether they are as routine as a permit application for the construction of a seawall to something as difficult as the numerous natural disasters which have hit the Mobile District in recent years. He has instilled a tremendous work ethic in his subordinates and has gone out of his way to foster a strong working relationship with agencies and officials at local, state, and federal levels.

Along with his tremendous involvement in the activities and mission of the Mobile Engineer District of the Army Corps of Engineers, Colonel Keyser is also actively involved in his community. A resident of Fairhope, Alabama, he has played a lead role in the development and growth of a community youth soccer league, in which his children participate and he serves as a team coach.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Colonel Robert B. Keyser for his tremendous contributions to the citizens of the First Congressional District of Alabama, the Mobile Engineer District, and the entire Army Corps of Engineers. The experience and enthusiasm he has brought to his job and the professionalism he has displayed throughout his career are unquestioned and unparalleled.

He has indeed been a genuine asset both to his office and to the United States military, and I am proud and honored to call him my friend. I wish him and his family--his wife, Cathy, his sons, Daniel, Brian, and Michael, and his daughter, Amy--much happiness and success as they enter this new phase of their lives.

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

Representative John Hawkins was a devoted family man who spent over 28 years in public service, serving from 1959 until 1965 in the Alabama House of Representatives, and from 1966 until 1974 in the Alabama State Senate. Following a period of sixteen years out of the public spotlight, he again answered the call to service and began a new period in the state house in 1990. He was continuing to represent House District 47 in the state capital when he became ill earlier this year.

Throughout his professional career, he was dedicated to bringing better opportunities to all the residents of Hoover, Vestavia Hills, and Jefferson County in Alabama, and was a tireless advocate for his constituency. Representative Hawkins sponsored countless bills during his career in the legislature, but is perhaps best known for his championing the cause of automobile safety. In 1991, he was instrumental in the passage of Alabama's first state law that requires drivers and front-seat passengers to use safety belts. Eight years later, he helped to push through an amendment that gives police officers the authority to stop vehicle operators for violations of the seatbelt law alone.

Representative Hawkins was also a strong proponent of projects designed to benefit the residents of his district. Throughout his career, he emphasized providing funding for such projects as library additions, a reading initiative for area schools, drug testing for student athletes, and a multitude of highway projects. In fact, his efforts at securing transportation funding for his district led the citizens of Hoover, Alabama, to request that four miles of Alabama 150 be named after him because of his assistance in ensuring the widening of that highway.

Representative Hawkins, a graduate of Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama, and the University of Alabama, was a distinguished veteran of World War II. He was retired from Alabama Power Company after a long tenure as a special projects manager.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated public servant and long-time advocate for Jefferson County, Alabama. Representative Hawkins will be deeply missed by his family-- his wife, Betty Hawkins, and his sons, John Hawkins, III, Bill Hawkins, and Davis Hawkins--as well as the countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, Mobile County, Alabama, and indeed the entire First Congressional District recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor him and pay tribute to his memory.

Ralph Wilcox, Sr., was a devoted family man and dedicated community servant throughout his entire life. He was retired following a long career with the Kimberly Clark Corporation, and in 1982 assumed a position on the board of directors of the Mobile County Water, Sewer and Fire Protection Authority. As a part of this organization, Mr. Wilcox and his fellow board members were responsible for oversight of one of the largest public utility and fire protection organizations in the State of Alabama, consisting of over 400 miles of water lines in Mobile County.

A lifelong resident of Theodore, Alabama, Mr. Wilcox was also actively involved in the life of his community, participating in several area youth organizations. He served on the council for the Boy Scouts of America and was an active member of the board of the Theodore Athletic Association. In 1980, he was inducted as member of the Mobile Youth Baseball Hall of Fame, and was nominated by the Tillman's Corner Chamber of Commerce as its Citizen of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated community servant and long-time advocate for Mobile County, Alabama. Ralph Wilcox, Sr., will be deeply missed by his family--his wife, Margaret Floyd Wilcox, his daughters, Stephanie Van Cleave and Margie Wilcox, his son, Ralph ``Hoppy'' Wilcox, Jr., his sister, Lucy Clark, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild--as well as the countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, if the American people have somehow stumbled on to C-SPAN this morning, trying to find either Oprah or Regis, let me urge you to set your VCRs because later today you are going to get a chance to see the fundamental difference between our side of the aisle and the other side of the aisle.

You see, our friends on the other side have suppressed their appetite to raise your taxes long enough, and just like

that chain smoker who has to go to the drawer and find that little addiction, they are coming back to it again today with a proposal to raise your taxes $18.9 billion.

This tax increase would not be to go to support our troops in the war on terror. It would not be to cut the deficit or to pay town the debt. No, it would be to spend more money on social programs to the tune of $150 billion over the next decade.

If you set your VCR and you ever want to know the difference, play it over and over again, and if you happen to lose the tape, you can just play ``Nightmare on Elm Street'' because that is what this tax hike would do to the American people.

Mr. Speaker, there is a little secret that our friends on the other side of the aisle do not want the American people to know, and that is that the dark clouds that have been hanging over our country and over our economy are beginning to blow out and a blue sky is on the horizon, 1.4 million new jobs just in the last 9 months. Homeownership, the American dream that we all learned about, is at the highest level under this President in the history of our country.

There is another little secret they do not want the American people to know, and that is that millions of Americans are taking advantage of a new prescription drug provision to Medicare by calling the 1-800 Medicare hotline and learning how they can save up to 25 percent at the register in savings on their prescription drugs.

The little old secret they do not want the American people to know is that if the American people understand this, the only dark clouds will be on their vote totals on November 2.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make a simple observation based on large part from the results of two town meetings we had in my district last week, one in Fairhope and one in Mobile: The new Medicare prescription drug law that we passed and which has been enacted is working.

Since the changes to the Medicare program began to take effect on June 1, millions of Americans have taken advantage of the toll-free Medicare helpline as well as the Internet web site. In fact, during the first 4 days of May, 1.6 million men and women, nearly 10 times the normal call volume, called that helpline for further information. During the same time period, 7 million people visited the Medicare web site.

After just 2 weeks of competition between the drug manufacturers of this country, prices on name brand drugs have dropped nearly 12 percent, and the cost for generics have dropped nearly 13 percent.

Some would have us believe that the new and improved Medicare program is not working, that it will be too costly and seniors will not take the time to show interest in this. The facts speak just the opposite.

Mr. Speaker, Mobile County, AL, and indeed the entire First Congressional District, recently lost a dear friend and I rise today to honor him and pay tribute to his memory.

Judge William Henry McDermott was a devoted family man and dedicated public servant throughout his 50-year career in public service.

A former member of both the Alabama State House and Senate, Judge McDermott turned down an appointment to the bench in Mobile County in 1970, feeling called instead to devote his time to a law practice that would enable him to support his large family. Thirty years later, he ran for--and won--election to a six-year term on the circuit court and until his untimely death, served with distinction in this position.

Unfortunately, Judge McDermott was only recently diagnosed with cancer. However, even in the face of such difficult news, his first thoughts were of selecting the best possible replacement to ensure that the judicial system would not be adversely affected and that the wheels of justice would continue to turn.

In addition to his distinguished career in the state legislature and on the circuit court, Judge McDermott also served with pride in the United States military and was, for a time, the city attorney for Chickasaw, AL.

At the time of his passing, I remarked that Judge McDermott had a heart as big as the state of Texas and that his death would create a large void in the fabric of the Mobile community. In the days since his death, those sentiments have in no way lessened.

The Judge and his lovely wife, Katie, were fixtures in the life of our community for many years and together, they worked in numerous ways, both publicly and behind the scenes, to make life much better for the people of south Alabama.

Not surprisingly, the dedication and care Judge McDermott devoted to community service was constantly on display in his service on the bench. In fact, his attention to even the smallest detail in the cases he heard became legendary around the courthouse, and he was always striving to render a fair decision to all concerned.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated public servant and long-time advocate for all of south Alabama. Judge McDermott will be deeply missed by his family--his wife, Catherine O'Brien McDermott; his daughters, Elizabeth O'Neill, Annette Carwie, Jeanne Marie Cruthirds, Michelle Mayberry, Mary Claire Wacker, Catherine Williamson, and Maureen McDermott; his son, William Joseph McDermott; and his two brothers, Charles L. McDermott and Edward B. McDermott--as well as the countless friends he leaves behind.

Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.