Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say farewell and best wishes to a long-time member of the Second District staff, Micki Work. Micki has been a member of the staff more than 5 years where she has served with integrity and professionalism. She will be leaving our office to join the Magazine Publishers of America as the vice president for government affairs.

Micki came to Capitol Hill as an intern on the House Ways and Means Committee. After serving as a staff assistant to Representative Gary Miller of California, she joined our office as a legislative correspondent. Her hard work and dedication led her to assume the rule of legislative director, where she has been invaluable in helping me address the needs and concerns of the people of the Second District of South Carolina.

A native of Hilton Head Island and a graduate of Hilton Head Christian School and Clemson University, Micki is the daughter of Dorothy Howard and the late Edward ``Mickey'' Howard. Our office will miss Micki tremendously, and we wish her well in all of her future endeavors.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11th.

Madam Speaker, as greatful Americans prepare for providing deserved tributes for our courageous veterans, I have fortunately been provided a profound poem from Clinton B. Campbell of Beauford, SC.

My Veteran's Day Prayer

Lord, when the pull of my bed

lures me to stay another hour, please remind me of taps being

played for the fallen,

of the tears that reach my cheek

after each name is read, the ones I know personally

and the ones old-timers

talk about in awe.

After the crowd stumbles

through The Pledge of Allegiance

I want to be there

and listen with all my heart

while the winner of this year's

essay contest quiets the crowd

reminding us of why

we are paying our respects.

When the closing prayer is read

I want to look around in honor

at my fellow vets,

the men and the women

in their timeworn uniforms.

Let me see them as they were,

splendidly marching forward

with the courage that allows us to

have a choice of whether

we come here today or not.

Madam Speaker, as grateful Americans provide deserved tributes for our courageous veterans, I have fortunately been provided a profound poem from Clinton B. Campbell of Beaufort, South Carolina.

[From the Journal of New Jersey Poets]

My Veterans Day Prayer

(By Clinton B. Campbell)

Lord, when the pull of my bed lures me to stay another hour,

please remind me of taps being played for the fallen,

of the tears that reach my cheek after each name is read,

the ones I knew personally and the ones old-timers talk about

in awe.

After the crowd stumbles through the Pledge of Allegiance

I want to be there and listen with all my heart

while the winner of this year's essay contest quiets the

crowd

reminding us of why we are paying our respects.

When the closing prayer is read I want to look around in

honor at my fellow vets,

the men and the women in their timeworn uniforms.

Let me see them as they were, splendidly marching forward

with the courage that allows us to have a choice of whether

we come here today or not.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a brave American who is serving our country with distinction. Private First Class Matthew T. Spaulding of Bluffton, South Carolina, was a recent recipient of the Army's Bronze Star with Valor for his heroic actions in Afghanistan. The former Bluffton High School quarterback has been deployed since January as an Army medic.

On June 9th, PFC Spaulding was on patrol with his unit when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Suffering several wounds himself, Spaulding was able to come to the aid of one of his comrades who was severely injured. Through his quick and selfless action in the face of danger, Spaulding was able to save his fellow soldier's life.

The Bronze Star with Valor is awarded to a soldier who has performed an act of heroism in combat. It is the fourth highest combat medal awarded to members of the armed services.

I am grateful for PFC Spaulding's service, and for all the brave men and women who are fighting to protect our freedoms around the world.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11th.

Mr. Speaker, long-time friend, Judge Sam Stilwell, a true Southern gentleman, recently retired from the South Carolina Court of Appeals after 11 years on the bench. Judge Stilwell's personal integrity and professionalism have earned him a well-deserved reputation as a fine judge and attorney.

Judge Stilwell graduated from the University of South Carolina Law

School, served as counsel to the late Senator Strom Thurmond, and was a colleague of mine in the South Carolina State Senate, ably representing Greenville County.

I want to thank his wife Robin and their children and spouses: Rivers and Charlotte, Jason and Amanda, Allison and Bo, and Rob and Charlotte for their years of support. We are all proud that Rob is currently serving with the 218th Brigade Combat Team of the South Carolina Army National Guard in Afghanistan.

South Carolina is grateful for Judge Stilwell's years of dedicated public service to his State and country, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11th.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to bid a fond farewell to a member of my staff, Brian Eisele. Brian will be leaving our office to join the staff of South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint. Although I will miss his presence, I am confident Brian will be a tremendous addition to Senator DeMint's staff.

Brian came to the Hill earlier this year as an intern for Congressman Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania. His hard work, professionalism, thoughtfulness and personal integrity have been an enormous asset to the people of the 2nd District of South Carolina. He will certainly be difficult to replace.

A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Brian is the son of David, an Iraq war veteran, and Denise Eisele of Aiken, South Carolina. South Carolina is proud of its native son, and I'm excited for Brian's success. I wish him all the best in the years to come.

Brian has a bright future as a capable and competent public servant, and I look forward to working with him in the future.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11th.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome French President Nicolas Sarkozy and thank him for addressing the joint session of Congress this morning.

As a person of French heritage, I know we are all grateful for his tribute to American veterans. France was our first ally in the American Revolution, as symbolized by the portrait of Marquis de Lafayette here in the Chamber. France remains an important partner in international affairs and a major investor in the American economy.

I am grateful that the midlands of South Carolina is home to three Michelin tire manufacturing plants. The Associated Press has recognized President Sarkozy as a blunt and uncompromising pro-American conservative.

With his leadership, I am confident our historic alliance will be strengthened as we pursue common goals of global economic development and face down a common enemy in the global war on terrorism.

I look forward to working with my colleagues and our friends of France in promoting our vibrant partnership.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11th.

Madam Speaker, it has been 8 weeks since the Senate passed the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations bill and joined the House in demonstrating overwhelming and bipartisan support for this legislation. Yet, for two full months, the Democrat leadership has refused to send this important piece of legislation to the floor. They refuse to give our veterans the funding they deserve.

This week the majority will bring the VA bill to the floor attached to the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill. Rather than send these bills to the President on a stand-alone basis, something the Democratic leadership promised they would do, they are using this VA bill as a political tool to push through other legislation.

As a veteran and military parent, I know it is time that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle stop using the military and our veterans as a political tool to help advance their other spending priorities.

In conclusion, God bless our troops and we will never forget September the 11th.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Clyburn and my colleagues for bringing this resolution to the floor.

I'm deeply saddened by the circumstances we're addressing today. As we have all learned, seven students were killed in a house fire that took place at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, over a week ago. This tragic accident reminds us all how precious life is, and I want to express my condolences to the families and friends of these students.

As a University of South Carolina Law School graduate and a parent of a current Clemson student, I've grown to know the strength and character of these communities. I have had the privilege of getting to know many of their students, faculty, and administrators all my life. Under the leadership of USC president Andrew Sorensen and Clemson president Jim Barker, the students and families of these two universities have found comfort and kinship during this difficult time.

I also want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and the Delta Delta Delta sorority who lost members in this tragic fire. My father and my mother were members of these two USC organizations respectively; and as a member of a fraternity, with three sons in a fraternity, I know the bond that these students and alumni feel for one another and the grief they are experiencing.

South Carolina's media have been very thoughtful, respectful, and helpful in providing tributes to the students.

Today, we offer our support and comfort to the students who were injured in this terrible accident. We will continue to pray for their full and speedy recovery.

Additionally, we must recognize the brave members of the local fire departments and emergency personnel, as well as the Ocean Isle Beach citizens who responded to the fire and called for help.

Again, I want to thank my colleague and long-time friend Congressman Jim Clyburn for bringing this resolution to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my support for this motion to instruct conferees which will cap the amount Head Start employees may be paid at the executive schedule level to an amount currently equal to $168,000.

I want to thank my colleague, Congressman Mike Castle, the former Governor of Delaware, who is a champion for education, for offering this motion. This is a commonsense motion. It is fiscally responsible for us to use taxpayers' money, and it is a fair compromise for the Head Start employees.

If this cap is not adopted, a Head Start employee could be paid up to $186,000, an $18,000 difference and a substantial amount of money that would be better spent on Head Start classroom teachers and other aspects of this program.

Fiscal responsibility means not just being cautious in how much we spend. It is just as important to be responsible in where we spend.

When you have Head Start classroom teachers making an average of $25,000 annually, it is disrespectful to divert more money and give it to employees already making well over six figures.

As the husband of a teacher, I hope my colleagues will join me in being effective about how we spend the taxpayers' money for the children.

Again, I want to thank my colleague, Mike Castle, for bringing this motion to the floor.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Staff Sergeant James Bullard of South Carolina. Staff Sergeant Bullard was killed last week while serving with the South Carolina Army National Guard's 218th Brigade in Afghanistan.

Staff Sergeant Bullard is the second member of the 218th to lose his life serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. As a former member of the 218th brigade I wish to recognize the ultimate sacrifice made by Staff Sergeant Bullard and express my deepest condolences on behalf of the House of Representatives and my family to his wife, Amber, his son, his parents and family, friends, and fellow soldiers. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.

Just like the millions of brave men and women who served our country in uniform, Staff Sergeant Bullard was a true patriot who fought to defend our freedoms and to protect American families. We are forever grateful for his sacrifice and that of our military men and women around the world.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11th.

Mr. Speaker, November is Military Family Appreciation Month. As many brave men and women fight overseas to protect American families at home, we must not forget to recognize the millions of military families.

Military families lead unique and often challenging lives. They can be separated from their loved ones for months or years at a time. This is offset by extraordinary opportunities of education and travel and meeting new people around the world.

As a member of a three-generation military family, I know these families share a kinship with each other. As a 31-year veteran of the South Carolina Army National Guard and the father of four sons serving in the military, I ask my colleagues to join me in showing our gratitude and appreciation for these families.

I wish to recognize and thank the incredible work being done by the South Carolina National Guard Family Readiness Program. Whether it is during times of peace or war, these individuals are always ready to help military families with whatever assistance they may require.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11th.

Mr. Speaker, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao recently announced that the rate of workplace injuries and illnesses declined in 2006. This marked the fourth consecutive year America has seen a decrease in injuries.

The decline in injury and illness comes as we continue to see an increase in the number of American workers. Even with an increase in the number of opportunities for potential accidents, we have seen a decline.

I want to commend the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, in particular my long-time friend and fellow South Carolinian, OSHA Director Ed Foulke, for the great strides they have made in ensuring that American employers and employees can do their jobs safely.

We must remain vigilant to potential workplace dangers. A safe and healthy workplace not only protects America's hardworking men and women; it also supports our strong and growing economy by creating more efficient and productive industries.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September 11th.

Madam Speaker, last week President Nambaryn Enkhbayar of Mongolia visited the United States to meet with President Bush and discuss the growing partnership between our two nations. As cochair of the Mongolian Caucus, I was grateful for President Enkhbayar's visit. Mongolia and the United States continue to work closely together to strengthen our economic and strategic alliances, as well as our efforts internationally.

Madam Speaker, I am particularly appreciative of the Mongolian people's continued support of our efforts in Iraq as the central front in the global war on terrorism. During the visit, President Bush and President Enkhbayar signed a Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact. A millennium challenge compact is an initiative by the United States to help developing nations expand their economic growth by investing in infrastructure, health care, education, transportation and other areas.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

Happy birthday, Alan Stedman of Haddenfield, New Jersey.

Madam Speaker, this past weekend the University of South Carolina and Clemson University suffered a tragic loss when seven of their fellow students died in a house fire.

As a USC Law School graduate and parent of a current Clemson student, I know the sadness and grief so many must be feeling at this time, and our hearts and prayers go out to these two great communities. I know that the strength and companionship shared by the students, faculty, family and friends, led by President Andrew Sorenson of USC and President Jim Barker of Clemson, will help them through this difficult time.

I wish to express the deepest condolences on behalf of the House of Representatives, my family, and the people of South Carolina to the families and friends of those students who lost their lives. I especially grieve because my mother was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority at USC and my father was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at USC.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.