Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 51, offered by the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Dan Lipinski. This resolution increases the awareness of Catholic education while honoring the contributions of America's Catholic schools. They are dedicated to not only educating their students academically, but to developing their moral, intellectual, physical and social values.

January 28 through February 3, 2007, is Catholic Schools Week, an annual tradition in its 33rd year and jointly sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The purpose of this resolution and Catholic Schools Week is to celebrate the vital role Catholic elementary and secondary schools play in providing a values-added education with high standards of quality and excellence to millions of children in America.

As President George W. Bush has noted, Catholic educators share the basic conviction that every child can learn, which is the grounding principle behind the No Child Left Behind Act.

Catholic schools have also played a vital role in the gulf coast's path to recovery after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. They worked as quickly as possible to reenroll their students, while also opening their doors to thousands of public school students displaced by the storm.

Catholic schools continue to demonstrate their faith in every student and commitment to excellence with overwhelming results. According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic schools have a greater than 99 percent graduation rate, and about 97 percent of Catholic high school graduates go on to postsecondary training at 4- year colleges, community colleges, or technical schools.

I know firsthand of the significance of Catholic schools in that my new daughter-in-law, Jennifer Miskewicz Wilson of Fairfield, New Jersey, was influenced by a Catholic education.

I appreciate the great work being done by Catholic schools, their administrators and teachers, as well as their parents and volunteers. Catholic schools carry out their servant mission by building the academic achievement, character and values of their students. I commend my colleague from Illinois for introducing this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

I would like to congratulate and thank Mrs. Davis and Mr. Lipinski for their leadership on the past two resolutions.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I oppose H.R. 5 as it is written and support the alternative proposal by Ranking Member Buck McKeon. As the father of three college graduates and a college freshman, I am all too familiar with the financial burden higher education poses to families and students. That is why I am proud of Republican efforts to expand college access and increase affordability.

During the past decade, House Republicans under the leadership of John Boehner and Buck McKeon tripled overall Federal aid to a record $90 billion, helping millions of Americans achieve their dream of a college education.

In addition, Republicans increased new aid for Pell students more than $4 billion over 5 years, establishing the first ever grant program for high achieving Pell students in their first and second years of college. The program also provides grant aid to low income, high achieving students pursuing degrees in math, science, and critical foreign languages in their third and fourth years.

As lawmakers, our number one concern with regard to higher education should be to ensure that college is affordable for any student. Unfortunately, as H.R. 5 is currently written, it pits the Federal Family Education Loan Program, FFEL, against the Direct Loan program, DLP, and by doing so creates an imbalance in the student loan industry that is so lopsided only the largest FFELP lenders will survive.

While the Democrat bill was well-intentioned, its focus on interest rate reduction does not expand college access for new students which the McKeon alternative does. That is why I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of it, because it truly expands college access for young Americans.

I encourage Congress to help foster an environment that will build a student loan marketplace and not play politics with college educations.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman, Mr. McKeon, for his leadership and expanding opportunities for students to attend college.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5. As the father of three college graduates and a college freshman, I am all too familiar with the financial burden higher education poses to families and students. That is why I am proud of the Republican efforts to expand college access and increase affordability.

During the past decade, House Republicans under the leadership of John Boehner and Buck McKeon tripled overall Federal aid to a record $90 billion, helping millions of Americans achieve their dream of a college education.

In addition, Republicans increased new aid for Pell students more than $4 billion over 5 years, establishing the first ever grant program for high achieving Pell students in their first and second years of college. The program also provides grant aid to low income, high achieving students pursuing degrees in math, science, and critical foreign languages in their third and fourth years.

While the Democrat bill was well-intentioned, its focus on interest rate reduction does nothing to expand college access for new students. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the McKeon alternative, which will truly expand college access for young Americans.

Madam Speaker, on Saturday, January 7, South Carolina's adjutant general, Stan Spears, hosted the departure ceremony for the 218th Enhanced Separate Infantry Brigade. The event was attended by 10,000 appreciative family members and supporters.

The 218th Brigade is commanded by Brigadier General Robert Livingston. General Livingston and his wife Barbara's daughters, Rachel, Rebecca and Roxanne, led the national anthem at the ceremony. The brigade consists of 1,800 soldiers and will be in Afghanistan for approximately 1 year. Its primary mission will be to train Afghan national army and national police. This is the largest single deployment of South Carolina Army National Guard since World War II.

As a grateful 25-year veteran of the 218th and father of four sons in the military, I have the deepest respect and admiration for the men and women who put their lives at risk to protect American families. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. Our office is available at all times for servicemembers and families toll free at 1- 888-381-1442.

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

Madam Speaker, former Secretary of Commerce Calvin William Verity Jr., 89, of Beaufort, South Carolina, died Wednesday, January 3, 2007, at the Beaufort Memorial Hospital. He was born January 26, 1917, in Middletown, Ohio, the son of Calvin William Verity, Sr. and Elizabeth (O'Brien) Verity.

Secretary Verity was a graduate of the Phillips Exeter Academy and Yale University. He served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1942- 1946. Mr. Verity worked for Armco Steel from 1946 until his retirement in 1982 as CEO and Chairman of the Board. He was named Secretary of Commerce by President Ronald Reagan in 1987 and served two years in that position. During the 1970s and 80s he served as Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and as Chairman of the U.S.-Soviet Trade and Economic Council. He was also the Chairman of the Presidents Task force on Private Sector Initiatives under President Reagan.

Secretary Verity is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Peggy ``Happy'' Verity Power and J.P. Power of Edwards, Colorado; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jonathan George Verity and Victoria Verity of Beaufort, South Carolina, and William Wymond Verity and Paula Verity of Beaufort, South Carolina; seven grandchildren, William Verity Power (Kate), Jonathan Warfield Power (Jody), Jonathan Edward Verity, Victoria Heye Verity Nellen (Bill), Elizabeth Wymond Verity, George Murray Verity, and Hannah Bakewell Verity; four great grandchildren, James Matthew Power, John Gray Power, Thomas George Power, and Brooks Verity Power; and two sisters, Betsy Verity Blakey of Columbus, Ohio and Jean Verity Woodhull of Dayton, Ohio.

On January 5, Sandra Walsh of the Beaufort Gazette penned the below tribute to Mr. Verity:

Former Secretary of Commerce Dies in Beaufort

Serving as President Ronald Reagan's Secretary of Commerce,

Calvin William Verity Jr., shared the stage with political

giants.

But in Beaufort, where Verity shared his Spanish Point home

with his beloved wife, he is remembered by friends as a

`giant of a man.'

Verity died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, in Beaufort Memorial

Hospital. He was 89.

Verity, who suffered from asthma, had been hospitalized for

four days and died from complications of pneumonia, his

oldest son John Verity said Thursday.

``I think the key to his success over the years was his

ability to work with people,'' John Verity said.

``His leadership was based on building consensus and

creating an environment where people would work together.''

Verity was sworn in as President Ronald Reagan's Secretary

of Commerce Oct. 19,

1987, after secretary Malcolm Baldrige was killed in a rodeo

accident. He served until the end of Reagan's term in January

1989.

As U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Verity established the

Malcolm Baldrige Award, which ``in the 1990s helped

businesses improve the quality of their work,'' John Verity

said.

He then retired and moved to Beaufort's Spanish Point

neighborhood in the early '90s with his wife, Peggy, who died

in 1999.

``He was a giant of a man,'' Verity's next door neighbor

and friend of 21 years, Guy McSweeney, said Thursday. ``He

was one of the most remarkable men I have ever known;

everyone that knew him loved him.''

Between 1970 and the 1980s, Verity served as chairman of

the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and as chairman of the U.S.-

Soviet Trade and Economic Council.

Reagan also appointed him as the chairman of the

President's Task Force on Private Sector Initiatives.

Verity worked for Armco Steel from 1946 until he retired in

1982 as chairman of the board of the company now known as AK

Steel Corp. He is the grandson of George M. Verity, who

founded the firm.

Verity was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946.

McSweeney said Verity maintained a lifelong interest in the

Navy.

About 10 years ago, McSweeney said he and Verity rode

aboard what was originally a Soviet training ship, the

Druzhba, from the Bahamas to Maryland alongside 200 U.S. Navy

and Russian cadets.

``He was always coming up with something fun to do,''

McSweeney said. ``From duck hunting or riding on a jet to

California, he was always into something.''

Neighbor Polly Swenson recalled a time when former U.S.

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor visited Verity at

his Spanish Point home and caught a speckled bass from his

dock.

Swenson said even in his later years, when Verity used a

motorized scooter, he would sit on a bluff behind his home

nearly every day and look out to the water.

``He would always say, `Isn't this the most beautiful place

on Earth?' Swenson said. ``Beaufort was very much a part of

him.''

Verity and his wife played active roles in Beaufort's

community and were responsible for raising money for several

organizations, including a Verity scholarship fund through

the Technical College of the Lowcountry and an education fund

for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry.

``He just loved people,'' longtime friend Helen Harvey

said. ``He loved to help people; he did so much for so many

people through his connections.''

St. Helena Island resident and freelance editor Cheryl

Lopanik helped Verity organize information for his biography,

``59 Years with the Right Woman,'' a recollection of Verity's

life with a focus on his wife, self-published in 2003.

``He was devastated in losing her, but he wanted to put

this book together because he knew it would have made her

happy,'' Lopanik said. ``He had wonderful stories and

memories that were very exact . . . He had a very good

perspective on his life.''

Verity was born Jan. 26, 1917, in Middletown, Ohio, a son

of Elizabeth O'Brien and Calvin William Verity Sr.

He was a graduate of the Phillips Exeter Academy and Yale

University.

Verity was a member of the boards of directors of Mead

Corp., Chase Manhattan Bank, Eli Lilly, Taft Broadcasting,

the First National Bank in Middletown and The Chairman of the

Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Survivors include a daughter, Peggy ``Happy'' Verity Power

of Edwards, Colo.; two sons, Jonathan George Verity and

William Wymond Verity of Beaufort; two sisters, Betsy Verity

Blakey of Columbus, Ohio, and Jean Verity Woodhull of Dayton,

Ohio; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at The First

Presbyterian Church, Beaufort. The family will receive

friends after services at 120 Spanish Point Drive, Beaufort.

Burial will be at the Woodside Cemetery in Middletown.

Memorials may be made to the Bill and Peggy Verity Career

Education Fund for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the

Lowcountry, 17B Marshellen Drive, Beaufort, SC 29902.

Madam Speaker, yesterday afternoon as I was reading The Examiner, a Washington daily, I came across an editorial that summed up my view of our current conflict in Iraq and the overall global war on terrorism. I applaud The Examiner's editorial staff for declaring what is largely an unpopular view among the mainstream media.

The editorial follows.

[Jan. 11, 2007]

Do We Defeat the Terrorists in Iraq Now or Fight Them Here Tomorrow?

Washington.--President Bush could not have been more frank

or honest with the American people than he was last night.

That said, the central issue remains today what it has been

since the first plane crashed into the WorId Trade Center on

Sept. 11, 2001: Are we as a nation willing to do whatever is

required to win the war on terrorism?

Iraq is today the central front in that war, and the

president is doing all within his power to defeat the

terrorists there now so that we don't have to fight them here

in the future.

The president believes the war in Iraq can be won by

increasing American troop strength for a period as the Iraqis

themselves assume greater responsibilities for securing their

country and by increasing U.S. economic aid to rebuild

infrastructure and provide jobs.

Calling this troop movement a ``surge'' was unfortunate

because it conveyed the idea of something that isn't going to

happen--putting more U.S. soldiers on the ground than we have

had heretofore. In fact, as The Examiner's Bill Sammon

reported yesterday, even with the ``surge'' announced last

night, we will still be a few thousand short of the high

water mark of 160,000 U.S. troops a year ago.

More important than the raw numbers is how those troops are

deployed.

The president acknowledged last night that mistakes were

made in the days leading up to the U.S. action in Iraq and

the first phases of building the post-Saddam Hussein Iraq.

Working with increased Iraqi military and police forces, our

strengthened forces will now be able to rectify the biggest

of those mistakes: failing to eradicate the insurgents

completely and not disarming private militias like that of

Moqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army. Special attention is to be

devoted to Baghdad and Anbar province, with Iraqi army units

in the lead.

There will be more U.S. casualties in coming months. But

the only way to affirm the sacrifice of American blood and

material resources in Iraq is persevering and winning. Iraq

is not Vietnam unless congressional Democrats heed extremists

like Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-MA, and withdraw funding for the

American war effort in Iraq as they did in 1974, which led

directly to the fall of Saigon in 1975.

The killing fields followed throughout Southeast Asia as

the victors took revenge upon those who looked to America for

protection and freedom. The killing fields will come again if

America fails now because Iraq will dissolve into chaos and

then a jihadist totalitarianism.

Many Rubicons are being crossed on Iraq. There will be no

crossing back if we heed the ignoble call to retreat.

Mr. Speaker, when a government program is not working, we have an obligation to fix it. This is not the case, however, with the Medicare prescription part D. In fact, part D is working well.

Just yesterday, the Medicare Prescription Education Network released a study showing that 80 percent of seniors enrolled in Medicare part D are satisfied with their coverage, and an 80 percent satisfaction rate is unprecedented for such an important and positive program. I am particularly pleased that a Blue Cross/Blue Shield call center assisting recipients with part D enrollment has been operating in the district I represent.

Moreover, government involvement would likely limit access to medications and restrict the development of new treatments. As USA Today recently editorialized: ``The public would be best served if the new Congress conducts an in-depth oversight to gather facts, rather than rushing through legislation within 100 hours to fix something that isn't necessarily broken.''

I urge my colleagues to protect part D and vote against H.R. 4.

Mr. Speaker, this has been a joyous new year for the people of Bulgaria. On January 1, Bulgaria and Romania were admitted into the European Union. In less than 16 years Bulgaria has successfully transitioned from a Communist totalitarian regime into a free market democracy.

Three years ago, I was honored to be at the White House with former Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg Gotha as

Bulgaria was admitted into NATO. Bulgaria has proven to be a true ally in the global war on terrorism and there are currently plans for three U.S. bases to be located within Bulgaria. Bulgaria has one of the fastest-growing European economies, and membership in the EU will accelerate its pace.

Congratulations to President Georgi Parvanov, Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev, Ambassador to Washington Elena Poptodorova, and my longtime friend and former ambassador to Athens, Stefan Stoyanov. I am grateful to serve with Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher as co-chair of the Bulgaria Caucus.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2 and in favor of the alternative. Circumventing market forces to mandate an arbitrary Federal minimum wage increase is bad economic policy. If it is done, however, we must offer protection for America's small businesses. Refusing to do so will ultimately hurt the very workers it intends to help.

We all want employees to make more than the minimum wage; and, through tax cuts, 7.3 million jobs have been created in the past 40 months by workers keeping their own money.

When the minimum wage is increased, unfunded mandated costs on small businesses increase. As a result, business owners must be forced to cut jobs or reduce entry level workers to avoid incurring additional expenses.

Republicans are seeking to provide relief for these businesses by offering alternative health care plans and tax incentives. Unfortunately, House Democratic leadership has shunned the proposal supported by Senate majority leader Harry Reid, President Bush and House Republicans.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the Republican alternative, which will ensure businesses receive the protections they need and our economy continues to thrive.

In conclusion, God bless our troops. We will never forget September 11.

Madam Speaker, last month, the dean of South Carolina political reporters, Lee Bandy, announced his retirement from The State newspaper. Bandy joined The State in 1966, serving as Washington correspondent and bureau chief before relocating to Columbia. I well remember him giving me a tour of Congressional offices when I was a Senate intern in 1967.

I have known and worked with Lee extensively during my years in South Carolina politics. While his departure marks the end of an era, I know Lee will continue to exert tremendous influence on the South Carolina political scene.

At a recent meeting of Midlands First Tuesday Club, I presented Lee a Certificate of Achievement on behalf of Congress.

On December 14, 2006, The State's Aaron Gould Sheinin penned the following article marking Bandy's retirement:

After 40 Years and 3,000 Columns, The State's Lee Bandy is Retiring

Hailed as a legend by colleagues and a mover and shaker by

sources, reporter has kept finger on pulse of S.C. politics

Legendary political reporter and columnist Lee Bandy will

retire at the end of the year after 40 years with The State

newspaper.

Bandy, 71, has been with the newspaper since 1966. He

started as Washington correspondent, then served as

Washington bureau chief. He moved to Columbia in January

1992.

While Bandy will retire from day-to-day reporting, he will

continue writing his weekly Sunday column at least through

2007.

During a luncheon in his honor Wednesday at the newspaper,

Bandy told his colleagues, ``I've met a lot of fascinating

people, and I might add I've worked with some wonderful

people. You've been a source of inspiration to me.''

As the top political reporter in South Carolina, Bandy

often is sought out by politicians looking for a positive

mention in his Sunday column. During Wednesday's lunch, in

fact, potential 2008 presidential candidate John Edwards left

a phone message for Bandy congratulating him on his coming

retirement.

During 40 years of writing his column, Bandy never missed a

week. He said he estimates he's written 3,000 columns. Each

column is about 800 words. That's more than 2 million words,

``and that's more than enough for anybody,'' Bandy said.

David Broder, longtime political reporter for The

Washington Post, said Bandy was a legend in the Senate Press

Gallery in Washington. Broder still occasionally calls Bandy

to get the pulse of South Carolina politics.

``He's enormously generous and helpful and tells you

stories you would never hear from any other source,'' Broder

said.

Former S.C. Gov. David Beasley, a Republican, called Bandy

his friend and said, ``No one has become president of the

United States without crossing his path in 40 years, and no

one has had an impact on South Carolina government that

hasn't dealt with Lee Bandy.''

A native of Asheville, Bandy is a graduate of Bob Jones

University. He is a member of the exclusive Gridiron Club of

Washington journalists. He and his wife, Mary, have two sons,

Ryan and Michael, a daughter, Alexa, and two grandchildren,

Sophia and Nathaniel. They are members of First Presbyterian

Church in Columbia and live in Forest Acres.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in memory of Dr. George Meetze of Columbia,

South Carolina. Dr. Meetze passed away on Thanksgiving Day after a brief illness.

During his 97 years, Dr. Meetze touched numerous lives. I had the honor of working with him during the 17 years I served in South Carolina's State Senate. Dr. Meetze was elected chaplain of the South Carolina Senate in January 1950 and served until his death. His 57 years of service make him the longest-serving chaplain of a legislative body in the history of our Nation.

Dr. Meetze spent his life in service to others, honorably working for his God, his community, and his country. He was a colonel and chief chaplain in the South Carolina State Guard, a past president of the South Carolina American Cancer Society, and a faithful member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Dr. Meetze was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

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

Madam Speaker, today I rise with mixed feelings. As the 109th Congress draws to a close, my longtime chief of staff, Eric Dell, will complete his tenure on Capitol Hill.

Eric and I have worked together for the past 14 years. More than a trusted, competent staff member, Eric is a good friend. While I know he will go on to great things, his counsel and leadership in the office will be missed. I am happy about his new opportunities.

Raised in Ridgeland, South Carolina, by his loving parents, Wayne and Ouida

Dell, Eric has a distinguished career in South Carolina public service. He served as an intern to Senator Strom Thurmond and Governor Carroll Campbell. He managed the final campaign of my predecessor, the late Congressman Floyd Spence. He was the first-ever Republican chief of staff of the State Senate Transportation Committee.

I appreciate Eric's success and his training of his successor, Dino Teppara, who has served capably as legislative director for the Second District.

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

Mr. Speaker, upon learning of the tragic death of United States Marine Corps Major Trane McCloud, the following poem was penned by Albert Carey Caswell, United States Capitol Tour Guide.

``In the minutes of our lives,

In these our short times, what of our true worth in the

moments we're alive. . .

In what we've all so done!

``For it's how we've so lived and died,

All within these our short lives, are all of those

magnificents who've so strived!

As did you Trane, as for America's fine son we now so cry!

``For Trane, your splendid life. . . will always be one of

great meaning and sacrifice!

Yes, you America's True Son. . . of Liberty the one. . .

shall so ever shine into that night!

Yes, Trane you were such the one!

``For a Gallant Hero who goes off to war,

Who so leaves their most precious loved ones behind, all for

our freedom to ensure!

Is but The Brightest of All Sons!

``Trane, To Make A Difference with it all. . .

As You would not fail, as you would not fall. As what you so

fought for, as what you saw!

Until, your fine life was done!

``In life, we all must make choices!

But it's only from the heart, so comes uncommon valor. . .

from deep down these inner voices!

To do what must be done!

``To Heaven now rise my son!

You are but a Hero in our Lord's eyes. . . yes you are the

one!

For only those brave of heart, who so play their part. . .

souls up to Heaven shall so run!

``In these the moments of our lives,

Only in these, all of what we've so fought for. . . lived and

died!

Shall take us To Heaven's Sun!

``And when there comes a gentle rain,

Trane's tears from up in Heaven shall wash down upon you to

ease your pain. . .

Until, up in Heaven you so meet again. . . once again!''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in loving memory of Rev. Dr. George Elias Meetze. Dr. Meetze died Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2006, after a brief illness. He was born June 24, 1909, in Columbia South Carolina. He was the son of the late Narvie Elias and Fannie Belle Leitzsey Meetze. On June 30, 1936, he married Margaret Allen who predeceased him.

Dr. Meetze was Columbia High School Valedictorian class of 1927. He was a graduate of the University of South Carolina, A.B., cum laude, 1930; the N.Y. Theological Seminary, N.Y., S.T.M., 1933; the Lutheran Southern Seminary, Columbia, 1934; and received his Honorary D.D. Degree conferred at Newberry College Centennial Convocation, Nov. 28, 1956.

Dr. Meetze served as Pastor to St. Barnabas Lutheran Church, Charleston (was ordained there July 8, 1934), 1934-37 and Grace Lutheran Church, Prosperity, 1937-42; Retired Pastor Emeritus, Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, June 1942-1974. He was elected Chaplain of the S.C. Senate January 10, 1950, serving until his death. His 57 years of service established him as the longest serving Chaplain of a legislative body in the history of the world.

Dr. Meetze's 97 years consisted of numerous activities, honors and services, included were serving on the boards of Social Missions Lutheran Synod of S.C., S.C. Synod Lutheran Church of America, Junior League Speech and Hearing, Salvation Army and S.C. Chapter of the American Cancer Society, where he was a past president. He enjoyed his memberships in Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, the Columbia Rotary Club, Heptagon Club, the Palmetto Forum, The Friday The Thirteenth Club, and the S.C. State Guard, where he was a Colonel and Chief Chaplain. He received the Service to Mankind Award by the Columbia Sertoma Clubs, the Paul Harris Fellow Rotary International award, the Order of the Palmetto, the Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award, and the 2000 U.S.C. Alumni Award. Dr. Meetze was the author of The Development of Dr. Martin Luther's Doctrine of the Lord's Supper. He was listed in Who's Who in the South & Southwest, S.C. Lives, Dictionary of Intl. Biography & Royal Blue Book.

Surviving are his sons and daughters-in-law; George Allen and Suzanne Meetze of Marion and William Dagnall and Toby Meetze of Columbia; grandsons, Michael Allen Meetze and wife, Tracy, William Vickery Meetze, all of Marion, George Seabrook Meetze and wife, Alston, William Dagnall Meetze Jr. and wife, Sheri, all of Columbia. Also surviving are his beloved infant great-grandsons, Elias Shaw Meetze and twins, William Seabrook Meetze and Joseph Alston Meetze; and nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces. He was predeceased by sister, Thelma Meetze Frick.

Dr. Meetze loved his God, his family, the South Carolina Senate, his state and his country. He enjoyed helping people and was always ready ``to send up a prayer'' as he said ``for those who needed one.'' He will be greatly missed by his thousands of friends.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great sadness in my heart. Sunday afternoon, Marine Corps Major Trane McCloud was killed in a helicopter accident in Iraq. He and three other marines gave their lives for others to survive.

Major McCloud was a marine's marine. He epitomized the Marine motto, Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful. I was fortunate enough to know and work with Major McCloud during 2003 when he served as a Military Fellow in the Washington office of South Carolina's Second Congressional District. After completing his fellowship, Trane kept in touch with the staff and me, remaining a close friend of the office and the people of South Carolina.

Major McCloud is survived by his loving wife, Maggie, his three beautiful children, Hayden, Grace and Meghan, and his parents, Ron McCloud and Roma Anderson. My thoughts and prayers are with them. I hope they will find comfort in knowing Trane truly believed in America and the United States Marine Corps.

In conclusion, God bless our troops. We will never forget September 11. Semper Fi, Trane McCloud.