Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Hefner was my Congressman for 24 years. He was a Congressman that was beloved by the people of the district because he never forgot where he came from. He came to North Carolina having grown up in Alabama as the son of a sharecropper. He had a gift given to him by God to sing music, and he came to North Carolina as a very successful gospel singer. Having never run for office before, he ran for Congress.

We in the Eighth District miss him and pass on our thoughts to his widow, Nancy, and his daughters, Stacye and Shelly.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

It is truly with mixed emotions that I rise tonight on the floor of the House of Representatives. It's a sadness in noting that last week we lost Congressman W.G. Bill Hefner, a Congressman from North Carolina for 24 years from 1974 to 1998. And we truly give our condolences and our regards to his daughters Stacye and Shelly and to his wonderful wife, Nancy.

But the legacy of Bill Hefner did not end last week, as we're going to see tonight as we spend some time remembering and talking about and telling stories of Bill Hefner, that his memory will go forth because of the things he did, the person he was, and the Congressman that represented his district in North Carolina so well.

Now, I have to tell you, Madam Speaker, that tonight I shall refer to Congressman Hefner as ``Mr. Hefner'' quite often because I was raised in a time and a place when the ultimate respect that you could give to someone is to call him ``Mister.'' And while his wonderful, loving, lovely wife, Nancy, convinced me that I could call her ``Nancy,'' I could not bring myself to call Bill Hefner anything but ``Mr. Hefner'' because that's the respect that people in the district had for him.

And, Madam Speaker, as some might be saying, you know, Why is a freshman Congressman from North Carolina the first one to speak tonight? It's because Bill Hefner, Mr. Hefner, was my Congressman from the Eighth District of North Carolina. And with all of the reconfiguring that took place from time to time in my home county, Montgomery County, North Carolina, was always in Mr. Hefner's district. And it was the way that Mr. Hefner represented us and, once again, who he was that we want to talk about tonight.

Madam Speaker, I believe that one of the greatest ways we can remember is by telling stories, and tonight we're going to talk about Mr. Hefner. And I have several colleagues and friends of not only myself but who knew Mr. Hefner at the time, and they have been so generous with their time to be here tonight to help us remember.

And I just want to start out very briefly by just letting the story of Bill Hefner be told a little bit.

Bill Hefner was born in Tennessee. He went to Alabama. He was a son of a sharecropper. He saw that his way out of poverty was through a gift that he had been given by God, and that's through the singing of gospel music. And he was very good, and he received an invitation to come to North Carolina.

And this was the time period of the late 1950s and early 1960s where television was much different than it is today, when there was only just a few stations there in North Carolina, and they often filled their time in the afternoon with gospel singing.

And Mr. Hefner was so good and his group was so good that they were asked to be part of three television stations in North Carolina. Now, we didn't have that many stations, so this was a great majority of the stations that were represented, and he became known to the people in North Carolina with his group, The Harvesters.

He eventually was successful enough and a good businessman that he bought a radio station. And at some point in time, a former Congressman came in and was interviewed by Mr. Hefner, and Mr. Hefner went home and told his wife, You know, I believe I can do that, because Mr. Hefner had never been elected to a public office, never sought public office. He was the president of his PTA and that was his background, but his background was much stronger. He had the background of knowing the people of his district.

So he went out, Madam Speaker, and he ran for Congress. And without any political background other than knowing the people and caring about the people and having a sense of who the people were, he was elected in a landslide.

So that's the background as to this man W.G. Bill Hefner that I want everybody to be aware of.

Now we want to fill it in with some personal stories, and I would like to

start out by recognizing David Obey from Wisconsin.

Thank you, Mr. Obey. I would like to add there about Mr. Hefner and his showbiz background. One of the descriptions that was given of Mr. Hefner at one time that I think he enjoyed the most was that it would be recognized that he had a showbiz background, but he was a workhorse, not a show horse. That summed his career up very appropriately, and he did enjoy that comparison.

His humor and his ability to charm were pointed out to me one time on the House floor. Evidently, there was quite a serious debate taking place between two sides of the aisle, and Mr. Hefner somehow got the attention, Madam Speaker, of the Speaker at the time, and got the attention of the full House and looked at his watch and supposedly said, How much longer is this going to go on? Because I have to get home to watch the ``Andy Griffith Show.'' And in North Carolina there is no higher calling than to go watch the ``Andy Griffith Show.''

At this point in time, I would like to yield to Chet Edwards of Texas for the time he may consume.

Madam Speaker, to kind of point out the legacy of how Mr. Hefner influenced people continues today to reflect that, I had not been sworn in but a matter of hours before I got a phone call from Representative

Edwards telling me what a great influence that Bill Hefner was on him and how that mentorship and role model is not forgotten. It continues from year to year to year.

At this point in time, I would like to yield to our friend from South Carolina, Representative John Spratt.

Thank you, Mr. Spratt.

Madam Speaker, if we had opened this up to everybody who knew Congressman Hefner who could have been here tonight, we couldn't have come close to getting this in within an hour. There are so many people that he affected, and I certainly appreciate the colleagues that are with us tonight.

Next I would like to recognize a fellow Congressman from North Carolina, Mr. David Price.

Thank you, David. And I think, as was just pointed out, that while we have memories of Mr. Hefner and how he could turn serious conversations with humor and charm, that when necessary he stood up for his beliefs and effectively stated those in a way that spoke of the core being that he was.

Madam Speaker, I would like to next recognize another gentleman from North Carolina, Representative Bob Etheridge.

Thank you, Bob.

Madam Speaker, continuing the North Carolina trend, I would like to recognize Representative Brad Miller from North Carolina.

Madam Speaker, at this point in time I would like to recognize Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

Thank you, Steny.

Madam Speaker, I am going to conclude now, but you don't finish when you talk about Bill Hefner, because, as we've seen tonight, the legacy will not end. It will continue for all the good things he did, but I want to talk a little bit about the personal side of Bill Hefner and what he meant to me.

There are all of these things we've heard tonight, and as I mentioned earlier, he was my Congressman. I must say that, while those many years he represented us, I wasn't involved in party politics. I never ran for public office like Mr. Hefner, and there came a time when I felt that maybe that was what people like me should do because that's what Bill Hefner had done. He was a man of the people. He recognized the working people, and he stood up for those people.

I said, you know, we have seen in our district, the wonderful Eighth District of North Carolina, that, if you go out to the people and if you tell them who you are and if they recognize in you the knowledge that you know who they are and if they know that you respect

them and that you are concerned about them, as we saw for 24 years, those people will reward you by sending you to Congress. So it was with knowledge of what Mr. Hefner had done that I ran for Congress. I come from a very small town, Biscoe, North Carolina--1,500 people--and needless to say, it wasn't exactly a turning moment in North Carolina politics when I announced that I would run for Congress. It is with the legacy, though, of Mr. Bill Hefner that people look to the person for what he says and not who he is and not where he comes from.

One time in my home county, Montgomery County, which is also a small county, President Bill Clinton was coming to visit our local hospital. He was accompanied by Mr. Hefner, and together they went visiting there in the hospital. I heard this story, and I think it kind of sums up everything about Bill Hefner. They went into the room. The President and Mr. Hefner went into the room of a patient's.

Mr. Hefner said, I'm Bill Hefner, and this is President Clinton.

The gentleman, the patient, said, You're Bill Hefner? I've been wanting to meet you all my life. You're a wonderful Congressman. I've even sent you a little bit of money, and I love the way you sing. You're the best singer ever.

He never once recognized that the President of the United States was also in the room. It was all about Bill Hefner. Bill Hefner's favorite song was ``If I Can Help Someone.''

Mr. Hefner, Shelly, Stacye, and Nancy, please know that you have helped many people. Thank you so much, and God bless Bill Hefner.

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

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, I missed two rollcall votes as I was attending a meeting in North Carolina concerning my state's higher educational system. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall numbers 478 and 479.

Madam Speaker, on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, I missed two rollcall votes as I was attending a White House briefing on the Energy bill. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall number 428, and ``no'' on rollcall number 429.

Madam Speaker there was a time in our communities across the Eighth District that in addition to our own family and our church family, many of us were also part of the same work family. We marked time by the whistle blowing to change shifts and met our friends at the gate as we were coming and going. Even if you worked for a different mill than others we all shared a common experience. After 27 years in the textile industry, I

have a very large work family and a man I considered the father of that family passed away April 19.

J. Paul Russell was a visionary, not only in the textile industry but as a community leader as well. With Mr. Russell's passing, Montgomery County has lost a true legend and one of its most impassioned leaders.

Mr. Russell had a personal interest in all his employees. He treated all people with respect. He knew the names of their children and grandchildren. I worked closely with his son Charles during my time at the mill, and Charles treated people the same way. It is why people chose to work at the Mills for 20 or 30 years.

It was this type of determination and commitment that helped our communities prosper, and that we miss so much now that so much of the textile industry is gone.

Mr. Russell was part of the ``Greatest Generation'' and he had that entrepreneurial spirit. The textile industry was just one of his many contributions to our community. He was instrumental in bringing the county airport to Star and the hospital to Troy.

During those years, so many of us here in Montgomery County relied on the Russell family for our livelihood. For a period of many years, the Mill employed 800 people from our community. But it wasn't just jobs that the Russell family provided, it was community leadership. They didn't just live in our communities--they were our county commissioners, Boy Scout leaders, served on town board--much of which Mr. Russell did himself.

There were and are Mr. Russell's in every community across our District. We all know how our communities have been affected by the loss of the textile industry. It was not only the loss of jobs which we still struggle to replace, but it was the loss of leadership as well. These families provided so much leadership in our community, and it was all gone so quickly.

One of the things I will always remember about J. Paul Russell was his spirit. He was an amazing person, one that attacked life with gusto, not just in his work but when he was having fun as well. He lived his life to the fullest.

This is a chance for me to honor, not only Mr. Russell and his family for their contributions, but to all of those people who make a difference in our community.

Those special people are scattered throughout our District. They spend their time doing things they know will better their community and make a difference in the lives of the people around them. It is the best legacy we can hope to leave. It is the legacy that J. Paul Russell has left. Mr. Russell will dearly be missed by his family, friends, and community, and his contributions made to our community.

Madam Speaker, on Monday, May 18, 2009, I was unable to vote as I was participating in an Armed Services Congressional Delegation meeting at Ft. Bragg and missed three rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 267 to pass H. Res. 300, Congratulating Camp Dudley YMCA of Westport, New York, on the occasion of its 125th anniversary; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 268 to pass S. 386, the ``Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009''; and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 269 to pass H. Res. 442, ``Recognizing the Importance of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and its Positive Effect on the Lives of Low Income Children and Families.''

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, April 21, 2009, I was unable to vote due to a death of a close friend and missed three rollcall votes. Had I been present, I would have vote ``yea'' on rollcall No. 193 to pass H.R. 388, the ``Crane Conservation Act of 2009; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 194 to pass H.R. 411, the ``Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2009; and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 195 to pass H.R. 1219, the ``Lake Hodges Surface Water Improvement and Reclamation Act of 2009.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer a tribute to Staff Sergeant Justin Bauer and his wife, Kari.

Staff Sergeant Bauer and his wife, Kari, were both from the State of Colorado. Staff Sergeant Bauer joined the Army and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne and stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Sergeant Bauer and his wife lived in my district, the Eighth District of North Carolina.

By the words of the sergeant's co-soldiers, he was a leader extraordinaire. He was a noncommissioned officer that exemplified what was meant to be in the leadership role of being a noncommissioned officer. His soldiers looked to him as a friend and a leader and, by all accounts, was an outstanding soldier in our Army.

I bring Sergeant Bauer's attention to the floor, Mr. Speaker, because Sergeant Bauer died in service to his country on January 10 in Iraq. He was a person that accepted the risk of his profession. His wife, Kari, accepted the risk of being a military spouse. And I simply want to honor his memory but not dramatize his memory because that would not be fitting to the soldiers that represent our great Nation.

And by honoring the sergeant and his wife, Kari, I also want to extend that honor to all of our military personnel that serve this Nation knowing the sacrifices that they make and that they may be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice and are willing to do that, for this is part of their job. They accept that.

Today I have a letter that I want to present as part of the Congressional Record that we will be sending to Kari. But in this honoring of Justin Bauer and his wife, I also want to honor all of the military that serve this Nation and their families that make up the heart and soul of our Nation's spirit.

Congress of the United States,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, February 25, 2009.

Mrs. Kari Bauer,

Moss Court,

Fayetteville, NC.

Dear Mrs. Bauer: I wish to once again convey my deepest

condolences for the loss of your husband, Staff Sergeant

Justin Bauer. My entire congressional staff also joins me at

this time in sending our deepest sympathies and understanding

during this period of bereavement.

Staff Sergeant Bauer served his country and the American

people in the most honorable of ways. Staff Sergeant Bauer's

absolute selfless service, professionalism and loyalty to

country will continue to serve as the pinnacle for which we

will continue to honor his service to our great nation. His

leadership and ``high regard'' as viewed by his fellow

Soldiers were so strongly conveyed to me in the words spoken

at the memorial service.

I hope that time and memories will help lessen the burden

of your sorrow, and that you may draw some measure of comfort

knowing that others care and share in your loss. Please know

that we have shared in your pain and sorrow and pay our final

respects to undoubtedly one of our nation's best. If I can be

of any assistance please contact my Washington, D.C. Office

at (202) 225-3715 or in Fayetteville (910)-920-2070.

I also wanted you to know that I went on the floor of the

U.S. House of Representatives today to offer my appreciation

for the sacrifice that your husband made, the loss you

endured. And that the two of you represent why our military

and our military families are the heart and soul of our

country. Thanks again to you and Justin.

Sincerely,

Larry Kissell,

Member of Congress.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to bring forth an amendment that will be known as the Berry Amendment Extension Act.

Mr. Chairman, the Berry Amendment has been in effect for over 60 years and has allowed the Department of Defense to purchase uniforms and other textile apparels as needed for our military to be made and manufactured here in the United States.

We know that textiles has brought forth the industrial revolution to the United States from its very beginnings, but not any industry has been hurt any more than textile has in the last few years in terms of lost employment.

Over 60,000 jobs have been lost throughout the Nation in the last year; over 8,000 of those jobs in my home State of North Carolina, over 44 factories have closed. We have thousands of Americans that are ready, willing and able to work, and we're being asked to consider a recovery and reinvestment program to put Americans to work.

This amendment would simply extend the Berry Act to be able to have Homeland Security to purchase uniforms for the TSA to be made in the United States. It would accomplish what we're looking for in the Recovery and Reinvestment Act, it would put Americans to work, and furthermore, it would keep Americans working.

We know that we have lost so many jobs in this area. We have the people that are ready, willing and able to work. I worked in textiles for 27 years. I watched the jobs leave and good people be left wondering where their meals are coming from and how they're going to take care of their families. This is an opportunity to put Americans to work and keep them at work. And what could be better than using our money, our taxpayers' money for that purpose and to put uniforms on the people that serve us?

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

That is an incorrect figure, sir; it is less than that. Americans are competitive, and if we're going to spend American taxpayers' money, let's put Americans to work.

I recognize the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. David Price, for 1 minute.

Mr. Chairman, I recognize the gentleman from North Carolina, Howard Coble, for 2 minutes.

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to the time remaining?

I would just like to conclude by saying we're going to put Americans to work making uniforms for those who protect us. It's a good use of tax money.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my full support of SCHIP, but I also rise to question the funding of SCHIP as per the amendment I put forth to the Rules Committee last night.

Having spent the last several years as a high school teacher in a rural poor county, I don't need to be told or to be reminded about the need of taking care of our children in terms of their health care. I am not here today as a spokesman for big tobacco or advocate of the cigarette industry. Indeed, I am here because I was elected to be a spokesman for working families.

The funding that has been chosen to finance this bill with full implementation immediately will cost jobs and will cost revenues. At a time when our working families are struggling, at a time when we are going to be asked to consider measures how to create jobs and create funding, I would propose in my amendment instead of going to full implementation of this tax immediately, that we phase it in over 4 years at 16 cents the first year, then 15 cents each of the following years.

It is important to know that the children that are going to be affected by this bill positively is great, but there are also families that are going to be negatively impacted at a time when we should not be doing that.

I worked in an industry where government actions in textiles cost thousands of jobs. Let's look for a way to soften this blow to our people.