Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and honor a prolific religious leader from Tennessee's Fourth Congressional District, Frank Stephenson of Kingston, Tennessee.

Frank will turn ninety years old in the coming weeks, and has much to show for his years of service to his faith and country. At the age of twenty-one, Frank joined the Marine Corps to serve America in the Second World War. He quickly made Sergeant, and served as Administrative Orderly for the Commandant for the 5th Naval District until March of 1945, but Frank's selfless dedication would reach beyond his years in the Armed Forces.

Only two years after leaving the Marines, Frank left for the Prairie Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada, and committed the remainder of his life to the calling of religious ministry. Upon graduation, Frank returned to his home state and started his first church in Cross Lanes, West Virginia. Frank would go on to found and minister at several other churches through the years, traveling across America to share his faith with others, and for over twelve years ministered to Tennesseans and Kentuckians on King of Kings Radio.

Currently, Frank lives in Kingston, Tennessee, with Kathleen, his wife of sixty-six years. Frank and Kathleen have four children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. As Frank prepares to celebrate this incredible milestone, I ask that my colleagues join me in rising to celebrate his commitment to faith and family, his work to promote faith in God and Christian values, and the indispensable role Frank has played in our community. We wish him all the best for his ninetieth birthday, and in the coming years as he continues to live among cherished family and friends in Tennessee.-

Madam Speaker, when the Maury Dandridge High School girls basketball team went 39-0 in 1966, it was the last time that a Tennessee girls basketball team would accomplish that feat for over four decades. This month, the Lady Buffaloes of Clarkrange, Tennessee did just that, winning thirty-nine straight games without defeat and marking themselves as the best in Tennessee for 2009.

This year's victory marks the eighth state championship for Clarkrange High School. In the hunt for this year's prize, the Lady Buffaloes trailed only twice throughout the entire tournament: once in the quarterfinals with Forrest High School, and on the opening shot against Oliver Springs High School.

Four members of this year's championship were chosen for Tennessee's All State team this year: Hannah Green, Molly Heady, Tasha Phillips and Kelli Reed. It was the committed effort of the entire team that propelled this year's Lady Buffaloes to victory. Coach Lamar Rogers called this year's squad his ``Dream Team,'' and he could not be more correct.

For their hard work and dedication, and for the inspiration they provided to all of Fentress County, I ask my colleagues to rise and join me today in congratulating the Lady Buffaloes of Clarkrange, Tennessee, for their extraordinary victory.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and remember the life of Mr. Ernest Buck of Pall Mall, Tennessee. Ernest lived a long, full life in service to his country and community, and served as a model citizen for his neighbors, family and friends.

Ernest began his career as a student at Lincoln Memorial University, before transferring to Middle Tennessee State University and later to Tennessee Polytechnic Institute, where he graduated in 1936. For 42 years, Ernest dedicated himself to teaching young men and women of Tennessee at the York Agricultural Institute in Fentress County. This alone might endear him to his community, but Ernest went to incredible lengths, even beyond his work as a teacher, to serve those around him at every turn.

During the Second World War, Ernest traveled to Ypsilanti, Michigan, to serve his country making B-24 bombers and later to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to continue the war effort. After the war, Ernest returned home to carry out his service as a member of the Greers Chapel Church, the Young Farmers and Homemakers, the York Institute Advisory Council, and the Union Bank Board of Directors. Ernest was also a Director of the Fentress Farmers Co-Op, and served with the Fentress County Retired Teachers Association and the Fentress County Historical Association.

I hold a special place for Mr. Buck, because when my mother was young, he was her teacher at York Agricultural Institute. He was my teacher as well, and a good friend, and I am better today for having known and learned from him at an early age. Tennessee was blessed to enjoy Ernest Buck's grace and service for ninety-six years, and while his presence is missed he will no doubt live on in the countless lives he touched.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of my friend and neighbor, Mrs. Geneva West of Pall Mall, Tennessee.

Geneva was a dedicated mother and wife, and dedicated herself to her community throughout her ninety years of life. For forty years, Geneva committed herself to the education of young Fentress County students as an elementary school teacher, spending many of those years in a one- room school house. Geneva also served Fentress County for nineteen years as the President of the Fentress Farm Bureau Women. She even was elected State Farm Bureau Woman of the Year, receiving this recognition at the State Convention in 2003.

Even after retiring from her career in education, Geneva continued to contribute to the community as a member of the Retired Teachers Association and the Jamestown Garden Club. She also served as a Volunteer at the Jamestown Regional Medical Center, caring for those who were ill and needed care. Many of Geneva's friends will also remember her as a dedicated churchgoer. Geneva was a member of the United Methodist Church for most of her life, and taught Sunday School for twenty-six years.

Geneva's husband, her two children and a number of grand-children and great-grand-children will no doubt remember a loving, committed family- woman who modeled a positive and dedicated spirit throughout her life. She will be missed in our community, and I would ask that my colleagues rise with me to honor her life and memory.

My colleague from Tennessee, I appreciate his work that he's been doing to be sure that the Chickamauga Lock is continuing in the process of being sure that we keep that river open.

I want to make further comments. And I deeply appreciate the ranking member and our vice chairman and chairman for at least allowing an opportunity to speak today on this amendment.

When you look at inland water systems and the impact they have on America's economy, if you go to the tributaries of the Ohio, Mississippi, the Cumberland, and the Tennessee Rivers and look at commerce and agriculture that travels those, that becomes the road, basically, for exports for America's production--at least much of it does.

So it's important that we keep our infrastructure along our inland waterways open. It is some of the least expensive methods of transportation. But one of the bright spots in America's economy as far as export is concerned is agriculture. That is the only area where we have a surplus in trade.

So my support of the legislation obviously is to keep all of our rivers open, all of our waterways open for our commerce. It is my hope--and I concur in everything that my friend Congressman Wamp from Tennessee has said--it is my hope that we will be able to pass the legislation, and recommend Members on both sides of the aisle to support this amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Diana Whaley of Rockwood, Tennessee, a registered nurse and American Red Cross Disaster Health Services Manager of the Knoxville Area Chapter. Ms. Whaley has dedicated her life to public health, committing herself to the education of her peers, the betterment of her patients and the protection of Americans in disaster situations.

For her courage and service, the International Committee of the Red Cross will honor Ms. Whaley this year with their prestigious Florence Nightingale Medal. This award is the highest international distinction that a registered nurse can receive from the Red Cross. Every two years, the Red Cross recognizes just 28 nurses in the world, with just three award recipients in the United States. Award recipients must have shown exceptional devotion to caring for the victims of a crisis, or have shown extraordinary service to public health and nursing education.

Recipients of this award often work as a Red Cross or Red Crescent nurse in challenging and, at times, dangerous environments, caring for the most vulnerable in times of crisis. The Medal is named after the founder of professional nursing, Florence Nightingale, and embodies the spirit of service by which we have all come to know the Red Cross.

I am proud, on the occasion of this preeminent award, to have the opportunity to commend the work of Diana Whaley, a great citizen of Rockwood, Tennessee. It is my privilege to honor Ms. Whaley for her work and lifelong dedication, and for reminding all of us of the power each of us has to improve the lives of the afflicted and the less fortunate.

Madam Speaker, it is one of my honors as a Member of Congress to pay tribute to the fine people that come along and care for our neighbors and assist our communities with their time, love, patience, sweat, financial tidings, and most importantly, compassion.

Vivian Smith, a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and wife, served her neighbors in Scott County with that famous Tennessee volunteer spirit.

Vivian's resume of carrying for others is as long as it is distinguished. An eight year cancer survivor, Vivian served as Co-Chair of the Relay for Life and was a member of the Leadership Council and Support Group for the American Cancer Society of Scott County.

Serving the Sixth District Scott County School Board member, Vivian was also the first in the history of Scott County to obtain Level 5 Master status, awarded the National School Board Association's Recognition Award and served on the All Tennessee School Board. She also served on the Scott County Finance Committee, Scott County Fairest of the Fair, Tennessee Scholars advisory committee, Scott County Museum advisory council, Tennessee Technology Cosmetology advisory board, Appalachian Habitat for Humanity, Clinch-Powell Educational Cooperative, Housing Opportunities of People (HOPE), Salvation Army Scott County Unit, Scott County 4-H, Leadership Scott and Youth Leadership Scott and Leadership Upper Cumberland.

Having retired from the Scott County government as Solid Waste Director, Vivian was most proud of organizing and participating in the ``Scott County Looks Good to Me'' and ``I Spy'' programs, which were notably successful anti-littering programs.

For her unwavering dedication to volunteer service she was presented the Humanitarian Award from the Scott County Chamber of Commerce. Shortly afterwards, she was presented with the Governor's Volunteer Star Award from the State of Tennessee by Governor Bredesen and was inducted into the Scott County Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame.

Vivian Smith will be sorely missed and fondly remembered for her grace, compassion and dedication to volunteerism. It has been said that she loved to serve because of the love she had for the people of Scott County. Well, Vivian, the feeling was and will forever be mutual.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the people of South Pittsburg, Tennessee on their 13th annual National Cornbread Festival. In 1996, a group of residents in this small city of 3,500 decided to take action to promote economic activity, which had waned as surrounding areas developed and a newly constructed highway directed traffic away from South Pittsburg's local businesses.

The goals of the Cornbread Festival were to promote the unique sights, sounds, tastes, and history of South Pittsburg and, Madam Speaker, they have done a fine job. Each year, during the last weekend in April, people have traveled from across the country and around the world to take part in the vibrant heritage of southeast Tennessee. This festival, which has been featured several times in national publications and on the Food Network, celebrates the southern delicacy of cornbread and the culture that surrounds it. Local artists and musicians keep the region's great traditions alive. Visitors can also see the great history of the local cast-iron industry around which South Pittsburg grew, and which still produces the skillets used to make the world's best cornbread.

Most importantly, Madam Speaker, this festival has made a great contribution to the community that created it and continues to run it. Proceeds from the National Cornbread Festival have been used to landscape streets, help build athletic fields, and support Boy Scouts, schools, daycares, and libraries. It serves as an economic driver which has helped to revitalize downtown South Pittsburg and its local businesses. It is a true testament to the power of community involvement and self-determination.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate South Pittsburg on a thirteenth year of what I hope will be a longstanding tradition. I encourage my colleagues and the American people to take note of the National Cornbread Festival and to consider a trip to see what's cooking in South Pittsburg, Tennessee.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of Mancel Prince, a rural letter carrier from Decherd, Tennessee.

For over thirty years, Mr. Prince has carried out a service that began just 5 days before Christmas in 1899, when the Post Office Department decided to experiment with extending rural free delivery across an entire county for the first time. The service proved viable, and today constituents like mine and all across rural America receive their mail from dedicated carriers like Mr. Prince.

Today Mr. Prince is 89 years old, and has more than 70 years of government service in his past. He first joined the U.S. Army in 1938 and served on active duty in World War II, where he fought for the Allies under the command of General Patton, as well as in the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Mr. Prince retired from active duty in 1972 as a Command Sergeant Major in Field Artillery, and then joined the U.S. Postal Service. He has served on his route for nearly thirty five years, and currently serves more than 460 boxes over a span of 93.5 miles per day through parts of three counties. He is respected by co-workers and superiors alike and is praised for his work ethic. I understand, too, that he is currently the oldest active employee in the Tennessee District and to my knowledge, he has no plans to retire.

I would ask that my colleagues join me today in rising to honor a great servant of rural America, and a man who has dedicated so much of his life in service to the good of our nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of a trailblazer in the National Basketball Association. Earl Lloyd retired to Cumberland County, Tennessee, in my Congressional District after a distinguished career as a basketball player and coach and with a historic superlative: the first African American to play in the NBA.

After a promising start at West Virginia, Mr. Lloyd was drafted to play with the Washington Capitols in the NBA. Soon thereafter, he signed with the Syracuse Nationals. In 1955, after three years with the Nationals, Mr. Lloyd set another milestone by helping to lead his team to an NBA Championship, making him one of the first two African Americans to win a Championship. Players and sportscasters nicknamed Mr. Lloyd ``The Big Cat'' for his height and speed, and he finished his playing career with an average of 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

With an enviable career in the NBA behind him, Mr. Lloyd continued on in the NBA as an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons. Years later, after marrying and raising two children, Mr. Lloyd marked another first for African Americans when he was promoted as a non-playing coach with the Detroit Pistons.

Chicago sportscaster Johnny Kerr once remarked in Sports Illustrated that if people know who Jackie Robinson is, why don't they know about Earl Lloyd? Mr. Lloyd might say that his achievement went unnoticed because basketball, as a sport, had yet to really capture the attention of a wide American audience. People who know Mr. Lloyd well, however, will speak to his humility in the face of all he has accomplished.

I ask that my colleagues rise with me today to recognize the life's work of a trailblazer who did so much for his sport and for African Americans across the country.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 143 and 144, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 224) supporting the designation of Pi Day, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on House Resolution 224, the resolution now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 224, supporting the designation of Pi Day. This Saturday is March 14. The Greek letter pi-- the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter--is rounded to 3.14.

I'd like to take this opportunity to encourage our Nation's students of all ages, schools, and teachers, to observe Pi Day with fun math and science activities and events.

This is a lighthearted event with serious goals. Math and science underpin our Nation's economic competitiveness and national security. By engaging in fun math and science activities from a young age, we are setting our students on a path towards science and math literacy, and opening the door to rewards and promising careers.

Research has shown that most students who are not comfortable with math and science by junior high remain intimidated or uninterested throughout their education careers.

On Pi Day, we want students to have fun with math and science. Second-graders could calculate the area of a pizza pie at a Pi Day pizza party. Sixth graders could learn about Newton's Laws of Motion from a game of boccie ball. Tenth-graders could learn about the hyperbolic functions by shooting Nerf rockets in the park.

I leave the specifics to the schools, but my advice is to go and have some fun. Let the students see firsthand how math and science is fun and relevant. Let them see that it does apply to them. Let them discover that they really do like math and they really do like science.

This is a lighthearted event, but the underlying problems we have in America are serious. The President of the United States stood in this room a few weeks ago and told us that ``the countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow.''

According to the 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science, a survey done by the National Center for Education Statistics, American children in the fourth and eighth grades were outperformed by students in other countries, including Taiwan, Singapore, Russia, England, South Korea, Latvia, and Japan. Other students have been making improvements since the 1995 TIMSS, but they still are not achieving their potential. It doesn't matter to them as individuals but, boy, does it matter to our Nation as a whole.

The 2005 National Academics Report, ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm,'' looked at our economic competitiveness and showed us a blank and bleak future--a stagnating U.S. economy, an ill-equipped educational system, and the U.S. losing its place as a scientific world leader.

The recommendations contained in the ``Rising Above the Gathering Storm'' report were meant to pull us off the path we were on. They were signed into law in 2007 as part of the America COMPETES Act, and fell basically into three categories: Investments in basic research; innovation as the path toward reducing our dependence on foreign oil; and improving science, technology, engineering, and math education.

Our students' education, especially in science and math, will be a key component of our national economic competitiveness. We need to ensure not only that the Nation produces the top scientists, mathematicians, and engineers, but that every student is prepared for the high-paying technical jobs of the 21st century. We need the engineers that will invent the next new things; we need the manufacturers to design it, and an educated workforce to produce it. We cannot, and would not want to, compete globally on wages alone. We need to operate at a much higher level in this country.

Given the current economic crisis, our economic competitiveness is more important than ever before. We have been trying to create jobs immediately, which we need to do, absolutely; but we also need to look down the road. If we do not take action to strengthen our Nation's economic competitiveness now, including improving science and math education, we could create jobs now, only to lose them in the future to foreign competition.

We need to make sure that our children are prepared, and a strong foundation in math and science education is an essential part of that preparation. One of the best ways we can prepare our students is by encouraging their interest in math and science. So I am asking our Nation's students and teachers, for all of our sake, to go out and have fun around Pi Day.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Obviously, the gentleman from Georgia is a good friend and a neighbor. Each of us recognizes the need to train the young minds who will be the entrepreneurs, the inventors, those who will be bringing to the table new inventions that will help America's economy not only be competitive, but America's economy be the one that achieves and perhaps even brings this world out of what we see today as an economic recession.

Years ago, in the 1970s, we established legislation on the national level that brought to rural areas in my congressional district and the gentleman from Georgia's congressional district special education, where we literally focused on young minds that were maybe not as capable of reaching the higher achievements, or they may not ever reach college. But some of the instructions that we gave them, some of the special attention we gave through special education has actually presented some of those individuals the opportunity where some have attended college. But it has also given them an opportunity to be competitive in our economy and to be a part of our society. We must do the same thing for the best and brightest as well. It is my hope that, as we engage in K-12, that we continue to focus on science, math, and technology, and to challenge the bright young minds that we have not been challenging in the past.

We have been fortunate in this country through our higher educational system, which is, in my opinion and as scored by many throughout the world, the best higher educational system in the world. It is a merit- based system. In many of the countries throughout the world, their K-12 is also merit-based, and we have been getting some of those best and brightest from some of the K-12 educational systems to come to our colleges and retain them here in our economy, and they have been a part of America's economic growth.

We are losing those students today. We cannot depend on other countries' best and brightest. We have got to be sure that we train our best and brightest. And by challenging our teachers, our school systems, and youngsters to become involved in this fun day could maybe encourage them to realize they can be competitive and become the entrepreneurs and inventors of the future for America.

It is my privilege to manage the bill today, and certainly to manage it with my good friend from Georgia (Mr. Broun).

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 67) recognizing and commending the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and Cornell University for the success of the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, on the 5th anniversary of the Rovers' successful landing.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 67, the resolution now under consideration.

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

A little over 5 years ago, the NASA rovers named Spirit and Opportunity landed on the surface of Mars. These rovers originally had a 90-day mission to survey the surface of the red planet and send back scientific information.

By all measures, both rovers were incredibly successful during their original 90-day missions. Both rovers were able to maneuver around the surface of Mars, and they sent back scores of captivating images. The information they sent back has helped us to better understand the past and present geology of our planetary neighbor, and provided indication that water once flowed on the surface of Mars.

The little rovers proved to be so robust that their original 90-day mission was extended, and extended, and extended again. Ultimately, the mission was extended six times. That is a tribute to our scientific knowledge in this country. Both rovers continue to function and are roving the surface of Mars as I speak.

Without a doubt, these rovers have been wildly successful. Besides being impressive fetes of science and engineering, they have inspired countless children of our country with their amazing images of the red planet. This truly represents the best of what our national space program is about, and provides a reminder of why we should continue to support the work of NASA.

I want to thank the sponsor of this resolution, Mr. Dreier, for introducing House Resolution 67, and I encourage my colleagues to support its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff).

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

As heard earlier on this floor, we talked about other nations throughout the world who seem to be achieving higher academic standards than we are here in this country in the classroom. But as we start observing many of these countries, none of those are putting in play and putting into reality the science that we are doing in this country.

The rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, that landed on Mars were an American project, not one of the other nations that we talked about. So as we discuss from time to time areas where we must recognize we may have failures, but our educational system is also providing, and has provided, bright young minds with the challenges that has brought forward the research, the development, the space exploration that is going on today in this country.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have observed over the last 8 years probably the largest increase in spending in the history of this country except perhaps the 8 years of Lyndon Johnson. And all that spending was directed toward some of the same exact spending that is occurring today under this new administration and under this new majority in Congress.

Yet I hear described under the old administration good government, with the exact same expenditures, becoming socialism. I suggest that we all become bipartisan and start reading from the same dictionary.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I could not think of a more fitting person to receive the Frank G. Clement 2009 Humanitarian Leadership Award. Miss Anna Belle, a well known political figure in Tennessee, has long been an advocate for Tennessee's children and working families living in the Upper Cumberland region.

Anna Belle Clement O'Brien was reared and schooled in the values and lessons of life west of Nashville in Dickson, Tennessee, before embarking on a path that led her through the Office of Price Administration, the Governor's office, the Tennessee House of Representatives and the Tennessee Senate.

Known for her great storytelling abilities, wonderful sense of humor, quick wit, warm smile, it's hard not to be comfortable around Miss Anna Belle. Over the years I have learned much about what molded her into the role model and leader she has been.

Armed with a great memory, you will quickly learn through Miss Anna Belle's stories that she was raised in an environment where service to your neighbor is not only spoken, but actually done. The majority of us lucky enough to serve the public believe in the power of a good and responsive government. Miss Anna Belle articulates those beliefs well by saying, ``Politics is a beautiful word to me. . . . I truly believe politics make handicap children walk and the mentally ill have a better life. Politics builds roads and makes education available for all.''

Those words couldn't ring more true. Miss Anna Belle, the first woman to ever serve as a committee chair, brought common sense and a tireless work ethic to the job and a love of the people she served.

I read an interview she gave once in a local newspaper where she said, ``I love this area we moved to over 40 years ago. No thought was given by either of us to run for public office before we moved here. It wasn't planned this way, but it has been a most exciting life. I am grateful to the people in the community for allowing me to serve for all those years.'' Well, Miss Anna Belle, I along with the countless Tennesseans you have helped over the years, thank you for your tireless leadership in working to make sure future generations have a better quality of life. Congratulations for being recognized for your hard work. It is well earned and most deserved.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 99 extraordinary years in the life of Bromma Pemberton- Linville. Born to a large family in the coal-mining community of Oliver Springs, Tennessee, Bromma from an early age set an example for all who believe in the values of family, church and a strong community. Bromma cared for her six younger siblings through elementary and high school, and made certain to attend Sunday church services in addition to Sunday night youth fellowship, a Wednesday night prayer meeting, church play rehearsals and choir practice.

After graduating from Oliver Springs High School, Bromma went on to Knoxville Business College and set out to build a career. Following a period of odd jobs to make ends meet, Bromma finally put her business skills to work as a secretary and bookkeeper at the First National Bank in Oneida, Tennessee. Throughout what would become a lifetime of service to the bank, Bromma worked nearly every possible position before becoming the first female officer and director, as well as the first senior vice president.

But Bromma's success at the First National Bank in Oneida never interfered with her commitment to family. When her father became ill and unable to work, Bromma proudly accepted her role as a breadwinner and caretaker for the family. After she had seen to the success of her six younger siblings, who married and moved out of their home, Bromma continued to live with her parents whom she cared for until they passed away years later. Only then did she marry her twenty year suitor, Roy Johnson.

Bromma's commitment to her community continued throughout her life and in to today. From her presidency over the Oneida Business and Professional Women's Club to representing Scott County at the Conference on Consumer Affairs, Bromma was actively involved in making the world around her better for future generations. With the help of her husband, Bromma even went on to establish the Grover Pemberton Agricultural Endowment Fund for the University of Tennessee Agricultural Institute.

Our great country cannot do enough to thank the men and women who devote their lives to the betterment of their communities. In these difficult times of international and economic turmoil, it is the efforts of extraordinary women like Bromma Pemberton-Linville that will always help us to move this great country forward.