Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas, and I thank him for his leadership in all matters pertaining to the military and certainly to our veterans in their care, and they are entitled to the best that this country has to offer. I appreciate him, and I also appreciate the gentleman from Colorado.

He is absolutely right. This is not a partisan issue. We should do everything within our power to see that the taxpayers get a good deal, but we have an obligation to our veterans and our retired military that should not be usurped by anyone, any time, any place. They should get the best that we have.

I am amazed that we have even got to deal with this on the House floor. This should have been taken care of a long time ago, and many of us felt like it was taken care of in the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992.

But the amazing thing to me is that we would even consider giving mail order, large corporation pharmacies a huge advantage over the local retail pharmacies, especially in rural America and in the neighborhoods. This is what is going to happen if we don't put this in this final defense authorization bill.

Our veterans should be able to go to any local pharmacy that is the front line health care provider for every community. They should be able to go to those local pharmacies and take advantage of generally free services by well-trained and accomplished professionals that know them and know their health needs and know what medicine they are taking, and those retail establishments should be able to get their pharmaceuticals at the same price that DOD gets them and the same price that the mail order companies get them and be able to provide this service to our veterans.

So I am delighted to hear the gentleman from Colorado say that they have no objections. I think that is a very wise thing.

Again, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for doing good work, and let us move this forward, and let us see that our veterans get the care that they deserve, and our retired military and their families get the care that they deserve, and let us move on to the other problems that we can solve in this same way, working together for the common good.

Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to recognize the First Baptist Church of Pine City which will celebrate its l00th anniversary this August. This is a significant milestone for a church community dedicated to fellowship and service.

The First Baptist Church of Pine City was founded in 1906 under the guidance of Rev. John Smith. The congregation spent the first decade worshiping in temporary locations throughout Pine City, including a brush harbor on Rev. Smith's farm, the Beaten School, and even an old house. The church community finally bought land for a church on November 4, 1916 from Parker C. and Georgia Ewans for just $10.00. Once the sale was finalized, the congregation came together to build a church, pitching in to cut down trees and haul lumber from the saw mill.

When the congregation outgrew this facility in 1954, the community came together once again to build the current First Baptist Church of Pine City. Members raised money for the new building by selling dinner plates on Sundays after the church service, donating daily salaries earned by picking cotton in the fields, and even raffling off a bale of cotton. The congregation has made many improvements to the church over the years and looks forward to continuing these improvements in the future.

A total of 2l preachers have served the First Baptist Church of Pine City over the last 100 years including the current pastor, Rev. I.E. Holland, Sr., who has led the community in worship for 22 years. On August 13, 2006, the First Baptist Church of Pine City will gather to celebrate the l00th anniversary of their church community. I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the congregation on this important day and sending our best wishes for many more years of worship and service to the Lord.

Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to a special couple from England, Arkansas, Eityhel and Luvesta Gibbins, who celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on July 3, 2006. This is a significant milestone and one that only a very few are fortunate enough to celebrate in their lifetime.

Eityhel and Luvesta Gibbins met as children in Fairbanks, Arkansas, and decided to marry in the summer of 1931. The couple made their home in Lonoke County, Arkansas and spent the next forty-five years growing cotton, soybeans, and wheat. Throughout the years, the Gibbins' were blessed with four children--Van D. Gibbins, Ulyes F. Gibbins, Lynn E. Gibbins, and Joe C. Gibbins--and now have the pleasure of spending time with seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Their love for each other and their family extends to their neighbors as well, where they continue to stay involved in their community. They remain active members of the Coy Church of Christ and are often seen participating in local activities and events. Their energy is truly remarkable and perhaps the secret to a long and fulfilling life.

A 75th wedding anniversary reminds us that marriage is not an instant achievement but a covenant that requires love, patience, and respect. Eityhel and Luvesta Gibbins have perfected this commitment to each other and are truly blessed to have a strong marriage, their family, and a lifetime of memories. As they live each day by their wedding vows, they continue to inspire all who are fortunate to know them.

On July 3rd, 2006, Eityhel and Luvesta Gibbins joined their family at a celebration to honor their 75 years of marriage. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating them on this joyous occasion and sending our best wishes for many more years of love and happiness.

Mr. Speaker, as millions of Americans struggle to get by making the lowest real value minimum wage in 50 years, Republicans in this body are preparing to adjourn the House for a 5-week summer vacation without providing them with any financial relief.

Despite numerous attempts by the Democratic Members, Republicans still refuse to increase the minimum wage to a living wage. It is time for a new direction.

Six million people who would benefit from an increase in the minimum wage deserve better than a Congress that rewards the wealthiest while punishing those who need assistance the most and are willing to work for it. Eighty-six percent of Americans support increasing the minimum wage, because they know, just as Democrats in this body know, that it is simply wrong for a full-time worker with a full-time job to live in poverty in this great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives is considering H.R. 3085, the Trail of Tears Documentation Act, which I introduced last year with my friend, Representative Zach Wamp. This important legislation has 20 cosponsors from 8 different states and works to preserve an important chapter of our history so others can learn from our past.

The lessons that lie along the Trail of Tears are more than a chapter in a history book. They are the lessons that teach future generations to celebrate diversity rather than to push it into the farthest corners of our country. Only by experiencing this tragedy can we begin to understand why so many Native Americans died along this trail.

The Trail of Tears Documentation Act would encourage the Secretary of the Interior to complete the National Historic Trail of Tears from North Carolina to Oklahoma. The proposed routes include two trails in Arkansas where close to 2,000 Cherokee traveled after the U.S. government forced them to find new land in Indian Territory. The Bell route heads up the Arkansas River from Tennessee through Little Rock and Fort Smith, and the Benge route extends west from Randolph County to Washington County.

Our legislation asks the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study of the additional trail segments, emigration depot, and land components currently missing along the historic trail. Once complete, individuals will be able to travel the entire length of the trail and experience interpretations of that period in American history.

It is unacceptable that such a critical part of our history remains a patchwork of missing pieces. As Americans, we need to capture this part of history so we never forget the stories of families torn apart at the hands of our country. By preserving this trail, we will give our children and grandchildren the opportunity to experience this tragedy firsthand and develop a better understanding of what happened to Native Americans in this country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues from the Arkansas congressional delegation to recognize a man whose generosity and dedication transformed so many communities across our State. I have met few men with such an enthusiasm for service and will miss his leadership greatly.

Win Paul Rockefeller displayed one of his favorite quotes on a plaque outside his home. The quote comes from Micah 6:8 and says: ``And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God?'' I can think of no better way to honor a man with so many accomplishments and a great appreciation for the people of Arkansas. He was indeed a good man.

Mr. Speaker, I couldn't agree more with my colleague from Arizona when he says the number one priority is control of our borders. I find it interesting that my colleague from Texas says that it is the President of Mexico's fault. The fact is, over the last 5 years, the Republicans in the Bush administration and in this House have refused to properly fund border security programs. Today we are seeing the results.

Mr. Speaker, with the proposal that President Bush made for massive amnesty and other programs to allow people to come into this country, it has just encouraged the difficult situation. But the bottom line remains, we must get control of our borders, and to do that we have to fund it.

Over and over again, the Republicans on the Appropriations Committee and in this House have refused to provide adequate resources so we can do the job. It is time that we get the job done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise here today on behalf,of Congressmen John Boozman, Mike Ross, Vic Snyder, and myself, to pay tribute to one of my good friends, Mike Freeze of England, Arkansas, who has served the last seven years on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. We are grateful to have such a leader in Arkansas committed to improving conservation and recreation across our state.

Freeze was appointed to the Commission for a seven year term on July 1, 1999, serving the last year as Chairman. He has brought a wealth of experience to the position, serving as the Commission's first former employee to return as Chairman, the Commission's first fish farmer, and the first ever member from Lonoke County. Freeze operates Keo Fish Farms, is the previous owner of Arkansas Aquatics Inc., and was the state fisheries research coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission from 1978-1983.

Freeze graduated from Little Rock Hall High School in 1971, received a bachelor's degree in fisheries and wildlife management from Arkansas Tech University at Russellville in 1975, and a master's degree in biology from Murray State University in Kentucky in 1977. He has served many leadership roles over the years including President of the National Aquaculture Association, the American Fish Farmers Federation, the Striped Bass Growers Association, and State Chapter President of the American Fisheries Society.

It has been my pleasure and privilege to work with Mike Freeze for many years. I hope my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives will join the Arkansas delegation in thanking Mike for his service and wishing him the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts, and I rise to support the DeLauro amendment.

It is a sad day in America when someone comes to this House floor to tell us that we have to depend on companies that renounce their American citizenship to save a few tax dollars to get quality products, workmanship, or services.

We had a great debate a few months ago about allowing a foreign company to take over six of our ports. We almost universally agreed that was a bad idea. It doesn't make any difference, and those companies hadn't renounced their U.S. citizenship, they were foreign companies; I didn't think it was a good idea and I don't know anybody else who did, but I am sure there are those who did. At least the President thought it was.

But why would we think it was a good idea to turn over the Federal business, the business of the American people that is paid for by their tax dollars, to companies that say I don't want to pay my fair share; I want to go to Bermuda or Panama or the Cayman Islands and I am going to pull these little slick tricks, and I am basically not going to pay my fair share, but I want all of the benefits of being an American and all of the benefits of being an American company. I want to get those American tax dollars so that my company can profit even more and pay even less of its fair share. That is what this is all about.

I know a really good attorney. He has got a dog named Loophole. That is what this business is about. We have already covered this. It was covered all right, it was covered with a nice big fat loophole that made it possible for companies that have renounced their American citizenship just so they didn't have to pay their fair share and could still come in and rake in the tax dollars in a way that is most unfair to our own companies.

It gives these foreign companies an advantage over U.S. companies. This is just simply not right. You don't have to be all broke out in brilliance to figure this out. It is time that this House acted. We have done it before, and it is time that we do it again. It is time we start giving people that value their American citizenship as good a deal as it is possible to give them. I would urge support of this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the town of Marshall in Searcy County, Arkansas, which will celebrate its 150th anniversary this year. This is a significant milestone for the community and for all who helped shape the town's history.

Marshall was established in 1856, after Native Americans roamed the land for centuries. The Osage tribe used the land for hunting and gathering in the 18th century and then sold their claim to the United States government. Nine years later, the government set aside the land as a reservation for the Cherokee Indians.

By the mid-1800's, the Cherokees traveled west and Littleton Baker, J.W. Gray, and Jack Marshall were appointed to select a site for the new county seat of Searcy County. They originally named this location Burrowsville in honor of N.B. Burrow, a local citizen, but 11 years later changed the name to Marshall in honor of the former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall. The town was eventually incorporated on January 13, 1884.

Marshall played an important role during the War Between the States, becoming a hub of activity for both Confederate and Northern forces after Arkansas seceded from the Union on May 6, 1861. Both Confederate and Union companies organized in the area, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Pea Ridge, Pine Bluff, and Devil's Backbone.

The town worked hard to recover and rebuild in the decades following the war. Marshall established its first school district, constructed the Marshall Academy in 1888, and built a new courthouse in 1889. Agriculture production dominated the economy in Searcy County, with cotton and corn ranking as the primary agricultural products. The community even established the Mountain Wave newspaper in 1890 which continues to inform residents on the latest local and national news.

The town enjoyed great prosperity during these early years. The Marshall Bank was established in 1901 and the town's first telephone system was constructed in 1902. The town's first flour mill came around the turn of the century, quickly followed by its first stave mill in 1909. The community built a new school building known as ``Old Main'' in 1910 and completed the first all-weather road between Marshall and Harriet in 1916.

Although the first few decades of the 20th century were a time of growth for Marshall, the combination of World War I, the Great Depression, and serious flooding led to difficult times for the community's residents. The population began to decline and those living off the land struggled to maintain a decent livelihood. Fortunately, many of Searcy County's residents joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, CCC, and the National Youth Administration, NYA, where they could earn a decent wage. One of the NYA's projects was to construct a gymnasium in Marshall in 1936.

Marshall and its surrounding communities pulled together during these challenging times, emerging stronger than before. Families in Marshall made victory gardens during WWII, saved tin cans for reprocessing, and even purchased war bonds. Farmers also began to clear land for cattle production and timber harvesting. These two industries now contribute heavily to Marshall's local economy.

Marshall has always been a town of citizens who pull together during tough times to improve its schools, help businesses grow, and attract new development to the region. The town now boasts a population of 1,313 citizens and is home to the Ozark National Forest and the Buffalo National River. Known for its beauty, tourists visit the mountainous region year-round to participate in a variety of popular recreational activities.

On June 3, 2006, friends and residents of Marshall will gather to celebrate 150 years of history. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Marshall, Arkansas on this significant milestone. We send our appreciation to the town's citizens for years of hard work and dedication to their community, and wish Marshall many more years as a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my hometown of Gillett, Arkansas, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year. This is a significant milestone for our community and for all those who shaped our town's history.

Gillett was incorporated in 1906, several decades after the first settlers migrated there from Fulton County, Illinois, in 1881. These early settlers purchased land; built modest homes; farmed crops of oats, corn and cotton; and developed orchards; and raised cattle. They worked hard to establish a town, building the first school and the first church in 1886, the first store in 1888, and lobbying for the completion of the railroad from Stuttgart, Arkansas, to the new town in 1892.

The name Gillett first appeared in 1892 after community leaders designated the town's first U.S. post office in honor of Francis M. Gillett, president of the railroad company. The

name stuck, and by November 21, 1906, the County Court of Arkansas County approved a petition to incorporate the town of Gillett. The town was busy in those early years, establishing the Bank of Gillett, constructing the first sidewalks, building a modern two-story high school on Champion Avenue, and dedicating the first flagpole in honor of the men from Gillett serving in World War I. By the early 1920s, Gillett recorded its highest population ever of 1,175 citizens.

Gillett hit difficult times, however, in the late 1920s when the flood of 1927 and the Great Depression came. Residents lost their homes and farms, the local bank closed its doors, and businesses went bankrupt. It was not until the 1930s when jobs started to reappear as sawmills, stave mills, and handle factories relocated to our city.

Gillett sent many men into World War II in the 1940s. Some were captured as prisoners of war in the Pacific. Others lost their life fighting for their country. While the town prayed for its war heroes, community leaders continued working to improve the economic conditions in Gillett. In 1946, all the one-room schools in the area moved to Gillett District 66, and the town held its first Coon Supper to raise money for local school and youth activities. This event evolved over the years into one of Arkansas' most popular political events and now receives national and worldwide attention.

The town continued to grow during the 1950s and 1960s, with Gillett High School attaining North Central Accreditation, the construction of the Arkansas River Navigation Project, integration of the schools, and the establishment of the Planters and Merchants Bank of Gillett. Farmers and businesses continued to turn a profit, and by the 1970s area farmers reported all-time highs for commodities. Farms were paid off, new machinery purchased, and new homes constructed.

The town itself also underwent a number of improvements thanks to the Federal Revenue Sharing period. A new city hall was constructed, and street improvements were made. A library was built, water and sewer improvements received attention, and many beautification projects took place.

Despite the booming times of the 1960s and 1970s, the depressed farm economy of the 1980s and 1990s proved to be a challenging time for our citizens. Many businesses closed, and construction of new homes came to a halt. Population figures declined from the highs of the 1920s and 1960s, and the schools continued to lose enrollment. This declining enrollment posed a serious threat during the 1980s, when a consolidation proposal almost cost the town its schools.

It was during this time, in 1996, when the citizens of Gillett helped elect me to represent Arkansas's 1st Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. As a resident of Gillett, Arkansas, I am honored to serve my friends in Congress and have spent the past decade working to restore prosperity to the region. We continue to fight for our farmers who struggle with high fuel and fertilizer costs, and we are working to diversify our energy supply so places like Gillett can benefit from new opportunities.

Gillett has always been a town of citizens who pull together during tough times to improve our schools, help our businesses grow, and attract new development to the region. On May 27, 2006, our community will gather to celebrate 100 years as a corporate community. We will hold a parade down Main Street, reflect on our history, and place a time capsule in front of city hall to preserve our story for generations to come.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating my hometown of Gillett, Arkansas, on this significant milestone. We send our appreciation to the town's citizens for years of hard work and dedication to their community and wish Gillett many more years as a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Virginia.

Mr. Chairman, the only justification for a farm program is to ensure adequate production and processing capacity for our own security. Now, it has been talked about here today about how terrible the sugar program is. The fact is every country does this. To unilaterally disarm our producers makes absolutely no sense in the world trade scheme, and we simply cannot be allowed to be led down this path.

At the point when the rest of the world is willing to give up their subsidies and play on a level playing field, our producers can be just as successful as they are, if not more so. But until that time comes, and it is not likely to show up in my lifetime, we have to ensure adequate production and processing for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to the Bayou Meto United Methodist Church in DeWitt, Arkansas, where my parents were married, my family and I have attended for more than fifty years, and my brother Mark and his family are members. This month marks our church's 25th anniversary, a significant milestone for the congregation and the entire community.

The Bayou Meto United Methodist Church was organized in 1881 as the Mt. Zion Methodist Episcopal Church South. The original 13 charter members chose the southwest corner of the Bayou Meto Cemetery to build a small wooden sanctuary of sawed boards. The sanctuary only had six windows, four of which were made of glass shipped by boat from St. Louis to Crockett's Bluff and hauled by ox wagon to the church site. The original building was heated by a wood stove and furnished with handmade pews and oil lamps.

The Bayou Meto United Methodist Church played a prominent role in the community during this time, serving as the local school until residents could build a school house elsewhere. The first minister, Reverend C.T. Thompson, traveled on horseback from Goldman once a month to preach two services.

By 1915, the church community was anxious to expand. Mrs. Joe Webster donated one acre of land to the church and local residents moved the original building to a new location using horses and ropes. Just four years later, the congregation sold the church building as a private resident and built a new structure to accommodate the growing congregation. The original building still stands about 1,500 feet from its first location.

The new sanctuary included a bell tower and bell donated by a prominent Jewish merchant of DeWitt, Mr. T.M. Loeb. Although our community constructed Sunday school rooms, a pastor's study, and replaced the original church pews, the sanctuary is almost identical to the one constructed in 1919.

The Reverend C.H. Andrews became the church's first resident minister in 1939. During his tenure, the church constructed a parsonage, and a new education building. The church's current minister, Reverend Jackie Gregory, now occupies the parsonage and is the minister for both Bayou Meto and Lodge Corner Churches. The congregation continues to worship in the sanctuary, and the community frequently holds weddings, funerals, reunions, and meetings in both the sanctuary and education building.

The congregation has grown smaller over time as residents leave for larger towns, in search of job opportunities, schools, or greater convenience. As Lucinda Ax Jacobs wrote in her history of the Bayou Meto Cemetery, ``Our Bayou Meto community was settled by former soldiers, both Union and Confederate, glad to find peace and a place they could build homes, raise families, and make an honest living for themselves.'' This phrase remains true for those of us who see this community as their home, and intend to remain to raise our families and earn an honest living.

The Bayou Meto United Methodist Church has a long history, marked by the community's strong commitment to service. Every single building on the church property was constructed by the men in this community through hours upon hours of hard work and sacrifice. This spirit is unique to our church, and will guide the members in our congregation for years to come.

On May 28, 2006, our community will gather to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Bayou Meto United Methodist Church. I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing this community on this important day in history, and to send our best wishes for a memorable service of homecoming and remembrance.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would ask that everyone remember our men and women in uniform and keep them in your hearts and minds and certainly in your prayers, especially those on the battlefield today.

Today, the Republican Congress is going to attempt to extend the culture of corruption and chaos. They are going to offer a so-called lobbying reform bill. It makes me think of that wonderful American, Merle Haggard, who wrote a song called ``Rainbow Stew.'' It goes something like this: When a President goes through the White House door and does what he says he'll do, we'll all be drinking that free Bubble- Up and eating that rainbow stew.

This bill is clearly rainbow stew. It is a phony lobbying reform bill. America deserves better. America deserves integrity. America deserves honor. And they certainly don't deserve another dose of rainbow stew and free Bubble-Up.

Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to celebrate the grand opening of Lonoke County Safe Haven, Inc., an organization that provides critical resources to victims of domestic violence. This center will give women and their children a place to turn during difficult times and is a valuable addition to our community.

Lonoke County Safe Haven, Inc. was founded in March 2005 after J.M. Park read an article about a domestic violence victim. The article inspired Park and others to create a program where domestic violence victims can access vital recovery services. The organization began to help victims in September 2005, providing services such as a helpline, court advocacy, information on county, state, and federal resources, and recommendations for local shelters.

Today's grand opening is a significant step for Lonoke County Safe Haven, Inc. and a great milestone for our community. The new center, directed by Teresa Sims, will give battered women and their children throughout Lonoke County a place to seek assistance from dangerous living conditions. The center will provide services from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with hopes of one day expanding into a shelter of its own. The organization is already recognized by the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence for its work to strengthen the support system for battered women and their children.

On April 17, 2006, our community will gather to celebrate the grand opening of the Lonoke County Safe Haven, Inc. I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our appreciation for this center and for all of the individuals committed to making Lonoke County a safer place for women and children.