Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I, like our colleagues, am rising in sorrow today to address the events that occurred in Arizona this past weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those victims, with their families, and with our colleague, Gabby Giffords. She was doing what we all do--hearing the concerns of her constituents. And I think we all know and recognize that we in this Chamber are more visible and more accountable than ever before.

On Saturday, a madman, a monster, attempted to assassinate our beloved colleague. She was shot in the line of duty, the duty of listening to, so that she could more effectively represent those constituents. It was a duty that she and many of us do love and do treasure that interaction with our constituents.

Today, more so than ever, as Members of Congress are called to that duty, we realize that it goes with us wherever we go. Every trip to the grocery store, to church, to a soccer game, can turn into a town hall meeting. That accessibility to those who count on us to make the right decision is something that we cannot give up. Even though this past weekend's events have devastated us, we must not compound the tragedy by being deterred from those duties.

The shooting occurred on Saturday, and on Sunday I kept a previously scheduled district appointment at Fort Campbell. That Army post is home to the 101st Airborne when they are not deployed, as they currently are in Afghanistan. These public servants know what the senseless loss of an honored friend, colleague, even a hero feels like. They also know better than anyone else that service is often most valuable when it is performed in the face of fear, uncertainty, or hostility.

So many of my constituents have asked what will this mean for how we, as Members, carry out our jobs. I think we will all be more careful when we undertake our duties. We know we are responsible not only for our own safety; we are responsible for the safety of our staff, our constituents who bring issues to us. And in this, I hope our service does credit to the men and women in uniform.

I hope our service does credit to the men and women in uniform who have served us so very well. God bless Gabby Giffords, bless her staff, her constituents, the other innocent victims, bless this House and our great Nation.

Madam Speaker, today we do begin a very important process, and it is a solid first step. And I stand to support this rule and to support repeal of this law, because we have on the books a law that doesn't improve the quality of health care. It will not reduce the cost of health care, and it is going to add billions to the exploding national debt.

We have listened to the American people. They are smart, and they know that this law is unworkable. It won't deliver on the promises that they made, and the American people voted in overwhelming numbers to repeal it

and replace it. That is the action that we are going to take.

Congress cannot wait any longer to get this irresponsible law out of our doctors' offices, out of our lives, and off the books.

We in Tennessee have lived through the experiment of government-run health care called TennCare. Tennessee could not afford it, and the American people know that this Nation cannot afford a TennCare-type program on a national level.

I support the rule.

Mr. Speaker, I humbly rise today to welcome home the heroic soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division's Task Force Rakkasan after a year's deployment in Afghanistan.

Mr. Speaker, this morning we read aloud the document we are all sworn to protect and defend. None defend that document and our freedom better than those deployed in harm's way. Many of the members of the Rakkasan have been deployed five times since September 11. They are part of the most deployed unit in the history of the U.S. Army. They have my profound gratitude for that service.

These brave soldiers served in and around Khost, Afghanistan. Together with their Afghan allies, they took 2,000 insurgents out of the fight and cleared the way for expanded Afghan governance. The Rakkasans arrived in a region that was controlled by the Taliban. They leave an area where children are free to go to school, play cricket, fly kites, all activities that the Taliban forbade.

Tomorrow, Tennessee will welcome these heroes home. We will open our arms and embrace them and thank them for their service and their sacrifice. We will also remember those who are not returning. I hope that my colleagues in this body will take a moment today to reflect on how our service should honor the service of those who serve us so well.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Steve Cropper. On October 17, 2010, Steve was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter's Hall of Fame.

He has been listed as one of the Top 100 guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine, and for good reason. Being raised in Memphis, Steve bought his first guitar at age 14. Since then, he has led a musically charged life of which most could only dream.

He has played and co-written with the Blues Brothers, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding and Eric Clapton, just to name a few. ``Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay'', which he co-wrote with Redding is the 6th most- played song of all time.

Steve is a friend and a true asset to our great state of Tennessee and it is a privilege to recognize him here today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1326. It is time to reunite the families torn apart by the abduction and retention of American children in Japan.

In Tennessee, we have personally been affected by this issue. Sadly I have constituents that await the passage of this resolution with high hopes and are eager to see their children returned home.

Without an agreement on international child abduction between the U.S. and Japan, many children are left in limbo between feuding parents. Custodial arrangements are created to provide the optimal environment for children after a divorce. When foreign countries choose to not recognize these agreements, they are harming the well being of the children.

The best and most immediate solution to this issue is for Japan to adopt the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. This agreement protects the rights of both parents while ensuring the heath and safety of the children.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Marty Dickens on his receiving the Joe and Honey Rodgers Leadership Award. Named for Honey and the late Joe Rodgers, former United States Ambassador to France, it is fitting this award honor Marty Dickens. From hosting international students, to leading major corporations, to serving on local boards, Dickens shares the drive and example set forth by Ambassador Rodgers.

Following the vision of evangelist Billy Graham, the Operation Andrew Group was launched to meet the spiritual and social needs of Middle Tennessee. Bringing together 250 churches, from a broad spectrum of Christian faiths, the Operation Andrew Group seeks to unify faith-based organizations to act as the catalyst for change. Operation Andrew Group's first major outreach project, The Gathering, attracted over 8,000 attendees in joint worship and praise. Similar events are held annually to focus the faithful of Middle Tennessee on the mission of the Almighty.

I appreciate all the churches, businesses, and civic agencies who from their offerings meet the changing needs of growing community. I also appreciate Marty Dickens for his dedication to Nashville and the surrounding community. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Marty Dickens for his outstanding leadership, commitment to character, and consistency in living the Christian faith.

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

I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for his kind remarks about the 19th Amendment. And as the only woman in our Tennessee delegation, and on behalf of the women from Tennessee who have preceded me in service to this body, Louise Reece, Irene Baker, and Marilyn Lloyd, I treasure the role that our State played in ratifying the 19th Amendment. I will note that we still in Tennessee have not had a woman from our State serve in the Senate, in that body, nor have we had a female take the office of governor in our State.

We have all heard the story about that wonderful day in August 1920. And indeed, as Mr. Cohen was saying, it was a thrilling day in our State's history. This Chamber knows well the story of Tennessee Representative Harry Burn and how he received that message, how he changed the rose on his lapel to a yellow rose, and then how he changed his vote. And that was a swing vote that did indeed change history.

I want to tell you about another swing vote that helped to set the stage in the suffrage story. And it is one that is important to our State of Tennessee, and it is one that transpired right here in this Chamber 91 years ago. Representative Thetus Sims was born in Wayne County, Tennessee. He lived in Savannah, Tennessee, and he practiced law over in Perry County, Tennessee. He later represented all of those counties and some others that today are represented by Mr. Davis and Mr. Tanner and Mr. Gordon, as well as the portions of his district I represent.

Now, Mr. Sims was the first Member of this Chamber to occupy 217 Cannon, which is the office that I now occupy in the Cannon House Office Building. Ninety-one years ago, before the 19th Amendment could go to the States for ratification, it had to be discharged from this Chamber. The first attempt to do that was in 1915, and it failed. Thetus Sims voted against the 19th Amendment at that point in time.

Well, he had the opportunity to vote again on the 19th Amendment in 1918. And it was a very dramatic day right here in this Chamber. It was perhaps one of the most important days that had transpired in this Chamber. Supporters of the amendment were unsure they had the votes to discharge the amendment. The galleries around us were packed with suffragettes. They were packed with journalists. Everyone was watching. On that day, Thetus Sims surprised the Nation.

Between 1915 and 1918, the suffrage movement had heated up not only here in D.C., but all across the Nation. Riots had broken out here in D.C., and women were jailed for wanting the right to vote. The D.C. commissioner who put them behind bars was a gentleman named Louis Brownlow. Louis Brownlow was Thetus Sims' son-in-law. With such influences, it is hard to see how Thetus Sims could see his way to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.

But Louis Brownlow wasn't the only person talking to Thetus Sims at the family dinner table. Congressman Sims also had daughters. And in Washington, the Sims daughters were known as consummate hostesses. Back in Tennessee, everyone knew them for being crack shots with their rifles. Well, here in D.C. Elizabeth Sims was a suffragist leader. And her arguments evidently beat out those of her husband, Louis Brownlow.

So the day finally came in 1918. And on his way to the vote, Thetus Sims took a very bad fall, and he broke his collarbone. He refused to have it set or to take pain killers for fear he would miss the vote. So, he came to the floor and he flipped his vote. He voted ``aye,'' and he became the hero of the day.

Well, needless to say I am very proud of Thetus Sims' vote that day. I am grateful for how he represented Tennessee. And I am so pleased that he listened to his iron-jawed angel daughter, and that he voted for women. I am honored to represent much of that district now, and I am honored to occupy his office, 217 Cannon.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.

(Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I want to thank the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cooper) for his leadership on this issue and for bringing forward this memorializing resolution for us to remind--it's a great way for us to continue to remind our citizens of the importance that our State played in passing the 19th Amendment. I thank Mr. Cohen for his leadership in managing the time and the preparation for presenting this Amendment today.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I think that it is important for us to realize what is happening here today, and I do oppose the legislation that the majority is bringing forward today.

Today, we are being asked to raise taxes for 10 years in order to pay for Medicaid for 6 months. Now, think about that. Only here in Washington would an action like that seem to make sense or even be thought to be sustainable: 10 years to pay for 6 months.

Now, this is why the people across this Nation oppose this type action, and I think if my friends were home listening instead of here in D.C. spending some more that what they would hear from people is they are sick and tired. They have really gotten their fill of continuing to tax, continuing to spend, robbing Peter to pay Paul, and going through this process of kicking the can down the road but not addressing the problems.

The spending is out of control, the American people are overtaxed, this government is overspent, and it is time that we demand accountability.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to mark the accomplishments of the women of Music City. ``Let's Hear It For The Girls,'' the 2010 Source Awards, celebrates the women who helped found the Nashville music industry. Celia Froehlig, Carol Phillips, Sherytha Scaife, Elizabeth Thiels, Ruth Bland White and Jo Walker Meador Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Frances Williams Preston will be honored at the 8th annual event. ``In the long run, you make your own luck--good, bad, or indifferent.'' Loretta Lynn's words many triumphs ago speak still for the women of today's victories who blaze the musical trail of their own luck.

Nashville's music industry has a dazzled history of women pioneers. Mother Maybelle Carter created the Carter scratch. Kitty Wells was the first female artist to have her own LP. Patsy Cline paved the way for women to sell records as well as men. And Loretta Lynn was the first woman in country music to have 50 Top 10 hits. Paving the way for Dolly Parton's songwriting strengths, Tammy Wynette's sultry vocals, and Reba McEntire's awarded success, the women on whose shoulders today's stars stand are a present part of Nashville's legacy.

The call of women to the varying notes of the music industry is just as strong today as when Sarah ``Minnie Pearl'' Cannon first graced the Grand Old Opry in 1942. Women have come a long way in the music business, and Nashville continues to celebrate their success in paving the way for tomorrow's high notes. Founded in 1991, Source began the work to unify women executives and professionals that work and succeed in all facets of Nashville's music industry.

With backgrounds as singers, songwriters, pianists, producers, publishers, mothers, wives, sisters, and performers, the honored at the 2010 Source Awards are tied together by the love of music and the stories Nashville tells in the notes she plays. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the accomplishments, vision, and success of the women of Nashville's music industry.

Madam Speaker, across the country partnerships built of people, governments, and communities are coming together offering health services to local patients. Health care centers serve 20 million people nationally and improve access to care for millions of Americans. I rise today in support of National Health Center Week and two centers, Three Rivers Community Health Center and Perry County Medical Center, who are celebrating accordingly.

Built by community initiative, health care centers are community- driven and patient-centered. In 23 centers, over 300,000 patients are treated throughout the great state of Tennessee. Regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, patients receive preventative and accessible care when healthcare is needed but scarce. The Three Rivers and Perry County Centers focus on high-need areas identified by elevated poverty, higher than average infant mortality, and few physicians in residence.

By reducing costly emergency, hospital, and specialty care, Community Health Centers save the health care system $24 billion a year. During National Health Center Week, we celebrate the care offered to the nation's most vulnerable populations. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking the Three Rivers Community Health and Perry County Medical Centers for providing access to affordable, high quality, and cost- effective health care to the citizens of the 7th District.

Madam Speaker, I rise today and ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing those artists and actors who recently participated in ``Nashville Rising: A Benefit Concert for Flood Recovery'' to aide those affected by the catastrophic flooding in Tennessee.

Just a few months ago, historic flooding--a 1,000 year flood-- affected 46 counties in Tennessee. The flood waters left damaged homes and hearts. With rain-soaked hands, volunteers offered what they could, and Tennessee lived up to its name as the Volunteer State. I want to thank the many who supported Tennessee's flood relief efforts.

Led by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, artists--Amy Grant, Billy Ray Cyrus, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Julie Roberts, LeAnn Rimes, Luke Bryan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Martina McBride, Michael W. Smith, Miley Cyrus, Miranda Lambert, Montgomery Gentry, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, and ZZ Top--performed, and with messages from Reese Witherspoon, Matthew McConaughey, Craig Ferguson, and Dolly Parton--all joined together to help raise over $2.2 million for flood relief efforts.

Music has the hope to heal what the flooding left behind. I ask my colleagues to stand with me in thanking those who offered their time and talents to the Nashville Rising Concert, and all who have helped their neighbors during this time of need.

Madam Speaker, the Music City family is known the world over for reaching out and helping up. One of our shinning stars, five time GRAMMY award winning artist Wynonna Judd will be awarded the Cecil Scaife Visionary Award for her countless contributions to the Nashville community, and to future generations who wish to pursue a career in the music industry. I rise with friends, artists, and fellow musicians who are gathered to celebrate the many contributions of Wynonna Judd.

I rise also today to thank all those who offer their devotion to the Cecil Scaife Music Business Scholarship. The Cecil Scaife Business Scholarship Endowment provides for an educational scholarship. Named for Arkansas native Cecil Scaife, the award honors Scaife's love of the music industry and his vision to see the formation of an educational program to produce successful musicians, artists, and music business leaders. Working with the great artists of our collective legacy, Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash, Scaife pioneered the way for future legends of the music business.

Calling Nashville home in 1979, Wynonna continues to leave an indelible mark on the Middle Tennessee community, as well as causes around the world. Devoted to a wide range of needs from children in crisis, to the United Way, and to the men and women who defend our precious freedom, Wynonna participates in assisting over 100 charities per year.

Following consistently her instincts, Wynonna sings the songs of the familiar, the comfortable and the faithful. Her inspirations come from rock, her passions from blues, and her notes from great men and women of music. Her idol list reads like the who's who of the music business. Seven studio albums later, she is still making opposing musical choices the binding notes of her story. Like the icons of country past, Wynonna has not been afraid to shy from the controversial, leading us all to higher growth.

Wynonna's successes are vast: holding multiple gold, platinum, and multi-platinum certificates from RIAA, took her place on the New York Times bestseller list, written with John Rich, covered Elvis, sang for Lilo and Stich, and having seen her notes executed with perfection by figure skating champion Brian Boitano. Awards and causes too many to mention, but championed all with great strength, this Top Female Vocalist of the Year crafts her art with the grace of a prophet and the resilience of a saint. I ask my colleagues to join with me in celebrating Wynonna Judd on receiving the Cecil Scaife Visionary Award as she continues to bring the best of hope to all who listen and dream.

Madam Speaker, 150 years ago, four women from Somerset, Ohio arrived in Nashville, Tennessee to establish an Academy for the higher education of young women in the Diocese of Nashville. Run by the Congregation of St. Cecilia, Tennessee's only Motherhouse of Dominican Sisters, St. Cecilia's Academy boasts 2,500 alumnae from the oldest continuously operated school in Nashville. I rise today with gratitude for the hard work and dedication by the Sisters of St. Cecilia, and the faculty and staff of St. Cecilia's Academy.

St. Cecilia's Academy, the only all-girls, Catholic high school in Middle Tennessee, first opened its doors in October of 1860 in North Nashville. Borrowing lanterns from local rail yards to light the grounds, the first commencement exercises were held in June of 1862. Two young women of St. Cecilia's Academy celebrated their graduation that day, along with a thousand guests, all in the throws of the Civil War. Despite the financial toll of the War, St. Cecilia's remained operational, and indeed

flourished in the years to follow. Additions to the school on the hill came in 1880, 1888, and 1904. Following the westward expansion of Nashville, 92 acres of land was purchased in West Nashville in 1923 and the site of the current campus was established on the feast of St. Cecilia, 1956.

What began with as a small boarding school is now the academic home for over 250 witnesses to the school's belief in the dignity of the individual, made in the image of the Almighty. Grounded in rich academic traditions, St. Cecilia's Academy has four times been recognized by the Acton Institute as one of the top catholic high schools in America. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the sesquicentennial founding of St. Cecilia's Academy as we look with great hope to the next 150 years of excellence in education.

Mr. Speaker, my home State of Tennessee has an employment rate of over 10 percent. The Tennesseans that I know are very frustrated with Washington. They've lost faith that this Chamber can or will do anything meaningful about jobs this year. They look at Washington and see us living out that maxim: if at first you don't succeed, spend and spend again. They look at us and they said where are the jobs.

Now Tennessee's Governor and State legislature have made some very different choices. Instead of expanding the size of government, they scaled it back. Instead of increasing taxes, they've offered incentives for investment. Many in this Chamber say those are policies of the past. Well, in Tennessee, those choices have worked. They attracted over $4 billion of investment in the past 18 months. It is investment that creates sustainable growth and good, solid paying jobs.

By contrast, the stimulus program we hear so much about in this Chamber has sent just over $1 billion to the State of Tennessee. At 10 percent unemployment, what do Tennesseans

have to show for those stimulus jobs? No jobs and a lot of expensive road signs.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the journey of Ed Moody. Entrepreneur, citizen, veteran, and family man, Mr. Moody celebrates his 90th birthday among family, friends, and those who in the past nine decades are friends who have become Mr. Moody's family.

While stricken with the mumps, brothers Tom and Ed Moody passed the time by dreaming of opening a business of their own. Delayed by his honorable service in World War II, Tom Moody opened Moody's Tire Company doors April 1, 1944. Ed Moody joined his brother two years later. Constantly seeking to offer a service of necessity and patriotism, Moody's Tire Company learned to re-tread tires after a freeze was placed on creating a new product. This spirit of devotion to community and country is woven throughout Ed Moody's life.

Ed Moody is known in his community as ``Mr. Franklin.'' His perfect attendance at the Franklin noon Rotary meeting, his devotion to the Boys and Girls Club of Franklin and Williamson County, and his commitment to the ideals of the greatest generation are just a few of the accolades his wife Eileen, their daughters Patsy and Rebecca, his four grandchildren and the rest of the Moody family celebrate today.

I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing ``happy birthday'' to Mr. Ed Moody. As we celebrate his birth and his lasting mark on the community of Franklin, Tennessee, we wish him many more years of life and love.