Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding me this time.

Madam Speaker, it is time for us to take action. This body has done its job. The Committee on Agriculture that the chairman does such a wonderful job in managing brought this bill to the floor. As my colleagues have pointed out, it was passed overwhelmingly from both sides of the aisle, and there was not a dissension that we could not resolve. So as we worked with the Committee on Resources and worked with the Committee on Agriculture, we came here and passed this measure in May. We had high hopes for swift action in the other body. We were happy finally to see that action recently.

Unfortunately, it was only after the tragic situations in the West and in California where so much air and water quality was damaged, and certainly the loss of life and homes, the threats that were there, we were certainly glad to see action; but now we face a challenge. The challenge is moving from the two bodies to the conference committee, and we have worked very vehemently to ensure that happens.

When this measure came to the committee, I consulted the Warnell School of Forestry at the University of Georgia and asked them to review the legislation and give me their input, and tell me what they thought was best for not only Georgia's forest, but our Nation's forests. They did a very thorough job in their advice and counsel, and I took it.

We have the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia. It is a place I enjoy. I enjoy the fishing and the trout streams and the air and the quality of life there. We have to protect it. H.R. 1904, the Healthy Forest Initiative, is legislation that will not only protect the Chattahoochee National Forest, but forests from North Carolina to California, from the Dakotas to Texas, and it is important that we move this legislation.

Certainly the biggest challenge that we face is not allowing our forests to become the political football of the current session of Congress. They are too important. We have over 17 million acres of private forest land in Georgia alone. As the chairman accurately pointed out, fires are a concern for us, but they are not the dramatic concern that we see in the West like in California and Colorado. Our real challenge is pests, as the gentleman from North Carolina has pointed out.

Madam Speaker, I would tell the gentleman that the challenge is still there. When I was growing up, there was an abundance of small game, especially small bobwhite quail and squirrels and rabbits, just natural wildlife. My colleague is correct, back in that era it was a common practice to burn the woods. We would take the underbrush out. We would create the habitat as the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes) suggests, and that would provide a plentiful environment for native species and migratory birds.

As we face the challenges today, we see fewer and fewer of our natural habitats available for our wildlife. I think this is a bill that promotes wildlife. It promotes best practices in our forestry. I think the biggest concern I have is we do not need to be playing politics with the forests of our Nations.

We have fires in Georgia. Mercifully, they are fairly small, but yet we lost

over 84,000 acres of forestland to fire in the last 4 years. But as has been pointed out, we have had a 278 percent increase in the southern pine beetle, and that can be directly attributed to the fact that we are not managing our forests with the best practices.

This restoration act provides our Federal land managers with the flexibility that they need not only to deal with forest fires and fire dangers, but also to deal with disease and pests that are invading all of our forests. We have to suppress the pests and make sure that they do not continue to threaten our eastern forests. Billions of dollars to Georgia's economy are attributable to our forestry industry. There are 17 million acres that need protection. If we look at our neighboring States of Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, we all face similar challenges as we try to deal with the need to have healthy, vibrant forests.

It amazes me that we cannot come to some reasonable accommodation in a very expeditious amount of time. I would hope that as this body has already done, as it has worked together, and as the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes) has pointed out, this has been a very strong bipartisan bill. We have worked hand in hand with both sides of the aisle to reach a conclusion and agreement that we can move to the other body. They took that up, they passed it by a substantial margin, even an overwhelming margin, and now it is time for the next step. The next step has to be for us to move forward and bring this bill to a conference and out of conference and back to the floor of the House.

The Healthy Forest Restoration Act is indeed a national solution to a national problem. The time for action is now. I concur with my colleagues from Virginia and North Carolina. We need a commonsense solution, and we have it in our midst. We need to move it through both bodies and pass it and send it to the President.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3029, renaming the post office in Jonesboro, Georgia, for S. Truett Cathy. I join my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott), in recognizing this man's great achievement in our State, in our community, and in our Nation. Truett Cathy is truly a leader and truly a friend, and I am very honored to call him a friend of not only Georgia, but of the Nation.

Certainly at his opening of that first small restaurant called the Dwarf Grill back in the 1940s, no one could have imagined the impact that he has had on our communities throughout the Nation. He developed a keen art of both marketing and culinary skills and developed what we all know as the Chick-Fil-A sandwich. I will tell you one of the things I enjoy most when I have the opportunity is to visit one of his restaurants. Begun in 1967, it is now the third largest chicken quick- serve establishment in the world.

The most interesting thing about Mr. Cathy is he has been true to his principles. As the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott) pointed out, he chooses not to operate his business on Sunday so that his employees can worship their God and enjoy their families. He is a member and deacon of the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro.

I got to know Truett Cathy through his involvement in education, not only at Berry College, but at multiple universities around the State. At the university that I had an opportunity to be on the faculty of at Georgia Southern, he was one of our strongest supporters. We have a Chick-Fil-A Room in our university where we teach marketing. His son Dan is a graduate of Georgia Southern; and he continues to be very, very active in education throughout our State and throughout our Nation.

As the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott) pointed out, he has the WinShape Foundation that operates long-term care programs for foster

children. He provides scholarships to Berry College, and he provides scholarships to employees of Chick-Fil-A, over $17 million worth of development and education scholarships. He believes in the youth of America. He believes that our future is in those individuals that will shape and mold and become the future leaders that we so desperately need.

I am indeed privileged to join the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott) and to join the rest of the Georgia delegation as we provide a tribute to the life and the accomplishments of S. Truett Cathy. I urge my colleagues in this body to join us as we vote today on H.R. 3029.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide an explanation for my absence during votes yesterday evening.

During yesterday's votes, I was traveling back to Washington from a Congressional Delegation trip to Iraq. I appreciate the opportunity to visit our troops serving overseas and to witness firsthand the situation in Iraq. Our delegation arrived into the Washington area after votes had concluded.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the mental health community of southeast Georgia celebrated a victory.

After the outgoing Human Resources commissioner proposed the closure of Georgia Regional Hospital in Savannah last month, the Georgia Board of Resources voted yesterday to keep this important hospital open.

Last month, I wrote the Governor with my concerns over the closure of Georgia Regional. I was deeply concerned that the decision to close the facility was made by only looking at the direct cost savings and did not include the services that this facility provides to southeast Georgia.

I was concerned about the additional costs that the region would incur due to the closure, as well as the difficulties that people with psychiatric and developmental disabilities and their families would endure.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the Georgia Board of Human Resources for agreeing to keep this necessary facility open in Savannah, Georgia.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to express my support for the Pence amendment to the supplemental appropriations bill.

Representative Pence has offered a reasonable amendment with a balanced approach to financing post-war operations in Iraq. This approach is fiscally responsible, as it withholds fifty percent of funding until certain conditions are met. It encourages Iraq to establish a democratically-elected government. It requires that fifty percent of funds be depleted before the remaining fifty percent may be tapped. And it requires the administration to report to the House and Senate on the use and success of funding dispersed of the initial fifty percent.

I support the President and his initiative in the rebuilding of Iraq, and I also believe that we must do it in a balanced manner. A combination of loans and grants is in the best interest of the American taxpayer, and also in bringing other nations to the table in the rebuilding efforts of Iraq.

Mr. Chairman, I support the supplemental appropriations bill because it is an investment. We must build on the accomplishments we have made in Iraq and help bring forth a democratic way of life for the Iraqi people.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks, the Medical College of Georgia, the U.S. Army Signal Center and the Southeast Regional Army Medical Command at Fort Gordon have joined together to train military and civilian personnel in disaster response, emergency medical response and emergency response coordination. I commend them for their efforts to develop the Training Center for Disaster Medicine Preparedness and a Disaster Response Simulation Center.

These three organizations combine to include world-class medical education facilities, faculty and advanced communications infrastructure, ensuring well-trained and prepared personnel in the event of a natural disaster or a terrorist attack serving not only east Georgia but indeed the entire Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I commend MCG and the Fort Gordon community for their efforts on behalf of our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for a bill that will be on the floor later this afternoon, H.R. 1276, the American Dream Down Payment Act. Good quality housing is crucial to the strength of our communities and our Nation. Today more Americans own their homes than ever before; yet despite this success, the lack of homeownership in some of our low-income communities has become a crisis.

For everyone to be able to live the American dream, we should look at providing programs that address the unique housing needs of all people. The goal of H.R. 1276 is to increase the ownership rate among minorities and to revitalize and stabilize our communities. For many low-income households, the down payment is one of the major barriers to homeownership. The American Dream Down Payment Act will benefit these families by helping them realize the American dream of homeownership.

I urge my colleagues to provide hope by supporting the gentlewoman from Florida's (Ms. Harris) bill on the floor today. Support H.R. 1276, the American Dream Down Payment Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my dismay with the recent remarks made by Presidential candidate Howard Dean. His remarks related to the U.S. role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Dr. Dean said that it is ``not our place to take sides,'' in this conflict. He could not be more wrong. We must as Americans support the only democracy in the region that deals with the ongoing battle of terror. I was in Israel just last month, and I saw firsthand the death and destruction of Hamas and the suicide bombers. They continue to inflict this tragedy on the country of Israel.

Edmond Burke said that ``all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.'' Dr. Dean would have us do nothing and allow evil to triumph over our friends and our allies.

His comments are out of touch and uninformed. I call on all of my colleagues in this body from both sides of the aisle to denounce his thoughtless words. Truly good men recognize that what he has said is simply wrong and that he should be reminded that it is always the place of the United States to take the side against terror.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a constituent from Augusta, Georgia. Joe Edwards, Jr., is an astronaut, an aviator, and a test pilot. He was awarded the United States Navy's only peacetime Distinguished Flying Cross for landing an open-cockpit F-14 Tomcat on his aircraft carrier with a broken arm and a blinded right eye in a feat described as ``the most daring feat of flying seen in peacetime or war.''

Mr. Edwards has an extensive career centered on military affairs and the execution of foreign policy. While there are many admirable accomplishments of Mr. Edwards, what is arguably the most significant part of his life is that he has taken his expertise and skill to improve the quality of science and mathematics education in America. Mr. Edwards serves as the chairman and CEO of the National Science Center in Augusta, which has a unique partnership with the United States Army. The primary mission of the center is to improve technical literacy and to encourage an interest in math and science careers.

Joe Edwards is a role model for students; Joe Edwards is a role model for us all. He has taken his passion for learning and is encouraging students to enrich their lives.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman for yielding. I join with the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston) and the entire Georgia delegation in honoring J.C. Lewis, Jr., by the naming of the post office on Abercorn Street in the 12th District of Georgia. As the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston) pointed out, Mr. Lewis seeks no recognition. A humble man, a servant of our community for decades, he was born in Savannah, Georgia; and throughout his life he has served Savannah and the low country and the rest of our State, his community, his country, and his God. He went to public schools in Chatham County and attended and graduated from the University of Georgia with honors. J.C. Lewis, Jr. is a true Bulldog. He later received the school's outstanding award as an alum. I am sure that was one of the proudest moments in his life.

After his university education, he acknowledged his patriotic duty. He served in the United States Navy. He continued to remain devoted to the U.S. military in his actions. One of the most significant things that he has done for our community is serve as chairman of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. He has also served as president of the Association of the United States Army and is a member of the Navy League.

After his education he returned to his childhood home in Savannah and, with his wife, Nancy Nelson Lewis, and their children, made it his home and his dream and his passion. He became the first Republican Governor in Georgia since reconstruction when he was elected as mayor of the city of Savannah. He is a successful businessman, serving as President and CEO of J.C. Lewis Enterprises. He is a devoted family man, a member and deacon of the First Baptist Church of Savannah.

But I think probably most notably that when most other Americans Mr. Lewis's age were retiring, he was just getting started. He was concerned about the rising problem of homelessness in the city of Savannah. He approached the Board of the Union Mission in 1985, nearly 20 years ago. He then purchased and donated facilities that provide for the care of both homeless men and women, and shelters are located there. He also funded a cancer program for the homeless, the J.C. Lewis Health Center, and he serves continuously as the honorary chairman of Union Mission's capital campaign as they seek in their mission to end homelessness in the city of Savannah, Georgia.

Throughout his life, J.C. Lewis has been a physically and personally devoted individual to helping and serving mankind, and I join the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston) and the rest of the Georgia delegation in supporting H.R. 2533 as just a very small way that we can thank Mr. Lewis for his service to Savannah, Georgia and to the 12th District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for America's museums and libraries. Libraries are the fundamental part of our society. In Georgia, 26.5 million patrons visited public libraries in 2002. They visited these libraries to check out materials, to use public access computers, access word processors, or the Internet, perhaps to attend free and fun learning activities with their families.

Later today, we are going to consider the Museum and Library Services Act. This bill will maintain the Congress's support for museums and libraries across our country. Georgia's public libraries need this legislation and the funding to continue to provide the best possible library services to meet the needs of local communities and to continue working toward a more educated Georgia.

I urge my colleagues to support the Museum and Library Services Act later today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide an explanation for my absence during three votes yesterday evening.

During yesterday's votes of roll Nos. 460, 461, and 462, I was en route to the Capitol from Savannah due to weather delays in the Washington area. Had I been present, I would have voted in the affirmative for each.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a true patriot. Yesterday America lost a man who will always be remembered as a hero. General Ray Davis lived a life of service and devotion to his country. Graduating from Georgia Tech as a naval officer candidate, General Davis served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam before retiring as a four-star general in 1972.

General Davis earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his leadership in the Korean War, in which he led a daring battle against an enemy which vastly outnumbered his Marines. General Davis and his men rescued two regiments that had been trapped for 5 days and then fought their way across 14 miles of enemy territory over 3 days to return to safety.

His heroism earned him medals, but it is his devotion to his country, the military, and his fellow veterans that we will remember most. General Davis was instrumental in the establishment of the Korean War Memorial and stayed involved in issues important to veterans and current military personnel.

On behalf of all Georgians in the Twelfth District, I offer my deepest sympathy to General Davis' family. He was indeed a true American hero.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this nation. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Georgia's Third Infantry Division proudly led the way to Baghdad. The road to Baghdad, however, presented substantial challenges and, unfortunately, some of these brave soldiers will not return.

Today, I acknowledge this Congress' deep appreciation for lives that were dedicated to the safety and security of our citizens. The soldiers epitomized the best of our country through courage, selfless service, and honor. Their lives will be remembered by family and friends; their service will be appreciated by us all.

I pay tribute to Mrs. Chanel Pedersen and her daughter of Savannah, Georgia, who lost her husband Sergeant Michael F. Pedersen in the Iraqi conflict.

I pay tribute to Mrs. Meighan Adamouski of Savannah, Georgia, who lost her husband Captain James F. Adamouski in the Iraqi conflict.

I pay tribute to Mrs. Maria Forey-Aitken of Savannah, Georgia, who lost her husband Captain Tristan N. Aitken in the Iraqi conflict.

I pay tribute to Ms. Annette Hale of Savannah, Georgia, who lost her stepson Captain Edward J. Korn in the Iraqi conflict.

I pay tribute to Mrs. Jenna Cosbey Kaylor of Savannah, Georgia, who lost her husband Second Lieutenant Jeffrey J. Kaylor in the Iraqi conflict.

I pay tribute to the stepchildren and niece of Sergeant Keman Mitchell, who live in Hephzibah, Georgia, and lost their father and uncle in the Iraqi conflict.

Mr. Speaker, many families and friends mourn the loss of these and other lives lost during Operation Iraqi Freedom. I express my condolences to their families and friends and thank them for their dedication to a grateful Nation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.