Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 65th birthday of Dr. Kenneth ``Buddy'' Vandervoort.

Dr. Vandervoort was born to Harold and Ken Vandervoort in New Orleans, Louisiana. He graduated from Guntersville High School and went on to graduate magna cum laude from the University of Alabama.

He received his medical degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham where he was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

Dr. Vandervoort works as an orthopedic surgeon at Anniston Orthopedic Associates. He is past chief of the medical staff at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center and is a director of The Surgery Center in Oxford.

He currently serves on The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama System, representing the Third Congressional District. He is a founding board member of Noble Bank and Trust and is a past president and lifetime board member of the Calhoun County YMCA. He is also an involved member of Anniston First United Methodist Church and works with Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Buddy enjoys athletics and is a two-time Ironman triathlon finisher.

He was married to the late Martha Smith Vandervoort and blessed with three children: Lucile, Kenneth and William. He and his wife, Walton, have nine grandchildren and reside in Anniston, Alabama.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Buddy and wishing him a happy 65th birthday.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of FirstState Bank.

In late 1968, Mr. J.B. McCord, Gen. Robert Duke, Mr. J.O. McCain and Mr. Don Hogan worked with attorney Mr. T. Reuben Bell to create a local bank to serve their community.

FirstState Bank first opened in 1971 as First State Bank of Lineville. A few years later, the bank changed to First State Bank of Clay County. As the bank grew, another location was added in Wedowee and the name was changed to what it is today, FirstState Bank.

The original organizers include: Mr. J.B. McCord, Mr. Bill Ogle, Mr. L.D. Walker, Mr. Bernard Spurlin, Mrs. Bessie McCrary, Mr. Robert Howell, Ms. Nina Faye Bonner, General Robert W. Duke, Mr. Grover Bearden, Mr. W.W. Young, Mr. Don Hogan, Mr. Lester Proctor, Mr. Charles Taylor and Mr. J.O. McCain.

Johnny Appleby was the first employee hired by the bank and worked there until his passing in 2019.

Today, FirstState Bank is thriving under the leadership of President and CEO Steve Foster.

The bank serves both Clay and Randolph Counties.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the 50th anniversary of FirstState Bank.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule.

For 4 months, Republicans have demanded to know the President's plan to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies and conduct counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan. For 4 months, they have told us: ``We are working on it.''

Well, now it is clear they never had a plan. The President's abject failure to plan is endangering the lives of thousands of American civilians and our allies in Afghanistan.

Reports have been rolling in for over a week of Americans being assaulted or having to hide from Taliban thugs while they wait for a rescue. Afghan allies are being brutalized and killed by these terrorists as they desperately try to get inside the gates of the Kabul airport.

And that is just those lucky enough to be in Kabul. Thousands of Americans and Afghan allies are still stranded hundreds of miles away from Kabul with little hope of rescue.

Now comes an ultimatum from the terrorists that if our forces don't withdraw by next Tuesday, they will start shooting.

What is the response from the majority? Well, Speaker Pelosi brought us back to Washington, but not to deal with this dire situation in Afghanistan. No, we are here today to vote on a partisan, $4 trillion giveaway to the radical left; a bill that doesn't include a single dollar to rescue Americans or our allies from Afghanistan or even a single penny on national security.

I have to wonder what the majority is thinking. Instead of this partisan exercise, I urge the majority to work with us to hold the President accountable and save Americans and allies still in Afghanistan.

Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the retirement of Colonel Marvin Walker today as Commander of the Anniston Army Depot.

Colonel Walker earned his undergraduate degree from Dillard University and his graduate degrees from the U.S. War College and Webster University. He is also a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, the Joint Combined Warfighting School, and the United States Air War College.

In 1996, Colonel Walker received his commission in the Ordnance Corps. During his illustrious career, Colonel Walker held leadership posts around the world in defense of our Nation to include command at the company and battalion level. Colonel Walker repeatedly served our Nation in combat, deploying to Kuwait once, Iraq twice, and commanding the 3-401st Army Field Support Battalion in Afghanistan.

He has received numerous awards and decorations in service to our Nation--including the Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters--but no amount of awards could capture the valor, bravery, and commitment he has provided to our Nation, nor the incalculable debt we owe back to him.

Colonel Walker has served honorably as the 36th commander of the Anniston Army Depot since July 2019, where he has overseen an annual $850M operating revenue in support of Warfighter readiness and has led a workforce of 3,000 personnel. He has earned the respect and admiration of all those serving at the Depot and led with great fidelity to our Nation, It is a great privilege to call the Anniston Army Depot part of Alabama's Third District, and a tremendous honor to have had Colonel Walker commanding the post.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Colonel Walker on his retirement and distinguished service to the Anniston Army Depot, the United States Army, and our Nation.

Madam Speaker, my colleagues from Alabama and I are heartbroken to mourn ten lives cut tragically short in a multivehicle crash in Alabama on June 19, 2021.

Among the victims we mourn are eight children who were part of the Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch. The ranch's mission is to provide Christian, family-style residential homes for Alabama's needy, neglected, or abused, school-age children.

We also ask for prayers for the ranch's director who sustained injuries in the crash.

The countless success stories from the Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch program are a testament to the leadership and community they have built over more than five decades.

The victims' families, and our entire community, is devastated by this loss, but comforted in the knowledge that they are now in the loving arms of Jesus.

I thank my colleagues for joining me here today to show support for a loss that has rocked our whole state. Please continue to pray for those lives lost and those still recovering.

Mr. Speaker, let me start by saying that this argument that we have to get rid of the AUMF is just ridiculous. We pass the National Defense Authorization Act every year. We have passed it every year for 60 consecutive years. If we don't want to authorize something we are doing militarily, we can stop it at any time. So this is a false argument that we have to do this to be able to prevent what we are doing in Afghanistan or Iraq or anyplace else.

But with regard to this specific bill, this is a bad deal for our national security and the safety of American servicemembers overseas. Since the liberation of Iraq, the murderous Iranian regime has armed proxy organizations to kill Americans and innocent Iraqis.

Iran has armed proxy militias with small arms, mortars, rockets, and now sophisticated UAVs that can avoid base defenses. The Obama and Trump administrations both used the 2002 AUMF to target terrorist threats originating from Iraq.

Threats like ISIS and militias backed by Iran have killed and injured American servicemembers and contractors. This bill would repeal the 2002 AUMF and offer nothing in its place; no authorization to mop up ISIS forces or whatever movement comes next; no authorization to target Iranian proxies whose sole goal is to destabilize Iraq and kill Americans.

This bill only offers the illusion of withdrawal. Like President Biden's

failing Afghanistan strategy, it does nothing to change the reality on the ground in Iraq. The threats we face today will remain, and American commanders will be forced to face those threats with one fewer tool than they had the day before.

Repealing the 2002 AUMF without a replacement only undermines our national security. It offers no real solution to the issues.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 20th anniversary of the incorporation of Smiths Station.

Smiths Station was first settled in 1738. The Central of Georgia Railway extended a train line through the community, using it to connect Opelika, Alabama and Columbus, Georgia.

Shortly after this, the name of Smiths was decided on to honor the memory of Broadus Smith, a prominent settler who once lived in the community. The area is now known as Smiths Station.

Smiths Station existed as a ``bedroom community'' and a convenient halfway spot between the Auburn-Opelika and Columbus-Phenix City metropolitan areas.

After years of advocacy and hard work, a group of Smiths Station residents helped push for a successful vote to incorporate Smiths Station on June 22, 2001. Later that year, LaFaye Dellinger was elected as the City's first Mayor, serving in the position from 2001 until 2016. Current Mayor F.L. ``Bubba'' Copeland was elected in 2016 and ran unopposed in the 2020 municipal election. The current City Council consists of Place 1 Council Member George Stringer, Place 2 Council Member Morris Jackson, Council Place 3 Member Steve Lansdon, Place 4 Council Member Richard Cooley and Place 5 Council Member Victoria Green.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the 20th anniversary of the incorporation of Smiths Station.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th wedding anniversary of Otis Maxwell James, Jr. and Sue Ann Wilkins James who were married on June 6, 1971.

I recognize this 50th Anniversary on behalf of Manu and Cassidy Sharma.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the James and wishing them a happy 50th wedding anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 65th wedding anniversary of Reverend Loren C. and Elouise Sutton who were married on June 8, 1956.

Rev. Sutton serves as Pastor Emeritus and Senior Pastor at Airview Church of God in Opelika, Alabama.

The Suttons were blessed with four children, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Loren and Elouise and wishing them a happy 65th wedding anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Anniston High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team on their recent 4A state title.

The Anniston team beat Booker T. Washington-Tuskegee 54-52 in Birmingham at CrossPlex's Bill Harris Arena, clenching the state title.

This marks the school's first state title since 2009.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the Anniston High School Boys Basketball Team. Congratulations to Coach Torry Brown and the Anniston High School staff and students. Go Bulldogs.

Madam Speaker, I rise to bring attention to Jim Patterson's column being read by the late Rush Limbaugh.

When friends called to tell Alabamian Jim Patterson that Rush Limbaugh was reading

his column for The Hill to his radio audience, Patterson thought it was a joke.

Later, Patterson found the transcript and audio of the broadcast on Mr. Limbaugh's website. Patterson listened to the biggest name in Talk Radio read his work, ``Congress Must Lead on Security as Obama is Irrelevant.'' Jim Patterson remains greatly flattered that El Rushbo read his Alabama Dittohead's work to his 50 million listeners. I include in the Record the original column below:

Congress Must Lead on Security as Obama Is Irrelevant

(By Jim Patterson, Jan. 14, 2015)

Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize Phil Webb and the 75th anniversary of Webb Concrete.

In 1946, Garth Webb started Farmers Supply Company in Heflin, Alabama. It began as a seed, fertilizer and hardware business and later a ready-mix concrete, sand and gravel company. In 1980, Phil bought the company from his father, Bobby. Since then, Phil has grown the company and added a flooring division in 2006. Today, the company offers materials to complete a project from the foundation to completion.

Webb Concrete serves East Central Alabama in six locations and has showrooms to give customers a first-hand look at everything Webb Concrete offers.

In addition to growing his family company, Phil is best known for his service to his community. He is involved on the board of directors for many organizations including Alabama Power, Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders, also, serving as its Governmental Affairs Advocacy Vice-Chair, Calhoun County Home Builders Association, University of Alabama President's Cabinet and Capital Campaign Cabinet, JSU Foundation, JSU School of Business & Industry, Calhoun County Economic Development Council, NobleBank & Trust, The Donoho School, The Right Place and McClellan Development Authority, where he also serves as Chairman.

He is both a board member and past chairman of the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, YMCA of Calhoun County and Knox as well as a member of the Calhoun County Quarterback Club and Anniston Rotary Club. He previously served on the Habitat for Humanity board and has donated materials for a new Habitat home.

Phil serves as Finance Chairman for the Alabama Republican Party and a board member and past Chairman of the Board for the Greater Alabama Council Boy Scouts of America. He also serves on the board of directors for the Business Council of Alabama and ProgressPAC, the Alabama Workforce Council and Nick's Kids Foundation. He is currently a member of Leadership Alabama and on the Selection Committee for the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Phil for his service to the people of Alabama and join me in recognizing the 75th anniversary of Webb Concrete.

Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize

the life of Juanita Varnado Pierce. She passed on February 7, 2021 at the age 83.

Juanita (affectionately called Neat) was born to the late Howard and Maggie Lee Varnado and grew up in McComb, Mississippi. Her early education was at Pike County High School in McComb. She graduated high school at 15 and attended Henderson Business College in Memphis, Tennessee. She graduated from Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, in 1974 with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and from Auburn University with a Master's in Early Childhood Education in 1975.

She started teaching 2nd grade at Dean Road Elementary School in Auburn, Alabama, in August of 1975 and taught 2nd grade for 17 years. After completing her Administration Certification from the University of Alabama, she was hired as the Assistant Principal at Dean Road Elementary in the Fall of 1992 and became Principal in Fall of 1996. She retired in the Fall of 1998. As a retired educator, she volunteered throughout Tuskegee in the local school system reading to young children. To ensure all children had access to books, she founded the Bookmobile which was a remade bread truck she purchased and drove it throughout Macon County giving free books to children. Continuing in her passion of educating and reading, Juanita established the S.M.A.R.T. (Science, Math, Art, Reading and Technology) Camp in 2005. Funded by grants and donations, this free two-week camp was started at Washington Chapel A.M.E. Church with approximately 40 students and today is held at George Washington Carver Elementary School due to the large size of participants.

Juanita was a devoted member of Washington Chapel A.M.E. Church. After joining in 1960, she started teaching the pre-school Sunday School class and remained the teacher for nearly 50 years. She served in the Cathedral and Gospel Choirs, the Stewardess Board and Steward Board.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Booker T. Pierce, Sr.; her sisters Patricia Varnado and Artis Varnado; and a brother, Charles Varnado. Remaining to continue her legacy are her three children, Booker T. Pierce, Jr. (Nashville, TN); Vincent B. Pierce (St. Louis, MO) and Lisa (Bernard) P. Grant (Alexandria, VA); two grandchildren, Nicholas Bernard Grant (Newport News, VA) and Dominque Pierce (Pompano Beach, FL); her sister Lottie (Harrison) Varnado-Williams (Diamondhead, MS) and one brother Howard Varnado, Jr. (Milpitas, CA); two brothers-in-law, Fletcher (Sylvia) Pierce (McCormick, SC) and James Pierce (Montgomery, AL), two sisters-in-law, Cebell Miller (Griffin, GA) and Roxanne Pierce (Bessemer, AL); and a host of devoted cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Juanita's memory. She was a humble servant who gave willingly and unconditionally to everyone she encountered. She will be missed by her family, friends and the Tuskegee Community.

Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize Mrs. Rudene McCoy. Mrs. McCoy turned 92 on December 21, 2020.

Rudene was born in Chambers County, the daughter of L. L. and Ruby Aaron. She was raised in Lanett and is a graduate of Lanett High School. Rudene earned her B.S. degree in nursing from the University of Georgia.

Rudene had a tremendous career as a registered nurse in the area of cardiology. She was mentored by renowned cardiologist, Dr. Robert Copeland, and served as his chief cardiac nurse for over 30 years. Based on her outstanding patient care, she was named Chambers County Nurse of the Year and received numerous accolades from the Georgia Heart Clinic.

In addition to her profession, Rudene was devout in her support of her family, church and the City of Lanett. She is a life-long member of the United Methodist Church of Lanett where she taught Sunday School, served on Administrative Board and was named Woman of the Year. Rudene also co-chaired the Centennial Committee that planned and prepared Lanett's 100-year celebration in 1995.

Rudene has been known as First Lady and First Mother of the City of Lanett. Her husband, Pete, was a longtime Councilman and Mayor for the City. Her son Kyle is the current Mayor of Lanett; her daughter Valerie is a registered nurse like Rudene; and her son Skip is the County Attorney for Chambers County.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Rudene for her service to the people of Lanett and Chambers County and join me in wishing her a very happy 92nd birthday.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 90th birthday of my dear friend Margie Aileen Little Rigby.

Margie was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and moved to Richmond, Virginia, when she was seven years old. After high school, Margie attended Trinity College in Clearwater, FL where she met her adoring husband, John William Rigby. Margie and John married and moved to Smiths Station, Alabama, where Margie still lives, surrounded by the joys of her life--her two kids, four grandchildren and two great- grandchildren.

Margie and John married in Richmond in 1952, where they began their 65 years of ministry, inspiring others and helping to spread God's word, and ended their illustrious journey in 2010 at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Smiths Station, Alabama. John was diagnosed with cancer a month later and battled the disease for seven years before being welcomed in God's arms in 2017.

Although Margie enjoyed being a schoolteacher, accountant and business owner, she felt most at home as a minister's wife. She taught children's church, new members, classes and Sunday school to so many people. Her spiritual gifts are teaching and writing, and she was a wonderful pastor's wife to many churches.

What stands out most to many who know Margie is her God-given ability to help many in the ministry who needed the assistance in navigating the challenges of being a pastor's wife. For many years, she taught others how to minister to those who have lost loved ones, who are going through tough times and how to grow in their faith. Margie overcame difficult times herself, raising her children for nine years as John traveled the nation preaching God's word. Her exceptional children and loving family are a testament to her goodness and resilience as a mother, and they would be the first to call her a Hero.

Madam Speaker, please join me, and so many adoring others, in celebrating Margie Aileen Little Rigby's 90th birthday.