Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize Randy Wilkes who was named Alabama Superintendent of the Year.

Randy serves as Phenix City Schools Superintendent and was given the honor at the School Superintendents of Alabama 2018 Fall Conference at the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa in Florence, Alabama. He was chosen out of over 130 superintendents.

The Phenix City Schools have made much progress under his leadership including a rising graduation rate and the highest math ACT score in the system's history.

Randy is a graduate of Goshen and Troy University and the son of Gerald and Juanita Wilkes.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Randy Wilkes on this deserved honor.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Central-Phenix City High School football team for winning the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 7A football championship.

The Red Devils defeated Thompson 52-7 in the championship game in December played at Jordan-Hare Stadium at Auburn University. The Red Devils had a perfect season going 14-0 under Coach Jamey DuBose.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating the students and faculty of Central High School, the coaches, the players and all the Red Devil fans on this exciting achievement. Go Red Devils.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Central-Clay County High School football team for winning the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 5A football championship.

The Volunteers defeated Vigor 43-42 in the championship game on December 6th played at Jordan-Hare Stadium at Auburn University. The Volunteers brought home the program's first ever state title.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating the students and faculty of Central-Clay County High School, the coaches, the players and all the Volunteer fans on this exciting achievement. Go Volunteers.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Chairman Thompson, in strong support of H.R. 251, the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program Extension Act. This bill reauthorizes the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program, more commonly known as CFATS, for 2 more years.

CFATS began as a program aimed at keeping dangerous chemicals out of the hands of terrorists. In recent years, it has grown, in large part, due to partnerships between the Department of Homeland Security and industry stakeholders working to identify high-risk facilities and ensuring appropriate security measures are in place to mitigate these risks.

The current CFATS authorization expires January 18, and swift action is needed to make sure there is no lapse in this program.

I believe this program has achieved its purpose in making Americans safer by helping chemical facilities secure dangerous substances. Mr. Speaker, I support this reauthorization and urge my colleagues in the Senate to also act with the urgency required to prevent this program from expiring.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus), my friend and colleague, and a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

(Mr. SHIMKUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life of Rev. Dennis Wayne Wood.

Dennis served in the United States Army Military Police Corps for 21 years and retired as First Sergeant. He was married to Judy for 53 years and was blessed with three daughters: Kim, Lori and Misty and nine grandchildren.

Dennis owned and operated American Awards in Anniston, Alabama, for over 30 years. He served as pastor of several churches in Calhoun County and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Weaver. Dennis served as a deacon there and one year as chairman of the deacons. He taught Sunday School, lead the Operation Christmas Child Program at the church and served as a volunteer chaplain at Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the life of Rev. Dennis Wayne Wood.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life of Rebecca May Wood Stringer Holbert.

She was born on April 6, 1929, in Decatur, Alabama. Her father relocated his dental practice in 1936 and moved his wife and six children to a former boarding home on South Jackson Street in Montgomery. In 1937, she joined Dexter Avenue Baptist Church.

Her early education began at Alabama State Laboratory High School and Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, North Carolina. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Montgomery. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1956 and

Master of Education, AA certification, in 1973 from Alabama State University.

As an educator, she taught at North Highland School, Prattville Intermediate School and Autauga County Training School System. She later taught at Central Alabama OIC under the leadership of Mrs. Consuella Harper.

As an active member of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, she was a member of the Young Matrons under the pastorate of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., the sanctuary choir, The Red Circle, a Sunday School teacher, The April Club and Vacation Bible School for over 50 years.

She was involved in Les Voguettes and ISTAP (I Support the Athletic Program) at Alabama State University.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the life of Rebecca May Wood Stringer Holbert.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life of Edgar David Gross, WT2c Navy Reserve.

Edgar was born on October 25, 1902 in Athens, Alabama. He was the youngest of 10 children born to George and Susan Gross.

Edgar was married to Anne Pearl Gross and did not have any children. Edgar was a water tender 2nd class (WT2c) in the U.S. Naval Reserve and served aboard the USS Oklahoma (BB-37).

He was killed on December 7, 1941, during the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The USS Oklahoma was moored at berth F-5, outboard of the USS Maryland, at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor when attached by Japanese forces. The USS Oklahoma suffered multiple torpedo hits which caused it to capsize. 429 sailors and Marines were killed, including Edgar. Only 32 men were saved.

In 2003, the POW/MIA Accounting Command disinterred the first casket of unknowns from the USS Oklahoma to identify. The remainder of caskets were disinterred until 2015 and Edgar's remains were identified officially on November 3, 2018.

A funeral and burial ceremony for Edgar will be held on Memorial Day 2019 at Cherry Grove Baptist Church in Athens followed by his burial at the family cemetery, Evans Cemetery.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the life of this brave American hero who is finally coming home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 65th wedding anniversary of William Harold and Billie Jo Brown Guthrie of Oxford, Alabama.

They were married on November 1, 1953 at First Baptist Church of Oxford. Harold was in the Navy and came home on leave for the wedding and returned immediately to San Diego, California.

Harold retired from the Navy Reserve as Lieutenant Commander after 25 years and from Anniston Army Depot after 30 years.

Billie Jo was a house wife and she and Harold raised three daughters. They've been blessed with one grandson and five great-grandchildren.

The Guthries have lived in Oxford their entire 65 years of marriage and have been faithful members of Meadowbrook Baptist Church for over 50 years.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the 65th wedding anniversary of Harold and Billie Jo.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 95th birthday of Mildred Newman.

Mildred was born on November 11, 1923 in Louisville, Kentucky.

She and her husband Charles moved to Piedmont, Alabama from Kentucky and later to Oxford, Alabama. In 1958, they took their life savings and opened the Oxford Lumber Company. Mildred continues to be an integral part of the operation today.

This year, as we celebrate Mildred's 95th birthday, we also celebrate Oxford Lumber's 60th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the 95th birthday of Mildred Newman.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the 60th Anniversary of Oxford Lumber.

In February of 1958, Charles W. and Mildred L. Newman founded Oxford Lumber as a business supply company at 4th and Barry Streets in Oxford, Alabama.

Mr. Newman moved to Piedmont from Kentucky and then to Oxford in 1958. He took his savings and started the company and had his wife, who was a Registered Nurse, join the business soon after. To this day, Mrs. Newman is still an active part of the business and serves as Secretary/ Treasurer of the company.

In 1988, Oxford Lumber moved into its present facility at 1400 Barry Street on the corner of Highway 78 West.

In 1963, they joined Ace Hardware Corporation and put in a full line of hardware, paint, plumbing, electrical and tools. Since then, they founded three other home centers: Roanoke Home Center in 1973, Talladega Home Center in 1998 and Jacksonville Home Center in 2007.

This year, as we celebrate Mildred's 95th birthday, we also celebrate Oxford Lumber's 60th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the 60th Anniversary of Oxford Lumber and congratulating them on years of success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Chief Thomas Lewis ``Tommy'' Thompson, Jr. on his retirement from public service with the Jacksonville Police Department.

Tommy began his career as a law enforcement officer with the Jacksonville Police Department under the command of Chief J. Ross Tipton in October 1971. In July of 1974, he earned his first promotion to Sergeant later rising to rank of Lieutenant in April of 1977.

In June of 1988, Tommy was appointed as Chief of Police at Jacksonville Police Department and has served in that role ever since.

Tommy is married to Diane and has two sons: Thomas L. Thompson, III and David R. Thompson. He has also been blessed with two grandchildren: Dylan Thompson and Baylee Thompson.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Chief Thompson and thanking him for his steadfast service to the City of Jacksonville.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Talladega Hall of Heroes Museum.

The Talladega Hall of Heroes Museum is located in downtown Talladega in the old 1870's Wood-Weaver Shoes building donated by the late Robert Weaver to be used for this museum.

The building houses a collection of Veterans memorabilia as well as an exhibit for First Responders, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

The Talladega Hall of Heroes Museum also provides several community education and outreach programs.

The vision for the Hall of Heroes began in 2004 and was housed at the Armstrong-Osborne Public Library.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the Talladega Hall of Heroes Museum.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life of Pvt. James L. Disspain.

Pvt. Disspain of Lincoln, Alabama, served in World War I. He died on September 13th in France--just two months before Armistice Day.

September 13, 2018 will mark the 100th anniversary of his death. On September 11th, the City of Lincoln will proclaim a day in his honor and have a wreath laying ceremony at his gravesite on September 12th.

Family members will present an `honor quilt' in Pvt. Disspain's memory that honors the 11 members of their family who have served in the military from World War I to Vietnam. The quilt is centered around Pvt. Disspain and his ultimate sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the life of this brave American hero, Pvt. James L. Disspain.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 70th birthday of Barbara Pitts.

Barbara was born on October 10, 1948 in Tuskegee, Alabama. She is a two-time graduate of Auburn University. In 1972, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and in 1974, a Master of Science in Education. She is founder and charter member of Kappa Upsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. It was chartered at Auburn University on January 12, 1974.

Barbara is the proud mother of Christopher Pitts and has been blessed with two grandchildren: Zaire and Chad Pitts.

Barbara is a member of Bell Missionary Baptist Church in Auburn where she has served in many roles. She is also founding member of Alabama New South Coalition and currently serves as Vice President of the Board.

On Saturday, October 6, 2018, her friends and family will surprise her with a birthday gathering.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Barbara's life and wishing her a very happy 70th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 90th birthday of Marcus D. Moreman.

Marcus was born on October 13, 1928 in Waverly, Alabama. After finishing high school in Auburn, Alabama, he went into the Army as a private in 1945 at the age of 16.

In 1950, he finished at Auburn University and was recalled into the Army during the Korean War. During his service in Korea, he received a direct commission as 2nd Lieutenant. Later in the Army, he attended the Command and General Staff College and Army Language School where he learned to speak Russian.

In 1968 through 69, he served as a Battalion Commander and a Brigade Executive officer in the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany.

Marcus served two tours of duty in Vietnam as an infantry officer and received a number of combat awards to include the Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnamese Silver and Bronze Star medal for gallantry, four United States Bronze Stars medals for Valor, five Air Medals, the Legion of Merit and two Army Commendation medals. He planned and participated in 62 helicopter combat assaults on North Vietnamese forces and was shot down twice during these operations.

He retired from the Army in 1971, and served as Commandant of Cadets or Senior Army Instructor at Lyman Ward Military Academy until 1991. After leaving Lyman Ward, he returned to Waverly and served as mayor from 1991 to 2000.

Marcus is a member of Waverly Methodist Church, Waverly Community Club, American Legion and a former member of the Waverly Town Council, Waverly Planning Commission and Chamber County Development Authority.

On October 20th, family and friends will gather to celebrate his birthday at The Moreman Home in Waverly.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing Marcus a very happy birthday.