Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the retirement of Auburn University's 18th President, Dr. Jay Gogue.

Jay was raised in Waycross, Georgia, and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in horticulture from Auburn University before earning a doctorate in that field from Michigan State University.

In July 2007, Dr. Gogue returned to Auburn University to serve as the 18th president and has worked tirelessly to improve the academic strength of Auburn's student body.

Under his leadership, Auburn is implementing a strategic plan focused on enhancing student success, supporting faculty excellence, strengthening public engagement and promoting research, scholarship and creative work.

During his time as president, he has stayed connected with the students in the classroom and even teaches a graduate course in higher education administration where students learn university governance, leadership, budgeting and more. He enthusiastically worked in partnership with local and state officials to recruit new industry to the state of Alabama, creating jobs and economic opportunity.

In 2013, Dr. Gogue was selected for the Michigan State University Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2012, he was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor, a group of 100 Alabamians ``chosen for accomplishment or service greatly benefiting or reflecting great credit on the State.'' He also held a 2012 appointment to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's academic advisory council.

Other memberships include Phi Kappa Phi and Golden Key honor societies, Sigma Xi scientific research society and the National Society of Scabbard and Blade, the honorary military society for all branches of service.

Dr. Gogue began his career at the U.S. Department of the Interior, where he worked for 12 years. Prior to returning to Auburn, he held a number of academic and administrative positions, starting at Texas A&M University as an assistant professor teaching and conducting research in plant science. Dr. Gogue later served as vice president for research and vice president/vice provost for agriculture and natural resources at Clemson University and as provost at Utah State University. He was selected as president of New Mexico State University in 2000. In 2003, he was named president of the University of Houston and chancellor of the University of Houston System.

Jay and his wife, Susie, met in the 8th grade and married while they were both undergraduates at Auburn. They have three children, one grandchild and two dogs. They are remaining in the Auburn community and he will continue teaching a course in higher education leadership.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing my friends, Jay and Susie, best wishes on retirement. I thank him for his hard work and commitment to Auburn University.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Day Fly In. The first black combat aviation unit comprised of pilots and supporter personnel trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field.

The Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Day Fly In honors the Tuskegee Airmen, the widowers and family members of the Tuskegee Airmen and talented and enthusiastic individuals all focused on the goal of honoring the heroic Tuskegee Airmen.

In 1940, the military selected Tuskegee Institute to train pilots because of its commitment to aeronautical training, its facilities, engineering and technical instructors and its suitable climate for year-round flying.

In May of 1940, the first Civilian Pilot Training Program students completed their training. ``The Tuskegee Experience'' later grew to become a center for African-American aviation during World War II.

These brave airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most respected fighter groups of WWII paving the way for full integration of the U.S. military. The Tuskegee Airmen exemplify the State of Alabama's priority of Public Service Excellence.

This commemoration of their legacy comes directly from the efforts and determination of over 16,000 courageous men and women and recognizes the fortitude of these individuals to stand strong in the face of adversity.

Their accomplishments gave way to the continuation on a grand scale through the introduction of American youth to the world of aviation, technology, engineering and math through local and national programs and activities.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing today, May 19-20, 2017, as Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Day Fly In 50th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention to recognize the 50th wedding anniversary of Dean and Angie Wysner on May 5th.

Dean and Angie met at Woodland High School and dated only a short time before he enlisted in the Army. Dean was assigned and stationed in California and they were married after he had been gone for a year.

Dean and Angie have been blessed with three children: Deena, Chad and Lori. Additional blessings include their four grandchildren: Tanner, Abby, Brittany and Mason and great-grandchildren: Rayleigh, Kayleigh and AnaLeigh.

Dean is the son of Moulton and Josie Wysner of Graham, Alabama and graduated from Woodland High School in 1964. He worked in manufacturing after high school and then served as a Military Police in the Army. After his service, he went back to manufacturing for a few short years until he became a self-employed farmer and has continued for 45 years. He has served with the Farmer's Federation for 18 years advocating for the family farm and also served as a Randolph County Commissioner.

Angie is the daughter of Marvin and Earla Spradlin of Woodland, Alabama and graduated from Woodland High School in 1965. She worked in manufacturing after high school until having children and then working full-time on the family farm. Once the children had all graduated from high school, she began a career with the U.S. Postal Service as a Rural Letter Carrier which she continues today.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the 50th wedding anniversary of my friends, Dean and Angie Wysner.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th Anniversary of Woodland High School.

Woodland School was organized in 1917. It was the first consolidated school in Randolph County. It formed when Lamar, Cross Line, and New Site consolidated to form the school.

The original school building consisted of a hall and five classrooms. Ten grades were taught there until 1928.

The school will be celebrating the centennial with a ceremony on April 27, 2017. During the celebration, a time capsule will be sealed to be opened in 2042. Each grade will participate by contributing something for the time capsule.

Woodland High School is beloved by its community, and many of its teachers are alumni who have returned to give back to the community that built them up.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating Woodland's 100th Anniversary and in wishing them many more.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the change of command of Colonel Martine S. Kidd, the 34th Commander of the Anniston Army Depot.

Colonel Kidd enlisted in the Army Reserve as a Supply Specialist in 1989. She was commissioned as a Quartermaster Officer in 1994.

Her first assignment was to the 7th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, Illesheim, Germany, where she worked as a Supply Platoon Leader and Battalion S1, and later deployed to Operation Joint Endeavor. Next, she was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, holding several positions including Main Support Battalion S3, Company Commander, and Division Support Command S4. Later, she served as the Aide-de-Camp for the Commanding General of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, also deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kuwait and Iraq. In April 2007, she deployed as the Logistics Planner for the 3rd Infantry Division during the OIF Surge in Iraq. Afterwards, she was a Logistics Instructor at the Command and General Staff College, and was the Executive Officer to the Deputy Commandant/ Deputy Commanding General for the Combined Arms Center. In July 2010, she deployed again, serving as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Commanding General for Support, United States Forces-Iraq. In June 2011, she assumed Command of the America's East Battalion for the Defense Logistics Agency-Energy, in Houston, Texas. Later, she transitioned to Fort Belvoir, Va. working as the Executive Officer to the Commanding General of U.S. Army Cyber Command. In July of 2015, Col. Kidd became the 34th Commander of the Anniston Army Depot in Anniston, Alabama.

Among her awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, and the NATO Medal. In April of 2015, she was selected as a Distinguished Member of the Quartermaster Regiment.

Colonel Kidd is married to Justin E. Kidd who is an Assistant Professor at the Army's CGSC, a former U.S. Marine and a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Colonel Kidd on her change of command and wishing her the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize the birthday of Bee Swader Malone. She will turn 100 on March 30th.

Jessie Beatrice Swader Malone was born on March 30, 1917 in the Pine Grove community on Sand Mountain in DeKalb County, Alabama. Born to Robert and Addie Swader, she grew up on her parents' farm and attended school in nearby High Point and Valley Head, graduating from Valley Head High School in 1937.

Bee was working at J.C. Penney when she first met Marvin E. Malone, Jr., who worked in the shoe department there. They married and settled in Fort Payne, Alabama where Marvin worked for Southland Sox, Inc. They had three daughters: Kay, Ann, and Susan; and three grandchildren: Shannon, Oliver, and Halle; and now Bee is the great-grandmother of two girls: LizaBanks and Bea.

Bee and Marvin ran Malone Mills, a hosiery finishing mill in Fort Payne, for many years. First Presbyterian Church in Fort Payne honored her with a life membership for her active role there over many decades. Bee is still known in the church and far beyond for her excellent cooking, gardening, sewing, and handwork. She has voted in every single presidential election since she turned the legal voting age, which was then 21, and she was profiled in the Times-Journal last November for being one of the oldest registered voters in DeKalb County.

Bee still lives on her own today, in her house of almost 57 years on a hill overlooking Fort Payne. This month Bee will be celebrating her 100th birthday with a gathering of family and friends. Please join me in wishing this centenarian a very happy birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize the life of Colonel Albert W. ``Bill'' Jenrette who passed away on February 27th.

Colonel Jenrette was born on November 6, 1937 in Conway, SC. He attended the Citadel, and upon graduation, he became a career Army officer.

While he was stationed in Germany for the first time, Colonel Jenrette married Ursula Klauer. Together they had two children, Jennifer and Kevin. Tragically, Kevin was killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2009.

Colonel Jenrette served two tours in Vietnam. After his second tour, he became the JROTC Senior Army Instructor at Lyman ward Military Academy in Camp Hill, Alabama.

Colonel Jenrette received the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.

After retiring from the Army, Colonel Jenrette returned to Lyman Ward Academy as Commandant of Cadets. In 2007, after a brief stint in the private sector, he returned to Lyman Ward as President. Upon his retirement as President, Colonel Jenrette became Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Chancellor of the Academy at Lyman Ward.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the life and achievements of Colonel Bill Jenrette.

Madam Speaker, I rise to share my disgust and contempt for the former President's decision to commute the sentence of inmate Manning, formerly known as Bradley Manning. Manning's commutation was even opposed by President Obama's Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter.

According to press reports, after Manning released over 450,000 Army field reports and intelligence reports, plus over 200,000 diplomatic cables, the Taliban went on a killing spree--taking out everyone who seemed to fit the description of individuals working with the U.S. It was indiscriminate killing.

Madam Speaker, we are hearing the usual handwringing this morning from President Trump's critics about the impacts of his executive order on those who helped us in Iraq and Afghanistan. These individual voices would be much more credible if they had criticized President Obama for his irresponsible commutation of inmate Manning.

President Obama may be gone, thankfully, but we are still suffering from his irresponsible decisions. Change has finally come to America, Madam Speaker. Manning and other enemies of our Nation should be on notice.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize the birthday of Jack McConnell. He will turn 80 on February 7th.

Jack was born on February 7, 1937, to John Richard and Mary Heath McConnell in Lee County, Alabama.

Jack graduated from Beauregard High School in 1956. He later attended Columbus Technical College in Columbus, Georgia.

He used his technical skills as a mechanic and machinist at Perfect Plastics, Ampex Corporation and Uniroyal-Goodrich. He retired from Uniroyal-Goodrich in 1992 after twenty one years of service. After retirement he pursued his life-long dream of becoming a cattle farmer.

He is a lifelong member of Hopewell United Methodist Church and currently serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees, a position he has held for many years.

He was elected and served on the Lee County School Board for 6 years. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Lee County Cattlemen's Association and the ALFA Farmer's Federation Board of Directors.

Jack and his wife Carolyn reside in the Beauregard Community. They have six children, Jason McConnell, Judi McConnell, Jennifer Sanavitis, Norman Rudd, Rob Rudd and Angie Rudd and they have eleven grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the life and achievements of Jack McConnell and wishing him a happy 80th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the rule and passage of H.R. 393, to allow retired General James Mattis to become our Nation's 26th Secretary of Defense.

First of all, I would like to say that I believe civilian control over our military is one of the pivotal principles of our Republic. This body must ensure that our military leaders remain accountable to civilian authorities lest we put our hard-won liberties at risk.

That is why, before I decided to vote for this waiver, I had to answer two very important questions. First, does the appointment of James Mattis present any threat at all to the concept of civilian control of our military?

The answer is clearly no. James Mattis has demonstrated his openness as a straight shooter throughout his long career. I am confident he will continue to candidly face the problems in the Department of Defense and be a positive force for change.

It is James Mattis' record of reform-minded openness, his scholarly understanding of history and military matters, and his almost 4-year separation from defense interests, that assures me that this waiver, as a unique measure, poses no risk to civilian control of the military.

The second question, then: Is the appointment of James Mattis worth waiving the 7-year requirement?

The answer is clearly yes. The United States Armed Forces are at a pivotal moment in their history. After 8 years of neglect under this administration, our military has been brought to its lowest point in the past 4 decades.

James Mattis has the experience, knowledge, and leadership skills to rally the services while they rebuild for the next 4 decades. He will start on day one with a strong grasp of the challenges facing our military and with the ideas to meet those challenges. That is why I support this one-time waiver, which will allow James Mattis to serve as our Nation's 26th Secretary of Defense.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend, Dr. William A. Meehan, who has gone above and beyond in his service to my alma mater, Jacksonville State University. Dr. Meehan is retiring from his post as the president of JSU on June 30th, 2015, where his leadership and support will be sorely missed.

Dr. Meehan first enrolled at JSU as a freshman in 1968, completed his Bachelor of Science in biology in 1972 and in the same year began a career in education. In 1976, he earned his Master's of Science degree in biology at Jacksonville State University and the following year returned as an instructor in the Department of Biology. He received a Doctorate of Education in the field of higher education administration from the University of Alabama.

Among the positions Dr. Meehan held at JSU prior to becoming president were: Coordinator of Medical Technology Program, Director of Academic Advisement, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Associate Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Acting Vice President for Institutional Advancement. He assumed the position of president on July 1st, 1999.

Dr. Meehan's expansive vision for JSU included looking to the future while drawing on the strengths of the past. One of his primary goals has been to extend classrooms and remove barriers to a college degree. Through the use of Internet, the University is able to make classes and learning more accessible to those who work, or for other reasons may not be able to reside on or near the main campus. Under Meehan's leadership, JSU is working to move forward to allow education to be an opportunity to those who were previously excluded.

President Meehan has strived to ensure JSU's bright future; through partnerships with K-12 and community colleges, he has turned JSU into a campus in which education can be seen as a seamless process flowing from kindergarten through graduate school.

While overseeing the development of the University's first strategic plan, Dr. Meehan said that JSU more accurately accomplished the institution's mission through integrating traditional academic programs with career-oriented programs for students. His initiative for the future was founded upon the principle that education spurs economic development.

Dr. Meehan is also highly involved in the community. He has served as an executive committee member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of East Central Alabama, and is active in the area Chambers of Commerce of both Calhoun and Etowah Counties. Meehan is married to the former Elizabeth Stevens, and father to twin boys Drew and Will, and daughter Carol Grace. President Meehan is a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Alabama.

On April 3rd, 2015, there will be a community-wide event to honor Dr. Meehan and his family.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Dr. William Meehan for his tireless dedication to Jacksonville State University and the surrounding community. His exemplary service in education is an inspiration. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend, Major General (Ret.) Gerald G. Watson, in honor of his 80th birthday.

Watson graduated from Trinity University with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He was designated a distinguished military graduate and received a regular Army commission in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps. He went on to earn a Master of Science in logistics systems analysis from the Air Force Institute of Technology. His military education included the Artillery Officers Basic Course, the Chemical Officers Advanced Course, the Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College.

During Watson's extensive military career, he served as the first chemical operations officer in the Military Assistance Command in Vietnam, where he directed the U.S. Air Force ``Ranch Hand'' operations, involving the chemical defoliation program. Most of his missions were flown in a craft nicknamed ``Patches,'' due to the vessel having endured more than 500 direct hits from enemy ground fire. Under his leadership, the defoliation program successfully resulted in over a 90 percent reduction in ambushes from Vietcong forces in South Vietnam.

Watson directed the construction and operation of the first two large scale chemical weapons demilitarization facilities while serving as Commander of Rocky Mountain Arsenal. During this time, 7,000 tons of chemical warfare agents were successfully destroyed.

He oversaw the development of the Army's plan for the destruction of its biological weapons stockpile. Later, he served as Program Manager to see the plans be carried out and the biological weapons sufficiently eliminated.

In the office of the Army's deputy Chief-of-Staff for Operations, Watson spearheaded the re-establishment of the U.S. Army Chemical Corps while acting as Director of the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Operations Division. He also served as the Deputy Inspector General for the U.S. Army, where he contributed greatly to the Army's world-wide readiness.

Following that assignment, Watson was promoted to Brigadier General, and assigned as the Commandant, U.S. Army Chemical School where he was responsible for the development of the U.S. Army Chemical Corps' operational doctrine and material requirements. As Commanding General, he was responsible for the officer and enlisted personnel training activities to include the approval of the first chemical live agent training facility in the free world. During this time, he was responsible for conducting officer and enlisted basic and advanced training for approximately 3,000 officers, 25,000 NCOs and enlisted personnel per year.

Selected to be the Director of the Defense Nuclear Agency in 1989, Watson was responsible for conducting underground nuclear weapons tests to determine the equipment and personnel's survivability and vulnerability to withstand the environment created by nuclear weapons.

Watson served as General Manager and President of Teledyne-Commodore LLC after retiring from active duty. From 1998-2009, he acted as senior advisor to the Vice President for Research at Auburn University. He has served on the Board of Directors of Science Engineering Services, Inc., as well as the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Calhoun County. General Watson has also completed his third term as a member of the Vestry of St. Michael's and All Angels in Anniston, Alabama.

Currently, he continues to serve as a senior consultant in a range of issues including domestic preparedness, fuel cell technology, chemical and biological sensors, automotive manufacturing technology and canine olfactory technology. Watson is engaged in support of areas relating to the domestic preparedness of first responders and to acts of terrorism involving weapons of mass destruction.

Although his birthday is on February 19th, a surprise celebration will be held on February 21st at Classic on Noble in Anniston, Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating Major General (Ret.) Gerald Watson on this milestone, and thanking him for his outstanding service to our country.

Madam Chair, on rollcall No. 32 I was unable to get to the well before the 2 minute vote closed. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a very special occasion--the 40th wedding anniversary of Kenneth Wesley Jones and Susan Diane Young Jones.

Ken was born on September 6th and Susan was born on November 15th both in 1955. The two met while attending Oxford High School. Mr. Jones was 18 years old and Mrs. Jones was 17 years old when they started dating. After eight months together, they got engaged on April 4th, 1974 and were married eight months later at Coldwater United Methodist Church at three o'clock in the afternoon on December 7th, 1974.

Ken was an athlete in high school and played basketball, baseball, football and was a member of the wrestling team. He even earned a scholarship to play baseball. Susan was involved in fashion and design and was Miss Oxford. She also earned a scholarship for fashion design. Susan owned a clothing boutique and made clothes. Instead of going to college, the couple decided to stay in Oxford, Alabama, so they could begin their love story.

The Jones are blessed with two children and four grandchildren: John Wesley (Wes) Jones who was born on April 4th, 1980 and Kasi Louise Jones who was born on March 16th, 1982. Wes is married to Amanda Mullinax Jones and they have twin daughters Kayleigh and Kensley. Kasi is married to Samuel Duke Brown and they also have twins, Talon and Sophia.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating this lovely couple on 40 years together.

Mr. Speaker, I would like take a brief moment to recognize the life, service and dedication of Mr. Bret Knapp. After a life of public service in our national laboratories, Bret passed away a few weeks ago at the too-early age of 56. This exceptional man spent 33 years working within our nuclear weapons laboratories, and leaves a lasting legacy of exceptional leadership, technical depth and--most notably--open, honest and straightforward communication.

An engineer by training, Bret thrived at the two ``physics'' labs often dominated by physicists and scientists. During 26 years at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Bret led programs in all manner of defense and nuclear technologies and contributed to efforts that dealt with all phases of nuclear weapons research, development, sustainment, certification, and dismantlement. Bret's broad experience and technical horsepower enabled him to dig into the details of any program and his direct and straightforward manner was always seeking solutions.

Bret received multiple awards for excellence from the National Nuclear Security Administration during the course of his career, and in 2006 was asked to move to LLNL's sister laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), to help lead its nuclear weapons program. In November 2013, Bret was selected to serve as the Acting Director of Lawrence Livermore. Under his leadership, both LANL and LLNL carried out their critical but often-unheralded nuclear security missions for the nation.

My condolences, and that of the nation, go to his family as well as his professional family at the national labs. Bret will be missed, but his contributions to our country will endure.