Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask for the House's attention today to honor Mr. James ``Pappy'' Dunn.

James ``Pappy'' Dunn was born in Georgia, and was married to the former Barbara Lawson, of Talladega, Alabama. Together they had five children (Jimmy, Claudette, Bertis and Anrae) and one grandchild.

In 1939, after earning a bachelor's degree from Alabama State University and a master's degree from Fisk University, Pappy began his career in education as a teacher and coach at Hobson City's Calhoun County Training School. During this time he served in World War II and oversaw the school's integration. In 1973, he was elected as the Alabama Education Association's second black president. Students remember him as someone who defined servant leadership. In 1986, Mr. Dunn retired as the school's principal.

After his retirement from education, Pappy was elected to the Calhoun County Commission. It was here that he was named ``The Anniston Star's'' Citizen of the Year in 1997. In 2005 he received the SCLC Calhoun County Chapter Humanitarian Award, and in 2008 he received the Association of County Commissions of Alabama Award for Outstanding Contribution to County Government.

Mr. Dunn was involved in numerous other organizations. These include the National Association of Counties' Health Steering Committee, the Anniston-Calhoun County Fort McClellan Joint Powers Authority, the East Alabama Regional Planning Commission, the Epsilon Delta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Community Action Agency, the Salvation Army, and the American Red Cross.

Mr. Speaker, I honor Mr. Dunn today and thank him for his dedication to Alabama's Third District.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a very special occasion today--the 60th wedding anniversary of Kyle Austin and Orelee Clements Kirby.

Mr. Kirby was born in Halls Chapel, Alabama on February 1, 1932 and Mrs. Kirby was born in Blue Mountain, Alabama, on November 30th the same year.

They were married on September 8, 1952 in Columbus, Mississippi and from there moved to Springfield, Massachusetts. They later moved where Mr. Kirby was stationed at Hickham Air Force Base, Tennessee, and to Florida. They currently reside in Anniston, Alabama.

The Kirbys have raised four children, and have 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. They will have an event in Anniston on August 25th to celebrate this milestone.

I salute this lovely couple on the 60th year of their life together and join their family in honoring them on this special occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize Colonel Timothy Sullivan who will have a change of command from Anniston Army Depot in August.

Sullivan received a commission as an Ordnance Officer in 1988 after graduating from Jacksonville State University. He later earned a Master of Science Degree in Information Systems Management from Florida Tech University in 2001 and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Air War College, Air University in 2010.

His previous assignments include Platoon Leader, 503rd Maintenance Company, 530th S&S Battalion, 1st COSCOM; Platoon Leader and Shop Officer, Charlie Company, 782nd Maintenance Battalion, 82nd DISCOM, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; Company Commander, 520th Maintenance Company, 194th Maintenance Battalion, 23rd Area Support Group, Camp Humphrey's Korea; Operations Officer and Brigade Executive Officer, 59th Ordnance Brigade, Redstone Arsenal, Ala.; RTD Team Chief, 351st Infantry Battalion, 158th Infantry Brigade, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla.; Support Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer, 13th Corps Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.; APMS, Auburn University Army ROTC; Commander, 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division; Chief, Logistics Division, Special Operations Command, Joint Forces Command (SOCJFCOM), SOCOM, Suffolk, Va.; and, most recently, graduate of the Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.

While at Anniston Army Depot, he safely helped execute millions of direct labor hours while helping overhaul and maintain our nation's critical combat equipment. His hands-on leadership for the workforce helped ensure our nation's military was provided the best possible equipment available to keep them as safe as possible while allowing them to accomplish their vital mission.

Mr. Speaker, we will miss Colonel Sullivan in Anniston, but wish him the very best.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize Sandra Uptagrafft. Sandra will participate in the 2012 Olympics in London.

Uptagrafft, of Phenix City, Alabama, is a Petty Officer 1st Class in the United States Navy Reserves. This will be her first time as an Olympic athlete when she shoots in the women's 25m sport pistol and 10m air pistol events.

Uptagrafft's husband, Eric, will also be participating in the 2012 London Olympics. The couple will celebrate their anniversary while in London on August 5th.

Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to Sandra and best wishes to her and her husband in the Olympics and a happy anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize Sgt. 1st Class Eric Uptagrafft. Eric will participate in the 2012 Olympics in London.

Uptagrafft, of Phenix City, Alabama, is the rifle instructor for the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. He competed in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics finishing 30th. Uptagrafft spent seven years engineering a new rifle with gunsmiths and through the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit's custom firearms unit.

Uptagrafft's wife, Sandra, will also be participating in the 2012 London Olympics. The couple will celebrate their anniversary while in London on August 5th.

Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to Eric and best wishes to him and his wife in the Olympics and a happy anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize Aretha Thurmond. Aretha will participate in the 2012 Olympics in London.

Thurmond, of Opelika, Alabama, qualified for her fourth Olympic team, becoming 16th U.S. woman to do so. Aretha is known as one of the most consistent American throwers over the past decade.

In 2007, she returned to compete only 18 days after giving birth to her son, Devon Theoppolis. Thurmond will be participating in the 2012 London Olympics discus throw.

Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to Aretha and best wishes in the Olympics.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a very special occasion today--the 50th wedding anniversary of Thomas Reeves and Carolyn Finley Smith.

Thomas Reeves Smith was born on October 31, 1939, in Lineville, Alabama to John William and Velma Reeves Smith. His wife, Carolyn Finley Smith, was born on October 8, 1940, in Anniston, Alabama to Claude and Nile Finley. Dr. and Mrs. Smith were married on June 23, 1962 at First United Methodist Church of Weaver. Together they raised two children, Alicia Ann Smith Simmons, married to Steve Anson Simmons, and Thomas Reeves Smith, Jr., married to Jill Valocik Smith. They have three grandchildren, Lindsey Marie Smith, Thomas Reeves Smith, III and Mia Liane Smith.

Tom is a retired Methodist minister and retired Colonel in the United States Army for which he served as a Chaplain in Viet Nam and throughout the U.S. and Europe during his career of service. Carolyn worked in civil service, for government contractors and in higher education throughout her career.

Tom and Carolyn are active members of First United Methodist Church of Anniston in Anniston, Alabama. On June 23, 2012, a reception was held in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary with approximately 300 of their friends and family members in attendance. I salute this lovely couple on the 50th year of their life together and join their family in honoring them on this special occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize a special organization that is near and dear to me, The United Way.

The United Way Worldwide is the leadership and support organization for the network of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 45 countries and territories. In East Alabama, we are home to three different United Way locations--The United Way of Lee County, The River Region United Way and The United Way of East Central Alabama.

United Way focuses on helping people reach their full potential in education, income and health while also encouraging volunteerism and service. June 21st is United Way's Day of Action and June 28th is the official United Way Founders Day.

The United Way of East Central Alabama, in particular, is a special organization to me because I had the honor of working there from 1982 to 1986 as the Director of their Dislocated Worker Program. I saw and participated first-hand in the organization's efforts to help laid-off workers go back to school for retraining.

Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to this organization that has touched so many lives and offer a very happy 125th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill and urge all of my colleagues to vote for it.

I also want to congratulate my friend and colleague from Alabama, Chairman Aderholt, for all his hard work on this bill.

He has shown the American people how to craft a bill that is strong on homeland security, helps protect us from terrorist attacks, funds vital programs and grants, and does so in a fiscally responsible manner by spending almost $500 million less than last year.

The bill helps protect our borders and prioritizes funding for immigration enforcement. It provides critical grants funding for our first responders, our heroes on the frontline of attack or disaster.

For transportation security, the bill takes on TSA's bureaucratic mess. It cuts $61 million from TSA managerial overhead. It caps full- time screening personnel at 46,000, and it emphasizes the private sector's role in airport security screening operations.

Importantly, it does not increase any fees that would fall on the traveling public, which would threaten jobs in the aviation industry.

I know firsthand of Chairman Aderholt's dedication and leadership on these issues. I also know of his commitment to reducing wasteful spending and restoring fiscal sanity in Washington. Again, I commend my friend and colleague from Alabama and his fine staff for their hard work and dedication and urge all my colleagues to vote for the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize the 50th wedding anniversary of James and Mary Brewster.

James Harvey Brewster was born on January 6, 1939, in Ohatchee, Alabama. Mary Emma Smith was born on March 17, 1943 in Ohatchee, Alabama. On June 2nd in 1960, James and Mary were united in marriage in Calhoun County.

James worked for 21 years before retiring with Alagasco Gas Company in Anniston and Mary stayed at home raising their family. They had six children, three boys and three girls: Gregory Lynn Brewster, Paul Harvey Brewster, the late James Rossie, Janice Denise Tillman, Connie McKinzie Redwine and Sharron Redwine.

They are also blessed with 11 grandchildren and 16 great grand- children. James is an Auburn Tigers fan while Mary cheers for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Brewster on this milestone and wish them many more happy years together.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention to pay recognition to the Oxford High School Yellow Jacket baseball team in Oxford, Alabama, who recently won the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 6A State Championship.

This is the first State Championship for the Oxford baseball team after coming in as runners up in 1978, 1989 and 2009. They are led by Head Coach Wes Brooks.

All of us across Calhoun County and East Alabama are deeply proud of these talented young Alabamians. I'd like to congratulate the

team, their coaches and Oxford High School on this outstanding achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize the 125th anniversary of Parker Memorial Baptist Church in Anniston, Alabama.

Parker Memorial Baptist Church was founded on July 3, 1887, in Anniston, Alabama, and has faithfully shared the love of God with the city of Anniston and Calhoun County.

The beautiful Worship Center that was constructed in 1891 is one of the best known landmarks in downtown Anniston. It stands majestically along one of the busiest streets in the city, proclaiming to both residents and visitors that faith in God is a hallmark of the city.

The beauty of the physical structure serves as a testimony to the love and ministry of the people of Parker Memorial who have given, and continue to give, of their time, talents and resources to touch lives in the Anniston area and across the world.

In three different centuries, the congregation at Parker allowed the teachings and love of their Lord to transform lives and give a message of hope to a needy world.

On July 1, the Parker Memorial Family will gather to commemorate their 125th year of ministry. Former pastors, leaders and members will join the present Parker Family to express appreciation for the past and to affirm a new vision for the future.

Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to Parker Memorial Baptist Church on this milestone and encourage them to continue their outstanding service to Anniston.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention to pay recognition to the Saks High School Lady Wildcat's softball team in Saks, Alabama, who recently won the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 3A State Championship.

Pitcher Taylor West along with her teammates was able to pull off a perfect game to clinch this year's championship title. This is the first State Championship for the Lady Wildcats. They are lead by Head Coach Mike Tucker.

All of us across Calhoun County and East Alabama are deeply proud of these talented young Alabamians. I'd like to congratulate the team, their coaches and Saks High School on this outstanding achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to honor Christopher T. Jones as he retires from the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, Alabama.

Dr. Jones joined the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as Superintendent for the CDP on August 3, 2008.

He began his public service career with the Department of the Army Medical Command, following successful completion of active duty as a U.S. Naval Medical Service Corps officer. Dr. Jones then served as Deputy Under-Secretary of Defense (Environmental Security) liaison to the U.S. Public Health Service's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, where he worked collaboratively with Federal and State agencies addressing high-risk public health issues arising from releases of military compounds, to include weapons of mass destruction components and military munitions.

Dr. Jones earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences from Fairmont State College and a Master of Science degree in Occupational Health from West Virginia University. Additionally, he holds an MBA from Florida Institute of Technology, with an emphasis in federal procurement and earned a Doctorate of Education from George Washington University's Executive Leadership Program. He graduated in 2010 from the Executive Leadership Program, Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School. He's a member of the Academy of Management and a recipient of The Surgeon General of the Army Commander's Award for Civilian Service.

As Superintendent for the CDP, Dr. Jones brought leadership to workforce, operational and contracting challenges. Dr. Jones greatly helped in achieving the mission of the National Training Program and institutionalizing the CDP as the Nation's premier first responder training center in the United States. A native West Virginian, Dr. Jones is married with three children.

Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to Dr. Jones and thank him for his outstanding service to our community and our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask for the House's attention today to honor Mr. Oscar T. Kadle.

Oscar T. Kadle was born April 2, 1921 in Four Mile, Alabama. He married Martha Brooks on February 22, 1958 and they have always lived in the Saks community. He was drafted into the Army in 1941 first stationed at Fort McPherson, Georgia and then Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, for boot camp. He left Fort Bliss and went to Hawaii on his way to the South Pacific where he served his country during World War II.

Oscar took part in the invasion of Saipan in 1944. After Saipan he was sent to Iwo Jima. In 1945, he was on a ship headed for mainland Japan for an invasion there. The ship was stopped before arriving in Japan, and the soldiers were left sitting in the ocean for two days waiting for orders. The first Atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima at this time. Oscar's ship was ordered back to Iwo Jima. The war ended not long after this and Oscar was headed home to be discharged from the Army at Fort Shelby, Mississippi.

After returning home Oscar went to work for Seven Up Bottling Company for 25 years. He left Seven Up to go into the plumbing business and later went to work for Davis & Daniels Construction where he worked for 15 years until his retirement.

Oscar was very active in the construction of Harvest Media Center in 1995 and later in the construction of the Harvest Church of God Sanctuary. He was saved in 1985 while he was driving back home from a job in Tuscaloosa. Oscar started attending Harvest Church of God in 1985.

Mr. Speaker, I honor Mr. Kadle today and thank him for his outstanding service to our country.