Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to pay recognition to the Reeltown High School football team in Notasulga, Alabama, which recently won the 2009 Alabama 2A State Football Championship.

On December 4th, the Reeltown Rebels defeated Clay County High School by a score of 16-8 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Rebels finished the season with a record of 14-1.

The Reeltown Rebels are coached by Jackie O'Neal, and the school's principal is Tom Cochran. I'd like to congratulate the football team, coaches and high school students and staff on this outstanding achievement. All of us across Tallapoosa County and East Alabama are deeply proud of these talented young Alabamians.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a real American Hero, SPC Craig C. Smith of the 172nd Infantry Bgd 9th Eng from Montgomery County, Alabama. On April 5, 2009 in Iraq, after an IED blast, he almost lost his life . . . but did lose his leg. His battle to overcome his next victory is a lesson to us all. A lesson about faith and courage, and rebuilding his life. Along the way his mother, Rosanna Smith, like so many other mothers and parents have helped their sons and daughters with their unending support. I ask that this poem penned by Albert Caswell of the Capitol Guide Service be placed in the Record to honor him.

A Strong Son of the South

On battlefields of honor bright . . .

There are but those who must win that

fight . . .

Who must march so bravely off to war . . .

To bare the burden, and all of that heartache endure . . .

Armed but with only their most courageous hearts, they soar .

. .

While, there in the face of dark evil and death . . .

As they so boldly fight with all that they so have left!

From where does such strength and courage so come?

And how do you raise such a magnificent Southern Son?

A Strong Son of the South, this fine one!

From but a family of love . . .

And a fine Mother, who but holds her son so very high above .

. .

Sweet Home Alabama, this one she loves!

And in times of war . . .

There are new battles, that these fine heroes and families

must now endure . . .

When, in the midst of hell . . . as close to death, your fine

heart so swells . . .

As you lose your fine strong leg, will you win this new

battle?

As it's for him we pray!

For only armed with hearts of courage

full . . .

Will over evil, and heartache so rule!

For you Craig, were once the one . . .

Who like a deer, could so run . . .

Jump so high with all of your speed . . .

A sheer Tour De force, but for his country he would bleed!

You're A Bama!

That can't be stopped!

With your heart of a hero, Craig you'll climb this mountain .

. . but to the top!

For you got a life to live, and so much to our world to give

. . .

For our Lord God put's men like you upon this earth . . .

Fine men like you, in all your worth . . .

To Teach Us, To Reach Us, To All of Our Hearts, To So Beseech

Us!

Freedom Fighters, in our Lord's eyes . . . Heroes like you

Craig so come first . . .

And if ever I have a son, I but hope and pray he could grow

up to be like you fine one!

A Strong Son of the South . . .

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1517 to correct the hiring status of approximately 30 Customs and Border Protection officers stationed overseas under the wrong hiring appointments.

I appreciate the opportunity to stand in support of this legislation in the place of Ranking Member Peter King, the Republican sponsor of the bill.

H.R. 1517 grants special authority to the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection to noncompetitively convert about 30 CBP employees mistakenly hired under an overseas limited deployment to permanent status stationed at the overseas pre-inspection posts.

CBP operates pre-clearance stations at 15 foreign airports where travelers to the U.S. are able to undergo entry inspections before boarding their planes. This initiative facilitates travel while adding an important security benefit.

Unfortunately, this hiring error, if not addressed, could force these employees to transition into locally hired staff, much like Foreign Service nationals at embassies, or to return to the United States and compete for domestic CBP positions. Through no fault of their own these employees are now facing the problems with their employment status due to a mistake made years ago when they were initially hired. The Congressional Budget Office analysis shows no significant impact from this legislation, as these are existing employees who only need a category adjustment to their employment records.

I would like to highlight and express appreciation for the bipartisan manner in which this legislation was developed. Congressman Engel and Ranking Member King worked together to develop this bill, and both Chairwoman Sanchez and Chairman Thompson sponsored this bill as it moved unanimously through our committee.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. At this time I would urge Members to support the bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the First Responder Anti-Terrorism Training Resources Act.

H.R. 3978, which I introduced last month, ensures that first responders who train at East Alabama's Center for Domestic Preparedness have access to even better training resources. As many here know, the Center for Domestic Preparedness, located in my district in Anniston, Alabama, delivers one-of-a-kind training to America's emergency responders. It's our Nation's premier all-hazards training center. It's also the only federally chartered weapons of mass destruction training center in the Nation. Responders from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories have trained at the CDP. In fact, this year the CDP celebrated its 500,000th graduate.

Like other first responder training centers, often the CDP receives offers of donations, such as railcars, trailers, and emergency response equipment, to assist their training courses. However, since the CDP's activities are conducted under the 9/11 Act of 2007 rather than the Stafford Act, the CDP lacks the legal authority to accept donations that could further training resources.

My bill fixes that problem. It amends the 9/11 Act so that the CDP may accept donations of property and services for antiterrorism and training activities. It's a win-win for our first responders, the taxpayer, and this important east Alabama training facility.

I would like to thank my good friend from Texas (Mr. Cuellar) for supporting this bill and holding a markup in the subcommittee last month. I would also like to thank the full committee chairman, Mr. Thompson, for holding a markup in the full committee.

I urge my colleagues to support this important measure.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to pay recognition to the special life of Ruby Hartley Barton of Talladega, Alabama.

Mrs. Barton was born on December 15, 1911 in Georgia to James and Victoria Hartley. Mrs. Barton's father died while she was a baby, and her mother raised her and her six brothers and sisters. Mrs. Barton grew up in a farming and textile family.

She was married to the late B.W. Barton for over 50 years and was blessed with two sons, Charles D. Barton and Larry H. Barton and one daughter, Edith Barton Bishop. Mrs. Barton now has three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Mrs. Barton worked at Bemis Mills for close to 40 years and has spent her life serving God

and volunteering in her church as a Sunday School teacher, choir director and pianist.

On December 15th, her friends and family will celebrate her birthday in her room at Talladega Health Care in Talladega. Today I would like to wish Mrs. Ruby Hartley Barton a very Happy 98th Birthday.

Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to pay recognition to the Piedmont High School football team in Piedmont, Alabama, who won the 2009 Alabama 3A State Football Championship.

On December 3, the Piedmont Bulldogs defeated Cordova High School by a score of 35-28 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa,

Alabama. The Bulldogs finished the season with a record of 13-2.

Piedmont High School is located in northern Calhoun County, and their Bulldogs are coached by Steve Smith. The principal is Jerry Snow.

Congratulations to the Piedmont County High School Bulldogs football team, coaches, staff, and high school. All of us across Calhoun County and east Alabama are proud of these young people for their outstanding achievement.

Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to pay recognition to the Cherokee County High School football team in Centre, Alabama, which recently won the 2009 Alabama 4A State Football Championship.

On Decemer 3, the Cherkoee County Warriors defeated Jackson High School by a score of 31-24 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Warriors finished the season with a record of 15-0, making them the only undefeated team in the state.

The Warriors are coached by Tripp Curry, and the school's principal is Doug Davis. I'd like to congratulate the football team, coaches and high school students and staff on this outstanding achievement. All of us across Cherokee County and East Alabama are deeply proud of these talented young Alabamians.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3980, sponsored by my good friend from Texas (Mr. Cuellar) who I'm pleased to serve with on the Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response Subcommittee.

Since 2006, Congress has mandated FEMA to measure the Nation's level of preparedness, as well as the effectiveness of State and local homeland security grant programs administered by FEMA. Both the Post- Katrina Reform Act of 2006 and the 9/11 Act of 2007 require FEMA to develop metrics that can be used to identify and close gaps in preparedness with homeland security resources. These include the Comprehensive Assessment System, the Target Capabilities List, and the State Preparedness Report.

Unfortunately, the various preparedness metrics developed since 2006 have not been properly integrated by FEMA, resulting in duplicative reporting requirements that put an undue burden

on State and local governments. State and local homeland security grant programs are essential to achieving and maintaining preparedness capabilities, and they can be strengthened and improved with input from stakeholders and the establishment of sound performance metrics.

This bill seeks to improve the way grant programs are administered and managed by FEMA, and will ensure that Congress is informed of the ongoing planning at FEMA for improving measures of preparedness and eliminating duplicative requirements placed on grantees.

I urge my colleagues to support the measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 28, sponsored by my friend and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). We know the Nation's surface transportation systems are designed for accessibility and efficiency, making them vulnerable to terrorist attack. When hardening the transportation sector from terrorist attack, we must construct and finance a system of deterrence, protection and response that effectively reduces the possibility and consequences of another terrorist attack without unduly interfering with travel, commerce and civil liberties.

In the 9/11 Act of 2007, Congress mandated that DHS take certain steps to ensure the security of our Nation's public transportation systems. More than 2 years later, a number of mandates have gone unmet by the department, and this resolution expresses the sense of Congress that DHS should actually implement those mandates. It is time for DHS to move beyond the transportation sector-specific plans that identify and evaluate risk, to implementing risk reduction measures.

This resolution resolves that TSA should continue to enhance the security of mass transit and rail transportation systems, continue the development of the canine explosive detection program, and enhance on- line training programs. The resolution also takes special note that more attention is needed for school transportation systems.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to vote for this, and yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to pay recognition to Althea Thompson Thomas of Montgomery, Alabama.

Mrs. Thomas currently serves at Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church as the church's organist. In June of 1955, she was hired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and from her unique vantage point seated in the organ pit, she was able to witness his sermons each Sunday with an up close and personal view of the pulpit.

Mrs. Thomas is an accomplished composer, musician, artist, writer and educator. She has written and arranged musical pieces throughout her life and published musical compositions including four musical dramas, eleven books of piano works, three books of organ works and 25 choral works.

She has served as organist for several churches and her artwork has been exhibited across Alabama and the Southeast.

Over the years, she taught band, choral music and art in the Montgomery Public Schools and taught art, organ, piano, music theory and appreciation at Alabama State University and Alabama State Laboratory High School. She most recently worked at Alabama State University as an Adjunct Professor. Since 1982, she has taught piano, organ, wind instruments, percussions and guitar at the Thompson Legacy Studios (House of the Arts).

She is the daughter of the late H.O. Thompson and the late Faustine Hilliard Thompson. She is married to Wiley Thomas, Jr. and the mother of 6 children.

Mrs. Thomas has touched the lives of children and adults alike through her teaching, and I commend her for her dedication. I congratulate her on being honored at Dexter Avenue Memorial King Baptist Church for her contributions to the arts.

Madam Speaker, I respectfully request the attention of the House to pay recognition to an important day for the Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City, Alabama.

This important Veterans facility opened November 30, 1989, and was named after William ``Bill'' Nichols, who was instrumental in making Alabama's first state veterans home a reality. Congressman Nichols, a World War II Veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1966 and served until his passing in December of 1988.

The Bill Nichols State Veterans Home is a 150-bed skilled nursing home for our Veterans, and because of its excellent quality of care, has well over 100 Veterans awaiting admission. To date, over 1,500 of our heroes have resided there.

The Bill Nichols State Veterans Home was awarded the 2009 Quality Award from the American Health Care Association for its commitment to continuous quality improvement in long-term care. On November 30, 2009, the facility and its proud employees will host a 20th Anniversary Celebration program followed by a luncheon and open house.

I would like to congratulate this facility, its proud employees and the community for reaching this important milestone. These Alabamians are shining examples of dedication for the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform and I wish them all the best at this important occasion.

Madam Speaker, I respectfully request the attention of the House to pay recognition to an important day in the lives of two constituents and friends of mine, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Raisanen.

On December 4, 2009, Rick and Molly Raisanen will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Rick was born on November 27, 1939, and his wife, Molly, was born on July 7, 1940.

The couple met at the skating rink at Fort McClellan. They married on December 4, 1959 at Centurion Chapel at Fort McClellan.

Over the years, Rick and Molly have been blessed with two children, Keith and Kelli; and four grandchildren, Molly Kristen, Olivia, Emma Grace and Braden. Rick retired from Bell South and Molly retired from Jacksonville State University.

On Saturday, December 5, the couple along with their family and friends will celebrate their anniversary at Saks Baptist Church.

I would like to congratulate my friends, Rick and Molly, for reaching this important milestone in their lives. They are shining examples of love and dedication for us all, and I wish them and their family all the best at this important occasion.

Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to pay recognition to the memory of Dr. Walter C. Bowie of Tuskegee, Alabama.

For many years, Dr. Bowie served as the Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University. Known as ``the Dean of Deans,'' Dr. Bowie was and is considered by many to be a mentor, friend, respected colleague, and a gentleman.

Dr. Bowie held a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Cornell University and completed post-doctoral studies at the University of Michigan.

His 63-year tenure at Tuskegee University included positions as teacher, scientist, department head, administrator, associate dean, and dean emeritus. Dr. Bowie served as president of the American Association of Veterinary Physiologists and Pharmacologists, and the Alabama Heart Association. Dr. Bowie was among the founders, and later served as president, of the Association of Minority Health Professions Schools.

Dr. Bowie passed on October 25, 2009. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Cornelia (Connie), daughters Sibyl, Carolyn, and Colleen; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.

While Dr. Bowie will be sorely missed, his legacy will live on in the students he taught at Tuskegee University.

Mr. Speaker, I have reviewed this bill, and it is a jobs killer.

Before I came to Congress, I was a small business person. I know what is to start small businesses and to run them, and I know how difficult it is to sustain those jobs.

This Congress, the Democrat majority, rather than trying to find ways to help the people who are struggling with unemployment right now and to help small businesses create jobs, is finding a way to hinder them by penalizing employers who can't afford to provide health insurance for their employees.

If we want to make sure they have access to health insurance, let's find ways to allow association health plans, to allow people to buy health insurance across State lines to get costs down, to pass tort reform, and do other meaningful things that make access more practicable.

But first and foremost, let's don't kill jobs in an economy that's already struggling with 10 percent unemployment. And that's what this bill does.

It's time for this Congress to get out of the way, to stop job- killing and start trying to help small businesses create new jobs.

Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to pay recognition to the memory of James Anderson of Salem, Alabama.

Mr. Anderson was born on December 12, 1969, and grew up in Smiths Station, Alabama. Mr. Anderson was married to Corinna and blessed with two children, Kristopher and Kelli, and a grandson, Jason James. Mr. Anderson loved Alabama football and Columbus Cottonmouth hockey.

Mr. Anderson served our community as a deputy for the Lee County Sheriff's Office. On September 24, 2009, Mr. Anderson was intentionally and tragically struck by an automobile during a traffic stop. He was transported to Columbus Medical Center where he, despite best efforts, later passed away.

He will be sorely missed, but remembered as a man who gave selflessly for his fellow Alabamians. Let us continue to pray for his loved ones at this difficult time.