Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a group of young people in my Congressional district from Alexander City, Alabama.

On July 19, 2004, the Alexander City All-Stars traveled to Atmore and won their second straight state baseball championship. I am particularly proud of these talented young people for their accomplishments, and especially proud to note the team's unique accomplishment of winning back-to-back state titles.

The names of the youths who earned this achievement are as follows: Trey Bennett, Griff Gordon, Dylan Johnson, Larry Kemp, Douglas Kimbrough, Thomas Lutz, Elliot Mahan, Clay Phillips, Timothy Phurrough, Luke Smith, Gage Whiteard, and Levi Wilson. Their coach is Marlin Smith.

As the House goes about its business today, let us remember these gifted young people for their accomplishments, and congratulate them on this remarkable and memorable occasion. They are indeed All Stars for our community, and I am proud to acknowledge them in the House today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. C.O. Grinstead, who will celebrate his 35th year as pastor to the congregation of Trinity Baptist Church, in Oxford, Alabama, on June 27, 2004.

During these 35 years, Dr. Grinstead has participated in evangelistic meetings and revivals in 43 countries around the world and served as music evangelist for the Tom Williams Evangelistic Ministries. He was moderator of the Southwide Baptist Fellowship, and he is now on the board of the Alabama Christian Education Association. Dr. Grinstead was instrumental in beginning Trinity Christian Academy, a Christian school of over 300 students, and two Christian radio stations reaching 24 counties.

Dr. Grinstead was born in Gary, Indiana, and in 1962, graduated from Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He received his doctorate from Florida Bible College in 1989, and then served as Associate Pastor of Victory Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida for over seven years before moving to Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join the congregation of Trinity Baptist Church as they

honor Dr. Grinstead for his commitment to their church and its congregation.

Mr. Speaker, the Reverend Al Jackson, pastor of Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn, Alabama, celebrates his 25th year in service to the congregation this year. On July 4, the congregation will hold a special celebration to commemorate this milestone, and honor a man who has given so much back to our community.

Born on October 26, 1948 in Florala, Alabama, Samuel Alto Jackson, Jr. has lived a long and prolific life in the ministry. In 1971 he graduated from Samford University and went on to earn his Masters of Divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his Doctorate of Divinity from the Fuller Theological Seminary in 1985.

Reverend Jackson has served many congregations during his lengthy career, including First Baptist Church in Florala; First Baptist Church in Selma; Carolina Baptist Church in Andalusia; Bethel Heights Baptist Church in Gatesville, Texas; and since 1979, Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn as its Pastor.

Reverend Jackson has also helped train ministerial students, and has served on the Board of Samford University. In addition, he has traveled around the world on mission trips, and is widely recognized in the Southern Baptist Convention for his teachings and his accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Rev. Al Jackson on this important day, and I thank the House for their attention in honoring a man who has lived his life as a shining example for us all.

Mr. Speaker, the Reverend Al Jackson, pastor of Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn, Alabama, celebrates his 25th year in service to the congregation this year. In May, the congregation held a special celebration to commemorate this milestone, and honor a man who has given so much back to our community.

Born on October 26, 1948 in Florala, Alabama, Samuel Alto Jackson, Jr., has lived a long and prolific life in the ministry. In 1971 he graduated from Samford University and went on to earn his Masters of Divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Doctorate of Divinity from the Fuller Theological Seminary in 1985.

Reverend Jackson has served many congregations during his lengthy career, including First Baptist Church in Florala; First Baptist Church in Selma; Carolina Baptist Church in Andalusia; Bethel Heights Baptist Church in Gatesville, Texas; and since 1979, Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn as its Pastor.

Reverend Jackson has also helped train ministerial students, and has served on the board of Samford University. In addition, he has traveled around the world on mission trips, and is widely recognized in the Southern Baptist Convention for his teachings and his accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Reverend Al Jackson on this important occasion, and I thank the House for its attention in honoring a man who has lived his life as a shining example for us all.

Mr. Speaker, on May 7, 2004, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama held a ceremony to recognize the beginning of production on its second line of vehicle assembly. This event highlights Honda's growing commitment to Alabama through investment, job creation and economic development. It emphasizes the jobs created by the expansion as well as the jobs created by the suppliers who have moved to the South, many of them in Alabama.

Honda opened its first assembly line in Lincoln in November 2001. One year later, Honda began construction of the second assembly line. A $425 million capital investment, coupled with the initial expenditure, brought Honda's investment in Alabama to more than $1 billion. The result is 4,300 high quality, good paying jobs and a doubling of the plant's initial production capacity to 300,000 vehicles and engines by the end of 2004. Honda's Pilot SUV will join the Odyssey as the two products manufactured at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama.

The new assembly line was built adjacent to the existing facility and will mirror the current facility's operations with synchronous body and engine assembly under one roof. Operations for stamping, plastic injection molding, die-casting and machining of engines and engine assembly have been increased at the existing facility to supply both assembly lines.

The jobs created at HMA are competitive in the industry, providing quality compensation and benefits. Honda had three objectives when it came to Alabama. First, it wanted to build a plant using the company's flexible manufacturing system. Secondly, it wanted to hire and train associates with no automotive experience. Finally, Honda wanted to employ associates using advanced technology and materials. The startup of the second assembly line at the Lincoln facility is testament to the success of these objectives in Alabama.

Congratulations to Honda and its associates for their many achievements, and thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the House's attention today on this important matter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Girls Softball Team of Alexandria High School in Calhoun County, Alabama. On May 15, 2004, these young ladies won the 4-A Girls Softball State Championship.

Congratulations to Amy Brown, Whitney Burt, Stevie Smith, Hollie Henderson, Allie Barker, Anna Pitts, Lindy Baird, Whitney Hurst, Haley Henderson, Hali Lash, Jordan Brown and Alyssa Brown. Thanks to Coaches Brian Hess and Toni Duncan for their leadership and the support of Manager Sara Borders and Bookkeeper Donya Barker.

I know that Calhoun County, Alabama, and the entire Third District share with me their best wishes for this accomplishment. Only through hard work, dedication and a team effort could this be achieved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, relief from skyrocketing prescription drug prices is finally on its way.

Beginning in June, Alabama seniors previously without prescription drug coverage should begin to see savings of between 10 and 25 percent on their medications. For example, seniors who previously paid $100 per month for one prescription could now pay as little as $75 per month under this new 100 percent voluntary plan. These same seniors could now see savings of up to $300 per year just on this one medication; and for low-income seniors, even more help is on the way.

Thanks to a $600-per-month credit, 21,400 seniors in my congressional district should see an additional assistance with their drug bills. What is more, Alabama seniors will soon be eligible for important new features like diabetes screening and a free welcome-to-Medicare physical.

The legislation makes important new investments in our rural hospitals and clinics as well. These investments will help improve the health for all of our seniors, as well as all of our families and children.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Eunice W. Johnson, a nationally known business leader and humanitarian. On May 2, 2004, she will address the 129th Commencement Exercises at Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama.

Eunice Johnson is a graduate of Talladega College with a B.A. degree in sociology and a minor in art. She grew up in Selma, Alabama, where her father, Dr. Nathaniel Walker, was a physician, and her mother, Mrs. Ethel Walker, was the principal of the high school and taught education and art at the college level at Selma University. Following graduation from Talladega College, Eunice Johnson earned her Master's degree in social work from Loyola University in Chicago. She also studied journalism at Northwestern University and interior decorating at the Ray School of Design.

Mrs. Johnson is the secretary-treasurer of Johnson Publishing Company, Inc., which was founded by her husband, John H. Johnson, in 1942. Johnson Publishing Company publishes Ebony and Jet magazines and is the largest Black-owned publishing company in the world. Since 1961, she has been producer and director of Ebony Fashion Fair, the world's largest traveling fashion show, which has donated over $49 million to the United Negro College Fund and other African-American charities. Out of her involvement in Ebony Fashion Fair, Mrs. Johnson created Fashion Fair Cosmetics, which is a world leader in cosmetics and skin care for women of color.

Eunice Johnson has been an active member of many community organizations in the Chicago area where she lives. She has received the Outstanding Black College University Alumnus Award from the Alabama A&M University Alumni Association and the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Talladega College and Shaw University. She is a Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta and a member of the Advisory Board of the Harvard Graduate School of Business.

I am proud to recognize one of the most distinguished and successful alumni of Talladega College, Eunice W. Johnson, as she addresses the graduating class of 2004, and appreciate the House's attention to this important matter today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the ``Kids Day America'' event in Anniston, AL, to be held this year on May 15, 2004. ``Kids Day America'' is in its 10th year and is a special day set aside across the nation to address health, safety, and environmental issues that affect us as individuals and as a community. Wade Clinic of Chiropractic of Anniston is the official chiropractic office representing the event.

This year in Anniston, ``Kids Day America'' will benefit the Wellness Education Foundation, a national nonprofit organization formed for the purpose of educating communities across the country about wellness issues. The Anniston Police Department is bringing McGruff, the Crime Dog; the Calhoun County Sheriff's Department will be present to fingerprint ID children; the Calhoun County LINC Program will be presenting parenting workshops; the Health Department will be distributing information; and the Alabama Power Company will be presenting their ``SafetyOpolus.''

More than 1500 communities have participated in ``Kids Day America.'' With the help and support of thousands of local police departments, county sheriff offices, dentists, and photographers who volunteer, the children who attend will be able to complete their own Child Safety ID cards.

I salute ``Kids Day America'' for the service it provides and commend Wade Clinic of Chiropractic of Anniston, Alabama, for its sponsorship of this event on May 15, 2004.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to The Donoho School in Anniston, Alabama, on the occasion of the celebration the of school's 40th anniversary on Friday, May 7, 2004.

The Donoho School is an independent, college-preparatory day school in Anniston, Alabama, enrolling 366 students in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve. It was founded as a secondary institution in 1963 and chartered under the name of The Anniston Academy. In 1976, the name was changed to The Donoho School in recognition of Mrs. Harriet Wallis Donoho, a founder and benefactor of the school.

The Donoho School's mission is to provide a quality college- preparatory education to capable, highly motivated students. It is committed to the development of the total child by providing a challenging curriculum in an atmosphere conducive to good citizenship, personal integrity and devout religious principles. The school's academic, athletics, fine arts and other student activities are designed to fulfill this commitment.

As the Congressional representative for Anniston, Alabama, I have long been aware of the outstanding reputation The Donoho School holds in the local community and surrounding areas. I am proud to salute this fine school on its 40th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Piedmont Elementary School of Piedmont, Alabama. This fine elementary school has established a Student Council in order to teach its students the importance of government and the democratic principles. As I read the letters of some of its young officers, I know that this experiment has been successful. These young people, under the leadership of student council sponsors Miss Leslie Gary and Mrs. Melinda Whaley, are indeed a credit to their school, their community and their state.

As a reward for their service on the Piedmont Elementary School Student Council and to further their education about our American government, these students will be traveling to Washington, D.C., on April 27 to May 1, 2004. The Alabama Legislature has designated them as ``Ambassadors of Goodwill.''

I welcome these Alabama Ambassadors of Goodwill and their principal, John H. McGill, as the Piedmont Elementary School Student Council visits our Nation's Capital. I salute these young people for their accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Cecil O. Sewell, Jr., who on April 25, 2004 will celebrate his 50th year in the ministry.

Pastor Sewell was born on August 12, 1936, and was called to the ministry in April of 1954. He continued serving as a minister while he attended college and divinity school. He graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1958, and went on to graduate studies at the University of Alabama. He then attended Divinity School at Houston Baptist University, where he graduated in 1982.

Pastor Sewell has been pastor to six churches. He has gone on missions and done evangelism in twelve states and eight foreign countries, including three missions to Romania and six missions to Brazil. He has served on numerous state and national convention committees and as Trustee of the Baptist Health System. One of the most telling things about Cecil Sewell is that he has been an interim pastor for four churches in his most recent years, having retired from the ministry and been called back to service on these four occasions. He is now interim pastor of First Baptist Church in Saks, Alabama.

I am so very proud to salute Cecil O. Sewell, Jr., for his 50 years of ministry, and appreciate the House's attention today in observance of his ministry.

Mr. Speaker, Lance Corporal John T. Sims, Jr., 21, of Alexander City, Alabama, died on April 10, 2004 in Iraq. Lance Corporal Sims was a member of the Marine's 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based at Camp Pendleton, California, and died of a gunshot sustained during combat. He is survived by his mother Margaret Kellum, stepfather Jerry Kellum, and his sister Daphne, as well as his father, John T. Sims of Millbrook. He is also survived by his sister Wendy Smith of Alex

City, his maternal grandparents William and Mary Peppers of Our Town and a paternal grandmother, Beulah Sims of Alexander City.

John Sims, Jr. was eager to serve his country as a Marine, Mr. Speaker. After graduating from Benjamin Russell High School in 2001, he joined the Marines and was known for his great sense of humor, his quick wit, and his big heart. Like every other soldier, he dutifully left behind his family and loved ones to serve our country overseas.

Words cannot express the sense of sadness we have for his family, and for the gratitude our country feels for his service. Lance Corporal Sims died serving not just the United States, but the entire cause of liberty, on a noble mission to help spread the cause of freedom in Iraq and liberate an oppressed people from tyrannical rule.

We will forever hold him closely in our hearts, and remember his sacrifice and that of his family as a remembrance of his bravery and willingness to serve.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the House's remembrance on this mournful day.

Mr. Speaker, Spc. Stephen D. ``Dusty'' Hiller, 25, of Killeen, Texas, died on April 4, 2004, in Iraq. Spc. Hiller was a member of the Army's 2nd Battalion, 5th Calvary Regiment, 1st Calvary Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas, and was killed when his unit was attacked near Baghdad. He is survived by his wife Lesley and their four children, and is the son of Elizabeth Hiller of Opelika, and Steve and Glenda Hiller of Waverly.

Stephen Hiller was eager to serve his country, Mr. Speaker, and earned the nickname ``Dusty'' from his father. After attending Opelika High School, in 1998 he pursued his dream of serving in the military and enlisted in the Army. He later served in the Alabama National Guard. Like every other soldier, he dutifully left behind his family and loved ones to serve our country overseas.

Words cannot express the sense of sadness we have for his family, and for the gratitude our country feels for his service. Spc. Hiller died serving not just the United States, but the entire cause of liberty, on a noble mission to help spread the cause of freedom in Iraq and liberate an oppressed people from tyrannical rule.

We will forever hold him closely in our hearts, and remember his sacrifice and that of his family as a remembrance of his bravery and willingness to serve.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the House's remembrance on this mournful day.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 580, I call up the bill (H.R. 3966) to amend title 10, United States Code, and the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to improve the ability of the Department of Defense to establish and maintain Senior Reserve Officers Training Corps units at institutions of higher education, to improve the ability of students to participate in Senior ROTC programs, and to ensure that institutions of higher education provide military recruiters entry to campuses and access to students that is at least equal in quality and scope to that provided to any other employer, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such times I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3966, the ROTC and Military Recruiter Equal Access to Campus Act of 2004. It is based on one simple principle: Colleges and universities that accept Federal funding should also be willing to permit military recruiters equal access to students in ROTC scholarship programs.

Specifically, H.R. 3966 would first require colleges and universities to give military recruiters access to campus and to students that is equal to in quality and scope as that provided to any other private employer.

Secondly, the bill would require an annual verification from colleges and universities who already support ROTC programs that they will continue to do so in the upcoming academic year.

Thirdly, it will add two additional defense-related funding sources, the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Nuclear Security Administration of the Department of Energy, to the potentially prohibitive funding sources already specified in the law.

And, finally, it restores the Department of Transportation to the list of funds that might be terminated. These were inadvertently left out in the 2002 change in the law.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to emphasize this bill does not in any way disturb or interfere with Federal financial student financial aid.

This law is known as the Solomon amendment after its Congressman, Gerry Solomon of New York, began this as a House amendment adopted in a bipartisan vote in 1995.

The following year, Congress imposed the loss of DOD funding on institutions of higher learning that had an anti-ROTC policy. That same Congress added the Departments of Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services to the list of potentially prohibited funding sources. Then the Homeland Security Act of 2002 added funding from the Department of Homeland Security to the list.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that now Congress must once again revisit this law. Recently, barriers have been erected by some colleges and universities to military recruiters having access to students on campus, particularly in their law schools.

But what has really created a real sense of urgency for us to act now is the recent court decision of Forum for Academic and Institutional Rights, otherwise known as FAIR, versus Donald Rumsfeld. FAIR was a consortium of an unknown number of anonymous law schools in this case.

In the U.S. District Court of New Jersey in September, 2003, the plaintiffs sought a preliminary injunction against the DOD from enforcing Solomon.

In his opinion on November 5, 2003, the judge denied the motion and upheld the constitutionality of the Solomon amendment, but he noted that law schools are loathe to endorse or assist recruiting efforts of the United States military, and he criticized the government's assertion that the Solomon amendment requires colleges and universities to give military recruiters access to campuses and students equal to that given to recruiters from other employers.

In response to the judge's ruling, the Secretary of Defense has asked the Congress to clarify the Solomon amendment to state unequivocally that the military should have the same equal access in scope and quality to that of any other civilian employee.

H.R. 3699 will do just that. I urge support of the House.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon), a member of the Committee on Armed Services and a cosponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham), a distinguished member of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King), a member of the Committee on the Judiciary and a cosponsor of H.R. 3966.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus), who is also a cosponsor of this piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey), a distinguished member of the Committee on Armed Services and also a cosponsor of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox), Chairman of the Select Committee on Homeland Security and an original cosponsor of H.R. 3966.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), chairman of the Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the motion to recommit.

This motion is simply an effort to empower those who would oppose fair access to military recruiters to our colleges and universities with the authority to treat recruiters as second-class citizens.

H.R. 3966 would ensure nothing more than fair and equal treatment of recruiters. This amendment would put the fox in the hen house, so to speak, by giving the Association of American Law Schools the authority to judge if the recruiter has been provided equal treatment with other employers. This is the very group which has fostered the attitude among law schools to resist compliance with the law. We, the Congress, must make the decision, not the people who would oppose any form of military presence on campus. It is up to Congress to decide the level of access that should be granted. We must reject this motion.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.