Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 3966.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a very special occasion: the 75th wedding anniversary of James and Velma Clements. This event will take place on March 30, 2004, but the Clements family is celebrating the event on March 20, 2004.

James Allen Clements was born in 1906 in Oneota, Alabama. He served in the Navy during World War II and worked at Fort McClellan, Alabama, as a carpenter. Velma Harris Clements was born on March 27, 1910, in Cleburne County, Alabama, and worked at the Linen Thread Company in Blue Mountain, Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Clements were married on March 30, 1929. They have three daughters and sons-in-law, 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren.

James and Velma Clements joined Edgewood C.M. Church of Anniston, Alabama, on July 10, 1934. On March 20, 2004, a reception will be held there in honor of their 75th wedding anniversary. I salute this lovely couple on the 75th year of their life together and join their family in honoring them on this special occasion.

Mr. Chairman, public decency on the airwaves should be a subject on which we all agree. Alabama citizens, like the vast majority of Americans, respect and value the meaning of decency, and appreciate public institutions that reflect the common values of our society.

But what happens when one or more of those institutions repeatedly violate those standards of decency? In the past year, we have seen one or more of the major broadcast networks repeatedly and blatantly violate the Federal Communications Commission standards for decency, and openly flaunt the laws so clearly upheld in the courts.

CBS's halftime show during the 2004 Super Bowl was a new low for television, Mr. Speaker. Watched by nearly 100 million Americans, as well as my family and children, this 30-minute fantasy of filth managed to break all standards of decency, and brazenly shattered all concepts of responsibility and accountability for our Nation's public broadcasters.

Mr. Chairman, this must stop. It's time we hold the broadcasters accountable for their decisions and help take out the televised trash that continues to invade our homes. H.R. 3717, the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2004, will help turn the tide. The legislation brings accountability for those broadcasters who follow the rules, as well as penalties for those, like CBS during the Super Bowl, knowingly choose to violate them.

H.R. 3717 increases the FCC's penalties for broadcasting obscene, indecent, and profane language to $275,000 for each violation or each day of a continuing violation. The bill also limits the total amount assessed for any continuing violation to $3 million for any single act or failure to act.

As a co-sponsor of this bi-partisan legislation, I am pleased Congress has chosen to bring this to the House floor today. Let me be clear Mr. Chairman: I am not an advocate of censorship. Although I may find the type of programming seen during the 2004 Super Bowl and the 2003 Golden Globe Awards disgusting and disturbing, we must always work hard to defend the cherished freedoms so clearly outlined in our Constitution, including a healthy and free press.

But when those institutions that are charged with upholding the public trust refuse to live up to their responsibilities, someone must draw the line. The Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2004 helps address the continuing degradation on the broadcast airwaves and helps send a clear message to the broadcast industry that Alabama families, like the rest of American families, have had enough.

Programs like the Super Bowl should be celebrations, not cesspools, Mr. Speaker. It is time we as a Congress rise to this occasion and pass this bill, and help stop the recklessness that has so unnecessarily invaded our homes.

Thank you and congratulations to you, Mr. Upton, for your work in bringing this importance piece of legislation to the House today.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time.

When I first came to Congress, I made a promise to seniors in Alabama. I told them I would fight for their interests in Congress. I told them I would work to strengthen and secure Medicare for generations to come, and I told them I would fight for a new prescription drug benefit under Medicare.

Mr. Speaker, these days I return to my home State of Alabama having followed through on that promise. Thanks to the leadership of President Bush and a bipartisan group of Members of Congress, the seniors in my home State of Alabama will soon have a prescription drug relief benefit. It comes not a moment too soon.

Alabama seniors all across the Third Congressional District continue facing high drug costs. In fact, drug prices have risen in the few short months since President Bush signed this law. Fortunately for our seniors, relief is on the way. Beginning in May, Alabama seniors will see immediate relief through a voluntary prescription drug discount card. Seniors who choose to enroll in this benefit will see discounts of up to 25 percent with this drug card. This means that on a $100 monthly prescription, seniors will save $25. That is $300 a year. This is a voluntary program. No seniors will be forced into anything. Seniors happy with their current coverage under Medicare will have no changes to their plan. This is a 100 percent voluntary program. Nor will seniors with employer-paid drug plans need to worry about their coverage. The new Medicare law offers substantial incentives for employers to continue to provide prescription drug coverage to employees and retirees, but Congress did not forget about those most needy seniors, either.

Alabama seniors with low incomes will soon receive extra assistance under this law. In the Third Congressional District of Alabama, the area of the country I represent, approximately 21,400 seniors with low incomes will soon qualify for a new $600 annual subsidy. Coupled with the prescription drug card, this $600 annual subsidy will help Alabama seniors with lower incomes decrease their drug bills substantially.

Mr. Speaker, the promises do not end there. In rural areas across the country, like those in my district, seniors, families, and children are losing access to health care. In fact, the discrepancies between rural and urban health care have long been a concern of mine. That is why I am proud that President Bush and a bipartisan group of Members of Congress who supported this bill also included increased support for rural doctors and hospitals. Under the new Medicare law, rural hospitals, doctors, and clinics will receive an unprecedented $25 billion to improve the quality and availability of health care. Of this, nearly $934 million is dedicated to help improve health services all across Alabama. Of that amount, nearly $20 million is dedicated just for the Third Congressional District of Alabama. That is no small amount of money.

This new funding for rural hospitals will not only help improve the health of all our seniors, but it will also help improve the health of every single Alabamian young and old. Rural hospitals and clinics will be strengthened through significant increases in hospital reimbursement rates as well. Because of this law, emergency and primary care will be available to Alabama families in rural areas, just like people living in big cities like Atlanta.

Mr. Speaker, I said a moment ago that this new Medicare law is about promises. Last year President Bush and the Republican leadership promised new prescription drug coverage under Medicare. We kept our promise. We promised new benefits to seniors like preventive screening and diabetes testing. We kept that promise. We fought for rural hospitals, doctors and pharmacies in hopes of improving rural health care for all Alabamians. We kept that promise, too.

Mr. Speaker, the Medicare prescription drug law is about promises made and promises kept. I am proud that we worked so hard to improve seniors' lives. Our challenge now is to ensure that seniors know about the benefits to which they are entitled. We must ensure seniors are not confused by the dangerous political posturing and unnecessary, confusing double talk. Is this a perfect bill? No. But it is a great start, and certainly better than the little or no prescription drug coverage most seniors had before. To quote AARP President James Parker from a recent statement, ``The bill represents an historic breakthrough and an important milestone in the Nation's commitment to strengthen and expand health security for current and future beneficiaries.''

I agree, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of Alabama seniors, I thank President Bush and the gentleman from Illinois (Speaker Hastert) for their leadership in passing this historic bill. I pledge to continue doing whatever I can to help strengthen Medicare and to work to improve the health of all our Nation's seniors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Samuel Alvin ``Sammy'' Brasher--known to many of us as the man with the harmonica.

Sammy Brasher was an inspiration to us all. Born in 1959 with Down syndrome, Sammy was not expected to live a full life. When he was born doctors told his parents he would only have 3 years on Earth. He lived to be 44.

Mr. Speaker, Sammy Brasher is a shining example to us all. Never one to give up easily, Sammy lived his life as a testament to what we all can be, and what we all can achieve. He never let his health slow him down, and kept us smiling with his ever-present musical companion, his harmonica.

Sammy Brasher's memory will always be with us, and so will his life. His smile, his harmonica, and his honesty touched us all. At this difficult time we grieve for his family and remember them in our hearts, and in our prayers.

Mr. Speaker, Spc. Charles G. Haight, 23, of Fort Lewis, Washington, died on December 26, 2003 in Iraq. Spc. Haight was a member of the Army's 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Group based in Washington, and was killed when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He is survived by his wife Michelle and his 10-month-old son of Fort Lewis, Washington. He is the son of Donald G. and Lilian Haight of Piedmont, Alabama.

Charles Haight was eager to serve his country, Mr. Speaker, and dreamed of becoming a nurse after college. He 'attended Pleasant Valley High School in Calhoun County, and was known for his musicianship in the band and his athletic ability on the football field. 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. Haight 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, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. James E. Owen whose professional education career has spanned 40 years.

Dr. Owen received his education at Jacksonville State Teachers College, the University of Alabama and Auburn University and began teaching in the Talladega (Alabama) City School System in 1949. His career was briefly interrupted while Dr. Owen was on active duty with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. It was during his service at Camp

Chaffee, Arkansas, that Dr. Owen married Estelle Bain, who herself had a 39-year career in public education.

After his active Army, Army Reserve and Alabama National Guard Service, Dr. Owen returned to Talladega, Alabama, and served as Principal of Dixon Junior High School and then of Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, Alabama. He also served as Assistant Principal of Southwest DeKalb High School in DeKalb County, Georgia; and then as a Staff Member of the Auburn University School of Education. In 1965, Dr. Owen was named Assistant Superintendent of the Anniston (Alabama) City School System and Superintendent of the Phenix City, Alabama, School System in 1968 to 1969. In 1976, Dr. Owen was named Assistant State Superintendent of Education by the Alabama State Board of Education and later as Alabama's first Deputy State Superintendent of Education. In 1980, the Alabama State Board of Education named Dr. Owen as President of Chattahoochee Valley State Community College in Phenix City, Alabama, a position he maintained for 12 years until his retirement in 1992.

During his career, Dr. Owen maintained membership in local, state and national professional education organizations such as the National Education Association, the Alabama Education Association, the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges, and the Alabama Council of Community and Junior College Presidents of which he was President in 1985. After his retirement, he remained in Phenix City, being active in the Russell County and Alabama Retired Teachers Associations as well as other community affairs. Dr. Owen and his wife now live in Birmingham, Alabama.

I salute Dr. Owen and his wife for their commitment to the education of the students of Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the Montgomery, Alabama Transportation Coalition in recognizing the heroes of the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott.

On December 4, 2003, the Coalition will hold its annual awards dinner, and the theme for this year's banquet is ``Reclaiming the Dream.'' They have chosen this occasion to honor the heroes of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. These heroes are former Pastor Robert Graetz, Mrs. Inez Jessie Baskin, Mrs. Johnnie Carr, Mrs. Daisy Childrey, Mrs. Thelma Glass, Mrs. Hazel Gregory, Mrs. Vera Harris, Mr. Bobby Jackson, Mrs. Zecozy Williams, and posthumously, Mrs. Aurelia Browder, Mrs. Virginia Durr and Mr. Eddie Posey.

Today, it may be difficult for some to recognize the importance of what these individuals did because, thankfully, times have changed. But, the change has come about because of their actions. They truly are heroes, and I salute each of them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the City of Hurtsboro, Alabama, on its 125th anniversary of its incorporation on December 4, 2003.

Hurtsboro, Alabama, located in Russell County, Alabama, was originally station Number 4 on the Mobile and Girard Railroad. In 1857, Joel Hurt, Sr. came to the site of Hurtsboro and with a partner, William Marshall, bought land and established a sawmill by a creek now called Hurtsboro Creek. Mr. Hurt had moved from Eatonton, Georgia, to Olivet, Alabama, a thriving farm community about 3 miles from Hurtsboro. However, when Olivet was bypassed in the survey to the Mobile and Girard Railroad, Mr. Hurt moved to the railroad site. In 1858, when the railroad reached the place, the mill company laid out off the town, with the mill in the center. It was called Hurtsville for the principal founder.

On November 5, 1878, a petition was filed with the Russell County Judge of Probate Simeon O'Neal by more than 20 of the male inhabitants of the town laying out the boundaries of the town and the name to be given if incorporated and requesting that an election be held for incorporation. Judge O'Neal then set the election for December 3, 1878, and on that day, no votes were cast against incorporation. Therefore, on December 4, 1878, Judge O'Neal made entry in the record that inhabitants of the town of Hurtsville were incorporated under the name of ``Hurtsville'' with such boundaries to extend one half mile in every direction from the present public croping at the depot of the Mobile and Girard Railroad. On March 24, 1883, a petition was filed by more than 10 of the male inhabitants of Hurtsville that the name of the town be changed to Hurtsboro (to avoid confusion with the town of Huntsville, Alabama). An election was held on April 11, 1883, and based on the results, Russell County Judge of Probate Simeon O'Neal entered into the record that the town's name be changed to ``Hurtsboro.''

I congratulate Hurtsboro, Alabama, on its 125th anniversary of incorporation and join its residents in recognizing their proud history.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the residents of Auburn, Alabama, in recognizing the contributions of Doug Watson to the City of Auburn, Alabama.

Doug Watson has been City Manager for Auburn for 21 years. During this time, he has gained the respect of the entire community for his loyal and dedicated service. To demonstrate their appreciation, the City of Auburn, Auburn University and the Auburn Chamber of Commerce are hosting a community-wide reception on December 10, 2003. The reception will immediately follow the dedication ceremony of the Douglas J. Watson Municipal Complex, consisting of the Development Services building, the Public Safety Administration building, and the Municipal Court. The naming of this complex after Doug Watson is an indication of the high esteem in which he is held.

I salute Doug Watson for his service to the Auburn community and wish him well as he takes on the new position of tenured professor at the University of Texas at Dallas.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Georgia, for yielding to me.

Mr. Speaker, it has been said that good things come to those who wait, but when it comes to our seniors' health, waiting is a luxury we can no longer afford. Year after year we hear the cries for help: Drug costs are skyrocketing, family budgets are stretched, doctors' visits go unfulfilled. Mr. Speaker, the prognosis is clear: Seniors need our help.

In my home State of Alabama, seniors now pay nearly $1,300 per year for prescription drugs. These costs are expected to rise just as seniors' dependency on lifesaving prescription drugs continues to grow. But rising drug costs are not the only symptoms. Alabama's seniors and doctors suffer from unfair rural health care penalties as well. Rural doctors, for example, are being squeezed by health care costs. They are finding it more and more difficult to continue providing service to our seniors. This is because Medicare simply has not reimbursed rural health doctors at fair and reasonable rates. As a consequence, we are experiencing a crisis in rural health care. The most highly-qualified doctors are forced to move out and younger doctors are choosing not to move in.

Mr. Speaker, America's seniors sent us here to get the job done. The bipartisan plan to strengthen Medicare with a prescription drug benefit helps seniors right where they need it, in their pockets. This legislation provides record increases for rural health care, it gives seniors more choices and more options, and, most importantly, it provides a drug benefit that is completely optional while allowing seniors to stay in Medicare's traditional fee-for-service system.

Doctors in rural areas, like mine in Alabama, would have a greater incentive to continue providing care. Seniors would subsequently benefit from more health care options and more doctors. Most importantly, seniors would get an immediate discount on their prescriptions. A Medicare-endorsed prescription drug card would be available within 6 months of the passage of this bill and provide savings up to 25 percent on seniors' prescriptions. And the best part, every senior who receives Medicare is eligible for these instant savings, which typically number in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars every single year.

There are also safeguards for our most vulnerable Americans. For certain low-income seniors, a $600 annual credit would appear on their drug card. This helps ensure that our poorest seniors receive access to the best possible care, no matter their income.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is not just about today, it is about our future, for our near retirees and for our children. It is not perfect, but it is a great start.

I know many of my colleagues here share my enthusiasm for this bipartisan bill, but the chorus of support for its passage is not limited to those in this Chamber. In fact, the AARP has formally blessed this bill with their ``Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.'' AARP and its 35 million members have committed to helping ensure passage of this historic legislation.

To quote AARP President James Parkel from a statement earlier today, ``The bill represents an historic breakthrough, and an important milestone in the Nation's commitment to strengthen and expand health security for current and future beneficiaries.''

So let us get the job done. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together to improve the health of our seniors. We all need to support this bipartisan proposal to create a new prescription drug benefit under Medicare and help improve the lives of our seniors for generations to come.

I thank the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Jim L. Ridling of Montgomery, Alabama, on the occasion of his retirement as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Southern Guaranty, a part of Winterthur Insurance Company.

Jim was born and raised in Arkansas. He began his professional career as a Management Trainee with Fireman's Fund Insurance Companies in 1967. By 1984, he was Executive Vice President of United States Operations. In 1987, he traded his ownership in Fireman's Fund for ownership in Southern Guaranty Insurance Company, then a subsidiary of Fireman's Fund, and moved to Montgomery, Alabama, as President and CEO of Southern Guaranty.

Throughout his business career, Jim Ridling has been involved in varied professional organizations. He is a member of the International Insurance Society and the National Association of Independent Insurers. He is a past member of the University of Alabama School of Business' Board of Advisors; the Advisory Board of the University of Arkansas Business School; and a graduate of Stanford University's Inaugural Leadership Effectiveness Studies Program. Currently, he is a member of the School of Business Advisory Council for Troy State University.

Jim Ridling continues to be very much involved in his community. He is a member of the Executive Board of the Montgomery Air Force Association; a member of the Board of Directors of the Business Council of Alabama; a member of the Board of Directors of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of their Military Council; and a member of the Montgomery Area Committee of 100. Jim is also President of the Board of Directors of the Montgomery Ballet; a member of the Board of Directors of the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and a Boy Scouts Board of Director.

I congratulate Jim Ridling for his accomplishments and his willingness to share of himself in service to his new adopted state. On the special occasion of his retirement celebration on November 20, I wish him, his lovely wife Cathy and their two daughters, Erin and Hannah, the very best in the future.

Mr. Speaker, Sgt. Aubrey Dale Bell, 33, of Tuskegee, Alabama, did this past Monday in Baghdad. Sgt. Bell was a member of the 214th Military Police Company based in Alexander City, Alabama, and was killed in an attack on the Iraqi police station he was helping guard.

Aubrey Bell was a quiet and unassuming person, Mr. Speaker, but he took pride in working hard for his country. When not serving in the National Guard, he worked in Alexander City at Russell Corporation. 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. Sgt. Bell 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.

Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the First Baptist Church of Saks, of Anniston, Alabama, on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.

First Baptist Church of Saks began as New Hope Missionary Baptist Church on September 10, 1927, with 13 charter members. Those early meetings were held in the home of the members. On November 7, 1927, Dr. and Mrs. C. L. Harkins donated one-half acre of land to be used as a building site for a sanctuary. That first building was constructed of wood and seated approximately 200 people.

On October 7, 1945, the first full-time pastor, Reverend Grover Shaddix, was called to serve the church. In May of 1955, the first Pastor's home was dedicated. Then, approximately one year later, on May 4, 1960, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church became First Baptist Church of Saks. In June of 1960, the first service was held in the church's second sanctuary, a brick building able to accommodate 500 people.

In 1967, the kindergarten program began at the church; and in 1974, a 23,000 square foot educational building was completed. By 1977, the church had begun its current Day Care program known as Weekday Early Education. That was the same year that the state-of the-art pipe organ was purchased.

In 1990, First Baptist Church of Saks dedicated its third sanctuary seating 1200 people. In 1995, the church began their TV ministry, which currently reaches homes in greater Calhoun County, Alabama; Gadsden, Alabama; and the northeast and east central Alabama area.

I am proud to salute First Baptist Church of Saks on its 75th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Willard McDonald on the occasion of the 6th Annual Willard McDonald Day in Ashland, Alabama.

Willard McDonald has a deep faith in God and a deep love for gospel music. He was the founder and editor of ``Deep South Gospel Magazine,'' and the host of ``Gospel Music Review'' and the ``Country Boy Eddie Show'' in Birmingham, Alabama. He used his love of gospel music to organize gospel sings for twenty-five churches and for charity events.

Since his retirement, Willard McDonald has devoted his time to helping others, and six years ago, his friends, his family and the citizens of Ashland organized a Willard McDonald Day to show their appreciation.

Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute today to Willard McDonald as a great Alabamian and American, and I appreciate the House's acknowledgment of his legacy.