Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in honor of the life and the experiences of Helen Keller.

Born in my district in Tuscumbia, the Helen Keller birthplace is a national shrine visited by thousands of Americans every year. She was a remarkable woman, had great courage, and, with the help of Anne Sullivan, learned to overcome both deafness and blindness. She said about her disability that the loss of sight separated her from objects but the loss of hearing separated her from people. She overcame these with great courage and determination, and her teacher and her constant companion, Anne Sullivan, were heroes for all of America and continue to be heroes today.

Always a constant role model for people with disabilities in America and around the globe, Mrs. Keller was a friend of many of our world leaders, recognized, as has been said, as one of the greats of the 20th century.

Soon we will celebrate her life and her experiences by unveiling a statue, and we believe that she will be permanently enshrined in the history of the life of America. Her great courage and great determination are qualities that we certainly admire and can use to this day.

I appreciate so much Governor Riley of Alabama and the entire State of Alabama in their dedication and their perseverance in getting the statue here and all the work that has gone into it. Our Alabama delegation here in the Congress as well as our Senators have taken part, and we appreciate that so much.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of someone who has played a large role in the development of north Alabama, Susie Hudson of Huntsville.

Mrs. Hudson was known as a visionary and a brilliant businesswoman, but first and foremost she was known as a fighter. She fought for the well-being of her friends and family and for the revitalization of Huntsville, but her strongest battle was her fight with cancer. Susie died Tuesday, September 1, and she will be sorely missed.

Mrs. Hudson was described as ``the jewel of Huntsville,'' but she was so much more than that. Her tireless work to create a more fluid learning environment at the University of Alabama-Huntsville has allowed the brightest minds our region has to offer to excel and give back to their community and their country.

Mrs. Hudson moved to Huntsville in 1974 and honored her community with 35 dedicated years of commitment and service. She was the epitome of devotion to the people of North Alabama. On behalf of the Tennessee Valley, I respectfully rise in honor to pay tribute to Susie Hudson's life and her entire family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Congressman Bill Hefner, who served North Carolina's eighth Congressional District for 24 years with distinction. In addition to his service in the United States House of Representatives, Mr. Hefner served as a Marshall County Commissioner in my home state of Alabama. He spent his later years in my hometown of Huntsville.

Congressman Hefner was a fine example of a public servant. He fought for the interests of his constituents, bucking party lines time and time again in the process. He was a champion of our military, working tirelessly on behalf of our veterans to ensure they received the tools needed to do their jobs and the benefits earned through service.

Congressman Hefner lived a full life, spending time in a myriad of positions from a Southern Baptist gospel singer to radio station owner. His dedication and commitment to public service made Alabama, North Carolina, Washington, DC, and our nation as a whole a better place, and he will be sorely missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and life of former Congressman Bill Hefner.

General Leave

Madam Speaker, Mr. Aderholt and I rise today to recognize the Lady Rebels of West Morgan High School in Trinity, Alabama. In May, West Morgan's softball team captured the first Alabama State Championship for West Morgan in 42 years of athletic competition.

West Morgan High School has always upheld the highest standards of excellence in all its endeavors, and this team of outstanding athletes is no exception.

We commend the leadership of Principal Billy Hopkins and Coaches Keith Harris, Alesha Hutto, and Kenda Bradford on their successful careers with West Morgan High, and we look forward to the continuation of a tradition of solid and consistent performance in both academics and athletics.

Madam Speaker, we congratulate each member of the dedicated Lady Rebels softball team--Hannah Harris; Haley Willingham; Madison Jones; Whitlee Potter; Hayden Hamby; Britanny Thompson; Ashley Hooper; Rachel Harbin; Brilley Stephenson; Hallie Cunningham; Lauren Seibert; Hannah Amos; Hannah Draper; Heather Amos; Mary Kelley; Chelsea Boston; Delissa Tidwell; Baylee Carpenter; Mikinzie Steele; Ashley Crow; Jamie Rohr; Katie Brazier; Alexis Casteel; Kimberlee Denard; Bari Jones; Kristen Parrish--and their staff for their commitment to achieving this championship.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Dr. Alma Montgomery Blackmon of Huntsville, an educator and mentor of fond memory to all she encountered. Dr. Blackmon passed away in June at the age of 87.

Dr. Blackmon had an unrivaled blend of passion for students, education and music. All three of these areas played vital roles in her life's purpose. She was born and raised in Washington, DC, where she began her distinguished career as an educator. Her love for music blossomed as a child when she served as an organist for her church at age 10. Her love for music never faded, and she instilled a zeal for music in her students throughout her 42-year career as an instructor. She was a scholar, a musician and a community activist whose impact will not be forgotten, and she is deeply missed by all who knew her.

Dr. Blackmon had a way with people that made personal interactions with her as harmonious as the music she played. Her influence will continue to flourish for generations to come through the love of music that her former students now share. On behalf of the Tennessee Valley, I respectfully rise in honor to pay tribute to a champion of American values.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Reverend Dr. Julius Richard Scruggs of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama. This year he celebrates his 50th pastoral anniversary and his 32nd anniversary with First Missionary Baptist. Dr. Scruggs is a wonderful asset to the community and all of North Alabama.

Rev. Dr. Julius Scruggs began his pastoral career at the age of 18 at Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Harvest, Alabama. He has been at First Missionary Baptist Church since 1977 and welcomed more than 3,000 new members into the congregation during that time. Under his leadership, the church formed teams that have improved the community of North Huntsville through scholarship funds, health and recreation clinics, and jail ministries. Dr. Scruggs has also personally overseen multiple projects with Habitat for Humanity that have directly benefitted his area.

Rev. Dr. Scruggs' leadership has been undeniably advantageous for Missionary Baptist Church's growth and development. Because of his vision and enthusiasm, he is a perfect candidate for President of the National Baptist Convention. The convention is being held during the second week of September, and I am honored to declare my support for this remarkable gentleman from North Alabama.

Madam Speaker, I wish to express my extreme gratitude to Dr. Scruggs for his service to our community. As a former recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. award and as Vice President at Large of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., Dr. Scruggs serves as an example of leadership for us all. The Tennessee Valley appreciates his invaluable service in the ministry for half a century and his dedication to First Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville for more than three decades.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Elder Robert E. Wilson of Madison, Alabama, whose energy and enthusiasm rejuvenated the Presbyterian Church in North Alabama and engaged them in new and purposeful initiatives.

To honor Bob Wilson's transformational leadership, the Fellowship Presbyterian Men are honoring him with a ``Bob Wilson Appreciation Day'' commemorating his efforts and accomplishments. The event will be held at

Fellowship Presbyterian Church on Saturday, August 22, 2009.

Mr. Wilson possesses a unique blend of humility and personal resolve. His gregarious personality makes him loved by everyone he meets, and he is relentlessly focused on achieving his goals for the church. His leadership is respected by members of the Presbyterian Church all over the country. In 2006, he was elected to the distinguished position of Vice Moderator for the 217th General Assembly.

Robert Wilson's unyielding determination to advance the cause of the Presbyterian Church is a testament to his lifelong commitment to the institution. Madam Speaker, I wish to show my sincere gratitude to Bob Wilson for his longstanding devotion to his family, his church and the Tennessee Valley. Understanding that his leadership is a lesson to us all, I appreciate the values that he so strongly advocates.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. John L. Herndon, a man of exceptional character and integrity. Dr. Herndon has numerous talents and great ability, and he has served the people of Huntsville, most notably as minister of the Word and Sacrament at Fellowship Presbyterian Church. His dedicated service to the Fellowship Church family, the Presbyterian Church, and our community for more than 20 years is a strong testament to his passion for service and leadership.

A life-long learner, Dr. Herndon has used his diverse interests to benefit people in many sectors. As a scientist, Dr. Herndon worked for the National Bureau of Standards and NASA, in addition to serving as Deputy Commissioner of Mental Health in Georgia. In 1985, Dr. Herndon was called to the ministry, and after obtaining a degree in Theology, he began a distinguished career at the Fellowship Church. Dr. Herndon has earned respect from the community for his unyielding resolve and dedication to youth development through justice and education. He was a court appointed juvenile advocate, police chaplain, and member of Governor's Task Force on Child Abuse and Youth Neglect.

His work as a church and community leader is filled with faithful commitment to the training of young minds. Dr. Herndon's legacy grows with each passing day. I am honored to recognize a man of great service. Through his service to our community, he has had an invaluable impact on the lives he has encountered.

Madam Speaker, I wish to express my sincere appreciation for Dr. John L. Herndon III and his faithful service to the congregation at Fellowship Church and the Tennessee Valley area.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Private Amos McKinney. Private McKinney was a Black Soldier who served the United States Army in a White Regiment during the Civil War.

Amos McKinney started his service to our country at Rome, Georgia on December 15, 1863 as an Undercook in Company C of the 1st Alabama Calvary. Enlisting as a cook was the avenue to combat for many African American soldiers during the Civil War, and Private McKinney was no different. During his service, he was shot below the knee and also suffered several wounds to his chest before being mustered out of service on October 20, 1865 in Huntsville, Alabama.

Unfortunately, history has forgotten many Black Soldiers who served the Union White Regiments during the Civil War. Driven by a firm belief in the Union's purpose, Private McKinney and others were willing to work their way up the ranks so they could fight for the cause. Their perseverance and courage should not be lost. In recognition of Private McKinney's service, there will be a dedication ceremony on July 11, 2009 for a memorial established in his honor.

Amos McKinney married Melissa Ann McAfee Pearson after the war, and together they had 9 children. Private McKinney's courage is surely an inspiration to the family he left behind, and his bravery is a testament to the power of an unyielding American spirit and personal resolve.

Madam Speaker, I stand to recognize an American soldier and to extend my gratitude for the service of Private Amos McKinney and those who served beside him. I commend the McKinney family and the historians of my district whose efforts made this recognition possible.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. David Muhlendorf, President and CEO of Paper and Chemical Supply, on his recent appointment to the U.S. Chamber Board of Directors.

Throughout the years, David's dedication and commitment to the success of north Alabama have directly contributed to my district's economic success. Small business has always served to be the backbone of our nation, and Mr. Muhlendorf's presence on the national economic stage will prove to be a great benefit to our country.

Earlier this year, David was named the 2008-2009 Shoals Citizen of the Year for his development work with the Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Alabama. He has also worked tirelessly for the area's education system with the Northwest Shoals Community College Board of Directors, for our local charities with the Shoals United Way, and for my State's economic development with the Business Council of Alabama.

Madam Speaker, I wish to congratulate Mr. David Muhlendorf for his new appointment and thank him for his diligent and determined work for the Tennessee Valley, the State of Alabama and our country.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate this difficult situation. I believe that as the budget was formed and the decisions were made, North Korea was not as aggressive, nor was Iran. I stand in support of the Franks amendment. I share the gentlelady's concern that accountability needs to be increased; but in this time of increasing threat, I would prefer that we err on the side of the Franks amendment, even if we must attach certain conditions to it in conference. But I would urge Members to support it.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I rise today in support of my amendment in the en bloc amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act.

This amendment will require the Quadrennial Defense Review to be completed every 4 years to examine the national defense strategy, the force structure, the force modernization plans, infrastructure, budget plan and other elements of the defense program to determine our strategy for the next 20 years.

Additionally, my amendment reinforces the importance of the Nuclear Posture Review, which addresses the role that missile defense capabilities and conventional strike forces play in determining the role and size of nuclear forces.

These reviews are an essential element of our national security perspective as are the Ground-based Midcourse Defense missile program, the Kinetic Energy Interceptor, the Multiple Kill Vehicle and the Airborne Laser program.

The Department of Defense is aware that the Ground-based Midcourse Defense, the GMD, is the only fielded and operational capability that can defend the U.S. against long-range ballistic missiles. However, the current budget cuts of $524 million from the program, deploying only 30 of the 44 GMD interceptors that were scheduled, we believe this logic should be questioned given the events occurring in North Korea and Iran.

Furthermore, we should reconsider the stop work order for the kinetic energy interceptor. This project is an essential part of our boost- phase ballistic missile approach, and I urge my colleagues to continue to support its development.

Congress should also support the continued development of the multiple kill vehicle. As rogue nations continue to advance their missile defense capabilities, multiple kill vehicle technology will be required to destroy countermeasures, warheads and ultimately the missiles shot from our enemies.

I support all of these projects because they are a deterrent to our enemies and they are the programs our warfighters in the field require. As we look at the missile tests and balance of power occurring in the Middle East and East Asia, this is not the time to reduce our missile defense budget and cut back on these programs. North Korea plans to launch a long-range Taepodong-2 missile in July, and is only a few years away from deploying a missile capable of hitting the United States.

We must prepare for the development and the deployment of more advanced technologies by our adversaries. These missile systems should all be considered essential elements. I urge passage of this amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Coach Jack Doss and the S.R. Butler High School basketball team from Huntsville, Alabama. Along with assistant coaches Charlie Steele, Terry Mitchell, Arthur Wesley and Michael Freeman, Coach Doss led the Rebels to a second straight 5A State Basketball Championship and Butler's fourth of the past six years.

Though one of the smallest high schools in Division 5A, S.R. Butler High School has always upheld the highest standards of excellence in all its endeavors, and this team of outstanding athletes is no exception.

I commend the leadership of Principal Jacqueline Wyse and Coach Doss on their successful careers with Butler High and look forward to the continuation of a tradition of solid and consistent performance in academics and athletics.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate Coach Doss and the entire S.R. Butler High School administration and staff for their commitment to achieving this championship.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding career and contributions of Lt. Col. Kenneth A. Reiman. Lieutenant Colonel Reiman is retiring from his most recent position as Deputy Director of the Test Support Group for the Missile Defense Agency at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.

Prior to assuming his current position, Lt. Col. Reiman was Program Director of the Missile Defense Agency's Ground-based Midcourse Defense Program for Ground and Flight Test Execution. He has served 23 years as an Air Force officer and has spent a lifetime serving his country.

Lt. Col. Reiman has always played an important role in the development of North Alabama's missile defense community and our nation's defense. His dynamic leadership and exceptional technical skills directly resulted in the Missile Defense Agency's successful execution of its $2 billion per year flight and ground test programs.

Reiman's distinguished career reflects great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, and the Tennessee Valley.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of everyone in North Alabama, I rise to express my gratitude to Lt. Col. Kenneth A. Reiman for his many years of service to the United States of America.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to enter into a 2-minute colloquy with the chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for allowing me.

I rise from Alabama's 5th District, the birthplace of NASA and of the space program. I, too, am concerned, but I appreciate very much the hard work the chairman and Ranking Member Wolf have entered into in trying to preserve the NASA budget. However, the decrease in funding is of some concern to us.

The Aries 1 and the Aries 5 will represent what the Saturn was to us 50 years ago with spaceflight and in putting a man on the Moon. This is not just a matter of jobs; it's a matter of international security and of national pride. I believe, after the Augustine Commission is done, we'll find that the NASA program is underfunded and that the funding will return to a level that will put us on the Moon in 2020 and that will return us to manned spaceflight in 2015.

I appreciate those comments.

Mr. Chairman, we will certainly work hand in hand with the committee.

I will say one final thing, which is that the human spaceflight community--the scientists who are involved in that--is a culture, and that culture cannot be interrupted and put back together again as though it were a puzzle.

So I appreciate so much your efforts, and I appreciate the wording in this bill. Thank you for allowing me to enter into a colloquy with you.