Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of SSG Jeffrey Alan Hall.

On June 1, 2009, Jeffrey Hall and two other soldiers were killed in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb west of Kabul. Jeffrey was part of

the U.S. Army's 2nd Battalion in the 10th Mountain Division and had achieved his lifelong goal of earning the distinction of serving as a U.S. Army Ranger. As our nation and my community struggles with this sudden loss, I would like to pause and recognize Staff Sergeant Hall and the ultimate sacrifice paid by him and his family.

Jeffrey was an eight-year veteran of the United States Army, earning many well-deserved awards and decorations including two Army Commendation Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, a NATO Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. This was Jeffrey's third tour in Afghanistan. He was an American Hero who believed in his mission and told his father that this was a sacrifice he was willing to make to protect his country and the freedoms we enjoy.

Jeffrey Hall was a soldier but he was also a loving son to his parents Charles and Annette, a devoted husband to his wife Allison and eleven months ago became a father to Audrey Faith. Jeffrey loved life and his family and the outpouring of love and affection by his family and friends is the real tribute to the man that he was and the life that he led.

Staff Sergeant Hall is an inspiring example that we can all look up to and aspire to be like. He put the safety of all Americans before his own, and the people of this nation will be forever grateful. He motivated and inspired those around him and will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and by those who never had the honor and privilege of meeting him.

Our country lost a great soldier and an even better son last Monday. All of us in north Alabama are deeply saddened by Jeffrey's passing. On behalf of the entire community in the Tennessee Valley, across Alabama and a grateful nation, I rise today to remember SSG Jeffrey Allen Hall and to pay tribute to his honor, his sacrifice and his memory.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Alan Hall. On June 1, 2009, Jeffrey was killed in action in Afghanistan. As north Alabama mourns this sudden, devastating loss, I would like to recognize Staff Sergeant Hall and his entire family's sacrifice.

Jeffrey was an 8-year veteran of the United States Army, earning many well-deserved awards and decorations, including two Army Commendation Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, a NATO Medal, and a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

Staff Sergeant Hall is an inspiring example of someone we can all look up to and inspire to be like. He put the safety of all Americans before his own, and the people of this Nation will be forever grateful. He motivated and inspired those who were around him, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him, as well as those who never had the honor and privilege of meeting him.

Our country has lost a great soldier and an even better son. All of us in north Alabama are deeply saddened by the loss of Jeffrey. On behalf of the entire community in the Tennessee Valley and across Alabama and the Nation, I rise today to join Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, the United States Army, and the family of Jeffrey Hall in honoring his service, memory, and life.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 203rd Military Police Battalion of Athens, Alabama. On June 21st, the 203rd Battalion will depart for Fort Bliss to train before leaving for Iraq.

The 203rd Military Police Battalion has provided community service support to the Athens Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP) for more than a decade, specifically with the annual RSVP Picnic in the Park. Without their assistance, this special event for RSVP volunteers would not be possible. The Picnic in the Park will be especially meaningful this year as the 203rd prepares to deploy.

We enjoy our way of life and the freedoms we have because of groups like the 203rd Military Police Battalion. Their years of sacrifice on both local and national levels serve as an extraordinary example of leadership for us all.

Madam Speaker, I wish to express my extreme gratitude for the 203rd Military Police Battalion's service to my district and to honor them as they leave home in defense of our Nation.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment would instruct State educational agencies on how improvements in indoor environmental quality can help reduce asthma and other respiratory illnesses in the classroom and in our children.

Asthma has reached an epidemic proportion in our country, affecting 20 million of all ages, but children in particular.

I have two good friends who lost children due to asthma-related attacks at school. We must do everything we can to help improve air quality for our students so no one else ever has to suffer this tragic loss.

Almost 1 in 13 children the age of 18 has asthma, and the percentage of children with this illness is rising more rapidly with our preschoolers than in any other age group.

Asthma is the leading cause of missed school days due to chronic illnesses, causing our kids to miss more than 14 million days of school. When our children are absent, they are no longer able to keep up; falling behind. And American can no longer afford this. Our children also get left behind when their teachers and school staff are sick.

We cannot sit on the sidelines and handicap our schools by failing to address the detrimental effect of poor indoor air quality on our students' concentration, attendance, and performance in school.

This is an easily fixable situation. The adoption of this amendment would help improve indoor air quality and better the lives of 56 million Americans who spend their days in elementary and secondary schools.

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

Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague. I am happy to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Teague).

Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleagues from California, and would yield 1 minute of my time to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).

I thank my colleague from New Jersey. Mr. Chairman, I ask that my colleagues support this amendment and the underlying bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.