Floor Statements

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

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

I rise this evening to urge my colleagues to support my commonsense amendment to H.R. 1947, the FARRM Act of 2013. My amendment is very straightforward in that it would simply strike section 6105 from the underlying bill. This is the section of the FARRM Bill that reauthorizes the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program at RUS, Rural Utilities Services, at USDA at a cost of $25 million each fiscal year over the next 5, subject to appropriations.

Mr. Chairman, this program was first authorized by the 2002 farm bill with the goal of deploying broadband to rural and unserved areas. Despite this goal, the rural broadband loan program has been riddled-- riddled--with numerous problems.

In the 112th Congress, I was a member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. During a hearing held in the subcommittee in February of 2011, I first learned of problems within this program. USDA Inspector General Phyllis Fong testified on a variety of issues at RUS that prevented it from being effective. She testified that in the 2005 OIG audit of the program, of the 159 of the 240 communities associated with loans in 2004, 66 percent of the loans already had preexisting broadband service in contravention of the statutory intention of these funds.

Unfortunately, Mr. Chairman, the problems were only exacerbated in the 2009 OIG audit. Of the 14 recommendations made by OIG in 2005, RUS only took action on six of them. Between 2005 and 2009, RUS made loans to broadband providers serving 148 communities within 30 miles of urban areas with 200,000 or more residents. Furthermore, RUS approved 34 of 37 applications for providers with service lines already existing.

Mr. Chairman, although there were reforms made in the 2008 farm bill that were finally enacted earlier this year, I am still very skeptical of the need for this program when it has consistently demonstrated its inability to achieve its objective.

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

Mr. Chairman, at this time, I would like to yield myself such time as I may consume.

I remind my good friend from New York that Solyndra was a loan program, too, that was supposed to be paid back with interest. I offer this amendment because there is something better--there is something better.

I certainly understand and I appreciate the efforts taken by the chairman of the Agriculture Committee for creating further transparency with the RUS Rural Broadband Loan Program. However, despite these improvements, I am still incredibly skeptical of this program.

Mr. Chairman, since its inception, Congress has appropriated nearly $130 million in taxpayer dollars towards this program, and I feel that RUS has consistently missed the mark. On the other hand--and this is the alternative--in 2011, the FCC, the Federal Communications Commission, under existing statutory authority, fundamentally changed the nature of the Universal Service Fund and created the Connect America Fund with essentially the same goal as the Rural Broadband Loan Program. The Connect America Fund is a different entity, and the FCC announced last month that $485 million of that fund, which is rooted not in increased taxes but in user fees, will be dedicated to unserved areas for broadband deployment.

Mr. Chairman, I do believe that the FCC is in a better position than the USDA to implement telecommunications policy, and over the life of the Rural Broadband Loan Program, USDA has only confirmed my cynicism.

Might I ask the gentleman to yield 15 seconds to me for closing?

I ask the gentleman again if he would yield 15 seconds.

I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I will go ahead and do that.

I believe that it is critically important to eliminate duplicative programs. It was just mentioned from the other side of the aisle that, with both programs, duplication is unnecessary with the changes in the Connect America Fund. I believe that the Rural Broadband Loan Program will only become more obsolete. Therefore, I believe that we must act now to eliminate the authorization of this program, and I do urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate so much the gentlelady from Missouri (Mrs. Hartzler) for leading this time on fatherhood. And what a perfect time to do it this evening. We all just came back from our districts and celebrated Father's Day or Grandfather's Day.

And of course we're also awaiting, some time soon, before the end of June, a decision, a momentous decision from the Supreme Court in regard to two particular decisions: the one ballot initiative from California, Proposition 8, where the people of California fairly convincingly decided what is a definition of traditional marriage; and, of course, the other thing is the Defense of Marriage Act passed right here on this floor and signed into law by President Clinton back in 1996.

So this is timely, and I commend the gentlewoman from Missouri for bringing it forward and giving us an opportunity to join with our colleagues and talk about something as important as this, that is, the definition of fatherhood and how important a father is to a child.

But maybe even more important than that, a mother and a father. We don't always have the ideal situation, but that's certainly no reason to throw up our hands and say let's forget about our faith and family and traditional values and what's best, what is the best circumstance for a child.

My colleagues, I think a lot about my own children. Of course they're adults now, and among them, they have 13 grandchildren--our grandchildren, their children. And at least one of my son-in-laws had no father present when he was growing up. And that father didn't come to his wedding. That father was not there for the birth of any of his four children. That father just basically denies his existence.

And I watch that particular son-in-law, and my son and my other son- in-laws, but particularly him, because of the experience that he went through as a child, how much he loves his children, how kind and caring and loving he is and how important he is in their lives.

And I realize today that the ``Father Knows Best'' and that traditional view that we all had back in the old days of television is different. It's changed, and I do understand that.

Of my three daughters and one daughter-in-law, they all work. They all work, some of them full-time, some of them part-time. But they're still there as moms. And when they come home and take over that responsibility, they need a shared partner, and that partner is that partner for life. And I'm talking about, of course, the father.

And so I really appreciate the opportunity to be with my colleagues tonight and just say that, you know, maybe part of the problem is we need to go back into the schools at a very early age, maybe at the grade school level, and have a class for the young girls and have a class for the young boys and say, you know, this is what's important. This is what a father does that is maybe a little different, maybe a little bit better than the talents that a mom has in a certain area; and the same thing for the young girls, that, you know, this is what a mom does and this is what is important from the standpoint of that union which we call marriage, and we have called it that since the beginning of this country and long before the beginning of this country.

So as I close and yield back to the gentlelady and thank her for giving me some time, I stand strongly for the Defense of Marriage Act and traditional marriage as we know it, and don't take that right away from our States.

But this is a wonderful opportunity to say, young men, you've got a great responsibility. You're not a father unless you prove it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Kennesaw City Councilman William E. ``Bill'' Thrash, and thank him for his service to country and community.

After a long battle with cancer, Bill passed away on May 22.

A native of Texas, Thrash grew up in Oklahoma before serving in the U.S. Army during Vietnam, and the Colorado National Guard. After his service, he attended nursing school and was an EMT/paramedic in his early career before moving into the security management business.

In 1992, Thrash moved to Kennesaw and began looking to ways that he could serve the community. He served on the Kennesaw Development Authority, the Downtown Development Authority, the Recreation and Culture Commission, and the Historic Preservation Commission before his election to city council in 2001. At the time of his passing, he was serving his third term after being re-elected in 2010, and being named Mayor Pro-Tem in 2011.

Thrash was a role model and community leader, he served in the Georgia Municipal and Cobb Municipal associations, and his service to the National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education, and Families, Thrash was named Citizen of the Year by the Northwest Cobb Area Council of the Chamber of Commerce and the Kennesaw Business Association.

His colleagues and friends will always remember Thrash as someone who loved public service and was particularly passionate about creating programs for young people to thrive in the community. He is credited as being the driving force behind an after-school recreational program for at-risk teens, and for the development of Cantrell Park.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my deepest condolences to William E. Thrash's wife Suzie, his daughter Mandy, and sons Robbie and Billy during these most difficult of times. It saddens me to know that the world is missing an honorable and dedicated man, but I am humbled to know that he is now in a better place.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of State Senator Nathan Dean, and thank him for his dedicated service to Georgia and his community.

Last Saturday our state lost one of the finest public officials it has ever seen, as Dean passed away at the age of 79.

Senator Dean was born in the town of Rockmart, which he called home throughout his entire life. After graduating from Rockmart High School in 1952, he attended Shorter College and then joined the U.S. Army. Thereafter, he answered the call to public service. Before his election to the Georgia Senate in 1974, Dean served for a total of 16 years on the Rockwall City Council and in the Georgia House of Representatives.

During his tenure in the State Legislature, he was named ``Man of the Year for Civic Affairs'' and ``Senator of the Year.'' In addition to his responsibilities as a Senator, he was active in community organizations such as Piedmont Avenue Baptist Church of Rockmart; Rockmart-Aragon Little League; Rockmart, Cedartown, and Cartersville Chambers of Commerce; Polk and Bartow County Farm Bureaus; the Masons, Shriners, and Odd Fellows; the Northwest Council for Boy Scouts; Cedartown, Haralson, and Bartow County Historical societies; and mental disability programs.

I had the pleasure of working with Senator Dean on many occasions during my own time in the Georgia Senate, and came to know him as a very hardworking and effective advocate. Nathan was a role model for all public officials: he truly loved the people of his district and Georgia, and worked tirelessly to represent his constituents to the best of his ability.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my deepest condolences to Senator Dean's wife Ann; his two sons and daughters-in-law, Aland and Durand Dean and Scot and Keri Dean; his grandchildren Seven, Ana Scott, and Mason; his brother, four sisters; and his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews during these most difficult of times. Although we are now without this honorable man, husband, and citizen, we can take comfort in knowing that he made Georgia a better place to live.

Madam Chairman, I thank the chairman for recognizing me, and I rise in strong support of the Connolly-Granger- Diaz-Balart-Gingrey-Sires-Carter amendment No. 185 to H.R. 1960 that was included in the en bloc amendment No. 6.

As a former cochair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, I believe this amendment embodies the spirit of the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 in providing assistance to Taiwan for its own defense.

Through the Taiwan Relations Act, we are able to conduct arms sales to Taipei. Over the past 30 years, we have done this time and time again. Unfortunately, the Obama administration has failed to proceed on Taiwan's top request: the F-16/CD aircraft.

Taiwan has an aging fixed-wing aircraft fleet; and with the growing military gap across the Taiwan Strait, it is critical that we sell them this aircraft.

Our bipartisan amendment does just that by requiring the President to move forward on the sale of no fewer than 66 F-16/CDs. And I urge my colleagues to uphold our commitment to Taiwan and support the Connolly- Granger-Diaz-Balart-Gingrey-Sires-Carter amendment.

Madam Chair, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support my commonsense amendment that was included in one of the en bloc amendments to be considered tomorrow that would express the sense of Congress that Active Duty military personnel who live in or are stationed in Washington, D.C., should be exempt from existing District of Columbia firearms restrictions.

It is no secret that the District of Columbia has historically had some of the most restrictive firearm regulations in the Nation, even after the victory for Second Amendment rights in the 2008 ruling by the Supreme Court in the District of Columbia v. Heller. With approximately 40,000 servicemen and -women across all branches of the Armed Forces either living in or actually stationed on Active Duty within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, these individuals are subject to the very laws of the District of Columbia that make the lawful possession of firearms nearly impossible.

My amendment would recognize that the D.C. handgun law, especially in regard to trained servicemen and -women, punishes individuals.

I thank the gentleman.

Madam Chairman, my amendment would recognize that the D.C. handgun law, especially in regard to trained servicemen and -women, punishes individuals well-equipped to protect themselves and others while emboldening perpetrators of violent crime.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today to honor Robert E. Rivers for his long-standing service in the Georgia House of Representatives. On August 1, he will celebrate his retirement from his role as Clerk after 21 years of dutiful service to lawmakers and citizens.

In this position, Rivers is the official custodian of all bills, resolutions, records, and documents filed in the general assembly. He and his staff were tasked with providing government transparency by keeping an accurate record of daily proceedings for Georgia's citizens, and serving as the Georgia Speaker's chief parliamentary procedure advisor.

During my tenure as a State Senator, I came to personally know Rivers as a true gentleman who treats his role with the utmost regard for his duty and respect for the history of the Capitol grounds. Throughout his career, he has served as a gracious host to the Capitol for thousands of Georgia citizens and will be a dearly missed personality in the general assembly.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of lawmakers everywhere, I would like to extend my deepest thanks to Robert Rivers for devoting himself to the integrity and prestige of the Georgia House of Representatives. I wish him a happy--and well-deserved--retirement.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Lovett High School baseball team. On May 27, the Lions bested the Westminster Wildcats in a best of three championship series to win the AA division state championship.

Although the Wildcats won the first game of the series, the Lions mounted a comeback to win the second game in overtime and carried their momentum into the deciding third game to clench the school's first title since 2009.

This season, Coach Lance Oubs, his staff, and these young men have worked tirelessly to earn their place in Georgia baseball history. The team's seniors will enter the next chapter of their lives knowing that they have upheld their school's legacy of excellence and have set a high bar for future Lions teams.

I encourage the entire team to savor their victory and remember the season's important life lessons of responsibility, persistence, and self-discipline. These traits will serve them well throughout their lives.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I congratulate the Lovett Lions on their well-deserved 2013 2A State Championship title and wish them luck as they defend their title next year. This team has brought great pride to their school, the city of Atlanta, and Georgia's 11th District. Go Lions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Mark C. Gardner and to recognize his lifetime of service to our country.

On June 28, Col. Gardner will retire from the United States Army after thirty years of sacrifice and service to this great nation.

While he currently serves as the Georgia National Guard's State Inspector General, he has worked in many different capacities. In 1983, Col. Gardner's first assignment was with U.S. Army Missile Command, and he has since been assigned to infantry, maintenance, and forward support duties across the world. His career has taken him to Korea, Panama, Afghanistan, Iraq, and several military installations here in the United States.

For his distinguished leadership throughout his career, Col. Gardner has been awarded with decorations like the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Army Reserve Service Medal, the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

Col. Gardner has played an invaluable role in the U.S. Armed Forces for decades and he will surely be missed.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 11th District of Georgia, my deepest thanks to Col. Gardner for devoting his life to upholding the Constitution of the United States and to the protection of its citizens. I wish him a happy--and well-deserved--retirement.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer a commonsense amendment to H.R. 2217.

The 287(g) program has been an integral component of immigration enforcement efforts, yet the Obama administration has been systematically weakening the integrity of the program by slashing funding and discontinuing numerous agreements. Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have tried to do the same throughout this open amendment process.

Mr. Chairman, I want to commend my friend, Homeland Security Appropriation Subcommittee Chairman Judge John Carter, for recognizing the importance of the program and ensuring that the underlying bill provides $43.5 million to restore it. My amendment simply adds an additional layer of protection for the program by stating that none of the funds made available under this act may be used in contravention of section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The 287(g) program enables State and local law enforcement to enter into agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, to act in place of or in tandem with ICE agents by processing illegal aliens who are incarcerated for crimes for removal.

287(g) agreements have a proven track record, Mr. Chairman. Since 2006, over 309,000 potentially removable illegal aliens have been identified under this enforcement program. I emphasize ``potentially removable'' because the final decision remains with ICE. Additionally, with less than 6,000 ICE agents, 287(g) agreements serve as a critical force multiplier by allowing State and local enforcement to assist in enforcing Federal immigration laws.

In my district, the 11th Congressional District of Georgia, the Cobb County Sheriff's Department has successfully participated in a 287(g) program since 2007. I know that the Cobb Sheriff's Department wants to continue its participation in this program, and I am sure countless other law enforcement agencies do as well.

However, the Obama administration continues to weaken our immigration laws by reducing options available to enforce those laws. The administration has gone so far as discontinuing existing agreements, suspending pending agreements, and seeking to slash the 287(g) program by 25 percent. We cannot let this continue.

Mr. Chairman, the administration and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle tout Secure Communities as an alternative to 287(g). While Secure Communities is an important part of immigration enforcement, it focuses primarily on removing aliens that the administration deems a priority, namely, criminal aliens. While removal of these types of aliens is important, the administration must stop picking and choosing aspects of existing immigration law it chooses to enforce.

State and local enforcement officers go through extensive training to participate in 287(g) agreements. This training allows them to participate in enforcing immigration law while carrying out their other duties.

Rather than turning a blind eye to someone here illegally, officers are able to identify and take action when they encounter an illegal alien who has been incarcerated for committing a crime. They're not patrolling the streets. The Obama administration's continued attack on the 287(g) program ignores the program's success and the officers' training--assuming that they can't multitask--and instead forces those who are charged with upholding the law to just simply ignore it.

Mr. Chairman, it is time we start enforcing our immigration laws. It is time we uphold the rule of law. For these reasons, I urge all of my colleagues, please support my amendment to this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman from Texas yielding me time. I would just say to my colleague from North Carolina that--as I pointed out in describing this amendment--the 287(g) program superseded some of these State laws that were enacted west of the Mississippi, not east of the Mississippi, and obviously there were some problems. But in this situation that I'm describing-- and the reason the chairman of the subcommittee wants so strongly to fund this program--is communities like Cobb County, Georgia, in the heart

of the 11th Congressional District, my district. Sheriff Neil Warren has been utilizing this program since 2007, Mr. Chairman, and as I pointed out, it is a force multiplier. The deputy sheriffs in Cobb County are not patrolling the streets profiling, looking for certain individuals to ask them for their papers or anything of that sort.

This program is just simply when someone is incarcerated for committing a crime in our community. And it doesn't matter their ethnicity. Anybody in that jail with the training of these officers under the 287(g) Federal program, federally trained, they have the ability, the knowledge, the wherewithal, to find out, to check the databases, the Homeland Security information, Social Security, to find out whether or not these individuals are in this country legally.

Now, if they're not in the country legally, we make note of that-- they make note of that--under the 287(g) program. They serve their time for the crime they committed in our community, whether that's running a red light or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or a minor fender-bender, whatever it is, they serve their time.

ICE is then simply given this information, and they can make a decision whatever they want to do in regard to whether they deport these illegal immigrants. The Secure Communities program, of course, gives them the ability to decide not to deport them. Well, the local community, the local sheriff's department, is out of it at that point. So nothing can be better than a program like 287(g). And it's well worth the dollars spent, and as I point out, a force multiplier.

I commend the chairman of the subcommittee, and I say to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, let's get the job done and support this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Flores amendment to H.R. 2217 that will prevent funds in this legislation from being used to carry out section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Section 526 prohibits all Federal agencies from contracting for alternative fuels that emit higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions than conventional petroleum sources.

This means that, if a Federal agency, particularly the Department of Defense and Homeland Security, has the ability of utilizing an alternative fuel that even has one scintilla more of carbon emissions than conventional fuels, it cannot be used. Some of you may not know what a ``scintilla'' is, but the professor from Duke does. It's a very, very, very small amount. As a result, section 526 severely limits innovation from Homeland Security at Customs and Border Patrol to improve clean carbon capture technologies for alternative fuels, thereby increasing our dependence on foreign oil, and will only further increase fuel costs.

The amendment intends to remove the handcuffs placed on the agencies under this bill by section 526. This means that Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, particularly the Air Force, will still be able to purchase Canadian fuels with just traces--scintillas--of oil sands that may create

more of a carbon footprint than completely conventional fuel.

Madam Chairman, I support a full repeal of section 526 because the cost of refined product for DOD has increased by over 500 percent in the last 10 years when volume has only increased by 30 percent. The Flores amendment takes a very important step in achieving this goal by prohibiting funding to carry out section 526 for the upcoming fiscal year at Homeland Security.

With that in mind, I appreciate the opportunity to work with my colleague from Texas (Mr. Flores) on this important issue. I urge this body to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Offered by: Mr. Gingrey of Georgia

Amendment No. 13: At the end of the bill (before the short

title), insert the following:

First of all, I want to thank the chairman, my colleague from Texas, for putting together this critical bill. I know that Mr. Culberson has been a longtime advocate for the best care possible for our Nation's veterans, and I thank the chairman of the subcommittee for his continued leadership and, of course, that of the ranking member, my Georgia colleague, Mr. Bishop.

Madam Chair, I rise today to bring attention to the recent tragic events at the Atlanta VA Medical Center. According to an April report by the inspector general and continued news stories, mismanagement and lack of oversight at the Atlanta facility contributed to at least four deaths. Additionally, the Atlanta VA Medical Center has admitted that the combination of a large volume of patients and a lack of appropriate tracking has led to patients ``slipping through the cracks.''

The mental health unit at the Atlanta VA Medical Center has been of particular concern and is at the center of these recent tragedies. Mental health is a critical component of care for our veterans, and as our soldiers continue to return home from war, we must ensure that they're receiving the attention and care that they deserve.

I would ask that as this bill moves forward, Madam Chair, to the Senate and to conference, that the chairman and the ranking member join me and the chairman of the authorizing committee to get answers from the Department of Veterans Affairs as to why we have yet to see those responsible held accountable and what changes the Atlanta VA Medical Center is going to make.

And I ask that question of the subcommittee chair.

I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Madam Chair, I thank the chairman.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Cartersville High School Baseball team. On May 25th, the Purple Hurricanes swept the North Hall Trojans in a best of three championship series to win the AAA division state championship.

Although the North Hall Trojans put up a memorable fight, the Purple Hurricanes ultimately hit walk-off single to clench the program's 6th title in 12 years.

This season, Coach Stuart Chester, his staff, and these young men have worked tirelessly to earn their place in Georgia baseball history. The team's 14 seniors--who are no strangers to adversity--will enter the next chapter of their lives knowing that they have upheld their school's legacy of excellence and have set a high bar for future Purple Hurricanes teams to strive for.

I encourage the entire team to savor their victory and remember the season's important life lessons of responsibility, persistence, and self-discipline; they will undoubtedly make them better citizens and fathers as they grow older.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I congratulate the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes on their well-deserved 2013 division AAA State Championship title and wish them luck as they defend their title next year. This team has brought great pride to their school, the city of Cartersville, and Georgia's 11th District. Go Canes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pastor Vandy S. Pope, on the 50th anniversary of his calling to serve his community through the word of God.

While he currently serves as pastor of New Life Apostolic Church in Cartersville, Georgia, Pastor Pope's vocation has taken him across the globe. Since he graduated Bible College in 1966, his sermons have been heard in 17 different countries, and the 3 States where he served as Pastor. In Georgia alone, Pastor Pope has served three separate communities, and touched countless lives.

1 Peter 4:10 says, ``Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.''

All too often, we forget that our religious leaders take on roles that extend so much farther than that of a pastor. These chosen few work long hours, undertaking duties of educators, social workers, charity organizers, and counselors. Moreover, they are often by the

side of families and friends, as they face the challenge of laying a loved one to rest.

Mr. Speaker, it is with this in mind that I extend my most heartfelt thanks to Pastor Pope for accepting God's call to this challenging, yet critical profession for the future of our great Nation. On behalf of Georgia's 11th District, I congratulate him as he marks this most impressive achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID), which is celebrating 25 years of fostering economic growth in Cobb County, Georgia.

First known as ``Cobb County CID,'' Cumberland CID was launched in 1988 as the first program of its kind in the State of Georgia. Since then, the Cumberland economy has grown into one of the largest economic engines in the state, attracting companies like The Home Depot, GE Energy, Travelport, and many more. Because of their efforts, the Cumberland market now totals an estimated five percent of Georgia's overall economy, and has brought tens of thousands of jobs to Cobb County.

Not only has the Cumberland CID been critical to economic growth, but it represents hundreds of millions of dollars in state infrastructure project investments. Over the next 30 years, Cumberland CID will underscore their commitment to Georgia's economic future by investing $133 million in community improvement projects.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my thanks to the hard-working people who make up the Cumberland CID, and who have played such an important leadership role in making Cobb County's economy flourish. On behalf of Georgia's 11th district, congratulations to Cumberland CID on 25 years of success, and here's to 25 more.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Mark C. Gardner and to recognize his lifetime of service to our country.

On June 28, Col. Gardner will retire from the Georgia National Guard after thirty years of sacrifice and service to this great nation.

While he currently serves as the Georgia National Guard's State Inspector General, he has worked in many different capacities. In 1983, Col. Gardner's first assignment was with U.S. Army Missile Command, and he has since been assigned to infantry, maintenance, and forward support duties across the world. His career has taken him to Korea, Panama, Afghanistan, Iraq, and several military installations here in the United States.

For his distinguished leadership throughout his career, Col. Gardner has been awarded with decorations like the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Army Reserve Service Medal, the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

Col. Gardner has played an invaluable role in the U.S. Armed Forces for decades and he will surely be missed.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 11th District of Georgia, my deepest thanks to Col. Gardner for devoting his life to the upholding the Constitution of the United States and to the protection of its citizens. I wish him a happy--and well-deserved--retirement.