Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Beech Springs Baptist Church, located in the quiet north Louisiana town of Quitman--which I am proud to call my home.

While the church building, which began as a humble one-room schoolhouse in 1907, has changed many times over the past century to accommodate the growing membership, the

role of Beech Springs Baptist Church has always remained the same--to be a place where members of the community can go to worship and where all those who enter will find Christian love, fellowship and guidance. I have attended this church many times, and it is evident to me that God truly works through the people of Beech Springs Baptist Church.

Throughout its long history, Beech Springs Baptist Church has bonded together through its faith in Christ to persevere through local tragedies as well as difficult times in our nation's history such as the Great Depression and war. However, the church has also been a place of great celebration and joy. Countless Sunday morning worship services, baptisms, weddings and revivals have been held there, and I am confident that many more will take part over the next century.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Beech Springs Baptist Church, which will celebrate this landmark anniversary on July 22, 2007, for its efforts to be a source of Christian love, strength, and comfort over the past 100 years and for its desire to continue serving Christ in the Quitman community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the accomplishments of Joshua Michael Brown, the world's first person to earn a bachelor's degree in nanosystems engineering. Brown, a native of West Monroe, LA., graduated from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA., May 19, earning a degree in electrical engineering in addition to his history-making degree in the up-and-coming field of nanotechnology.

Few universities in the United States offer a curriculum in nanotechnology, the science of manipulating materials on an atomic or molecular scale to build microscopic devices, and I am proud to say that Louisiana Tech, located in the 5th Congressional District of Louisiana, is one of those pioneering universities.

In 2005, Louisiana Tech launched its nanosystems engineering degree program, becoming the first university in our Nation to offer such a degree. Recently, Louisiana Tech was ranked 10th in the Nation for commercializing nanaotechnology inventions by Small Times magazine, a trade periodical for micro and nanotechnologies.

Surely, Brown's efforts as a Louisiana Tech scholar were a factor in the university's gaining this honor. While working toward his degree, Brown, along with Tech professor Chester Wilson, co-invented a device that is currently in the process of being patented. The invention is a nanocatalyst considered superior to those currently being used in the production of biofuels from biomass waste, an invention that is both exciting and inspiring as our Nation's top scientists and researchers continue to search for ways to increase the production of quality biofuels in the quest to lessen the United State's dependence on oil.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Joshua Michael Brown, whose knowledge and dedication to this revolutionary technology will be a great asset to the future of this field and to our longstanding commitment of keeping the United States on the forefront of science and technology.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Riley B. King's, also known as BB King, accomplished career and influential musical legacy.

Riley B. King has been acknowledged as the ``King of the Blues'' worldwide. BB King and Charles Evers founded the Medgar Evers Homecoming in Mississippi to memorialize the principles and ideals for which civil rights leader Medger Evers died. He was appointed Mississippi's World Ambassador of the Blues in 2003, and was named United States Ambassador of Music to the World during the World's Fair in Lisbon, Portugal. Mr. King has received honorary degrees from many universities including Tougaloo College, Yale University, Berklee College of Music, Rhodes College of Memphis, Mississippi Valley State University, and in May of 2007, Brown University.

BB King's accomplishments include multiple Grammy awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Songwriters' Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Presidential Medal of the Arts, a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, Kennedy Center Honors, the B'nai Brith Humanitarian Award, and a 2006 Presidential Medal of Freedom.

He, along with the BB King Blues Band, has performed over 10,000 concerts in 90 countries, including frequent appearances at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and numerous other Louisiana venues, including the Paragon Casino in Avoyelles Parish.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the accomplishments of Riley B. King. I acknowledge his invaluable talent and significant contribution to not only the State of Louisiana, but our Nation as well.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 5252. This legislation will permit us to move the video franchising process into the 21st century. The concept of a national franchise is needed to make the U.S. concurrent with the global nature of telecommunications by enabling competition to enter the market and build tomorrow's communications network in a timely manner.

There are more than 30,000 individual franchise authorities in the United States. If telecom companies have to negotiate with each and every one of these, it will be a very long time before they get around to addressing video franchises for rural areas such as the one I represent in Louisiana. Video competition will increase access for these rural Americans and drive new innovations like telemedicine and distance learning. We can greatly accelerate that process by creating a national streamlined method for video entry.

Let us not miss this opportunity to allow the marketplace to thrive and usher in a new era in technology.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Louisiana Tech University Debate Team for its continued success this academic year. Just last month, the debate team regained its national championship status and the team is poised to continue its success next season.

The team's success is not accidental; the foundation of this team's success was established by hard work, determination, dedication and experience. At the helm of the Louisiana Tech Debate Team is Trey Gibson, a Louisiana native who came to Louisiana Tech in 2000. This year's team includes: Levy Leatherman, John Emory, Bill Willis, Kris Lucas, John McCorkle, Michelli McKnight, Matt LaCaze, Baileigh McClaran, Henry Shuler, Courtney McGuffee, Rachel Taylor, Kyle O'Neal, Taryn Branson, Kacey Richard, Nick Cordaro, Richie Robinson, Christina Linza and Reece Lewis.

Gibson works tirelessly to promote this program and uses his talent, energy and drive toward developing articulate students. Long after these students graduate, Gibson's lessons and dedication will continue to surface as his students succeed in business and public service professions. By winning the national championship, the Louisiana Tech Debate Team also earned the prestigious Protagoras Cup. It is also important to note that this year's team faced the trials and tribulations that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita brought to our state. Most north Louisiana institutions of higher learning had to carry the burdens of finding space for our south Louisiana students from other universities, and all state universities had to address budget cuts. Through all of this, the team continued on its successful journey.

Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to know that the academic honors these students have achieved will truly pay off for our nation. This type of training will enhance and strengthen each student's educational experience. I am thankful for professors like Trey Gibson, who exude energy and determination in the classroom. The fruits of his labor are evident in his team's storied success.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

Madam Speaker, to begin with I want to thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker) for his leadership and his contribution to the State of Louisiana, both with the Committee on Financial Services and within our delegation.

Because of the hurricanes in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, over 1 million households have been affected. Between 40 and 50 percent of those households, whether rented or owned, will need to be completely replaced. These are high numbers and do not even include Katrina's damage in Florida. In fact, FEMA estimates that 300,000 families are homeless and 200,000 will require government housing.

This is a housing crisis unlike anything we have seen in this country due to a natural disaster. Here in the United States, a country that gives more in aid to countries around the world than any other, we have largely been unable to provide the basic need of housing for our citizens.

Today is the 36th day since Hurricane Katrina made landfall, and there are still thousands of Louisianans in shelters across this country and the State of Louisiana.

These numbers do not even reflect the number of people living in private homes, in churches and motels.

For 36 days now, these people have slept on cots. They have eaten at community tables and showered in communal facilities. These people, the citizens of our country, want their privacy. They want to use the phone at will. They want to sleep in their own beds. They want to have the freedom to walk around without carrying their belongings, and they want to tuck their children into bed at night in peace and not have strangers watching them. In this country of great prosperity and resources, people should not be forced to live like this for over a month.

This act will give the Secretary of HUD the authority to waive specific requirements under section 8 and project-based assistance programs for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in order to expedite emergency housing assistance to those families that need it the most. This waiver authority will last for a period of 6 months, with a 6-month extension beyond that if the Secretary deems it necessary.

By waiving the requirements of verification of income and initial inspection of units, we are enabling displaced persons who have lost documentation due to the hurricanes to obtain vouchers and ensuring occupancy immediately by waiving the initial inspections.

By removing the 1-year rental contract requirement that the vouchers be confined to a specific area, we are making sure that people have the flexibility to determine where and how they will live. While many people are deciding what to do on a permanent basis, they still need temporary but independent living arrangements. This bill does just that.

This bill authorizes the Secretary to directly administer section 8 vouchers if the appropriate housing agency is unable to do so because of damage or displaced employees due to the hurricanes. This will ensure that those persons traditionally served will continue to be served by HUD's programs.

This bill requires the Secretary to report to Congress within 30 days of the enactment of this legislation on Federal, civilian and Defense facilities that can be used to provide emergency housing or as locations for construction or deployment of temporary housing units.

Lastly, it requires the Comptroller General to submit a report to Congress identifying and describing States that have developed emergency housing contingency plans for use in the event of a disaster to help us be better prepared the next time.

While I recognize that this is not all that is needed to address the housing

crisis, this is a step in the right direction and part of the overall plan to get people into more permanent living arrangements. We cannot solely rely on the trailer plan to house displaced persons. These vouchers offer choice to people, use existing housing and do not necessitate the need to build additional public housing.

I am concerned for the people of my State. I am concerned for the people of the gulf coast region. It is time for us to take action to get these people out of the shelters and into apartments, into homes or into a place where they can begin to start their lives over. These are Americans. They are our citizens. I urge my colleagues to help pass H.R. 3894. It is time that we act to get our citizens out of these shelters and into homes.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor a true community pillar and a servant, Reverend Thomas Peoples. Reverend Peoples currently serves as pastor of the Wisner First Baptist Church in Louisiana where he has ministered to his congregation, town, and surrounding communities for over a decade.

Some of the words used to describe Reverend Peoples by the members of his church include ``caring,'' ``compassionate,'' ``diligent,'' and ``a man of God.''

One member of his church said he mirrors the scriptures found in Mark, the 10th chapter, 45th verse, which says: ``For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, that He might give His life as a ransom for many.''

Reverend Peoples is also a devoted husband, as well as a father of three children. Like so many ministers, his wife and children shoulder the same burdens for the Wisner community.

Madam Speaker, it is truly an honor to recognize Reverend Peoples and his family who are visiting Washington this week.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to personally thank all of the Members of the House for the help that they have given us, for their kindness, for their prayers for the State of Louisiana.

What I am going to ask of Members today is if Members cannot vote for this measure, find a reason other than the Governor of Louisiana. I served with the lady 20 years ago in the State legislature. She had some criticism for me when I changed parties last year, but I understand that. But she is a decent lady and does not deserve to have her name mentioned in the same column with the word ``corruption.''

I would appreciate it if Members would refrain from throwing stones at this particular time. We have some devastation down there and a lot of hurt people, but please, if Members would find another reason other than that.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an exceptional federal civil servant with the Department of the Army, Mrs. Margaret Volz Thompson, upon her retirement after more than 26 years of distinguished civilian service. Throughout her career, she has been a dedicated worker, portraying Army values of duty, integrity, and selfless service across the many missions which the Army provides in defense of our Nation. As Deputy Chief of the Programs Division, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Army, many of us on Capitol Hill have enjoyed the opportunity to work with Margaret on a wide variety of Army issues and programs, and it is my privilege to recognize her many accomplishments. I commend her superb service to the United States Army and this great Nation.

Mrs. Thompson is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. August Volz, Sr. She graduated from Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana, with a degree in Business Administration. Her first civilian assignment was the Finance and Accounting Office, 7th Infantry Division in Fort Ord, California in 1979. The Thompsons, as a military family, were then transferred to Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where Mrs. Thompson held various positions on the Garrison Staff and served as Children's Advocate for the Fort Sheridan Military Community. In 1983, Mrs. Thompson was selected to be a Department Army Comptroller Intern. She completed her training with the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command and then joined the professional staff as an analyst. In 1989, she began work on the staff of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. She remained there until 2000 when she became the Deputy Executive to the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Her capstone assignment was as Deputy Chief of the Programs Division, Legislative Liaison, where she established and maintained an excellent rapport with professional staff members of the

Senate and House Armed Services Committees on issues relating to areas of importance to the Army.

Throughout these assignments, Mrs. Thompson marshaled information sources and resources on numerous critical issues of enduring importance to both the Army and Congress. The timely and professional support delivered by Mrs. Thompson was invaluable to Army leaders and Members of Congress as they considered the impact of these important issues.

On behalf of the United States Congress and the United States of America, I thank Margaret, her husband, George (LTC, USA, Ret.) and her entire family for the commitment, sacrifices, and contribution that they have made throughout her honorable federal civil service tenure. Congratulations on completing an exceptional and extremely successful career.

Mr. Speaker, it has been 1,167 days since President Bush and the Republican Party embarked on their economic plan for our country. During that time, the national debt has increased by $1,663,467,070,131.85.

According to the Web site for the Bureau of Public Debt at the Treasury Department, yesterday the Nation's outstanding privately held debt was $4,228,533,122,486.63.

Foreign holdings of U.S. privately held debt now total $1.75 trillion. This

is an increase of $740 billion since January of 2001 and is 41 percent of all privately held debt.

Mr. Speaker I rise today in the spirit of Independence Day to recognize the will and strength of our men and women in uniform as they fought in wars past and continue to maintain our commitment to democracy throughout the world. Our veterans are living examples of the ideals of our founding fathers and it is those same ideals that are inspiring a new generation of veterans.

More than 300 years ago, the first generation of American veterans fought a war to establish our sovereignty. Along with our independence came the understanding that America would need protection, and we would need a constant military force to ensure the preservation of these freedoms. Americans answered the call to duty, and the willingness of our troops to boldly go into harms way in the defense of democracy has not wavered.

As our nation's veterans volunteered to risk their lives for our protection, our country and its leaders have an obligation to provide them with the care and resources they need and are entitled to once they retire. Veterans have made significant, personal sacrifices and have earned the very best we can offer them.

Yesterday marked the 60th anniversary of the GI Bill, an important step our leaders took to recognize the commitment we owe our veterans. Because of the GI Bill, our veterans were given assistance with the costs of a college education and helped with the purchase of a home or business.

A lot was done, but there is still much to do. Health benefits need improving, the Widow's Tax and Disabled Veterans Tax need ending and education benefits should still be expanded. We cannot increase their costs for health care, and we must not cut funding to their system.

George Washington said ``the willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.'' Our nation's veterans served and protected us, and they inspired the soldiers who responded to the call after them. They fought for our country, for the continued prosperity of our government, and once their service has ended, they should not have to fight the government for the benefits they deserve.

I call on my colleagues in Congress to continue to work together to provide veterans with the best healthcare and the highest compensation, as it is the least they have earned for their years of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of one of the oldest and most celebrated holidays in African-American history, June 19th, African-American Emancipation Day.

On tomorrow's date 139 years ago, at the end of the Civil War, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and ensure that all slaves across the South were set free.

General Granger's order declared that ``an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer.'' Upon hearing this news, the celebration began in the streets of Galveston and has spread through the years into a worldwide celebration commemorating African-American freedom.

In 1865, African-Americans began a long struggle to gain equal rights with other citizens. More than 100 years later, courageous men and women were still fighting for the civil rights of African Americans. The celebration of Juneteenth acknowledges the price, history, culture and freedom of part of our American society and helps to unify the Nation as a whole. Africn-Americans have played an important role throughout America's history, and we should all be grateful for their many contributions to our society.

The celebration of Juneteenth that has spread throughout this nation in these 139 years observes the momentous occasions in African-American history and the history of the United States. Each year, the Juneteenth celebration grows bigger and spreads farther than the year before, and I hope these events continue to broaden in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, as African-Americans gather with family, friends, and neighbors in marking the tradition of Juneteenth, I extend my warmest wishes for a memorable celebration, and I ask all citizens to renew our commitment to a nation of equality and opportunity for all people.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm) for this time.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that we devote this week to honor the memory and the contributions of our 40th President Ronald Reagan. My thoughts and prayers are with President Reagan's family and all of the Americans who grieve this week.

Mr. Speaker, President Reagan was a true patriot, committed to the ideals of a democratic Nation, and dedicated to maintaining the strength of America as a world power. His abilities as a strong leader and a communicator gave Americans confidence and strength during a time of economic hardship and struggling with the Soviet Union.

President Reagan once said, ``There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he does not mind who gets the credit.'' We should follow this example and remember that public service is not about partisan battles or taking credit, it is about serving the American people to the best of our ability.

I am honored to be here in Washington during this week of memorial services. I am grateful to all of those involved with arranging the safety and logistics during a week when thousands of Americans will journey to our Nation's Capital to pay their respects to President Reagan.

Mr. Speaker, as we face a new decade and new challenges, let us honor the life and contributions and remember the debt of gratitude we owe our 40th President, Ronald Reagan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to take a moment to remember the valiant efforts of their neighbors and fellow citizens of the U.S. Merchant Marine.

America is a nation of the sea. Our oceans, lakes and rivers have left an indelible mark upon the American existence. The American Merchant Marine--both the industry and mariners who ply the oceans of the world under our Flag--are a critical part of our national infrastructure. During peace time they move the goods that keep America moving, and during war time, they protect us by ensuring that our soldiers abroad have the equipment, food and medicine that keep them fighting.

As President Ronald Reagan said in his 1988 National Maritime Day proclamation, ``. . . the merchant marine continues its roles in trade and defense--and the sailors of our commercial fleets continue to exhibit the patriotism and the many skills that have ever characterized them and their predecessors. It is truly fitting that we pause to salute these seafarers and all other Americans who support them and guard the lifelines of the sea that sustain us all.''

Yet despite the critical role in our national infrastructure that the maritime industry plays, it is all too easy to forget them. We see trucks every day on our roads, and we see airplanes in our skies. We do not see the hundreds of ships that sail our oceans brimming with cargo, bound for our malls and supermarkets. We do not see the thousands of men and women who leave behind their families for months at a time to crew these vessels and ensure that the goods we need to survive make it to our shores.

Every May 22, we as a nation come together to celebrate National Maritime Day, a day to remember those men and women who are so often forgotten. Today, just as it was at our nation's founding, the American Merchant Marine remains an important part of our national experience.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding individual from my district, Dr. Miller Wickliffe ``Wick'' Laurence, Jr., who was just inducted post-mortem into the Corney Creek Hall of Fame. Dr. Wick's tireless service and genuine commitment to his patients, family and community were truly remarkable and inspiring.

Born in 1912 and raised in Bernice, Louisiana, he was a graduate of Bernice High School and Louisiana Tech University. While he aspired to a career in dentistry, the nation was suffering through the Depression, and his career was postponed while he taught chemistry at Bernice High School. In 1934, he enrolled in the Atlanta Southern Dental College, marrying Cortez Hicks along the way. Dr. Wick and his new bride returned to Bernice upon his graduation and he set up a practice, which he maintained for 40 years.

Dr. Wick served in the United States Army Dental Corp, enlisting at Fort Walters, Texas with assignments at Camp Livingston, Louisiana; Fort Lewis, Washington; Brigham City, Utah; Camp Beale, California and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Major.

Dr. Wick was a member of the Fifth District Dental Society, the American Dental Association, the Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry, the Louisiana Dental Association, and the Phi Omega Dental Fraternity. He was a founding member of the Bernice Volunteer Fire Department and served as town councilman for Bernice for 24 years. An avid horseman, he held memberships in the Louisiana Quarter Horse Association, the American Hereford Association and the American Junior Quarter Horse Association. Dr. Wick was also involved with the Louisiana Farm Bureau, the Union Parish Farm Bureau, the Louisiana Forestry Association and the Louisiana Cattleman's Association.

Dr. Wick was also heavily involved and supportive of youth programs in Union Parish. As a former Boy Scout, he donated money and volunteered as a merit badge counselor to Troop 48 of Bernice and Troop 59 of Ruston. His generosity was also bestowed in time and money to the Ouachita Valley Council and the Thunderbird District. Dr. Wick strongly believed that every child who wanted an education should have one, and he provided financial assistance to many young people for college and business or technical school. He opened his office doors to dental graduates to work in his practice until they were secure enough to establish practices in neighboring towns.

Dr. Wick passed away in September of 1999 at the age of 87. He was a father and grandfather and was married to his wife Cortez for nearly 63 years. His life was rich, and he enriched the lives of others by the charitable giving of his time and money to so many community and youth organizations.

Dr. Wick deserves the honor of Congressional recognition, for his outstanding contributions to his family, our community and our state and I am proud to recognize his notable accomplishments and manifold contributions.