Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I would like to state for the record my position on the following votes I missed due to reasons beyond my control.

On Monday, March 5, 2007, I had to tend to some family matters and thus missed rollcall votes 119 and 120. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all votes.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 584 designates the Department of Education Building as the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building. Lyndon Baines Johnson was born in Stonewall, Texas, on August 27, 1908, and his connection to education began very early in life when at the age of 4 his mother persuaded the teacher at the nearby one-room junction school to take him as a student.

Lyndon Baines Johnson enrolled in the Southwest Texas State Teachers College in 1927. He graduated in 1930 and embarked on a teaching career that would eventually lead him to the White House. As was pointed out by the gentlelady, in 1937 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election.

He was subsequently re-elected to the House in each succeeding Congress until 1948 when he was elected to the United States Senate. In 1961, he resigned from the Senate to become the 37th Vice President; and on November 22, 1963, a day we all remember, Lyndon Baines Johnson became the 36th President of the United States.

This teacher who would become President pursued numerous education initiatives, as was pointed out. He signed into law education legislation such as the Higher Education Facilities Act, the Library Services Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and the Higher Education Act, just to name a few.

After leaving office, President Johnson continued to have an impact on education, as he taught students while he was writing his memoirs, and subsequently passed away on January 22, 1973.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I wish to yield 6 minutes to the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton).

Madam Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to another gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul).

I don't.

Madam Speaker, I would be more than happy to yield 5 minutes to Chairman Norton.

I have none. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 399 designates the United States courthouse, which is to be constructed in Jackson, Mississippi, as the R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse. This bill honors R. Jess Brown's work as an attorney and civil rights leader.

As was so eloquently pointed out, and I think Chairman Norton went through it very well, Mr. Brown was the associate counsel for the Legal Defense and Education Fund for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, where his work was well documented.

He worked alongside Thurgood Marshall, who would later become Associate Justice to the United States Supreme Court. And as Mr. Brown was working for the NAACP in that capacity, he filed the very first civil rights suit in Mississippi in the 1950s.

Mr. Brown died in Jackson, Mississippi, on January 2, 1990.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 544, introduced by Representative Udall of New Mexico, designates the United States courthouse at South Federal Place in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as the Santiago E. Campos United States Courthouse. The bill honors Judge Campos, who was the first Hispanic to be appointed to the U.S. District Court of New Mexico.

Judge Campos served in the United States Navy during World War II and graduated first in his law class at the University of New Mexico. His career in public service included serving as the assistant and first assistant attorney general in New Mexico, and serving as a district court judge in New Mexico's First Judicial District, and culminated in his appointment to the Federal bench.

Judge Campos was appointed by President Carter in 1978 to the District Court of New Mexico. He served as chief judge from 1987 to 1989 and became a senior judge on December 26, 1992. He served with distinction on the bench, and on January 20, 2001, Judge Campos passed away.

I support this legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jarrett Muck, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 376, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Jarrett has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Jarrett has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jarrett Muck for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Brian Patrick Wessling, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 395, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Brian has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Brian has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Brian Patrick Wessling for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Christopher Blake, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 395, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Christopher has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Christopher has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community,

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Christopher Blake for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Mike Kemna, Superintendent of Crossroads Correctional Center, in Cameron Missouri. On March 30, 2007, Crossroads Correctional Center will reach its 10 year anniversary of the opening of the institution.

Crossroads Correctional Center (CRCC) is a maximum security (C-5) male facility located adjacent to the Western Missouri Correctional Center in Cameron. Since its opening Mike has provided leadership and stability to all employees while overseeing 1,500 inmates.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Mike Kemna, an exceptional leader of Crossroads Correctional Center, as we honor his dedication, strength and devotion to the Department of Corrections throughout his long career.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Will David Morris, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 374, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Will has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Will has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Will's dedication to his school work and church are outstanding. Will works hard in school, while being an active member of the Liberty United Methodist Church, where he plays guitar in ``Decided,'' the youth praise band, sings in the JAM youth choir and participates in Sunday school and the evening youth group. Will has also contributed significantly to the community, by leading a group of Scouts, friends, and adults in landscaping the Outdoor Worship Center at Liberty United Methodist Church. Will and his crew planted more than a dozen low- maintenance bushes and shrubs.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Will David Morris for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Michael Baharaeen, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 354, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Michael has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years, Michael has been involved in scouting, he has earned 39 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, serving as Patrol Leader and Scribe and is a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.

For his Eagle Scout project, Michael built a storage area and refurbished playground equipment at Crestview Elementary in Kansas City, Missouri.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Michael Baharaeen for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Shaun Andrew Robinson, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 374, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Shaun has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Shaun has been involved with Scouting, he has earned 30 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, serving as patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, chaplain's aid, and den chief. He is a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say.

Shaun's dedication to his school work and church are outstanding. Shaun works hard in school, while being an active member of the Liberty United Methodist Church. He has also contributed significantly to the community by using his leadership skills to lead a group of boys and adults in completing a landscaping project at the Liberty United Methodist Church.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Shaun Andrew Robinson for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Travis Cash, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 314, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Travis has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Travis has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Travis Cash for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Austin Cade, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 314, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Austin has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Austin has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Austin Cade for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Isaac Zeilinger, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 314, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Isaac has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Isaac has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Isaac Zeilinger for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize James Leach, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 314, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

James has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years James has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community.

Madam, Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending James Leach for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.