Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a great man and outstanding public servant, Crisp County Sheriff Donnie R. Haralson. Sadly, Sheriff Haralson passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 7, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. at Cordele First Baptist Church.

Following in his father's footsteps, Sheriff Haralson began his law enforcement career with the Cordele Police Department in 1977. After years of hard work and determination, he became Cordele's Chief of Police. A well-respected member of his community, Sheriff Haralson was reelected to a seventh term as Crisp County Sheriff in 2012, a capacity in which he served dutifully for twenty-seven years.

During his tenure, Sheriff Haralson established local programs that benefitted both the community he served and the inmates in his care, including personal safety classes and an inmate GED program. Sheriff Haralson was influential in obtaining a regional youth detention center in Cordele and also helped to secure inmate labor in the building of a recreation facility, a significant cost-saving initiative.

Sheriff Haralson was actively engaged in his community and served on numerous committees both locally and statewide. As the longest sitting sheriff in Crisp County history, Sheriff Haralson embodied the definition of a public servant through strong leadership, steadfast dedication and unwavering compassion. His years of distinguished service in law enforcement earned him the Governor's Public Safety Award in 2000 and Georgia's 2010 Sheriff of the Year distinction.

Maya Angelou once said, ``A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies.'' Sheriff Haralson is undoubtedly great because of his dedication and service to the community that he loved so dearly. As a lifelong resident of Crisp County, Sheriff Haralson's legacy will live on for years to come in the minds and hearts of all those whose lives he touched in Southwest Georgia.

Sheriff Haralson is survived by his wife, Peggy; daughters, Amanda and Crystal; grandsons, Thomas and Eli; sisters, Sharon and Kadron; and his nephew, Cory. He was a longtime member and a Deacon of Cordele First Baptist Church.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to Sheriff Donnie Haralson and his legacy of service to Crisp County, Georgia. He loved the people of Crisp County and dedicated his life and career to improving the quality of life for his fellow citizens. He will truly be missed.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a great man and close friend, Chef Darryl E. Evans. Sadly, Darryl passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2014. A home-going celebration in his honor will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia. Interment will take place on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Green Acres Cemetery in Columbus, Georgia.

A Columbus, Georgia native, Darryl was a graduate of Carver High School Class of 1979. In 1986, he graduated from the American Culinary Federation (AFC) apprenticeship at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.

One of the very few executive chefs of color in the hospitality industry, he achieved national recognition and earned numerous awards and accolades throughout the years. He was the first African American to compete in the International Culinary Olympics in Frankfurt, Germany, where he won three gold medals and one silver medal in 1988 and 1992. He is a three-time recipient of the AFC Chef of the Year Award and was named Chef and Culinarian of the Year by the Greater Atlanta Chef's Association in 1991, 1993, and 1996. He has served as visiting Chef for numerous functions held by the United States Congress and various state governments.

Throughout his career, Darryl trained and mentored generations of culinarians. He made a living from feeding others, but he truly fulfilled his calling by helping to feed the hungry through organizations such as Taste of the Nations, the 1993 World Cooks Tour for Hunger in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, as well as through his church, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as the Chef of the church for many years.

Darryl loved his life's work. He knew that food was much more than just for sustaining one's body. He strongly believed that food was an important part of history and culture--whether as part of signing a peace treaty, blessing an event or ceremony, or by simply bringing a family together.

Darryl has achieved numerous successes in his life, but none of this would have been possible without the grace of God and his loving wife, Deborah; two sons, Brandon and Branford-Michael; and the rest of his devoted family and friends.

Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the more than 700,000 people of the Second Congressional District salute Chef Darryl Evans for his numerous remarkable achievements. I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in extending our deepest sympathies to Darryl's family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. We pray that they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a great man, veteran, and outstanding public servant, the Honorable Marcus Eugene Collins, Sr. Sadly, Marcus passed away on Friday, February 14, 2014, at the age of 87. The funeral service was held on Monday, February 17, 2014, at 3 p.m., in the chapel of Jamerson-Braswell Funeral Home in Pelham, Georgia.

Born on January 25, 1927, in Albany, Georgia, Marcus spent most of his life in Pelham, Georgia. As a veteran of World War II, Marcus honorably and courageously served his country.

Marcus was also dedicated to serving his local community in Georgia. He represented Pelham in the Georgia House of Representatives for twenty years and served as Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. After his time in the House of Representatives, Marcus was appointed Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Revenue. He served in this capacity from 1983 until his retirement in 1996. Later, Marcus was appointed Executive Director of the Tobacco Community Development Board.

Hailed by his friends and family as a true Southern gentleman, Marcus was a ``mover and shaker'' in the community. He was ahead of his time, a true innovator, and a crucial player in South Georgia leadership. He was an inspiring mentor to me and to many others and the great legacy he leaves to all of us is the faithful and dedicated life he led.

Maya Angelou once said, ``A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies.'' Marcus is undoubtedly great because of his distinguished service to his community, devotion to his work, and the compassion he showed for his friends and loved ones.

Marcus is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; children, Elizabeth, Marcus, David, Jennifer, and Rebecca; and thirteen grandchildren. He was a devoted member of Lake Pleasant Baptist Church in Pelham, Georgia.

Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Collins family and we pray that they be encouraged by their abiding faith and the Holy Spirit during the coming days, weeks, and months ahead. I also ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to the Honorable Marcus Eugene Collins, Sr., and his legacy of service to the city of Pelham and State of Georgia. He loved the people of Mitchell County and he was committed to making the community prosperous and to improving the quality of life. He will truly be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Presiding Elder Elijah Smith, who will be retiring as Senior Presiding Elder of the Eastern District for the Southwest Georgia Annual Conference for the African Methodist Episcopal Church after forty-nine years of faithful and dedicated service to the Lord. He will be honored at a retirement celebration on Friday, January 17, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center in Columbus, Georgia.

A native of Fort Valley, Georgia and a man after God's own heart, Presiding Elder Smith began serving the ministry in the early 1960s. After being ordained an Itinerant Elder in 1967, he spent twenty-seven years pastoring various congregations in the Southwest Georgia Conference, including Eastman Circuit, Allen Chapel in Americus, Mountain Creek in Sumter County, and Saint John in Columbus. Under his leadership as pastor, the Saint John A.M.E. Church chapel was built on Steam Mill Road in Columbus. In June 1994, Bishop Donald George Kenneth Ming appointed him as a presiding elder. For many years, Presiding Elder Smith served as an instructor and assistant dean of the Board of Examiners in the Southwest Georgia Conference.

Presiding Elder Smith's commitment to the ministry and support of civil rights led him to be a notable minister among other African American ministers rising up to challenge the segregation laws and suppression of voting rights in the South. After serving as president of the Sumter County Branch of the NAACP, he was recognized as an NAACP Life Member.

In addition to being a servant of God, Presiding Elder Smith was a civil servant and retired from Robins Air Force Base as an electronic technician.

A widely respected civic, community, and ministerial leader, Presiding Elder Smith has received numerous accolades and commendations. He was honored as one of the ``50 Most Influential African Americans in the Columbus-Ft. Benning-Phenix City Areas'' by the Courier Eco Latino.

Presiding Elder Smith, a man highly favored by God, has accomplished many things in his life, but none of this would have been possible without the love and support of his wife, Janet, and their nine children.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the Columbus, Georgia community in paying tribute to Senior Presiding Elder Elijah Smith for forty-nine outstanding years of Pastoral Ministry. Through his service to God's people, he has transformed many lives and inspired others to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Andrew College as it celebrates its 160th anniversary on January 15, 1854. Andrew College is a small, two-year college in rural Southwest Georgia dedicated to meeting the needs of students as a mission of the United Methodist Church.

Approved by the Georgia General Assembly on January 15, 1854, Andrew's charter granted women access to college degrees 66 years before they were allowed to vote, making it the second-oldest educational institution in the nation to grant degrees to women. It was originally named Andrew Female College and operated as a women's four- year college for 63 years until 1917, when it became a junior college. In 1956, the institution became co-educational.

During its 160 years, the College has met its fair share of obstacles; it acted as a Confederate hospital during the Civil War and suffered a devastating fire to the campus in 1892. However, the school was rebuilt and revived by members of the community, and today it helps students overcome obstacles of their own. Andrew prides itself on its history of providing an education to low-income and at-risk populations of Southwest Georgia, and teaches that life's challenges are often the catalyst for life's triumphs.

Under the current leadership of President David Seyle, Andrew continues to grow as an educational and spiritual leader in the Southeast, providing an academically challenging liberal arts curriculum within a nurturing community. Dr. Seyle and his administration work tirelessly to cultivate a new generation of leaders who welcome life's challenges with empathy and justice. As a champion of affordable education, Andrew College is an outstanding example of compassionate leadership and perseverance.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring Andrew College for achieving this historic milestone of 160 years, and for its commitment to higher education. I look forward to continuing to work with the administration, faculty and students to maintain Andrew's great legacy of personal, academic, and spiritual development.

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, the MILCON-VA portion of this bill provides a total of $73.3 billion for FY '14 which is $1.3 billion above FY '13. The MILCON portion provides sufficient funding for our military facilities worldwide, including family housing, which is adequate funding to meet their needs.

The VA portion is funded at $63.2 billion. It meets the discretionary budget request in all areas of administrative expenses, research, information technology and facilities for VA. In addition, it contains $55.6 billion in advance appropriations for medical services, medical support and compliance and medical facilities, which is $1.1 billion above the amount provided in FY '13.

The bill also takes concrete steps to pinpoint and address the serious issues of the VA's claims backlog and interoperability of DOD's and VA's electronic health record systems. For example, addressing the claims backlog, the agreement includes a 10-point action plan which we believe will give the VA additional tools to reinforce personnel resources, training and quality oversight, as well as strengthen accountability by upgrading equipment and broadening access to electronic medical records.

This plan not only focuses on increasing productivity but also on claim processors' accuracy. This effort would ensure that veterans receive fair compensation at the outset without delays from having to appeal decisions.

Regarding the merging of the DOD's and VA's electronic health records systems, the agreement makes it very clear to both Departments that an interoperable record system that actually works is the chief end goal for Congress. New health record systems is an important project for both Departments to undertake, but the effort will be a futile exercise if the result is not the development of two interoperable systems, defined as the ability to exchange computable information electronically.

Before I close, Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize our staff, Donna Shahbaz and her team on the majority side, Matt Washington on the minority side, and Michael Reed on my

personal staff for all of the amazing work and time they have put into this bill in supporting our subcommittee's efforts. I would also like to thank Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Rogers, the distinguished ranking member and the chairman of this committee, and a special thanks to Mr. Culberson, the chairman of the subcommittee, for a bipartisan work product. It is a good bill.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of the FY 2014 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.

I would first, however, like to commend Committee Chairman Rogers, Ranking Member Lowey, and all the Committee members and staff on both sides of the aisle, for exhibiting a fine example of bipartisan cooperation and teamwork through the production of this bill.

As I stated just now/earlier, I am very pleased with the Military Construction--Veteran Affairs portion of this omnibus bill and fully support its recommendations.

As a former member of the Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, I am confident that the FY14 bill provides adequate funding to meet our nation's military and security needs for the coming fiscal year and beyond. More importantly, the bill avoids the extreme and devastating reductions in funding which would have occurred under the next round of sequestration, which, as we all know, could have had a profound impact on our nation's security.

The bill fully funds the President's request for Military Personnel End Strength for next year, providing for 1,361,400 active-duty troops and 833,700 reserves; provides sufficient resources to maintain our commitments abroad, and in particular, ongoing military operations in Afghanistan; provides adequate funding for new procurement as well as operations and maintenance activities; it exempts medically retired personnel and survivor benefit plan annuity recipients from the temporarily reduced COLA provision included in the Ryan-Murray Agreement; and fully funds the one percent pay raise for the military, as requested by the President.

Madam Speaker, I am also pleased that this agreement restores well over 60% of the sequester on non-defense discretionary spending in 2014 and restores those bills to roughly the FY2013 enacted pre-sequester levels.

I was particularly pleased with the Agriculture Title, which fully funds the WIC, SNAP, and other key nutrition programs, and supports our key farm, rural development, and conservation programs as well.

While I was pleased that the bill addresses a number of key issues, such as the additional funding for NIH; FAA's Airport Tower program, additional support for low income housing programs, and Army Corps of Engineers port construction activity, the bill still falls woefully short of providing an adequate safety net for the less fortunate.

I was struck, and frankly appalled, by the fact that the bill did not include funding for the extension of unemployment benefits while including significant reductions in funding for employment and training activities at the Department of Labor.

The lack of funding for ``Payments in Lieu of Taxes,'' could prove to be devastating to rural districts like mine if this issue is not fully addressed by the authorizers.

So I'm not sure that any of us got all that we believe is needed to support the fiscal needs of our nation next year. However, I do believe that this bill provides an ``optimal solution'' and alternative to the budget skirmishes that have become all too frequent over the past few years.

Let's stop the bickering, let's get back to regular order, and let's pass this omnibus bill.

I believe our former Subcommittee Chairman, the late Jack Murtha, would have called this omnibus a good bill. It deserves our support.

Mr. Speaker, on this day in 1964, President Johnson's called on our nation to launch an `unconditional war on poverty'. Exactly 50 years later, we can state with confidence two truths.

The programs resulting from Johnson's War on Poverty have improved the lives of Americans of all ages in innumerable ways.

True, the war on poverty has not been won.

I submit that now is NOT the time to end our battle.

Today, there are nearly 50 million Americans grappling with the economic and social hardships of living below the poverty line, including 13.4 million children.

In my district in Southwest Georgia alone, more than one in four people and almost one of every two children fall below the poverty line.

And yet without programs such as unemployment insurance, Rural Tax Credits, school lunch programs, affordable housing, Medicare, Medicaid, Job Corps, SNAP, TRIO, and others, where would we be?

In Georgia alone:

Over 29,000 children from low-income families would be without critical early stage developmental resources provided by Head Start and Early Head Start.

Over 1.8 million low-income individuals and families would lose the ability to choose healthy food options through SNAP for themselves and their children.

And so on.

America's War on Poverty has gone beyond just helping reduce our poverty rate. It has educated, fed, housed, and trained millions of Americans, giving them hope and preparing them for a more successful tomorrow.

By many estimates, the reduction in poverty has drastically improved the way of life for many Americans over the past 50 years.

Lastly, and most importantly, we must remember that the label `poor' means more than a cold numeric value attributed to one's earning potential. We must remember that America's poor have a face. That face exists today!

They are the homeless, freezing in the cold, because their job does not pay enough to cover the rent or because they have no job. They are children who cannot concentrate at school because hunger fills their daytime thoughts. They are uninsured Americans who, before the passage of the Affordable Care Act, could not afford quality health insurance.

They are hard working Americans just striving to make ends meet and, like the majority of us, gripped with the goal of creating a better life for themselves and loved ones.

We cannot turn our back on them now.

We must continue to fight the war on poverty--and we must win!

We must rededicate ourselves to the values that Lyndon Johnson lifted up 50 years ago.

Values that set a moral standard for America and for which we still must strive. Values that were given to us over 2,000 years ago by Jesus in the parable of the Sheep and the Goats found in the 25th Chapter of Matthew.

For when I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me. And whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

President Johnson took that to heart 50 years ago. And we today must do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who has inspired me and millions of people across the globe. He died last week at the age of 95, but lived a full life defined by a dedication to serve others and a simple, but all important, insistence that all citizens be treated with dignity and respect.

Serving as the first black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela fought and sacrificed for civil rights in his home country. To Nelson Mandela, all were equal--peace and justice were to be shared among all races, religions, and nationalities. Beyond words, Mandela lived a life of leadership by example. His long and courageous opposition to South Africa's long and violent apartheid and relentless pursuit of freedom and justice was a profound example of moral leadership that will long be remembered.

A man not deterred or discouraged from his goals, Nelson Mandela was determined and unwavering in his fight for liberty. Beyond death, his life continues to serve as a daily inspiration for my public service, and I believe all of us can learn from Mandela's examples in forgiveness, hope, and sacrifice. South Africa and the world are better for the example of his life--his work laid the foundations for a bright future in South Africa and his vision of peace has been since shared around the globe.

His faith in God and commitment to the principles of freedom and justice for all are reflected in his favorite scripture from the Apostle Paul found in the 8th Chapter of Romans; `Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.' He would not be separated from his principles of justice for all, no matter the cost.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me and the people of South Africa in paying tribute to Mr. Nelson Mandela and his exceptional legacy as a world leader. May his family and all of the lives he touched be consoled and comforted by their faith in the Lord, along with the assurance that the courage of Nelson Mandela will not soon be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who has inspired me and millions of people across the globe. He died last week at the age of 95, but lived a full life defined by a dedication to serve others and a simple, but all important, insistence that all citizens be treated with dignity and respect.

Serving as the first black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela fought and sacrificed for civil rights in his home country. To Nelson Mandela, all were equal--peace and justice were to be shared among all races, religions, and nationalities. Beyond words, Mandela lived a life of leadership by example. His long and courageous opposition to South Africa's long and violent apartheid and relentless pursuit of freedom and justice was a profound example of moral leadership that will long be remembered.

A man not deterred or discouraged from his goals, Nelson Mandela was determined and unwavering in his fight for liberty. Beyond death, his life continues to serve as a daily inspiration for my public service, and I believe all of us can learn from Mandela's examples in forgiveness, hope, and sacrifice. South Africa and world are better for the example of his life--his work laid the foundations for a bright future in South Africa and his vision of peace has been since shared around the globe.

His faith in God and commitment to the principles of freedom and justice for all are reflected in his favorite scripture from the Apostle Paul found in the 8th Chapter of Romans; `Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.' He would not be separated from his principles of justice for all, no matter the cost.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me and the people of South Africa in paying tribute to Mr. Nelson Mandela and his exceptional legacy as a world leader. May his family and all of the lives he touched be consoled and comforted by their faith in the Lord, along with the assurance that the courage of Nelson Mandela will not soon be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations to the congregation of Greater Saint Mark A.M.E. Church in Columbus, Georgia as they celebrate a remarkable 127 years. The anniversary celebration will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2013 at 3:00 pm at Greater St. Mark Church in Columbus. The event will also be an opportunity to welcome Reverend Kevin Moore as the church's new pastor.

Greater Saint Mark traces its roots back to 1886 when the seven original members began holding prayer meetings in a small house located on the land where the church stands today. From the prayer meetings, soon grew a Sunday school and eventually, a full church service with a devoted congregation. St. Mark assigned its first pastor, Reverend M.R. Wilson, in 1889, and from his pastorate came the church's original structure.

Since then, the Church has seen many changes. After Reverend W.L. Brown installed a new piano and organ, Reverend A.M. Threatt purchased a new parsonage, transforming the old one into classrooms, a Pastor's study, and meeting space. Reverend W.J. Daniels helped the Church acquire new pews, carpeting, and a bell honoring Mrs. Susie Herte and Miss Clara Charleston. The Bussey-Hixon-Alexander Annex was built to accommodate a modern kitchen and restroom, a pastor's study, a secretary and finance office, a choir room, and a stewardess room. In honor of Mrs. Johnnie Mae Johnson, a scholarship fund was established, along with the donation of a church van.

In addition to the physical renovations to Greater St. Mark, many of the church's leaders have focused on advancing the spiritual impact the church can make on the surrounding area. Under the pastorate of Reverend B.A. Hart, Greater St. Mark held a planning meeting which eventually brought Citizens Trust Bank, a minority enterprise, to Columbus. He also established the Young Adult Ensemble and the Male Chorus to enhance the Church's music ministry, and introduced bi-weekly Bible study and Christian Education seminars. Reverend Dr. Roosevelt Morris oversaw the donation of a house to the Columbus Historic Foundation, on behalf of the church. In the three years of Reverend Henry E. Green's leadership, a new roof was installed and a church website was built. Now Greater St. Mark will be welcoming Reverend Kevin Moore into the family as the church's new pastor and more improvements are sure to come under his leadership.

What began as a small house for families to meet in prayer has grown into a family of its own, housing generations of church members and guiding them through their journey with the Lord. All of these additions and renovations exhibit the giving nature of the entire St. Mark congregation, as well as their dedication to serving Christ, each other, and the community. Not only do contributions and improvements to the church improve Greater St. Mark's ability to spread the word of the Lord, but they also strengthen the bond the members have with each other.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the Greater St. Mark A.M.E. Church in Columbus, GA for serving as a pillar of faith and fellowship to its members for the past 127 years. May God continue to bless the church and its congregation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished public servant, devoted man of Faith and dear friend to my wife, Vivian and me, Georgia State Representative Calvin Smyre. Representative Smyre was honored for his contributions to Greater Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church on Sunday, November 24, 2013 at 11 a.m. in Columbus, Georgia.

Representative Smyre earned a degree in Business Administration from Fort Valley State University. In 1974, he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives as its youngest member at 26 years of age. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to serve with Representative Smyre during my own tenure in the Georgia General Assembly, and we became great friends.

A longtime statesman, Representative Smyre has built a repertoire of legislative accomplishments. He currently serves on the Appropriations Committee and the Rules Committee and is the former Chairman of the House Minority Caucus. He played major roles in authoring and sponsoring important legislation, including the legislation making Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday a state holiday; creating the Georgia Dome, home of the Atlanta Falcons; and creating a new Georgia State Flag. He is President Emeritus of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

In addition to his legislative achievements, Representative Smyre has also built a successful business career. He has served as Executive Vice President of Corporate External Affairs of Synovus and President of the Synovus Foundation. He also serves as one of eight members of the company's Corporate Executive Group. Synovus, a Columbus, Georgia- based diversified financial services holding company, has been named one of Fortune magazine's ``100 Best Companies to Work For'' in America multiple times.

Yet, Representative Smyre is more than a legislator, he is more than a business executive, he is a servant to all humankind and still finds time to serve his community. He has held leadership and membership positions on numerous boards, foundations and organizations. Dr. Maya Angelou once said that, ``I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.'' Representative Smyre continues to throw a prodigious amount of love and service back to the Columbus, Georgia community, the State of Georgia, and our country.

But most importantly, Representative Smyre is a devoted Man of God. Greater Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church has been his home for more than fifty years, the members of the congregation are his family, and worship is his sustenance. Representative Smyre has made numerous contributions to the Church and for that, he has been honored with the ``Calvin Smyre Tree of Life.'' This is the Church's way of thanking Representative Smyre for pouring his heart, body, and soul into Greater Ward Chapel

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations to the congregation of Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church in Macon, Georgia as the membership and leadership of the church celebrates a remarkable 175 years. The congregation of Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church will commemorate this milestone with a Celebration on Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 3:00 pm at Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church in Macon.

Tracing its roots back to the pre-Civil War era, the Church was organized around 1838 when Pastor Samuel Cassels was instructed to preach and minister to the slaves of the members of the 1st Presbyterian Church's congregation. The ``African Chapel,'' a separate facility, was built on Fourth Street (now M.L. King Drive) but remained associated with the 1st Presbyterian Church. With a request for full independence by ``African Chapel'' members that was granted on May 5, 1866, the present Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church was formed. Joseph Williams, David Laney, and Robert Carter were the first Ministers ordained to serve the church following its formal establishment.

The Church had humble origins due to racial and social stratification in the post-Civil War South. With the end of the Civil War, the bells of Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church rang to celebrate emancipation. Under the pastorate of David Laney, most notably, the distinguished Gothic Revival structure of the Church was constructed.

The Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church is not only the oldest African-American congregation in the state of Georgia, but also bears the distinct honor of being one of the oldest minority congregations in the country. Named for the street on which it is located, the Church has become the primary place of worship for many generations of the most prominent black families in Macon. It also enjoys the privilege of being listed in the National Register of Historic Places in America, another indication of its importance in the local, state, and national communities.

The story of Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church, which began as a small group of slaves worshipping in a small ``African Chapel'' and has grown into an expansive and successful church, is truly an inspiring one of the dedication and perseverance of a faithful congregation of people who put all their love and trust in the Lord.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church in Macon, GA for their long history of coming together through the good and difficult times to praise and worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations to the congregation of Saint James A.M.E. Church in Columbus, Georgia as the church's membership and leadership celebrates a remarkable 150 years. The congregation of St. James A.M.E. Church will celebrate this very significant anniversary with a worship celebration on Sunday, November 17, 2013 at the Church at 1002 Sixth Avenue in Columbus, Georgia.

Tracing its roots back to the Civil War era, the St. James congregation emerged from the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Reverend William Gaines serving as the first pastor in 1864. Today, the physical body of the church serves as a reflection and memorial of past members and pastors who contributed to its preservation. On September 29, 1980, the church was listed on the National Historic Register.

In an 1873 act, the Georgia Legislature granted St. James A.M.E. Church the land on which it stands and the first cathedral construction was completed in 1876. The ornately carved front doors, built by slaves, are the oldest parts of the church and are a reminder of the history of strength and perseverance behind the congregation.

Since its founding, St. James has endured several additions and renovations, all of which help tell the story of the church, its members and its fifty-one former leaders. In 1886, Reverend Larry Thomas oversaw the construction of the bell tower, which still stands today as a symbol of the Church's concrete mission to serve its congregation and community. Reverend Harold I. Bearden, who served from 1940 to 1948, installed the pipe organ that is still heard during church services today.

In 1988, St. James purchased property for a new parsonage, and by 1996, the conversion of the old parsonage into an administrative building was completed under the leadership of Reverend Scottie Swinney. The building now houses offices, a conference room, music room, clothing and food bank, and archives room, which collectively aid in the fulfillment of the church ministry. After Reverend Swinney's tenure, Reverend Richard Washington was pastor of the church. The church is now pastored by Reverend Joseph Baker, Sr.

In 2004, St. James erected an Elevator Tower to accommodate all members of the congregation. The building includes classrooms, accessible bathrooms, a stewardess room, and an elevator that services the Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary. To commemorate this achievement, a time capsule was deposited behind the Elevator Tower cornerstone to be opened in 2054.

Throughout all of these changes, the church has consistently maintained its presence as a center for spiritual, educational, professional, and civic gatherings within the African American community.

The second oldest church of its denomination in Georgia, St. James A.M.E. Church has served as pillar of faith and community for 150 years. The spirit within the congregation and their commitment to the growth of St. James is both admirable and inspiring.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Saint James A.M.E. Church in Columbus, Georgia for their dedication to helping one another, serving the community, and above all, worshipping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to extend my personal congratulations and best wishes to a great friend and servant of humankind, Judge John D. Allen, Chief Judge of the Chattahoochee Circuit of the Third Superior Court District of Georgia. Judge Allen will be recognized by the Columbus Bar Association for his distinguished service on Tuesday, October 29, 2013, at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center in Columbus, Georgia. He will be retiring on Thursday, October 31, 2013.

Judge Allen was born on January 17, 1943 in segregated Columbus, Georgia. It seemed like all the odds were against him of one day becoming a Superior Court Judge. Despite the lack of black role models in the law as he was growing up, Judge Allen kept education as his main priority. He graduated from Tuskegee University in 1966 with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.

A distinguished cadet in the ROTC, Judge Allen was commissioned into the Air Force in 1966 as a 2nd Lieutenant Pilot. He completed Advanced Survival Training in 1967, and he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant/ Tactical Fighter Pilot in 1968. Upon completion of course, he was assigned to Southeast Asia and flew 167 combat missions while stationed in Thailand. After promotions to Tactical Aircraft Commander, then to Captain, Judge Allen flew another 127 combat missions in Southeast Asia before returning to Tampa, Florida and serving as an academic and flight instructor until his discharge in July of 1973. He left the Air Force as a highly decorated pilot, earning 23 Air Medals, 2 Air Force Commendation Medals, and numerous other awards for his service during the Vietnam War.

In 1975, Judge Allen earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. He was admitted to the Georgia bar in 1976. From 1976 to 1987, he maintained a private law practice in the Columbus area. At that time, Judge Allen and I were two of only four black lawyers in Columbus.

Judge Allen continued to break barriers when he began serving as a Columbus Recorder's Court judge for a year before assuming a position on the State Court for Muscogee County in 1987. In 1993, he was appointed to the position of Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge. He has been re-elected repeatedly since his appointment.

Judge Allen's diligent judicial service has also been mirrored by his extensive involvement with the local and state communities. In conjunction with his professional accomplishments in the Air Force and on the bench, Judge Allen has served on a number of boards and commissions, most notably as Chairman of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, and has received many awards and accolades for his service. Judge Allen's contributions to the Columbus area and the state of Georgia have even earned him recognition from the Columbus Ledger- Enquirer as one of ``100 People to Remember for the Century.''

None of Judge Allen's momentous accomplishments would have been possible without the enduring love and support of his wife Victoria; children John Jr., Geoffrey, and Kevin; and grandchildren John Ill and Carson.

A true Georgian devoted to serving his great state, Judge Allen embodies Georgia's state motto, ``Wisdom, Justice and Moderation.'' Judge Allen is a man of great integrity who sets a high standard of values that make for a strong foundation of character in himself and in others. On a personal note, I would like to thank Judge Allen for his friendship, advice and counsel over the years. His wisdom and sage advice have contributed immensely to my success. For that I will always be grateful.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the more than 700,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District in honoring Judge John D. Allen for his outstanding professional achievements and dedicated service to his country and to the people of the state of Georgia as he retires from his position as Chief Judge of the Chattahoochee Circuit of the Third Superior Court District of Georgia.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding leader, Dr. Everette J. Freeman, the Eighth President of Albany State University, who will be leaving the school after eight successful and productive years as President. He was honored at a farewell reception on Thursday, October 24, 2013, at Orene Hall on the ASU campus.

Dr. Freeman is a Washington, D.C. native and alumnus of Antioch College with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and economics. He also earned a master's in labor and industrial relations from the University of Illinois, and a doctorate in education from Rutgers University. He holds a certificate from the Institute for Educational Leadership at Harvard University, as well as a Certificate in Economics from Fircroft College in Birmingham, England.

Prior to his tenure at Albany State, Dr. Freeman made his mark on several institutes of higher learning, serving as senior vice president and provost of the University of Indianapolis, dean of continuing education at Jackson State University, and executive assistant to the president at Tennessee State University. He also acted as interim vice president for university relations and development at Tennessee State.

The Second Congressional District of Georgia gained a valuable and respected leader when Dr. Freeman came to Albany. He has transformed Albany State University, both fiscally and academically. Despite State budget cuts, he initiated new online programs and joint enrollment policies, led the fiscal affairs division from the worst audit ratings to the best, and facilitated the transition of students from technical colleges into the University. Moreover, Dr. Freeman has demonstrated a continued dedication to improving the academic community at ASU. Under his strategic

leadership, the University saw simultaneous annual enrollment increases and higher SAT scores of entering classes.

In addition, Dr. Freeman oversaw $20 million in capital improvements to the Albany State campus, including a state-of-the-art student center, a learning center, and six residence halls. The positive impact of the construction reverberated throughout the student community, as well as in the surrounding city. The relationship between ASU and the Greater Albany area has been significantly strengthened, as the University's economic impact on the city reached $156 million during Dr. Freeman's time as president. Dr. Freeman also worked to establish partnerships with several local businesses, further improving the town and gown relationship between Albany and ASU.

On a personal note, I am proud to call Dr. Freeman a friend and I am so grateful for all he has done for Albany State University and the Albany community. His heartfelt dedication to this school will be felt and remembered for years to come.

Nelson Henderson once said, ``The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.'' Dr. Freeman has not only planted trees of knowledge whose fruit ASU students and alumni can yield, but he has also planted the seeds of success for future generations of Albany State University Golden Rams.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Dr. Everette J. Freeman for his eight outstanding years as President of Albany State University. His energizing leadership and his commitment to academic excellence has helped to make lasting improvements to Albany State University so to better provide current and future students with the tools they need to lead successful and productive lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding citizen and servant of humankind, Mrs. Annette Bowling, Executive Director of the Albany Advocacy Resource Center (ARC). The Albany ARC will honor Mrs. Bowling for her forty years of dedicated service and leadership at their 50th anniversary celebration on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 6 o'clock in the evening at the Albany Hilton Garden Inn in Albany, Georgia.

The Albany ARC was founded in 1963 to advocate on behalf of persons with disabilities in the Albany, Georgia community. In its fifty years of operation, it has become one of the largest and most successful private provider agencies in the state of Georgia.

Mrs. Bowling began working at the Albany ARC in 1974 after her son was the first child in the state of Florida to undergo open heart surgery. As a single mom, she relied on the support she received from her community to get through this difficult time. This inspired her decision to dedicate her life to helping others and she then embarked on what was to be a long and fulfilling career at the Albany ARC.

Mrs. Bowling's work with the Center since 1974 has made a difference in the lives of many Georgians, and has helped improve the quality and dignity of life for those individuals served by the Albany ARC. When she first arrived in Albany, there were no community services or resources for people with disabilities. Since then, she has passionately directed and advocated for many programs to improve the lives of so many Georgians with disabilities. Truly, any cause to which Annette Bowling's name was attached commandeered respect.

Dr. Benjamin E. Mays once said, ``He who starts behind in the race of this life, must forever remain behind or run faster than the man in front.'' Mrs. Bowling has been the driving force behind programs that have helped improve the quality of rehabilitation and disability services for those who need these services to help them to ``catch up.'' She has contributed significantly to the Albany ARC, making it the great community resource that it is today.

In addition to her work with the Albany ARC, Mrs. Bowling has served on many regional and statewide boards of directors, including the ARC of Georgia, Southwest Georgia Area Health Education Center, Southwest Georgia Easter Seals, Community Institute of Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, and the Georgia Budget Policy Committee. She also serves as Chairperson of the Division of Rehabilitation Services Council of the Georgia Department of Medical Assistance and has co-chaired the Governor's Blue Ribbon Taskforce on Community Based Services. Her office is filled with hundreds of awards and honors but the trophy that Mrs. Bowling is most proud of is the incarnation of her vision that those with disabilities can be productive members of society.

Mrs. Bowling has accomplished much in her life but none of this would have been possible without the love and support of her husband of thirty-two years, George, her son and her granddaughter.

Shirley Chisholm once said that, ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Mrs. Bowling has certainly paid her rent and paid it well. Winston Churchill said, ``We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.'' Through every stage of her life, Mrs. Bowling has always given of herself to others.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife, Vivian, and the more than 700,000 people of Georgia's Second Congressional District in paying tribute to a phenomenal woman, Mrs. Annette Bowling, and in thanking her for her forty years of dedicated service to the Albany Advocacy Resource Center, to the Albany, Georgia community and to thousands of families with disabilities across our great state of Georgia.