Floor Statements

I thank the gentlelady for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of the legislation before us this evening to rename the Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Florida the C.W. Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. I am honored to join over 200 of my House colleagues as an original cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation, a great tribute to one of our dearest colleagues.

Indeed, Bill Young will be forever known as one of the strongest supporters of our military and veterans in the history of this Congress. His staunch and unyielding support of our military and our veterans is legendary.

Likewise, he was a true champion for his district, and a fount of knowledge about the chronicles of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Bill Young will be missed in Washington, as well as in Florida. He, along with the late Congressman Jack Murtha, were not only great friends and mentors to me, but their wives, Beverly and Joyce, were also friends and mentors to my wife, Vivian.

Chairman Murtha and Chairman Young were neither Democrat nor Republican when it came to our national defense. Regardless of which was the chairman or ranking member of the Defense Subcommittee, the men and women of America's military would be taken care of. I am proud to have served as a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense under both of these great leaders.

With Bill Young's death, the Nation has truly lost one of the few remaining statesmen. Our thoughts and prayers are with Beverly and the entire family. Congress and our Nation have lost one of its greatest statesmen. I have lost a dear friend and a mentor.

While we could use every word in every language spoken by mankind, we would not have enough words combined to adequately thank Bill Young for his service. But I am pleased to join my colleagues in passing this resolution to rename the Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Florida the C.W. Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

It has been said that you make your living by what you get; you make your life by what you give. Bill Young gave so much to so many for so long. He will be greatly missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute a classic gridiron rivalry, the 78th Annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic, which is known as the ``Matchless Classic of All Historically Black College Football Classics.'' This year, the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College will meet face-to-face with the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.

The Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic, one of the longest running NCAA Division II classics in the nation, marks a rivalry that began in 1902 and has been played seventy-seven times in over a century. It first began as an entertainment event for the African-American civilian community and African-American U.S. Army soldiers in Columbus and Fort Benning, Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama. Today, it helps raise funds to provide young men and women with scholarships to help them attend college.

In 1955, the Classic Committee was formed by the late Mr. Gordon H. Kitchen, Mr. A.J. McClung, and Mr. Carl Haygood. The Committee continues to organize the Classic and has preserved the vision and mission of its legendary founders and past leadership. This year, the Committee will welcome Dr. John Silvanus Wilson, Jr., the Eleventh President of Morehouse College; Dr. Gilbert L. Rochon, the Sixth President of Tuskegee University; and Dr. Beverly Tatum, the Ninth President of Spelman College.

This is the ninth year the Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic will be played in the A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, which was named for the late Honorable A.J. McClung, a 1933 graduate of Tuskegee University, Chairman Emeritus of the Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic and 29- year member of the Columbus Council who served as Mayor of Columbus in 1973.

The weeks leading up to this longstanding tradition are filled with excitement and anticipation. The Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic Parade is widely attended and filled with fanfare. The weeklong schedule of events also includes church services, recruitment activities, a media press conference, a golf tournament, Presidents/Queens Brunch, VIP Reception and high-spirited tailgating with thousands of fans from all over the United States and abroad.

Throughout the years, the high quality of play and competition between the two teams on the field has represented college football at its best. The players and coaches of both teams train and work tirelessly to ensure a memorable classic. Each Classic features a spectacular show put on by the marching bands, the Piperettes, Mahogany in Motion, cheerleaders, flag teams and other auxiliary units. It always generates enthusiastic responses from proud fans cheering loudly for their teams.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in saluting the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College and the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University as they compete in this classic gridiron rivalry. Naturally, I will be cheering for my beloved Alma Mater, Morehouse College. Despite the outcome, however, the 78th Annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic is sure to be a memorable affair overflowing with spirit, pride, and tradition on behalf of the students, alumni, administrations, families, and supporters.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, this past Sunday, four brave United States servicemembers died in service to our Nation. Like too many before, Lieutenant Jennifer Moreno, Sergeant Hawkins, Sergeant Joseph Peters, and Private First Class Cody Patterson were killed--far from home--by an improvised explosive device in the remote Kandahar province of Afghanistan.

Now, due to the government shutdown, their families have not been disbursed the standard survivor benefits from the United States military that they are rightfully owed. These benefits include reimbursement to the family for funeral expenses, payment of survivor housing, reimbursement for funeral travel, travel associated with dignified transfer of the remains, and other expenses.

This is, beyond a doubt, an outrage. Two of the fallen, Sergeant Hawkins and Private Patterson, were based in my district at Fort Benning, Georgia. Both soldiers were members of the Army's prestigious 75th Ranger Regiment. Sergeant Hawkins was serving his fourth deployment to Afghanistan and Private Patterson his second.

Imagine the pain these families are going through in coping with the death of a loved one. Now imagine being greeted with the cold shoulder of a shuttered government, their country turning on them all because of an unnecessary shutdown.

How dare we not provide these grieving families with the necessary support in their time of need. I am truly embarrassed that these shutdown shenanigans have impacted these brave soldiers' families in this way.

To those people who say the government shutdown is only of minimal impact, remember these families. This is not minimal. These are our sons and daughters we have sent to combat in faraway lands, and they should never have to question our Nation's resolve in taking care of their families. We

must reopen our government so that such inconveniences do not continue to plague our Nation.

In the meantime, let's pass this bill, H.J. Res. 91, for our Nation's military families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding leader, Edward O. DuBose, State President of the Georgia State Conference National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Mr. DuBose will be stepping down as State President at the NAACP 71st Annual Georgia State Convention and Civil Rights Conference on Saturday, October 5, 2013 in Columbus, Georgia.

Mr. DuBose was born in Atlanta, Georgia, the third of ten children to Carnell and Margie DuBose. After graduating from Harper High School in 1976, he joined the United States Army. Mr. DuBose served his country proudly and honorably for 21 years.

Mr. DuBose has an Associate Degree in General Education, a Bachelor's in Business Administration and a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

The Owner of Everlasting Peace Counseling and Consulting Services, Mr. DuBose is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Certified Anger Management Specialist. Mr. DuBose is also registered as a Neutral with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution and has received certificates in Civil as well as Family and Domestic Relations Mediation.

A man of many hats, Mr. DuBose served as President of the Columbus, Georgia Branch of the NAACP from 1997 to 2005. From 2000 through 2005, he also served as 2nd Vice President of the Georgia State Conference NAACP. He has also served as Georgia State NAACP Veterans Affairs Chairman and as District Coordinator for District 21 of the Georgia State Conference NAACP.

On October 11, 2005, Mr. DuBose made history in Columbus, Georgia when he became the only resident and NAACP member from Columbus to be elected to the office of State President of the Georgia State Conference NAACP. He made history again on February 21, 2009 when he became the first Georgia State Conference NAACP President in its 69- year history to be elected to the NAACP National Board of Directors.

Under Mr. DuBose's leadership, the Georgia State Conference NAACP has achieved a higher level of influence and a more prominent presence. He negotiated the only NAACP radio show in Georgia, helped to start the first Black History Month Parade in Columbus, Georgia, and coordinated the largest protest march in Columbus history by rallying over 15,000 people to call for justice for the 2003 shooting death of Kenneth Walker. He also assisted the Douglas County, Georgia branch of the NAACP in conducting the first protest march in the county in its history, rallying over 5,000 people seeking justice in the case of the ``Douglasville Six.''

Mr. DuBose had been steadfast and committed to leading the State of Georgia ``By Any Means Necessary'' to raise awareness, promote justice, and establish equality and respect in all aspects of life.

Mr. DuBose has been honored with many awards and has achieved numerous successes in his life, but none of this would have

been possible without the grace of God and his loving wife, Cynthia, and their three daughters, Cynthia, Casonya, and Kimberly.

On a personal note, I would like to thank Mr. DuBose for his outstanding leadership in the Columbus, Georgia community and throughout the entire State of Georgia. Nelson Mandela once said, ``For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.'' Mr. DuBose embodies this statement thoroughly in his profession as a counselor and mediator, as well as in his leadership of the Georgia NAACP. We certainly could use more people like him in the world today.

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 paying tribute to Edward O. DuBose for his outstanding leadership as the State President of the Georgia State Conference NAACP.

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

Here we are again, deja vu all over again. The leadership of the other side of the aisle is again attempting to distract the American people from looking at their cynical shutdown efforts by trying to hold them under the torn and shredded garments of our veterans.

This is a hoax. This is a fraud.

Simply stated, this bill will not provide enough funding to pay for all the programs, where every Member of this House understands that veterans benefits are vital and crucial pieces of our ongoing obligation and commitment to our veterans.

However, we should all be clear and we should understand that in accepting this piecemeal proposal, we are in fact cutting $6.2 billion in funding that this body voted in June, in the bill that we approved 421-4.

This proposed CR does not address, touch, or do anything for the remaining VA discretionary accounts, which are equally important to our veterans and our families:

The Information Technology account, which includes $155 million for the Veterans Benefits Management System and is vital in speeding up the claims process, is not included;

The Office of the Secretary account, which includes the Board of Veterans Appeals which provides decisions on claims appeals, is not included;

The National Cemetery Administration is not included, which means that burials, Madam Speaker, at the national cemeteries will be conducted on a reduced schedule;

The Office of Inspector General account is not included, which means that audits and evaluations, administrative investigations, health care inspections, and the Inspector General hotline will be suspended;

The medical research account is not included;

The construction accounts are not included;

Grants to State veterans home and State cemeteries are not included.

On June 4 we passed a full bill, a complete bill, a bipartisan bill. We provided more resources for veterans in the bipartisan bill we passed in June than are provided in this anemic attempt to hide the cynical Republican efforts to justify a government shutdown underneath the veil of the service and sacrifice of generation after generation of veterans.

This is shameful. Veterans can see through this hypocrisy. The American people can see through this hypocrisy.

We need to end this lifeboat strategy offered by the Senator from Texas, where the only visible functions of government he approves or sanctions will be opened.

Open the entire government. Serve the American people by passing a clean resolution discharging our constitutional responsibilities and voting down this phantom of a funding bill that does a disservice to our Nation's heroes--our veterans.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from New York (Mrs. Lowey), ranking member of the full Appropriations Committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) for a unanimous consent request.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Veasey) for a unanimous consent request.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Barber) for a unanimous consent request.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke) for a unanimous consent request.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, at this time I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price), the ranking member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I also would like to extend our condolences, and would also like to express our appreciation to the Sergeant at Arms and to the Capitol Police for their hard work in making sure that the people that work in this Capitol, the Members and visitors, are safe. And we appreciate their vigilance during the recent incident.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), who is the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff), a member of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining?

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud), ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Committee.

At this time I am happy to yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from Florida (Ms. Brown), a strong and consistent advocate for veterans and a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee for over 20 years.

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

I'd like to point out the fact that while the bill may do what my good friend has suggested, it doesn't fund all of the accounts. There are a number of accounts, as has been pointed out time and time again, that are not funded.

May I inquire, Mr. Speaker, as to how much time is remaining.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott).

Mr. Speaker, at this time I am pleased to yield 30 seconds to my good friend, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), the assistant Democratic leader.

Mr. Speaker, H.J. Res. 59, the Senate clean bill, includes all programs administered by the VA. Let me repeat: all programs. The Senate didn't cherry-pick which programs get funded. It continues operations of the entire Federal Government.

On the other hand, the anemic H.J. Res. 72 that we're voting on here, the Medical Research account is not included; Construction; Office of the Secretary, Board of Veterans Appeals; Inspector General, not included; IT account, not included; grants to State veterans homes, State cemeteries, the National Cemetery Administration, not included.

Enough of these games. Let's pass a CR. Let's do our work. Let's finish our work. Let's fund the government and put these workers back to work.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary woman and respected civil rights leader, Mrs. Evelyn Lowery, wife of the Reverend Dr. Joseph Lowery. Sadly, Mrs. Lowery passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2013. Her life was celebrated at a memorial service on Wednesday, October 2, 2013, at the International Chapel at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.

Evelyn Gibson Lowery was born on February 16, 1925, to the Reverend and Mrs. Harry Gibson, who were activists in Memphis, Tennessee and inspired her to become involved in civil and human rights activism. While her father served as President of the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), she saw the injustices of society and had committed herself to working to improve those conditions before she had even turned eighteen. She attended Clark College and Youngstown University.

In 1950, she married the love of her life, the Reverend Dr. Joseph Lowery, and they built a life that was based on the love of God, the love of each other, the love of family and the love of people. They knew that the love of these could lead one to a close and fulfilling relationship with God because they are an embodiment of His greatest commandments: to love Him with all your ``heart, mind and soul'' and to ``love thy neighbor as thyself.''

Not only was she a pillar of strength with love and devotion for Rev. Lowery and his work with the Civil Rights Movement, but her leadership and support of women in the Movement reflected her personal commitment to gender equality as part of the larger Human Rights Movement. Mrs. Lowery founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference/Women's Organizational Movement for Equality Now, Inc. (SCLC/W.O.M.E.N.). Through the organization, she created the Drum Major for Justice Award, an annual award recognizing outstanding people who have made contributions to social justice. She led the establishment of monuments in various parts of Alabama to honor those who were instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement and in 1987, she created the Evelyn G. Lowery Civil Rights Heritage Tour. In addition, she spearheaded many education and awareness projects and programs, including the Women's Empowerment Training Center in 1988 for GED and computer training and the Bridging the Gap--Girls to Women mentoring program in 1995.

Mrs. Lowery's life's work was founded upon her commitment to justice and equality, which inspired her work to empower women and to better the community in so many different ways. During her life, she touched and enriched the lives of countless people in her community and throughout our nation and her legacy will live on through the many who were inspired by her.

Mrs. Lowery was more than a wife, she was more than a civil rights leader, she was a servant to all humankind. Nelson Henderson once said, ``The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.'' Mrs. Lowery never stopped planting trees so that those in need could sit and rest and then stand up stronger than before. To God be the glory for blessing the world with a woman the caliber of Mrs. Evelyn Gibson Lowery. We are all better because she traveled this way.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife, Vivian, the nearly 700,000 people in Georgia's 2nd Congressional District, and all Americans, in paying tribute to Mrs. Evelyn Lowery and her exceptional life's work. We extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Joseph Lowery and the family during this time of bereavement. May they be consoled and comforted by their abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. Speaker, today and yesterday we saw many of the Members who are responsible for the current government shut down, stand in front of the World War II Memorial, posturing before the veterans in attendance and the Fox news cameras--having knowingly voted to close the government and thus closing that same World War II Memorial.

This is a sham. This is a disgrace. These antics need to stop.

Pass a clean CR.

I thank the gentleman.

In order to end these childish games and put our government back to work

for the American people, I ask unanimous consent, Mr. Speaker, that the House bring up the Senate amendment to H.J. Res. 59.

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, Mr. George Theodore Pappas, Sr. Mr. Pappas passed away on September 21, 2013. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Bonaire First Baptist Church. He was interred in the historic Andersonville National Cemetery.

Mr. Pappas was born on January 25, 1936 in Washington, D.C. to the late Theodore and Constance Pappas. During the Vietnam War, Mr. Pappas proudly and honorably served his country in the United States Air Force.

Even after retiring from the Air Force, Mr. Pappas continued to serve his country loyally and devotedly. He served as Chaplain of the Disabled Veterans Association and worked tirelessly within the community to advocate and care for our Nation's veterans.

Most important to Mr. Pappas was his sturdy and enduring relationship with the Lord. He was a longtime member of Bonaire First Baptist Church.

Maya Angelou once said, ``A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies.'' We are all so blessed that Mr. Pappas passed this way and during his life's journey did so much for so many for so long. He leaves behind a great legacy in service to all the veterans, families, and members of the community whose lives he touched.

Mr. Pappas has achieved numerous successes in his life, but none of this would have been possible without the grace of God and his loving wife, Priscilla; their children, Dorothy, Stacey, and George; grandchildren, Christina, Ryan, Cassaundra, Brendon, Austin, Alexa, Olivia, Tucker, Ella, and Lila; and sister Athena.

The race of life isn't given to the swift or to the strong, but to those who endure until the end. Mr. Pappas has run the race of life with grace and dignity and God has blessed him over his lifetime.

Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the more than 700,000 people of the Second Congressional District salute Mr. George Pappas for his outstanding service to his country and to his community. I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in extending our deepest sympathies to Mr. Pappas' 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, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

This, I believe, is really a fraud. This is just a part of the simple game that has been played to justify keeping this government shut. The proposed rate of $2.5 billion is the same amount provided in the House- passed MilCon-VA bill earlier this summer, which passed

421-4. It is the same funding request level by the administration.

This CR does not touch or do anything for the remaining VA discretionary accounts. In fact, the CR fails to include $155 million for the Veterans Benefits Management System. It fails to include $136 million for the Veterans Claims Intake Program. These two programs are vital to speeding up the claims process; yet they are not included.

The medical research account, not included; construction, major and minor, not included; Office of the Secretary, including the Board of Veterans Appeals, $438 million, not included; the VA Office of Inspector General, $116 million, not included; the VA IT, $13.68 billion, not included; grants to State veterans homes, to State cemeteries, the National Cemetery Administration, not included.

On June 4, we passed a full bill, a complete bill, a bipartisan bill 421-4. Mr. Speaker, if this measure goes on to become law, which I doubt that it will, a majority of the Federal Government will still be shut down.

For example, the Department of Defense will not have the materiel support needed to conduct training to ensure their readiness for the forces at home. Regular training exercises, including large-scale training rotations, depend on equipment that is in proper working order, facilities that have been properly maintained, and supplies needed to support the soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen in their training efforts.

Under this bill, pay would still be denied to more than 42,500 fellow law enforcement agencies and correctional workers at the Department of Justice, 4,000 weather forecasters and other National Weather Service employees. On extreme weather events, we won't have employees to protect us.

Mr. Speaker, as Members of Congress, we don't have the luxury to pick and choose which parts of the Federal Government we want to fund. It is our responsibility under the Constitution to fund the entire Federal Government. Let me repeat: the entire Federal Government. So, instead of playing games, let the House of Representatives vote on a clean Senate CR and end this shutdown very quickly.

I am disappointed. I am downright disgusted. I truly resent the way that those on the other side of the aisle are trying to use veterans as pawns in this cynical game of government shutdown. All we have to do is pass a clean CR. This CR--this budget--should not be a Democrat CR, and it should not be a Republican CR. It should be an American CR for all of us. I urge that we defeat this cynical effort and that we adopt a full, clean CR.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from New York (Mrs. Lowey), the distinguished ranking member of the Appropriations Committee.

I yield the gentlelady an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), the assistant Democratic leader.

Mr. Speaker, I'm delighted to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price), the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee of Homeland Security.

I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished Democratic whip.

I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

At this time, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), who is on the Defense Subcommittee of Appropriations.

At this time, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen), the ranking member of the Budget Committee.

At this time, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gallego).

At this time, I am pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. David Scott), a strong advocate for veterans.

At this time, I am delighted to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California, Ms. Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader who is a strong advocate for veterans and a strong advocate for this government.

Mr. Speaker, we live in the greatest country on the face of the Earth. We enjoy freedoms that they enjoy no place else like in America, but freedom is not free. The freedoms we enjoy were bought with a price, and that was the price of the men and women who sacrificed.

I am very, very saddened tonight that our colleagues would use and would hide behind the garment of sacrifice of those veterans and put forth a CR that does not fund, as the Senate CR does, the discretionary budget fully, the mandatory budget fully. But theirs, this CR, will not.

I urge the defeat of it, and let's not allow them to hide behind the sacrifice of our veterans.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the start of a new tradition in Columbus, Georgia, the 1st Annual Tri-City Latino Festival, which will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at the South Commons at 400 4th Street in Columbus, Georgia. The festival is being supported by the tri-city area of Columbus, Georgia, Fort Benning, Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama. The festival will celebrate diversity within the Latino cultures found in the tri-city communities.

The Tri-City Latino Festival came about from a vision to unite people from all walks of life for one unique purpose. This dream was shared by Harold ``Lefty'' Encarnacion and Evelyn ``Mimi'' Woodson and together, they began working to make it a reality. They brought on Carlos Huertas and created a board of members to form a plan of action. Unfortunately, a number of difficulties arose and the board faded out of existence. But the original members were persistent. After overcoming these obstacles, they formed a new group and consulted with Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson, who was enthusiastic about supporting the event.

Unfortunately, another obstacle presented itself and the event had to be cancelled again. However, the group brought on Roberto ``Tito'' Aron to contribute his talents and expertise. The group consulted with the Panamanian Association of Columbus, Georgia, who was thrilled to sponsor the event, and the planning continued in full force, culminating in this magnificent occasion.

The Tri-City Latino Festival will kick off with a 5k Run at 10 a.m. There will be an opening ceremony at noon, followed by a Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu tournament, Senorita beauty contest, Zumba demonstration and dominoes tournament. There will also be art displays by local high schools and a Kid's Zone for children. In the evening, there will be a main show by an international recording artist, followed by cultural dances, a dance contest, and performances by local and international musical groups. It is sure to be a day filled with innovative, vibrant and enjoyable displays of Latino art, talent and culture.

The tri-city area has long had an exigent need for an event such as this. A large number of Hispanic countries are represented in the tri- city area, and this is a great opportunity to educate the community about them and celebrate the vibrant and diverse cultures.

Our nation is struggling today because of inefficient and ineffective laws from the past, a disagreement about how to address the consequences, and a divided interest in what is best for the future of America. These incongruities have a harsh effect on the lives of millions of people every day. A mother worries she will be separated from her children, a father puts in long, grueling hours of hard labor just to put food on the table, a high school graduate is denied the chance to go to college, all because they are unable to become citizens or legal residents of the country they call home.

In the past year, our nation has taken a step forward in trying to repair our immigration system and lay the groundwork for a prosperous future. We cannot afford to lose the momentum we've gained and many working immigrant families cannot afford to continue to live in uncertainty. It is imperative that we continue working to keep the American dream in reach for all those who seek it.

A Spanish proverb often cited says, ``A mal tiempo, buena cara'' or ``in bad weather, a head held high.'' I believe this proverb is very accurate of the Latino people here in our area. In the face of adversity, they keep their good spirits and work harder, push longer, and believe greater.

I am proud to be a part of an area that thrives on its diversity and unites members of the community to honor the struggle, sacrifice and success of their ancestors from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. This partnership between Columbus, Phenix City and Fort Benning has fostered the spirit of community that is so deeply anchored in these ancestral roots.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in saluting the residents of Columbus and Fort Benning, Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama as they come together to celebrate the first Annual Tri-City Latino Festival. This spirited celebration is sure to be the beginning of a great tradition that brings people of all walks of life together to celebrate diversity, to rejoice at how far we have come as a society, and to reflect upon how far we have yet to go.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding member of my staff, Mr. Edward Rella. Ed joined my office in March of 2012 through the U.S. House of Representatives' Wounded Warrior Program. After a successful and productive fellowship, Ed will be moving on and his last day with my office will be Friday, September 20, 2013.

A native of New Jersey, Ed served as an Armored Crewman in the U.S. Army and served tours of duty in Kuwait and Bosnia. During his successful military career, Ed was awarded three Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, two Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals and a National Defense Service Medal.

I was honored to have the opportunity to participate in the Wounded Warrior Program and have Ed join my Albany District Office last year. Since 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives has operated and funded the Wounded Warrior Program, offering full-time, two-year fellowships to veterans who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001, have a 30% or greater VA disability rating and less than 20 years of service. Veterans accepted into the program are employed by a House office to gain skills and work experience that will assist them as they transition to full-time, civilian employment.

As Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, it is important to me to have the insight, knowledge, and services that only a Veteran can provide and Ed has been an outstanding asset to my office. He has served as a caseworker on Veterans issues and military affairs-related matters. He has represented my office very capably at numerous events and made a number of presentations on my behalf. I have received extremely positive feedback from my constituents and veterans organizations about his performance and constituent service.

Ed is an example of public service at its finest and his work on military and Veterans issues, his first-hand knowledge of these issues, and his advocacy on behalf of the veterans of Georgia's Second Congressional District have been invaluable to my office. Ed has a tremendous work ethic and has gone above and beyond the highest standards expected from a Wounded Warrior Fellow. Truly, Ed is not just a member of my staff; I am proud to call him a friend.

Ed's service to his country and his community are but a small testimony of the high caliber of character that he embodies. He is kind, funny and friendly to everyone. One of the things I admire most about Ed is his never-ending positivity. Even in the most difficult and stressful times, he will find a way to make anyone laugh.

Ed has a big personality to match his big heart and we will certainly miss having him on the staff. We have grown accustomed to hearing his favorite sayings: ``Sharing is caring,'' and ``It's all good.'' He likes to think he can dance and will try to dance to anything with a good beat. He loves fried chicken and is hooked on the delicious fried chicken offered in the Albany area.

Ed has accomplished many things in his life but none of this would have been possible without the enduring love and support of his loving wife, Tracey, and his wonderful children, Taylor, Edward and Sydney.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with my Congressional staff and the more than 700,000 people in Georgia's 2''I Congressional District, in recognizing, commending and extending our sincerest appreciation to Edward Rella for all of the meaningful work he has done for our fine District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the draconian Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act.

Rather than consider a bipartisan Farm Bill that would help hungry Americans and provide certainty for farmers and ranchers over the next five years, the House has instead decided to bring to the floor a partisan measure that would hurt those most in need and has no chance of passage in the United States Senate.

This legislation is wrong on many levels. First, the nutrition provisions were never intended to be considered separately from the other titles of the Farm Bill, as has been the bipartisan tradition for the past several decades.

As the distinguished former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole said, ``stripping the nutrition title from the [Farm Bill] . . . has severed the vital tie that helps connect our food system with those who struggle with hunger in our own backyard.''

This bill, in fact, is all pain and no gain.

It is estimated that the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act will cause between four to six million low-income individuals to lose their SNAP benefits entirely. As many as 210,000 children potentially could lose their school meals and 850,000 households could see their benefits slashed by an average of $90 per month.

In Georgia's Second Congressional District. which I represent and where 26 out of the 29 counties are sparsely populated and rural, nearly a quarter of the households receive SNAP benefits. Many of them could be in jeopardy of reduced benefits or a loss of benefits altogether if these cuts are enacted.

I know that supporters of this legislation are claiming that the reductions in SNAP benefits are intended to crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse in the program. They ignore the fact that the SNAP program actually has one of the lowest error and overpayment rates of any large federal program.

Last year, the SNAP overpayment rate was 2.77%, and that includes overpayments due to errors and due to fraud. By contrast, the rate of error and fraud in the federal income tax system is about 15%.

Supporters of the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act also claim that the legislation particularly the tough work requirements-- will move people off of SNAP benefits and into full-time employment, leading to self-sufficiency. In fact, the bill immediately eliminates the ability of states to waive SNAP work requirements in areas of high employment or where no jobs are available.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, this provision would end SNAP benefits to 1.7 million individuals whom live in high unemployment areas, even if they want to work and are looking for employment, but either cannot find a job or a place in a training program.

Mr. Speaker, the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act would devastate the safety net and lead to millions of hungry Americans throughout the nation.

I urge my colleagues to oppose the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Ellis Dandy, who will be retiring from Fort Benning's Equal Employment Office after more than 52 years of combined active duty military and civil service. He will be honored at a retirement ceremony on Thursday, September 19, 2013 at 12:30 p.m. at McGinnis Wickam Hall at Fort Benning.

A Columbus, Georgia native, Mr. Dandy enlisted in the United States Army after graduating from high school in 1960. Throughout his military career, he served tours of duty in Europe, Southeast Asia and Korea. He taught at Army schools and served first as an Instructor/Facilitator and later as a Senior Instructor at the former Department of Defense Race Relations Institute, which is now called the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute. His last assignment on active duty was at the Pentagon where he served as the Army's Sergeant Major for Equal Opportunity (EO).

After 25 years of military service, Mr. Dandy retired in 1986 with the rank of Sergeant Major (E9). He earned both an Associate and Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology/Psychology from the University of Maryland while on active duty. He also completed the requirements for a Master's in Management from Troy State University shortly after his retirement. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Department of Defense Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2), Purple Heart Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Army's General Staff Badge, among others.

Not long after his retirement, Mr. Dandy chose to again serve his country as a civil servant and accepted a position as Equal Employment Officer with the United States Food and Drug Administration in Rockville, Maryland in 1987.

In 1988, the Second Congressional District of Georgia gained an extraordinary and hardworking citizen when Mr. Dandy moved to Fort

Benning, Georgia where he has served as the Equal Employment Manager ever since. Under his leadership, the office has been honored with numerous Department of the Army and Army Major Command awards, including three times Best EEO Program Management, Most Supportive EEO Officer, Best EEO Complaints Program Management, and four times Best EEO Program Activities.

Mr. Dandy wears many hats, both in his line of work and out in the surrounding communities. He is a Certified Mediator, Race/Human Relations Trainer, and Small Group Facilitator. He is also an Ordained Baptist Deacon at his church, where he serves on the Trustee Board and sings in the Senior Gospel Choir.

Mr. Dandy has served in various capacities including president and/or board member with the American Red Cross West Central Georgia Chapter; Muscogee County Junior Marshall's Program; Greater Columbus Urban League and the League's Guild Affiliate; Annual Black History Breakfast Committee; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Columbus Consolidated Government's Personnel Review Board; Columbus Mayor's Commission on Diversity; Columbus Times Newspaper Advisory Board; Lupus Foundation of America; Controller's Civic and Social Club; and the American Cancer Society, Columbus Chapter's Minority Task Force.

On a personal note, I have been blessed over the years with Mr. Dandy's longstanding friendship. He is one of the founding members of my Black History Observance Committee in Columbus, Georgia and I can personally attest to his strong commitment and enduring dedication to his country and his community.

Mr. Dandy has certainly accomplished many things in his life but none of this would have been possible without the love and support of his wife Edith, their six children and twelve grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife, Vivian, and the more than 700,000 people in Georgia's 2nd Congressional District in recognizing, commending and extending our sincerest appreciation to Mr. Ellis Dandy, a true jack of all trades, for his years of outstanding service to our nation and his dedication to serving his community.