Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my support for the American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act.

The bill would lessen the regulatory burden on deli-style display cases (like the ones in grocery stores) by placing Service-Over-the- Counter (SOTC) refrigerator units into a separate product classification.

Currently, SOTC refrigerator units must meet the efficiency standards designed for commercial refrigerators otherwise called ``reach-ins.'' These SOTC units are designed for maximum product visibility and presentation. They require more glass and lighting than conventional reach-ins. Their inherent design makes it impossible to reach the minimum efficiency standards established in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

There are a number of companies that would be affected by this regulation, totaling about 8,500 jobs across the country. One of those five companies is Lennox, employs approximately 1,700 people in the State of Georgia. Kysor/Warren became a subsidiary of Lennox International in 2011, and the company has been a leading manufacturer of refrigerated systems and display cases for supermarkets throughout North America. By creating a separate product class for service-over- the-counter products, we can help save jobs in many communities.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in support of this important legislation to protect American jobs in our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my sincerest appreciation to not only an outstanding public servant but an extraordinary banker and fiscal professional, Mrs. Evelyn Turner Pugh, Vice President of SunTrust Bank and Mayor Pro Tem of Columbus, Georgia, upon her retirement this year from SunTrust Bank. Retirement celebrations will be held on Friday, November 30, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. at SunTrust Bank in Columbus and at 7:00 p.m. at The Benning Club at Fort Benning, Georgia.

A Columbus, Georgia native, Mrs. Pugh received an Associate's degree in Secretarial Science, a Bachelor's in Management/Accounting and an MBA in Business Administration from Columbus College before it was known as Columbus State University.

Beginning her career as a secretary at Columbus College and Progressive Funeral Home, Mrs. Pugh rose quickly through the ranks, holding a number of positions ranging from entry-level to managerial at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia across the span of thirty years.

In 1999, Mrs. Pugh was appointed Vice President of SunTrust Bank, West Georgia, the position she still holds today. In addition, Mrs. Pugh also serves as City Councilor--Post 4 and in 2007, was elected Mayor Pro Tem of Columbus Consolidated Government.

Due to her strong leadership and dedication to public service, Mrs. Pugh was appointed by former Governor Zell Miller to the Georgia Policy Council on Children and Families in 1995; the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government Advisory Committee in 1995; and the Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse (MHMRSA) Funding Study Committee in 1998.

Mrs. Pugh was also appointed Chair of the National League of Cities' Public Safety & Crime Prevention Steering Committee in 1996, where she worked with former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and the U.S. Department of Justice to increase the flexibility in the use of grants from Community Oriented Policing Services, COPS.

Moreover, Mrs. Pugh was elected as Georgia Chair of Women in Municipal Government in 1995 and President of the Georgia Municipal Association in 1999. She was appointed to the Georgia Public Defenders Council by former Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor. She has also served on the Board of Directors and Advisory Council of the National League of Cities.

In conjunction with her professional accomplishments, Mrs. Pugh has served on a number of boards including the Board of Directors for Girls, Inc., St. Francis Hospital, Columbus Technical College, Columbus Housing Initiative, Liberty Theatre, and Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation. She is also a member of the Columbus Chapter of The Links, Inc. and the Columbus Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and has served as President, Treasurer, and Financial Secretary, among other roles, continuing the sorority's tradition of far-reaching service to the community. In addition, she has been awarded the Martin Luther King. Jr. Unity Award, among other distinguished honors. Former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm once said that, ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Mrs. Pugh has paid her rent and she has paid it well.

Mrs. Pugh has accomplished many things in her life but none of this would have been possible without the enduring love and support of her husband Reginald; children Marcus, Maurice, Tajuana, Talender and Reggie; daughters-in-law Tasha and April; and grandchildren Lincoln, Lyric, Makaylah, Imani, Caleb, Taylor, McKenzie, Jaylon, Kennedy and Regan.

The great agricultural chemist George Washington Carver once said, ``It is not the style of clothes one wears, neither the kind of automobile one drives, nor the amount of money one has in the bank, that counts. These mean nothing. It is simply service that measures success.'' By any measure, Evelyn Turner Pugh has been successful because of her service to humankind.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the almost 700,000 people in the 2nd Congressional District of Georgia, in paying tribute to Mrs. Evelyn Turner Pugh upon her retirement from SunTrust Bank, while she continues her exemplary service to the Columbus, Georgia community.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding and truly one of a kind woman, Ms. Edythe Y. Bradley. Sadly, Ms. Bradley passed away on Saturday, November 24, 2012. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 2 p.m. at Saint Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Baconton, Georgia.

Ms. Bradley was widely known as the Sports Information Director at Albany State

University. She became the school's first female SID in 1997 and served as the main media contact for Albany State's eleven NCAA Division II sports programs. But anyone who worked with her knew she went above and beyond the typical duties of a Sports Information Director. A one-woman show, she often worked more than eighty hours a week. Despite her busy workload, Ms. Bradley always made time to help someone or to brighten their day with her infectious smile. She was beloved by students, faculty, and the community at large.

A Camilla, Georgia native, Ms. Bradley graduated from Mitchell-Baker High School in 1983. She attended Florida A&M University, where she worked with The Famuan student newspaper and was a member of the Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi and the Public Relations Student Society of America. She received her Bachelor's degree in Journalism/Public Relations in 1988. Prior to joining the ASU staff in 1993, Ms. Bradley worked at her hometown newspaper, the Camilla Enterprise.

Ms. Bradley loved her job and all things Albany State. She was a member of the College Sports Information Directors of America, the Black College Sports Information Directors Association, and the Sports Information Directors Association. She also served as the SID chairman for Albany State's conference. In addition, Ms. Bradley was a member of St. Peter A.M.E. Church in Camilla.

George Washington Carver once said, ``No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' We are so blessed that Edythe Bradley passed this way and shared with us her bright smile and beaming personality. She touched the lives of so many and her warm, shining presence will certainly be missed.

Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Ms. Bradley's daughter, Morgan Chelsea Dunlap, and her family members, friends, and the Albany State University community during this difficult time. May they be consoled and comforted by their abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the members and supporters of the Cardiology Associates of Albany, Georgia as they commemorate their 30th anniversary this year. A celebration event will be held on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at noon in the main lobby of Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia.

Thirty years ago, a young Cardiology Resident at Emory Medical School in Atlanta, Georgia was recruited to Albany, Georgia by several local physicians seeking to provide advanced Cardiology Services to Southwest Georgia. Dr. Jeffrey Hoopes accepted the challenge and set out to form Cardiology Associates in 1982.

From one physician's vision and commitment, Cardiology Associates has grown into a network of world-class heart and vascular services. Cardiology Associates teamed with Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, itself a healthcare leader providing breakthrough technology and innovation to the communities it serves for 100 years. Together they bring the finest Cardiology talent and technology to the citizens of Southwest Georgia.

Dr. Hoopes performed the region's first Cardiac Catheterization, a new and revolutionary diagnostic procedure at the time, at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital thirty years ago. Today, more than 50,000 life-saving cardiac catheterization procedures have been performed by Cardiology Associates. Many other Cardiology firsts for the region have followed.

Building on that original foundation, Cardiology Associates through the Phoebe Heart and Vascular Center now provides patients and families facing heart disease access to services at one of the largest and most advanced heart centers in Georgia.

These accomplishments, along with a dedication and commitment to the citizens of Southwest Georgia, have been rendered with compassion and professionalism.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in applauding the exceptional efforts of the Cardiology Associates at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia for thirty years of healthcare excellence to the residents of Southwest Georgia.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to the Reverend Dr. Johnny H. Flakes, Jr., an inspiring spiritual and community leader and the beloved Pastor of Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia for fifty-one years and Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Phenix City, Alabama for fifty-three years.

Sadly, Dr. Flakes passed away on Monday, November 12, 2012. His passing leaves a tremendous void in the hearts of his family, friends, and the Columbus and Phenix City communities. On Friday, November 16, 2012, a funeral service will be held in his honor at Fourth Street Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia.

Dr. Flakes was born on January 12, 1934 in Phenix City, Alabama. His story is a truly inspiring one. As a young man, he dropped out of high school, married young, and was unable to adequately provide for his family due to alcohol and gambling addictions. However, he heard the sound of God's voice and answered the call, surrendering his life to Jesus Christ. He was called to the monumental task of pastoring two rapidly-growing churches in two different states. Even so, he still found the strength, discipline, and dedication to drive back and forth from Columbus to Nashville, Tennessee each week over four years to earn his GED and Bachelor of Arts degree from American Baptist College, for which he would later go on to serve as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and have the administration building on the school's campus named in his honor.

Throughout his pastoral career, always seeking to improve the craft of Christian ministry and discipleship, Dr. Flakes became a leader in the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, served as President of the Congress of Christian Education for the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia for many years and ultimately served on the Executive Committee Board of the National Baptist Convention. Dr. Flakes also received honorary doctorate degrees from A.B. Lee Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida and his alma mater, American Baptist College.

A fierce believer in equality and justice for all, Dr. Flakes was not only a profound theologian but also a strong civic leader. He served

as President of the Columbus branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for several years; was the President and Founder of ``A Call To Talk'' (ACTT); Chairman of One Columbus; and Chartering Pastor of the General Missionary Baptist Church Convention of West Germany.

He is also the recipient of the Outstanding Personality of the South Award; Ten Outstanding Ministers in the State of Georgia Award; Alpha Phi Alpha Martin Luther King Jr. Award; Operation PUSH Martin Luther King, Jr. Award; Jack T. Brinkley, Sr. Service Award, and the Knighthood Award from the Congress of Christian Education. In addition, Dr. Flakes was recently awarded the Whitney M. Young Service Award by the Boy Scouts of America Chattahoochee Council for his support of Scouting in the community.

On a personal note, I have been truly blessed by Dr. Flakes' spiritual counsel and guidance over the twenty-four years I was a member of Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church. His courage, perseverance, and dedication to his church and his Savior will always be a source of inspiration for me. Dr. Flakes was an outstanding man of God who, through his deep and abiding faith, made a tremendous impact on his community. He will truly be missed but his unwavering spirit will live on through the many whose lives were touched and inspired by this remarkable man.

Dr. George Washington Carver once said, ``No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' We are so blessed that Dr. Johnny Flakes, Jr. passed this way and shared with us his legacy of service that will stand the test of time.

Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the almost 700,000 people in the 2nd Congressional District of Georgia, would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Dr. Flakes' wife of more than fifty- seven years, Robena Gaines Flakes, their three children Sincera, Johnny and Merle, their grandchildren, and the members of Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church and Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church during this difficult time. May they be consoled and comforted by their abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Robert M. Franklin, the tenth president of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, in honor of his retirement after 5 years as head of the school. He will be honored at a reception on Friday, November 9, 2012, in Atlanta.

A native of Chicago, Dr. Franklin is an alumnus of Morehouse College. He also received a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School in 1978 and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School in 1985. In 1973, he received an English Speaking Union scholarship to attend the University of Durham in England. Dr. Franklin is also the recipient of honorary degrees from Bethune Cookman University, Bates College, and Swarthmore College.

Before he was the President of Morehouse College, Dr. Franklin served as the Presidential Distinguished Professor of Social Ethics at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He was also President of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. In addition, he served as a program officer in the Human Rights and Social Justice Program at the Ford Foundation in New York.

Dr. Franklin is the author of three books: Crisis in the Village: Restoring Hope in African American Communities (2007), Another Day's Journey: Black Churches Confronting the American Crisis (1997), and Liberating Visions: Human Fulfillment and Social Justice in African American Thought (1989).

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Franklin has revolutionized Morehouse College in many ways during his five-year tenure as President. His vision for Morehouse College is that the institution will shape its students into Renaissance men who are well-educated and ethical leaders with a social conscience and committed to championing the causes of equality, justice and peace. During Dr. Franklin's tenure as President, Morehouse has continued to develop future leaders who are disciplined, altruistic, and wise.

Under Dr. Franklin's administration, Morehouse College has been recognized as the Nation's best liberal arts college by Washington Monthly and has been a recipient of more than $60 million in federal grants as well as a number of gifts from prestigious organizations and donors. Dr. Franklin has been instrumental in the school's plan for the internationalization of its campus, with a special emphasis on curriculum and study abroad experiences. Moreover, significant updates and renovations have been made to Graves Hall, the oldest building on campus, as well as many other structures. In 2010, the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center was dedicated and this state of the art facility now serves as the practice and performance space for the College's world renowned Glee Club; the Morehouse Jazz Band; Morehouse College Jazz Ensemble; and ``House of Funk'' Marching Band.

One of the many things I admire most about Dr. Franklin is his unfailing dedication to Morehouse College. After graduating from the school in 1975, he came back years later to lead Morehouse in its mission to develop men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership, service and self-realization. And he is still not gone for good! After a sabbatical as a Scholar in Residence at Stanford University's Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute, Dr. Franklin will return to Morehouse College as President Emeritus and Distinguished Professor, the college's highest honor.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Dr. Robert M. Franklin for his 5 outstanding years as President of Morehouse College, my beloved Alma Mater. He has transformed the lives of countless young men and inspired them to become our future leaders.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an important milestone for our nation's Capitol. The statue of abolitionist leader, Frederick Douglass, will soon grace the halls of the United States Capitol. This effigy will serve as a reminder of the hard work of this great American and civil rights leader

who was committed to the freedom and equal rights of all Americans.

Frederick Douglass is often called the father of the civil rights movement. Born a slave in Maryland around 1818, he taught himself how to read and write at a young age despite the ban forbidding slaves to be literate. It was by reading newspapers and political writings that Douglass developed his ideology on the opposition of slavery.

Douglass attempted to escape from slavery twice before he succeeded on his third attempt with the help of his future wife, Anna Murray. After they married in 1838 and settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Douglass became a regular lecturer in opposition of slavery. He also spoke out in support of women's rights. With the help of his bestselling autobiographies, Frederick Douglass quickly became one of the most famous African Americans in the country.

During the Civil War, Douglass gave council to President Abraham Lincoln and President Andrew Johnson on the treatment of black soldiers and the importance of black suffrage. After the war, he was appointed to several political positions and, as Victoria Woodhull's running mate on the Equal Rights Party ticket in 1872, became the first African American nominated for the office of Vice President of the United States. Douglass continued to fight for the rights of African- Americans, women, and minority groups until his death in 1895.

To honor the life and accomplishments of this abolitionist, human rights and women's rights activist, orator, author, journalist, publisher, and social reformer, the United States Congress has approved a bill that would allow the District of Columbia to display his statue in our Capitol. The statue, designed and completed by architect Steven Weitzman, was commissioned by D.C. to present to the Capitol as a gift.

Frederick Douglass had said, ``If there is no struggle, there is no progress.'' Despite his many struggles in the bonds of slavery, he rose to prominence through his determination and fervor. His vision for America was that all Americans would be equal and free of discrimination and he worked tirelessly to share this vision with others and to help it become a reality. The progress we have made as a nation would not have been possible without the leadership and influence of great leaders like Frederick Douglass.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of the Second Congressional District of Georgia, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to a strong leader and inspiring visionary, Frederick Douglass. It is my hope that all the visitors to our Capitol will see his statue and remember all the valuable contributions made to our nation by this great human rights advocate.

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, Larry Walton Colson. Mr. Colson passed away on September 18, 2012. Visitation will be held at Carson McLane Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 20, 2012, and funeral services will be held on Friday, September 21, 2012.

Mr. Colson graduated from Valdosta High School in 1966. He attended Valdosta State University and graduated with a degree in Business Administration. Mr. Colson was an entrepreneur at heart. He was the owner and founder of Colson Business Systems, Inc. as well as the co- owner of Splash Zone.

Mr. Colson loved his community and actively served in various capacities. He served on the Guardian Bank Board of Advisors, the South Georgia Medical Center Foundation Board and the Valdosta State University Board of Trustees. He was also a Blazer Booster as well as an avid Florida Gator Booster.

A favorite pastime of Mr. Colson's was playing golf. He played as an amateur in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He was also an active member of Park Avenue United Methodist Church where he served as an usher.

George Washington Carver once said, ``How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong because someday in your life you will have been all of these.'' Mr. Colson went far in life because of his kindness and compassion for others.

Mr. Colson is preceded in death by his father, George Wallace Colson; his brother, Gordon Wallace Colson; and uncles, Carlton Thomas Adams and Kenneth Carmen Colson.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Louise Colson; children, Rachel (Steve) Blankenship, Allison (David) Gracey, and Hunter Colson; his mother Myrtice Adams Colson; brother Greg Colson (wife Cheryl); sister- in-law Valerie Colson; many loving nephews: Todd Hatcher, Brent Colson (wife Cara), Brad Colson, and Trace Colson; as well as many great nieces and nephews: Ellen, Cole, Julia and Tate Colson, Caroline and Davis Hatcher.

Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Mr. Colson's wife Pat, their children and other family members during this difficult time. May they be consoled and comforted by their abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 49th Georgia State Workshop of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, which will be held on October 4-7, 2012 in Columbus, Georgia. Around 1,500 members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. from across the State of Georgia will gather in Columbus with their families for this event. The 2012 State Workshop theme is ``Friendship and Fraternity, Beyond 100 Years.''

Since its founding in 1911 at Howard University in Washington, DC, Omega Psi Phi members have worked tirelessly to give back to their communities. The men of Omega Psi Phi have provided a consistent source of support and service to communities throughout the United States and the world. Upholding the organization's cardinal principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift, the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. have maintained a commitment to the betterment of mankind, enhancement of the community, and the enrichment of collegiate men. Today, the fraternity boasts more than 700 chapters throughout the United States, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, South Korea, Japan, Liberia, Germany, and Kuwait.

The local Men of Omega Psi Phi, including the Chapters of Lambda Iota and Nu Delta at Columbus State University, have contributed to the community by holding numerous voter registration drives and blood drives. They have also donated school supplies to elementary and high school students as well as more than $350,000 to local high school seniors who plan to attend college.

Omega Psi Phi members have also mentored hundreds of at-risk youth and have hosted local Talent Hunt programs for gifted Performing Arts students. They have conducted hundreds of Adopt-A-Highway cleanups and donated Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to the needy in the community. In addition, members have served on various civic boards in the Columbus community.

Continuing the tradition of giving back, Omega Psi Phi's 49th Georgia State Workshop will conduct a Health Fair and a Statewide Talent Hunt for students of the Performing Arts. They will also mentor young African-American male students at Marshall Middle School and make a collective donation to Feed the Valley, a local food bank.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the 49th Georgia State Workshop of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. The Columbus community welcomes these outstanding men and their families and applauds their dedication and service to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Taiwan on its 101st National Day, which will occur on October 10th, 2012. As a member of the Taiwan Caucus, I recognize the importance of continuing to cultivate a strong relationship between the United States and Taiwan.

The United States and Taiwan share a strong commitment to freedom. As a beacon of democracy for Southeast Asia and the rest of the world, Taiwan and its 23 million people enjoy self-governance, free elections, and the protection of individual rights. The policies pursued by President Ma Ying-jeou have made Taiwan a strong ally to the United States in these turbulent times.

Taiwan also is a strong business partner for the United States. It is our tenth largest trading partner and the sixth largest market for United States agriculture exports. Georgia and Taiwan also have strong business ties. Taiwan is Georgia's thirteenth largest export market, grossing $68 million in profit for Georgia last year alone. Taiwan imports chemicals, automobiles, and, of course, Coca-Colas. Taiwan is also a leading innovator and producer of information technology and knowledge-based industries.

The United States has supported Taiwan's transformation to a vibrant democracy. It should be congratulated for its 101 years of freedom and prosperity. It continues to be a model of democracy for Southeast Asia and countries all over the globe.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me today in congratulating Taiwan on its 101st National Day. I am confident that the friendship and close relationship that has been cultivated by the United States and Taiwan will continue for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the United States Air Force for 65 years of innovative progress and strong, steadfast defense of our nation. Over the last 65 years, the brave men and women who have served in the Air Force have made significant contributions in defending our homeland and safeguarding our liberties.

A celebration commemorating the 65th Birthday of the Air Force will be held at the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia on Saturday, September 15, 2012, at 6 p.m. Lieutenant General Andrew Busch, Vice Commander of the Air Force Materiel Command will be the guest speaker for the evening.

The United States Air Force was officially founded on September 18, 1947. However, its history and legacy go back even further. Less than four years after the Wright brothers flew the world's first airplane, the U.S. Army Signal Corps formed an Aeronautical Division in 1907. Known by several different titles and serving a number of purposes, the precursors of the Air Force were instrumental in World War I and especially World War II. Today, the United States Air Force, with its cutting-edge technology and distinguished manpower, is a superior and well-respected authority of air and space.

Shortly before the establishment of the Air Force, on September 1, 1941, construction began on the new Georgia Air Depot located sixteen miles south of Macon, Georgia. At the time of its dedication in 1943, the Depot Commander, Col. Charles E. Thomas, renamed it the Warner Robins Army Air Depot in honor of his mentor and the ``father of logistics'' of the Air Force, Brig. Gen. Augustine Warner Robins. Now known as Warner Robins Air Logistics Center and Robins Air Force Base, this former dairy farm pastureland would become the largest industrial installation in Georgia and one of the nation's finest defense assets.

Robins Air Force Base employs a workforce of over 25,584 civilians, contractors and members of the military. It is a vital part of the economy in Middle Georgia and brings in billions of dollars each year to the surrounding

communities. Through my ongoing interaction with Robins Air Force Base personnel, one of the things I have come to admire most is their remarkable interaction with the people of Middle Georgia.

Furthermore, Robins Air Force Base, along with the United States Air Force, is a strong advocate of diversity and hence is able to recruit and train the most talented men and women to become the most distinguished officers and personnel in the United States Armed Forces.

The vast success and numerous achievements and victories of the Air Force would not be possible without the talented manpower that drives, or rather, flies, it. The ideas that manifest into state-of-the-art technology, the hands that build and operate it, and the minds that make the decisions that impact one life or millions of lives are all due to the diligence, creativity, and dedication of a people united in sharing and protecting the ideals of America.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to the men and women who, over the last 65 years, have served or currently serve in the United States Air Force. Their outstanding valor and patriotic service have made the United States Air Force the best in the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute a classic gridiron rivalry--the ``Matchless Classic of All Historically Black College Football Classics''--the 77th Annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic. This year, the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers will come face-to-face with the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers on the green grass of A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.

A rivalry that began in 1902 with the teams playing each other seventy-six times in over 100 years, the Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic has the distinction of being one of the longest running NCAA Division II classics in the nation. It first began as an entertainment event for the African-American civilian community and African-American U.S. Army soldiers in the Columbus-Fort Benning, GA and Phenix City, AL area. Today, its primary purpose is to help raise funds for scholarships to help young men and women attend college.

In 1955, Mr. Gordon H. Kitchen, Mr. A.J. McClung, and Mr. Carl Haygood formed the Classic Committee. The Committee continues to operate the Classic and has preserved the mission of its legendary founders and past leadership. This year, the Committee will welcome Dr. Robert Michael Franklin, Jr., the Tenth President of Morehouse College; Dr. Gilbert L. Rochon, the Sixth President of Tuskegee University; and Dr. Beverly Tatum, the Ninth President of Spelman College to the Classic.

This year will also mark the eighth 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 acting Mayor of Columbus in 1973.

A longstanding tradition, the weeks leading up to the Classic are filled with excitement and anticipation. The Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic Parade is a widely attended fanfare. There is a week-long schedule of events including church services, recruitment activities, a media press conference, a golf tournament, President/Queens Brunch, VIP Reception and spirited tailgating.

Throughout the years, the two teams have taken the field to play with the highest quality and standards of college football. The players and coaches train and work tirelessly to ensure a memorable classic, and the marching bands, the Piperettes, Mahogany in Motion, cheerleaders, flag teams and other auxiliary units put on spectacular shows while the fans and observers cheer loudly and proudly for their teams.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in saluting the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University as they come face-to-face with the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College. Naturally, I will be cheering for my beloved Alma Mater, Morehouse College. Despite the outcome, however, the 77th Annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic is sure to be a memorable affair overflowing with spirit, pride, and tradition.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to extend a heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Erin Daly and the rest of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program team at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture for being selected to receive a 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary's Honor Award in the category of ``assisting rural communities to create prosperity so they are self-sustaining, repopulating, and economically thriving.'' The team and its program leader, Dr. S. (Suresh) Sureshwaran, will be honored on September 12, 2012 at the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area ceremony and the USDA 64th Annual Secretary's Honor Awards Ceremony, both in Washington, DC.

I am especially pleased because Erin has served as a Brookings Institution Legis Congressional Fellow in my Washington, DC. office since January of this year. She works on issues including agriculture, particularly as it pertains to the Farm Bill and authorization issues; environment; food safety and Food and Drug Administration issues; nutrition/hunger; HBCUs; immigration; and trade. Not only is Erin a great asset to my office, but she has also become a steadfast resource for my staff and the constituents of the Second Congressional District of Georgia. I have personally witnessed her hard work and dedication and I know this prestigious award recognizing exemplary leadership and public service is very well-deserved.

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) was authorized in the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act and is administered by the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) of the USDA. The purpose of the program is to assist farmer and rancher producers who have little or no farming experience and to provide the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to make informed decisions and improve their rate of success. As of 2010, more than 5,000 new and potential farmers had participated in BFRDP training events, including webinars, seminars, roundtable discussions, internships, mentorships, on-farm field days, etc.

In Georgia, BFRDP has awarded grants to the Development of Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina Program; the Cultivating Sustainable and Organic Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in Georgia Program; and the Urban Oasis Beginning Farmer Training Program. These grants have greatly assisted beginning farmers and ranchers in Georgia in obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary to manage a successful farm, improve their rural communities, and contribute to the local, state, and national economy.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District and the members of my staff, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Erin Daly and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program team for their strong commitment and valuable contributions to beginning farmers and their rural communities. I am extremely proud of Erin and I know she will continue to do great things in my office and at USDA.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an inspirational and hardworking man and strong community leader, the Honorable Frank K. Martin, Former Mayor of the City of Columbus, Georgia. Sadly, Mr. Martin passed away on August 12, 2012. His passing leaves a tremendous void in the hearts of his family, friends and the Columbus, Georgia community.

On Wednesday, August 15, 2012, a gathering of family members, friends, and colleagues paid their respects to Mr. Martin at a memorial service held at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Columbus.

Former Mayor Martin was born on November 4, 1938 in Columbus, Georgia to the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Callier Martin. Known as ``Butch,'' he played for the Columbus High School Football Team. He earned both an undergraduate degree and a law degree from the University of Georgia and became a successful criminal defense attorney before being elected Mayor in 1990.

As Mayor, Mr. Martin led the passage of a 1 percent sales tax to fund the construction of a new civic center, riverwalk and public safety building. He was Vice Chairman of the Columbus 1996 Olympic Committee from 1993 to 1996 and under his leadership, the City of Columbus was able to win a bid to host the 1996 Olympic softball competition.

Mr. Speaker, one of the things that I will always remember about Frank is his ability to get things done. He sought to make a difference in the community and ultimately elevated the City of Columbus to new heights.

George Washington Carver once said, ``How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong because someday in your life you will have been all of these.'' Mr. Martin went far in life because he had the courage and insight to help people fight for justice. We are all blessed to have had him touch our lives.

Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the Columbus, Georgia community, would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Mr. Martin's wife Helen, their children, and other family members during this difficult time. May they be consoled and comforted by their abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an inspiring woman of faith, beloved educator and spiritual leader, Sister Mary Cecelia Harrison, FMS. Sister Cecelia will be retiring after 25 years of outstanding leadership as Principal of Mother Mary School in Phenix City, Alabama. On Saturday, August 4, 2012, Sister Cecelia will be honored with an appreciation luncheon at the Columbus Trade and Convention Center in Columbus, Georgia.

Sister Cecelia, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, was born on May 7, 1937, the ninth child of Philip and Agnes Harrison's ten children. In 1956, she entered the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help of Jamaica. She graduated from Boston College in Massachusetts in1966 and then assumed a variety of principalships in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands where she oversaw the increase of enrollment in several schools and was appointed Member of the Cayman Islands Board of Education by the Governor for seven years.

In 1988, Sister Cecilia was assigned as School Principal and Program Coordinator at Mother Mary Mission School in Phenix City, Alabama at a time when the school was almost defunct. It had poor academic standing and low enrollment and plans were in place for its closing. Sister Cecelia was only too happy to take on this challenge. Within three years, Mother Mary School was thriving with increased enrollment, high academic standards and improved facilities.

In her 25 years as Principal of Mother Mary School, Sister Cecelia has become an educational and spiritual mentor in the community. Not only does she contribute to the education of young minds but she also works to provide assistance to the needy within the community. Her generosity is flowing and never ending and her faith is strong and enduring.

Mr. Speaker, one of the things I admire most about Sister Cecelia is her selfless determination to help others. While she was in the Cayman Islands, there was an area of land next to the school where she was Principal that was unusable because of its rocky and uneven terrain. Sister Cecelia wanted the children to be able to use this land for much-needed recess so in any spare moment she had, she would go out there and pick up the rocks one by one herself. Her dedication inspired others to help and within a year, Sister Cecelia had the area leveled, graded and cleared of rocks for the children to enjoy.

Proverbs 11:25 says, ``A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.'' Sister Cecelia has given her life to God and dedicated herself to the service of others. She has been blessed in many, many ways and enjoys watching the children she has mentored and nurtured grow into good, generous and hardworking men and women of faith.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to Sister Mary Cecelia Harrison for her legacy of selfless life service and her 25 years of dedicated leadership to Mother Mary School and the surrounding community.