Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of the Honorable Charles ``Chuck'' Burris, a man who dedicated his life to improve Georgia. An accomplished public servant who was devoted to his community, state, country, his family, and friends, Chuck passed away on February 12, 2009. Tomorrow, on what would have been his 59th birthday, we celebrate his life.

Chuck Burris' numerous accomplishments span an incredible career. He began as a Merrill Scholar at Morehouse College and received proclamations from the Georgia State House and Senate. Chuck was a leader, serving as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 100 Black Men (DeKalb Chapter), Leadership DeKalb, DeKalb Democratic Club, National Democratic Club, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Spiritual Living Center of Atlanta, Bethsaida Baptist Church (Stone Mountain), Martin Luther King March Committee, Stone Mountain Memorial Association, Georgia Municipal Association, Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials, Georgia Conference of Black Mayors, National Conference of Black Mayors, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and as the Third Vice President of the World Conference of Mayors. He was appointed by Governor Roy Barnes to sit on the board of Stone Mountain Park and was an invited guest of First Lady Hillary Clinton at the 1998 State of the Union Address. These roles and accolades are merely titles, and do not fully explain the extent of his work.

His legacy is best remembered through his initiatives. While serving as Executive Director of the Southern Regional Council, Chuck led an initiative, which was cosponsored by the Carter Center Library, to recognize the 50th Anniversary of Brown vs. the Board of Education. As Mayor of Stone Mountain, he installed a 5,000-pound ``Freedom Bell'' on Main Street in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s declaration to ``let freedom ring from Stone Mountain, Georgia!''

As the first African-American mayor of Stone Mountain, he did more than bridge a racial gap. One of Chuck's first accomplishments as Mayor was uniting Stone Mountain by installing six miles of sidewalks. By making Stone Mountain pedestrian-friendly, he connected downtown businesses with residential areas, saying, ``When people walk through town, they get to know their neighbors, and this enhances their sense of community.''

The community was not always an inclusive one. Stone Mountain was once dominated by the Ku Klux Klan, but Chuck declared there's ``a new Clan in Stone Mountain.'' He spelled it with a C: C-L-A-N, for Citizens Living As Neighbors. Now, it is a home where all are welcome, due in part to the tremendous dedication and work of Chuck Burris. Chuck did everything he could to honor Stone Mountain and the state of Georgia, and it is fitting that he be honored tomorrow.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 49th anniversary of the Peace Corps and to commemorate Peace Corps Week.

Volunteers of the Peace Corps have served valiantly since President John F. Kennedy challenged Americans to work towards the cause of peace. Since its creation on March 1, 1961, nearly 200,000 Americans have answered that call to contribute and improve Americans' understanding of other peoples and other peoples' understanding of Americans. At a time when extremist philosophies are increasing throughout the world, we need these dedicated individuals more than ever.

Madam Speaker, I would like to commend the 6,671 Peace Corps volunteers, including 153 volunteers from the State of Georgia, who are currently working to provide expertise and developmental assistance to 76 countries. These volunteers are dedicating themselves each day to the vision of President Kennedy. These individuals share their time and talents by serving as teachers, business advisors, HIV/AIDS educators, as well as sharing their knowledge of information technology, agriculture, the environment, and health.

On this anniversary I would like to acknowledge Jonathan Lewis, who is a prime example of a volunteer who is working to accomplish the goals of Peace Corps. Jonathan has been working in Kazakhstan this past year to organize the first official youth developmental group in the country, focusing on leadership, work ethics, and healthy lifestyles. At night he volunteers his time teaching English and American culture to students in schools and libraries around the country. Jonathan's efforts and all the Volunteers represent the caring spirit that runs deep in our country.

Today I honor the Peace Corps and its brave volunteers for their service to our nation and to the international community. In our ever- shrinking world, the mission of the Peace Corps is more vital than ever. I hope that each one of my distinguished colleagues will join me in commending these men and women for their service.

I thank the gentleman for yielding and for allowing me to participate in this tribute to our great friend.

The poet wrote that the lives of great men all remind us that we can make our lives sublime, and departing, leave behind footprints on the sands of time.

Jack Murtha was a great man, and he, indeed, left indelible footprints. He left footprints on his beloved district in Pennsylvania with all of the projects and all of the things that he did for his

constituents there over the 36 years of service he gave.

He left footprints on the Department of Defense and on the men and women who served in our military and their families with all of the care and the concern that he put into making sure that they had everything that was needed to carry out their missions and that they got what they needed when they returned home.

He left a footprint on this institution with the leadership and the example that he set for all of us as a bipartisan collegial representative. To watch the interaction between Mr. Murtha and Mr. Young and to be able to feel and to see the genuine friendship and mutual respect that they had for each other was a lesson every day in the collegiality and the civility that Members of this institution should carry in the traditions of this institution.

Jack Murtha made and left indelible footprints on the United States of America. He made an impression on all of us, on his family, Joyce, who was a mentor to my wife in the Congressional Club as Jack was a mentor to me in this House. I can remember my very first trip to Murtha's Corner, seeking sage advice, and I can remember the last trip on his last day on the floor a thousand visits later.

Jack made a lasting impression on us. He was a friend. He was a mentor. He was a Members' Member. The world is better because Jack Murtha was here. This institution and our country are better because Jack Murtha was here.

Someone said you make your living by what you get; you make your life by what you give. Jack Murtha indeed made a life and he made our lives better for his service.

Thank you, Jack. Thank you to the Murtha family. Thank you, God, for allowing us to know, love, and share the life of this very exceptional and remarkable man.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join my distinguished colleague Al Green in co-sponsoring H. Res. 1046, which recognizes the significance of Black History Month.

This year, Black History Month marks Abraham Lincoln's 201st birthday, as well as our nation's first anniversary of the inauguration of an African-American president. This remarkable fact truly shows the capacity of our society to transform. Since 1926, February has been dedicated to giving Americans of every ethnicity and race the opportunity to reflect on the struggles of the past and look forward to an even brighter future as we continue working to ensure equality for all Americans. Black History Month is also a reminder that there will still be challenges ahead, and we must stay united as freedom-loving Americans to overcome them.

One sign of this progress is the United States Department of Agriculture's recent announcement of a settlement in the Pigford Case-- a lawsuit brought by plaintiffs who were black farmers who sued for compensation for the harm they suffered as a result of unlawful actions of USDA government agents regarding loan applications.

Many African-Americans still struggle with disparities in their workplace, in their educational opportunities, and in their health care. We still have a long way to go before the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his brethren in the Civil Rights Movement becomes a reality. Let us reeducate ourselves this year as we do every February, to making our country a better, fairer, and kinder place for all Americans.

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably absent Tuesday, January 26, and Wednesday, January 27, due to a death in my family. Had I been present for the nine votes which occurred, I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 990, rollcall vote No. 17; I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 1011, rollcall vote No. 18; I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 1003, rollcall vote No. 19; I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 1038, rollcall vote No. 20; I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 1024, rollcall vote No. 21; I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 4474, rollcall vote No. 22; I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 3726, rollcall vote No. 23; I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 4508, rollcall vote No. 24; and I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 1020, rollcall vote No. 25.

Mr. Speaker, today, we recognize a brave martyr of the civil rights movement, Medgar Evers, who also is being honored by the U.S. Navy with the naming of a dry cargo ship after him.

Medgar Evers served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II and fought to liberate Europe at the Battle of Normandy. After he was honorably discharged in 1946, he returned home to Mississippi to find racial discrimination and rampant prejudice. This injustice compelled him to fight another battle, this time for civil rights and racial equality at home. As NAACP's first field secretary in Mississippi, he played a leading role in desegregating the University of Mississippi in 1962, as well as led a public investigation into the murder of Emmett Till.

Medgar Evers received numerous death threats, yet he was never deterred. He once said, ``You can kill a man, but you can't kill an idea.'' There is bittersweet truth to his words as Evers was murdered in 1963 by one intent on maintaining segregation. Although Evers' dedication to ensuring equality cost him his life, his sacrifice was not in vain. Following Medgar Evers' death, there was a renewed impetus toward passing a civil rights bill, allowing Medgar Evers' ideas to live on.

Two months after Evers' murder, President John F. Kennedy, while addressing the U.S. Naval Academy, said, ``any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: `I served in the United States Navy.' ''

With the christening of the USNS Medgar Evers, there is now a physical link between honorable naval service and the courageous life of Medgar Evers. I hope that as this ship sails from port-to-port, it will remind all nations, including our own, of the ultimate sacrifice Evers made in the pursuit of justice.

I want to commend my friend and colleague from Georgia, Hank Johnson, for introducing this resolution, and I urge its adoption by the full House.

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably absent Thursday afternoon, January 21, on very urgent business. Had I been present for the five votes which occurred, I would have voted ``aye'' on

H.R. 3254, rollcall vote No. 12; I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 3342, rollcall vote No. 13; I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 1065, rollcall vote No. 14; I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 1021, rollcall vote No. 15; I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 730, rollcall vote No. 16.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my friend and former colleague, Mrs. Mary Young-Cummings, who passed away at the age of 66 on January 16, 2010. Mary was a woman of conviction and compassion who set an example for others through all the things she accomplished in her life.

Mary Young-Cummings was born in Fitzgerald, Georgia, on March 1, 1943, the 13th of 16 children. She was a proud product of the Ben Hill County School System, graduating from Monitor High School. At Savannah State College (now University), she served as president of the Honor Society and graduated in 1964 with a double major in mathematics and physics. She earned a law degree from Howard University in 1967 and then practiced with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in New York.

Mary was a spirited and staunch advocate for social and economic justice. She founded the Savannah State College (now University) Chapter of the NAACP and participated in civil rights campaigns in Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. She also participated in the historic March on Washington on August 28, 1963.

Mary was also a trailblazer, forerunner and visionary. She was the first African-American female attorney in Albany, Georgia, and served under the tutelage of legendary civil rights attorney C.B. King. Mary brought a successful lawsuit against the city of Albany to end unfair election practices so that African-Americans could be elected to posts throughout the city. This action paved the way for her to be elected the first African-American woman commissioner in the history of Albany.

She eventually became the first African-American woman from Albany to serve in the Georgia House of Representatives (1981-1992), and in 1992 became one of the first African-American women to run for Congress in Georgia's Second Congressional District.

In July of 2009, a play about Mary's life entitled ``Cotton Field Girl'' was performed at the Albany Civil Rights Institute in Albany. This play chronicled Mary's humble beginnings and her propensity for hard work and determination as instilled in her by her parents.

Shirley Chisholm once said that ``service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Mary Young-Cummings, in the same spirit as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Fannie Lou Hamer, fought for what was right, even if she had to stand alone. Our country and our world are better because Mary Young-Cummings walked among us with pride and dignity and served humanity so well.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of William Pope ``Billy'' Langdale, Sr., a man I was proud to call my friend and constituent. An accomplished public servant who was devoted to his community, state, country, his family, and friends, Billy passed away on December 12, 2009, at the age of 88.

Billy lived his entire life in Valdosta in Lowndes County, Georgia. He graduated from Valdosta High School in 1938 where he was a proud member of the Valdosta Wildcat football team. He went on to attend the University of Georgia, where he played football for the Bulldogs before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1942. He served in the Marines for 10 years and was awarded a Bronze Star before retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

His public career began in 1960, when he was elected as chairman to the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners, where he served for 16 years. He then served as Chairman of the Georgia Department of Transportation board for 2 years before becoming the Second Congressional District representative on the DOT board, a post he held for more than 25 years. He was instrumental in numerous local transportation projects, from highway improvements to the six-laning of Interstate 75.

Billy fittingly received many accolades for his public service, including being named as one of Georgia Trend magazine's ``100 Most Influential Georgians'' as well as South Georgia Business magazine's list of the ``Most Influential South Georgians.'' A highway in my district is named the ``Billy Langdale Highway'' in his honor. Upon his retirement in 2008, both the Georgia State Senate and the Georgia House of Representatives passed resolutions thanking Billy for his many years of service to the state.

Madam Speaker, the State of Georgia, especially the Second Congressional District, and our Nation have been truly blessed to have benefited from the tremendous leadership of Billy Langdale. He will be remembered for the compassion he spread continuously throughout his life, his great humor, his never ending modesty, his intense desire to help others, and his unwavering love for his family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and the legacy of

Mrs. Edith Armstead Gray. Mrs. Gray passed away December 1 at the age of 99. Mrs. Gray was a lady of style, grace, and compassion. But, most of all, Mrs. Gray earned the highest honor that could be bestowed upon any of us: ``Servant.''

Mrs. Gray was born in Galveston, Texas, in 1910 to Henry and Millie Armstead. She enrolled at Tuskegee Institute, now University, as a student majoring in home economics. She accepted her first and only teaching job in Conecuh County, Alabama, and returned to summer school to earn her B.S. degree from Tuskegee in 1940.

During her extraordinary teaching career, she became a great role model for thousands of young men and women who entered her classroom. But, her commitment and dedication to humankind did not limit itself to the classroom.

Shirley Chisholm once said that ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Mrs. Gray paid her rent and she paid it well. She gave dedicated service to many community organizations to include: the Conecuh County branch of the NAACP; the Evergreen Housing Authority board of directors; the Neoteric Club, now associated with Neoteric Clubs of Alabama; the Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church; the County Retired Teachers Association; and a life member of the advisory board at Reid Technical College. Because of her dedicated service to Reid Technical College, the library and technology center now proudly bears her name.

Mrs. Gray was a trailblazer. She was a founding member of the Conecuh branch of the NAACP and the Neoteric Club. She worked tirelessly to make sure that citizens in her community exercised their power of the ballot.

Mrs. Gray married Philander A. Gray in 1936. From that union came three accomplished children: Phyllis Hallmon, my chief of staff, Frederick Gray, and Jerome Gray. Upon the death of her husband in 1953, as a single parent, she reared her three children and passed on to each of them a love for people and public service. All of them have had distinguished careers and are making their mark on the world because of their mother's strong influence. Frederick has served for many years as a United Methodist pastor. His charge has been to bring souls to Jesus Christ for His service. Jerome has served as the State Field Director for the Alabama Democratic Conference. Like his dear mother, he has devoted his life and work to the expansion of political and civic opportunities for African-Americans. He has been involved in many capacities at the local and state levels in the fight for civil rights and equal opportunities. He currently serves as a Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Alabama. Phyllis has also had a distinguished career, serving as a public school teacher, government lawyer, legislative director to a United States Senator, and chief of staff to two Members of the United States House of Representatives. In the same vein as her mother, she has distinguished herself as a woman of hard work and compassion. The legacy of Mrs. Gray will live on through each of them and their progeny.

Her legacy of good will is something that we all should seek to replicate. Our country and our world are better because Edith Armstead Gray passed this way. She will be sorely missed. I know that after 99 years of dedicated earthly service, she has now claimed her crown of righteousness.

I extend my deepest sympathies to the Gray family and thank them for sharing this special woman with the world for so many years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 742 which congratulates the Warner Robins American Little League Softball Team from Warner Robins, Georgia, on winning the 2009 Softball World Series Championship.

Although Warner Robins is technically no longer a part the 2nd Congressional District of Georgia which I represent, I continue to claim the residents of Warner Robins as my constituents as I have represented them in previous sessions of Congress.

All of us in southwest Georgia are proud of this accomplishment. I would like to recognize and applaud the commitment to excellence, dedication, and determination shown by the players, parents, coaches, and managers who worked so diligently to accomplish a worthy goal. The city of Warner Robins and the State of Georgia should be commended for the outstanding loyalty and support they displayed for their team throughout the season.

The 2009 Champion Warner Robins Little League Softball Team consists of Carson Carriker, Sierra Stella, Chelsea Whaley, Caitlin Parker, Melissa Cox, Kelly Warner, Sabrina Doucette, Hanna Livingston, Kaylee Albritton, Ashley Killebrew, Avery Lamb and Sydney Barker. They were successfully managed and coached by Emily Whaley and Roger Stella.

As most of my colleagues know, Warner Robins Air Force Base is located in the city of Warner Robins. I have no doubt that members of the Warner Robins Softball team have parents or siblings serving in the military. We salute not only the team, but also their family members serving proudly in the military.

On behalf of my constituents in Georgia's Second Congressional District, I offer my congratulations on a job well done.

Madam Speaker, after months of studying the various proposals, listening to feedback from my constituents on both sides of the issue in town hall meetings, informal discussions, letters, e-mails and faxes, and after prayerful reflection, I concluded that I must support the health care reform legislation. I believe it would improve the lives of my constituents by ensuring that they have access to quality, affordable health care. H.R. 3962, while not perfect, makes substantial progress in this regard.

During my town hall meetings on health insurance reform last August, I said that we have a moral obligation to ensure that all Americans receive the health care they need to live healthy and productive lives. I have long been concerned about the poor health indicators among my constituents, and this evening I cast a vote that I believe will have a significant impact on improving the lives of Southwest Georgians now and into the future.

Georgia ranks third in obesity rates for children age 10-17; sixth in the number of tuberculosis cases; seventh in number of low birthweight babies; ninth in diabetes rates for adults; tenth in the number of uninsured; eleventh in hypertension rates; eleventh in the number of new cancer cases; and fourteenth in obesity rates for adults. These numbers are unacceptable.

H.R. 3962, when signed into law, will immediately bring about reforms that will benefit the citizens of Georgia's Second Congressional District and all Americans. The bill will immediately begin to close the donut hole in the Medicare part D prescription drug coverage for seniors. It will outlaw denial of coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, limit premium discrimination based on gender and age, and prevent insurance companies from dropping coverage when people develop serious illnesses and need it the most.

In addition, the bill increases funding for community health centers and other primary care providers, doubling the number of patients seen over five years. It will extend coverage for young people to stay on their parents' insurance plans up to their 27th birthday. It will extend COBRA health insurance coverage for displaced workers. Furthermore, it will hinder price-gouging by requiring that insurance companies disclose rate increases.

By 2013, when the mandate for coverage and the Exchange are in place, additional provisions will take effect including no more co-pays for routine checkups and preventive care, yearly caps on individuals' out- of-pocket expenses and no lifetime caps on what insurance companies will cover.

In addition to the benefits for Southwest Georgia, the bill will reduce the federal budget deficit by $104 billion over the next decade. It will allow states to form compacts that will enable consumers to buy policies from insurers across state lines.

With regards to small businesses, the health care legislation will provide tax credits to nearly 14,000 small businesses in the Second Congressional District who offer their employees coverage and exempts 86 percent of small businesses (those with payrolls of less than $500,000) from having to provide coverage, and continues the business deduction for those who do.

Finally, the House health care bill prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions. It also requires verification of citizenship or lawful presence for undocumented immigrants to receive coverage.

I look forward to further improvements as the bill is considered by the Senate and the Conference Committee, where differences between the House and Senate bills will be resolved. But this evening's vote is a significant step towards affordable, quality health care for all.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I am stunned and saddened by the tragic events that occurred yesterday at Fort Hood, and I want to express my deepest sympathies to the families and the friends of those who were harmed in this horrific and senseless act that defies explanation.

I have the privilege of representing Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia, and the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Georgia, and I know that the many servicemen and -women there are mourning the loss of their friends and colleagues in Texas.

The units and the families at Fort Hood, home of the 1st Cavalry Division, 4th Infantry Division, 3rd Corps Headquarters, have long served as models of honor and selfless service to our country. We thank them today for their noble service and we grieve with them over their tremendous loss.

As the Fort Hood community struggles to find answers in the wake of this tragedy, I pledge the continued prayers and support of all the people in Georgia's 2nd District and, indeed, all of our servicemen and -women and military families who are stationed in bases throughout Georgia.

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably absent Friday morning, October 23, on very urgent business. Had I been present for the eleven votes which occurred Friday, I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 3619, rollcall vote No. 812; and I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 3619, rollcall vote No. 813.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1471, which will expand and revitalize the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, which is located in Plains, Georgia.

My Congressional District in Southwest Georgia includes Plains. Therefore I am pleased to sponsor this bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives which, if passed, will bolster the local economy, enhance tourism, and provide people from around the world with a new insight into the life and career of the 39th President of the United States.

H.R. 1471 will expand the national historic site's authorized boundaries from 15 acres to 18 acres and would allow the National Park Service to acquire several additional properties for the park, including a house that the Carter family lived in from 1956-1961. Additionally, the legislation will redesignate the park from a national historic site to a national historical park. It also would direct that the park service preserves, and interprets, a southern agricultural- based rural community during the early to middle years of the 20th century.

Last August, I took my whole staff on a visit to the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, including his boyhood home and school, so they could get a better feel and understanding of the values that shaped this great Georgian. We listened to the messages recorded by the former President that tell visitors of his experiences as a child and young man and how they influenced his views and values. After touring the Depression-era farm, home and school where he grew into manhood, every one of my staff members, including a number from Georgia and several who are not, told me they were inspired by what they learned about the life of Jimmy Carter, just as I have been.

The eventual passage of this bill will ensure that the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site has the resources it needs to continue to inspire generation after generation of visitors. Additionally, the investments made in this property will positively impact the economic development of Plains and the surrounding Sumter County by providing increased opportunities for tourism.

The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site already does a remarkable job of helping people to understand the values that shaped this great Georgian. This bill will ensure that the site will continue to inspire generations of visitors, as well as grow and positively impact the economies of Plains. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1471.