Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably absent yesterday afternoon, February 25, on very urgent business. Had I been present for the three votes which occurred yesterday, I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 978, rollcall vote No. 69; I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 930, rollcall vote No. 70; and I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 944, rollcall vote No. 71.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Frank Douglas Brown, a man who has given his life to serving others through his leadership in higher education.

Frank Douglas Brown graduated from Flomaton High School, in Flomaton, Alabama, a town of less than 2,000 people on the southern border of the state. He achieved an Associate's Degree in Business Administration from Northwest Mississippi Community College and went on to the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned his Bachelor's in Business Administration. After working in private industry for several years, and meeting and marrying the former Jo Ann Nichols of Bessemer, Alabama, he went to the University of Alabama for his MBA.

He then went to work for IBM as a systems engineer and marketing representative. Eventually, he left and earned his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Florida State University in 1974.

From there, Frank went to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education in Montgomery, Alabama, where he served as associate executive director. He stayed until 1978 and went to the University of Houston, University Park, in Texas. In 1981 Columbus College brought him to Columbus as the young college's new vice president for business and finance. Seven years later, on January 14, 1988, Dr. Frank D. Brown was appointed as the institution's third president.

Since his appointment, Frank has guided the college through unprecedented growth. Under his leadership, the college became Columbus State University, and now offers more than 50 undergraduate programs and more than 35 Master's or specialist programs. He leads a staff and faculty of more than 600, and a student body of 7,500.

Also during his tenure at CSU, the university has developed partnerships with the community, business and industry, education and governments that some say are stronger than any other university in the country.

The most recent indication of the university's level of respect may be the success of CSU's capital campaign, An Investment in People. When the campaign was first being considered in the late 1990s, many considered the originally proposed goal of about $35 million too ambitious. At its conclusion, the campaign exceeded $100 million.

Madam Speaker, Frank Brown has been a tireless volunteer, is active in many civic organizations, and is an enthusiastic advocate not only for Columbus State University, but for the area. I am honored to be able to call Dr. Brown a friend, I commend him for his many years of service, and wish him a happy, healthy, and blessed retirement. He will be missed.

Madam Chairman, I strongly support H.R. 3524, the HOPE VI Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2007. As the name of this program suggests, the revitalization of distressed public housing brings hope to millions of Americans--the hope of living in a community that cherishes family values, the hope of enjoying a stable living environment, and the hope of moving out of poverty and toward self- sufficiency.

The HOPE VI program offers residents the ability to improve their housing opportunities by transforming severely distressed public housing into thriving mixed-income communities. The program has worked well since its inception in 1992 and I am pleased that the bill makes a number of significant improvements to HOPE VI to ensure that it is even stronger into the future. These changes include requiring full replacement for lost units and increased involvement of residents in planning the redevelopment.

Furthermore, HOPE VI promotes the efforts of Congress in supporting a cleaner environment by requiring compliance with green building standards.

In Georgia's Second Congressional District, we have had resounding success with the HOPE VI program. The Housing Authority of Columbus, Georgia was awarded a $20 million HOPE VI grant in 2002. The revitalization plan called for the demolition of 510 units of severely distressed public housing units. At the time of grant award 380 families lived at Peabody.

The end result is a new mixed-income community (Ashley Station), set on a beautifully designed site which incorporates new housing, new parks, and new retail and street improvements. In addition, connections were made that improved access to job training, employment opportunities, education, health care, and other supportive services. HOPE VI allowed for a unique public-private collaboration and more than $5,800,000 in ``in-kind'' services were received by the HOPE VI residents.

Invigorating the HOPE VI program will strengthen families, reduce poverty, and rejuvenate the spirit of American communities throughout the Nation. The program is more than just ``bricks and mortar.'' It will make the American dream a reality for millions of low-income people. I commend my colleagues for bringing this vital piece of legislation to the House floor and I urge their strong support.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the achievements of the 2007 Georgia AAA State Football Champions, the George Washington Carver Tigers. On December 15th, 2007, the Tigers defeated another great football team in my district, the Cairo Syrupmakers by a score of 16-13 on a rainy, windy day in Cairo, Georgia.

The game was an epic battle between two talented, well coached teams. This capped an undefeated 15-0 year for the Tigers and also delivered the school's first State football title in history. And the first state title in any sport since the basketball team accomplished this feat in 1971.

I want to extend my congratulations to Principal Chris Lindsey, Coach Dell McGee and the entire Carver family for this great achievement.

I also want to extend my congratulations to the Cairo Syrupmakers for a great season. They played all season with courage, spirit, and intestinal fortitude.

It takes a great deal of work and sacrifice to assemble a State- championship football team. It takes the dedication of the young men who are playing on the team. It also takes a dedicated coaching staff who have the wherewithal to dedicate their time and energy to not only teaching young men about the game of football, but also the game of life. A winning football team can in many ways bring a community together. This team has brought this community together.

The 99 young men that made up this year's football team accomplished something special. By accomplishing this special goal, they developed the character that will help them to succeed in other aspects of life. I am proud to represent these special young men and once again congratulate them on their history-making achievement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Edward Dubose, the president of the Georgia State Conference of the NAACP and Second District citizen.

Edward O. DuBose was born in Atlanta, Georgia, the third oldest of 10 children to Carnell and Margie DuBose. He received his early education through the Atlanta public school system, graduating from Harper High School. He then joined the United States Army where he completed 21 years of honorable service.

Mr. DuBose, who also earned a masters degree in clinical mental health counseling, is a licensed professional counselor, anger management specialist, member of the National Board of Certified Counselors, and a member of the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia. As the owner of Oxygen Mental Health Counseling services, he provides in-home counseling to at risk youth and families throughout the State of Georgia and Alabama.

In addition to his career as a counselor, Mr. DuBose has served his community through leadership in the NAACP. He has served 7 years as president of the Columbus, Georgia, branch of the NAACP, and 5 years as 2nd vice president of the Georgia State Conference NAACP. In addition, he has served as Georgia State NAACP veterans affairs chairman and as the district coordinator for a 9-county area.

Mr. DuBose was elected to the position of president of the Georgia State Conference NAACP on October 2005, and reelected for a second term in 2007. He is the only resident and NAACP member in Columbus history to hold the title of State president.

While serving the NAACP, Mr. DuBose led the organization to achieve several landmark accomplishments, including negotiating the only NAACP radio show in Georgia, helping start the first Black History Month Parade in Columbus, Georgia now in its seventh year, and coordinating the largest protest march in Columbus history by rallying over 15,000 people to call for justice for the shooting death of Kenneth Walker.

Mr. DuBose is married to Cynthia DuBose and they have three beautiful daughters; Cynthia Harris, Casonya Hardaway Glover, and Kimberly DuBose. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to honor this man today for his dedication to Columbus, the NAACP, the Second Congressional District, and to the betterment of his State and Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Representatives Buyer, Shimkus, Taylor, and over 243 original co- sponsors, to introduce a resolution to congratulate the United States Army Reserve on its 100th Anniversary, which will be formally celebrated on April 23, 2008.

The resolution also commemorates the contributions of Army Reserve veterans who have helped to ensure that the United States' vital national security interests are protected and defended in times of war and peace.

I am very gratified by the outpouring of bipartisan support that this resolution has received. It is indicative of the high regard and esteem in which the Army Reserve is held among Members of Congress and the American public.

As a former soldier in the Army Reserve, I know the historic and decisive role it played along with the U.S. Army in promoting integration and the cause of individual dignity.

As a current member of the Subcommittee on Defense as well as the Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, I have been extremely impressed by the level of commitment that Army Reserve soldiers bring to their work and to their high degree of professionalism. They truly are ``twice the citizen,'' as Winston Churchill once remarked.

Today, the U.S. Army Reserve is composed of more than 30,000 officers and 150,000 enlisted soldiers. They have an active presence in 1,100 communities across the nation, contributing military values, important job skills, and economic support. They are husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, and sons or daughters. They are our neighbors, our friends and acquaintances, and our colleagues at work. These soldiers can be called up at any time to serve our nation and they must be trained and prepared to respond at a moment's notice.

Here in the U.S. House of Representatives, 24 Members including myself have been privileged to serve as Army Reserve soldiers. In fact, 2 of the lead sponsors of this resolution, Representatives Steve Buyer of Indiana and John Shimkus of Illinois, still serve in the Army Reserve.

As this resolution notes, the role of today's Army Reserve soldier has expanded and changed dramatically since President Theodore Roosevelt first requested that Congress establish a reservoir of trained officers in a reserve status. On April 23, 1908, the Congress responded to the president's request by establishing a permanent reserve corps of trained medical officers. The modest corps represented the humble start of what is today a multi-faceted operational and strategic force.

The duties have since expanded such that they have become an integral component of any active U.S. Army mission. They have answered the call of duty in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, Panama, the Gulf War, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, and Kosovo. In addition, nearly 25,000 Army Reserve soldiers are currently deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and 18 other countries.

Through October 31, 2007, 102 Army Reserve soldiers had borne the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. We dedicate this resolution to their memory and to the memory of all the Reserve soldiers who fought and died to defend our nation's freedoms throughout our history.

We dedicate this resolution to our living heroes as well--to those men and women who continue their service to our nation in the U.S. Army Reserve today.

Madam Speaker, I again thank my colleagues who are original cosponsors for their extraordinary support for this resolution. I urge our remaining colleagues to join with us in support of this resolution, which is intended to ensure that the first 100 years of the Army Reserve are appropriately commended and that the second 100 years of the Army Reserve are fittingly commenced.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor former Congressman Jack Brinkley, who was recently honored by the Muscogee County Democratic party with the creation of the Jack T. Brinkley Service Award.

From his humble beginnings in the community of Faceville, GA, where he and his three sisters were raised by a single mother, Pauline Brinkley, who worked as a lunchroom supervisor in Decatur County schools, Jack Brinkley went on to become a distinguished attorney, State Representative, and U.S. Representative for the third district of Georgia. Jack was quoted recently saying ``Our mother always held her head up high and worked hard.'' Jack also learned to work hard and developed a work ethic that has followed him throughout his life.

After high school, Jack went from southwest to north Georgia where he attended Young Harris College with two other future luminaries of public service: Former Congressman Ed Jenkins and former Lt. Governor, Governor, and Senator Zell Miller. There must have been something in the water at Young Harris, because it truly nourished the seed of service in its students.

Graduating from Young Harris, Jack became a teacher for 2 years, joined the Air Force as a pilot during the Korean Conflict, and returned to receive his law degree at the University of Georgia under the GI Bill. During the same year, he met and married the former

Lois Kite of Phenix City, AL, and eventually moved to Columbus in 1964 to start his law practice.

Shortly thereafter, he was elected to the Georgia House, and 2 years later he was elected to Congress from the third district, eventually serving the second longest term of any third-district Congressman since the Civil War. When he retired, he was the senior member of the Georgia House Delegation and a prominent member of the Armed Services and Veteran Affairs Committees, providing much-needed support to Fort Benning, the Robins Air Force Base, and the thousands of veterans in the area. His constituent services were without equal.

When Jack campaigned, he promised to ``remember who I am; where I'm from, and who sent me.'' He believed in the Christian principles of friendship, made it a point to remember names, heal misunderstandings, and never miss opportunities to express congratulations or sympathy. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to know the Honorable Jack Brinkley, and I commend and thank him for his many years of public service.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Shirley Sherrod, who has worked determinedly for more than 20 years as the Georgia Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives and Land Assistance Fund, an outstanding organization dedicated to enhancing rural communities through sustained operation of family farms.

As a part of her work, Shirley has helped to run one of the countries most successful USDA Outreach and Technical Assistance Projects, providing assistance on debt restructuring, alternating crops, marketing, financial planning, recordkeeping, and farm management to minority and disadvantaged farmers. The project has operated in four states, and seen an increase in the number of minority-owned farms in two of those states.

Shirley's leadership with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives exemplifies her lifetime of dedication to her community. Shirley's work began in 1965, where as an organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Southwest Georgia Project, she helped to start a 6000-acre land trust. She also worked with women to organize childcare and pre-school programs, and was intensely dedicated to the numerous voter registration and education projects which helped African Americans become elected officials.

A native of Newton, Georgia, Shirley received a degree in Sociology from Albany State University and later took graduate business studies at Valdosta State University. In 1989, she received a Master of Arts in Community Development from Antioch University.

As the Congressman who represents Southwest Georgia, I hold in highest regard individuals like Shirley--those tireless advocates with the courage and conviction to reach out, touch, and impact the farthest boundaries of our community. May the Second Congressional District, Georgia, and indeed the country continue to benefit from her service.

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably absent Tuesday afternoon, November 13, on very urgent business. Had I been present for the four votes which occurred Tuesday evening:

I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 3315, rollcall vote No. 1082.

I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 1593, rollcall vote No. 1083.

I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 3403, rollcall vote No. 1084.

I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 3461, rollcall vote No. 1085.

Madam Chairman, as one who has suffered the stigma and painful effects of state-enforced legal discrimination based on my race for the first 20 of my 60 years, and having spent all of my professional

life as an attorney and as an elected official fighting to eradicate unlawful discrimination based on race, creed, color, religion, gender, age, disability or national origin, and based on my study and understanding of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, I cannot condone discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation.

The only appropriate consideration in employment should be the willingness and the ability to perform the job. Sexual orientation, unless it adversely affects job performance, is a private matter and should not be a basis for legal discrimination with the possible exception of the armed services and religious organizations.

Accordingly, after prayerful consideration, I must therefore support H.R. 3685, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 3547.

Madam Speaker, since its inception in 1997, I have been a steadfast proponent of SCHIP, known in Georgia as PeachCare for Kids, and I rise today to urge my colleagues to join me in sustaining this successful program by voting to override the President's veto.

Let me first say that, while my support of children's health care has been unwavering, this is not a perfect bill. Like many of my colleagues, some provisions in the bill concern me. But let us not let ``perfect'' be the enemy of the ``good.''

On health care, our country faces a tremendous challenge, and while disagreement still impedes finding creative solutions to encourage responsibility for health care to solve problems of access for adults, it is our moral imperative to rise up and meet these challenges for our Nation's children. Furthermore, as Members of this body, it is our solemn duty to protect the youngest and most vulnerable among us. This legislation presents us with such an opportunity.

It is disappointing to see the administration throwing up so many roadblocks. Indeed, this administration has proven its willingness to ``rise up and meet'' other challenges. Beyond that, it has proven its willingness to sign blank checks for a military operation with an ever- changing, increasingly expensive mission. For the past 4\1/2\ and years we have been engaged in an overseas conflict that has taken a large toll on this country--in terms of both human life and taxpayer money. While it is of utmost importance to ensure our troops continue to have every dollar, dime, nickel, and penny they need to fight this war, we must not neglect our domestic priorities.

The SCHIP reauthorization asks the administration to rise up and meet the challenge of one of those domestic priorities. Plainly, the bill asks for just 41 days worth of Iraq war funding to embark on a clearly- defined, targeted, and morally justifiable mission--providing American children from low-income families with comprehensive health care.

That's right--just 41 days worth of Iraq war funding would pay for the entire SCHIP bill. Just one week of the Iraq war would pay for 1.7 million children. That's enough to cover all the children eligible for SCHIP in Georgia, as well as several other States. One week of war funding would do all that.

To my colleagues opposing this legislation, let me reiterate something many know very well: the President, recently, asked for compromise legislation.

This bill, in fact, represents a compromise, as evidenced by its broad bi-partisan support. Forty-three of our Nation's Governors, including Governor Sonny Perdue of Georgia, support this legislation, as do 270 organizations representing millions of Americans, 68 Senators and a majority of Congress.

I urge my colleagues to join the bi-partisan majority and vote in favor of overriding the President's veto.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be withdrawn as a cosponsor of H. Res. 106.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Daniel Simmons, on the 16th anniversary of his being called to pastor historic Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia.

Dr. Simmons is a great many things to a great many people in his congregation, including myself. Since I joined Mount Zion in 1996, I have come to know him as a man of character, a humanitarian, a teacher, bridge builder, shepherd, and leader. Above all, Dr. Simmons, through his own humble and morally strong existence, helps us, as followers of the Word, stride toward the gift of fulfillment graciously bestowed upon us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

``Pastor Simmons,'' as we very fondly call him, leads over 2,000 parishioners who participate in over 50 ministry programs designed to fulfill the church's mission statement, ``a vibrant church that reaches the world for Christ through evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, and missions,'' and to help individual spiritual development.

Growing up as one of twelve children of Mrs. Pinkie Norwood Simmons and the late Reverend Perry Simmons in the 1200-person community of Cairo, Georgia, Pastor Simmons seems to be the living embodiment of the familiar motto in Philippians 4:13--``I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'' Through the grace of God, he was able to attend Albany State University and went on to receive a masters in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Georgia, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Bethany Theological Seminary.

Before being called to pastor at Mount Zion, Pastor Simmons received his license to preach Greater Second Mount Olive Baptist Church of Albany, and pastored at Mountain Grove Baptist Church of Dawson, Georgia, and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Sylvester, Georgia.

Madam Speaker, Mount Zion Baptist Church, the city of Albany, and indeed the Second Congressional District of Georgia have been truly blessed to have benefited from the tremendous leadership and teachings of Pastor Simmons for the past 16 years. May our community and our country continue to be blessed by the visionary ministry of Jesus Christ that manifests itself in the exceptional service of my pastor and friend, Dr. Daniel Simmons.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Carol R. King, whose death last week at the age of 79 leaves a tremendous void in the Second Congressional District of Georgia and indeed, in our country.

Carol was a true pioneer. She volunteered her time and her efforts to a range of causes, and so I feel there are many reasons to honor her today. Carol is perhaps best known for helping to found the first Head Start program in the Southeastern United States. As the longtime Head Start coordinator for the Harambee Child Development Council, Carol helped 16,000 children over a period of 30 years get access to education, health care, and meals that normally would have been out of their parents' reach.

Of course, many of us also know Carol as the committed help-mate and biggest supporter of her husband, the late, great civil rights attorney, C.B. King. He was the first black lawyer in South Georgia, and he also represented the iconic Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Throughout the years, Carol was by his side through dangers seen and unseen as he undertook the many legal battles for civil and human rights across Georgia. She was a devoted wife, matriarch of the King family, and mentor to thousands through her work with countless significant community efforts. More than that, she was our friend and devoted church member. We are all better because she touched our lives.

Madam Speaker, it is difficult to put into words the sadness I feel at her passing. In many ways, it is the end of an era. However, her life was an inspiration to many, and I am confident her legacy and her work will live on through the many organizations she helped to lead.