Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably absent Thursday afternoon, September 29 on very urgent business.

Had I been present for the two votes which occurred I would have voted ``no'' on H.R. 3567, rollcall vote No. 922; I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 3567, rollcall vote No. 923.

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably absent yesterday afternoon, September 25, on very urgent business. Had I been present for the 11 votes which occurred yesterday evening, I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 1400, rollcall vote No. 895; ``aye'' on H. Res. 584, rollcall vote No. 896; ``aye'' on H. Can. Res. 210, rollcall vote No. 897; ``aye'' on H. Res. 663, rollcall vote No. 898; ``aye'' on H. Res. 548, rollcall vote No. 899; ``aye'' on H. Res. 642, rollcall vote No. 900; ``aye'' on H. Res. 557, rollcall vote No. 901; ``aye'' on H. Res. 675, rollcall vote No. 902; ``aye'' on H. Res. 675, rollcall vote No. 903; ``aye'' on H. Res. 675, rollcall vote No. 904; and ``aye'' on H. Res. 95, rollcall vote No. 905.

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably absent yesterday afternoon, September 24, on very urgent business. Had I been present for the four votes which occurred yesterday evening: I would have voted ``Yea'' on H. Con. Res. 193, rollcall vote No. 891; I would have voted ``Yea'' on H. Res. 668, rollcall vote No. 892; I would have voted ``Yea'' on H.R. 1199, rollcall vote No. 893; I would have voted ``Yea'' on H. Res. 340, rollcall vote No. 894.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Dr. Robert L. Wright, as the Chattahoochee Council of the Boy Scouts of America's 2007 Distinguished Citizen Award recipient, which honors his outstanding service to the Columbus, Georgia community.

There is much to admire about a man like Dr. Wright. As one of the first African American men to attend the Ohio State University, Dr. Wright received a degree in optometry, and later began his optometry practice in Columbus. Then, in 1985, he founded Dimensions International, a defense logistics company, as a three person operation. Today, Dimensions has over 1,200 employees in more than 30 locations.

However, I believe Dr. Wright's sense of civic duty, which has been a running theme throughout his life, truly distinguishes him from his peers and makes him a man worthy of praise. He has fought for racial equality, serving as both a moderator and trail blazer in several organizations, including the Georgia Republican Party. He has served as a mentor to other minority small business owners and helped craft policy to aid their success, including serving as associate administrator for minority small business at the Small Business Administration under President Reagan. He also was on the planning committee to create the National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

Perhaps it is the many challenges Dr. Wright encountered as a young man, or perhaps it is his unwavering belief in human

achievement that drives him. No matter the source of his inspiration, I know the numerous organizations that have benefited from his service are extremely grateful.

Also, as someone who admires Dr. Wright greatly, I feel blessed to have known him. I am honored to call Dr. Wright a constituent, and friend. May our community and our country continue to benefit from his tremendous legacy of service.

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably absent yesterday afternoon, September 17, on very urgent business. Had I been present for the three votes which occurred yesterday evening, I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 3246; rollcall vote No. 867, I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 1657; rollcall vote No. 868, and I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 3527; rollcall vote No. 869.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Brigadier General Michael S. Linnington originally of Cape May, New Jersey. BG Linnington, who has served as the Assistant Commandant and Deputy Commanding General for the U.S. Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, will soon leave for a new post.

BG Linnington is a graduate of the United States Military Academy. After graduation in 1980, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Infantry. His early assignments included duties as a Platoon Leader, Staff Officer, Aide-de-Camp, and Company Commander at Fort Ord, Fort Riley, and the Berlin Brigade in the divided city of West Berlin. Following successive Company Commands, he attended graduate school at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, and served three years as an Instructor in the Department of Math Sciences at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York.

After Command and General Staff College in 1994, BG Linnington served in the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) at Fort Campbell, and was selected to command 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry (AASLT) in the Republic of Korea, where he served from 1997-1999. Following command, he served as the 2nd ID G3, from 1999-2000.

In June 2000, BG Linnington returned to the U.S., attending the National War College with a follow-on assignment as Special Assistant to the Army Chief of Staff. In May 2002, he assumed command of the 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) in Kandahar, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

From June 2002 through June 2004, BG Linnington commanded the 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, both in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He departed command for assignment to the Joint Staff, where he was assigned from June 2004 until July 2006. In July 2006, COL Linnington was assigned as the Assistant Commandant/ Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Infantry School/Center at Fort Benning, where he serves today.

In addition to his numerous military accomplishments, BG Linnington is a devoted husband and proud father of two children, Tracy, a senior in college, and Michael, a First Lieutenant assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

I am truly honored to be able to call BG Linnington a constituent. Though I wish Fort Benning and the Second District could continue to benefit from his talents for a while longer, I know he is needed and indeed will be of greater service in his new role. I wish him well in his new position. May his commitment to this country continue to bless our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a great man, Mayor Bob Boney of Leesburg, Georgia. I am proud to be able to call Mr. Boney a friend and a constituent of the Second Congressional District of Georgia. He has dedicated most of his life to his community, and the value of his service extends far beyond the meaning contained within his current title.

For the past 17 years, Bob has served Leesburg as Mayor. However, his previous experience in business and public service made him well- equipped for the job. He served in the Marine Corps in World War II, served the state as a revenue agent from 1956 to 1966 and was a state prison warden of Lee Correctional Institute from 1966 to 1986. He retired

from the latter position with the distinguished honor of having become the longest-serving warden in the State of Georgia.

However, retirement from his job within the prison system did not slow Bob down. Four years following his retirement he launched his first mayoral campaign and won. He also never wavered in his commitment to the Leesburg Shrine Club, the Peace Officers Association of Georgia, or the many other political and public service organizations in the state.

In addition to being a great leader, Bob is a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a member and past Layleader of Leesburg United Methodist Church.

Madam Speaker, people like Bob make my job easy, and it is my privilege to honor this man today for his dedication to Leesburg, to its citizens, to the Second Congressional District, and to the betterment of his state and Nation.

Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to rise in strong support of the H.R. 3222, the Department of Defense and related agencies appropriations bill for fiscal year 2008.

As a member of Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I am extremely proud of the work of the Subcommittee and our members on both sides of the aisle, in crafting a bill which truly provides for the defense and security of our Nation, our friends and allies, and promotes, supports and preserves the mutual security interests of both our friends and allies around the world.

More importantly, I would remind all of us here this evening, that anyone inside, or outside our shores, or for that matter, hiding in the most obscure and remote cave, or under a rock for that matter, who might wish upon us, our citizens and friends--the slightest of ill will or harm--should be very clear that this bill also serves as a stark, ominous and indisputable reminder of this Congress's and our Nation's resolve and dedication to our absolute domestic and global security-- particularly in the face of those who would threaten the very rule of law, democratic ideals, and more importantly, the God-ordained principles of peaceful, fair, and progressive coexistence, among all God's children and nations.

It is important that our men and women who honorably serve in the defense of our Nation, have all the equipment, material and other resources they need to provide for the security of this Nation and our interests around the world.

Without question, the current war in Iraq and Afghanistan has placed a tremendous strain in this area, as well our potential ability to effectively respond to eminent security treats which may occur elsewhere throughout the world.

However, I firmly believe that our bill indeed goes far in meeting those needs and addressing any potential threats which might exist wherever they might arise.

More importantly, I, as well as my fellow Committee Members, are absolutely committed to providing our troops every dollar, dime and penny they need to defend our Nation and our interests--both here and abroad.

In this regard, our bill fully supports the Defense Department's plans to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps to reduce the pressure to extend troop deployments.

Our bill will cover the costs of increasing the Army by 7,000 new members and the Marine Corps by 5,000 new members--including both the personnel costs and the associated equipment and outfitting costs. For the Army alone, the equipping costs amount to more than $4 million and, for the Marine Corps, the equipping costs amount to more than $2 million.

Our bill also provides $925 million, $635 million above 2007, specifically to address equipment shortfalls of the National Guard and Reserve in order to help these forces meet the demands of overseas deployments and respond to natural disasters here at home. This amount meets the requirements identified by the Chief of the National Guard Bureau in the ``Essential 10 Equipment Requirements for the Global War on Terror.''

Additionally, our bill provides an overall increase of 13 percent for home-station training, so that our troops are prepared for any eventual deployment. It also outfits a new 8th Stryker Brigade of the highly successful troop carrier to support the Army's evolution to a larger, more rapidly deployable force.

But lest anyone of us here tonight forget no matter the short-term outcome of the current conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan--whether it ends in the next few months, or extends through next year or beyond--it ``will end'' at some point, hopefully very soon.

And it is on this issue that I am particularly proud of the work of our Committee.

Ladies and gentlemen, not withstanding what we may individually believe to be our moral, national security or political interests in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan we need to meet and provide for the needs of our troops when they return home from the conflict in the Middle East.

And, I am very proud that the bill recommended by the Committee takes a proactive stance in addressing the needs of and improving the facilities which our men and women serving overseas will return to, and the resources provided to their families, both in the near and long term.

Mr. Chairman, our bill provides $558.4 million more than the President's request, for military family support, including childcare centers, education programs and the family advocacy program which supports military families affected by the war and child and spousal abuse.

Additionally, the bill contains $1.3 billion more than the President's request to repair barracks, improve child care facilities, and improve community services at military bases, to address the strain put on facilities by changes in force structure, base closures, and a global repositioning of our troops.

Our bill will significantly bolster base security, investing $141.9 million above the President's request for perimeter security force protection and related security improvements, to protect DOD bases, schools, and hospitals from terrorist attacks.

I am very proud that Ft. Benning, the ``home'' of the Infantry, is located in my district. And I am particularly pleased that our bill places a very high priority on investing in vital facilities like Ft. Benning, in anticipation of our troops return from the war.

As a new member of the Appropriation's Subcommittee on Defense, I was struck by the Department's ongoing challenges in effectively managing its procurement activities, particularly in terms of contractor oversight, and our long term, multi-year plans, commitments and management in this area.

From 2000 to 2005, DOD contracting-out increased by 73 percent, but oversight has actually decreased.

I am very pleased that the Committee's report on the bill directs several steps to improve the oversight of contractors, including

the following: In order to improve the oversight of contractors, the bill increases the budget of certain critical DOD oversight agencies-- including providing an increase of $24 million for the DOD Inspector General, $17 million for the Defense Contract Management Agency, and $12 million for the Defense Contract Audit Agency. The bill also provides $21 million to permit the temporary assignment of 600 contract specialists from the General Services Administration to help DOD oversee contracts.

The Committee report requires the Secretary of Defense to develop minimum standards for all contractors performing security functions and to establish a clear set of rules of engagement for those operating in Iraq and Afghanistan, within 90 days of the bill's enactment.

The Committee report also requires a report that identifies: (1) DOD acquisition workforce needs; and (2) tools to recruit and retain these personnel in order to provide adequate management of contracts and oversight of contract performance.

Finally, I would like to congratulate my Chairman, Jack Murtha, and Ranking Member Bill Young, for the outstanding job they have done in stewarding and leading the important work of our Subcommittee.

And I would be remiss if I did not recognize and thank the staff of Subcommittee--David Morrison and his outstanding staff, as well as John Shank and the minority staff, in the outstanding work they do on behalf of this body and the Nation.

This is a good bill, and I urge my colleagues to support the FY08 Defense Appropriations bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Morgan Grier Murphy, who from 1943 until his death last week at the age of 78, was a faithful servant, leader, and business innovator in Albany, GA.

I am proud to have been able to call Morgan a constituent during my 15 years in Congress. Through his leadership in the banking industry, he strengthened the economy of Dougherty County and Southwest Georgia. With his active involvement in the state and local Chambers of Commerce, his work with various environmental and conservation groups, as well as his commitment to One Albany, which addresses diversity issues within the community, Morgan managed to positively influence every major issue in the public sector. He opened up dialogue between formerly segregated parts of Albany, took difficult stances, and inspired others to make a difference.

Aside from his professional achievements, Morgan was widely known as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was an avid sportsman who was passionate about hunting, fishing, and golfing.

A graduate of Albany High School and Brevard College in North Carolina, Morgan served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Following his time in the military, he returned to Albany where he began his career as a banker and lifelong public servant.

Morgan's death leaves a void among the Albany community. He had many passions, and managed to make an impact on many organizations. I find it improbable that just one person will fill his shoes in the community.

So, on this the 31st day of July, 2007, I commend Morgan Grier Murphy for his commitment to helping Albany, GA, helping it live up to its name of the ``Good Life'' city. Morgan truly tried to make life better for everyone.

Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably absent yesterday afternoon, July 30, on very urgent business. Had I been present for the three votes which occurred yesterday evening, I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 2750, rollcall vote No. 758; I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 580, rollcall vote No. 759; I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 580, rollcall vote No. 760; I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 579, rollcall vote No. 761; and I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 579, rollcall vote No. 762.

Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to rise in strong support of the H.R. 3161, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies appropriations bill for fiscal year 2008.

As a member of this Subcommittee, I am extremely proud of the work of the Subcommittee and our members on both sides of the aisle, in crafting a bill which truly impacts and touches the lives of everyone who lives in this great Nation of ours, as well as millions of individuals around the world.

Our bill invests in Rural America, providing funding to accommodate some $5.1 billion in affordable loans for low income families in rural areas, which will support approximately 38,000 single family homeownership opportunities.

We invest in rural communities, by expanding resources devoted to economic development programs and access to broadband telecommunication services to bridge the digital divide in rural, underserved areas.

We address the health care and emergency needs of rural areas, as well as providing support for the rebuilding of our Nation's rural infrastructure.

We invest in the protection of the Nation's Public Health, by providing nearly $930 million for the Food Safety and Inspection Service as well as $1.7 billion for the Food and Drug Administration-- including increases to begin a transformation of food safety regulation, improving drug safety, monitor prescription drug advertisements and expanding the review of new generic drug applications.

To fight hunger in America, our bill makes investments which will expand nutrition, providing $958 million for nutrition programs, including the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program and the Simplified Summer Food program.

We provide $5.6 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which is expected to benefit over 8.4 million Americans over the next year.

Not only does this bill provide the resources necessary to keep nearly 26 million of the nation's poorest from going hungry, we also expand Emergency Food Assistance Program, so that food banks, soup kitchens, and other emergency feeding sites have needed resources. The bill also expands the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program to all 50 states.

We invest in the transformation of our Energy Future, providing $1.2 billion for renewable energy, which was $955.3 million above 2007 and $810.4 million above the President's request--and includes funding for bio-energy and renewable energy research and development, including loans and grants in rural areas. The resources provided will be key building blocks in the expansion of renewable fuel production needed to encourage American energy independence and protect our environment.

We invest in Conservation, providing over $979 million for conservation efforts and community development. This bill restores many of the programs slated for major reductions in the president's request, including the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, Resource Conservation and Development, and the watershed programs which are funded $75 million--more than double last year's levels.

This investment will continue our efforts to improve both funding and access to conservation programs that take environmentally sensitive land out of farming and encourage environmentally friendly practices on working farmland.

Finally, I would like to congratulate my Chairwoman, Rosa DeLauro, for the outstanding job she's done in stewarding and leading the important work of our Subcommitee.

And I would be remiss if I did not recognize and thank the staff of Subcommittee--Martha Foley, Leslie Barrack, Adrienne Simonson, Diem- Linh Joan and Kelly Wade of the Majority staff; and Martin Delgado, Jamie Swafford and Dave Gibbons on the Minority staff, and of course, Michael Reed, and Niki Newberry of my staff.

This is a good bill, and I urge my colleagues to support the FY08 Agriculture Appropriations bill.

Mr. Chairman, a point of order.

Isn't it true that the gentleman in the well should be addressing the underlying bill, and it's a violation of the rules if the remarks in the well do not address the underlying bill?

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert C. Holton, Sr., of Grady County, Georgia, whose achievements merit our recognition. He is recognized for his 53 years of service to his family, church, and his community.

The residents of Grady County, Georgia, should be proud to have called Holton a neighbor and a friend. Robert C. Holton, Sr., was born on April 30, 1943, to Mrs. Goodie Bell Williams Holton and the late Mr. Henry Holton, Sr. In following the tradition of his parents, Holton tirelessly served God through Jerusalem P.B. Church, which later became Mt. Zion P.B. Holton. For 53 years, Holton served as a deacon and trustee. After graduation, Holton attended Monroe Area Vocational Technical School in Albany, Georgia, where he received a certificate in general auto mechanics.

Far too many stories are told about the elite and their charity; however, today I would like to recognize the story of an ordinary man who gave extraordinarily of himself. It was in Grady County, Georgia, where Holton began his unprecedented commitment to his immediate community. As the founder of Vision & Wisdom and Family Homes Building, Inc., Holton provided affordable housing to needy families. However, this was not enough for Holton, Sr., as he committed 22 years to the chairmanship of the Francis Western YMCA. Also, Holton served in the Thomasville/Thomas County Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years.

Unfortunately, Holton's tragic death came as a shock; he died during an automobile accident on his usual weekend trip. So on this 26th of July, I commend Robert C. Holton, Sr. for his tangible commitments to the State of Georgia. May his work ethic and commitment continue to define our State.

Madam Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007. I'd also like to thank the members of the Agriculture Committee for their commitment to this effort which has yielded a farm bill that is a victory for all Americans.

This bipartisan agreement provides a strong safety net for not only our Nation's family farmers and small and disadvantaged farmers, but also for millions of American citizens who live below the poverty line and are dependents on Federal nutrition assistance.

Committee members worked diligently, day and night for weeks, to ensure that funding levels and payment limitations were fair, equitable, and available to farmers. It ensures a flexible, affordable and top-quality food supply for consumers while strengthening America's food safety and security.

The farm bill provides a 5-year reauthorization of the farm, rural development, conservation, and nutrition programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA. The 2007 farm bill is fiscally responsible, fully compliant with the PAYGO rules, while still providing a strong safety net for America's farmers and ranchers. It makes vital investments in nutrition, conservation, and renewable energy. This bill will help producers of all commodities stay on the land that they hold and love, so that they can continue with their livelihood, while also conserving natural resources for future generations.

The bill before us today also addresses many of the needs of those in southwest and middle Georgia, Georgia's 2nd Congressional District, which I represent, in terms of protecting our Nation's farmers, conserving our natural resources, and feeding the hungry.

In addition, the bill will provide better balances in support programs between all types of crops. The bill's reforms further encourage farmers to plant for the market, and not for the benefit of government programs. It also provides a sharp increase in funding for fruit and vegetable and other specialty crops, mandates implementation of country of origin labeling, and increases assistance to small and disadvantaged farmers significantly, including important new language with respect to the Pigford case. In addition, the bill increases funding for school lunch and other nutritional programs, and provides for new and extended conservation, research, trade promotion, and rural development programs.

This bill makes much needed strides in reforming the nutrition title to better help Americans adequately cover food costs and sustain themselves for the entire month. It increases the minimum benefit for food stamp recipients, which is especially important for senior citizens in need. It also helps feed our military families by excluding special combat pay as

income when qualifying for food assistance programs.

Finally, I am particularly pleased that the bill proposes and improves the quality of life of the people living in our rural communities by renewing successful programs that provide critical healthcare, emergency and communications needs to underserved areas. It creates a new grant program to assist rural health facilities, improves access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas with a greater focus on the rural communities of greatest need, and supports critical infrastructure programs for rural cities and town.

Today, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ``Protect our Farmers.'' They protect us by satisfying our most basic needs-- food, fiber, and fuel. Let us pass this Farm bill today for our farmers across this great Nation who desperately need this support, so that they are able to continue producing a safe and reliable food source.

I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this bill.

Madam Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the Kind-Flake amendment, and in support of H.R. 2419, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007.

Madam Chairman, the Kind-Flake amendment is nothing more than a veiled attempt at pulling the rug out from underneath of this nation's hardworking family farmers and those in the rural South who till the land of our nation to provide us with a safe, healthy, and robust food supply--often with little or no profit for themselves.

Increasingly, we are relying on our farmers on many fronts--namely, to clothe, feed and, now, fuel our nation. The Kind-Flake amendment would divert us from reaching that goal by discouraging domestic crop production, dismantling our hope for energy innovation and independence, and increasing the trade deficit with countries that threaten our economic competitiveness.

Indeed, the Kind-Flake proposal would take away the farm safety net and put U.S. farmers and ranchers in unfair competition against heavily subsidized foreign producers, many of whom are protected by much higher import tariffs than those imposed by the United States.

In recent months, we have heard horrific accounts of how agricultural products are grown and how food is manufactured abroad, especially in China, whose rapidly growing, already behemoth-sized economy now imports $2.26 billion worth of food into this country each year. Do we really want to reduce the incentive for our domestic producers to grow their own, and rely more from these foreign countries with proven histories of lax food safety standards and tendencies to include poisonous additives into their products? I surely hope not.

Furthermore, in lowering the AGI limitation to $250,000, the Kind- Flake proposal is not drawn narrowly, as its supporters claim, but instead casts a wide net--it would eliminate over 38,000 current recipients from being covered by a farm safety net.

The Kind-Flake proposal also misrepresents itself by touting its revenue-based counter cyclical payments as revolutionary, and as a superior alternative to the traditional counter-cyclical program. This completely ignores the fact that the Agricultural Committee's markup includes a revenue based counter-cyclical payment option!

In the Agricultural Committee's proposal the producer gets to choose whether or not the current payment system or a revenue-based system is right for their unique operation. This allows individual producers to decide on their own what is best for their operation.

Kind-Flake also cuts direct payments and, quite foolishly, assumes that by cutting direct payments, landowners will lower the price of rented land. In reality, cutting Direct Payments would leave farmers who rent land in a terrible lurch. It is highly unlikely that landowners will feel sympathetic to a producer and compelled to lower land rental rates.

Much of this debate is focused on cost--that agricultural subsidies are out of control, are disproportionate to the agricultural industry's value to United States GDP, but let's focus on the facts: U.S. farm policy today costs less than one half of one percent of the total federal budget and comprises just 13 percent of the total U.S. Department of Agriculture budget. I believe that proportionately small cost is well worth what is returned to the American people in terms of a safe, affordable and robust food supply, a base on which to become energy independent, 20 percent of this nation's jobs, and $3.5 trillion in economic activity.

My colleagues offering this amendment today are misguided about rural interests, about rural America, and about the overall cost of a bill that is expected to keep U.S. farm policy costs low and be good for taxpayers.