Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, in continuing my commitment to honoring African Americans from Alabama during this Black History Month, today I rise to honor the renowned educator, pastor, and civil rights activist Reverend Dr. Frederick Douglas Reese on this occasion of Black History Month 2014.

For his dedication and distinguished service to the city of Selma and the State of Alabama, I pay tribute today to the life and work of Reverend Dr. F.D. Reese. This beloved pastor and civil rights activist marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in 1965, along with hundreds of other supporters.

By the mid-1960s, Reese was president of the Dallas County Voters League and was also a local teacher who presided over the Selma Teachers Association. Discouraged by Selma's efforts to hinder voter registration for African Americans, Reverend Reese advocated that the teachers press to make sure that the students actually went to register to vote.

Reese invited Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and members of the SCLC to lead Selma's voting rights protest. King's staff helped organize months of demonstrations in Selma, with Reverend Reese's assistance.

Reverend Reese is a historical figure of modern history known for his support of the civil rights and voting rights movement. Reverend Reese rose to national prominence as a civil rights leader after Selma's ``Bloody Sunday.'' He later marched with Dr. King from Selma to Montgomery as an advocate of voting rights.

Reverend Reese was born November 28, 1929. A believer in education, Reverend Reese graduated from Alabama State University and Livingston University, and also attended Southern University, the University of Alabama, and Auburn University before receiving his doctorate of divinity from Selma University.

Reverend Reese has served the Selma and Dallas County community faithfully for over six decades, and his exemplary work and commitment to social justice is well-known. Notably, Reverend Reese has never left his beloved community of Selma, where he helped to make it a center for the voting rights movement in the 1960s.

He remains active today, and he is known for saying that his fight today is to get young people to realize that the movement is still continuing. ``I tell young people,'' he said, ``that they cannot rest on our victories. We have to remain committed. That means registering to vote and participating in what this country has to offer. That means making a difference to others.''

Reverend Reese has stated that he marched so that everyone, regardless of color, could become a first-class citizen in America. Reverend Reese knows that you have to stand for what you believe in. He became nationally known for his beliefs and inspired others to stand as well.

Reverend Reese has remained committed to education and service. He became a principal in Selma, as well as a city council member, serving for over 12 years on the Selma City Council. He also ran for mayor in 1984 and led a campaign to motivate Walmart executives to hire African Americans as store managers.

In 2000, he was honored for his civil rights work by having a stretch of 3 miles of U.S. Highway 80, which was where he led the Montgomery to Selma March, named after him. It is now known as the Frederick Douglas Reese Parkway. The FDR Christian Academy in Indiana is also dedicated to him.

Reverend Reese has been a pastor of Selma's Ebenezer Baptist Church since 1965. Although he is retired from teaching, he is still very much active in Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he serves as the head minister emeritus and delivers a sermon each and every week.

On behalf of the Seventh Congressional District, the State of Alabama, and this Nation, during this Black History Month, I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging and celebrating the accomplishments of Reverend Dr. Frederick Douglas Reese from Selma, Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to continue my commitment to paying homage to influential African Americans from the state of Alabama during this Black History Month. Today, we pause to pay tribute to one of Alabama's most courageous and daring heroines of the civil rights movement, Mrs. Theresa Burroughs. In Alabama, this American treasure is celebrated for her role in providing a safe haven to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during his visit to Greensboro, Alabama in 1968.

Mr. Speaker, in honor of Black History Month, I continue to pay tribute to outstanding African Americans from Alabama. Today, I rise to honor one of Alabama's most beloved and brilliant civic leaders, Ms. Odessa Woolfolk. As a student in Birmingham's segregated public schools to, later, becoming one of the city of Birmingham's most persuasive civic leaders, Ms. Odessa Woolfolk transcended the racial and socioeconomic challenges of her time.

Ms. Odessa Woolfolk was born in the Titusville Community of Birmingham, Alabama and graduated from A.H. Parker High School. She earned her bachelor's degree in History and Political Science from Talladega College and later went on to earn her Masters in Urban Studies from Occidental College in California. She completed additional graduate work at the University of Chicago and was a National Urban Fellow at Yale University.

Ms. Woolfolk began her career as a teacher at Birmingham's Ullman High School, at the height of the civil rights movement. She displayed outstanding and fearless leadership both in her classroom and community during this turbulent time. Following her tenure as an educator, Ms. Woolfolk worked in public policy with the following organizations: the Urban Reinvestment Task Force in Washington, DC., New York State Urban Development Corporation in New York City, the YWCA in Utica, New York, the Arbor Hill Community Center and the Inter-Racial Council in Albany, New York.

After working in New York and Washington, DC., Ms. Woolfolk returned to Alabama to serve as executive director of the Birmingham Opportunity Industrialization Center and associate executive director of the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity. For twenty-one years, she served as director of the Center for Urban Affairs at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and lectured in political science and public affairs. She also served as staff associate at the Center for International Programs and was an Assistant to the President for Community Relations.

Ms. Odessa Woolfolk's tremendous contributions to the University of Alabama at Birmingham were recognized with the establishment of the Odessa Woolfolk Presidential Community Service Award. Due to her outstanding and extensive service at UAB, Ms. Woolfolk received the UAB Honorary Alumni Award, Outstanding Faculty Award, the President's Medal, and many other awards.

Ms. Woolfolk is most known for her instrumental role in creating the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. She was its founding administrator and chair of the task force that planned and directed its development. Annually, nearly 150,000 people honor her as they pass through the Odessa Woolfolk Gallery at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Throughout her life, Ms. Woolfolk has served on the boards of numerous Birmingham and statewide organizations, including the YWCA, Region 2020, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, UAB African American Studies Program, Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, UAB Educational Foundation, Birmingham Museum of Art, and the Birmingham Urban League. Ms. Woolfolk served as the State Chair of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, was the first African American President of Operation New Birmingham's Board of Directors, founding member of Leadership Birmingham and was the founding co-chair of the Martin Luther King Unity Breakfast.

Because of her influence in the city of Birmingham and the state of Alabama, Ms. Woolfolk was honored by Birmingham's Mayor and City Council and was inducted into the Birmingham Gallery of Distinguished Citizens. She was also inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor and is the well-deserved recipient of the Humanities Award from the Alabama Humanities Foundation. She has received honorary doctorates from her alma mater, Talladega College, from Birmingham-Southern College and the University of the South in Tennessee.

Ms. Odessa Woolfolk is one of Birmingham's brightest luminaries. Through her continued commitment to improving her community, the State of Alabama and her nation, she remains an inspiration to all who know her. And as one of her mentees, it is my honor to recognize her on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. Our generation owes trailblazers such as Ms. Odessa Woolfolk a debt of gratitude. Today, I invite my colleagues to pay tribute to Ms. Odessa Woolfolk, an exceptional woman whose contributions have made her a shining example of exemplary service to all mankind.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to continue my commitment to honoring influential African Americans from Alabama during this Black History Month. This week, we honor the heroines of the movement for civil rights and voting rights. These courageous women had tremendous roles in our Nation's fight for justice and equality, and I am honored to share their stories.

Today I honor the tremendous life and legacy of Mrs. Amelia Boynton Robinson. Amelia was a key figure in the voting rights movement in Selma, Alabama, and she is often remembered for her historic role in Bloody Sunday, on that solemn day on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. At 102 years old, she is an American treasure whose story is a testament to her commitment to serving as a conduit of change.

Amelia Boynton Robinson was born August 18, 1911, in Savannah, Georgia. Her mother was an activist during the women's suffrage movement. After the passage of the 19th Amendment, she and her mother would distribute voter registration information to women from the family's horse and buggy in the 1920s.

Her mother's tireless efforts to secure the right to vote for women would have a lasting impact on Amelia. It also paved the way for the young activist to claim her own place in history. Fueled by the same passion, Amelia began her own service to mankind when she and her husband, Samuel Boynton, fought for voting rights and property ownership for Blacks in the poorest rural counties of Alabama.

She was later named the only female lieutenant to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the civil rights movement. In this role, Amelia would travel alongside Dr. King and often appear in his stead for various events and gatherings during the movement.

Amelia is best known for being on the front lines during Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama. During the protest, she was gassed, beaten, and left for dead at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Despite the violent attacks, this heroine was committed to staying the course. Her direct involvement in the movement led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Amelia was such a valued part of this process that some of the contents of the bill were drafted at her kitchen table in Selma.

On May 5, 1964, Amelia Boynton Robinson broke yet another barrier when she became the first woman in the State of Alabama to run for Congress. She garnered 10.7 percent of the vote during a time when very few Blacks were registered voters. Her historic run further solidified her impact on the movement for human rights, civil rights, and voting rights in Alabama.

When this extraordinary woman wasn't contributing her time to the causes of her generation, she worked as an educator, a home agent with the Department of Agriculture, an insurance agent, an income tax preparer, as well as a real estate agent.

She attended Georgia State Industrial School, which is now known as Savannah State University, and Tuskegee Normal, which is also known as Tuskegee University.

I am certain that I would not stand before you today as Alabama's first Black Congresswoman without the tremendous contributions of this amazing woman. It is indeed humbling to experience and pay honor and tribute to the first African American woman to pursue this office in my great State.

Her compelling story is one that reminds us of the undeniable power of courage. She refused to be silent and even risked her life to blaze trails for future generations. And at 102 years old, Amelia is still alive and still with us today, and she is still dispensing her wisdom.

As we celebrate Black History Month and the notable contributions of African Americans to this country, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Mrs. Amelia Boynton Robinson, an Alabama gem and an American treasure.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of Black History Month and the countless contributions and sacrifices made by notable African Americans to this great Nation. I also stand before you to proclaim the month of February as a time of reflection for Alabama's Seventh Congressional District.

In honor of Black History Month, I thought it would be befitting that we pay honor and tribute to the native sons and daughters of Alabama that have made significant contributions not only to the great State of Alabama, but to this Nation. As representative of the Civil Rights District and a beneficiary of the sacrifices of so many, I have committed to sharing the stories of these extraordinary men and women throughout the month of February so that their contributions will forever be recorded and referenced in our Nation's history.

Today, I again begin with a tribute to Virgil Ware, 13, and Johnnie Robinson, 16. These American heroes and Birmingham natives lost their lives within hours of the historic bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church on Sunday, September 15, 1963.

While many of us have heard the heart-wrenching stories of the four little girls that perished in that bomb, many aren't aware that on that same day, Virgil and Johnnie were also victims of unspeakable and senseless violence.

Virgil Ware was born on December 6, 1949, in Birmingham, Alabama to James and Lorine Ware. He was the third of six children. One of his surviving brothers, Melvin Ware, describes Virgil as a special child who was exceptional in his educational endeavors. While his brothers were preparing for social gatherings, Virgil could be found reading a good book or perusing the encyclopedia. A few months before his death, the eighth-grader expressed to his older siblings that he was looking forward to joining them at the local high school next year. Before Virgil's

dreams could be realized, he fell victim to a tragedy that would change the Ware family and this community forever.

Virgil, who sat on the handlebars of his brother's bike, was headed to join his brother on a paper route on the outskirts of Birmingham, Alabama, on Sunday, September 15, 1963. The brothers rode past a group of men who had just left a segregationist meeting in the city. One of the men was told to shoot at the Ware brothers to ``scare them.'' The man fired two shots in their direction. One bullet struck Virgil in his chest and another in his cheek. Tragically, the young boy who loved to read and help his family lost his life on that day. Virgil was the sixth young person to lose his life on that Sunday in Birmingham due to blatant violence.

Just one hour prior to Virgil's death, Johnnie Robinson joined a group of young boys at a local gas station. Johnnie was born on February 25, 1947, to Martha and Johnnie Robinson, Sr. His younger brother, Leon, describes him as a kid who loved playing baseball and basketball. Ironically, his favorite subject was history. Even at the tender age of 16, he understood that he and his siblings were living in a historic era. He came from a close-knit family and had lost his father in a racially-motivated killing just weeks before his own death.

The afternoon that Johnnie went to the gas station, tensions remained high as local citizens were still reeling from the news of the church bombing and the deaths of the ``four little girls.'' According to accounts that were published in the Birmingham News article, Johnnie and other young boys were being taunted by White teenagers with chants of opposing integration.

There was also reports of rocks being thrown in retaliation in the hours after the bombing. In the midst of all the chaos, Johnnie was killed by a police officer.

Some of our Nation's biggest heroes are those that fought on the front lines in pursuit of equality and justice. However, young Virgil and Johnnie serve as symbols of the heroes of the movement that we don't always recognize. Johnnie and Virgil should be remembered for their important sacrifices that were made, and this history of our Nation should not forget them.

As we celebrate Black History Month and the notable contributions of African Americans to this country, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering these brave young men during the month of February and beyond. Their short lives serve as one of many catalysts for the transformative change in our country. While we know that their destinies were cut short, far too short, we remember them for their impact on the civil rights movement. During their short time on this Earth, these young souls should be counted in the number of our Nation's biggest heroes.

I hope that my colleagues will join me in celebrating the life and legacy of Virgil Ware and Johnnie Robinson, Jr., during this Black History Month period.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Clemia Anderson, Jr. for his retirement from the United States Navy after more than 39 years of service to his country.

Clemia Anderson, Jr. was born on October 16, 1955 to the late Clemia and Ceola Anderson and was raised in Marion Junction, Alabama.

Mr. Anderson joined Valerie D. Watson of Portsmouth, Virginia in marriage and they are the proud parents of a daughter, LaSonja Tenette and two sons, Clemia III (CJ) and Kevin Dion.

Mr. Anderson began his career in the U.S. Navy in 1974 and received training at the Naval Training Center in Orlando, Florida followed by an assignment to USS America, stationed at Norfolk, Virginia. Anderson reported to NAS Norfolk in 1979 where he worked with transient aircraft and served on the Civil Disturbance Team.

PO3 Anderson was transferred to USS Lexington stationed at NAS Pensacola, Florida in February 1981 where he performed duties as Damage Control Petty Officer, Division Career Counselor and Training Petty Officer, and while stationed on USS Lexington, Anderson received the designation as Enlisted Warfare Specialist due to his tremendous qualifications. In July 1984, he was meritoriously advanced to Petty Officer First Class.

ABH1 Anderson completed Instructor Training in Millington, Tennessee in October 1984 and reported to NATTC Lakehurst, New Jersey where he assumed duty as Instructor and Curriculum Technical Writer. While serving in Lakehurst, Anderson was instrumental in developing the ABH ``C'' School course and was nominated for NATTC Sailor of the Year in 1985. Anderson earned his Master Training Specialist pin in December 1986, and was selected for the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) Program. In September 1987, he was commissioned at NATTC Lakehurst, New Jersey.

Ensign Anderson reported to USS Carl Vinson, NAS Alameda, California in 1987 where he served as Assistant Flight Deck Officer, V-1 Division Officer and Night Aircraft Handler. In July 1990, Anderson transferred to NATTC Lakehurst, New Jersey as the ABH School Division Officer and Assistant School Director.

Lieutenant Anderson served as Assistant School Director at the ABH ``A'' and ``C'' Schools, ABE ``A'' School, ABF ``A'' and ``C'' Schools and the U.S. Marine ``EAF'' Schools in Millington, Tennessee until September 1991.

Lieutenant Anderson reported to USS Wasp in September 1992 as Fuels Officer and transferred to NATTC Detachment Lakehurst, New Jersey in September 1995 as ABE Maintenance Support Officer.

Lieutenant Anderson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in September 1996 and in November of that year, he assumed the duties of Officer in Charge at the NATTC Detachment Lakehurst, New Jersey.

Lieutenant Commander Anderson reported to USS Constellation, San Diego, California in September 1998 as Aircraft Handling Officer. In April 2000, following a very successful tour, Anderson returned to NATTC Detachment Lakehurst as Officer in Charge. He reported to USS Enterprise as Aircraft Handling Officer in February 2002 and in June 2003, was promoted to Commander and transferred to NATTC Pensacola, Florida as Officer in Charge.

Commander Anderson reported to the Program Executive Office of Aircraft Carriers in Washington, DC as the Flight Deck, Hangar Deck and Fuel Systems Manager in December 2005.

Commander Anderson was selected for promotion to Captain in April 2009 and transferred to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland as the Logistics and Industrial Operations Director in October 2009. On January 1, 2010, Commander Anderson was promoted to Captain. In April 2012, Captain Anderson returned to Program Executive Office Aircraft Carriers, PMS 312 at the Washington Navy Yard.

Captain Anderson has cultivated a tremendous reputation in his more than 39 years of service in the U.S. Navy, and he is known as one of the nation's premier experts on aircraft launch and recovery systems. Anderson is one of the first African-American Aviation Boatswains to rise to the rank of Captain in the U.S. Navy and is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Gold Stars.

While I know Captain Anderson will continue his service to his community and country in various ways, I sincerely hope that his retirement is spent with much deserved relaxation and time with his friends and family.

Due to Captain Anderson's remarkable contributions to our country through his service in the U.S. Navy, he deserves the gratitude of a grateful nation.

On behalf of the 7th Congressional District, the State of Alabama and this nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Captain Anderson and wishing him continued success on his endeavors as he continues his journey in retirement. We are truly grateful for this extraordinary public servant.

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

Today, I rise in support of H.R. 2274, the Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, and Brokerage Simplification Act of 2013.

H.R. 2274 provides a much-needed exemption and clarification for current M&A brokers who perform services in connection with the transfer and ownership of small- and medium-sized businesses in privately negotiated transactions.

Small- and medium-sized businesses play a critical role in our economy. They provide jobs, they spur innovation, and they strengthen our overall economy. In fact, over the past decade and a half, America's small businesses and entrepreneurs have created 65 percent of all new jobs in this country.

As businesses grow, many small- and medium-sized businesses reach a point where they want to and need to expand their businesses. They turn to mergers and acquisition professionals to facilitate such sales.

Currently, M&A brokers who facilitate the private sale of small- and medium-sized privately owned companies must register with the SEC. SEC registration as a broker also requires membership in FINRA--the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

The burdens and costs of initial broker-dealer registration and ongoing compliance with both SEC and FINRA requirements are substantial. These costs adversely impact and unnecessarily increase the costs that business owners incur to sell, buy, or grow their small- and medium-sized businesses.

H.R. 2274 is a legislative acknowledgement that one size does not, indeed, fit all when it comes to transactions. Prior to my election, I was a securities lawyer with over a decade of experience working in capital markets for a Wall Street law firm. I had the opportunity to work on a variety of transactions.

Not all mergers and acquisitions are alike, and so not all require the same type of registration and requirements. Some transactions are privately negotiated transmissions of relatively small dollar amounts with sophisticated investors, not for public sale. By streamlining and simplifying the regulatory structures of these small- and medium-sized businesses, we allow them to safely, efficiently, and effectively sell their companies while preserving growth and protecting jobs in these companies.

This bill, H.R. 2274, allows smaller privately held companies to save time and money on the services rendered during the transfer of ownership allowing for smooth sale and transfer. To qualify for the exemption, the transaction would have to involve a business with less than $250 million in gross revenues and/or pre-tax earnings of less than $25 million with no securities, and the buyer of the business is someone who will actively manage and control the business, either directly or indirectly.

I fully support this bipartisan legislation and its efforts to simplify the regulatory structure in the sale and transfer of ownership of small- and medium-sized businesses in privately negotiated transactions.

This reform was welcomed by regulators and passed, as the chairman of the subcommittee so accurately noted, by a vote of 57-0, unanimously, with full bipartisan support. The ABA Private Placement Broker-Dealer Task Force recommended this change in its 2005 report, which is available on the SEC Web site. Similar recommendations to simplify broker-dealer registration for M&A brokers were made in the final report by the advisory committee to the SEC on small business companies in 2006.

I think appropriately scaling Federal registration of M&A brokers is a good thing. It is something that I would not only support, but encourage my colleagues to support as well.

H.R. 2274 would amend the Exchange Act by adding a new subsection, section 15, which would govern broker-dealer registration. The amendment would cut regulatory costs incurred by sellers and buyers of small-and mid-sized privately held companies in privately negotiated transactions.

Federal law would continue to provide important investor protections through the SEC registration and SEC regulation of the capital, custody, margin, recordkeeping, bonding, and operational reporting requirements applicable to M&A brokers, and existing State security laws will continue to apply.

I think that this is sensible legislation that should be supported by both sides of the aisle. I am indeed honored to stand with my colleagues in support of H.R. 2274.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Himes).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider).

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

Right-sizing Federal regulation on M&A brokers in these small business transactions I believe makes good sense. All of us have small- and medium-size business owners in our districts who sooner or later will want to sell or grow their businesses through acquisition or transfer of ownership. They will seek advice and hire highly trained professionals to help them find and screen potential targets. These buyers and sellers are represented by lawyers and accountants who will conduct the due diligence. They will rely on written representations and warranties in these negotiated transactions for their protections.

We should reduce the barriers to capital formation, and this bill is an important step towards that. This bill, by streamlining small private transactions, will free up SEC resources to protect the public against public markets and passive investors.

As baby boomers age, there is a tremendous transfer of wealth and streamlining that will occur over the next generation. As my colleagues so aptly said, it is estimated that over $10 trillion of privately owned businesses will be sold or closed as baby boomers retire.

Jobs are preserved and created when existing businesses are acquired by entrepreneurs or other companies. In Main Street, typically business brokers play a vital role in facilitating these private business mergers and acquisitions. This bill will encourage such business growth.

Helping our small businesses is not a partisan issue. We all benefit when small businesses grow and flourish. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make strategic and economically beneficial policy decisions that will be smart regulations, that will strengthen our economy and create jobs.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 2274, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my Alabama colleagues in welcoming newly elected Representative Bradley Byrne to the 113th Congress.

As a lawyer, as a former Alabama State Senator, and as a former chancellor of Alabama's 2-year college system, Bradley has a proven record as a principled servant leader.

I know Bradley as a man of strong character, who has dedicated his public life to strengthening his community and improving our State. I believe Bradley will ably follow in the tradition of his predecessors Sonny Callahan and Jo Bonner in proudly representing Alabama's First Congressional District.

I look forward to working with you, Bradley, especially on our shared constituents in Clarke County.

Recently, a local reporter asked the delegation to give Bradley some advice.

The best advice that I could give you as you embark upon this special journey is to always put your constituents first. The oath you took today is a very sacred one. You join a body that has an awesome responsibility, and that responsibility is neither Republican nor Democrat. The issues that we talk about are for all Americans. I look forward to working with you, and I know that given your record of hard work and your willingness to work across the aisle that you will be an amazing addition to the Alabama delegation, and I welcome you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor high school athletic coach, Willie E. Maxey, Jr. on the occasion of his retirement from Selma City Schools. This beloved teacher and administrator coached for fifty years and for his dedicated and distinguished service to the City of Selma and the State of Alabama, I pay tribute today to the life work of Coach Willie E. Maxey.

Coach Maxey was born December 1, 1943 to the late Willie E. Maxey, Sr. and Ollie J. Maxey of Sardis, Alabama. His early years were spent in Sardis and Selma, Alabama.

Coach Maxey graduated from R. B. Hudson High School in 1961 and subsequently earned his Bachelor Degree from Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University in 1966 and a Master's degree in Administration in 1981. Coach Maxey's leadership roles have included positions as Assistant Principal and Head Basketball Coach at Selma High School; Coach at Westside Jr. High School, Eastside Jr. High School, and R.B. Hudson High School. Also, Coach Maxey was coordinator of the Selma City Recreation Program for over fifty years.

Coach Maxey has served the Selma City Schools and community faithfully and his exemplary work and commitment to excellence

has earned the respect and admiration of fellow teachers, administrators, students, their families and our community.

Coach Maxey as a basketball coach had an 80% overall winning record that included: State Championship in 1994; Runner-Up Championship in 1998; Final 4 Competitions; Elite 8 appearances as well as seven Area Championships participating in tournaments all over the United States.

Coach Maxey's special talents, strong leadership and expertise led to his mentoring and coaching many outstanding athletes in the Selma City Schools including many All-State players as well as an All- Tournament player.

Notably, we are celebrating Coach Maxey's accomplishments and retirement from high school sports; but, his illustrious career and dedicated service to the youth of our community will continue in his current role as Assistant Coach at Wallace Community College Selma. His career shows the heart of Coach Willie E. Maxey, Jr. and the positive influential role he has played to develop athletic abilities in young people.

Coach Maxey continues to demonstrate an exemplary commitment to community service through his long-time membership in the New Shiloh Baptist Church in Sardis, Alabama where he is Chairman of the Trustee Board. Also, he serves on the International Paper Advisory Board, is a member of the Board of Directors for Kittie Kastle Daycare and has been involved in numerous civic and community endeavors in Sardis and Selma, Alabama.

On a personal note, I have known Coach Maxey all my life. A close family friend, I understand that I was the first newborn baby he ever held. He served as assistant coach under my father Coach Andrew A. Sewell and graciously succeeding him as head basketball coach at Selma High School when my father had a stroke in 1990. My father was proud to mentor and work with Coach Maxey and he was so elated over his successful coaching career. It was with tremendous pride that Selma High gymnasium was dedicated and renamed the ``Sewell-Maxey Gymnasium'' in honor of the outstanding legacy of both coaches. The retirement of Coach Maxey is truly the end of a golden era in Selma High basketball. I know that his legacy lives on in the hearts of all the young men he coached.

On behalf of the 7th Congressional District, the State of Alabama and this nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the accomplishments and retirement of Coach Willie E. Maxey, Jr. We pay tribute to his distinguished career and contributions for the betterment of youth in our society and extend deep appreciation for his distinguished service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Birmingham City Council President Maxine Herring Parker who passed away on Tuesday November 12, 2013. I am deeply saddened by her passing but I am comforted in knowing that her rich legacy of diligent service will live through those she served in Birmingham City Council District 4.

Councilwoman Parker was the epitome of grace, class and firm yet gentle leadership. With her signature flower lapels to accentuate her immaculate appearance, this soft-spoken leader personified womanhood while serving as a great source of strength for her family and her community. In her presence, it was clear, that while she was a warm spirit, Councilwoman Parker was never afraid to fight for what she believed in.

This beloved advocate was first elected to represent Birmingham's District 4 in November 2005. She initially ran on a platform that focused on improving the quality of life for her constituents. But her contributions to the area were boundless. Throughout her eight-year tenure, Councilwoman Parker was best known for her advocacy for environmental justice on behalf of the Collegeville, Harriman Park, and Fairmont neighborhoods.

For decades, citizens in these areas were negatively impacted by industrial pollution. But it was the diligent efforts and leadership of Councilwoman Parker that led to government action. In 2011, as a result of her tireless advocacy, the Environmental Protection Agency began its first major intervention in the area. Today, the EPA continues environmental cleanup efforts in the area as a result of Councilwoman Parker's efforts to raise awareness on the environmental injustice suffered by her constituents.

Councilwoman Parker went on to receive national recognition for her work and the project was even referenced as an example of successful goverment and community partnerships at a national conference. In July she served as a presenter at the EPA's Community Involvement Training conference in Boston where she shared her story about the federal environmental cleanup project in her district.

Shortly before her untimely death, Councilwoman Parker was elected as Birmingham City Council President as she began her third term. Prior to her election to the council, she served for many years as Collegeville neighborhood president. She also served as the executive assistant to the President at Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama for 41 years. During her tenure at the college, she served under the administration of six presidents.

On behalf of our Nation and the residents of North Birmingham, I am honored to pay tribute to the life of this phenomenal woman. She was indeed one of the most passionate community servants of her time. Councilwoman Parker had a heart for the people and a courageous spirit that dared to believe in the power of fighting for what we believe in. Let us all commit to continuing her legacy by inheriting her sincere passion for caring for the needs of others. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life and legacy of Birmingham City Council President Maxine Herring Parker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding career and acknowledge the retirement of Tom Gardner III.

A community leader, pastor, and family man, Tom served as chief executive officer of the Montgomery Community Action Committee for the past 39 years. For his dedicated service to the city of Montgomery and the State of Alabama, I pay tribute today to the life work of Tom Gardner III.

Tom was born to Reverend Tom Gardner, Jr., and Mrs. Effie Nell Gardner on January 22, 1946, in Hope Hull, Alabama.

Tom served his country in the United States Army in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968. As a result of his exemplary service and sacrifice, he received the Purple Heart in 1967 and the Bronze Star in 1968.

Tom received a bachelor's of science degree from Alabama State University and a master's of public administration from Troy University.

Tom is married to Mrs. Estella Gardner and is the loving father of two children, Debriena and Jonathan, and three grandchildren, Jaeda, Londyn, and Gavin.

In addition to his strong commitment to family, Tom has also demonstrated an enduring dedication to his faith in God. Carrying on the pastoral legacy of his father, Tom currently serves as pastor of Beulah Primitive Baptist Church in his hometown of Hope Hull, Alabama.

Tom has over 30 years of managerial experience and oversight of Federal, State, and local grants. He administered the Emergency Shelter Grant Homeless Assistance Program, the Community Housing Development Organization, the Housing Counseling Agency, and the Affordable Housing Development Program.

Tom has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to community service throughout his life by his participation in community organizations. Tom has dedicated the past 39 years of his career to the Montgomery Community Action Committee. He began his career at the Montgomery Community Action Committee in 1974 as director of personnel and served as the equal opportunity officer until 1975. He was promoted to chief executive officer of the Montgomery Community Action Committee in 1975, where he served until his retirement in October of 2013.

On a personal note, I know Tom Gardner as my beloved ``Uncle Sonny'' and my mother's youngest brother. I am blessed to have grown up with his wise counsel and guidance. Since the death of my grandfather, Uncle Sonny has served as the patriarch of the Gardner family. There is not a problem, nor a challenge, nor a concern that my cousins and I have not sought his wisdom and comfort. I am so proud of his 39-year career heading the Montgomery Community Action Committee, and I am equally prideful of my Uncle Sonny's continued dedication to the well-being and spiritual health of our family. Thank you, Uncle Sonny.

On behalf of the Seventh Congressional District, the State of Alabama, and this Nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the career and retirement of Tom Gardner III. His life is a testament to his strong work ethic and passion for faith, family, and community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor to the life and legacy of Birmingham City Council President Maxine Herring Parker, who passed away suddenly on Tuesday, November 12, 2013.

Councilwoman Parker was the epitome of grace, class, and firm yet gentle leadership. With her signature flower lapels to accentuate her immaculate appearance, this soft-spoken leader personified womanhood while serving as a great source of strength for her family and community.

Her love of family was second only to her love of her constituents in Birmingham City Council District 4. Through her 8-year tenure on the city council in Birmingham, Alabama, Councilwoman Parker was best known for her advocacy for environmental justice on behalf of her constituents in north Birmingham. In 2011, as a result of her tireless advocacy, the Environmental Protection Agency began its first major intervention in the area. Today, that environmental cleanup still exists.

On behalf of our Nation, the State of Alabama, and the city of Birmingham, I am honored to pay tribute to the life and legacy of this phenomenal woman. She was indeed one of the most passionate community servants of her time. Let us all commit to continuing Councilwoman Parker's legacy of passion and concern for others.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy of Birmingham City Council President Maxine Herring Parker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson, a phenomenal woman and beloved teacher, author, and civil rights activist who departed this life on Sunday November 10, 2013. For her dedicated service to the City of Selma and the State of Alabama, I pay tribute today to the life work of Mrs. Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson.

Mrs. Jackson was born August 30, 1932 the only child of the late John W. and Juanita Richardson Sherrod. Her early years were spent in York and Selma, Alabama.

Mrs. Jackson graduated from Cardoza High School in Washington, D.C. and completed her Bachelor's degree in Education from Alabama State University and Master's degree in Education from the University of Montevallo.

Mrs. Jackson was married to Dr. Sullivan Jackson and together made Selma, Alabama their home. To this union was born one child; Jawana Virginia Jackson to whom they were devoted.

In addition to her strong commitment to family, Mrs. Jackson in 1961 began a 30 year teaching career with Selma Public Schools serving as both a teacher to countless numbers of children and as an administrator with the school system.

Because of her family's dedication and allegiance to civic and social justice, the Jackson home on Lapsley Street became a focal point for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other leaders as they planned the Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights March.

In 2011, Mrs. Jackson's book, The House by the Side of the Road: The Civil Rights Movement was published by The University of Alabama Press. The book detailed her personal memoirs reflecting on how her home in Selma served as the informal headquarters for Dr. King during the Civil Rights Movement. She and her husband Dr. Jackson were influential and prominent supporters of the movement. Dr. King and other national leaders, including Ralph David Abernathy and John Lewis, held strategy sessions at the Jackson house and also met with Assistant Attorney General John Doar to negotiate plans for the Selma to Montgomery march.

This firsthand account showed the heart of Dr. and Mrs. Richie Jean Jackson, and the pivotal role they played to carefully create a safe haven for civil rights leaders. They also courageously dealt with the challenges of living through events that would forever change America through the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Mrs. Jackson demonstrated an exemplary commitment to community and enjoyed membership in the Historic Brown Chapel AME Church; the Alabama State Dental Wives Auxiliary; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and numerous civic and community endeavors in Selma, Alabama.

On a personal note, I will always remember Mrs. Jackson as my sixth grade teacher at Cedar Park Elementary School in Selma, Alabama. Mrs. Jackson was a gifted teacher and strict disciplinarian. She expected the best from her students and settled for nothing less. I am grateful to have her as a guiding influence in my life and I will cherish the memories of being in her class. Mrs. Jackson was also a longtime member of my home church, Btown Chapel where she would faithful sit in same pew each Sunday. I was always aware of the special role she and her home played in the civil rights movement but I believe one of her greatest gift is embodied in the hearts and minds of the many students she taught and mentored in her 30 year teaching career.

On behalf of the 7th Congressional District, the State of Alabama and this nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the life and legacy of Mrs. Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson. May we strive to emulate her servant heart and pay tribute to her distinguished humanitarian efforts and contributions to the betterment of society.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to the life and legacy of Bishop Thomas Lanier Hoyt, Jr., the 48th Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church and presiding prelate of the seventh Episcopal district who recently passed away. While I am deeply saddened by his passing, I know his legacy will live through his message of faith and his dedication to his ministry.

Bishop Hoyt, a native son of Alabama, was installed as the senior CME bishop on June 30, 2010. His journey in leadership with the denomination began in 1994 when he was first elected to the Episcopacy. Throughout his tenure he took on countless leadership roles in the denomination. He pastored several CME churches in New York and North Carolina during the course of his career and until his death, Bishop Hoyt remained at the forefront of the CME church's efforts to change lives throughout the Nation.

Bishop Hoyt was also an accomplished theological scholar. He earned various degrees including a Ph.D. from Duke University and a Doctor of Divinity from Trinity College. Bishop Hoyt was a professor of theology for more than 25 years. His academic career included stints at the Interdenominational Theological Center, The School of Religion at Howard University and Hartford Seminary. His best known lectures were the Lyman Beecher Lectures at the Yale Divinity School in 1993.

Bishop Hoyt furthered his academic pursuits through extensive research and writing. He wrote and published more than 40 articles for professional journals and publications throughout his lifetime. He also co-authored and partnered with other scholars to publish various books including ``Stony the Road we Trod: An African-American Biblical Interpretation.''

As a result of his extraordinary accomplishments, Bishop Hoyt received numerous awards and honors which included a visit to Pope John Paul II with a delegation from the National Council of Churches. He also served as a delegate to the World Council of Churches in Porto, Alegre, Brazil and as the CME representative at the World Council of Churches meeting on Faith and Order in Spain.

On behalf of my home state of Alabama, and a grateful Nation, I am honored to pay tribute to Bishop Hoyt. This extraordinary Man of God was indeed a good and faithful servant. His life was a perfect illustration of his passion for ministry and leadership. Through the years, he was guided by his faith and his commitment to the CME church and we are indeed grateful for all that he has left us. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of Bishop Thomas Lanier Hoyt, Jr.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Rev. Thomas E. Gilmore, a Civil Rights icon and Alabama

treasure who was the first black sheriff elected to serve in Greene County, Alabama. Recently, the courthouse square in Greene County was named in honor of this American hero and I am honored to join with my home State in saluting the numerous contributions of this American hero.

Rev. Gilmore was born on May 1, 1941 in Forkland, Alabama to Beatrice O'Neal and a loving grandmother, Clara Gilmore. Throughout his lifetime, Rev. Gilmore has often credited his journey of greatness to the unyielding love of both of these extraordinary women. Today, he reflects on the passion, wisdom and courage they instilled in him that served as cornerstones for his desire to make a difference.

Gilmore attended Greene County public schools and later enrolled in Selma University in 1959. Shortly after, he married his childhood sweetheart, the late Minnie Gilmore, whom Rev. Gilmore also credited for being a source of great strength throughout their 35-year partnership. The young couple left Alabama briefly for a move to Los Angeles, but the native son made the decision to return home in 1963.

Gilmore returned home to an Alabama that was plagued by the perils of racism and injustice. And one evening, as Gilmore was headed to a local gas station to purchase milk for his young son, he fell victim to a painful reminder of the racial turbulence in Greene County. As he drove, Gilmore unknowingly ran into a puddle of water and splashed a white state trooper. Assuming that Gilmore was a civil rights worker, the trooper retaliated by pushing Gilmore against a gas pump and forcing him to wash his car. At that moment, the young minister was led to make a difference and he was inspired to find ways to end police brutality.

Gilmore became active in the local civil rights movement and mass meetings and was later recruited by the Rev. James Orange to work for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Under Dr. King's leadership, Gilmore helped to organize and lead voter registration drives.

The impetus for Gilmore's run for sheriff stems from his efforts in attempting to file a complaint against a local officer that assaulted a young black woman. During his attempt, the Greene County Sheriff savagely beat Gilmore in the district attorney's office. Shortly after the incident, Gilmore and other local civil rights leaders constructed the idea that he should run for sheriff to combat the violence that was brewing in Greene County, Selma and surrounding areas.

At the age of 24, this young warrior launched his first campaign for sheriff in 1966. Today, he describes his candidacy as ``unheard of.'' While he was unsuccessful on his first attempt, he was elected four years later. He served as Sheriff of Greene County from 1971-1983. When asked what it was like to be a trailblazer, this humble servant simply replied ``I thought about being the best sheriff I could be . . . I thought about walking tall.''

During his influential tenure, Gilmore became known as ``The Sheriff Without A Gun.'' Led by the nonviolent teachings he learned during his time as a civil rights activist, Gilmore endeavored to govern through the use of non-violence. Gilmore retired as Sheriff in 1983 and relocated to Birmingham to serve as Pastor of First Baptist Church in Ensley, AL. Today Rev. Gilmore remains a dedicated Pastor, leader, and servant.

Rev. Gilmore's many accomplishments are an inspiration to us all. He is truly an Alabama treasure and an American hero worthy of recognition. On behalf of the 7th Congressional District, the State of Alabama and this nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy Rev. Thomas E. Gilmore.