Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a native St. Louisan, Dr. Henry Givens, Jr., who has served as president of Harris-Stowe State University since it became a state institution in 1979. He was educated in the St. Louis public schools and earned his baccalaureate degree at Lincoln University in Missouri. He earned his master's degree at the University of Illinois and his Ph.D. at Saint Louis University. His postdoctoral studies in higher education administration were at Harvard University.

Dr. Givens' professional experience in education is both broad and varied. He began his career as a teacher in the Webster Groves School District and became principal of the first prototype of a magnet school in the nation. Before leaving the Webster Groves public schools, he held the post of Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools. Soon after, he became the first African-American to serve Missouri as Assistant Commissioner of Education, which he did for 5 years.

At the request of the Governor of Missouri, Dr. Givens served as interim president at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO, during a financial crisis in 1987, while continuing his duties at Harris-Stowe. Such an appointment was without precedent in Missouri public higher education.

Under the leadership of Dr. Givens, Harris-Stowe has greatly expanded its degree programs; has significantly increased its facilities--from one building to seven, and including, for the first time in its long history of over 150 years, the new state-of-the-art William L. Clay, Sr. Early Childhood Development/Parenting Education Center and the Rev. Dr. William G. Gillespie Residence Hall and Student Center. An eighth new building, a second residence hall, is currently under construction. In addition, Harris-Stowe has opened its first business school satellite campus in South St. Louis; has expanded the University's academic program to include 14 degree offerings in selected applied professional disciplines; has tripled its student enrollment since entering the State System; and has changed its status from College to University, to name a few of its accomplishments.

Dr. Givens has served as Chairman of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Celebration Commission for Missouri since its inception in 1986 to 2011. Under his dynamic leadership, the State of Missouri now hosts the second-largest celebration in the nation, extending to every corner of Missouri. Dr. Givens was appointed by President Barack Obama to the HBCU Capital Finance Program Advisory Board, and has served in the past and present on local, national, and international groups as a consultant, including the U.S. State Department at its American School in Lima, Peru. In addition, he currently serves on several local, state and national Boards and Commissions. He serves on the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority board, and on local and national Corporate Boards of Directors, including, U.S. Bank (Regional).

He is a past board member of Laclede Gas/Laclede Group, Peabody Energy, Inc., and Automobile Club of Missouri (AAA). President Givens is affiliated with numerous national and local professional and social organizations, and has received over 125 national, state and local awards and recognitions, including honorary doctorate degrees from Saint Louis University, Lincoln University and Washington University- St. Louis.

Dr. Givens is married to Belma Evans Givens. They have a daughter, a son, and three grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask our friends in the majority to put their country ahead of their party and join us by enacting the Make It in America jobs agenda.

Jobs is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. Putting America back to work is what we all should be fighting for. When working families hurt, America hurts, and what elevates them lifts up the entire Nation.

We must pass without delay a reauthorization of the vital highway and transit bill. We need to enact the Make It in America agenda to strengthen our manufacturing, technological, and industrial base.

We need to build up America's infrastructure by putting people to work, rebuilding our roads, bridges, railways, ports, schools and airports; and we need to speed disaster assistance to hard-hit communities without injecting partisan politics into the process.

The time for political games is over and the time for jobs is now.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

I rise for the purpose of entering into a colloquy with the distinguished chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee.

I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Moran, for your leadership and for this opportunity to discuss an important and urgent matter.

As the chairman knows, there are two acts that seek to conserve marine mammals--the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. I am not here to debate the merits of those acts but to discuss an inadvertent and unexpected consequence of them.

There is what seems to be a contradiction when it comes to the protection of polar bears. Exactly the opposite may be happening.

I yield to the gentleman from Idaho.

Mr. Chairman, you are correct. This is an urgent issue, as we know, of polar bears, specific bears today that are in danger of being lost and which could be saved by importation into the United States. While it was the intent of Congress to protect these animals, the acts were never intended to be bureaucratic obstacles to common sense and to saving their lives.

Some brief background is in order. Mr. Chairman, section 101 of the Marine Mammals Protection Act established a moratorium on the importation of marine mammals. However, section 102 and 104 of the act allow for the issuance of permits for the importation of marine mammals under certain circumstances.

Now, the act generally prohibits permits from public display of marine mammals from a species of stock designated as depleted, which is defined as one that is listed as an endangered species or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

On May 15, 2008, the Secretary of the Interior listed the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act; and since then, no permits for the importation of polar bears for the health and welfare of the animals or for the purposes of public display have been issued by the Secretary. The act does require that conservation plans for taking animals include proposals to enhance their habitat which, in this case, is impossible.

One of the main reasons the polar bear was listed as threatened is the loss of their habitat. It is not possible to comply with this requirement, and we urge the Secretary to take this into consideration when making a final determination on these permits.

There is also a requirement that such takings be for scientific purposes. Mr. Chairman, I think you would agree that establishing successful captive breeding programs for a threatened species fits into the Congress's intent for scientific purposes. Declining habitat conditions for the polar bear and an increasing number of human-bear interaction have resulted in an increase in the number of polar bears brought into temporary or permanent captivity in Canada in recent years, including an increase in the number of non-releasable animals and orphaned cubs.

Canadian institutions cannot house all of these bears and any animals not placed in suitable facilities could be used, euthanized or left to die in the wild.

The Government of Manitoba, Canada, has passed legislation allowing such bears to be exported from Canada for purposes of captive maintenance and public display at accredited zoological institutions in the United States. These are institutions that have undergone a thorough and rigorous review and inspection process by zoological professionals to examine all aspects of an institution's operation.

Prior to issuing those permits, the Secretary of the Interior should determine the institution is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and meets specific public display criteria as determined by the Secretary.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to clarify that it is your understanding that under these acts, the Secretary of the Interior may issue permits for the importation into the U.S. of live polar bears for the purpose of public display at appropriate accredited zoological institutions. Upon a finding that such importation of such will benefit the health and welfare of the animal or is otherwise consistent with the conservation of the polar bears, in addition with the other areas, the Secretary's authority is granted under the Marine Mammals Protection Act, section 102(b) and 104(c)(4)(A).

Again, I want to thank the chairman for this opportunity.

I yield to the gentleman from Idaho.

I thank the chairman, as well as Ranking Member Dicks for requesting additional time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our guest chaplain, one of my outstanding constituents, Father Arthur Cavitt.

Father Art, as he is known in St. Louis, is a leader in religious outreach and educational development efforts within the African American Catholic community. His St. Charles Lwanga Center, located in North St. Louis City, offers Bible study, pastoral care, and conducts an outstanding youth ministry.

Father Art's spiritual leadership, through his center and as an educator at Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory, is reaching thousands of young people, changing lives, and helping to reclaim neighborhoods that have seen far too much violence, intolerance and pain.

Father Art is bringing the church's message of love, truth, tolerance, and mutual understanding to those in our community who need it most. I am very honored to salute him today as our special guest.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as cosponsor of the bill (H.R. 979) to amend chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to ensure program integrity, transparency, and cost savings in the pricing and contracting of prescription drug benefits under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

Madam Speaker, my Republican colleagues advocate a free market unfettered by what they say are job-killing regulations. It seems like to them every regulation is job-killing. We hear a lot about that.

What we don't hear from the Republican majority is anything about job growth. We don't hear any plans about job growth because the majority doesn't have any plans for job growth.

In fact, the Republicans spent the last 2 years obstructing pro-job growth policy just to score political points; but they are wrong about regulation.

For example, on the environment we hear from Republicans that environmental regulations are killing jobs, but the facts prove just the opposite. Based on recent estimates, total employment created by capital investments in the power sector over the next 5 years is estimated at 1.46 million jobs. That's an average of 290,000 jobs a year, in each of the next 5 years, and in a sector Republicans are telling us is full of job-killing regulations.

While we don't hear anything from the Republican majority about job growth, we do hear a lot about free markets. To them, all we have to do is eliminate regulations, and everything will be fine. Well, at least for some of their wealthy corporate contributors. The rest of us? We're on our own in the free market.

Madam Speaker, I wonder if my Republican colleagues think a market free of regulations will ensure the safety and reliability of the Nation's roads, railways, and airways. Our transportation system allows American businesses to transport their goods to retailers and consumers, and regulations make that system safe and reliable.

Do they think a market free of regulations will enforce international agreements? Agreements help American businesses sell their goods and services abroad, and regulations protect and enforce those agreements.

Do they think a market free of regulations will defend American's patents, copyrights and trademarks? Regulations protect American businesses against infringement, theft, and piracy.

Does the Republican majority think a market free of regulations will protect the hundreds of millions of Americans who are their consumers and workers, and ensure their continued safety and security?

When they were in the minority, Republicans worked hard to slow or even

end the recovery from an economic crisis that they created, the crisis that the President and the Democratic Congress began to solve, the economic crisis that the new Republican majority, again for political reasons, seems bent on bringing back by eliminating the very regulations that create jobs.

And I want to know if my Republican colleagues, who have not advanced one single plan to grow jobs here in this country, do they want to eliminate all regulations? Or do they just want to eliminate regulations that create jobs and protect Americans and that secure the economic and environmental future of this country? But they may also cut into the record profits of their wealthy contributors.

Instead of spending hours or days on trying to score political points, the Republican majority should be joining Democrats and the President and focusing on growing jobs. Regulations--pro- growth, job-creating regulations--are a necessary successful way we can continue the Democratic recovery from the Republican economic crisis.

Parliamentary Inquiry

I thank the gentleman from Arizona for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bipartisan resolution and to offer my thoughts and prayers for the swift healing and complete recovery of my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.

In addition to the dedicated members of her staff who were also wounded and all of the other innocent victims of this unconscionable act of violence, I want to express my sincere sympathies to the families of U.S. District Court Judge John Roll, Gabe Zimmerman, a valued member of our congressional family, Dorwan Stoddard, Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Schneck and most especially Christina Taylor Green, a remarkable 9-year-old child who had just won her first election to the student council and wanted to speak to her Congresswoman about a career in public service.

Madam Speaker, as Speaker Boehner so aptly noted just moments after this tragedy occurred, an attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. I would venture to say that all of us who have the high honor of serving in this body, the people's House, have searched our souls to try to understand the nature of this attack on the very core of our democracy.

Like most of us, Congresswoman Giffords knows that there is simply no substitute for spending time with your constituents. The plain truth is that you cannot effectively represent your community in Congress unless you make time to interact with the people who hired you for this job.

And as for me, I will continue to do that because I truly believe that even in the face of this kind of mindless violence, constituents have a right to question their Members of Congress directly. And we, who have been entrusted with the honor of public service, must never allow fear or threats to undermine that fundamental principle.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the members of the Dickson family who are committed to their education and love for the art of music. That is why parents Raymond and Theresa Dickson chose to simultaneously enroll four of their children at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Music Majors Ashley, Benjamin, Brandon and Daniel Dickson receive lessons and recite together as a string quartet, under the tutelage of the ``Arianna String Quartet'', the University's quartet-in-residence. It is believed to be the only resident quartet in a public university in the United States. The Dickson family chose Florissant, Missouri to maintain a strong support structure for their University students.

Prior to moving to Florissant, Raymond, Theresa and their ten children had been living in Battle Ground Washington a suburb of Portland, Oregon for several years. The children were home-schooled. Most of them elected to learn an instrument. Over time, four of the eldest Dickson's began performing together as the Dickson String Quartet.

While honing their skills at the Britt Festival in Jacksonville, Oregon, they caught the collective ears of the Arianna String Quartet, who were guest instructors at the two-week string quartet academy. ``When people hear them, I don't think they can help but be drawn in,'' Arianna violist Joanna Mendoza told University of Missouri-St. Louis Magazine.

The feeling was mutual for the Dickson's, who desired a continuation of their studies with the Arianna. Working with the university, members of the Arianna were able to create an opportunity for the four Dicksons to enroll together and learn as an ensemble with University of Missouri-St. Louis' resident quartet.

With the Dickson String Quartet ranging in age from 16 to 20 and never having attended a public school at the time of their enrollment at University of Missouri-St. Louis, Raymond and Theresa decided to move their family to maintain a support structure for the new university students.

The Dickson students have thrived at University of Missouri-St. Louis. They've quickly established a reputation as leaders and role models in the Department of Music and Pierre Laclede Honors College. They participate in several performance ensembles, play together as ``the quartet for worship'' at their local church and have several standing ovations through their performances as a sibling quartet.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the Dickson family and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring them.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1687) supporting the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

I now yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present House Resolution 1687 for consideration. This resolution recognizes the importance of youth runaway prevention and at-risk youth programs. House Resolution 1687 was introduced by our colleague, Representative Judy Biggert of Illinois, on September 29, 2010. Notably, this measure enjoys the support of 55 cosponsors.

Madam Speaker, according to the National Runaway Switchboard, between 1.6 million and 2.8 million youth run away from home every year. Notably, the National Runaway Switchboard reports that among those youth at greatest risk of running away and facing homelessness are those that have been expelled from home, those that have suffered domestic abuse, and those that have been discharged by State custodial systems without the benefit of adequate transitional planning. Additionally, youth that have been separated from their parents by death or divorce, live in poverty, and/or are unable to access adequate medical or mental health resources are similarly at risk of running away and becoming homeless.

Madam Speaker, in light of the prevalence of the problem of runaway youth as well as youth homelessness, let us take this opportunity to pass House Resolution 1687 and recognize the important role that youth runaway prevention and at-risk youth programs play in addressing these issues. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, again let me thank our colleague Mrs. Biggert of Illinois for introducing this important legislation and let me again urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6400) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 111 North 6th Street in St. Louis, Missouri, as the ``Earl Wilson, Jr. Post Office''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Madam Speaker, once again I stand as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 6400. This legislation would name the U.S. post office facility at 111 North 6th Street in St. Louis, Missouri, after a man who transformed his community while giving hope and opportunity to hundreds of young people, a true giant of philanthropy, the late Earl Wilson, Jr.

The measure before us was first introduced on November 15, 2010. I am proud to say that the bill now enjoys the support and cosponsorship of 18 Members of Congress, including the entire congressional delegation from my home State of Missouri.

Madam Speaker, Earl Wilson, Jr.'s lifetime of achievement in the corporate world, as the founder of the St. Louis Gateway Classic Foundation, as a proud veteran in the U.S. Army, as a father, husband, and friend to so many will live forever.

Earl Wilson, Jr., was born in St. Louis on October 9, 1932. He grew up on 11th Street, just a few blocks away from the U.S. Post Office that will hopefully bear his name. Mr. Wilson graduated from Vashon High School and received his B.S. in education from Lincoln University in 1957. After graduation, he proudly served as a captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In 1963, he became a corporate trailblazer at IBM, where he was a stellar performer for three decades. Toward the end of his IBM career, Mr. Wilson was loaned to his alma mater to help rescue his school from financial straits, which he successfully accomplished.

Earl Wilson, Jr., later founded the St. Louis Gateway Classic Foundation, an annual football contest that helped to fund the dreams of deserving students. Without a doubt, his impact on the lives of so many young St. Louisans will endure for generations to come.

Over the last 16 years, the annual Gridiron Classic featured top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The game itself was a celebration of football tradition and a battle of the bands. But as Earl Wilson often reminded us, ``It was more than just a game.'' The St. Louis Gateway Classic Foundation effectively raised $2.6 million to send average C-grade students to college on full 4-year scholarships.

The foundation's busy year-round schedule of fundraising and community events helped to fuel its success. To raise money, Wilson orchestrated golf tournaments, basketball shoot-outs, baseball games, a boxing showcase, pageants, and concerts. To give back to the community, the foundation provided quality after-school programs, an adult day care, holiday meals for people in need, and neighborhood lunches. He also created a Walk of Fame that honors local African Americans who have been pioneers in St. Louis.

When Earl Wilson, Jr., passed away on October 29 of this year, it was not only an enormous personal loss for my family and me, but his death was mourned throughout St. Louis and across our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I have been blessed to experience and witness firsthand his commitment to opening the doors of higher education to young people. He selflessly invested his immense talents and boundless energy to build up his community and his country. And as we move to recognize the accomplishments of this great humanitarian, father, and friend to many, I ask that we pass the underlying bill without reservation and pay tribute to a great American, Earl Wilson, Jr.

I urge passage of H.R. 6400, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and, again, I would just like to urge my colleagues to pass the underlying bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1642) recognizing

the centennial of the City of Lilburn, Georgia and supporting the goals and ideals of a City of Lilburn Day.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Madam Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may consume.

On behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present House Resolution 1642 for consideration. This measure recognizes the centennial of the City of Lilburn, Georgia. House Resolution 1642 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Georgia, Hank Johnson, on September 22, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of over 50 Members of the House.

Madam Speaker, the City of Lilburn was founded in 1890 by the Seaboard Airline Railway and incorporated in 1910 by the Georgia General Assembly. This historic city has faced dramatic changes and tough times since its incorporation. Its business district was largely destroyed in a fire on November 15, 1920, and the Great Depression nearly wiped the city out for good.

The city gradually relocated to an auto-friendly location around Highway 29 as widespread travel by car became an alternative to rail travel. In 1976, Lilburn's city hall was built in the city's original location, anchoring its Old Town district with shops and restaurants. Today, Lilburn is a vibrant, small city with an active arts community, a large and diverse collection of churches and temples, and growing South Asian and Latino populations.

Madam Speaker, let us now congratulate the City of Lilburn on its centennial through the passage of House Resolution 1642. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 5 minutes to one of the original cosponsors of the resolution, and a gentleman who has represented the city over time, my good friend from the great State of Georgia, Mr. David Scott.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from the great State of Georgia who happens to represent the city of Lilburn, Georgia, and the chief sponsor of the resolution, Mr. Hank Johnson.

Madam Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1727) recognizing Rotary International for 105 years of service to the world and commending members on their dedication to the mission and principles of their organization.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1727, a measure recognizing Rotary International for 105 years of service to the world, and commending members on their dedication to the mission and principles of their organization.

House Resolution 1727 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Texas, Representative Lamar Smith, on November 18, 2010. The measure enjoys bipartisan support from over 60 cosponsors.

Madam Speaker, most of us here are familiar with the work of our local Rotary clubs. Their devotion to service makes a tremendous difference in the lives of all of our communities and in communities around the world. The projects that the over 34,000 Rotary clubs sponsor are too numerous to list here, but some of Rotary International's highest profile undertakings include PolioPlus, an effort to eliminate polio around the world.

They have raised hundreds of millions of dollars for that effort.

Another global undertaking by Rotary International has been an aggressive effort to help solve the global water and sanitation crisis, which claims over 2 million lives each year, including 4,000 children every day. Earlier this year, Rotary International entered into a partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development to implement sustainable long-term water sanitation and hygiene projects

in the Dominican Republic, Ghana, and the Philippines.

Rotarians have also assisted in disaster relief efforts in Indonesia, Pakistan and New Orleans, helping to distribute food, clean water shelters and medical supplies. These are just a few examples of some of Rotary International's service projects. In addition to supporting projects like these around the world, Rotary International supports scholarships, exchange programs, and humanitarian grants.

Madam Speaker, let us take the time now to thank Rotary International for all that they continue to do to fulfill their mission of providing service to others, promoting integrity and advancing world understanding, goodwill and peace. I would, therefore, urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the resolution, which recognizes Rotary International for 105 years of service to the world.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the great State of Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire).

Madam Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1264) expressing support for the designation of March as National Essential Tremor Awareness Month.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members

may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 5 minutes to the chief sponsor of the legislation, the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore).

Madam Speaker, I too, like my colleague from Illinois, want to thank my friend and neighbor from Kansas (Mr. Moore) for introducing this important piece of legislation, but more than that, for his level of service here in this institution and someone that I can truly look to and call a friend.

It has been a wonderful 10 years for us, and thank you for your service to your State and your country, Mr. Moore.

And with that, Madam Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure which supports the designation of March as National Essential Tremor Awareness Month.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1531) expressing support for designation of 2011 as ``World Veterinary Year'' to bring attention to and show appreciation for the veterinary profession on its 250th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

At this time, Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to my colleague, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Schrader).

Madam Speaker, at this time I would like to recognize the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott) for 5 minutes.

I yield 2 additional minutes to the gentleman.

Madam Speaker, again let me thank the gentleman from Oregon (Dr. Schrader) for introducing this important piece of legislation. And in closing, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting House Resolution 1531 supporting the goals and ideals of World Veterinary Year.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, let me first say that I, too, am here to thank Ike Skelton for his friendship, for his service to this country, and especially for his friendship to me.

My relationship with Ike Skelton goes back more than 30 years. I was a teenager when I first met him because he served with my father--both represented the State of Missouri--and I can remember the day he arrived here. I went on through college and happened to wind up serving in the State legislature for 17 years in his district, in Jefferson City, so our paths would cross on occasion.

But ladies and gentlemen, this country will never witness an individual like Ike Skelton. There will never be another one like him to cast a shadow on this floor. You have served this country and your State well, and you have also given me a great appreciation for our armed services, the men and women who some make the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

As Rev. Cleaver and others have said, I have also visited Lafayette and have been to Ike's home, but I have also been to the military bases with Ike, to Whiteman Air Force Base where

they house the B-1. And he has been my compass in this House on military issues.

He has also been, as Rev. Cleaver said, a brother to me. I had two sisters, too, Ike. I never had a brother, but if I could ever identify somebody as a brother, it would be you. I know I will miss you. I will miss your guidance, I will miss your mentoring.

We have truly witnessed a legislative giant in our midst. You have done your job, you have done it quite well. I know this won't be the last time that we see each other and I know that you will frequently visit us, but for the Missouri delegation, you were there for all of us.

He was the senior member of the Missouri delegation and never hesitated to call us together. We have so much cohesion as a State because of his leadership. I appreciate that, Ike. I appreciate how you have taken me under your wing and given me guidance here, and I will love you for it for the rest of my life. As the saying goes, ``Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.'' But you won't be fading too far.

I love you, Ike Skelton. God bless you, and God bless the United States.