Floor Statements

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

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Miller) in the consideration of H.R. 3340, legislation redesignating the Grand Crossing Postal Station in Chicago, Illinois, after James E. Worsham.

This measure, which was introduced by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush) on October 20, 2003, was unanimously reported by our committee on June 24, 2004. H.R. 3340 enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the entire Illinois delegation.

Mr. Worsham, a native of Chicago, began his postal career in 1963 as a letter carrier assigned to the Grand Crossing Postal Station. His hard work and dedication was quickly noticed by his coworkers, and he was drafted to become shop steward. From that point on, Mr. Worsham was a man on the move. His leadership qualities were recognized not only by his coworkers but from the branch president and others in the local National Association of Letter Carriers' office. Mr. Worsham was subsequently slated to run for the sergeant at arms position. He later became an auditor and chief steward for Branch 11.

A career milestone occurred in 1979 when Mr. Worsham was elected president of Branch 11. He served in that position until his retirement. Upon his retirement, President Worsham became director of Retired Members for NALC, a position he held here in the Nation's Capital. He later returned to Chicago to serve again as president of Branch 11.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush), for seeking to honor the illustrious and stellar career of James E. Worsham, and I urge the swift passage of H.R. 3340.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois for his comments and the colorful tale that he told us.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) for her kind words. Hopefully, she will come to St. Louis one day and meet Mr. Reid.

Mr. Speaker, I rise as a sponsor of H.R. 4327, a bill to honor Mr. Vitilas ``Veto'' Reid by permanently designating the Normandy Post Office located at 7450 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, Missouri, the Vitilas ``Veto'' Reid Post Office.

As we have heard, Veto Reid has had a U.S. Postal Service career that spanned over 50 years. He started his career on August 20, 1951; and it culminated with his retirement as postmaster on September 1, 2001.

His first assignment was ``indefinite substitute clerk,'' which included working in the mail processing and special-delivery sections. After 18 years as a clerk, he received his first management promotion to mail supervisor in December of 1969. That promotion was indeed a significant accomplishment and was a first for an African American. Affectionately known to his family and friends as Veto, he has been throughout his life a man of many firsts. Some of his many accomplishments are as follows:

Superintendent of station and branches in Berkeley, Missouri; delivery program branch supervisor in Chicago, Illinois; officer-in- charge, in Hazelwood, Missouri Post Office; officer-in-charge in St. Charles, Missouri; postmaster of Godfrey, Illinois; postmaster of St. Charles, Missouri.

Veto Reid's outstanding record of accomplishments as a postal service employee was recognized in the Congressional Record on October 21, 2001. He is an honor graduate of the historic Vashon High School located in St. Louis, and attended Stowe Teachers College and the University of Missouri at St. Louis. He is also a trustee and chairman of the board of Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church, where he has been a member for more than 65 years.

He also has long-lasting memberships with the Albert Holman Masonic Lodge, Eureka Consistory, and Medinah Temple representing the Shriners of Eastern, Missouri.

Veto Reid served on the boards of many advisory committees throughout the St. Louis community. In January of 1995 he was appointed President of the Advisory Board of St. Joseph's Hospital SSM, St. Charles, Missouri. In July of 1999, he was elected President of the Rotary Club of St. Charles, Missouri. In both cases he became the first African American to hold such positions.

Mr. Reid was also the first African American station manager at the South St. Louis City, Chouteau Branch, and he was also the first African American to be appointed station manager at the Godfrey, Illinois, and St. Charles, Missouri post offices.

Vitilas Reid has received many awards, including the First Postmaster's Leadership Award, which was presented at the 1992 National Association of Postmasters of the United States convention in Nashville, Tennessee. In January 2002, he received the State of Missouri Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. He was inducted into the historic Vashon High School Hall of Fame in 1990, and was inducted into the St. Louis Gateway Classic Walk of Fame in August of 2003.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure in tribute to a man whose life has meant so much to his co-workers and his community.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 4427, legislation designating the postal facility in Montauk, New York, after Perry Duryea. This measure which was introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) on May 20, 2004, was unanimously reported by our committee on June 24, 2004. H.R. 4427 enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the entire New York delegation.

Perry Duryea, a lifelong resident of Montauk, New York, was a political legend. For 18 years, from 1960 to 1978, Mr. Duryea served as the Republican Assemblyman from the First District. While serving in the State Legislature, Mr. Duryea served as Minority Leader and Speaker of the Assembly.

Mr. Duryea was known for being bipartisan and recognized as a community leader. He worked tirelessly for the people of New York State and Long Island. Sadly, he passed away in January of this year.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for seeking to honor the legacy of Perry Duryea, and I urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller) for her remarks on Mr. Colmery.

Mr. Speaker, it is never too late to honor someone who has done a great deed for our Nation. Harry W. Colmery should be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom because millions of Americans are better off today as a result of his vision and the hard work he put in to making his dream a reality.

After returning from duty in the Air Service during World War I, Mr. Colmery was struck by the financial and emotional hardships he and his fellow veterans encountered when they returned home. These hardships included trouble adjusting to civilian life and the inability to find adequate jobs.

Holding a law degree and therefore in better shape than most veterans, Mr. Colmery immediately became involved in the newly formed American Legion, where he helped fellow veterans who were less fortunate than he was. He held several legion posts before being named National Commander in 1936.

As more and more young men were drafted into service during World War II, Harry Colmery began to think of his own experiences and how he could improve the lives of American veterans when they returned from war. He led efforts to make sure that these fine young men who had risked their lives for the freedom America enjoys would best benefit from that freedom when they returned.

In December 1943, Colmery called an emergency meeting of the American Legion leadership. Colmery drafted legislation that would become the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, known today as the G.I. Bill of Rights.

The G.I. Bill of Rights is considered to be one of the core reasons that the 15 million U.S. soldiers active during World War II were able to return to America and lead productive lives.

Since its enactment, the G.I. Bill of Rights has provided education and training for 7.8 million men and women. For the first time some of our Nation's most elite universities became available to working class Americans through the G.I. Bill, when they otherwise would not have had the opportunity or financial resources.

Executive Order No. 11085 states that the Medal of Freedom may be awarded to any person who has made a meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States. Frankly, the contribution Mr. Colmery has made to the well-being of all Americans, regardless of race, class or religion, is immeasurable. As a grateful Nation, we thank Mr. Colmery and award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom because it is never too late to honor American heroes like Harry Colmery.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, May 17, 2004 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the landmark ``Brown v. Topeka Board of Education'' decision ordering the desegregation of U.S. schools. This court ruling effectively denied the legal basis for segregation in Kansas and 20 other States with segregated schools and forever changed race relations in the United States. Brown v. Board laid the precedent for ending all segregation. Very few Supreme Court decisions have impacted our nation's history as much as Brown v. Board.

This important anniversary was celebrated in Topeka, Kansas with the formal opening of a new national park--the Brown v. Board National Historic Site at Topeka's once-segregated Monroe Elementary School. In conjunction with the fiftieth anniversary celebrations, Washburn University hosted an interdisciplinary academic conference, ``Telling the Story: Narrating Brown v. Board,'' May 18-20, 2004, and invited proposals for twenty-minute paper presentations on the full range of themes suggested by the Brown decision. Professor of History, Philip A. Grant, Jr. of Pace University was accepted to deliver his paper entitled ``Midwestern Press Reactions to the 1954 `Brown' Decision,'' at the conference ``Telling the Story: Narrating Brown v. Board'' at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas on May 19, 2004.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and declared an end to legal segregation, this country has made great progress, especially in the area of racial relations, but there is more work to be done. In order for us to continue to make this country a better place in which to live, we must remember the past. I believe that Professor Grant has brought to light the importance of Brown v. Board as seen by newspapers of the Midwest at the time of the decision. I ask that his entire paper be made a part of the Record so that all the American people, not just those who attended the conference last month, may have the benefit of his historical insight. [Paper recited at the ``Telling the Story: Narrating Brown v. Board'' conference at Washburn University, May 19, 2004]

Midwestern Press Reaction to the 1954 ``Brown'' Decision

(By Philip A. Grant, Jr.)

On May 17, 1954 the United States Supreme Court issued its

historic ``Brown v. Board of Education'' decision. In a

unanimous opinion the nation's highest tribunal decreed

segregation in public elementary and secondary schools

unconstitutional. By every standard the ``Brown'' ruling

ranked as one of the most significant developments in the

long and eventful history of our federal court system. Indeed

there is ample evidence to warrant the conclusion that the

``Brown'' decision generated more controversy than any

previous Supreme Court verdict.

The ``Brown'' decision attracted prime news coverage

throughout the Midwest, a twelve state region extending from

Lake Erie in northeastern Ohio to the Kansas-Colorado line

more than thirteen hundred miles to the West. Moreover, a

substantial majority of midwestern newspapers opted to

editorialize on the ``Brown'' ruling.

Among the daily publications printing editorials on the

``Brown'' decision were the Cleveland Plain Dealer,

Cincinnati Enquirer, Detroit Free Press, Indianapolis Star,

Chicago Tribune, Milwaukee Journal, Saint Louis Post-

Dispatch, Kansas City Star, Des Moines Register, and

Minneapolis Tribune. These newspapers circulated in ten of

the Midwest's major population centers.

The Plain Dealer asserted that for a number of states ``a

greater challenge in the form of `thall shall not' could

hardly have been issued than the Supreme Court ruling against

Negro segregation in public schools.'' Convinced that the

Supreme Court ``could not have ruled otherwise than it did on

the basic issue,'' the Plain Dealer believed that the Negroes

had ``earned the right to be treated as first-class citizens

and earned it the hard way.''

Perceiving that the ``Brown'' decision ``probably will

prove to be the most important judicial finding in the field

of racial relations in our entire national history,'' the

Enquirer ascertained that it would ``work profound changes in

a substantial part of the United States--not confined to the

South by any means.'' The Cincinnati newspaper concluded:

``What the justices have done is simply to act as the

conscience of the American nation.''

The Free Press, definitely endorsing the thrust of the

``Brown'' decision, claimed that the people of the country

``who cherish the belief that the American system of

democracy is a vital, living organic philosophy, steadily but

inexorably, advancing toward the ideals of the founders of

the Union, will be heartened by the unanimous opinion of the

Supreme Court.'' While conceding that the ``Brown'' ruling

would ``not of itself abolish prejudice nor raise all

Americans to the exalter status of men created in the image

of their maker,'' the Free Press maintained: ``But it does

mark a step in that direction, a step toward fulfillment of

man's dream that all men are created equal, and that under a

more perfect government of laws they can attain to dignity

and all its inherent rights.''

Extolling the Supreme Court for having upheld ``a vital

principle of individual equality under the law,'' the Star

argued that segregation was ``morally, practically

and economically evil'' and denied ``the brotherhood of

man upon which our whole form of constitutional government

is based.'' While concerned that no provision of the

Constitution granted the federal courts ``the right to

establish or control educational systems,'' the Star

contended:

``Morally, we believe the Supreme Court was right in

calling for an end to segregation. It is fortunate that this

decision was unanimous for the full authority of the court

will carry great weight with the Southern states, who now

oppose its view. We hope the states opposing this ruling will

accept it in good spirit and earnestly try to meet its

demands. We hope Federal authorities will give the states

time, and sympathetic assistance in making this conversion.

And we hope that any demagogue, white or colored, who tries

to inflame public opinion by using this explosive issue will

be properly rebuffed by the overwhelming majority of the good

people in our states.''

While admitting that it was doubtful whether the South

would abide by the court's decision, the Tribune was

optimistic that the unanimous ruling ``should help a good

deal to discourage resistance to the finding or attempts to

evade its plain meaning.'' The Tribune, commending the

Supreme Court for having ``struck down segregation in the

public schools of the United States,'' declared:

``The principle established by this decision is not that

anybody has to give up any of his prejudices, no matter how

desirable it might be that he do so. The principle is the

much simpler one that the state governments, north and south,

must regard all men as created equal so far as opportunities

at the disposal of the state are concerned. The idea may

appear dangerously novel to some citizens, but the Supreme

Court didn't invent it. Indeed, they can be said to have

borrowed it from a distinguished Virginian named Thomas

Jefferson.''

The Journal, analyzing the ``Brown'' ruling as the ``most

far reaching court decision on the racial issue since

emancipation,'' anticipated that the decision would

``revolutionize the school set-up in the South and, in

effect, the racial relationships there are bound to be felt

outside the classrooms.'' Surmising that the consequences of

the ``Brown'' verdict would impact the entire country, the

Journal stated:

``. . . It apparently knocked the last legal prop from any

official discrimination against Negroes or other minority

groups because of color, race or religion. It banishes any

legal recognition of second class citizenship for the members

of such groups.''

Impressed that the ``Brown'' ruling was unanimous and

written in direct and persuasive language, the Milwaukee

newspaper was pleased that there ``could be no doubt about

the intent or the logic and reasoning supporting the

decision.''

Feeling that there was ``no need to say just how

important'' the ``Brown'' ruling was, the Post-Dispatch also

emphasized that there was ``no point in explaining it today

as the most momentous since the Dred Scott decision handed

down almost a century ago, on the eve of the Civil War.'' The

Post-Dispatch, pointing out that the substance of the

``Brown'' verdict was of ``transcendent importance,''

predicted that the decision would have its ``impact in one

way or another on every community, in every city'' and

``in less time than we are apt to think around the

world.''

The Star, recognizing that the ``Brown'' decision ``sets

the goal'' of ending racial segregation in all public

schools, stressed that the principle involved in the Supreme

Court ruling ``now controls for the future'' and ``is the law

of the land.'' Warning that there ``can be no cheating or

blocking'' the objective proclaimed by the Supreme Court, the

Star offered the following appraisal:

``The breakdown in segregation since World War II has come

a step at a time and generally without friction. The Supreme

Court's ruling basically is no more drastic than the trend of

our times that produced it. Now that the principle is

established the future calls for more of the good sense and

understanding of racial problems that has generally

prevailed.''

Praising the Supreme Court for having ``begun the erasure

of one of American democracy's blackest marks,'' the Register

rejoiced that the nation's ``basic law on public education

has been brought into line with the ringing spirit of freedom

and equality in the Declaration of Independence.'' While

gratified that the ``Brown'' decision decreed that racial

segregation constituted a denial of equal educational

opportunities, the Register asserted:

``The Supreme Court decision will ease America's

conscience. The strong cry of `hypocrite' from colored folks

all over the world has been heard in Des Moines and in

Mobile. But America's conscience will not be cleared until

her practice measures up to the noble words of the court

decision.''

The Tribune, sensing that the ``Brown'' ruling would ``be

welcomed and embraced by all who believe in the

constitutional guarantee of equal rights meaning just that,

and nothing less,'' suspected that the decision would ``echo

far beyond our borders and may greatly influence our

relations with dark-skinned people the world over.''

Concerned that the ``Brown'' verdict posed ``one troublesome

immediate question,'' the Tribune asked: ``What will be done

in the southern states where political leaders have been most

militant in opposing the end of segregation?'' While

wondering whether the political spokesmen of the South would

``persist in their attitudes,'' the Minneapolis newspaper was

``inclined toward the optimistic view.''

There was a consensus within the ranks of the major

newspapers of the Midwest that the Supreme Court had acted

wisely and responsibly in issuing the historic ``Brown''

ruling. While newspapers tended to analyze the ``Brown''

decision from somewhat different perspectives, they all

agreed that the objective proposed by the Supreme Court was

entirely consistent with the nation's long overdue quest for

racial equality. In expressing their attitudes on an issue of

overriding importance the daily publications of the Midwest

were contributing to a dialogue with their readers and

historians of the future.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to raise a point of order on the section that the Chair referred to earlier. Would that be in order?

It would be section 333, page 132.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Judy Bentley, the President and CEO of Community Health-in Partnership Services (CHIPS) in St. Louis. Ms. Bentley was recently selected as a 2004 Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leader. She was one of just ten people nationally to be selected for this prestigious award, which includes a grant of over $105,000 to enhance her work.

A nurse practitioner and native of St. Louis, Ms. Bentley was inspired to enter the healthcare field after her diagnosis of uterine cancer in 1975.

Ms. Bentley founded CHIPS in 1990, and it remains the only free health clinic serving the mostly uninsured residents of north St. Louis. In its first year, CHIPS served about 250 clients in its meager facility in the basement of a local church. In 1991, the clinic moved to a new 5,600-square-foot facility. Currently run by a staff of 10 full and parttime employees, along with a core of 19 volunteer professionals, CHIPS provides health screenings and primary-level health care to about 1,000 clients a month through both its outreach and in facility services.

Ms. Bentley has also implemented a unique outreach program to provide prevention and health education in non-traditional community settings including banks, grocery stores, beauty salons, barbershops, and homeless centers. Ms. Bentley also promotes workforce development by hiring and training lay health educators to go door-to-door, enrolling clients, and has implemented an intergenerational program in which teens in the youth development program work with senior citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Ms. Bentley for this national award, and express my gratitude for her determination and leadership. Her work among the medically underserved has undoubtedly inspired many others in St. Louis and elsewhere to take action. It is an honor to recognize her today for her important work and this well deserved award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis, Missouri for winning the ``Foundations of Democracy'' unit award in the ``We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution'' 2004 program. The ``We the People'' program is a competition on the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights in which students are challenged to apply their knowledge of constitutional principles and understanding of historical facts to contemporary situations. The program is designed to promote an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizens in our constitutional democracy.

Westminster Christian Academy is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school serving grades 7-12 located in St. Louis County. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to congratulate the individual members of Westminster's team for their outstanding performance in this year's competition: Britney Bennett, Chris Collum, Ryan Dabler, Jessica Degnan, J.D. Gustafson, Gerrod Heise, Nina Hiles, Rebecca Keffler, Angela Ludwinski, Lindsay McClure, Joeana Middleton, Neil Peterson, Katie Poland, Jennifer Reinwart, Amanda Rill, Jennifer Schaffner, Elizabeth Simon, Lily Strand, Steve Vitale, and their teacher, Ken Boesch.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to pay tribute today to Taiwan's top representative in the United States, Ambassador C.J. (Chien-Jen) Chen who is planning to return to

Taiwan. A great diplomat and close friend of our Nation, C.J. has served with distinction in Taiwan's Foreign Service for thirty seven years. He has spent most of that time working to improve and strengthen the close and friendly ties that exist between Taiwan and the United States.

After he arrived in Washington, DC in 1971, C.J. became the Third Secretary assigned to the Republic of China Embassy in the United States. He was present when formal diplomatic relations between our two countries were terminated in 1979. By then he had been promoted to First Secretary and from that position he was to play a pivotal role in the establishment of a new framework for relations between the people of Taiwan and the people of the United States.

During the 1980s and the 1990s, as C.J. earned a series of promotions to posts of greater and greater responsibility--both in Taipei and in Washington--he continued to serve as an effective catalyst for bringing Taiwan and the United States even closer together. As Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister and later Foreign Minister, he insured his nation's foreign policy reflected the tremendous economic progress and democratic development taking place in Taiwan. And, by emphasizing the common values and joint interests that the United States and Taiwan share, C.J. helped to foster mutual trust and cooperation between successive administrations--from Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush in the United States and from Chiang Ching-kuo to Chen Shui-bian in Taiwan.

Over the past four years, C.J. Chen has, in his capacity as Taiwan's chief representative in the United States, endeavored to further enhance the military, political, cultural and economic aspects of our bilateral relationship. Along with his personal friendships with a number of high-ranking administration officials, he has built quite a following in Congress. He strongly encouraged and supported the establishment of the House Taiwan Caucus and the Senate Taiwan Caucus and working closely with members of Congress he has earned our highest respect and affection.

Mr. Speaker. As C.J. concludes his very successful tour of duty in Washington and returns to Taipei, I bid him a fond farewell and wish him all the best in the future. He has been a true friend to so many American people; he is a man of principle and integrity and we will surely miss him on Capitol Hill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Terence R. Williams, winner of the Missouri 2004 Voice of Democracy Broadcast Scriptwriting Contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ladies Auxiliary.

Mr. Williams is a junior at the Gateway Institute of Technology High School located in St. Louis, MO. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Williams. He plans a career in journalism and public speaking. Terence was sponsored by VFW Post 8888, Ladies Auxiliary in St. Louis.

Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Ladies Auxiliary conduct a Voice of Democracy audio and essay competition designed to give high school students the opportunity to voice their opinions on their responsibility to our country. This year, more than 80,000 secondary school students competed for the 59 national scholarships. The contest theme for this year was ``My Commitment to America's Future.''

I want to commend Mr. Williams on receiving this prestigious award, and request my colleagues to do the same. I am honored to recognize Terrence R. Williams today before Congress.

Attached are excerpts from Mr. Williams' winning essay. The text of that essay is as follows:

My Commitment to America's Future

(By Terence Williams)

I am a citizen of the world. I am a citizen of this

country. I am a citizen. Citizen, is a word often entangled

in ``rights'' and ``freedoms,'' but never discussed are

responsibilities, obligations, and commitments. It is because

of this very reason, I can improve society. My society. Not

by well-planned inventions, or even to strive to be better

than the average ``Joe.'' My plan does not call for elaborate

thought or constant recognition. It is indwelt in a

commitment not only to my country but to myself. It is a

commitment to America's future.

We live in an age of moral decline. Any opinion, statement,

ideals or theories reserve the right to be challenged.

Therefore, it is imperative to establish firm foundations for

every basis in which we believe. To fulfill my commitment

every perception, every elementary thought must be broken to

one foundation: Excellence without Excuses. By implementing

this logic into society, a fraction of my commitment will aim

fellow citizens toward success.

Because many are bombarded by overwhelming stereotypes and

influences from negative media sources, I cannot let my

responsibility of honesty fail me. My commitment to encourage

my community must be even stronger. My support for those

younger than me can increase their self-esteem. I can instill

an ethic that is missing to their time. My dreams may become

their visions. In that way, they will not fall victim to the

ever changing plagues that try to destroy our nations unity.

I will be an invisible thread that holds together the links

of the young and old, the strong and weak, the sheep and

lion. But, I can't do it alone. To be a man of success is to

not forget the people around you.

The utmost important commitment to my country's future is

to instill unity at all cost. We are in this thing together.

Lest we forget, we are the future. We are the individuals who

create history everyday just by waking up. However, I can't

neglect my commitment because of the people around me. I have

a vision. And without a vision the people will perish.

A vision that can join us on a common bond. This is our

hope. Everyday someone steps up and realizes his dream. They

focus their attention and say I want to be just like him or

her. That is why my impact will not shatter the world to my

surprises. My commitment is to stay committed to the every

growing success of my nation. So why don't we start now, let

us begin. I shall pursue excellence without excuses, shall

you?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor fifteen year old Michael Schopp, from Creve Coeur, Missouri. In a ceremony honoring his achievement on May 2, 2004, Mr. Schopp will receive the Eagle Scout Award. This award is the highest advancement rank a young man may earn in scouting.

To earn his Eagle Scout Award, Mr. Schopp designed, planned and supervised the construction and landscaping of a planter and two dugout benches for the Ballwin Athletic Association baseball fields where he played ball for several years.

Mr. Schopp began his scouting experience as a Cub Scout in elementary school and has been a member of Troop 631, sponsored by St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Ballwin, Missouri, since March 2000. Mr. Schopp's dedication to the values of scouting and his leadership ability are demonstrated in his many scouting activities over the years: he has served his Boy Scout Troop as Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader, and is currently one of the leaders of his troop as a member of the Executive Patrol and as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Mr. Schopp participated in the Junior Leader Training Camp and also attended three Boy Scout High Adventure Camps: Northern Tier in Ely, MN; Sea Base in FL; and OKPIL Winter Camp in MN.

I congratulate Mr. Schopp for his success in earning his Eagle Scout Award. First awarded in 1912, the rigorous standards are demonstrated in the fact that only 4 percent of Boy Scouts across America earn this prestigious award. I also commend his peers, members of his troop, coaches, teachers and parents for their support and encouragement that has helped him succeed.

Mr. Speaker. It is with great privilege that I recognize Michael Schopp today before Congress. I applaud him for his success and extend best wishes for all of his future endeavors. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Michael Schopp.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Nicholas K. Sloan for exhibiting tremendous courage while serving with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. During his tenure with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Officer Sloan's energy, commitment and dedication to his job made him an extraordinary benefit to the entire St. Louis community.

Officer Sloan knew at an early age that he wanted to become a police officer, just like his father. After graduating from the Police Academy, he honorably requested to be placed with the Eighth District so that he could make a difference in the inner city. Officer Sloan later earned a spot on the Eighth District Weed & Seed Unit which is a Department of Justice Initiative that assigns officers to help designated neighborhoods work on some of their worst problems, mainly centered on narcotics and firearm violations.

Quickly becoming ``streetwise'' and impressing his supervisors, he knew first hand who the ``players'' were in the community. He was instrumental in helping the unit compile a substantial amount of arrests and seizures. During his time, the unit was credited with 396 total arrests, recovering 123 firearms, seizing 31 vehicles and collecting $35,901 under Asset Forfeiture guidelines.

Mr. Speaker, Officer Sloan was just 24 years old when he was killed in the line of duty while proudly and heroically serving the St. Louis community. His immense contribution to reducing crime in St. Louis, his bravery and his kindness will never be forgotten. It is with great privilege that I recognize Officer Nicholas K. Sloan today before Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Officer Gabriel Keithley for being extremely courageous and dedicated while serving with the. St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Officer Keithley's strong work ethic and commitment to his job make him an extraordinary benefit to the entire St. Louis community.

Officer Keithley fulfilled his life's ambition when he was hired by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department in 2001. After graduating from the Police Academy, Officer Keithley was placed with the Eighth District where he gained the reputation of being a hard working and devoted officer. His endeavors have not gone unnoticed by his colleagues; in January of 2003 they voted Gabriel Keithley Officer of the Month. His supervisors later recommended him to the Eighth District Weed & Seed Unit. This is a Department of Justice Initiative that assigns officers to help designated neighborhoods work on some of their worst problems, mainly centered on narcotics and firearm violations.

Officer Keithley has been an immense asset to the Weed & Seed Unit. He has been instrumental in helping the unit compile a substantial amount of arrests and seizures. During his time, the unit was credited with 396 total arrests, recovering 123 firearms, seizing 31 vehicles and collecting $35,901 under Asset Forfeiture guidelines.

Mr. Speaker, Officer Keithley recently exhibited exceptional bravery while in the line of fire. Having been critically wounded, he courageously fought back and forced an armed criminal to flee the scene. I am honored to recognize Officer Gabriel Keithley today before Congress.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to House Concurrent Resolution 393--the House Budget Committee's Federal budget.

This bill is nothing but fiscal illusion--it is unfair to the average American family and it is irresponsible public policy.

This budget proposal is designed to create record Federal deficits while decimating valuable domestic programs. Public education, transportation, veterans benefits, environmental protection and small business programs would all be drastically cut in order to increase defense spending and maintain tax breaks for a select wealthy few.

Unbelievably, this bill would gut the Social Security surplus in order to ensure that tax cuts for the wealthy are not jeopardized. Social Security is one of the most successful social programs any nation has ever established. It has provided a real and valuable safety net to millions of seniors and yet this budget would diminish it in order to advance a narrow agenda, an agenda that excludes our Nation's seniors, excludes our Nation's children, excludes our Nation's veterans, and offers very little to any citizen who is not part of a small powerful elite.

The House Budget Committee bill offers little for education over the next 5 years, providing $9.4 billion less than is authorized by No Child Left Behind, it also freezes funding for Pell grants, cuts funding for Perkins loans, and cuts vocational education by 25 percent.

And this budget guts $358 million for health programs in 2005, which is even less than the President requested. And given what we know about the true cost of last year's Medicare Prescription Drug sham bill, it is hard to believe that this budget proposal offers nothing to help seniors with their prescription drug costs while providing $46 billion in special payments to HMOs.

Mr. Chairman, under the former administration the budget was balanced for the first time in a generation. Now the current administration has squandered that legacy, our $5.6 trillion surplus is gone and now this budget bill will help achieve a $3 trillion deficit.

Mr. Chairman, I support the Congressional Black Caucus Alternative Budget. This legislative proposal would invest in America's future without undermining fiscal stability. This budget plan will improve domestic programs that serve American families; it will increase funding for homeland security, environmental protection, rail transportation, health care and health research. It will also increase funding for veterans benefits and for educational programs including Head Start, No Child Left Behind, Safe and Drug Free schools, Perkins loans, Pell grants and job training, vocational education and adult education.

The Congressional Black Caucus raises revenues by rescinding tax cuts for those earning over $200,000 in gross income, it also plugs tax loopholes and eliminates tax avoidance schemes that feed the coffers of the rich and prevent us from paying down the Federal deficit.

Mr. Chairman, I support the CBC alternative budget as it is a fiscally sound budget that makes a real investment in our Nation's future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Floyd Irons for being inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Irons has served 30 years as Vashon High School's basketball coach and is currently the Principal. In addition to being an extraordinary motivator to the players, he has been a mentor to the students and a role-model for the St. Louis community.

Irons graduated from Vashon in 1966. After graduating from Langston University, Irons returned to his alma mater in 1971 to teach Social Studies and coach varsity basketball. He was later named Assistant Principal and took pride in helping many students obtain scholarship information and funding sources for college.

During his 30 years at Vashon High School, Irons has coached his varsity teams to 20 Final Four tournaments and 10 State titles. This year, Irons coached his team through the first undefeated season in Vashon High School's history. In 2003, The National Sporting Magazine named Irons its Coach of the Year and with an overall impressive 791 wins, Irons has the third best record of all of Missouri's high school coaches.

Over the years, Irons has watched the school's facilities catch up with the capabilities of its students. Undaunted by any of the limitations that he faces as Principal of an urban school, Irons continues to exhibit innovation, incredible energy and unyielding commitment to keeping Vashon as a staple in the community. He has dedicated himself to the students at Vashon and its mission.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great privilege that I recognize Floyd Irons today before Congress. He is well-deserved of our respect, and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Floyd Irons.