Marion Berry

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 420, I am unable to be present for voting as I will be attending to official business in my congressional district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Judge Frank Arnold. Judge Arnold has served as county judge in Sharp County, Arkansas and will retire this year after two decades. Judge Arnold is a unique individual who I have had the opportunity to get to know over the last 10 years. He is a wonderful man who would give you the shirt off his back if you asked him to. Judge Arnold is one of those pillars of the community that works hard every day, plays by the rules and does whatever is necessary to make the community successful. He has been a loyal friend and support of me and is a true politician's politician. Judge Arnold has also been a tireless advocate of seniors, education, children, and industrial development in Arkansas. When you come to the Sharp County line, the roads are wider and smoother, the people are happier and life is better because of Frank Arnold. Judge Arnold is one of those people who never goes back on his word. He has many loyal followers in Sharp County and I know he will be missed as a wonderful public servant. On September 19, Judge Arnold will be joined by family, friends, and community members in honoring him and thanking him for the many contributions he has made to the community and I am sure will continue to make. Judge Arnold, I wish you the best. I am proud to call you my friend.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of my good friend and neighbor, Robert ``Wort'' Reed, who passed away recently. Wort lived in my hometown of Gillett and was the perfect example of a good neighbor and friend. He was a hard worker who never failed to pitch in when a friend or neighbor needed him. Wort was always ready to do his part for the community, school, church, or profession. He had a great sense of fairness and honesty. He was one of those rare people who took care of his own business and only wanted enough. He came from a family that lived the values we talk about every day on the House floor. If the measure of a great man is the children he leaves behind, then he is by all measures great. Let us today pay tribute to a friend, role model, community leader, and Christian whose standard we should all follow. Wort will be remembered and missed by all of his friends and family in Gillett, AR.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Wilbur Wallace, a great friend and an even better hunter and fisherman on his 90th birthday. His friendship with my family dates to before my time. Mr. Wallace has devoted his life to the outdoors. He has always claimed to be a farmer but most of us see that as little more than an excuse to be outdoors and spend more time pursing his twin passions of hunting and fishing. He has been instrumental in teaching generations of young people about hunting and fishing. His skills with a gun are as legendary as they are with a rod and reel. In addition to his technique, his ability to locate highly productive areas to succeed in these pursuits is almost instinctive. I may be the only public official that he receives with good humor, for he has a low tolerance for too much government interference, an attitude shared with most of the residents of the First Congressional District. He has been a regular at the Rice Paddy Motel Coffee Shop for breakfast for all the years I have spent in my hometown of Gillett, from where he will happily chastise me to the breakfast crowd if he believes that I am not performing up to the appropriate standards. Wilbur is a man's man, a great friend, a better hunter and fisherman, and the kind of individual that makes the heritage and culture of the First Congressional District so special. Happy Birthday Wilbur.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. I also rise in support of America's hard working farmers. The farmers in Arkansas are facing a crisis. Troubles are coming at them from all directions. In our State we have drought, flooding, disease, low prices and no traditional safety net. Then we add in unfair competition, and they are at the end of their rope. I come here today to ask my colleagues to join me to help them through this, and all America's farmers. House Concurrent Resolution 213 sends a message to the Europeans that we believe that huge export subsidies and restrictive trade barriers are unfair and should be ended. The American farmer is having to compete with the combined treasuries of the European Union. It is unwise to pump billions of dollars into inefficient farm practices to create produce which is inexpensive enough to compete in the international marketplace. This is what the European Union does. Two big problems this creates are, it keeps their farmers from developing better farm practices, and it makes it impossible for our farmers to have a fair opportunity to sell their goods internationally. America exports 30 percent of its farm products despite the tough competition created by the subsidized European produce. Two years ago we changed our farm programs to make trade the safety net for America's farmers. The farmers in America are the most efficient in the world. Only if they have open access to foreign markets will trade be an adequate replacement for our old farm programs. Normal trade relations, fast track and IMF, all of these should be done, and also the stabilization of the Asian economies, and they are all imperative to the U.S. farmer. So is leveling the playing field so our highly efficient farmers can succeed. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and support fair trade.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, in its current form, I am.

Mr. BERRY. Yes, Mr. Speaker, in its current form.

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, my motion to recommit is the same as the last motion, but deals solely with the definition of ``medical necessity.'' The motion to recommit will allow the doctor to determine what care is medically necessary. The doctor, not the insurance company, not a Federal bureaucrat, not a state bureaucrat, but the doctor, the person who went to medical school for many years to learn how to take care of you, would make that decision. The motion to recommit would make sure that the health care that they receive from their managed care company is consistent with good medical practice, not accounting profit principles. The motion to recommit will make sure that the decisions insurance companies are making regarding what it is or is not to be provided are supported by credible medical evidence. The motion to recommit puts medical care where it belongs, in the hands of doctors, not in the hands of Republican special interest friends.

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, my motion makes the following two important changes: It strikes the Medical Savings Account provision from the Republican bill, saving billions of dollars a year. The money saved in the MSA will be used to accelerate the health insurance deduction for the self-employed. This helps small businessmen by increasing the deduction for expenditures on health insurance to 60 percent in the next 3 years, 70 percent in the year 2002, and 100 percent thereafter. The current deduction is 45 percent and will not increase to 100 percent until the year 2006. It amends the Republican bill by putting the decision of ``medical necessity'' back in the hands of doctors. The new language allows for the doctor and the patient, not the insurance companies, to determine the proper care and treatment for the patient. It also makes sure the care they receive is consistent with good medical practice, not insurance profits. The Republican version leaves this decision up to the insurance companies. The Republican bill would create a system where the insurance company would win every time. The deck is stacked against the patients before they even get in to see their doctor. The bill would allow insurers to develop their own definitions and methods for determining medical necessity, which would make it virtually impossible for enrollees to challenge the plan's decision. A plan could define medical necessity to essentially be nothing more than the care defined under whatever treatment guidelines and utilization protocols the plan adopts, even if the guidelines and protocols are not backed up by any clinical evidence or good professional practice. Plans would always win under this scenario. The Republican bill would allow insurers to overturn physicians' treatment decisions on the basis of completely arbitrary standards that are not based on any credible medical evidence. I do not think that that is the kind of care that we want for our families, our children, our parents or our friends. But that is just what this Republican bill would allow. I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell).

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit.

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4250 and in support of the Dingell-Ganske bill. The Republican bill is bad for small business, bad for America, and it is shameful. It is a fiscally- irresponsible sham that does nothing to address the real concerns of employers, employees and real people. This legislation creates a new Federal Commission of Insurance at the Department of Labor, a Department that my Republican colleagues tried to do away with just 2 years ago. It authorizes the hiring of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of new employees at a new Federal Commission of Insurance. What will this new Federal Commission do? Absolutely nothing. Because its powers are so limited by the Republican bill that its ability to remedy health plan wrongdoing is almost nil. How much will this new Republican Federal Insurance Commission cost? No one knows, because we still have not seen a CBO score. Let us see. A multimillion dollar new Federal bureaucracy, thousands of new employees with nothing to enforce, all at the American taxpayers' expense, release of medical records. Your competitors in business, your opponents in politics will have access to your medical records. Protection of insurance company profits, abuse of patients, no access to emergency care or specialists. My Republican colleagues should be ashamed. Have my colleagues read this bill? My colleagues will be shocked. I urge my colleagues to vote down this irresponsible proposal. Vote for the Dingell-Ganske substitute. This Republican proposal is a useless drain on our Treasury and a threat to our balanced budget.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Matsui) for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support trade with China. It is absolutely essential for America's farmers. We can face the challenges with trade that China represents, or we can turn our back and face the consequences: lost markets for American farmers and the possibility of food shortages in China. China cannot produce enough food. They have 25 percent of the world's population, 7 percent of the world's arable land. In 1997, U.S. ag sales to China totaled $4 billion. Huge trade surplus in agriculture, almost 250 percent in our favor. One of our largest wheat importers. China is increasing its food imports. Normal trade relations with China is absolutely critical to continued market access. As the China economy improves, more value-added goods will be bought by China. China will have to play fair to enter the World Trade Organization. China must show improved access for U.S. ag products to enter the World Trade Organization. Revoking normal trade relations will derail this progress. Engagement results in improvements. We want a peaceful, prosperous China. A billion hungry Chinese does not lead to a stable democracy. The U.S. is well positioned to help feed their people while maintaining positive relations. Turning our back on China today would be a huge mistake. We must recognize we are in a global economy. Human rights is a great concern. But just recently in my home State of Arkansas we found that the governor had ignored torture and abuse of children in our State in juvenile detention centers. That is a terrible thing. None of us approve of that. But we did not stop trading with the State of Arkansas because that happened. We must continue an effort to have constructive engagement. I urge a ``no'' vote on H.J. Res. 121.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a wonderful man. The kind of man that made this country the great nation it is today. I honor L.T. Simes, II as he should be honored. Judge Simes is one of those pillars of the community that, works hard every day, plays by the rules and does whatever is necessary to make this community successful. Judge Simes is the first African-American to serve as Chairman of the Arkansas Soil and Water Commission. He is also owner of the first African-American owned and operated radio station in eastern Arkansas. Judge Simes is also the first African American Circuit Judge from Phillips County, Arkansas. It is his tireless work for the community and the fifteen years he has spent with the radio station encouraging young people, for which we take time today to say thank you. We all hope that his example of high standards and good conduct will be followed by the generations to come. His sense of fairness and honesty is exceeded only by his great, good humor. Let us today pay tribute to a friend, role model, community leader, father, and Christian whose standard we should all follow.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a courageous man. As an officer of the Helena Police Department, Capt. Richard Wyssbrod went to work each day to protect the people of Helena, Arkansas. On Tuesday, June 30, Capt. Wyssbrod was responding to a 911 call from a victim of domestic abuse when he was shot and killed. Capt. Wyssbrod would have celebrated his 12th year with the Helena Police Department on July 1. He began his career with the Marvell Police Department where he served four years before being hired at Helena. He is being remembered as a model police officer by his peers-- an honest man who enforced the law with a firm, yet fair, hand. Capt. Wyssbrod worked to establish neighborhood and community watch programs in Helena. He was actively involved in youth programs, speaking to children about the dangers of illegal drugs. Capt. Wyssbrod will forever be remembered as a law enforcement veteran, but it is fitting that he also be remembered for the life he led when he was off-duty. Capt. Wyssbrod was a loving father and devoted grandfather. He was a kind man who was a friend to an entire town. Capt. Wyssbrod is the first police officer to be killed in the line of duty in Helena. His name will soon be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial here in Washington, D.C., but it is important that we remember our fallen police officers not as names on a wall, but for the lives they led as human beings. As an inscription on the wall states, ``It is not how these men died that made them heroes. It is how they lived.'' Mr. Speaker, with those words in mind, I ask that we remember Capt. Richard Wyssbrod not only as a police officer from Helena, Arkansas, but as one of America's heroes.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, on June 17, I was speaking before a group of Arkansas students and missed roll call vote No. 237. If I had been here, I would have voted ``present.''

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, recently I introduced legislation to create a commission that will report to the Congress on the problem of rising prescription drug prices. The commission will do much needed research into how we can change public policy to ensure the affordability of prescription drugs. Prescription drugs are the highest out-of-pocket expenses for three out of four elderly patients. Recent price increases for generic pharmaceuticals have been as severe as 4,000 percent. One thousand tablets of Chlorapropamide, a medication that is necessary to sustain life for diabetics, has gone from $19.45 to $306.66 this year. All other segments of the health care industry have contributed greatly to bringing down health care costs. Since 1980, the cost of pharmaceuticals have risen over 2\1/2\ times the rate of inflation. Everyone is affected by these increases through insurance costs, government reimbursements, not just the uninsured. Considering the Federal Government's and taxpayers' rather large public investment in the pharmaceutical industry through the form of tax incentives, tax write-offs, and grants, some discipline in making responsible pricing decisions should be expected. The industry had over $6 billion in annual deductions for promotional activity before the FDA recently decided to relax direct marketing restrictions. This commission will lay a foundation on which to build policy that keeps prescription drugs reasonably priced. The commission will look into why American consumers are paying much more than those in other countries, why increases are out of line with inflation of other goods. It is time for the Congress to act responsibly and ensure that corporate greed does not get in the way of our seniors having affordable health care. This legislation is fair and evenhanded, and something our senior citizens and the public deserve. I encourage Members to support this bill.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Chairman, it is with great regret that I rise today to oppose the Republican budget resolution and the Democratic substitute. Unfortunately, both of these proposals stray from last year's historic balanced budget agreement, and neither of them does enough to reduce our national debt and ensure Social Security's solvency. The Republican proposal is fiscally irresponsible and economically unfeasible. Rather than following the guidelines of last year's Balanced Budget Agreement, as did the Senate budget resolution, the House Republicans have chosen to cut discretionary funding to such programs as veterans health, long-term care for the elderly, and anti- crime initiatives by over $45 billion. These cuts, according to Senate Republicans including Budget Committee Chairman Domenici, are unwise and would devastate many important programs for our nation's senior citizens. These cuts, according to Senate Republicans, could derail the budget process. Some--Republicans and Democrats--suggest that they could lead to another government shutdown. Furthermore, the House Republican budget does not preserve the projected surplus for Social Security. Instead, it actually changes budget rules to allow the surplus to be spent on new programs, including tax cuts. Given our nation's $5.3 billion in debt (as of May 31, 1998), not allowing the surplus to be spent on paying off our debt is harmful to our economy and to our taxpayers. The Democratic budget alternative, while it is much more fiscally prudent and sensible, still does not do enough to fit the guidelines of last year's Balanced Budget Agreement. In my view, its new spending should be devoted to deficit reduction. The one budget proposal that would have met all these objectives--the Blue Dog budget proposal--was not allowed to be considered on the House Floor. Due to concerns that this budget resolution might garner enough votes to defeat other proposals, the House Committee on Rules would not allow this legislation to be brought to the floor. Mr. Speaker, the Blue Dog Budget Resolution would have been good for this Congress, and good for all Americans. I am proud to support it, and disappointed that the will of Congress was not heard on this important issue. Outlined below are the specifics of the Blue Dog budget resolution: general provisions Saves 100% of the projected unified budget surplus ($24 billion in FY 99 and $225 billion over five years) for Social Security, and recommends that the unified budget surplus be reserved to fund the costs of Social Security reform legislation. Reaffirms the principle that budget discipline should be maintained until the budget is balanced without relying on the annual surplus in the Social Security trust fund to mask an on-budget deficit. Maintains discretionary spending at the levels included in the bipartisan budget agreement. Provides increases in functions for education, veterans, health care, research and other functions that were designated as priority functions in the bipartisan budget agreement. Allows for consideration of tax cuts if they are offset with mandatory spending cuts or increases in other revenues. Does not change budget rules to allow tax cuts to be offset by reductions in discretionary spending. Identifies mandatory offsets that were not included in the transportation conference report that Congress could use to fund new mandatory investments or deficit reduction. Incorporates the changes in spending from the TEA-21 Conference Report and conference report on S. 1150, the Agriculture Research, Extension and Education Conference Report, as estimated by CBO, in order to provide a credible budget blueprint that reflects the realities of Congressional action. Does not reopen Medicare, Medicaid, federal retirement and other mandatory programs for additional reductions. Does not count on revenues from tobacco legislation that many not materialize, but preserves the flexibility of Congress to consider tobacco legislation that provides funding for programs related to the tobacco settlement. social security The Blue Dog budget saves 100% of the unified budget surplus for Social Security. The resolution contains a strong statement that Congress and the President should strive to truly balance the budget, without using the surplus from the Social Security Trust Fund. The resolution also states that Congress should use any accumulated or projected unified budget surplus to pay for the transition costs of Social Security reform. Tax Cuts The Senate Budget Resolution contained a tax cut reserve which would allow--but not require--Congress to enact additional mandatory savings and/or revenue increases for the purpose of tax cuts. The Blue Dog alternative would clarify that Congress could also use additional savings for debt reduction. Mandatory Investments Reserve The Senate budget resolution included a transportation spending reserve that identified a variety of spending cuts that could be used to pay for increased spending on highways and mass transit. The highway conference report used most of the offsets identified in the Senate resolution, but there were a few offsets identified in the Senate resolution that were not used in the highway conference. The Blue Dog alternative would change the transportation spending reserve into a mandatory spending reserve that would allow--but not require--Congress to use the unused offsets that Senator Domenici identified for transportation (approximately $3.5 billion) for new mandatory investments. As with the tax cut reserve, the alternative would not spell out which, if any, initiatives Congress should fund with this reserve. The Senate Budget Resolution, with which we concur, identified the following area as key investments: child care, children's health education and research. Budgetary impact of the Transportation and Agriculture Research Conference Agreements The Blue Dog resolution incorporates the changes in spending from the TEA-21 Conference Report and conference report on S. 1150, the Agriculture Research, Extension and Education Conference Report, as estimated by CBO. The Blue Dog substitute does not endorse or reject the spending levels of the transportation bill, but incorporates the costs of legislation already enacted by Congress into the budget resolution in order to provide a credible budget blueprint. Likewise, including the budgetary impact of the agriculture research conference report is not an endorsement of the specific policies therein, but simply reflects the budgetary impact of the anticipated passage of that bill by increasing the allocation to Function 350, Agriculture and reducing the allocation for Function 600, Income Security to that would result from the enactment of S. 1150. Discretionary budget priorities The discretionary allocations in the substitute are virtually identical to the Senate-passed resolution, with slight modifications within the discretionary spending limits established by the budget agreement. In response to the cut in spending for Veterans benefits in the TEA-21 conference report, the Blue Dog substitute increases the allocation for spending on discretionary programs in function 700, Veterans Benefits and Compensation, to allow spending on veterans health care to keep up with inflation. The Blue Dog resolution also contains higher discretionary spending in Medicare than the Senate- passed resolution by eliminating proposed fees on hospitals that are in the Senate resolution and has higher funding for discretionary programs in function 350, Agriculture and Rural Development. These increases in discretionary allocations are offset by reducing the allocations for function 250, Science, Space and Technology and function 300, Natural Resources and the Environment below the allocations in the Senate-passed resolution. The Senate-passed resolution increased discretionary spending in both of these functions substantially above the allocations in the Balanced Budget Agreement; even with the reductions the Blue Dog substitute still provides more funding in these functions than the budget agreement. Tobacco reserve The Blue Dog substitute modifies the tobacco revenue reserve from the Domenici resolution to allow for consideration of tobacco legislation that used revenues from a tobacco settlement to fund programs related to the tobacco settlement. The Blue Dog resolution would not make any assumptions about the passage of tobacco legislation. The resolution would simply include language establish a reserve fund that would allow the budget allocations to be adjusted if Congress considers deficit neutral tobacco legislation that uses the revenues from the tobacco settlement to extend the solvency of the Medicare trust fund and address tobacco-related issues, such as providing assistance for tobacco farmers and communities, creating smoking cessation and prevention programs, curbing teenage smoking, assisting States with the costs of treating tobacco-related illnesses, providing health care for veterans with tobacco related illnesses and funding federal medical research. Medicare The Blue Dog substitute includes a Sense of Congress provision encouraging the Ways and Means Committee to consider budget-neutral Medicare provisions that would address regional disparities in Medicare reimbursements and to examine the concerns of the home health care and hospital industries regarding implementation of Medicare policies. CPI Accuracy The Blue Dog resolution does not include any proposals regarding CPI, but would contain a Sense of Congress provision encouraging BLS to continue to improve the accuracy of the CPI, particular with regard the remaining upper-level substitution bias. Mr. Speaker, the Blue Dog proposal I have outlined today would have been the sensible middle ground in the budget debate. The legislation had bipartisan support--and its passage would have put an end to the partisan rhetoric and demagoging that we have heard on this issue today. The American people want a budget--they do not want endless arguments and political posturing. The Blue Dog budget would have provided Congress with a reasonable compromise. It is indeed unfortunate that the Republican majority did not allow its consideration today.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor four great Americans. Gene Caplinger, Ralph Carter, Bobby G. Mills and Rayburn Smith are veterans of World War II and have been members of the American Legion post in Harrisburg, Arkansas, for 50 years. As members of the American Legion, these men have been tremendous supporters of the community. The contributions they have made to future generations are immeasurable. Arkansas Boys State, the American Legion baseball program, and countless scholarship funds have flourished in Harrisburg due to the leadership of these four individuals. Our nation is fortunate to have been represented in times of trial by men of character like Gene Caplinger, Ralph Carter, Bobby G. Mills, and Rayburn Smith. When their tours of duty ended, these men chose to return home and serve their hometown as they had served their country. Mr. Speaker, the people of Harrisburg could have asked for nothing more.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great man. Roger Shepherd was a person who was proud of his community and envisioned great things for the future. As a school teacher, he touched the lives of children and helped to shape future generations. As Mayor of Harrisburg, Arkansas, he touched an entire city. In serving from 1975 to 1976, Mayor Shepherd produced an impressive list of accomplishments, He worked continually to bring grants into the city to help Harrisburg reach its full potential. Mayor Shepherd was responsible for the creation of a city park in Harrisburg. He was mayor when our nation celebrated its 200th birthday and directed the successful Harrisburg Bicentennial Celebration. The city of Harrisburg will remember Mayor Shepherd through an upcoming city festival being held in his honor. The festival will serve as a testament to him and the contributions he made to his hometown. It is selfless people like Roger Shepherd that make the world a better place.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a wonderful couple, Roulette and Jessie Wolfe. Roulette and Jessie are the classic example of people that work hard, play by the rules, and achieve great success. They were the kind of people that made you always feel that you were welcome and that they were always happy they saw you. Through hard work, thrift, and fair dealings they achieved financial and personal success. They were always ready to do their part for the community. It made no difference if it was for the school, town, people in need, or the church they were always there to do their part. They provided a Christian witness by great example. They treated their fellow man with respect and dignity. Roulette was a self-taught engineer and farmer of great skill. His buildings were always sound and pleasing to the eye. His crops were always the same way. Their life cannot be described without the mention of Jessie's skills as a fisherman. She was a sport fisherman of great ability and was highly respected in a community of people that contains many skilled in this area. They gave marriage the image that is was intended to have and were clearly devoted to their family and church. It remains difficult to have church without them in their customary place on the front row of Gillett Methodist Church. They accepted their lot philosophically and moved on to the next task. Their life was what Thomas Jefferson had in mind when he envisioned the agrarian society. They were the kind of people that made America the great Nation it is today.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a terrific young man. Many of you may recognize the name Cortez Kennedy. Cortez is a star defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League. Aside from being an accomplished athlete and six-time Pro Bowl player, Cortez is an admirable human being who has not forgotten his beginnings. Cortez grew up in Mississippi County in the First Congressional District of Arkansas. He went to school and played football in Wilson, Arkansas. Each summer, Cortez returns to Rivercrest High School in Wilson to host a football clinic for the youngsters in his hometown. The stars that turn out each year to help Cortez teach the children are a testament to the relationship he has with his peers. Widely-known football players like Derek Thomas, Russell Maryland, and Rick Mirer, and coaches like Barry Switzer have all traveled to Wilson at Cortez's request. On April 18, I was honored to attend a ceremony in Wilson to witness the renaming of Main Street to Cortez Kennedy Avenue. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Cortez for all he has done for Wilson and Mississippi County. He is truly a superb young man.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Hubert ``Duder'' Duderstadt. Duder was a child immigrant from Germany. He came to this country with almost nothing and was a classic example of the success immigrants represent to this nation and what they have added to the culture we all enjoy today. Duder was an example of what hard work and clean living will do. Married to the same woman, Alberta, for 56 years, raising three successful children and achieving ownership of his own farm were measures of such success. He clearly fulfilled the Will Rogers comment ``I never met a man I didn't like,'' and it was always a pleasure to run into Duder. He was an accomplished farmer and wine maker and greatly appreciated by the community. Always ready to do his part for the community, civic club, school, church, or profession, he never failed to pitch in. He demonstrated by example what it means to be a Christian, good citizen, successful farmer, husband, and father. He will be remembered, as we say in Gillett, Arkansas, as ``a good man.''

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a wonderful man, Mr. Wilfred ``Red'' Reed. Red was the perfect example of a good neighbor and friend. He was the kind of man that was always there when there was a need and was never concerned with drawing attention to his good deeds or claiming credit. If children needed transportation to a school event or money for necessities, he was the first to make a donation. He had a habit of leaving ripe tomatoes on your door step with no note attached--he simply had more than he needed and wanted to share with others. It made no difference to him who needed assistance--the church, school, community, friends, or neighbors--he was there. He never had anything but good to say about anyone or anything. If he ever had a negative thought, he kept it to himself. He brought civility to any conversation or discussion that he was involved in and set a standard for good citizenship that will endure through generations. Beloved and admired, Red will be missed by the community he lived in and served over these many years. Of Red, the ultimate compliment can be given: he will be missed because he was a good man, and the world is a better place because he was here.