Marion Berry

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise here today on behalf,of Congressmen John Boozman, Mike Ross, Vic Snyder, and myself, to pay tribute to one of my good friends, Mike Freeze of England, Arkansas, who has served the last seven years on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. We are grateful to have such a leader in Arkansas committed to improving conservation and recreation across our state. Freeze was appointed to the Commission for a seven year term on July 1, 1999, serving the last year as Chairman. He has brought a wealth of experience to the position, serving as the Commission's first former employee to return as Chairman, the Commission's first fish farmer, and the first ever member from Lonoke County. Freeze operates Keo Fish Farms, is the previous owner of Arkansas Aquatics Inc., and was the state fisheries research coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission from 1978-1983. Freeze graduated from Little Rock Hall High School in 1971, received a bachelor's degree in fisheries and wildlife management from Arkansas Tech University at Russellville in 1975, and a master's degree in biology from Murray State University in Kentucky in 1977. He has served many leadership roles over the years including President of the National Aquaculture Association, the American Fish Farmers Federation, the Striped Bass Growers Association, and State Chapter President of the American Fisheries Society. It has been my pleasure and privilege to work with Mike Freeze for many years. I hope my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives will join the Arkansas delegation in thanking Mike for his service and wishing him the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts, and I rise to support the DeLauro amendment. It is a sad day in America when someone comes to this House floor to tell us that we have to depend on companies that renounce their American citizenship to save a few tax dollars to get quality products, workmanship, or services. We had a great debate a few months ago about allowing a foreign company to take over six of our ports. We almost universally agreed that was a bad idea. It doesn't make any difference, and those companies hadn't renounced their U.S. citizenship, they were foreign companies; I didn't think it was a good idea and I don't know anybody else who did, but I am sure there are those who did. At least the President thought it was. But why would we think it was a good idea to turn over the Federal business, the business of the American people that is paid for by their tax dollars, to companies that say I don't want to pay my fair share; I want to go to Bermuda or Panama or the Cayman Islands and I am going to pull these little slick tricks, and I am basically not going to pay my fair share, but I want all of the benefits of being an American and all of the benefits of being an American company. I want to get those American tax dollars so that my company can profit even more and pay even less of its fair share. That is what this is all about. I know a really good attorney. He has got a dog named Loophole. That is what this business is about. We have already covered this. It was covered all right, it was covered with a nice big fat loophole that made it possible for companies that have renounced their American citizenship just so they didn't have to pay their fair share and could still come in and rake in the tax dollars in a way that is most unfair to our own companies. It gives these foreign companies an advantage over U.S. companies. This is just simply not right. You don't have to be all broke out in brilliance to figure this out. It is time that this House acted. We have done it before, and it is time that we do it again. It is time we start giving people that value their American citizenship as good a deal as it is possible to give them. I would urge support of this amendment.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the town of Marshall in Searcy County, Arkansas, which will celebrate its 150th anniversary this year. This is a significant milestone for the community and for all who helped shape the town's history. Marshall was established in 1856, after Native Americans roamed the land for centuries. The Osage tribe used the land for hunting and gathering in the 18th century and then sold their claim to the United States government. Nine years later, the government set aside the land as a reservation for the Cherokee Indians. By the mid-1800's, the Cherokees traveled west and Littleton Baker, J.W. Gray, and Jack Marshall were appointed to select a site for the new county seat of Searcy County. They originally named this location Burrowsville in honor of N.B. Burrow, a local citizen, but 11 years later changed the name to Marshall in honor of the former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall. The town was eventually incorporated on January 13, 1884. Marshall played an important role during the War Between the States, becoming a hub of activity for both Confederate and Northern forces after Arkansas seceded from the Union on May 6, 1861. Both Confederate and Union companies organized in the area, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Pea Ridge, Pine Bluff, and Devil's Backbone. The town worked hard to recover and rebuild in the decades following the war. Marshall established its first school district, constructed the Marshall Academy in 1888, and built a new courthouse in 1889. Agriculture production dominated the economy in Searcy County, with cotton and corn ranking as the primary agricultural products. The community even established the Mountain Wave newspaper in 1890 which continues to inform residents on the latest local and national news. The town enjoyed great prosperity during these early years. The Marshall Bank was established in 1901 and the town's first telephone system was constructed in 1902. The town's first flour mill came around the turn of the century, quickly followed by its first stave mill in 1909. The community built a new school building known as ``Old Main'' in 1910 and completed the first all-weather road between Marshall and Harriet in 1916. Although the first few decades of the 20th century were a time of growth for Marshall, the combination of World War I, the Great Depression, and serious flooding led to difficult times for the community's residents. The population began to decline and those living off the land struggled to maintain a decent livelihood. Fortunately, many of Searcy County's residents joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, CCC, and the National Youth Administration, NYA, where they could earn a decent wage. One of the NYA's projects was to construct a gymnasium in Marshall in 1936. Marshall and its surrounding communities pulled together during these challenging times, emerging stronger than before. Families in Marshall made victory gardens during WWII, saved tin cans for reprocessing, and even purchased war bonds. Farmers also began to clear land for cattle production and timber harvesting. These two industries now contribute heavily to Marshall's local economy. Marshall has always been a town of citizens who pull together during tough times to improve its schools, help businesses grow, and attract new development to the region. The town now boasts a population of 1,313 citizens and is home to the Ozark National Forest and the Buffalo National River. Known for its beauty, tourists visit the mountainous region year-round to participate in a variety of popular recreational activities. On June 3, 2006, friends and residents of Marshall will gather to celebrate 150 years of history. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Marshall, Arkansas on this significant milestone. We send our appreciation to the town's citizens for years of hard work and dedication to their community, and wish Marshall many more years as a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my hometown of Gillett, Arkansas, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year. This is a significant milestone for our community and for all those who shaped our town's history. Gillett was incorporated in 1906, several decades after the first settlers migrated there from Fulton County, Illinois, in 1881. These early settlers purchased land; built modest homes; farmed crops of oats, corn and cotton; and developed orchards; and raised cattle. They worked hard to establish a town, building the first school and the first church in 1886, the first store in 1888, and lobbying for the completion of the railroad from Stuttgart, Arkansas, to the new town in 1892. The name Gillett first appeared in 1892 after community leaders designated the town's first U.S. post office in honor of Francis M. Gillett, president of the railroad company. The name stuck, and by November 21, 1906, the County Court of Arkansas County approved a petition to incorporate the town of Gillett. The town was busy in those early years, establishing the Bank of Gillett, constructing the first sidewalks, building a modern two-story high school on Champion Avenue, and dedicating the first flagpole in honor of the men from Gillett serving in World War I. By the early 1920s, Gillett recorded its highest population ever of 1,175 citizens. Gillett hit difficult times, however, in the late 1920s when the flood of 1927 and the Great Depression came. Residents lost their homes and farms, the local bank closed its doors, and businesses went bankrupt. It was not until the 1930s when jobs started to reappear as sawmills, stave mills, and handle factories relocated to our city. Gillett sent many men into World War II in the 1940s. Some were captured as prisoners of war in the Pacific. Others lost their life fighting for their country. While the town prayed for its war heroes, community leaders continued working to improve the economic conditions in Gillett. In 1946, all the one-room schools in the area moved to Gillett District 66, and the town held its first Coon Supper to raise money for local school and youth activities. This event evolved over the years into one of Arkansas' most popular political events and now receives national and worldwide attention. The town continued to grow during the 1950s and 1960s, with Gillett High School attaining North Central Accreditation, the construction of the Arkansas River Navigation Project, integration of the schools, and the establishment of the Planters and Merchants Bank of Gillett. Farmers and businesses continued to turn a profit, and by the 1970s area farmers reported all-time highs for commodities. Farms were paid off, new machinery purchased, and new homes constructed. The town itself also underwent a number of improvements thanks to the Federal Revenue Sharing period. A new city hall was constructed, and street improvements were made. A library was built, water and sewer improvements received attention, and many beautification projects took place. Despite the booming times of the 1960s and 1970s, the depressed farm economy of the 1980s and 1990s proved to be a challenging time for our citizens. Many businesses closed, and construction of new homes came to a halt. Population figures declined from the highs of the 1920s and 1960s, and the schools continued to lose enrollment. This declining enrollment posed a serious threat during the 1980s, when a consolidation proposal almost cost the town its schools. It was during this time, in 1996, when the citizens of Gillett helped elect me to represent Arkansas's 1st Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. As a resident of Gillett, Arkansas, I am honored to serve my friends in Congress and have spent the past decade working to restore prosperity to the region. We continue to fight for our farmers who struggle with high fuel and fertilizer costs, and we are working to diversify our energy supply so places like Gillett can benefit from new opportunities. Gillett has always been a town of citizens who pull together during tough times to improve our schools, help our businesses grow, and attract new development to the region. On May 27, 2006, our community will gather to celebrate 100 years as a corporate community. We will hold a parade down Main Street, reflect on our history, and place a time capsule in front of city hall to preserve our story for generations to come. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating my hometown of Gillett, Arkansas, on this significant milestone. We send our appreciation to the town's citizens for years of hard work and dedication to their community and wish Gillett many more years as a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Virginia. Mr. Chairman, the only justification for a farm program is to ensure adequate production and processing capacity for our own security. Now, it has been talked about here today about how terrible the sugar program is. The fact is every country does this. To unilaterally disarm our producers makes absolutely no sense in the world trade scheme, and we simply cannot be allowed to be led down this path. At the point when the rest of the world is willing to give up their subsidies and play on a level playing field, our producers can be just as successful as they are, if not more so. But until that time comes, and it is not likely to show up in my lifetime, we have to ensure adequate production and processing for the American people.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to the Bayou Meto United Methodist Church in DeWitt, Arkansas, where my parents were married, my family and I have attended for more than fifty years, and my brother Mark and his family are members. This month marks our church's 25th anniversary, a significant milestone for the congregation and the entire community. The Bayou Meto United Methodist Church was organized in 1881 as the Mt. Zion Methodist Episcopal Church South. The original 13 charter members chose the southwest corner of the Bayou Meto Cemetery to build a small wooden sanctuary of sawed boards. The sanctuary only had six windows, four of which were made of glass shipped by boat from St. Louis to Crockett's Bluff and hauled by ox wagon to the church site. The original building was heated by a wood stove and furnished with handmade pews and oil lamps. The Bayou Meto United Methodist Church played a prominent role in the community during this time, serving as the local school until residents could build a school house elsewhere. The first minister, Reverend C.T. Thompson, traveled on horseback from Goldman once a month to preach two services. By 1915, the church community was anxious to expand. Mrs. Joe Webster donated one acre of land to the church and local residents moved the original building to a new location using horses and ropes. Just four years later, the congregation sold the church building as a private resident and built a new structure to accommodate the growing congregation. The original building still stands about 1,500 feet from its first location. The new sanctuary included a bell tower and bell donated by a prominent Jewish merchant of DeWitt, Mr. T.M. Loeb. Although our community constructed Sunday school rooms, a pastor's study, and replaced the original church pews, the sanctuary is almost identical to the one constructed in 1919. The Reverend C.H. Andrews became the church's first resident minister in 1939. During his tenure, the church constructed a parsonage, and a new education building. The church's current minister, Reverend Jackie Gregory, now occupies the parsonage and is the minister for both Bayou Meto and Lodge Corner Churches. The congregation continues to worship in the sanctuary, and the community frequently holds weddings, funerals, reunions, and meetings in both the sanctuary and education building. The congregation has grown smaller over time as residents leave for larger towns, in search of job opportunities, schools, or greater convenience. As Lucinda Ax Jacobs wrote in her history of the Bayou Meto Cemetery, ``Our Bayou Meto community was settled by former soldiers, both Union and Confederate, glad to find peace and a place they could build homes, raise families, and make an honest living for themselves.'' This phrase remains true for those of us who see this community as their home, and intend to remain to raise our families and earn an honest living. The Bayou Meto United Methodist Church has a long history, marked by the community's strong commitment to service. Every single building on the church property was constructed by the men in this community through hours upon hours of hard work and sacrifice. This spirit is unique to our church, and will guide the members in our congregation for years to come. On May 28, 2006, our community will gather to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Bayou Meto United Methodist Church. I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing this community on this important day in history, and to send our best wishes for a memorable service of homecoming and remembrance.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would ask that everyone remember our men and women in uniform and keep them in your hearts and minds and certainly in your prayers, especially those on the battlefield today. Today, the Republican Congress is going to attempt to extend the culture of corruption and chaos. They are going to offer a so-called lobbying reform bill. It makes me think of that wonderful American, Merle Haggard, who wrote a song called ``Rainbow Stew.'' It goes something like this: When a President goes through the White House door and does what he says he'll do, we'll all be drinking that free Bubble- Up and eating that rainbow stew. This bill is clearly rainbow stew. It is a phony lobbying reform bill. America deserves better. America deserves integrity. America deserves honor. And they certainly don't deserve another dose of rainbow stew and free Bubble-Up.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to celebrate the grand opening of Lonoke County Safe Haven, Inc., an organization that provides critical resources to victims of domestic violence. This center will give women and their children a place to turn during difficult times and is a valuable addition to our community. Lonoke County Safe Haven, Inc. was founded in March 2005 after J.M. Park read an article about a domestic violence victim. The article inspired Park and others to create a program where domestic violence victims can access vital recovery services. The organization began to help victims in September 2005, providing services such as a helpline, court advocacy, information on county, state, and federal resources, and recommendations for local shelters. Today's grand opening is a significant step for Lonoke County Safe Haven, Inc. and a great milestone for our community. The new center, directed by Teresa Sims, will give battered women and their children throughout Lonoke County a place to seek assistance from dangerous living conditions. The center will provide services from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with hopes of one day expanding into a shelter of its own. The organization is already recognized by the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence for its work to strengthen the support system for battered women and their children. On April 17, 2006, our community will gather to celebrate the grand opening of the Lonoke County Safe Haven, Inc. I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our appreciation for this center and for all of the individuals committed to making Lonoke County a safer place for women and children.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to Johnny Rye, Sr., of Poinsett County, Arkansas, a great friend, and someone who has made countless contributions to his community. Johnny was born into a sharecropping family on September 2, 1924, in Smithville, Mississippi but moved to Arkansas just 8 years later. After finishing school, Johnny started his own grocery business in the Black Oak Community. He has operated that grocery for more than 50 years, making it the oldest grocery business in all of Poinsett County. In addition to being a great businessman, Johnny is an active member of his community. He is known for his generosity to many local charities, and has been a member of the Marked Tree Church of God since 1946. He has also taken the time to get involved in civic activities, serving as a delegate to the Democratic State Convention and helping Bill Clinton win Poinsett County in his 1982 race for Governor. Johnny Rye and his wife, Maxine Branch Rye, have two sons, Johnny Rye, Jr., the Assessor of Poinsett County, and Randy Rye who works for the family business. They also have one granddaughter, Robin Rye who is studying to be a nursing major at the University of Central Arkansas. I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me today in recognizing Johnny Rye, Sr. for his significant contributions to eastern Arkansas. He is a great friend, a great businessman, and a great American.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to Lovis Clarisa Howell Downing of Hoxie, AR, a fine businesswoman, a friend, a devoted family member, and someone who spent her entire life trying to make others happy. Lovis was born in Imboden on September 12, 1912. She grew up during World War I and the Great Depression, accepted a job as a school teacher, and eventually became the longtime owner of the Flower Basket in Walnut Ridge, AR, until she retired at the age of 79. Lovis also helped her father-in-law, Terrell Henry Downing, run the Downing's Ice Cream Parlor and Grocery from the mid 1930s until the 1950s. In addition to being a hard worker, Lovis was an active member of the Hoxie Methodist Church and the Hoxie Hooking Club. She was known for her service to the community, and was a frequent volunteer in church and civic activities. Lovis and her husband Brooks Downing have one son, Terrell Henry Downing, II, of Hoxie, and two daughters, Dr. Suzanne Gibbard and Dr. Frances Hunter of Jonesboro. They also have nine grandchildren, Kyle Downing of Fayetteville, Amy West of Jonesboro, Jason Willett of Jonesboro, Felicia Willett of Memphis, Mike Deloache and Scott Hunter, Jr., of Jonesboro, Lisa Melton of Houston, TX, Kelley Pillizzi of Libertyville, IL, and David Gibbard of Memphis, and six great grandchildren. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Lovis Clarisa Howell for 93 years of achievement and contributions to her community. She opened her home to so many during her life, and will be remembered as a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, and a fine American.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to one of my great friends, Dr. Glen Fenter, President of Mid-South Community College, and the vision behind the economic renaissance converging in Arkansas' Delta. Glen is a true leader, who has accomplished more over the past decade than most will accomplish in a lifetime. As a graduate of Hendrix College with an Ed.D. from the University of Arkansas, Glen is committed to bringing educational opportunities to some of Arkansas' poorest counties. A former principal of West Memphis High School, Glen accepted the challenge in 1992 to establish a new community college in Crittenden County. After securing local funding, and working with architects and board members to develop a master plan for $40 million of renovations, construction, and equipment, Glen led MidSouth Community College toward accreditation in 1998. Glen's vision has not only enhanced the quality of education in Arkansas' Delta, but made a considerable impact on the surrounding business community. Since Glen accepted the position of President at Mid-South Community College, automobile companies have begun to notice the great possibilities in the region. They watched Glen secure millions of dollars for workforce training programs at the college, and they are excited at the possibility of working with highly skilled graduates prepared for careers in the automobile industry. Thanks to the tireless commitment of Glen and his staff at Mid-South Community College, the Arkansas Delta has transformed into a place full of economic opportunity. I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in thanking Glen for his selfless work on behalf of all the residents in our community. We are fortunate to have such a strong leader, a true friend, and a great American working to improve the quality of life in Arkansas.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to Cone Magie of Cabot, Arkansas, a great journalist and businessman who devoted his entire life to public service. As an owner of five newspapers, Magi provided reliable and trustworthy news to Central Arkansas for more than 50 years. Magi's love of the newspaper business began as a young boy when he delivered papers for the Arkansas Gazette. He went on to serve as editor of the England High School newspaper, published a newsletter during his service in World War II, and upon leaving the service, studied journalism at the University of Arkansas. Magi took his first reporting job at the Madison County Record and eventually traveled to Washington, DC where he published a newsletter for the Arkansas and Iowa Farm Bureaus. After mastering reporting, Magi bought the Cabot Star-Herald in 1955 and eventually added four other newspapers to his company, Magie Enterprises, Inc. His other newspapers include the Carlisle Independent, the Lonoke Democrat, the Sherwood Voice, and the Jacksonville Patriot. Magi served as president of the Arkansas Press Association in 1967 and frequently testified before the Arkansas Legislature on issues impacting the media. Magi and his wife, Betty, were inducted into the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville's Walter J. Lemke Department of Journalism Hall of Honor in 2005 for their significant contributions to Arkansas' newspaper industry. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Cone Magie for a lifetime of achievement in journalism. His work informed thousands of citizens on local and international issues and inspired an active citizenry in central Arkansas. He will be remembered by many as a devoted businessman, a friend, and a great American.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to one of my good friends, Mr. Doug Sims, a great leader in agriculture and the cooperative movement in America. Doug will retire from his post as Chief Executive Officer of CoBank this June after serving farmers, ranchers, farm cooperatives and rural communities for nearly 37 years. This will mark the end of a very successful career, and a very successful period in CoBank's history. I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Doug Sims for many years. As a farmer and a farm cooperative member, I know CoBank has always been there for the cooperatives that serve farmers and the rural communities in which they live. I have worked with Doug on a variety of important issues during my time in Federal office, both in the Executive branch, and now in Congress. Like others who have had the pleasure to work with Doug, I always found these efforts to be collaborative, professional efforts at building consensus to benefit cooperatives, rural communities, and the farm families that depend on them for their livelihoods and quality of life. Doug has steered CoBank through a long list of challenges since joining CoBank in 1988 as president and chief operating officer. Doug's success came from a long history of experience in the Farm Credit System, beginning as a credit analyst for the St. Louis Bank for Cooperatives in 1969. From this humble post, Doug rose to be president and chief operating officer of the Farm Credit Bank of St. Louis. While serving at the Farm Credit Bank of St. Louis, Doug acted as a key advocate for farmers, cooperatives, and the Farm Credit System, working with Congress and the Administration on critical legislation to protect the system from the agricultural economic and credit crises of the late 1980s. That far-reaching legislation paved the way for the modernization of the Farm Credit System, which has allowed the System to prosper and grow into the nation's largest single lender to agriculture and rural America, with over $135 billion in assets. Doug guided CoBank to new heights during his tenure with the company. Under his watch, CoBank nearly tripled its assets to $34 billion and enhanced its services to agricultural cooperatives, rural electric cooperatives, rural telecommunications companies, and agricultural exporters. When the financial services' competitive landscape became increasingly challenging, Doug successfully oversaw mergers, opened overseas offices, and nurtured CoBank into a highly respected financial services company domestically and internationally. Doug's service extends beyond CoBank's interests. He has served as Chairman of many other important organizations, including the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation, the Graduate Institute of Cooperative Leadership at the University of Missouri, and Lutheran Family Services of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, these are all impressive achievements for an individual who began his education studying agriculture at the University of Illinois. But beyond all of these important accomplishments, what I admire most about Doug is his humble and inclusive leadership style. He is truly a leader who encourages teamwork, seeks to build consensus, bestows credit on those around him, and is not afraid to take responsibility when a leader is needed. I believe it is Doug's integrity that has made him a sought after participant and speaker for organizations ranging from the World Economic Forum in Geneva, Switzerland to the FarmHouse Foundation in Kansas City, Missouri. While I am confident CoBank and the Farm Credit System will miss Doug's daily contributions, his leadership has established a strong foundation that will help these institutions continue to successfully support agriculture and rural America. It has been my pleasure and privilege to know and work with Doug Sims for many years. I know that many of my colleagues will join me in wishing Doug and his wife Nancy many years of happiness, new challenges, and contributions in the years ahead.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, the distinguished gentlewoman from Illinois said it just like it is. Our senior citizens deserve better. We can provide better drug coverage, better health care for our seniors in this country and save money at the same time. It defies logic that we would not take this opportunity to see that the wonderful generation that built this great Nation, they went through the Great Depression, they fought World War II, and then in their senior years to be treated like this only because we had a Congress willing to serve the pharmaceutical industry and allow them to rob our seniors and the rest of the American people, for that matter, and the insurance industry. This is an opportunity to right a great wrong. It is an opportunity to correct and fix the sorriest, most disgusting piece of legislation ever passed by the United States Congress; and I would ask that this at least be allowed to come to a vote.

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, we have a crisis in this country and it needs to be dealt with on this bill. This amendment would provide for a real Medicare prescription drug benefit and save the Nation's taxpayers a minimum of $40 billion a year in the process. It would provide for continuous open enrollment for all of 2006 and lay any late enrollment penalties until 2007. Currently, if a beneficiary misses the May 15, 2006 deadline, they will not have the ability to enroll again until November 15 of 2006. This means they will automatically be subjected to a 7 percent minimum penalty for the rest of their lives. This amendment would allow beneficiaries the option of changing plans once in 2006 if they have made a poor choice, and there is no possible way that they could have known it was a poor choice when they made it. It would create a drug plan administered and run by Medicare. It would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate for drug prices on behalf of the American people of our seniors that are enrolled in the plan, and they are the greatest generation. They built the greatest Nation in the history of the world and they deserve better than what they are getting. This would not do away with any of the existing plans. It would just provide a much better option. It would provide lower prices and it would provide these prices that at no cost to the government. Our rural pharmacies are going broke because of this crazy Medicare part D bill that we have forced on our seniors and on our pharmacists. It is unfair. It is absolutely overpowering to know that our own government did this to good people. This amendment will fix that. And our seniors are still not getting the medicine that they need and deserve to stay alive, stay healthy and have a decent lifestyle. Once again by independent sources it has been verified that this amendment, if only half the eligible people signed up, it would save the taxpayers $40 billion. If all of them were part of this plan, it would save $100 billion a year, and they would still get their medicine cheaper than what they are paying for it right now. It only makes sense that we do this for the greatest generation and for those wonderful seniors that thought they were going to get treated a whole lot better by their own government. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Chairman, do I have any time left?

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. Point of Order

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to share an incredible story written by Timothy Scott Adams in memory of his father Harold Keith Adams. This story of love and service captures the powerful meaning behind our country's greatest symbol--the American flag. My Father's Flag My life changed dramatically on the morning of February 11, 2005, when my roommate woke me around 5:30 a.m. He said the ship had called, and I should go into work. They had some important news to tell me, so I unwillingly rolled out of bed and stumbled to the sink. I still felt the side effects from the night before. I had gone out with some friends of mine the night before, and it had been a late one. As I began to get ready I knew something had to be wrong. Why else would the ship call me in so early? The only thought I had racing through my mind was that something bad had happened at home: somebody was hurt. I remember walking up to the ship with my stomach in knots fighting the anxiety overdose my body was going through. I had no idea what to expect. The Quarterdeck Watch told me to go see the Command Master Chief; he had something he needed to talk to me about. I remember thinking to myself this can't be a good sign having to come into work at 5:30 in the morning to see the CMC. I was unconsciously traveling on a long road to disappointment. He sat me down and told me that the ship received a message that my father had passed away, and he didn't have any details. I crumbled: ``No, this can't be true. Things were supposed to be better! He had come so far.'' The world around me had suddenly frozen. I felt like I had fallen off the face of the Earth. I was all alone. My heart was locked in a dark chamber of pain and grief, yet I had no key: no answer. The next thing I knew I was on an 8-hour plane ride home, with my emotions running fiercely out of control. My thoughts were full of anger and disgust. I kept asking myself ``Why? Why now? Hasn't there been enough pain?'' I felt alone not knowing what to expect when I saw my family. All I wanted to do was try and sleep to hide my pathetic appearance from the relentless curiosity of the public. The plane touched down in Dallas with a three-hour layover. The first thought that crossed my mind was to drown my emotions and fears with my good buddy, Jim Beam. I took a deep breath and came up for air. I knew that's not what I needed right then. I forced some food down at one of those typically priced airport cafes and waited to board the plane. My chariot of disappointment was approaching ready to guide me to the land of reality. I had no other options but to face the facts. The airplane took off from Dallas with one more stop: home. The flight was only about an hour and a half long. It felt like an eternity with the lack of sleep and emotional stress I had put my body through in the last 24 hours. When I saw the Mississippi River laid out like a big slithering python surrounded by mosquito infested cotton fields, I knew I was home. The first thought I had was of a country music song, ``Walking in Memphis.'' How ironic. I was touching down in the land of the delta blues in the middle of the pouring rain. It's like they say, ``When it rains it pours.'' I came down the 2 mile long escalator and saw my wife and children waiting for me along with my childhood best friend. It felt as if the emotional monkey had been knocked off my back. I wasn't going to have to play this hell of a hand I'd been dealt alone: ``Maybe they could help me find that key?'' The ride home was a good one. It relieved some of the tension momentarily. We talked about how we've all been, what's been going on in our lives, and not the fact that my father had just lost his life. It may sound as if we were a little selfish, but it was a healthy way for us to escape the nasty reality of what's to come. My father had died and I didn't want to believe it. The morning of the funeral came and I felt as if I had been the one who had died. The weather painted a perfect picture to set the stage for the gloomy nightmare I was about to face. The rain poured down profusely without any hope of letting up and the wind blew an evil chill upon my face. I felt the power of God upon my face, and I knew faith was all I needed to help carry me through this. I hoped, I thought, and I asked: ``Is this my key: faith?'' I had decided to wear my dress blues to the funeral. My dad was in the Navy for 8 years, so I knew that he would appreciate it. I felt it was my duty to honor him. He had always told me how proud he was of me for joining the service. He was the type of guy who thought every young man should do a little time for this country. I polished my shoes and pressed my uniform better than I ever had before for any inspection. Everybody told me he would have been proud. I thought to myself, ``He is proud.'' The whole family met at my grandparents' house so we could ride to the funeral home together. I nervously got into the limo with my brother and sisters still dreading the reality of the situation we were facing. The ride to the service provoked an inebriated sense of loneliness except for the vague sniffles and whimpers I heard from my younger sisters. The reality of the horrifying situation we were facing was inevitable. When the limo pulled into the parking lot of the funeral home, my entire body was paralyzed with fear. The cars of the people paying their respects were lined up for days. The thought of having to walk into that place of death with all the mourners in there was terrifying. I just sucked it up and told myself to be strong for my younger siblings. I tried to tell myself to be faithful: ``Faith! That could be your key, Scott. Remember it can carry you through anything.'' My wife and I walked through the enormous wooden double doors and into one of the most beautiful, yet horrifying scenes I had ever experienced. Every step I took felt as if time had stopped, and my heart had skipped a beat. I hoped this memory wouldn't haunt me forever. That's when I first saw it, the Stars and Stripes. A piece of colored fabric that serves as a symbol of victory, submission, pride, loyalty, and even hope. The flag that I work to defend every day: the American flag, our flag, and my father's flag. It was draped over his coffin like a protective shield carrying him home, away from all his mortal pain. My throat had begun to itch and lumped up; it ached with pain. My knees began to feel weak and sweat dripped from my hands. I felt my wife's hand squeeze mine and with a comforting whisper she said, ``It's going to be alright.'' I sat down and felt a great deal of relief after the thousand-mile walk I had just made in 30 seconds of hell. The preacher told stories of how great of a man my father was and how he had enjoyed the fishing trips they had made together in the past. It brought back memories of the same trips that I had enjoyed with both of them, things I had forgotten, and memories from my childhood that I had put away and buried. Things that are sometimes taken for granted, and you don't miss until they are gone. I felt guilty for forgetting the times my father took out of his life to teach me what I needed to know to become a man. Although the service was short it did everything it was supposed to do. Families shouldn't have to sit through a long public grieving. On the way to the cemetery, I thought about how proud my father would have been of the American flag he had been honored with. I wanted to do something special for my grandmother. At the graveside before the coffin was lowered my father's best friend, an old navy buddy, and I folded the flag ceremonially and presented it to my grandmother, in turn, the most honorable experience of my life. Later that afternoon I found out the flag had a history. It was flown over the Nation's Capitol on October 15, 2004, at the request of the Honorable Marion Berry. Then the flag was presented to the Adams' Estate in honor of my grandfather. My grandfather thought it would be nice to have it draped over the coffin at the funeral, my dad being a veteran and all. Later, my grandmother told me to keep the flag. At that very moment I knew that the flag's journey wasn't over. Four months later and thousands of miles away from Arkansas on the 3rd of June, 2005 USS RUSSELL DDG 59 steamed out of Pearl Harbor Naval Base with a new ensign flying high. With the help of a couple of my loyal shipmates we had made the tribute to the old sailor possible. We flew the ensign over 3,500 nautical miles across the mighty Pacific Ocean en route to San Diego where it was brought down on the 14th of June, the day the flag was officially adopted by the United States of America back in 1777. It was no coincidence the flag had been saved to be flown from my homeport, Pearl Harbor, to the former sailor's homeport, San Diego. The flag was torn, tattered, and covered in salt just the way my dad would have wanted it. The material or size of a flag has nothing to do with the importance of it. The importance lies in what the flag symbolizes. It has been said that patriots express their love of a country by hoisting their flag in honor. On June 3rd, I hoisted our flag in honor of my father, fair winds and following seas old man.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to one of my great friends, Mr. Jerry Bookout of Jonesboro, who is one of Arkansas' greatest public servants. With more than 40 years of work in the Arkansas General Assembly, Bookout has pioneered countless reforms in education, retirement, and especially health care. As a military veteran, elected official, and community volunteer, Bookout has devoted his entire life to public service. He worked to elevate Arkansas State College to university status, strengthened the State's retirement system, and established the first doctoral and physical therapy programs at Arkansas State University. Although Bookout has championed many issues during his lifetime, he has worked particularly hard to improve the quality of health care in Arkansas. From chair of the American Cancer Society, to a leader in Arkansas' General Assembly, Bookout has shaped health policy for many years. His achievements earned him several distinguished positions as chair of the Senate Public Health/Senate Health Services Committee, the Senate Health Insurance and Prescription Drugs Committee, and vice- chair of the Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee. Bookout and his wife, the former Loretta Langford, have one son, Paul, who serves in the Arkansas House of Representatives and a daughter, Jill Rogers. He and his wife also have three grandchildren, Morgan and P.J. Bookout and Rachel Rogers. On February 25, 2006, our community will gather at the American Cancer Society's 1st Annual Daffodil Ball to honor Jerry Bookout for his remarkable contributions to health care in Arkansas. I ask my colleagues in Congress to join me in congratulating him on this occasion and thanking him for over half a century of dedicated service, as a great friend, and a great American.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise here today to commemorate a remarkable man, Mr. Freddie Bryant, on ninety years of endurance, patience, and strength of character. His selfless acts have touched so many, especially his twelve children, who thrived under his guidance and cherish the wonderful memories of growing up in Freddie's home. Freddie has been a hard worker his entire life. He took on family responsibilities at the age of seven when his father moved to Hughes, Arkansas, and continues to plant a garden and raise livestock to this day. Although he only has a seventh grade education, he has an equivalent of a Ph.D. degree in agriculture, teaching, leadership, business, counseling, and theology. According to Freddie's family--he does it all. He continues to sow and reap his land where he built the house, barn, and pasture from trees he cut down himself. Freddie always has a way to make a situation work. He would walk for miles with his old horse Pearl and a cotton sack on his back to feed his twelve children. When his eldest child wanted to attend college, he took a job at the granary in Helena, Arkansas, until he could send every one of his kids to college. To this day, whenever he meets a stranger, he always says ``let me tell you about my children.'' His children remember his ambition and sacrifice with such admiration. They remember the smells of childhood that bring them back so fondly to the shack in Lexa, Arkansas. Many events happened in this home that helped them grow into notable members of society. Throughout it all, it was in the arms of a loving father that guided them in the right direction. Freddie Bryant has been married to the former Josephine Dunlap of Lexa, Arkansas, for 67 years. Josephine is a valiant woman, whose determination to raise her family goes unmatched. On March 11, 2006 the community will meet to honor and celebrate the 90th birthday of this simple yet great man who only refers to himself as ``Fanny's Boy.'' I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in wishing Freddie many more years of happiness, and thanking him for his service as a great father and great American.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to one of my father's great friends, Mr. George Dunklin, Sr., who is a true leader in Arkansas' agriculture community. With more than 60 years of work in the cottonseed oil and fertilizer industries, George Dunklin, Sr. is one of the state's most gifted businessmen. As the former President of the most successful cottonseed oil mill in the country, George Dunklin, Sr. knows how to run a successful business. From the day his father bought the Planters Cotton Oil mill in 1935, to his days as President of the cooperative, George Dunklin Sr. has worked hard to transform the cottonseed industry. He spent 66 years building a profitable enterprise, and left a lasting mark on MidSouth agriculture. Years of hard work earned George Dunklin Sr. distinguished positions as the President of the National Cottonseed Association in 1975, a member of the Cotton Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Agriculture, President of the Mississippi Valley Oilseed Processors Association, and recipient of the 1990 Harvey W. McGeorge Award for Distinguished Service to Agriculture. But George Dunklin, Sr.'s talents did not stop there. He was even elected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 for his accomplishments in tennis. George Dunklin has been married to the former Mary Elisabeth Black of DeWitt, Arkansas for 57 years and is the father of two children, Deborah Tipton of Memphis and George Dunklin, Jr. of DeWitt. He and his wife have five grandchildren, Megan Dunklin, Robert Tipton, Mary Tipton, Hillary Dunklin and Lauren Dunklin. On February 21, 2006, our community will meet in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to honor George Dunklin, Sr. for his remarkable contributions to Arkansas agriculture. I ask my colleagues in Congress to join me in congratulating him on this occasion and thanking him for over half a century of dedicated service, as a great friend, and a great American.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, on January 31, just one day before the start of Black History Month, we lost one of our Nation's most important civil rights pioneers--Coretta Scott King. Black History Month is an appropriate opportunity to mourn her death, celebrate her extraordinary life, and reflect on the extraordinary partnership of Mrs. King and her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Although Dr. King was the heart and face of the civil rights movement, Mrs. King was its backbone. She marched alongside her husband in Selma to demand voting rights for African Americans. She marched with him again in Washington to demand a Federal law protecting the civil rights of all Americans. And she marched with her husband in Memphis one day before he was killed, to provide relief for the sanitation workers facing entrenched discrimination. After Dr. King's murder in 1968, Coretta Scott King fought with enormous grace and determination to keep her husband's legacy alive. She founded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change to further his dream of racial equality, and fought tirelessly to establish a national holiday to honor her late husband. Although it took her 15 years to accomplish this goal, Congress finally enacted a law in 1983 designating the third Monday of January as Dr. Martin Luther King Day. Since her husband's death 38 years ago, Mrs. King continued her work as a civil rights activist, an advocate for women's rights, and a leader in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. She fought for the ideals that made this country great, and became the epitome of American strength and perseverance during a difficult struggle for civil rights. In the spirit of Coretta Scott King, let us rededicate ourselves to give all Americans the opportunity and justice they need to meet the challenges of today. Through perseverance and a deep belief in God and humanity, we can go a long way to achieving a more perfect America.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I think it is fitting and proper that we are here today to proceed with naming a post office in Jonesboro, Arkansas, for Senator Hattie Caraway. She obviously was the first to do a lot of things. She was the first woman ever elected to the United States Senate in her own right. She was the first woman to chair a Senate committee, the first woman to take up the gavel on the Senate floor. She was said to be called ``Silent Hattie'' by her colleagues in the Senate; and when asked why she avoided making speeches, and those of us that serve in this distinguished body I am sure can identify with this, she said, ``The men have left nothing unsaid.'' She might have gotten very tired sometimes of hearing it said over and over again, but she served with great distinction, not only the State of Arkansas but this wonderful Nation that we all represent, and broke the way for many people to do some good things. She also was said to drink a beer occasionally, but she would never fill the glass higher than what her hand reached. I guess to be sure that she did not have too much. I think that is an interesting fact that has been included in the information about Senator Caraway. She was a resident of Jonesboro, Arkansas, for nearly 50 years. She reared her family there, attended church, and actively participated in the Jonesboro community and civic organizations. Her husband, of course, was a United States Senator and was responsible for getting the post office set up on the Arkansas State University campus. The Caraways were great friends with V.C. Kays, the founding president of Arkansas State University. One year at Christmas, when Thad was dressed as Santa, Hattie supposedly jokingly locked him out of the party. She made history again recently by becoming the first Arkansasan to ever appear on a stamp. On February 21, 2001, in Little Rock, the 76 cent Hattie Caraway definitive stamp was unveiled, which was the third in the Distinguished Americans series. The new Hattie Caraway station will be an expansion of delivery services for the postal service in Jonesboro, Arkansas. It will be presided over by the postmaster, Hillrey Adams, who will do a wonderful job of expanding these services; and, again, it is fitting and proper that we name this station after Senator Hattie Caraway and congratulate her and those that have come after her for the wonderful job that she did.

Mr. BERRY

Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, as I do proceed, let me continue to tell you, if you cannot take it, go home. Do not do this to our children and grandchildren. You cannot take it, you are not man enough to pass these rules and pass these laws and build this dam on our children and grandchildren until they cannot carry it any longer. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore