Sanford Bishop

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I want to thank Chairman Miller of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Ranking Member Brown, and, of course, Chairman Dent, who chairs the Appropriations MILCON-VA Subcommittee, where I serve as ranking member. Today, this body is debating text within the highway bill to address the Department of Veterans Affairs' $3 billion budget shortfall for veterans' health care in FY 2015. Without this legislation, the VA could run out of money by September. Costs have exploded by more than 10 percent in the last year as a result of higher demand, while the budget increased by only 2.8 percent. Additionally, costs for treatments have increased. For example, due to the new lifesaving hepatitis C medicine costing as much as $1,000 for a single pill, the VA's $700 million FY 2015 budget for hepatitis C has already been exceeded with more than 2 months left in the fiscal year. This situation is a prime example of how the sequester caps imposed by the Budget Control Act and locked in by the Republican budget constrain our ability to deal with issues responsibly and in a timely manner. It is well past time that we come to the table to break the cycle of irresponsible funding levels that are shortchanging our veterans' health care. While the House-passed FY 2016 MILCON-VA Appropriations bill adds $970 million for VA medical care advance appropriations within the FY 2015 bill, the amount still remains $330 million below the VA request, most likely leading to another budget shortfall in FY 2016. Today's bill is only a Band-Aid, a temporary solution, because of budget caps. To be clear, if we continue to ignore the new reality of increased demand and higher costs, delivery of healthcare services to millions of currently enrolled veterans will be devastated for the foreseeable future.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. If Congress continues to function under these budgets caps, we will see more gaps in access, utilization, safety, and, ultimately, a lower standard of care. Even further, the caps limit Congress' options to create jobs, keep our communities safe, research lifesaving medical treatments, and give our children a better education. I urge Members to vote for this bill to ensure that veterans continue to receive the care which they have earned, but we cannot continue to govern in this fashion. Today, we must take the next step towards a more responsible budgeting process so we can eventually stop lurching from one crisis to the next. To do so, the budget caps must be directly addressed in order to properly invest in veterans' health care as well as advance other priorities assisting hard-working Americans.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Pratt & Whitney on their 90th anniversary. Back in my home state of Georgia, this American company has six major facilities, employing more than 2,000 Georgians. In my district in Middle and Southwest Georgia alone, Pratt & Whitney employs over 1,000 employees at their Engine Center in Columbus. I remember the tour I took of Pratt & Whitney's Columbus Engine Center to get a first-hand account of the plant's operation and how it impacts the local economy. From what I could see, Pratt & Whitney's employees truly take customer service to a new level. For almost 30 years, Pratt & Whitney has been a driving force for job creation in the Columbus community, and have become good corporate citizens. Mr. Speaker, I have said it before and I will say it again, Congress' first, second, and third priority must be job creation, as it is a crucial part to our continued economic recovery. For the past 90 years, Pratt & Whitney has also been focused on creating good jobs in Columbus and throughout the nation, and have succeeded through producing dependable engines and supporting great communities. I congratulate Pratt & Whitney on this auspicious occasion.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to pay tribute to a truly outstanding citizen of our community, Mr. James Allen McMullen, Sr. Mr. McMullen passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2015 at the age of 75 in his home in Columbus, Georgia. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2015 at Beallwood Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia. A Georgia man through and through, Mr. McMullen was born in Columbus, Georgia and after graduating from Jordan Vocational High School in Columbus in 1958, he attended Georgia Southwestern College, now Georgia Southwestern State University, in Americus, Georgia. Following his graduation from college, he joined the United States Army and served in Germany. Upon his return from Europe in 1961, Mr. McMullen began his career in funeral service, graduating from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in Dallas, Texas in 1964. He worked locally for many years and in 1987, he and his family established the McMullen Funeral Home in Columbus. For more than 50 years, Mr. McMullen served thousands of families in the Columbus area through the difficult time that follows the loss of a loved one. In order to provide the best service he could, Mr. McMullen was a member of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, the Georgia Funeral Directors Association, and the National Funeral Directors Association. Despite battling cancer for the last three years of his life, Mr. McMullen continued to work at the funeral home until a month before his passing. To him, this was not just his job, but an opportunity to serve others at a time when they need it the most. A member of the Beallwood Baptist Church and the Lions Club for over 40 years, Mr. McMullen proved himself a leader in the community as well as in the workplace. He was named Lion of the Year in 1973, District 18-E governor of Lions International in 1976, and Chairman of the Georgia Sight Conservation Committee. His leadership extended to serving on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Lions Eye Bank and what is now known as the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. He also served for more than 36 years as chairman for the educational trip to Washington sponsored by the Lions Club. This annual trip has carried more than 40,000 fifth- and sixth-graders to the nation's capital, demonstrating once more the grand impact Mr. McMullen had on countless lives. Dr. Maya Angelou once said, ``I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'' The people of Columbus will never forget how Mr. McMullen heartened the brokenhearted and consoled the inconsolable. We are once again confronted with the loss of a loved and respected leader in this community, but we are comforted by his great legacy of service, which will endure for years to come. Mr. McMullen achieved much in his life but none of this would have been possible without the love and support of his wife of 52 years, Cecille; his children, Allen and Lisa; and his cherished grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the Columbus community in honoring Mr. James A. McMullen, Sr. His leadership, wisdom, and skill aided thousands of people during the most difficult of times. Mr. McMullen was a truly outstanding individual and a blessing to the Columbus community. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time and we pray that they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend an outstanding citizen and respected community leader, Mr. Wane A. Hailes, President and Publisher of the Courier/Eco Latino, Columbus, Georgia's premier African-American and Latino newspaper. The Courier/ Eco Latino will be celebrating ten years of providing the Tri-City Area of Columbus, Georgia, Fort Benning, Georgia, and Phenix City, Alabama with positive, high quality information. In celebration of this special milestone, the Courier/Eco Latino will be hosting the 2015 Community Service Awards on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center in Columbus, Georgia. Wane A. Hailes was born in Richmond, Virginia and grew up in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; New Brunswick, New Jersey; Clifton Forge, Virginia; and Charlottesville, Virginia. In 1979, Wane graduated from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. He then served for fifteen years as Director of the YMCA in Missouri, Wisconsin, Florida, and North Carolina. In 1990, the Chattahoochee Valley gained a passionate and dedicated community leader when Wane A. Hailes arrived in Columbus, Georgia to serve as the CEO of the A.J. McClung YMCA. With thirty-one years of radio and newspaper experience in cumulative sales, marketing, and public relations, Wane became a driving force in the Columbus media. He worked for the minority-owned radio station, Davis Broadcasting Inc., as an on-air personality and sales consultant. He then worked at the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer as the Real Estate, Employment and Automotive Sales Consultant, before working at the minority-owned Columbus Times as Vice President of Advertising and Sales. In March 2005, Wane founded the Courier/Eco Latino, a bi-weekly publication with a circulation of 15,000 dedicated to acting as ``the voice of the people.'' It is published in English and Spanish and remains the only bilingual publication in the Tri-City area. Wane's goal in founding the Courier/Eco Latino was to provide his readers with real stories about the African-American and Latino experience in Columbus. He continued to tell those stories in his book, A View from a Pew, a thoughtful examination of African-American life and culture in the South. As well as receiving local recognition for his work, Wane received the prestigious Georgia Minority Small Business Champion Award and the Region IV Minority Small Business Champion Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration in 2007. Dr. Benjamin E. Mays often said: ``You make your living by what you get; you make your life by what you give.'' Not only has Wane established a legacy of multicultural journalism in Columbus, Georgia, but he has also done a tremendous job of giving back to the city, and I am very grateful for his tireless advocacy to make the community stronger. A man of great integrity, his efforts, his dedication, and his expertise in his field are unparalleled. There are not enough words to describe the impact that Wane A. Hailes has had on the African-American and Latino communities of Columbus. Not only does he care about each member of these communities, but he also works tirelessly to unite them through the Courier/Eco Latino newspaper. I am very grateful to Wane for his efforts to improve this diverse community. No hay suficientes palabras para describir el impacto que Wane A. Hailes ha tenido sobre las comunidades afroamericanas y latinas de Columbus. No solo le importa la vida de cada uno de los miembros de estas comunidades, pero trabaja incansablemente para unirlos a traves del periodico Courier/Eco Latino. Me siento muy agradecido a Wane por sus esfuerzos para mejorar esta comunidad diversa. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife, Vivian, and the more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District in honoring Mr. Wane A. Hailes and thanking him for his meaningful contributions to the Tri-City community.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding educator and respected community leader, Mr. Woodrow R. Packer, Sr. Mr. Packer departed to his eternal reward on Saturday, July 11, 2015. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2015 at St. Paul's Memorial Chapel in Lawrenceville, Virginia, where Mr. Packer's family will be surrounded by friends and loved ones paying their respects to a man who touched many lives, including my own. Mr. Packer was born in Wilcox County, Alabama, on March 11, 1919 as the eleventh of twelve children born to the late Hal and Lucy Packer. Over the course of his lifetime, Mr. Packer exemplified the meaning of servant leadership. In 1942, Mr. Packer left his family in Alabama to serve his country in World War II, spending time in North Africa and Italy. Following his service in the war, he was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1945. Throughout his life, Mr. Packer always demonstrated a passion for knowledge. He earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degree from Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama. He studied further at Carnegie-Mellon Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut; the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia; Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia; and the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. During his lifelong pursuit of knowledge, Mr. Packer strove to impart this knowledge upon his students. In 1948, he began his career as an educator at Choctaw County High School in Butler, Alabama. Mr. Packer later became principal of Blount High School in Anniston, Alabama and then of Chickasaw Terrace School in Prichard, Alabama. In 1964, Mr. Packer moved to Farmville, Virginia to teach at R.R. Moton High School, now a historic landmark of the Civil Rights Movement. Mr. Packer then went on to serve Saint Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia for 27 years, first as an instructor, then as a Dean, before retiring as Vice President for Student Affairs. His dedication to Saint Paul's College was evident in the number of students he recruited, many from his home state of Alabama, which led to his being deemed ``The Alabama Dean.'' After retiring from education in 1991, he continued to contribute to the community by helping numerous friends and neighbors in Brunswick County. Mr. Packer served in countless leadership roles with organizations such as the Alberta Family Health Service, Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, Lawrenceville Rotary Club, and the Lawrenceville Town Council. George Washington Carver once said, ``No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' We are all so blessed that Mr. Woodrow Packer passed this way and during his life's journey did so much for so many for so long. He leaves behind a great legacy in education to the thousands of students, teachers, and administrators whose lives he touched and brightened. On a personal note, Mr. Packer and his family were close personal friends of my family, as well as a role model and mentor to me. I have truly been blessed by his friendship, counsel and inspiration throughout the years. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and my wife, Vivian, in paying tribute to Mr. Woodrow R. Packer, Sr. for his dedication to educating young people, his passion for his country, and his deep commitment to his family and his community. We extend our deepest sympathies to Mr. Packer's family and friends during this very difficult time. May they be consoled and comforted by their abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend Colonel Scott B. Avery, Commander of Martin Army Community Hospital, for his distinguished service to the United States of America. Colonel Avery was instrumental in the partnership between the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Martin Army Community Hospital at Fort Benning, Georgia to greatly improve the healthcare services provided by the VA in the Columbus, Georgia area. On Tuesday, July 14, 2015, Colonel Avery relinquished Command of Martin Army Community Hospital to Colonel Marie A. Dominguez. Colonel Avery was commissioned as a Medical Service Corps Officer in the U.S. Army after graduating from the University of Washington in June 1988 with a baccalaureate degree in Political Science. After completing the Medical Service Corps Officer Basic Course in November 1988, Colonel Avery was stationed in Kirchgoens, Germany as a Medical Platoon Leader for 4th BN, 32nd Armor, and 3rd Armor Division. From there, he went on to hone his leadership skills as he successfully completed numerous command and staff assignments at Fort Irwin, California; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Ansbach, Germany; Wiesbaden, Germany; Joint Base Lewis- McChord, Washington; and Fort Benning, Georgia. In between his staff and command positions, Colonel Avery became a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot and a Master Navigator. He also completed numerous combat tours during his career. He deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina during Operation Joint Guard; to the Middle East in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm; to Kosovo twice in support Operation of Joint Guardian II; and to Iraq twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. The Second Congressional District of Georgia gained a respected and compassionate leader when Colonel Avery arrived in Ft. Benning, Georgia in June 2011 to serve as Commander of the Martin Army Community Hospital. In this capacity, Colonel Avery was instrumental in improving the lives and health of veterans in the Chattahoochee Valley. Colonel Avery's partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs resulted in the opening of a new 19,000-square foot Veterans Affairs Clinic at Fort Benning on July 6, 2015. The new VA clinic will improve access to health care for veterans, as well as its quality and cost effectiveness. The new clinic will offer a full complement of primary care providers with integrated mental health services which will serve more than 13,000 veterans and implement tele-health hubs to provide an additional 96 appointments per week. Colonel Avery is the epitome of the U.S. Army values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, and Personal Courage. The new clinic would not exist today without Colonel Avery's personal courage, selfless service, relentless desire, and tireless duty to improve the lives of those who have fought to protect our cherished liberties. His loyalty and respect to the current and former servicemen and servicewomen is commendable and should be emulated by leaders in the military and in Congress. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, the Chattahoochee Valley community, and the 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District in honoring Colonel Scott B. Avery for his contributions to the veterans of Southwest Georgia. We extend our best wishes to Colonel Avery and his family in his next assignment and throughout his career as he continues to be a champion for veterans.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, Secretary of State John Kerry and partners from the P5+1 will meet in Vienna today to continue negotiations with Iran on that nation's nuclear activity. Statements from Iranian leaders such as Ayatollah Khamenei that disparage the United States and Israel remind us of the vital role that Congress has in this process. We must remain vigilant. We must ensure that any agreement holds Iran to the highest standards of transparency and accountability. The opportunity for the United States to improve our relationship with Iran potentially could lead to greater stability in a region torn apart by war and religious strife. Nevertheless, we must not be naive. The prospect of peace and stability can be reached only if we are secure that Iran will not threaten its neighbors and the world with nuclear aggression. Secretary Kerry and his team of negotiators know the gravity of their work. I am confident that they want to see a good deal and will accept nothing less than an agreement that can withstand intense scrutiny. They cannot and should not be rushed into a deal. Nor should they cut corners as the deadline in presenting the details to Congress for a 30- day review approaches. A good deal means that the international community must be permitted to inspect Iranian military and research installations to ensure that no illicit enrichment takes place. Inspectors must have full and unfettered access to be able to determine whether nuclear infrastructure has been dismantled so that its breakout capacity will be measured in years, not weeks. In addition, Iran must adhere to all U.N. Security Council Resolutions that require detailed explanations of previous nuclear efforts. Until the U.S. Congress is assured that these measures have been implemented, sanctions must not be eased. The security of the U.S., Israel, and of our allies demands that we continue to apply pressure on the Ayatollah and his regime to ensure that they keep their word now and into the future.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Chair, during rollcall vote No. 405, I mistakenly voted ``yes'' when I should have voted ``no.''

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Chair, during rollcall vote No. 405 on H.R. 2822, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``yea'' when I should have voted ``nay.'' Amendment Offered by Mr. Beyer

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to extend my personal congratulations and best wishes to an exceptional business leader and outstanding citizen, Mr. Jim Tudor, on the occasion of his retirement as President of the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores. Mr. Tudor has spent the last 28 years of his life advancing the interests of small business owners and workers in Georgia. After spending nine years working for 7-Eleven, Mr. Tudor began working for the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores in 1987. As a representative of convenience stores across the state, Mr. Tudor worked tirelessly to promote a welcoming, inclusive, and world-class business atmosphere in hundreds of Georgia stores. His smile and humor were familiar to the hundreds of store workers he represented on a daily basis. Mr. Tudor's service to convenience store owners and workers earned distinction for its vigor and persistence. Along with receiving the Liberty Award from Brown & Williamson in 2000, Mr. Tudor is the recipient of various Pigeon Awards from the Pigeon Committee, a group of fellow lobbyists in Georgia. In 2012, his work to ensure the passage of Sunday alcohol sales in the state earned him the Golden Pigeon award, recognizing him as the state's most influential business advocate. Additionally, Mr. Tudor was named by James Magazine as one of the top ten lobbyist or trade organizations for three straight years from 2012-2014. A 1972 graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Mr. Tudor has dedicated his life to serving his community. His commitment to public service has persisted since his service in the U.S. Army as a young man. He has been extremely active in the Georgia Youth Assembly, the YMCA, and the Rotary Club of Covington. Always a mentor to those who worked and lived around him, Mr. Tudor possesses the rare quality of humble leadership. Mr. Tudor's Christian faith has always instilled within him a desire to positively shape the community in which he lives. As a leader in his church, he incorporates his faith into his commitment to public service regularly. After retirement, Mr. Tudor will enjoy spending time with his four children, James, Kelly, Bobby and Bill, and as ``Poppy'' to his five grandchildren. He plans to travel across the country with his wife, Sandra, in their retro-style 2015 Winnebago. Mr. Tudor has accomplished much in his life, but none of it would be possible without the love and support of the family he cherishes so dearly. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our sincerest appreciation and best wishes to Mr. Jim Tudor upon the occasion of his retirement from an outstanding career spanning nearly three decades with the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding community leader, devoted public servant, and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mr. Franklin Douglass. A funeral service to celebrate Frank's life will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia, where he had served as a deacon. Franklin Douglass was born in Belle Mona, Alabama on July 20, 1936, the third oldest of ten brothers and four sisters. The family made a living by tenant farming in rural Limestone County, Alabama. He enrolled in Tuskegee Institute, joined ROTC, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education, Health, and Recreation in 1956. Over the next 30 years, his pursuit of personal growth earned him graduate degrees in Personnel Management and Education Supervision and Administration. His passion for education was infectious, and as an educator Frank inspired thousands of students to seek knowledge and growth. Frank served our nation honorably as an officer in the United States Army from 1959 until 1964, when he was honorably discharged. He then accepted his first teaching post at Marshall Junior High School. After only a year of teaching, Frank was appointed acting principal of Marshall Junior High before becoming a Media Specialist for the Muscogee County School District. His career as an educator in the Columbus area took Frank to several schools and classrooms before his appointment as principal of William H. Spencer High School at the age of 40 in 1976. After a dozen years of serving as principal, Frank became Director of Muscogee County Student Services in 1988, a post he held until his retirement in 1990. Frank's passion for improving the conditions of those in the Columbus area extended beyond the classroom. As Commissioner and Vice Chairman of the Columbus Housing Authority, Frank fought for three decades to keep living conditions affordable for everyone in his community. An active member of Kiwanis Club, Social-Civic 25 Club, 837 Club, Phi Delta Kappa, and Omega Psi Phi, Frank utilized his smile and amiable humor to advance the interests of Columbus natives. Additionally, as a member of the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders and the Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, Frank built ties with educational leaders around the state of Georgia and the southeastern United States. Mr. Speaker, one of the things that I will always remember about Franklin Douglass is his steadfast commitment to his family, as well as his community. As father to Franklin Karl Douglass and grandfather to Temple Douglass, he was an inspiration to extended family and countless friends. Moreover, as a husband, there was no limit to his love of his wonderful wife of nearly 55 years, Merrian. A dear friend to me for more than thirty years, Frank was soft spoken, quiet, and thoughtful. He was one of the cooler heads in dealing with community issues and problems. His demeanor and intuitiveness helped him get things done. We are so blessed that Frank passed this way and did so much for so many for so long. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and my wife, Vivian, in paying tribute to Franklin Douglass for his servant leadership and his deep commitment to his family, his community, and his country. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Douglass family and friends during this very difficult time. May they be consoled and comforted by their abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of the Ratepayer Protection Act, and I want to commend Representative Ed Whitfield for his leadership on this important issue. We all agree that it is vital that we protect our environment today and for future generations. At the same time, though, we must ensure that we are acting within the law, as well as safeguarding American jobs and the economy. I have serious concerns that the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed clean power rule will be a vast and unprecedented regulatory overreach, resulting in high energy costs; loss of jobs; and a disruption in the states' ability to generate, transmit, distribute, and use electricity. As the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield) noted earlier, no less than the renowned Harvard Law School professor Laurence Tribe has testified that ``the EPA lacks the statutory and constitutional authority to adopt its plan.'' He described the proposed clean power plan as a ``power grab'' from the three branches of government. I am especially concerned, Mr. Chairman, about the impact that the EPA's proposed rule will have on Georgia ratepayers. The State of Georgia already has reduced CO2 emissions by 33 percent between 2005 and 2012 but will have no credit for these reductions. Under the proposed regulation, Georgia would be required to reduce emissions by an additional 44 percent, the sixth largest reduction of any State. Georgia also will receive no credit towards achieving EPA's mandated State goal for the two nuclear plants that are being constructed. Ratepayers in Georgia served by Georgia Power, MEAG, and the Electric Membership Corporation would face hundreds of dollars in higher energy bills, which would be especially devastating to rural households in the Second Congressional District, which I represent. I believe that this legislation takes a commonsense approach that the issue that allows for the completion of judicial review before States are required to comply with the clean power plan. In addition, the Ratepayer Protection Act provides for a safe harbor if a Governor determines that the proposed rule's implementation will have an adverse impact on ratepayers or on the reliability of this electrical system. I urge my colleagues to support this bill to ensure that ratepayers as well as our Nation's economy are protected from an overzealous EPA.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding spiritual leader and man of God, the Reverend Roosevelt Franklin. Sadly, Reverend Franklin passed away on Monday, June 15, 2015. His passing leaves a tremendous void in the hearts of his family, friends, and followers in Georgia and across the world. A funeral service was held in his honor on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. Reverend Roosevelt Delano Franklin Johnson was born on August 30, 1933 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to James and Cora Ponds Johnson. He attended Oxford School of Divinity in England. Reverend Franklin began his ministry in 1966, and for the past forty-nine years, he has been a willing vessel for the Lord. Known around the world as the ``Original Georgia Prophet,'' Rev. Franklin traveled the globe teaching people of all walks of life. He served as pastor of Free For All Baptist Church in Greenwood, South Carolina from 1951 until 1952, when he became a spiritual radio minister. He ministered at Spiritual Church in Aiken, South Carolina from 1962-1963. His journey then took him to Macon, Georgia, where he became President of United Council of Spiritual Ministers and Talent Coordinator and Promoter of numerous renowned spiritual singers. Always seeking to improve the craft of Christian ministry and discipleship, Rev. Franklin created the television program, ``The Prosperity Way of Living'' and the radio program, ``Echo of Prophecy,'' in the early 1960s. In 1966, Rev. Franklin founded the Holy Trinity House of God, which he pastored until his departure to his eternal reward. Rev. Franklin proudly served the craft of Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge. He was National Grand Orator for the National Grand Council of Nine. Rev. Franklin received numerous awards and recognitions for his accomplishments. A charismatic leader with an infectious spiritual zeal, Reverend Franklin had a way of ensuring that his listeners found their way to prosperity and happiness as they lived their lives in Christ. But beyond his radio ministry, Rev. Franklin made himself available to those who sought a relationship with Christ, and he would hold personal consultations with anyone who needed guidance and encouragement. He taught people to be positive, to search for knowledge, and overall, to be guided by the voice of God. Rev. Franklin was truly a man of integrity who exuded the genuine principles and values of Christian discipleship. On a personal note, I have truly been blessed by Rev. Franklin's sage counsel and enduring friendship over the many years I have known him. Dr. George Washington Carver once said, ``No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' We are so blessed that the Reverend Roosevelt Franklin passed this way and shared with us his legacy of service that will stand the test of time. Surely, the wealth of wisdom that Reverend Franklin has given to his listeners will forever resonate in their hearts and spirits. Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the more than 730,000 people in the Second Congressional District of Georgia, would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Rev. Franklin's family, friends, and followers during this difficult time. May we all be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend Isaiah Crowell, an outstanding football player and leader for the Cleveland Browns football team of the National Football League. Crowell will be hosting the Inaugural Isaiah Crowell Football Camp on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at the A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium in Columbus, Georgia. Isaiah Crowell was born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, where he attended Carver High School. In high school, Isaiah excelled in football, track, and basketball. Upon graduation, Isaiah was a highly recruited athlete by the University of Alabama and the University of Georgia. In 2011, during a nationally televised conference, Isaiah chose to attend the University of Georgia. During his freshman season at UGA, Isaiah lead the football team with 850 rushing yards and five touchdowns, which led to him being named the SEC Freshman of the Year by the Associated Press in 2011. For his sophomore season, he transferred to Alabama State University where he was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year, after rushing for 842 yards and 15 touchdowns. After two seasons, Isaiah finished fifth in Alabama State University's history in points scored (160) and sixth in rushing yards (1,963). In the 2014 National Football League draft, Isaiah signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent. As a rookie, he made an immediate impact scoring two touchdowns in the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished his rookie season with eight touchdowns and over 600 yards. Isaiah will enter the 2015 football season as the starting running back for the Cleveland Browns. But more than being a remarkable athlete, Isaiah has been incredibly active in the communities of Columbus, Georgia and Cleveland, Ohio and is dedicated to giving back to both communities. This weekend, Isaiah will be hosting a football camp that is part of the USA Football FUNdamentals program in partnership with NFL Play60. This program introduces children to football by teaching basic skills in a fun and energetic environment. Certified clinicians use a series of drills to show passing, catching, and running skills in a non- contact setting. The purpose of this camp is to ensure that children are learning and having fun while being active. Isaiah was selected to bring this program to Columbus, Georgia, through the NFL Foundation's player grant program. The Columbus community is proud that Isaiah plans on making this area a priority for his charitable efforts throughout his NFL career and beyond. Mr. Speaker, I have long said that in our area of Middle and Southwest Georgia, we have some of the best, the brightest, the most creative, and the most talented young people anywhere in the world. And Isaiah Crowell proves that beyond the shadow of a doubt! This young man is a true representation of what it means to triumph in the face of adversity. Throughout his personal struggles, Isaiah has shown what it means to preserve and chase his dreams. I support Isaiah in his NFL career and I am immensely proud of the spirit of philanthropy that Isaiah is bringing to his local community. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District in recognizing and commending Isaiah Crowell for his remarkable accomplishments as an athlete and for his generous heart and humble spirit as a philanthropist.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to extend my personal congratulations and best wishes to a great friend and outstanding public servant, Dr. Jacqueline H. Grant. Dr. Grant will be leaving her position as the District Health Director for the Southwest Georgia Health District, where she managed public health programs in fourteen counties for ten years. A reception will be held in her honor on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Dougherty County Health Department. Dr. Grant is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, but traveled far and wide to attain different educational experiences before returning to her home state. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from East Carolina University. She then received her medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine, a Master's in Public Health from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and a Master's in Public Administration from Harvard University. She completed her medical residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Emory University. Dr. Grant previously served as Medical Director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Missouri in Columbia. She also served on the faculty at Emory University and Morehouse School of Medicine prior to working full-time in the private sector from 1994- 1997. In 2005, Dr. Grant began serving as the top public health official in Southwest Georgia when she was named as District Health Director. Under her leadership, Southwest Georgia has seen incredible advancements in public health. The District has established an interactive worksite wellness program as well as the non-profit organization Friends of Southwest Georgia Public Health. Additionally, Dr. Grant has presided over district restructuring to improve efficiency and has provided valuable guidance during disease outbreaks and natural disasters. In 2009, Dr. Grant was instrumental in obtaining a March of Dimes grant to launch CenteringPregnancy, a support group for pregnant women that promotes positive outcomes throughout the gestational period and beyond. It is the first Public Health-administered CenteringPregnancy program in the state of Georgia as well as the first such program in the southern part of the state. The program was a great success and a second site aimed primarily at Hispanic women soon opened, while the first site continued to address the needs of primarily African-American women. A well-known and respected public health professional, Dr. Grant has received national recognition in Best Doctors of America in 2003, and was the recipient of the Tee Rae Dismukes Award in 2012 and the District Public Health Award for Excellence in Prenatal and Reproductive Health in 2015. Dr. Benjamin E. Mays often said: ``You make your living by what you get; you make your life by what you give.'' Not only has Dr. Grant established a legacy in public health leadership, but she has also done a tremendous job of giving back to Southwest Georgia, and I am very grateful for her tireless advocacy to make the community stronger and more healthy. A woman of great integrity, her efforts, her dedication, and her expertise in her field are unparalleled, but her heart for helping others is what makes these qualities truly worthy. Dr. Grant has accomplished much in her life but none of it would be possible without the love and support of her husband Steve, and two children, Steve, Jr. and Michael. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and my wife, Vivian, in extending our sincerest appreciation and best wishes to Dr. Jacqueline H. Grant as she embarks upon a new journey in her life.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 2588.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and the former co-chair of the Congressional Chicken Caucus, I rise in support of H.R. 2393, the Country of Origin Labeling Amendments Act of 2015. More importantly, as a Congressman for a heavily rural district, with lots of poultry and beef production in middle and southwest Georgia, I rise to support ending this failed experiment and repealing this harmful government mandate. Since its passage in 2002, the country of origin labeling law has caused severe tension between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Canada and Mexico argue that country of origin labeling has hurt their livestock industries, and they have taken their argument to the World Trade Organization, which has ruled in their favor and against the United States four times. We are now out of appeals. Because of the WTO rulings, Canada and Mexico can now request authorization to retaliate against the United States in order to repair the damages they claim our labeling law has caused to their economies. Therefore, we must act decisively to repeal the current COOL regulations on beef, pork, and chicken. If we fail to do so, Canada and Mexico have made clear that they will retaliate against a range of U.S. products within a matter of months by imposing onerous tariffs, resulting in higher costs and lost market share for U.S. producers up to $3.5 billion a year. A hit of that magnitude would be devastating to the U.S. pork, beef, and chicken industries. While some say we need to hold out for arbitration, I believe we need to repeal this harmful law and correct the situation ourselves before facing overwhelming retaliatory tariffs from Canada and Mexico. By the way, it should be noted that this bill will not entirely undo the country of origin labeling law, only parts of it. I urge support for H.R. 2393 because it will safely remove unnecessary burdens on our beef, pork, and poultry industries; bring us into compliance with our trade obligations; and ensure that we avoid damaging retaliatory tariffs. Please join me in supporting H.R. 2393.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a respected public servant and outstanding citizen, the Honorable William Huff III, Tax Commissioner of Talbot County, Georgia. Sadly, Mr. Huff passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2015. Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at the Central High School Gym in Talbotton, Georgia. A life-long resident of Talbot County, Georgia, William Huff was born on November 11, 1945, the youngest of six children. After graduating from Ruth Carter High School in Talbotton in 1963, he enrolled in Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia, where he became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and was recognized in Who's Who Among Colleges and Universities in 1966. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences and a Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling. Upon graduation, Mr. Huff returned to Talbot County and taught at Ruth Carter High School from 1968-1970. During this time, he also was a part-time car salesman at Meadows Motors in Manchester, Georgia. In 1971, Mr. Huff was elected to the Talbot County Commission at the young age of 26, launching a career in public service that would span more than 40 years. Moreover, Mr. Huff's election to the Talbot County Commission earned him a place in history as the first African American elected to office in Talbot County as well as the youngest African- American County Commissioner in the state of Georgia. In 1988, he became the first African-American Tax Commissioner in Talbot County. Not one to rest on his laurels, Mr. Huff also was a trailblazer in the business community, becoming the first African-American Ford dealer in the state of Georgia in 1975. Further demonstrating his enduring commitment to his community, Mr. Huff served on numerous boards, including the Talbot County Planning Commission; Upson Technical College; the Independent Farming Association; and the Ford Motor Association. He was appointed to the United States Selective Service System Board in 1998 and was also appointed to the Governor's Council on Aging by former Georgia Governor George Busbee. Maya Angelou once said, ``A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies.'' William Huff is one such great soul, who served humanity in a special way. He devoted nearly four decades of dedicated service to the people of Talbot County through his meaningful contribution of energy, skill, and genuine passion. He was an honorable human being who loved deeply and, in return, was deeply loved. His impression on this earth extends beyond himself to the very wellbeing of Talbot County, and for it he will be remembered by the community for time to come. On a personal note, Mr. Huff was a dear friend of longstanding. I have truly been blessed by his friendship, counsel and inspiration throughout the years. William Huff is survived by his wife, Emma Jean; children, William Vincent, Reginald, and Jamie; eight wonderful grandchildren; and a host of other family members and friends. Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the more than 730,000 people of the Second Congressional District salute Commissioner William Huff for his dedicated service and exceptional impact on Talbot County, Georgia. I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in extending our deepest sympathies to Mr. Huff's family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. We pray that they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I want to say a few words about one part of the bill that I find very troubling. This is a cut that is a penny-wise and pound-foolish. Last year, we named the GPO as the Government Publishing Office, and that is because of the range of digital services that it provides. This year, the Legislative Branch Subcommittee voted to cut those operations by eliminating the appropriated funding for the GPO's Federal digital system, which provides free digital access to more than a million congressional and other government document titles that have been downloaded by the public more than 1 billion times over the past 5 years. It does not make sense. Cutting this will severely eliminate money to upgrade the GPO's Federal digital system and the new search and retrieval system. In recognition of the fiscal pressures we all face, the GPO came in with a flat budget request this year, asking only that we support the commitment to their digital transformation. We said ``yes'' to it last year, and I am hopeful that we can restore that funding this year. It makes no sense to cut this. There are millions of people in local libraries all across this country who depend on this digital system, and we do not need to cut it. This is penny-wise and pound-foolish. Mr. Chair, as a former Member of the House Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, I wanted to say a few words about one part of this year's spending bill which I find very troubling. A year ago, Congress and the President agreed to rename GPO as the Government Publishing Office, based on the broad range of digital services the agency now provides. The Subcommittee supported this legislative change. This year, the House Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee voted to cut those operations by eliminating appropriated funding for GPO's Federal Digital System, which provides free digital access to more than 1 million congressional and other Government document titles that have been downloaded by the public more than 1 billion times over the past five years. This cut just doesn't make sense. It will severely curtail GPO's ability to add new digital documents to its Federal Digital System. It will zero out the funding for initiatives that support the missions of congressional and legislative branch organizations such as the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Library of Congress who rely on information from the Federal Digital System to feed websites such as Congress.gov and Docs.House.gov. GPO's Federal Digital System, though just 5 years old, is already beginning to show its age. The rapid changes in today's digital technical environment remind us why it's essential for GPO to keep up with the times. But this funding cut will eliminate money to upgrade GPO's Federal Digital System with a new search and retrieval system, an improved user interface, and other needed hardware and software improvements, including migrating the system to the cloud. Due to the critical role the Federal Digital System plays in making our legislative information transparent and available online, we need to make this investment. In recognition of the fiscal pressures we all face, GPO came in with a flat budget request this year, asking only that we support their commitment to their digital transformation. We said yes to that transformation last year, and I am hopeful that we can restore this funding in the final legislation.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a devoted leader and outstanding public servant, the Honorable Adolph McLendon, who has served as the Mayor of Richland, Georgia since 1974. Under Mayor McLendon's leadership, Richland has become a prosperous economic hub and the ideal community in which to live. Mayor McLendon will be honored for his service by his staff, friends, supporters, and the citizens of Richland at a celebration on Monday, May 18, 2015 at noon at the Richland Hotel in Richland, Georgia. A native of Soperton, Georgia, Mayor McLendon began devoting his time and talents to public service following his graduation from Soperton High School. He spent 36 years with Seaboard Railroad, and served our country honorably in the United States Army and Air Force National Guard. Always seeking to improve and better his community, he served on the Lower Chattahoochee Area Planning and Development Committee, the Stewart County Water Board, the Board of Richland Banking Company, the Board of the Stewart Webster Hospital, and the Board of the Rural Health Clinic. In 1974, Adolph McLendon was elected mayor of Richland, Georgia and during his 33 years of leadership, he has taken great pride in improving and investing in the city of Richland. He has created a business-friendly setting, effectively generating sales tax revenue, he has championed the preservation of Richland's historic downtown Victorian storefronts through smart redevelopment, he has advanced ideas and initiatives to build a diverse tax digest, and he has built a political environment where equal opportunity is not a goal, but a reality. Dr. Benjamin E. Mays often said: ``You make your living by what you get, you make your life by what you give.'' We are so grateful that Mayor McLendon has given so much of himself to the city of Richland, Georgia. A man of great integrity, he serves as an inspiration to other public officials in the city and surrounding areas, as well as to those who strive to better their own communities. The residents of Richland are truly blessed to have a leader who genuinely cares for each and every one of them and has their best interests at heart. A man of deep and abiding faith, Mayor McLendon is an active member of Richland United Methodist Church, where he has served on and chaired the Board of Stewards for many years. He shares his life and accomplishments with his wife of 48 years, Margaret. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District in honoring and recognizing Mayor Adolph McLendon on this special occasion for his significant contributions and enduring dedication to the city of Richland and Stewart County, Georgia.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding public servant and courageous leader of the Macon, Georgia community, Sheriff Jerry M. Modena, Sr. Sadly, Sheriff Modena passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2015. Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held on Monday, May 18, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Mabel White Memorial Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. Sheriff Jerry Modena was widely known in his community as a compassionate leader committed to fighting crime and making Bibb County a safer place to live. Throughout his entire career with the Sheriff's office, Sheriff Modena gave one hundred percent of his heart to his line of duty. Prior to joining the Bibb County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Modena served our country honorably as a paratrooper in the United States Army. In 1964, at the age of 23, he joined the Sheriff's office and remained there for over forty years. In 2001, he was elected Bibb County Sheriff and remained Sheriff for three terms before stepping down in 2012. Even after leaving the Sheriff's Office, he remained heavily involved and concerned for the wellbeing of the community. From the beginning of his career, Sheriff Modena was determinedly committed to the safety and welfare of those he was charged to protect. Described as firm but fair, he not only had a positive impact on each individual he encountered, but he also had a tremendous and everlasting impact upon his community. He is celebrated for creating substations around Bibb County and for championing the cause of the mentally ill in the Bibb County Jail, reserving 200 beds for those with mental health issues in his newly expanded 966-person lockup that opened in 2007. Perhaps one of Sheriff Modena's greatest accomplishments is his invaluable leadership in overseeing the merge of the Sheriff's Office and the Macon Police Department. He was also regarded as a mentor and guide to many in the Sheriff's Office. He taught others the importance of transparency in law enforcement, the need to be accessible to the community, and the importance of engaging with the people one serves. George Washington Carver once said, ``No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind him distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' Sheriff Modena's impression on this earth extends beyond himself to the very wellbeing of the Macon community, and for it he will be remembered by the community for time to come. Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the more than 730,000 people in Georgia's Second Congressional District, salute Sheriff Jerry M. Modena, Sr. for an outstanding career in law enforcement, his significant contributions to Bibb County, and his lifelong dedication to serving his community. I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in extending our deepest sympathies to Sheriff Modena's family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. We pray that they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as cosponsor from H.R. 1247.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor and pleasure to extend my sincerest congratulations to the students, parents, staff, and supporters of the Head Start program as they celebrate 50 remarkable years of eliminating poverty through education, services, and partnerships. Enrichment Services Program, Inc. (ESP) will celebrate Head Start's 50th anniversary on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at noon at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center in Columbus, Georgia. After President Lyndon B. Johnson declared the War on Poverty in his 1964 State of the Union speech, Sargent Shriver, a key social and political figure, took the lead in assembling a panel of experts to develop a comprehensive child development program that would help communities meet the needs of disadvantaged preschool children. The brainchild of this panel was Head Start, a program designed to help break the cycle of poverty by providing preschool children of low- income families with the tools and resources to meet their emotional, social, nutritional, and psychological needs. In 1965, the Office of Economic Opportunity launched an eight-week program called Project Head Start. Fifty years later, Head Start has served more than 30 million children, becoming an integral component of America's education system. Enrichment Services Program, Inc. is a community action agency that provides essential services to alleviate poverty levels, promote family stability, and gradually build self-sufficiency. It was established in 1964 and operated as the Community Action Development Committee. The Agency was incorporated in 1965 as the ``Lower Chattahoochee Community Action Agency, Inc.'' In 1974, when President Gerald Ford signed the Head Start Economic Opportunity and Community Partnership Act, Head Start funding was allocated to local community action agencies such as ESP. Enrichment Services Program, Inc. administers the Early Head Start and Head Start programs within a nine-county area, including Chattahoochee, Clay, Harris, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, and Talbot counties, located in Georgia, and Russell County in Alabama. Each year, ESP serves approximately 1,000 children ages 0-5 from low- income families. The Head Start program has been essential to the early childhood development and forward progression of many children and their families. Head Start evaluates and works to improve six domains of early childhood development: social/emotional, physical, language, cognitive, literacy, and mathematics. Through Head Start, ESP addresses the basic needs of each child and prepares them for entry into kindergarten. ESP also encourages parent involvement by offering services such as family literacy functions and parental input into the curriculum. In the 2013-2014 program year, children in ESP's Head Start program made remarkable accomplishments. In the Cognitive domain alone, an average of 96% of children exceeded growth range. There were 505 three- and four-year-olds who were ready to read by the end of the school year. Enrichment Services Program, Inc. has done an outstanding job of administering the Head Start program in the area that it serves. Because of the dedication and commitment of the teachers and the staff, thousands of children have gone on to achieve greater heights in primary, secondary, and higher education than they otherwise would have done. I firmly believe that Head Start's outreach will continue to help preschool children and their families overcome the cycle of poverty to lead successful and productive lives. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me and the more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District in expressing our profound gratitude to Enrichment Services Program, Inc. and to Head Start for working to improve educational outcomes for preschool children, which not only produces positive effects throughout their lives but also creates a ripple effect of improvement in the communities in which they live.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a terrific educator and outstanding citizen, Dr. Isaac ``Ike'' Crumbly, who will be celebrating 50 remarkable years of teaching at the Fort Valley State University (FVSU) in Fort Valley, Georgia. He will be honored by the administration, faculty, students, and supporters at FVSU's 2015 Spring Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 2, 2015 in Fort Valley, Georgia. Before earning two degrees in horticulture and a Ph.D. in botany, Dr. Isaac J. Crumbly was picking cotton to help support his ten brothers and sisters. With an inherent knowledge of the art of cultivation and the science of plant life, Dr. Crumbly was destined to end up at Fort Valley State University, a state and land-grant university founded in 1895 that has made significant contributions to agriculture and related fields. Dr. Crumbly joined the faculty of Fort Valley State College, now Fort Valley State University, in 1965 as a Professor in the Biology Department. In the 50 intervening years, his role at the University has grown to include Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Director of the Cooperative Developmental Energy Program. In 1983, Dr. Crumbly founded the one-of-a-kind Cooperative Developmental Energy Program (CDEP), a dual-degree STEM education program, in response to a call for proposals from the U.S. Department of Energy. The program's primary objective is to increase the number of minorities and women pursuing careers in the energy industry. With more than $4 million dollars to support their education, students in the program have logged over 250,000 hours of hands-on experience. CDEP has been recognized by the University System of Georgia, the Georgia House of Representatives, and two U.S. Presidents, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama, for its success. Always striving to help his students achieve greater heights, Dr. Crumbly has given of his time and talents to mentor thousands of FVSU students in his STEM classes. Through CDEP, he is responsible for the education, employment, and successful careers of over 126 CDEP graduates who are engineers, geoscientists, and health physicists. Dr. Crumbly's impact has stretched far beyond his immediate students, however. A skilled grantsman, Dr. Crumbly has helped bring in over $30 million for the University and its students through funded grants, internships, and scholarships. He also has helped established partnerships with over 70 corporate, private, and university entities. Dr. Crumbly has been recognized numerous times by various professional and scholarly organizations for his work in educating students in STEM. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the Fort Valley State University community in honoring Dr. Isaac J. Crumbly for 50 outstanding years of contributing to the education and success of students at the Fort Valley State University.