Sanford Bishop

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I yield to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus).

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I just want to speak to this amendment. The VA Green Management Program is a sustainability program that integrates energy and water conservation, environmental compliance, vehicle fleet management, sustainable building design and operation, greenhouse gas management, and climate change adaptation. Since its inception in 2007, the VA Green Management Program has reduced VA's energy costs from $504 million in 2010 to $459 million in 2014, despite significant growth in mission. Additionally, the Green Management Program has put in place energy performance contracts requiring no appropriated funds that will save VA over $9 million annually. Other significant achievements include it reduced VA energy use per square foot by 21 percent since 2003, reduced VA water consumption per square foot by 28 percent since 2007, increased VA's vehicle fleet to 55 percent alternatively fueled vehicles, and reduced VA-generated greenhouse gases 12 percent since the 2008 baseline. In the absence of the Green Management Program funding, a number of programs, processes, and projects will not be carried out. These activities save taxpayers significant amounts of money; improve indoor and outdoor environments at VA facilities for the benefit of veterans, for visitors, employees, and surrounding communities; and help assure the VA compliance with Federal laws, with regulations, with executive orders, Presidential memoranda. I would urge Members to oppose it. I am happy that the gentleman has withdrawn the amendment. I think his concerns are well placed, and I join the chairman in agreeing to work with him to see if we can't address those specific concerns in his location. I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment Offered by Mr. Farenthold

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment. I believe we need to set the conditions for the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo. It is in the United States national security interests to do so. Guantanamo has become a rallying cry. It serves as a recruitment tool for terrorists, and it increases the will of our enemies to fight while decreasing the will of others to work with America. Part of the rationale for establishing Guantanamo in the first place was the misplaced idea that the facility would be beyond the law--a proposition rejected by the United States Supreme Court. As a result, the continued operation of this facility creates the impression in the eyes of our allies and our enemies alike that the United States selectively observes the rule of law. There is no reason that we should impose upon ourselves the legal and moral problems arising from the prospect of indefinite detentions at Guantanamo. Working through civil courts since 9/11, hundreds of individuals have been convicted of terrorism or of terrorism-related offenses and are now serving long sentences in Federal prison. Not one has ever escaped custody. For these reasons, I believe that the time is past due to take the actions needed to initiate the closure of the detention facility at Guantanamo. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Chair, I have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I think that the concerns raised by the gentleman in offering the amendment are perhaps well taken from time to time. But I think this amendment is punitive. I think it is counterproductive. And I think it is going to make it much more difficult to get the results that the gentleman is seeking. Because of that, I think that the amendment should be defeated. It is a bad amendment. And I think it would be bad for morale for the Department. And I think it would be bad generally for the public. I urge opposition and a ``no'' vote on this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, we are all outraged with regard to the claims backlog and the incidences of poor quality health services and safety. The current claims backlog is unacceptable. There is no question that the VA has struggled to successfully deliver one of its key missions: to provide timely ratings of disabilities. However, the VA has reduced the backlog by 44 percent. Should we ignore that? It is also clear that some VA health facilities have had serious issues that put the health, safety, and well-being of our veterans at risk. This, too, is unacceptable. Where these failures have occurred, it is hard to imagine how VA leaders of these facilities could have received high performance ratings and substantial bonuses. However, this amendment will not provide any solution in the short- term and, in fact, may have long-term consequences and compound the very problems that it attempts to address. This amendment would make the VA a less attractive option than other agencies when it comes to recruiting and retaining quality executive leaders, and it will not have the very talent that it needs to solve the problems that it faces today, like the claims backlog and the healthcare deficiencies. Furthermore, SES pay and bonuses are governed by title 5 of the United States Code and administered by the Office of Personnel Management. Any change to title 5 to address VA would then also apply to all other Federal agencies. Attempting to do an across-the-board, one-size-fits-all fix will penalize those dedicated VA executives who are working hard and well to find solutions to the VA's problems. This is nonsense. I urge all Members to vote ``no.'' Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown), who is the ranking member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and a strong supporter of our veterans.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Chair, thank you for allowing me to respond. I support the gentlewoman's efforts to highlight the importance of women's health. The VA women's center has been underfunded for the last few years. As the gentlewoman correctly pointed out, their most recent working group recommends that they fill two statistician positions that have not yet been filled due to lack of budget. Without these positions, it is challenging for the VA to get good data about female veterans, so many programs are shaped using faulty assumptions. I believe that these positions are very important for the VA when it comes to providing care for our female veterans. I support these efforts, and I urge all Members to support it. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Chair, the amendment that I am offering should be supported by every Member of this House. Very simply, it would restore the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs funding bill to the full amount requested by the administration and to the full amount deemed necessary by the affected agencies. Last night, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, one of the largest veterans service organizations in the United States, put out a letter calling this year's MILCON-VA bill ``bad for veterans.'' They oppose the bill. The Independent Budget group, which consists of the AMVETS, the Disabled American Veterans, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Veterans of Foreign Wars, expressed serious concerns with this bill. The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America also expressed their serious concerns with this bill. In their letter, they called on Congress to provide the entire $1.5 billion that was cut from the budget request for the VA, which this House should do immediately. Without this necessary funding, much-needed investments in veterans health care will be shortchanged, and important services will be compromised. I understand that House rules make it difficult to add money to a spending bill's allocation, but I sincerely hope that we don't hide behind that as an excuse. We should be doing the right thing on behalf of our Nation's veterans. We have the power to do it. We need to pass a law to change the law which limits us and puts this cap on what we can do to take care of our veterans and our military construction. This amendment addresses that, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and to demonstrate to the veteran community that the message has been received. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I yield the gentlewoman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, let me say that I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Chairman Dent of the subcommittee as well as the chairman and ranking member of the full committee. Madam Chair, as you know, this bill has a strong reputation for common ground and bipartisanship. We are pleased with several aspects of the bill. For example, the bill maintains tough but fair reporting requirements for VistA modernization, which closely tracks the VA's development of its electronic health record. The bill continues to prioritize the elimination of the veterans claims backlog by fully funding the fiscal year 2016 requests: $18.3 million for a centralized mail initiative which consolidates inbound paper mail from regional offices to a centralized intake site, as well as $140.8 million for the Veterans Claims Intake Program to scan and convert paper claims into a digital format. I believe that these are all positive steps to making the VA function better. Furthermore, Chairman Dent has avoided including contentious legislative riders, which is very much appreciated. Unfortunately, however, the chairman was forced to write a bill under the majority's fiscal year 2016 budget resolution, which chose to lock in the Budget Control Act levels and to use gimmicks to boost defense funding. Because of the budget resolution's failure to provide relief from these budget caps--which were established in 2011 and later adjusted in 2013--the chairman was forced to make some tough choices due to the allocation that he was given. While military construction is provided $7.2 billion, an increase of $593 million above 2015, it is still $1.2 billion below the budget request. In an effort to avoid the defense budget cap, the bill shifts $532 million to the overseas contingency operations funding stream, even though the fiscal year 2016 budget request did not include an OCO request. This is a gimmick, purely a gimmick to boost defense spending by pumping up the OCO budget, which is not limited by the budget law. The Department of Veterans Affairs is funded at $68.7 billion, and while it is $3.6 billion above fiscal year 2015, the enacted level, it is also $1.4 billion below the fiscal year 2016 budget request. The inadequate fiscal year 2016 allocation again forced the chairman to slice the request for military construction by $582 billion. That is hospital construction. Furthermore, the bill includes language that directs that only replacement, safety, and security projects can receive budgeted funding. This is troubling language, and it eliminates all national cemetery projects for fiscal year 2016 and puts several other projects in jeopardy. The majority claims they reduced the construction account because the half-built Veterans Affairs Denver hospital project is drastically over budget and riddled with mistakes. I certainly agree that the VA needs to be held accountable for the poor job in managing the Denver hospital project; however, no funds for the Denver hospital were allocated within the MILCON-VA bill. Additionally, I am not aware of any similar issues with any of the other requested projects in the bill for FY12, including replacement, clinic construction, seismic improvements, or cemetery construction. I believe the majority's budget caps and resulting inadequate allocation--not the problems in Denver--led to cutting construction in half. I am concerned that, if the reduction stands, it will further contribute to the gaps in access, utilization, and safety that were already identified in the VA's annual Strategic Capital Investment program process. Madam Chair, this committee can no longer afford to function under the Budget Control Act caps. The reductions to VA will cause gaps in access, utilization, and safety and could lower the standard of care due our veterans. Madam Chairman, as I pointed out during the MILCON-VA markup, the FY 2017 advance funding will consume $4.6 billion of the nondefense discretionary cap next year, so this problem will only get worse. Certainly, the Department of Defense cannot be the only winner. Using the FY 2016 budget levels will produce a long summer and an early fall, with no real progress on the FY 2016 bills. If so, it is inevitable that a continuing resolution or a series of continuing resolutions will be needed to keep the government open and running in place long past the new fiscal year starts on October 1. We cannot continue to govern in this fashion. I believe that it is well past time to be strategic about how we handle our Federal budget, and now, we need to take the next step toward a more responsible budget process so we can eventually stop lurching from one crisis to the next. I believe that Chairman Dent crafted the best bill he could with the allocation he was given. I also believe that this is the first step in a long process, and I am concerned about the impact these reductions to the VA construction account could have, and we believe they will have to be addressed before the process. To that end, I am prepared to offer an amendment to the bill restoring the full funding of the request so that we can, in fact, do justice by our veterans and do what is necessary for our military construction without using budget gimmicks. At the appropriate time, I will offer an amendment to do that. Madam Chairman, at this time, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a true patriot and American hero, Captain Jeremy Haynes. On August 5, 2014, Captain Haynes was critically wounded while serving our country in Afghanistan. Captain Haynes will be honored for his outstanding contributions to the United States Army and to our great nation at the Third Annual Ceola Alexander Memorial Prayer Breakfast on May 2, 2015 in Arlington, Georgia. A native of Albany, Georgia, Captain Haynes attended Calhoun County Schools and Early County Schools before graduating from Dougherty County High School. He was commissioned into the Quartermaster Corps at Georgia Military College in 2004, and graduated cum laude from Fort Valley State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. Most recently, Captain Haynes earned a Master of Science degree in Management magna cum laude from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2013. Captain Haynes has distinguished himself through a number of previous assignments, including Platoon Leader & Executive Officer, 421st Quartermaster Company (Riggers), U.S. Army Reserves in Fort Valley, Georgia; Battalion Logistics Officer, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault); Commander, 623rd Quartermaster Company (Riggers), 82nd Sustainment Brigade (Airborne); Training with Industry, American Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, D.C.; and Instructor at the United States Army Logistics University in Fort Lee, Virginia. During his extensive military career, Captain Haynes has been honored with a multitude of awards, among them the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Freedom Campaign Medal, Combat Action Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Parachute Rigger Badge, German Jump Wings, and the Norwegian 30K Road Mark Badge. On August 5, 2014, Captain Haynes' life was changed forever. While acting as an Aide-de-Camp to Major General Harold Green among a delegation of Coalition and Afghan Forces, a member of the Afghan army opened fire upon the group, critically wounding Captain Haynes and more than a dozen others. After suffering gunshot wounds so severe that they required numerous surgeries and left him in a coma, Captain Haynes woke up to find that his legs would not move. Adding even more mental anguish to his physical trauma, he also discovered that Major General Green had been killed. But despite the extremity of his injuries, both physical and emotional, Captain Haynes has not only returned to the loving arms of his wife and six children, but he also took his first steps since the attack just before last New Year's Eve. His example reminds us all just how deeply the men and women in the Armed Forces give of themselves on our behalf, and how much they are willing to endure, both physically and mentally, to safeguard our cherished liberties. Captain Haynes sets an extraordinary standard of altruism to emulate and for his sacrifices, we shall forever be grateful. Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife, Vivian, the more than 730,000 people in Georgia's Second Congressional District, and all Americans, in extending our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Captain Jeremy Haynes. Captain Haynes' courageous leadership among his peers and his enduring dedication to our country showcase an individual of truly noble character. The impact of his valor and sacrifice are deeply felt within the hearts of those whose paths he crosses, and we wish him all the best as he continues to touch the lives of those in his community. May his future endeavors reward and inspire him, as he has inspired us.

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, Mrs. Jacki Lowe, on the occasion of her retirement from Georgia Power on April 1, 2015. Mrs. Lowe has served as West Region Vice President of Georgia Power since 2005 but her career with Southern Company, which owns and operates Georgia Power, began more than forty years ago in 1974. A familiar face and name at Southern Company, she excelled in her many roles, which included Compensation Manager at Georgia Power as well as Benefits Manager, Compensation and Benefits Manager, Land Manager, and Assistant to the President at Alabama Power. She also served as Vice President and Regional Chief Information Officer for Alabama Power, Southern Company Services and Southern Nuclear in Birmingham. Before being appointed West Region Vice President, she served as Vice President of Supply Chain Management for Southern Company and Georgia Power. As a female executive in the fourth largest utility company in the United States, Mrs. Lowe has in many ways broken through the glass ceiling in this male-dominated industry. Not only has her leadership set an example for other women, but she has also reached out and mentored many employees in order to help them reach their goals and objectives. Mrs. Lowe holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Samford University in Birmingham. In addition to going above and beyond in her career, Mrs. Lowe has proven to be an exceptional member of her community. She serves on the boards of the Columbus Technical College Foundation, Columbus Regional Medical Foundation, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, Inc., Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, and the National Infantry Museum. She also serves on the Executive Committee of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce and presided as the Board Chair in 2013. In 2011, she chaired the Intercity Leadership Conference and the Diversity Conference and was honored with the Volunteer of the Year Award. She also is a past chair of the Valley Partnership Joint Development Authority and the Columbus Economic Development Committee, as well as a past board member of the United Way of Chattahoochee Valley and the Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation. 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 Mrs. Lowe established a legacy for women in the workplace at Southern Company, but she has also done a tremendous job of giving back to the great city of Columbus, and I am very grateful for her tireless advocacy to make the community stronger. 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. Mrs. Lowe has accomplished much in her life but none of it would be possible without the love and support of her two sons, Matt and Jeremy, and her grandchildren, Gaines, Libby, Samuel, Carter, and Hudson. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our sincerest appreciation and best wishes to Mrs. Jacki Lowe upon the occasion of her retirement from an outstanding career spanning over four decades with Southern Company.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations to the congregation of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbus, Georgia as the church's membership and leadership celebrate a remarkable 113 years. The congregation of St. Paul AME Church will celebrate this very significant anniversary with a celebration on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at the Church in Columbus, Georgia. Tracing its roots back to the turn of the twentieth century, the church's first cornerstone was laid on April 27, 1902 at Meeler's Hill, a historic neighborhood in Columbus, Georgia. Under the leadership of Reverend A.C. Linton, a new church family was born. This edifice served as the congregation's place of worship until 1957, when Reverend Fedd and the congregation relinquished control of St. Paul at Meeler's Hill to the City of Columbus for urban renewal. During this time, Mt. Tabor AME Church, Grant Chapel AME Church and Galilee Baptist Church allowed the St. Paul family to hold Sunday services at their locations two Sundays a month. God answered the congregation members' many prayers on May 25, 1960, when St. Paul broke ground at 1508 South Street in Columbus. Under the leadership of Reverend R. L. Coachman, Sister Callie Jackson turned the first spade of dirt. The church was completed and dedicated on October 9, 1960. In 1981, God again called St. Paul to relinquish control of the South Street location to the City of Columbus. In October of that year, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at 4900 St. Mary's Road in Columbus. On April 11, 1982, a dedication service for the new location was held under the leadership of Reverend Frank C. Maddox. Throughout the years, the church would be remodeled and renovated, with new technologies installed. With these aesthetic changes came changes to the church's ministry through the creation of several new committees, programs, and outreach ministries. Moreover, the church has had the honor of hosting several sessions of the Southwest Georgia Annual Conference. The Church takes pride in being a ``dangerous'' church, for they are armed with the Word of God. The story of St. Paul AME Church, which began 113 years ago, is truly an inspiring one of the dedication and perseverance of a faithful congregation of people who put all their love and trust in the Lord. Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to St. Paul AME in Columbus, Georgia for their long history of coming together through the good and difficult times to praise and worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations to the congregation of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Cusseta, Georgia as the church's membership and leadership celebrate a remarkable 134 years. The congregation of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, in conjunction with Green Hill Missionary Baptist Church, will celebrate this very significant anniversary with a celebration on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. at the Church in Cusseta, Georgia. Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church's remarkable journey and growth as a church began in 1882 on the intersecting county lines of Marion and Chattahoochee Counties in Southwest Georgia. Reverend Shed Thornton is the first known pastor to lead Zion Hill. Other pastors to follow would include Reverend Jackson, Reverend Mathis, Reverend Davis, Reverend Chinn, Reverend Gates, and Reverend Campbell. Reverend Carter then pastored the church for thirty-six years, followed by Reverend Baker, who pastored for over sixteen years. Reverend Willie E. Neal then became the Pastor of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church and in his twenty-two years of leadership, he worked tirelessly to expand the church. Under his careful eye, the current Fellowship Hall was built, and new pulpit furnishings, new pews, and the indoor baptismal pool were installed. In 1987, the church was incorporated and attendance continued to grow. The church added classes for children and young adults to its Sunday school program. After the church established a youth choir ministry and youth usher ministry, it became a full-time Gospel church, holding services every Sunday. After the Reverend Frederick D. Harris took over the leadership, the church began making some structural improvements. New carpet was installed in the sanctuary, the pews were covered, the fellowship hall was outfitted with new tile, and new tables, chairs, and kitchen appliances were added. A new sound system was installed and finally, a steeple was added to the top of the sanctuary, inviting members of the community to come praise and worship the Lord at Zion Hill. It was during this time that Rev. Harris also implemented a new Wednesday class to increase spiritual growth. After Rev. Harris was called to relocate to Maryland, the Reverend Clarence R. Barnes then took over the leadership of Zion Hill. Sadly, due to medical reasons, Rev. Barnes had to resign in November 2014. Along with pastors, there have also been many deacons who influenced and guided the church. Some of the most notable include Deacon James Williams, who contributed the church flags, and Deacon Willie J. Short, who built the current Sanctuary. Throughout the past 134 years, Zion Hill Missionary Baptist has become a spiritual home for many. Advancements in both the actual structure of the church building as well as the church body were made to better accommodate the divine growth emanating from the hearts and spirits of many pastors, deacons, and church members. The story of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church is truly an inspiring one of the dedication and perseverance of a faithful congregation of people who put all their love and trust in the Lord. Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Cusseta, Georgia for their long history of coming together through the good and difficult times to praise and worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Quincy Brown, an outstanding actor, producer, photographer, director, singer, model, philanthropist, and co-founder of FourXample Productions. Quincy will be honored at the premiere of his new movie, Brotherly Love, on Friday, April 24, 2015 at Carmike Hollywood Connections Ritz 13 in Columbus, Georgia. The son of actress and model, Kim Porter, and New Jack Swing singer, Al B. Sure, and the stepson of singer and producer, Sean ``Diddy'' Combs, Quincy grew up in Columbus, Georgia and was educated in the Muscogee County School District. He is the grandson of the late Sarah Porter and great-grandson of Ms. Lila Star, the owner of the renowned Royal Cafe in Columbus. Notwithstanding his lineage, Quincy has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry. At just 23 years of age, Quincy is a mini- mogul himself. In 2012, Quincy released his debut single, ``Stay Awhile,'' featuring Kendre. In 2013, he followed up with another single, ``The First Thing,'' which he co-wrote. Now Quincy is both behind and in front of the camera with his FourXample Production crew, recently wrapping up his directorial debut of singer Elle Winter's music video, ``No Words,'' which features Quincy's brother, Christian Combs. Moreover, Quincy just premiered his new single, ``Friends First,'' featuring rapper French Montana. The single has already hit number 1 on the Billboard ``Trending Social'' chart. Quincy's new album, 1948, is slated for release this year. Even at his young age, Quincy recognizes the importance of giving back to the community. He coordinated the first annual Celebrity Kickball Charity Event and the First Annual Celebrity Flag Football Charity Event with singer Chris Brown, which brought together a host of entertainers and celebrities. Quincy has given much to his charity of choice, Best Buddies, an organization dedicated to creating employment opportunities and leadership development for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At 23, Quincy has already lived more than many people two or three times his age. He pursues each and every idea and passion, striving to connect with people from all walks of life and seeking to live life to the very fullest. Yet, as he achieves stardom, he never forgets the people, places, or comforts of his home--Columbus, Georgia. 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 Quincy Brown proves that beyond the shadow of a doubt! His industrious perseverance and steadfast commitment to his goals set a magnificent example for the young men and women who look up to him as a role model. We are sure to see even more great things from Quincy Brown in the future. 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 Quincy Brown for his remarkable accomplishments as an entertainer and for his generous heart and humble spirit as a philanthropist.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I pay tribute to an outstanding civic leader and public servant of Georgia, Commissioner Pete Wheeler, longtime leader of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS). Commissioner Wheeler passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Decatur First United Methodist Church in Decatur, Georgia. A Georgia man through and through, Pete Wheeler was a proud graduate of the University of Georgia and an attorney, admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1949. He served our nation with honor and distinction in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1950, he joined the Georgia National Guard. He retired in 1978 with the rank of Brigadier General. Pete Wheeler joined the Georgia Department of Veterans Service in 1949 as Director of the Education Division. In 1951, he was named Assistant Director of the Department. In 1954, he was appointed as the department's director but the title was later changed to Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Service. His strong and effective leadership was widely noted, for he was reappointed fifteen times and remained in charge up to his passing. For 66 years, Commissioner Wheeler acted as a voice for Georgia veterans and worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of these national heroes who sacrificed so much to safeguard our cherished liberties. Shortly after his appointment as director of the GDVS, Commissioner Wheeler joined the effort to recognize Veterans Day as a new federal holiday. He was named Georgia Chairman of the National Veterans Day Committee and partnered with then-Governor of Georgia, Herman Talmadge, to arrange a formal ceremony for the signing of the proclamation declaring the new holiday in Georgia. This ceremony became a tradition in the state that is still honored today. Due to a decline in health, 2014 marked the first year that Commissioner Wheeler was unable to attend but he certainly was there in spirit. In 1966, in response to the needs of the first veterans returning from the Vietnam War, as well as those of their families and survivors, Commissioner Wheeler created the Supermarket of Veterans Benefits, a one-day informational event aiming to gather local, state, and federal agencies that provide services to veterans. The event was so successful that it became an annual signature event of the GDVS and has been replicated throughout the country. In 1994, Commissioner Wheeler was appointed Chairman of the National World War II Memorial Advisory Board by President Bill Clinton, serving until the memorial's dedication by President George W. Bush in 2004. He served as a past president of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs and was a life member of the American Legion, DAV, and AMVETS. The Georgia General Assembly issued a resolution in 1998 renaming the state's war veterans memorial complex in Atlanta, Georgia as the ``Pete Wheeler Georgia War Veterans Memorial Complex.'' The complex includes memorials to Georgia veterans from the Spanish-American War through Desert Storm/Desert Shield. Earlier this year, Commissioner Wheeler approved the design for the next addition, a memorial honoring those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, which will be dedicated on May 20, 2015. On a personal note, Commissioner Pete Wheeler was a close friend of mine. I have truly been blessed by his friendship, counsel and inspiration throughout the years. Commissioner Wheeler has accomplished much in his life but none of this would have been possible without the love and support of his family. His wife of 59 years, Geraldine, and one daughter, Jane, preceded him in death. Mourning his memory and rejoicing his life are his daughter, Francis and son-in-law, Mark; son, Peter and daughter-in- law, Debbie; son-in-law, John; and six grandchildren, Matthew, Joshua, Joanna, Alex, Charles, and Jonathan. Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the more than 730,000 residents of the Second Congressional District and veterans all across Georgia, salute Commissioner Pete Wheeler for his outstanding public service and his everlasting commitment to improving the quality of life for our veterans. I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in extending our deepest condolences to Commissioner Wheeler's family and friends 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 rise today to recognize Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, President of Spelman College, who will be retiring after thirteen years as distinguished leader of the school. She will be honored at a farewell reception on Friday, April 24, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. at The Spelman College Suites Dining Hall on campus. Born on September 27, 1954, in Tallahassee, Florida, Dr. Tatum attended Wesleyan University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Afterward, she attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, for a Master of Arts degree and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and then Hartford Seminary for a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies. Dr. Tatum's professional involvement in higher education began in 1980 and spanned a number of prominent institutions. At the University of California at Santa Barbara, she lectured in the Department of Black Studies, and later held professorships in psychology at Westfield State College and Mount Holyoke College. Also during her time at Mount Holyoke, Dr. Tatum served as chair of the Department of Psychology and Education. In 1998, she became Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of the College and, in 2002, she was appointed acting president of the College. In the meantime, she also advanced a career as a distinguished clinical psychologist with her own independent practice between 1988 and 1998. Focusing her studies on diversity in organizational development and racial identity, she is the author of Can We Talk About Race? And Other Conversations in an Era of School Resegregation; Assimilation Blues: Black Families in White Communities: Who Succeeds and Why?; and ``Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?'' And Other Conversations about Race, the latter of which was celebrated as the 1998 Multicultural Book of the Year by the National Association of Multicultural Education. In 2002, she was appointed president of Spelman College. Through her steady and transformational leadership, the institution now ranks among the top 100 liberal arts colleges in the country. Faculty research has flourished, and funding for student scholarships has tripled since 2002. Alumnae contributions to the annual fund have also tripled and a generous gift donation in 2008 helped establish the Gordon-Zeto Fund for International Initiatives, providing critical resources for international students as well as travel support for faculty and students alike. In addition to these successes, Dr. Tatum has overseen the expansion of on-campus housing capacity by more than 25 percent to provide opportunities for even more students, made possible in part by the construction of a ``green'' residence hall in 2008. As president, she also made the landmark decision to end the College's limited participation in NCAA intercollegiate sports, and instead pioneer a campus wellness initiative to encompass a wider range of students. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Tatum is not only an educator, she is an innovator. The developments she engineered serve as the foundation of Spelman College's Strategic Plan for 2015, which focuses on supporting leadership and service, enhancing an interdisciplinary curriculum, fostering undergraduate research and internships, strengthening alumnae-student connections, promoting sustainability, and advancing global initiatives. Outside of this tremendous scholastic dedication, Dr. Tatum is also actively involved in the community. She has presided on a variety of boards and served with a number of organizations at the local, state, and national levels. Moreover, she was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the Advisory Board for the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She has received numerous awards and commendations, including the 2013 Carnegie Academic Leadership Award. Dr. Tatum shares her life and accomplishments with her husband, Dr. Travis Tatum, and their two sons, Travis Jonathan and David. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum for her thirteen remarkable years as President of Spelman College. Her leadership is impressive in itself but more than structures, more than money, and more than rankings, she advanced the very character of the institution through its people. In being a role model for the young women of this premier institution, she has helped countless individuals strive to fulfill their sincere potential in this world, making the aims of Spelman College become realized.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in proud recognition of 1890s Day, which commemorates an influential piece of legislation that took effect 125 years ago yet is still very relevant today. In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act into law with the intention of giving federal land grants to states so that they would in turn sell them to establish ``land-grant'' universities with the funds. Academically, these institutions were to specialize in fields such as agriculture, military strategy, and engineering, initiatives that would have a distinct impact on local economies and technological developments in years to come. Twenty-eight years later, the second Morrill Act of 1890 was enacted and we celebrate that moment today. It was significant because it specifically addressed the former Confederate States. In order to combat extensive racial discrimination faced by African Americans in the post-Civil War South, the Act required that States wishing to receive federal support must either omit entry restrictions based on skin color at their universities entirely, or else establish separate institutions specifically designed to accommodate African Americans. Many historically black colleges and universities came into existence as a result of this rule. Prior to the Civil War, there were few opportunities for African Americans to receive a higher education. Those African Americans who did receive such schooling studied at home or in informal settings. In fact, during the era of slavery, it had been a crime to instruct an African American in anything except the most rudimentary skills. Within the Second Congressional District of Georgia, one concrete outcome of this landmark legislation was the 1895 founding of Fort Valley High and Industrial School, which would later become Fort Valley State College and, finally, Fort Valley State University. This historically African-American institution remains Georgia's only 1890 land-grant university. Proving itself over decades of scholastic distinction and educating thousands of students in the sciences as well as the arts, this renowned establishment is still alive and flourishing today. It was all made possible through that groundbreaking decision made more than a century ago. Since the 1890 Act directly addressed concerns of discrimination against African Americans, it has served to provide opportunities for all students, regardless of their race. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed my privilege to bring attention to this important day, and to recognize the changes the Morrill Act of 1890 has brought to our communities and to our nation. For it is through the diversity and the inspiration of our youth that we are able to grow as a society, in innovation and in hope. Let us celebrate these developments today and anticipate a bright future to come tomorrow.