Sanford Bishop

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the outstanding humanitarian efforts and health care advocacy initiatives of one of my home-state's most prestigious organizations, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia. It is appropriate and entirely fitting that this premier institute proudly bears the name of one of my most universally beloved constituents and one of America's most dedicated advocates for the underserved--former First Lady of the United States of America, Mrs. Rosalynn Carter. RCI was established in 1987 and was formed in honor of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter to recognize her long-standing commitments to human development and efforts to push for parity in the delivery of long-term care health services. One of the institute's primary missions is to establish local, state and national networks that collaboratively work to build more effective long-term care systems and provide enhanced support services for the millions of caregivers who selflessly tend to the needs of our nation's dependent loved ones. Due to emerging changes in our nation's demographics and a rapidly aging baby boomer population, the current services provided by the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving have never been more warranted than right now. As cited by the RCI, over fifty million family caregivers provide the largest proportion of care for dependent elderly individuals as well as adults and children with disabilities. Approximately six million adults over the age of 65 need daily assistance to live outside a nursing home. This alarming figure will grow to more than twelve million by 2030. It is also worth noting that U.S. life expectancy has been generally increasing since at least the 1940s. Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that life expectancy in the United States has hit another all-time high, rising above 78 years. With longer life expectancy, come higher rates of chronic illness, disability and the need for more sustainable long-term care services. The average senior today will spend two or more of their final years disabled enough to need someone to help them with routine activities of daily living because of chronic illness. To help meet the growing needs of our nation's caregiver communities and their disabled loved ones, RCI helped to develop an innovative, online information exchange medium within the Georgia CARE-NET coalition program that allows agencies and caregivers to obtain information about effective caregiving interventions. The online resource helps family caregivers determine which long-term health programs will best meet the specific needs of those in their care. RCI is also working in tandem with other organizations to secure full funding to establish a Family Caregiver Education and Training Network. This network will provide access to training in evidence-based strategies for family caregivers. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that my colleagues join me in applauding the exceptional efforts of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the RCI and its partner organizations for all they have done and will continue to do to address the paramount and expanding needs of America's caregivers. Their noble deeds and remarkable achievements have improved the quality of life for many of our nation's disabled seniors and chronically ill citizens. I and many others will remain eternally grateful to them for their many noteworthy endeavors and selfless acts of grace.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to extend a heartfelt congratulations to the administration, faculty, students, alumni and supporters of Albany Technical College, as this institution celebrates 50 years of providing vocational and technical training to thousands of Georgia residents. This learning center commemorates its 50th anniversary on Friday, September 30, 2011, with a gala at the Phoebe Towers North in Albany, Georgia. This widely attended gala will enable local dignitaries, prospective students, past graduates and other individuals from southwest Georgia to pay tribute to an institution that has positively contributed to Albany, Georgia's economic development and mercantile maturation over the last half century. Founded in 1961, Albany Tech was originally established as the Monroe Area Vocational-Technical School. Shortly thereafter, the Albany Area Vocational-Technical School was built, and in 1972 the two schools merged to form a comprehensive and thriving educational cooperative. In 1988, the school continued its ongoing transformational advancement through its affiliation with the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education (DTAE) and the Technical College System of Georgia. This worthwhile partnership, allowed Albany Tech to expand its outreach initiatives by providing technical training opportunities to the residents, businesses and industries within a seven-county service delivery area. These counties include Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Dougherty, Lee, Randolph and Terrell. Today, Albany Tech has adult learning centers in all seven of its service delivery counties. The college has more than 3,000 full-time students and another 2,500 are enrolled part-time in seminars, continuing education courses, teleconferences and customized business training programs. As a member of the Technical College System of Georgia, Albany Tech provides vocational training support services for the thousands of non- traditional students, employees and industries that make-up southwest Georgia's expansive and ever evolving economic landscape. To accomplish this mission, the college utilizes traditional and distance learning methods. Specifically, the institution offers a wide-range of technical certificates that prepare students for employment opportunities in the fields of information technology, culinary arts, aeronautics, airplane construction, electronics, health care and other leading industrial careers. I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Albany Tech's current President, Dr. Anthony Parker, for his outstanding leadership in promoting and advancing this training institution's many outstanding vocational services. Southwest Georgians will forever be indebted to Dr. Parker and his well-respected predecessor, Nathaniel Cross, for all they have done to make Albany Tech a more accessible and highly resourceful training facility for the many individuals and industries that rely on the school's key services. Dr. Parker, his predecessors, and the Board of Directors should all be commended for their contributions in making Albany Tech a vital part of our local communities. For years, the administration, faculty and alumni of Albany Technical College have been steadfastly dedicated and fully committed to implementing training programs designed to advance the economic development needs of southwest Georgia's workforce, small business community and corporations. Due to this institution's diligent work and extraordinary efforts, employees, entrepreneurs and business owners throughout southwest Georgia have enjoyed continued success. In addressing the economic needs of hardworking Georgians through the expansive availability of strong vocational training programs, Albany Tech has facilitated our community's abilities to better respond to and meet the civic needs of our local residents. Mr. Speaker, in closing I ask that my colleagues join me in expressing our collective and profound gratitude to the faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of Albany Technical College for all they have done to improve the quality of life for the residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to our Nation's longest serving juvenile court judge and one of Columbus, Georgia's most distinguished legal minds, celebrated military veterans and dedicated public servants, Judge Aaron Cohn. Judge Cohn, who has served as a juvenile court judge since 1965, will step down from that position at the end of this month. His longevity of dedicated judicial service and steadfast commitment to positively influencing generations of Columbus-area youth, are just a few of the many reasons as to why Judge Cohn has been an invaluable and irreplaceable pillar in Georgia's legal community. A Columbus native, Judge Cohn was born on March 3, 1916. He is a graduate of Columbus High School and the University of Georgia. As a student at the University of Georgia, he epitomized the true meaning of scholar-athlete in that he was the Captain of the Bulldogs' tennis team, served as Vice President of the Inter-fraternity Council and was a member of the Blue Key Honorary Society. Following his exemplary collegiate career, Judge Cohn was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1938 and in 1940 he volunteered for the United States Army. He served under General George Patton in World War II and earned the Bronze Star for his patriotic service on behalf of our great Nation. As a Major in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, he bravely fought with U.S. armed forces across France and broke through German defenses at Metz. One of the most defining and heroic moments of Judge Cohn's illustrious military career occurred when as a young commanding officer in the U.S. Army, he was among the first of the Allied troops to help liberate the Nazi Concentration Camp in Ebensee, Austria. Almost 40 years later in 1982, he was honored by the United States Holocaust Memorial Commission as an Official Liberator of the Concentration Camp at Ebensee, Austria. Additionally, he was cited by the City of Bettembourg, Luxembourg, for his service in the liberation of Luxembourg while with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. After the war, Judge Cohn diligently focused his efforts on working to prevent children from taking the wrong path, advocating civil rights and promoting religious tolerance. During the initial years following his return from Europe, he worked as a successful lawyer and served as chief registrar for Muscogee County, Georgia where he was active in the desegregation of the voter registration process. When he became a juvenile court judge in 1965, his love of children and his determination to help the underprivileged led him to embark on a highly successful and rewarding judicial career. A recent headline in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer recently read ``Judge Cohn is an icon of integrity.'' It is true that Judge Cohn is an icon of integrity but he is also so much more. His notable judicial feats and vast accomplishments are an accumulation of tangibly substantive deeds that have positively impacted the lives of countless families around the world. I would be remiss if I did not also recognize the important role that Judge Cohn's late wife, Janet Ann, played in his numerous achievements by being a supportive spouse, close confidant and loving mother to their three children: Gail Cohn, Leslie L. Cohn and Jane Cohn Kulbersh. Finally, Judge Cohn has been a pillar of integrity throughout his life. He has been a mentor for me and limitless others; an adviser; role model and friend. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting a true American hero, outstanding legal scholar and one of Columbus, Georgia's most beloved figures, Judge Aaron Cohn, on the occasion of his well- deserved retirement.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great American farm advocate, successful businessman and dedicated community leader from the State of Georgia, Raymond C. Singletary, Jr. Mr. Singletary, a pillar in Georgia's agricultural community, recently passed away at the age of 99 at Pioneer Community Hospital of Early in Blakely, Georgia. His funeral service was held at the First United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 17, 2011. He was born March 26, 1912 to the late Raymond Cook Singletary, Sr. and Emma Quillian Singletary. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Margaret Sparks Singletary, his two sons Raymond Clifford Singletary and Marvin Sparks Singletary, and a brother A.J. Singletary and a sister Alice S. Dunn. A lifelong Georgian, Mr. Singletary attended Sewanee Military Academy and graduated from Emory University in 1932 where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Following his graduation from college, Mr. Singletary embarked on a tenured and successfully dynamic professional career in the fields of agriculture, banking and community service. He was a member of the Blakely Peanut Company and served as President from 1944 until 1978, and as Chairman of the Board from 1944 to 1985. Additionally, he was a member of the National Peanut Council, and served as the association's Chairman in 1966. Along with his advocacy efforts on behalf of Georgia's peanut farmers, Mr. Singletary was the Supervisor of the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District from 1944 to 1971, and was Supervisor Emeritus from 1977 to 2011. Moreover, he served as a member of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger from 1979 to 1980. Despite the demanding commitments associated with his occupational duties and agricultural advocacy initiatives, Mr. Singletary still found time to remain actively involved with other community organizations. He was a Mason, a Shriner, former Chairman of the Board of the First United Methodist Church and a distinguished member of the Blakely Rotary Club. In 2009, he received the Rotary Club's most prestigious award, the Four Avenues of Service Award. He is survived by a daughter, Anne S. Hammack and her husband Albert of Dalton, Ga.; a daughter-in-law, Henrietta Singletary of Albany, Ga.; a sister, Emily S. Garner of Milledgeville, Ga.; 5 grandchildren: James Albert Hammack, III and wife Elizabeth of Atlanta, Ga; Margaret H. Long and husband Jason of Atlanta, Ga; McArthur Singletary and Duncan Singletary, both of St. Simmons Island, Fl. and Raymond Singletary of Atlanta, Ga.; 2 great-grandchildren: James Albert Hammack IV and Mary Moore Hammack of Atlanta, Ga. I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in paying homage to Raymond C. Singletary, Jr. He lived a full life and the people of southwest Georgia will always be indebted to him for his unyielding support of our state's peanut farmers and our agricultural community at-large. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and the Blakely, Georgia community at this time of great loss.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. I.L. Mullins, Sr. for his fifty years of dedicated civic leadership and pastoral service to the communities of Thomas County, Georgia. On Saturday, September 24, 2011, Dr. Mullins' family, friends and the First Missionary Baptist Church of Thomasville, Georgia will recognize his half-century of outstanding deeds by hosting a ``Golden Jubilee Extravaganza'' in his honor. Dr. Mullins is one of the most courageous and committed individuals that I have ever encountered. He has been a source of counsel and advice as well as a fountain of inspiration for me over the last several years. I have been truly blessed by his warm friendship and support. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Mullins has been a preeminent role model for local government officials and community leaders in Georgia and across our great nation. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, Dr. Mullins marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and was instrumental in organizing the local Thomasville branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Additionally, Dr. Mullins served effectively as a Thomas County Commissioner for five-terms that spanned over two decades. Over the course of his lifetime, Dr. Mullins has masterfully balanced his civic responsibilities with his academic accomplishments and religious commitments. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College in 1957 and went on to obtain his Masters of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center & Gammon Theological Seminary in 1960. Furthermore, Dr. Mullins acquired his Doctor of Divinity degree from Faith College in Birmingham, Alabama in 1979. Ordained as a minister on December 29, 1957, Dr. Mullins has served as the Pastor of the First Missionary Baptist Church in Thomasville, Georgia since 1961. Through his ministerial service, Dr. Mullins serves as the Dean of the Thomasville Extension Center of the American Baptist Theological Seminary and is a Volunteer Chaplain at Archbold Memorial Hospital. Dr. Mullins is adored by many because of his unyielding zeal to help others and his passion for promoting harmonious relations among individuals from various backgrounds and different walks of life. Throughout my many years of association with Dr. Mullins, I have come to observe that it his intrinsic intelligence and high academic acumen that make him wise, but it is his kind heart and charitable character that speak to why he is so widely beloved. In light of his many accomplishments, my wife Vivian and I would like to extend our personal congratulations and warmest regards to Dr. Mullins, his beloved wife the former Josephine Lovejoy Ferrell, their children and grandchildren. I know that residents all throughout Georgia's Second Congressional District will forever be indebted to the Mullins family for selflessly allowing Dr. Mullins to be a mentor, father-figure and counselor to countless other families in communities throughout southwest Georgia. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Mullins for his noteworthy and dynamic career as one of our nation's most profound theologians, principled community leaders and thoughtful humanitarians.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great man and child of God, the Reverend Dr. Howard W. Creecy, Jr. His passing is a great loss to his family, his congregation, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Christian community. Dr. Creecy was a paragon of what a devout servant of God should be. He was a third generation gospel preacher, teacher and community leader. His family's legacy of leadership has exceeded over 100 years of continuous commitment to the Christian ministry. Rev. Dr. Creecy was born in Mobile, Alabama, to Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Howard W. Creecy, Sr. The family later moved to Dothan, Alabama, before settling in Atlanta, Georgia, where he pursued his education. In celebrating and acknowledging the outstanding achievements of Dr. Creecy, I am also paying homage to a family friend and someone who I considered to be one of my leading role models. The bond that my family enjoys with the Creecy family transcends different generations and is long-standing. Like me, he was a proud Morehouse Man. He began his ministry at Morehouse College and completed his graduate work at the Morehouse School of Religion of the Interdenominational Theological Seminary. He also holds a Doctor of Divinity from Abotra Bible Institute and Seminary. For 26 years, Dr. Creecy served as senior pastor of Saint Peter Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. There, under his leadership, the church experienced tremendous growth, including a staff of ministers, administrators, musicians and a pastoral clinical psychologist. Central to the growth and development of Saint Peter Church was his comprehensive and balanced vision of 21st century ministry. Starting in 2002, Dr. Creecy pastored with his father, Rev. Dr. Howard W. Creecy, Sr., at The Olivet Church in Fayetteville, Georgia, where he brought his 21st century ministry innovations, while still standing upon traditional Christian values. While working with his father until his passing, Olivet's membership, ministries, and resources grew exponentially under his leadership as senior pastor. Dr. Creecy was highly respected in the Christian community, and he was a frequent guest preacher nationwide and internationally. His strong faith and tremendous presence were felt by all around him. He was involved in numerous civic, social and political activities, serving as chairman of the Atlanta Task Force of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; former chairman of the Board of Directors, Project Re-direction, Atlanta University Criminal Justice Institute; and Founding National Board Member of the Organization of New Equality (ONE), Boston, Massachusetts. For his numerous endeavours, Dr. Creecy was honored and inducted by Morehouse College into the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel Board of Ministers and was a proud member of the NAACP. He was the first African-American to serve as Director of the Office of Chaplain Services for Atlanta Fulton County Government. Dr. Creecy leaves behind a devoted family: his loving wife, Yolanda Grier Creecy, their two beautiful daughters, Teresa and Kennedy. On behalf of my wife, Vivian and myself, I want to extend our heartfelt sympathies to the Creecy family. Dr. Creecy's devotion to God and his church were unsurpassed, and he has left us with a shining example of what a true Christian is. Romans 6:8 says, ``If we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.'' I know that today, Dr. Creecy lives with Christ.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor of the Rev. Dr. John A. Severson, who will celebrate fifty years of preaching the gospel this weekend. Through these many years, Rev. Dr. Severson has remained dedicated to spreading the Word of God and striving to improve his community, particularly those less fortunate. John A. Severson was born in Calhoun County in Edison, Georgia to the late Mr. Lucious B. Severson Sr., and the late Mrs. Annett H. Severson. He received his early education in the public schools of Calhoun County, and in 1961, felt the call to ministry. Rev. Dr. Severson received his Bachelors & Master's Degrees in Ministry from Bethany Theological Seminary, and he received his Doctorate of Theological Studies from the Bethany Divinity College and Seminary, in Dothan, Alabama. Since graduating, Rev. Dr. Severson and has been proclaiming the good news of the gospel to this day, serving several congregations in both Georgia and Alabama. Presently, Rev. Dr. Severson faithfully serves the Union Missionary Baptist Church congregation, where he has given spiritual guidance for the past thirty-three years. Under his gracious leadership, many in his community have developed a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Further, many physical changes have taken place under his leadership: Rev. Dr. Severson has organized many new ministries and new outreach ministries in the community. Dr. Severson is the past moderator of the Camilla Missionary Baptist Association; Co-Founder of the Christian Unity--biracial organization; past president of the Baptist Ministries Conference of Dougherty County; a member of Vision Albany; a member of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia; and a member of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education--National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. Inc. As the Founder and CEO of the Union Mission Outreach Center, an outreach ministry for the Union Missionary Baptist Church and community, Rev. Dr. Severson and the congregation continue Jesus' work of helping the poor by providing medicine, eye glasses, and dental care to those community residents who otherwise could not afford it. In addition, Rev. Dr. Severson developed a summer enrichment program held at Union Missionary Baptist Church each summer which is available to the community free of charge. Mr. Speaker, Rev. Dr. Severson's devotion to the improvement of his community reminds me of Matthew 25:35-37, in which Jesus says, ``I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me . . . Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'' Rev. Dr. Severson has done a remarkable job of touching the lives of his congregations, his communities, and especially the least of these. As we mark his fiftieth year of religious service, I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks and sincerest congratulations for his incredible contributions.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I rise today to urge all of my colleagues to support the Bishop amendment to H.R. 2551, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2012. This amendment would restore $1 million in funding to the Capitol Police to provide support for security upgrades to Congressional District offices as recommended by the House Sergeant of Arms earlier this year. Most members, particularly members from rural districts with more than one district office, will undertake a variety of ``security'' upgrades and improvements to their local offices as a result of the tragic shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and related security threats. Coupled with the costs of these new upgrades are reductions in the Members' Representational Allowance MRA for the second year in a row. This includes the 5 percent reduction in MRA in place for Fiscal Year 2011 and the proposed 6.4 percent reduction in MRA proposed in the Fiscal Year 2012 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill, which will be considered on the floor this week. The Fiscal Year 2012 proposed reduction in MRA will result in an average hit of approximately $95,000 per office, which will likely pose a severe strain on Member budgets. Additionally, you should know that security upgrades and improvements to Senate District offices will not be paid through MRA's. My amendment would simply provide an additional $1 million in funding via the Capitol Police for security improvements for those offices impacted by new House security policy. The proposed offset comes from the ``Transition Activities'' account, which essentially provides funding for furniture and related equipment for Freshman members, which of course, should be minimal in Fiscal Year 2012. Mr. Chair, it would be our intent, that if this amendment is accepted by this House, that the Sergeant at Arms, Capitol Police, members of our Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee and other pertinent House personnel, would work together to devise an effective plan and strategy for the use, approval and disbursement of these funds for district office security purposes. The pressure and demands which we already have in managing our MRA's are great, and will be more difficult in the coming year. So it is vitally important that we provide Members of this body some financial relief for the costs of district office security improvements. While the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee has the smallest budget of the thirteen Appropriations Subcommittees, and some would say that it is the least glamorous, its work is of vital importance to the entire nation. As most of you know, the Subcommittee is responsible for the protection and preservation of the treasures in the U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress, the publishing and dissemination of government information by the Government Printing Office, the objective analysis of our budget and economic decisions by the Congressional Budget Office, and the resources with which we provide representation to our constituents. However, our collective effectiveness in representing our constituents is potentially at risk given the proposed reductions in our MRA's. And I would like to remind my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, that after the tragic shootings in Tucson, Members were ``strongly encouraged'' to provide additional security for themselves, their staff and their constituents in the district--to be paid out of Members' accounts, with possibly some help from the Sergeant at Arms. With this bill's cut of 6.4 percent in Members' Representational Allowance, combined with the 10 percent in the Sergeant at Arms budget, these improvements in security will be difficult. Finally, if the Capitol Police are going to assess more threats against Members and take a more active role in district security, then their budget should also reflect these increased demands instead of being frozen. Mr. Chair, I would also like to enter into the Record, a copy of an article that ran in Roll Call, highlighting the need for enhanced safety advancements for Members of Congress, their staffs, and constituencies. I would ask that you support this important amendment. Thank you for your consideration. [From Roll Call, July 21, 2011] Cuts to Sergeant-at-Arms Raise Concerns for Some (By Daniel Newhauser) After the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) in January, Members began looking into ways to secure their district offices. Now, some Democrats are questioning whether House leaders will give them enough money to do so. Members' Representational Allowances and the House Sergeant-at-Arms office face budget cuts, while House appropriators have proposed flat funding for the Capitol Police. At a Rules Committee hearing Wednesday to set parameters for this week's floor debate on the legislative branch spending bill, Rep. Jared Polis--who said he received threats as recently as last week--singled out those cuts as his main concern. ``Security is hardly a luxury,'' the Colorado Democrat said. ``How can you justify cutting the Sergeant-at-Arms by 10 percent?'' Although the Sergeant-at-Arms' budget appears larger than it was last Congress, the increase actually comes because it was combined with the Office of Emergency Management, which was created after 9/11 to assist in emergency planning. That office was flat-funded, while the Sergeant-at-Arms received an $890,000 cut. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, assured Polis that the reduction would not affect security. In an interview before the hearing, the Florida Republican said administrative employees and equipment purchases would most likely take the hit. ``We made sure that none of the cuts to this office were going to affect any kind of safety issues,'' he said. After the Giffords shooting, the Sergeant-at-Arms offered Members free ADT Security assessments in the district offices. The House Administration Committee also authorized Members to use their MRAs to pay for suggested security enhancements. But between the 5 percent MRA cut of last fiscal year and the 6.4 percent cut proposed for fiscal 2012--a reduction that would average about $80,000 per office--Members might be put in a situation where they have to choose to fire one employee in order to afford to protect the rest, some Democrats argued. ``We are told that we need to secure our district offices more--for our safety, the safety of our staff and, most importantly, the safety of our constituents,'' said Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.), the subcommittee's ranking member, in a statement. ``How are we supposed to pay for that?'' Rep. G.K. Butterfield said he had planned to install bulletproof glass and a digital combination keypad lock at his North Carolina district office, but now he's not so sure. ``That was the plan. Now that we've got this dramatic cut, I don't know what we're going to do,'' the Democrat said. Rep. Sanford Bishop said he's skeptical Members will be left with enough money in their MRAs to pay for the upgrades. He was advised to improve lighting and create a barrier between his Georgia offices' public and work areas. ``The security assessments that the Sergeant-at-Arms paid for for all of our offices were very, very telling. But to implement the recommendations for the safety of our constituents and Members and staffs, it's going to cost some funds,'' the Democrat said. ``The MRA is not sufficient.'' Bishop has proposed an amendment to the legislative branch bill that would reassign $1 million from a fund used to assist freshmen in procuring furniture to create a fund within the Capitol Police to assist in paying for district security upgrades. Sergeant-at-Arms spokeswoman Kern Hanley said that no matter where the budget ends up, the agency would ``be able to fully execute our security mission'' and that they will help Members efficiently spend their money. ``We will coordinate the provision of professional security assistance to Members by conducting surveys and reviewing office selection options, security systems and policies to aid them in achieving the best value for their security dollars spent,'' Hanley said in an email. Republicans said that is the real lesson of the budget cut: Do more with less. Rep. Michael Grimm, a former FBI agent, said Members can mitigate the security impact of the cuts by raising their awareness when they are at home. ``We have to be a little more efficient but also a little more diligent so the Capitol Police has less work,'' the New York Republican said. ``None of that costs money.''

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great American and faithful public servant of the State of Georgia, a woman of great faith, and a personal friend, Peggy Greenway. Although she was born and raised in Alabama, Peggy's heart and home was our great State of Georgia. She was an active part of the Albany community for 37 years before moving to Vienna, Georgia, and finally relocating to Dublin, Georgia. Peggy loved Southern Gospel music and had a deep faith in the Lord. She was a cherished member of the Byne Memorial Baptist Church in Albany, the Pinecrest Baptist Church in Vienna, and the Dublin Baptist Church in Dublin. Through her work with the Byne Memorial youth group, she touched many lives; those who knew and loved her described Peggy as a fine Christian and loving lady. In addition to her devout faith, Peggy was an enthusiastic employee; I first witnessed Peggy's dedicated work ethic during my first term in Congress. Peggy served as a caseworker and as Director of Constituent Services for my district in our Albany office. For more than a decade, she worked tirelessly to fight for the citizens of the Second Congressional District of Georgia. Whether it was an issue with Social Security or the VA, Peggy was an expert at providing constituent care. Peggy's expertise was a great asset to the Second District, a calling which first began under Rep. Charles Hatcher. Peggy also faithfully served the Eighth Congressional District of Georgia, handling casework for the constituents of Representatives Jim Marshall, and Austin Scott. She also worked for Congressman J. Roy Rowland. As Members of Congress, we are well aware of Peggy's dedication to improving her community. She honed her commitment to excellence when she began her career working at WALB, the local television station in Albany, and also for Judge Asa Kelley. Peggy's unyielding strength of character will truly be missed. She lived a full life, and her selfless dedication to the citizens of Georgia is her lasting legacy. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, especially her daughters, Tammy and Julee, and her beloved grandchildren, Cade Greenway, Cole Bailey, Camryn Bailey, Cara Bailey and Conner Bailey. Leonardo da Vinci said, ``As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well used brings happy death.'' Peggy Greenway utilized her God- given gifts to improve the lives of others, and her days were well- spent; therefore, Mr. Speaker, I know that she can rest happy.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I am in its current form.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, there are many times when we come to this floor and engage in heated debate, and we have heard some heated debate today. This so-called Cut, Cap, and Balance bill does just that. It cuts and it caps programs that will work for everyone and put America ahead of our competitors. It cuts and caps our ability to jump- start new industries in our country, like clean energy. It cuts and caps our ability to rebuild our economic infrastructure, like roads and bridges and ports, and to put people to work. It cuts and caps education and job training opportunities to help middle class people get and keep good jobs. Yes, it cuts and it caps, but it balances the cuts and the caps by protecting tax breaks for the wealthiest folks in our country by providing subsidies for corporations that take jobs overseas, away from American workers, and by cutting Medicare and Social Security benefits for our Nation's seniors--balancing it on the backs of them. I have some problems with this bill, Mr. Speaker, but I am a realist, and I realize, reluctantly, that it might just pass. So, regardless of how we may feel about the underlying legislation, this motion to recommit is something upon which we ought to all be able to agree. It simply says that it shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any balanced budget amendment to the Constitution that could result in a reduction in veterans' benefits. Mr. Speaker, we have already seen what a shortfall in veterans funding can do. I remember the problems with veterans care. I remember the $1 billion shortfall a few years ago when the Department of Veterans Affairs had to raid its operations and maintenance account to help pay for veterans basic medical care. Even now, veterans have to wait years to have their claims adjudicated because they're just are not enough adjudicators. They have to wait too long to get doctors to get their treatment. Mr. Speaker, with more of our servicemembers returning home every day, more vets are returning home who have no opportunity or a limited opportunity for job training, returning home with PTSD, or returning home now having to face the possibility of limited educational benefits because of this bill and its progeny. Mr. Speaker, now is not the time to endanger benefits to our Nation's veterans. When veterans come home without limbs because they have defended our freedoms, we should not put in place Cut, Cap, and Balance legislation on their backs, the backs that are strained and damaged by the injuries they sustained fighting for this country. We should not stand idly by and watch this Congress endanger the welfare of our Nation's heroes. Today's Nation's military remains deployed overseas as it has during the last 9 years. The funding requirements we face in meeting the needs have significantly increased as we continue to meet and address the longstanding issues from past and current wars. And we cannot watch the requirements for these fighting men and women who come home continue to die. These needs last long after the last American combatants depart Iraq and Afghanistan. This motion to recommit would simply protect our veterans from any potential unintended consequence resulting from this ill-conceived bill, the so-called Cut, Cap, and Balance Act. The needs of America's veterans, past and future, should be one of our highest priorities. And this motion will ensure that our veterans are taken care of and they receive the benefits they have earned. Let's be clear. The passage of this motion to recommit will not prevent the passage of the underlying bill. If the amendment is adopted, it will be incorporated into the bill and the bill will be immediately voted upon. So though we may disagree on the bill, today we have the opportunity with this motion to recommit and my amendment to speak with one voice in support of our veterans. It is up to all of us. I urge you to vote ``yes'' on this motion to recommit. But let's make sure that if this bill passes, the Cut, Cap and Balance and any balanced budget will not result in a reduction of veterans benefits. Vote ``yes'' on the motion to recommit and protect our Nation's veterans.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a faithful public servant, a dedicated civil rights activist, a devoted mother and wife, and a personal friend, Mrs. Mary Alice Shipp. Mary Alice Shipp was born on November 30, 1927 in Alamo, Georgia, one of six children to the late Aaron O. Cook, Sr. and the late Abbie Hall Cook Steward. Mary Alice Shipp had a thirst for knowledge and throughout her life continued her pursuit of education. She graduated from the Twin City High School in Telfair County and went on to Albany State College, where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. She later attended Fort Valley State College, where she became certified in Guidance and Counseling. In addition, she became certified in Career Education at the University of Georgia and became a Master Cosmetologist at the Madam C.J. Cargo Beauty School in Savannah. As the years progressed, she completed advanced training in Christian Education at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. Her love of education led her to teach elementary school in Telfair, Bleckley and Bibb Counties for 28 years before retiring. In addition to teaching, she was an accomplished business woman, owning and operating the Debutante Beauterette in McRae, Georgia for 20 years and was co- owning and managing the Shepard Funeral Home in Sylvester, Georgia. Mary Alice Shipp served her community, as well. She was appointed to the Georgia Board of Corrections, Georgia Hunger Coalition, Member of the Sylvester City Council, President of the Worth County NAACP, and Director of the Worth County Save the Children. She and her husband, the late Curtis Shipp, were dedicated to the citizens of Worth County and the surrounding area. For more than 40 years, she was a part of the struggle for civil rights. She was a faithful believer in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the advocacy of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Because of her efforts, she was recognized by numerous organizations for her selfless efforts to help the poor, aged, and less fortunate. She donated many of her awards and memoirs to the Albany Civil Rights Museum. The Mary Alice Shipp Senior Center, named in her honor, also ensures Mrs. Shipp's lasting legacy. Mrs. Shipp was a woman of great faith. She was converted at an early age and was a devout member of Corinth C.M.E. Church in McRae, Georgia, where she served in numerous capacities for many years. After moving to Sylvester, she became affiliated with Jones Chapel A.M.E. Church and later united with the Brown's Chapel C.M.E. Church, where she served faithfully until her death. She was blessed with a loving family, including her late husband, Curtis Shipp, two beautiful daughters, Lynette Edwards and Paula Adams; son-in-law, Virgil Adams; grandson, Xavier Omar Edwards; sister, Annie Pearl Little; a sister-in-law, Delores Cook; devoted step-son, Ricky Shipp; nieces, Beverly Burks, Regina Daniels, Antoinette Smith, Judith Cook, Sara Shields and Nekia Daniels; nephews, Charles Little, Jr, Philip Burks, Kelsie Daniels, Jr., and Jason Smith. Mr. Speaker, through Mrs. Shipp's endeavors to educate and improve her community, she touched many people. She leaves behind a lasting legacy of dedicated service, and I was fortunate to have her as a friend. My heartfelt sympathies are with her family, as it is always difficult to lose a loved one, but there is comfort knowing that today, heaven has a new angel and Mary Alice Shipp is with God.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a decorated soldier, community leader, public servant, and my longstanding friend, CSM (Ret) Eddie Roberts. Sadly, CSM Roberts passed away suddenly on July 6, 2011, but he left a legacy and a personality that will never be forgotten. Eddie was a native of Pensacola, Florida. Spurred by a love of country, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965 and completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Throughout his military career, he had 13 military assignments, which included tours in Korea, Germany, and Panama. He served two decorated tours in Vietnam, during which he displayed remarkable heroism and earned the endearing nickname, ``Fast Eddie.'' During his tour in Panama, he trained soldiers to throw grenades. When one soldier dropped the grenade after pulling the safety pin, Eddie quickly grabbed the grenade and safely tossed it away from frightened soldiers. His military career earned him many honors including: the Legion of Merit, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Ranger Tab, Jumpmaster Wings and the Pathfinder Badge. After his distinguished military career ended in 1995, he found other ways to give back to the community that he loved so much. He started work at Columbus Bank and Trust as Vice President and Military Sales Coordinator. He never forgot his experience in the military and never forgot his love of soldiers. He used his position to help soldiers become better managers of their finances. Moreover, he advocated for their causes with a fervor and spirit that made you take notice and appreciate his passion for his comrades. In addition to improving the lives of soldiers, Eddie was involved in many social and civic organizations dedicated to the improvement of his community. He was one of the founding members of the Controllers Civic and Social Club in Columbus, an organization that has given away more than 20,000 pairs of shoes to low-income children. Because of his infectious personality, Eddie never met a stranger he didn't like and always tried to put himself in the ``shoes'' of others. Consequently, thousands of young people have been able to walk in shoes with pride and dignity. On a personal note, Eddie was my dear friend for many years. During my first Congressional campaign and subsequent campaigns, he was one of my drivers. He often joked that: ``He was never paid for his services.'' He continued to provide me with treasured friendship and wise counsel over the years. The phrase, ``One of a Kind'' is used too much in our everyday discourse. I can truly say that CSM (Ret). Eddie Roberts was one of a kind and will never be forgotten. One of my mentors, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, once said that, ``Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done.'' Mr. Speaker, the world is a better place because CSM (Ret) Eddie Roberts passed this way. He did something unique with his life and the world is better for it. On behalf of my wife, Vivian and I, I extend my deepest sympathies to all those who knew and loved this special man.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great leader in higher education in Georgia--someone who has been committed to improving the lives of young men and women throughout his career. Dr. Larry Rivers recently marked his fifth anniversary as the President of Fort Valley State University (FVSU), and what a remarkable 5 years it has been. Dr. Rivers was born in the suburbs of Philadelphia and graduated from what was then Fort Valley State College. After earning a master's degree in history from Villanova University, and a Doctor of Arts degree in history from Carnegie-Mellon University, he went on to teach at Florida A&M University for more than 20 years and earned the rank of ``distinguished university professor,'' one of only two on the campus. He returned to his alma mater in 2006, and in 5 short years, FVSU has experienced a remarkable turnaround under Dr. Rivers' leadership. Student enrollment is at the highest point in the 115-year history of the university. Since 2006, the university invested $160 million in new construction projects that are transforming the campus with additional buildings to accommodate more students and new research facilities. And FVSU now offers new undergraduate courses and master's degrees in fields such as biotechnology, teaching, and early childhood development that will provide the education and training our future leaders need to compete in a 21st century economy. Because of FVSU's progress, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools recently reaffirmed the university's accreditation, and the school was ranked 25th on U.S. News and World Report's list of ``America's Best Black Colleges.'' To meet the demands of FVSU's growth, the City of Fort Valley has modernized its infrastructure through several rural development grants and wastewater reclamation projects. These fundamental improvements will attract new businesses to Southwest Georgia that are looking to take advantage of the talented individuals FVSU is producing each and every year. Dr. Rivers has earned well-deserved praise for his efforts at FVSU. Georgia Trend magazine recognized him as one of the ``100 Most Influential Georgians'' and one of Georgia's ``Top 25 Leaders'' in its 25th Anniversary issue. While the transformation at FVSU is remarkable, I know Dr. Rivers will not rest until FVSU is ranked 1st. As Thomas Jefferson once said, ``Universities are based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind.'' I am confident that under the leadership of Dr. Larry Rivers, we will continue to expand the minds of our young men and women and educate the leaders of tomorrow.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to rise in support of the committee's recommended FY12 Defense appropriations bill. I'd first like to commend Subcommittee Chairman Young, Ranking Member Dicks, Chairman Rogers, the subcommittee members and staff on both sides of the aisle for continuing the fine tradition of bipartisan cooperation and teamwork in producing this bill. Of note, the bill provides $530.5 billion in total for the DOD in fiscal year 2012, $17 billion more than the current level. In addition, the bill provides $118.7 billion for contingency funding for the ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. It continues our longstanding commitment to our troops and their families by including a pay raise for the troops, strengthening health care services for servicemembers and their families, and providing $2.3 billion for family support and advocacy programs. The bill protects our troops in harm's way by providing $3.2 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, $2.8 billion for combating IEDs in Afghanistan and Iraq, and a total of $453 million for the modernization of the M1 Abrams tanks. The bill also includes an additional $1.5 billion for the National Guard and Reserve equipment, $633 million for military medical research, including $233 million for cancer research, $125 million for psychological health and traumatic brain injury research. I'm pleased that the committee included $141 million for University and Industry Research Centers, of which $20 million was included for Historically Black Colleges and Universities for research. As a former member of the subcommittee, I'm reminded of my dear friend and colleague, former Chairman Jack Murtha, who followed one central creed and principle in developing an annual House Defense appropriations bill, and that was to create a bill which provided our servicemen and -women all the resources and tools they need to do their job as effectively and efficiently as possible. I believe this bill does just that. And I do earnestly believe that Chairman Murtha would be very proud of this bill. And I'm pleased to support its passage.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

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

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Thank you very much. I couldn't agree with Mr. Farr more. The one thing that I think we need to understand that this program enhances is our trade deficit. We have been suffering with a global economy over the years. But the one aspect of the American economy in terms of our trade deficit that has kept us afloat has been agricultural exports. And it's programs like the Market Access Program that has allowed us to maintain a trade balance with our global competitors. So I would think that this is a program that we ought to carefully protect. It's a program that works. And it's what has kept our trade deficit at the level that it is. If we should take this away, we can look to have more products from China, fewer of our exports going overseas, and fewer of the smaller companies that benefit from this carve-out, being able to utilize the Internet marketing and to sell their products oversees. So I would think that this is, again, penny-wise, pound- foolish, and it should be defeated.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I couldn't agree more with the gentleman from Arizona when he says that we've got to put everything on the table in order to eliminate this deficit and to put us on a path toward balancing our budget. We've got a fiscal crisis. But at the same time, we need to make smart choices. We need to establish priorities. We don't need to cut off our feet or cut off our hands. We need to empower ourselves and have the tools that we need. And I think that if we're going to have a strong agricultural community, if we're going to have American farmers be able to produce high quality, safe, economical food for the people of this country and for export, and to be able to compete in the global marketplace, we are going to have to have reasonable and smart farm support. Our authorizing committee has done a great job. And Members of this body have done a tremendous job in trying to review over the years what we need to do to tighten up and make more efficient our farm support programs. And we've got to do that. And of course they do have to be on the table. But let's be smart. Let's not take a meat ax to it when we need to take a scalpel approach. An individual or a legal entity must be actively engaged in farming rules that are administered by USDA in order to participate in farm programs. To receive the payments when they are available, individuals or legal entities determined to be actively engaged in farming must prove their average adjusted gross farm and nonfarm income are below the levels that are set by the statute. If an individual is determined to be eligible, the total benefits for all crops are limited to a specific amount as dictated by the statute. Now, we can't have a cookie-cutter approach to this. Our farmers in the Midwest and other parts of the country other than the Southeast have a different need in terms of farm support and farm support programs. We have a diversity of crops. We have a multitude of crops in our portfolio in the Southeast, from Virginia all the way to Texas. And in order to be able to grow those crops effectively, a producer has to have versatile equipment. For example, if you grow cotton you've got to have a certain kind of equipment for cotton. If you grow corn and grain, you've got to have a different piece of equipment for that. There are three different kinds of equipment. And peanut growers, cotton growers, and grain growers all in the Southeast have to finance those various kinds of equipment. Now, the 2008 farm law made the most comprehensive and far-reaching reforms of eligibility and limitations on farm programs in 20 years. It substantially reduced the level of the income test that was established in the 2002 farm bill by creating two new tests to determine eligibility. Individuals or entities with a 3-year average adjusted gross nonfarm income exceeding $500,000 are not eligible for any commodity program benefits. Individuals with a 3-year average adjusted gross farm income exceeding $750,000 are ineligible for direct benefits. While this amount may seem generous, the gross income is calculated before debt servicing and other expenses are met. Since a new cotton harvester can cost upwards of $750,000, and investments in land and crop input such as fuel are escalating, you've still got to take into account the cost of the irrigation system, the labor cost, the rent on the land, the ad valorem taxes, and health insurance for the farmers and for their families. So you've really got a lot of expenses that are not taken into account when this statutory limitation on income is calculated. It also, in '08, eliminated the three entity rule and replaced it with the direct attribution rule, which provides that each payment is attributed to a specific individual. That reduced the payment, since prior to 2008, individuals could participate in three entities receiving payments. Congress thoroughly debated the level of income tax when we developed the 2008 farm bill so that the tests for farm income and the tests for nonfarm income were appropriate. The tests are administered by USDA, and the documents submitted to USDA by program participants are subject to rigorous review by USDA and IRS. This is a bad, bad thing, and I suggest that we ought to let the authorizing committee do this in the farm bill and not do it now. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I also rise in opposition to this amendment, and I associate myself with the remarks of the gentlelady from South Dakota. I believe that with the economic challenges that our country has felt, much of which is related to the cost of fuel, this is an amendment that I think undermines our ability to recover and to create jobs. In our rural community down in Mitchell County, Georgia, we have an ethanol facility there which contributes a tremendous amount to the local economy. It hires people and it is, I think, the example of how we grow our rural economy. In fact, this amendment would stop that kind of job growth. It would not allow this facility to expand and to be prosperous, and I just think that it's the wrong way to go. When America and the American economy gets sick and gets a cold, the rural economy has pneumonia and it's on life support, and we need to make sure that--we had some 30, 40, 50, 60 individuals in rural Georgia who decided that they wanted to invest their own money in a home grown industry for renewable energy, so that we would be in a position to contribute to our own energy self-sufficiency and we would be able to do it in a way where our local individuals would be able to create jobs and to increase the economy there in our local rural community. It has worked very well except for the fact that they don't have the facilities, don't have the pumps, and we need to make sure that they do. This amendment I think is pennywise and pound foolish, and I think that we need to go ahead and move ahead to help our country become energy self-sufficient. How do we do that? By making sure that consumers do have access to the blends so that we will not continually have to fight with the Middle East for the cost of fuel. Oil prices really are battering our economy. Energy costs are battering our economy. It's also battering our national security. When you look at how many billions of gallons of fuel are spent for our national security with our military vehicles, our weapons, we need to have alternative energy sources, and I think this amendment undermines that. I oppose it and I associate myself with all those who oppose this amendment. I think that we need to move forward with energy self- sufficiency, energy independence for our country. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Chair, I would like to express my thanks to the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee and to the gentleman from New Jersey for his comments in behalf of the committee of their willingness to help find a solution to the issue that serves as the basis for this point of order, these regulations. We have cotton, peanuts and pecans in my district, and we also have poultry. We have pork, and we have cattle operations. The decisions of the FDA have an enormous impact on the farmers in my district at many levels. Many of the producers in my district are worried about some of the conclusions that FDA seems to have reached regarding antibiotics. They're worried about what will come next. They conduct themselves every day with the best interests of their animals in mind. A healthy animal means healthy food for consumers. If there is scientific evidence that shows that current practices are not in the interest of public health, my farmers, of course, will change their practices, but there should and there must be clear evidence. Not unnecessary regulation. Certainly with the job situation today and the state of our economy, the FDA must be very careful, very precise, and very certain that any regulatory action they take is supported by scientific evidence. I very much welcome the involvement of the authorizing committee to help find a solution to this issue. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

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