Sanford Bishop

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Isn't it true that the gentleman in the well should be addressing the underlying bill, and it's a violation of the rules if the remarks in the well do not address the underlying bill?

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert C. Holton, Sr., of Grady County, Georgia, whose achievements merit our recognition. He is recognized for his 53 years of service to his family, church, and his community. The residents of Grady County, Georgia, should be proud to have called Holton a neighbor and a friend. Robert C. Holton, Sr., was born on April 30, 1943, to Mrs. Goodie Bell Williams Holton and the late Mr. Henry Holton, Sr. In following the tradition of his parents, Holton tirelessly served God through Jerusalem P.B. Church, which later became Mt. Zion P.B. Holton. For 53 years, Holton served as a deacon and trustee. After graduation, Holton attended Monroe Area Vocational Technical School in Albany, Georgia, where he received a certificate in general auto mechanics. Far too many stories are told about the elite and their charity; however, today I would like to recognize the story of an ordinary man who gave extraordinarily of himself. It was in Grady County, Georgia, where Holton began his unprecedented commitment to his immediate community. As the founder of Vision & Wisdom and Family Homes Building, Inc., Holton provided affordable housing to needy families. However, this was not enough for Holton, Sr., as he committed 22 years to the chairmanship of the Francis Western YMCA. Also, Holton served in the Thomasville/Thomas County Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years. Unfortunately, Holton's tragic death came as a shock; he died during an automobile accident on his usual weekend trip. So on this 26th of July, I commend Robert C. Holton, Sr. for his tangible commitments to the State of Georgia. May his work ethic and commitment continue to define our State.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Chairman, I rise today in strong support of the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007. I'd also like to thank the members of the Agriculture Committee for their commitment to this effort which has yielded a farm bill that is a victory for all Americans. This bipartisan agreement provides a strong safety net for not only our Nation's family farmers and small and disadvantaged farmers, but also for millions of American citizens who live below the poverty line and are dependents on Federal nutrition assistance. Committee members worked diligently, day and night for weeks, to ensure that funding levels and payment limitations were fair, equitable, and available to farmers. It ensures a flexible, affordable and top-quality food supply for consumers while strengthening America's food safety and security. The farm bill provides a 5-year reauthorization of the farm, rural development, conservation, and nutrition programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA. The 2007 farm bill is fiscally responsible, fully compliant with the PAYGO rules, while still providing a strong safety net for America's farmers and ranchers. It makes vital investments in nutrition, conservation, and renewable energy. This bill will help producers of all commodities stay on the land that they hold and love, so that they can continue with their livelihood, while also conserving natural resources for future generations. The bill before us today also addresses many of the needs of those in southwest and middle Georgia, Georgia's 2nd Congressional District, which I represent, in terms of protecting our Nation's farmers, conserving our natural resources, and feeding the hungry. In addition, the bill will provide better balances in support programs between all types of crops. The bill's reforms further encourage farmers to plant for the market, and not for the benefit of government programs. It also provides a sharp increase in funding for fruit and vegetable and other specialty crops, mandates implementation of country of origin labeling, and increases assistance to small and disadvantaged farmers significantly, including important new language with respect to the Pigford case. In addition, the bill increases funding for school lunch and other nutritional programs, and provides for new and extended conservation, research, trade promotion, and rural development programs. This bill makes much needed strides in reforming the nutrition title to better help Americans adequately cover food costs and sustain themselves for the entire month. It increases the minimum benefit for food stamp recipients, which is especially important for senior citizens in need. It also helps feed our military families by excluding special combat pay as income when qualifying for food assistance programs. Finally, I am particularly pleased that the bill proposes and improves the quality of life of the people living in our rural communities by renewing successful programs that provide critical healthcare, emergency and communications needs to underserved areas. It creates a new grant program to assist rural health facilities, improves access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas with a greater focus on the rural communities of greatest need, and supports critical infrastructure programs for rural cities and town. Today, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ``Protect our Farmers.'' They protect us by satisfying our most basic needs-- food, fiber, and fuel. Let us pass this Farm bill today for our farmers across this great Nation who desperately need this support, so that they are able to continue producing a safe and reliable food source. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this bill.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the Kind-Flake amendment, and in support of H.R. 2419, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007. Madam Chairman, the Kind-Flake amendment is nothing more than a veiled attempt at pulling the rug out from underneath of this nation's hardworking family farmers and those in the rural South who till the land of our nation to provide us with a safe, healthy, and robust food supply--often with little or no profit for themselves. Increasingly, we are relying on our farmers on many fronts--namely, to clothe, feed and, now, fuel our nation. The Kind-Flake amendment would divert us from reaching that goal by discouraging domestic crop production, dismantling our hope for energy innovation and independence, and increasing the trade deficit with countries that threaten our economic competitiveness. Indeed, the Kind-Flake proposal would take away the farm safety net and put U.S. farmers and ranchers in unfair competition against heavily subsidized foreign producers, many of whom are protected by much higher import tariffs than those imposed by the United States. In recent months, we have heard horrific accounts of how agricultural products are grown and how food is manufactured abroad, especially in China, whose rapidly growing, already behemoth-sized economy now imports $2.26 billion worth of food into this country each year. Do we really want to reduce the incentive for our domestic producers to grow their own, and rely more from these foreign countries with proven histories of lax food safety standards and tendencies to include poisonous additives into their products? I surely hope not. Furthermore, in lowering the AGI limitation to $250,000, the Kind- Flake proposal is not drawn narrowly, as its supporters claim, but instead casts a wide net--it would eliminate over 38,000 current recipients from being covered by a farm safety net. The Kind-Flake proposal also misrepresents itself by touting its revenue-based counter cyclical payments as revolutionary, and as a superior alternative to the traditional counter-cyclical program. This completely ignores the fact that the Agricultural Committee's markup includes a revenue based counter-cyclical payment option! In the Agricultural Committee's proposal the producer gets to choose whether or not the current payment system or a revenue-based system is right for their unique operation. This allows individual producers to decide on their own what is best for their operation. Kind-Flake also cuts direct payments and, quite foolishly, assumes that by cutting direct payments, landowners will lower the price of rented land. In reality, cutting Direct Payments would leave farmers who rent land in a terrible lurch. It is highly unlikely that landowners will feel sympathetic to a producer and compelled to lower land rental rates. Much of this debate is focused on cost--that agricultural subsidies are out of control, are disproportionate to the agricultural industry's value to United States GDP, but let's focus on the facts: U.S. farm policy today costs less than one half of one percent of the total federal budget and comprises just 13 percent of the total U.S. Department of Agriculture budget. I believe that proportionately small cost is well worth what is returned to the American people in terms of a safe, affordable and robust food supply, a base on which to become energy independent, 20 percent of this nation's jobs, and $3.5 trillion in economic activity. My colleagues offering this amendment today are misguided about rural interests, about rural America, and about the overall cost of a bill that is expected to keep U.S. farm policy costs low and be good for taxpayers.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a forgotten soldier whose achievements mandate acknowledgement from this deliberative body. The Second Congressional District of Georgia is proud to call the late Maceo Snipes--a man of distinction--one of our own. In recognition of his service and tragic death, a memorial service was held in his honor on Saturday, July 21, 2007. On March 28, 1909 Maceo Snipes was born to the late John and Lula Snipes in Taylor County, Georgia. At the age of 34, he enlisted into the U.S. Army, where he honorably fought in World War II. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Rupert, Georgia, where his courage continued to exemplify. Maceo Snipes made history in Taylor County, when he made a statement by voting in the 1946 primary election. In this process, he became the first African-American to vote in Taylor County since the Reconstruction. Unfortunately the novelty actions of Mr. Snipes led others to bigotry. The next day Maceo Snipes was shot at his family home in Taylor County, Georgia. Three days following the brutal shooting, Maceo Snipes died in Atlanta, GA. The day was July 17, 1946. Although he died, his diligent spirit will continue to live in the memories of Georgians. For years to come, proponents of civil rights will look to his example for inspiration. So on this 24th day of July, 2007, I with great honor commend Maceo Snipes for his service and bravery. Snipes is a credit to the ideal American, who devoted his life to his community and our country.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I represent Fort Benning; and I represent the WHINSEC, the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. This is a fine institution. It's designed and it is functioning, created just in 2001 in response to the critique that you have heard today over and over again to promote professional education and training to eligible nations in the Western Hemisphere in democratic principles that are set forth in the charter of the Organization of American States. You have heard all of this critique, but if you look at the bill itself that we are debating tonight, on page 65, language is put in here specifically to address these concerns. It says, ``That the Secretary of State shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations, no later than 60 days after enactment of this Act, a report addressing how the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation IMET program for fiscal year 2008 contributes to the promotion of human rights, respect for civilian authority and the rule of law, the establishment of legitimate judicial mechanisms for the military, and achieving the goal of right sizing military forces.''

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably absent yesterday afternoon, June 18, on very urgent business. Had I been present for the three votes which occurred yesterday evening, I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 2563, rollcall vote No. 499; I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Con. Res. 151, rollcall vote No. 500; I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 233, rollcall vote No. 501.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Lenore Golden Shackelford of Quitman, GA. In recognition of her 60 plus years of service to her community in south Georgia and her nomination by the National Coalition of One Hundred Black Women as a ``Woman Who Inspires.'' Ms. Shackelford, a native of Quitman, GA, has spent the greater balance of her life in service to the community there. In 1950 she started her professional career as a Social studies teacher and Girls' Basketball Coach at Morven Rosenwald High School in Brooks County. She went on to teach the fourth and fifth grades at New Empress Elementary School in Brooks County before returning to school and receiving her Certification in Guidance and Counseling from Florida A & M University in 1959. She returned to service in education as a Social Studies Teacher and School Counselor at Washington Street High School in Quitman, GA. Ms. Shackelford was one of the first certified school counselors in the state of Georgia and the first school counselor in Brooks County. Ms. Shackelford was a devoted teacher and counselor, who made it her mission to have direct interaction with each of her students in order to help them have productive futures. During her 30 years as a school counselor, Ms. Shackelford was also very active in her community. She coordinated community committees to address personnel issues in the Brooks County School System, organized Human Rights Committees, and played an instrumental role in establishing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Brooks County Public Schools. So, on this the 19th day of June, 2007, I with great honor commend Ms. Lenore Golden Shackelford, for her many years of unheralded service to the people of Brooks County. She is truly a credit to the Second Congressional District of Georgia, the State of Georgia, and the United States as a whole.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for yielding. Mr. Chairman, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among veterans who access the VA health care system is markedly higher than that of the general population. Furthermore, barriers within this system contribute to already late diagnoses of HIV among veterans. Early diagnosis is crucial because the sooner an HIV-infected person begins treatment, the more manageable and the more cost effective their treatment will be. I speak today as a member of the subcommittee with concern about the impact of HIV/AIDS on veterans, not only in Georgia, but throughout the Southeast and every major city around the Nation. The need for action on this issue, Mr. Chairman, is exemplified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recent Heightened Response to HIV/AIDS in African American Communities initiative. These actions follow the September 2006 release of the CDC's revised HIV testing guidelines, which advise HIV testing become a routine part of medical care. The VA is the largest integrated health care system in the United States and, therefore, the largest provider of HIV care in the country. However, VA's current HIV testing policy is based on an outdated testing model which is inconsistent with the CDC guidelines. Compared to the general population, the prevalence of HIV infections is higher among those accessing the VA health care system. A recent study that was conducted by a VA researcher found that at the time of diagnosis 55 percent of HIV-positive veterans had already developed Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS, which takes roughly 10 years to develop after it's initially contracted. Even more disturbing is the fact that most of these veterans had accessed the VA health care system on an average of six times before they were ever diagnosed with this disease. This outdated VA HIV testing policy denies veterans sensible and what is now recommended as standard access to HIV screening in other health care systems. I applaud the chairman for his leadership in making health care for veterans a priority in the VA appropriations bill. Mr. Chairman, I'm hoping that we can work together to further explore this important issue and address it in an appropriate way as we move forward on the VA Appropriations measure for fiscal 2008. At this point, I'd like to ask the chairman of the subcommittee if he would be so kind as to yield to Mr. Jackson from Illinois to speak to the issue of HIV prevalence among veterans.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I thank the gentleman, our subcommittee chairman, for his tremendous work and bringing our bill to the floor. Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to rise in full support of our FY 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies appropriations bill. As a member of the subcommittee, I am extremely proud of the work that the subcommittee and members on both sides of the aisle have done in crafting a bill which truly supports America's servicemen and -women and their families by boosting military construction funding so that they can have more effective training facilities, better housing, health care and day-care facilities, providing an unprecedented $21.4 billion investment in military construction, family housing and BRAC, or nearly $207 million more than the President's request. Just as important, I am extremely proud to join my subcommittee colleagues in recommending a historic expansion in support and resources for our Nation's veterans. This bill includes the largest single increase in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration, increasing the VA budget by $6.7 billion above the 2007 level and $3.8 billion above the President's request. For the first time in history, funding for VA medical care exceeds the budget of the veterans service organization's independent budget that has been going on now for decades. This will ensure quality health care for 5.8 million patients, including about 263,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, who the VA will treat, expectantly, in FY 2008. This bill will provide veterans with health care and benefits that we have promised them, resulting in the hiring of more qualified doctors and nurses to improve medical services to our veterans and to reduce the waiting times for doctor appointments and to provide more help to veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury, PTSD, mental health care issues and lost limbs to rebuild their lives. This is truly an accomplishment that all of us, as Members of this august body, should be very proud of. Of note, our bill also provides funding that gives much-needed nonrecurring maintenance of the VA health care facilities, $500 million above the President's request to prevent a Walter Reed-type situation from occurring in the VA medical system. It will significantly reduce the 400,000 claims backlog of veterans that are waiting for disability and other benefit determinations. It will provide for better barracks, housing, training facilities for our troops when they return from combat through an unprecedented $24.4 billion investment in military construction, family housing and BRAC, $207 million more than the President's request. It provides funds to grow our military forces to begin the process of supporting an additional 65,000 Army, 27,000 Marine and 9,000 National Guard troops that will increase our ultimate end strength. I have the privilege and the honor of representing Fort Benning and Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany, and the men and women who work, live and train at this great military facility, who are defending and serving our great Nation with dignity, honor and distinction. As such, I was very pleased that our subcommittee saw fit to include full funding for the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Account, which is also known as BRAC, at the level of $8.2 billion. This level of funding will be critically important to military facilities, such as Fort Benning, which are expected to see and experience significant new personnel as a result of BRAC and the global repositioning of our forces around the world. While we in the Columbus area continue to have some concerns with respect to what impact the BRAC process may have on our local school systems in terms of potential dramatic increases in school enrollment, we continue to be encouraged by the interest and support shown by our colleagues on the subcommittee, particularly Mr. Edwards, our chairman. Finally, I would like to recognize and thank the staff of the subcommittee, Carol Murphy, Mary Arnold, Walter Hearne, Tim Bishop and Donna Shabaz, majority staff; Liz Dawson, Deana Baron and Jamie Swafford, minority staff; and, of course, Michael Reed on my staff for their hard work.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably absent yesterday afternoon, June 11, on very urgent business. Had I been present for the three votes which occurred yesterday evening, I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 2356, rollcall vote No. 448; I would have voted ``aye'' on S. 676, rollcall vote No. 449; I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 418, rollcall vote No. 450.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Command Sergeant Major Douglas M. Greenway of Ft. Benning, GA. The Command Sergeant Major for the U.S. Army's Infantry School, he will soon retire from the Army after a long career of distinguished service. CSM Greenway entered the Army in 1979, completed Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, GA. He graduated from Sergeants Major Academy Class 50 and completed all levels of the Non-Commissioned Officer Educational System, NCOES, including the Sergeants Major Academy and Command Sergeants Major Course. CSM Greenway also has honorably and dutifully served his country in several posts, both stateside and abroad, including Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Just Cause in Panama. Concurrent with his service, CSM Greenway has been honored with numerous awards and medals, most notably the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Ranger Tab, the Master Parachutists Badge, and Drill Sergeants Badge. In addition to his many years of service, honors, medals, and commendations from countless colleagues, last month CSM Greenway made history: he and his son, Brandon, were the first father and son team to compete in the Best Ranger Competition, a grueling competition held every year at Fort Benning that demands exceptional navigational skill, great physical strength and a keen intellect. Madam Speaker, at this time in our nation's history, we are in need of leaders, of individuals who step forward and exemplify the concept of ``service above self.'' We need more people like Command Sergeant Major Douglas M. Greenway. It is an honor to recognize him here today. I humbly thank him for his service and for his contribution, not just to Fort Benning, but to the United States of America.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, my wife Vivian, all of our colleagues here in the Congress, and all of the hundreds of workers here on Capitol Hill were deeply saddened to learn of the death of our friend and colleague, Juanita Millender-McDonald. Words are never adequate at a time of loss. Only one who has worn the garment of bereavement can truly understand the pain that comes when a family must confront the inevitable that one has been taken from its midst. Yet, upon prayerful reflection we must all allow our tears to melt into joy, because truly we have been blessed to have known, to love, and to have been a part of the life of this very, very exceptional woman. Juanita was a lady of achievement, of service, of public distinction, of beauty, of grace, of dignity. She was elegant and she was eloquent. She was the epitome of refinement, but she was committed. She was intellectual, she was a lady of principle, and she was an advocate for justice. Juanita was a person of great courage. She took on the toughest fight, but she fought it with dignity. Even in her illness, she took on that tough fight. I was happy to call her my friend, but I was happier for her to call me friend and confidante. The poet wrote, ``Full many a gem of purest ray serene, the dark unfathomed caves of oceans bear; full many a flower is born to blush unseen, and waste its sweetness on the desert air.'' We are blessed and so happy that Juanita's sweetness was not wasted, but that we and the world are better because she was here. We wish Godspeed and the consolation of the Holy Spirit for her husband, her children, and her grandchildren as we share in your loss and bid our good friend and colleague farewell.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend a company that has made Columbus, GA, the Second Congressional District of Georgia and the United States proud. Aflac, Inc., a company that epitomizes corporate citizenship and responsibility towards its employees, recently was named by Forbes magazine to their Platinum 400 List of America's Best Big Companies. To create the list, Forbes looked at more than 1,000 publicly traded companies with at least $1 billion in revenue, and chose 400 based on metrics, earnings forecasts, corporate governance ratings, and other public company information. Of course, Forbes selected these companies not just for their financial performance, but also for their leadership, innovation, and execution. Founded in downtown Columbus, GA, in 1955 by brothers John, Paul and Bill Amos, the American Family Life Insurance Company ended its first year with 6,426 policyholders and $388,000 in assets. Today, Aflac has over $56 billion in assets and insures 40 million people worldwide. Additionally, Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States. As it has gained respect around the world, Aflac has been an asset to my district, providing 3,800 employees in our area with good jobs and a positive work environment. In addition to this year's award from Forbes, Aflac has received many others, including being named among Fortune magazine's ``Best Places to Work'' for 9 years running, as one of the ``Best Companies for Diversity'' by Black Enterprise magazine, and among the ``100 Best Companies for Working Mothers'' by Working Mother magazine. Aflac also makes significant contributions to the community, including a gift of nearly $34 million to the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service at Children's HealthCare in Atlanta. Indeed, I am proud to have this company in my district. Please join me in congratulating Aflac and its 69,000 U.S.-based agents on receiving this award.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend a company that has made Columbus, GA, the Second Congressional District of Georgia and the United States proud. Synovus, a diversified financial services holding company based in Columbus, GA, recently was named by Forbes magazine to their Platinum 400 List of America's Best Big Companies. To create the list, Forbes looked at more than 1,000 publicly traded companies with at least $1 billion in revenue, and chose 400 based on metrics, earnings forecasts, corporate governance ratings, and other public company information. Of course, Forbes selected these companies not just for their financial performance, but also for their leadership, innovation, and execution. The story of Synovus epitomizes the American spirit, exemplifying the kindness, innovation and enterprising character that has come to define this country. In the 1880s, a mill worker at Eagle and Phenix Mill in Columbus caught her dress in a piece of machinery. As her dress tore, her life savings, which she had sewn into her hem thinking it was the safest place for her money, spilled across the floor. G. Gunby Jordan, the mill's secretary and treasurer, happened by and offered to keep her money in the mill safe and pay her monthly interest on the deposits. He soon offered the same service to all the mill workers, a system which years later, inspired Mr. Gunby to establish the institution that became Columbus Bank and Trust Company--Synovus' lead bank. More than a century has passed since that torn dress, and like the act that founded Synovus, the company has continued to operate on the principles of integrity, character, treating people right and doing the right thing. And it has served the company in good stead: Today, Synovus is one of the largest and strongest financial institutions in the Southeast, with 39 banks and $31 billion in assets. Indeed, I am proud to have this company in my district. Please join me in congratulating Synovus and its 14,000 employees on receiving this award.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I support the troops, their families, and those who have sacrificed so much in this war. But like others who supported the Iraq efforts in the past, I have serious reservations about the President's new way forward. On Friday, this House will vote on a resolution asking Members to support our troops but oppose the President's plan to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq. For me, this will be a sobering moment. I have spent many days agonizing over the issue, and I do not take lightly the judgment to rebuke the decision of the President, our Commander in Chief. But I have sent off and welcomed home thousands of soldiers at Fort Benning. I have seen the anguish on the faces of families as they watch their loved ones march off towards the uncertainty and peril that awaited them in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have seen the troops return home to those same families, their faces reflecting the elation, relief, and joy of seeing their loved ones safe at home. I have seen the veterans return with Purple Hearts, having lost arms, legs, and suffering from the mental trauma that results from war and the adverse impacts on their families. I have also stood and listened to Taps played over the bodies of too many who have returned in flag-draped coffins. Mr. Speaker, it is time for a change. The situation in Iraq has become very grave. Like General Schoomaker and countless others, I believe we should not surge without a purpose, and that purpose should be measurable in its outcome. Thus far, the President has not set forth a clear marker against which the purpose and the outcome can be measured. Previous increases in troop strength have not brought a reduction in violence or quelling of sectarian strife. Rather, the problems have intensified, casualties have increased, and political situations show more cracks, corruption, and signs of instability every day. There are those who say we should not oppose the President's plan without presenting an alternative. I think that may be a fair challenge, but there is another way. We need a new strategy that is based on redeployment rather than further military engagement, one that is centered on handing Iraq back to the Iraqis. As Congressman Murtha has stated: Iraq cannot make the political progress necessary for its stability and security until U.S. forces redeploy. To achieve stability in Iraq and the region, we must redeploy from Iraq. Why, you might ask? 91 percent of the Sunnis, 74 percent of the Shia want us out. 70 percent of Americans want us out. 72 percent of Americans who served in Iraq last year believe that we should be out by now. 61 percent of Iraqis approve of attacks on U.S. led forces. They see us as occupiers and want us out. The longer we stay, the more troops we send, the more violence we see, and the more we help recruiting of radical extremists. So we must redeploy first from Saddam's palaces in Baghdad, then from the cities, the factories, and universities. We must give the country back to the Iraqis and let them govern themselves and rebuild. Next, we must execute a robust and diplomatic effort, and we must regain our credibility by denouncing aspirations for permanent bases. We must shut down Guantanamo and bulldoze Abu Ghraib prison. These are black eyes on the face of our international credibility. We must articulate clearly a policy of no torture, no exceptions. Then, we must engage dialogue with Iraq and all of its neighbors to promote investment of resources and cooperation for security by the other Arab countries in the region. Most importantly, we need to repair and restore our strategic military reserves that have already been stressed to the breaking point. Because of the large force already in Iraq, Army ground forces here at home are not mission ready. This is because of both equipment and personnel shortages. The National Guard that remains at home is woefully unready to meet their statutory obligations based on natural disasters, wildfires, terrorism, and other threats to the homeland. The large presence in Iraq has drained readiness and equipment and personnel from the rest of our military. The surge will cost us dearly in billions of dollars and time, and we desperately need to repair, to reconstitute, and to reset our forces to face other significant threats at home and around the world. We cannot stay the course we are on. We must change. Support our troops and our long-term national security by voting for this resolution.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to stand this afternoon to give some remarks about our colleague and dear friend, Charlie Norwood. Shakespeare wrote that all the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players. Each has his entrance and his exit. One man in his time may play many parts. So it was with Charlie. Charlie was a son, a son to Charlie Norwood, Sr., and Lola. He was a husband to Gloria. He was a father to Charlie and Carlton and a grandfather. And he was a cousin to two very, very wonderful ladies down in Valdosta who said that they often prayed for Cousin Charlie, because they just couldn't understand how he became a Republican. Charlie was a student. Charlie got his bachelor's. He studied dentistry. He was a soldier. He served his country. He was in Vietnam. But Charlie was a public servant. Charlie believed in serving leadership, and he lived it. Charlie really was great, because measured by the standards of Jesus, that he who is great among you shall be your servant, and he who is greatest shall be servant unto all, Charlie measured up. Charlie was a fighter. Charlie fought hard for any principle in which he believed. He didn't give up, as you heard, on the Patients' Bill of Rights. He was a fierce competitor. I often didn't agree with him, but I had to admire his tenacity, because he was a fighter. And all the way to the end, Charlie fought. He fought for life. We are all blessed, really blessed, to have known Charlie. And Gloria was devoted to Charlie. She took leave from her duties as a member of the Congressional Club to attend to Charlie, to give Charlie her best efforts in his last days. But Charlie served well. He really embodied God's minute. I have only just a minute, only 60 seconds in it; forced upon me, can't refuse it; didn't seek it, didn't choose, did it; I must suffer if I lose it, give account if I abuse it; just a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it. Thank you, Charlie. You used your minute well.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Continuing Resolution and commend my colleagues in moving forward from the budgetary crisis left to us the 109th ``Do-Nothing'' Congress. I especially commend Chairman Obey for the overall balance and fairness reflected in this CR given the difficult choices confronting him and the leadership in tackling such a complex fiscal policy challenge. I am pleased to see that key areas such as Veterans and Defense Health, Homeland Security, Transportation, Education and Social Security will be provided modest increases in funding to keep pace with inflation. However, I am concerned that not fully funding BRAC will likely delay some projects--for example in my district, Fort Benning may not have the ability to undertake the new construction projects planned in conjunction with the growth resulting from the BRAC process. Additionally, I recognize the explosion of congressional earmarks in recent years which funded special interest projects and promulgated negative perceptions about this legislative body. But the complete omission of earmarks on this year's CR is disconcerting. I am supportive of the process knowing that my district, which is among the poorest in the country, has benefited tremendously from earmarks. Specifically in my district, previously House-approved projects that stand to lose in the CR include funding for: hospitals; water management systems; family counseling and youth mentoring; cancer education and early detection; upgrading sewer systems; and the list goes on. In many cases, the earmark process has provided an important vehicle for Members of Congress to direct much needed federal support to very worthy projects and organizations which otherwise would be ignored. We must not throw the ``baby out with the bathwater.'' Moving forward, I pledge to work closely with the leadership on real and effective reforms especially in regards to transparency, efficiency, accountability, and ethics.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a company that has done much for the 2nd Congressional District of Georgia, Flowers Foods, recently named by Forbes magazine as one of the best managed companies in America. To create the list, Forbes looked at more than 1,000 publicly traded companies with at least $1 billion in revenue, and chose 400 based on metrics, earnings forecasts, corporate governance ratings, and other public company information. From that list, Forbes editors picked one best-managed company from each of the 26 industries represented--and Flowers Foods was among the ``best of the best.'' Forbes selected these companies not just for their financial performance, but also for leadership, innovation, and execution. Flowers Foods is a leading producer and marketer of packaged bakery goods in the United States. The company operates 36 highly efficient bakeries that produce breads, buns, rolls, snack cakes and pastries which are distributed to foodservice and retail customers in the Southeastern, Southwestern, and Mid-Atlantic States, and frozen to national foodservice and retail customers. Founded in Thomasville, GA in 1919 by brothers William Howard and Joseph Hampton Flowers, Flowers Foods produces many well-known brands of baked goods including Nature's Own, Sunbeam, ButterKrust, Mi Casa and Bluebird. In Thomasville alone, which is in my district, Flowers employs 550 people at one bakery. Statewide, Flowers employs 2,110 people at seven bakeries. Flowers Foods is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange, ticker symbol FLO. Again, please join me in congratulating Flowers Foods on their recent award. It is an excellent company and an integral part of the business community of the 2nd Congressional District of Georgia.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. William Anderson, for his lifetime commitment to social change and the civil rights movement. Dr. Anderson was born on December 12, 1927 and is a native of Americus, GA. He graduated from Alabama State College, the University of Osteopathic and Health Sciences and is certified in general surgery. Throughout his career, as a doctor of osteopathic medicine, Dr. Anderson has contributed to the medical community, in Albany where he began his career as well as in Detroit, MI, and Kirksville, MO. However, in the segregationist South of the 1950s and early 1960s, Dr. Anderson's medical career became intertwined with the civil rights movement. At that time, there were no black hospitals in Albany. In white hospitals, Dr. Anderson was denied privileges such as admitting patients and using equipment--making it virtually impossible to practice medicine. So, Dr. Anderson improvised, servicing his patients by setting up his practice in a private office. In 1961, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who Dr. Anderson had met a few years before, brought his movement to Albany. Soon, Dr. Anderson assumed the role of President of the Albany Movement. Over the next few months, hundreds of protestors were jailed for staging sit-ins at local bus terminals, including Dr. King and Reverend Ralph Abernathy. History tells us that the Albany movement, amid the hostile environment of southwest Georgia, was a struggle whose efforts were consistently thwarted by a determined sector of the white population. However, history also tells us that the Albany Movement in which Dr. Anderson played an integral role has become viewed as a milestone in the greater civil rights movement. A year after the Albany movement began, hundreds of voters were registered and the city commission removed all segregation statutes from the books. Madam Speaker, none of this could have been achieved without the efforts of Dr. Anderson. He is an inspiration for young men and women, and I stand here today to commend him for his service to his community.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unavoidably absent yesterday afternoon, January 11, on very urgent business, having joined President Bush in his visit to Ft. Benning, which, as you know is located in my district. Had I been present for the three votes which occurred yesterday afternoon, I would have voted ``aye'' on H. Res. 15, rollcall vote No. 21; I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 3, rollcall vote No. 20; I would have voted ``no'' on H.R. 3, rollcall vote No. 19.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ambassador Andrew Young, a man who has given his life to the Civil Rights movement and other important social causes. Truly, he is a man who consistently puts the interests of others above himself. Ambassador Young, who was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1932 to a dentist father and schoolteacher mother, grew up in the segregated South. After beginning his college education at Dillard University in New Orleans, he transferred to Howard University in Washington, DC. In 1951 Ambassador Young graduated from Howard with a degree in pre- medicine. Instead of medical school, however, he heeded a call to the ministry and began his studies in theology at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut. Graduating in 1955, Ambassador Young became the pastor at several small churches in the South, including one in Thomasville, Ga., in my own district. He also served as pastor at a church in Marion, Alabama. As part of his work there, while encouraging young people to vote, he first came in contact with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The relationship would last for the rest of Ambassador Young's life, carrying over into civil rights activities all over the South, including the Albany Movement in 1961-62. At that time, the small town of 56,000 people had gained a reputation as not just resistant to social activists, but impenetrable to change. White leadership in the town refused to have conversations with local leaders seeking to implement the decision of Boynton v. Virginia, which mandated the integration of bus and rail terminals. Albany, as it turned out, was also one of the first places Ambassador Young made a difference. In late 1961, Dr. King, Reverend Ralph Abernathy and some 2,000 other demonstrators had already been jailed for their integration efforts. Nevertheless, Ambassador Young saw fit to go to Albany to help recruit and train people for citizen education workshops, with the aim of keeping the fire burning in Albany. The environment was dangerous, tenuous, and hostile, but Ambassador Young found a way to inspire and contribute. Forty-five years later, we not only honor him, but also reflect on how the courage exhibited by him then led to the great accomplishments he is known for today: Georgia's first African American Congressman since Reconstruction, U.N. Ambassador, Mayor of Atlanta, among others. Ambassador Young has led a full and meaningful life, exhibiting a sense of public service and commitment to community the whole time. Today, we thank and honor Ambassador Young for his contributions and the example he set for others.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a great man and outstanding citizen who passed away on December 28, 2006. Walter Theophilus Lunsford, Sr. passed away at the age of 90 years old in Columbus, Ga., the city where he was born, raised, and spent much of his life making an impact as a businessman, family man and positive contributor to the community. Success came early in Mr. Lunsford's life and he never let it go. After graduating as valedictorian from Spencer High School in 1933, he furthered his academic pursuits at Fisk University where as a physics major, he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Later, he became a charter member of the Eta Theta Chapter at Columbus State University, as well as the Columbus Alumni Chapter. Mr. Lunsford first developed his business acumen by working in the family grocery store. He learned entrepreneurship first-hand as his parents expanded their business into real-estate, building houses at a time when public housing did not exist. He later built on that knowledge at the University of Chicago, studying business administration and international relations. In the early 1940's, Mr. Lunsford carried his initial business experience into his own ventures, first as the sole owner and proprietor of Fox Deluxe Wholesale Beer Distributing Company and later, as the first black owner of a Georgia taxicab company. At the peak of its operation, he employed over 100 blacks between the Checker, Blue Bird and Red Bird Taxicab Companies. Since much of his clientele was comprised of black soldiers stationed at Fort Benning, his business filled both a social and economic void for members of the local community. Mr. Lunsford did not stop there--as an off-shoot to his taxicab business, he opened a Shell Service Station. Eventually, he closed his taxi business and opened a full auto station and grocery store, a forerunner to the modem convenience store. Along the way, he found a way to integrate his love of entertainment by opening the Pierce Amusement Company, leasing coin-operated vending and game machines to other establishments. Above all, Mr. Walter Lunsford was a successful, well-respected entrepreneur who placed God and family first. For 62 years, he accomplished it all with his wife, Sally Bryant Lunsford, at his side. Together they raised their ten college-educated children, an accomplishment in itself. Today, we thank and honor Mr. Lunsford, not only for his contributions to Columbus, but also for the example he set for others. He will be remembered as an inspirational figure to not only those in Columbus, but to all who have the opportunity to learn about his life.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, today I have the distinct privilege of recognizing a man of remarkable vision and unyielding commitment to the community, which he has so faithfully served. Through the leadership of Mayor Bob Poydasheff, the city of Columbus has experienced extraordinary growth and prosperity. During his tenure as mayor, the area has gained in excess of seven thousand new jobs and under his leadership the Columbus Consolidated Government has exercised fiscal responsibility resulting in balanced budgets and a surplus. Bob Poydasheff has always exhibited exceptional character throughout his professional careers. He served in the U.S. Army for twenty four years and retired at the rank of Colonel. During his military career, Mayor Poydasheff served as Legislative Counsel to Secretary of the Army Howard (Bo) Calloway, Staff Judge Advocate at Ft. Belvoir, VA, Legal Counsel to Secretary of the Army and Secretary of Defense on Labor Relations (1955-1979). In recognition of his exemplary service to our country he has received the Vietnam Ribbon, Legion of Merit, Commendation Medal, and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. Mayor Poydasheffs determination to excel is apparent in virtually every aspect of his life--and in none, more evident than in his pursuit of education. After receiving a B.A. in Political Science from the Citadel in 1954, he went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Tulane University. Mayor Poydasheff later received a M.A. in International Relations from Boston College. He has also attended The Academy of International Law and the Army War College. Perhaps, his greatest accomplishment is the bond that he unwaveringly nurtures with his family. Mr. Bob Poydasheff and his wife, Stacy, are enjoying a wonderful and fulfilling marriage of forty-two years. Of this union, they were blessed with two children, through whom they have two lovely grandchildren. His affiliation with many civic organizations outside of the political arena demonstrates the genuineness of his nature. These organizations include: Chattahoochee Valley Citadel Club (President); Chattahoochee Boy Scout Council (Past President); Association of U.S. Army (Past President); Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home (Past President); Fort Benning Sojourners (Past President); Board of Directors American Red Cross (Past Chairman); Military Affairs Committee, Columbus Chamber of Commerce (Past Chairman); Civilian-Military Council (Past Chairman); Military Order of World Wars (Past Commander); Minority Business Development Council; Black History Month Steering Committee; Urban League (Director); Columbus Lawyer's Club; Georgia Council of the Humanities; Kiwanis Club of Columbus; Leadership Columbus Alumni; Shriner; Scottish Rite; and Masons. Today, we thank and honor Mayor Bob Poydasheff for his selfless dedication and steadfast commitment to the welfare of others and his community. His commendable service to the citizens of Columbus serves as an attribute which we should all strive to emulate as we attempt to make the world a better place to live for humankind. As he leaves the Mayor's office we extend our best wishes for joy and happiness in the weeks, months and years ahead.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding citizen of Columbus, Georgia who has distinguished himself as a dedicated and exemplary public servant. Mr. Nathan Suber joined the Columbus City Council in 1994 and for the past 12 years has served as City Councilman of Post 1. Mr. Suber was born just across the waters of the Chattahoochee River in nearby Phenix City, Alabama. Being the oldest of three children in a military family, Mr. Suber learned at an early age the true meaning of ``service before self.'' As his father responded to the call of duty, Nathan Suber and his family relocated several times throughout his father's military career. It was not until the mid-sixties that the Suber family's roots were once again firmly planted in the Columbus, Georgia area. In 1968, Mr. Suber graduated from South Girard High School and later went on to earn an A.A. in Criminology at the City College of San Francisco and a B.A. in Criminal Justice at Columbus State University. During his tenure as a Columbus Councilman, Mr. Suber served as Budget Review Committee Chairman for 1999-2000. In this appointed position, he was instrumental in changing policy to allow the citizens of Columbus access to budget sessions, which had previously been kept closed to the public. As Chairman of this committee, Mr. Suber exhibited steadfast dedication when he fought tirelessly to keep the Fluellen Recreational Center's doors open and, in the process, secured $462,000 in additional funding for the facility. Mr. Suber also served on the Public Safety Committee and had a major role in ensuring the security of our neighborhoods by implementing measures to monitor the use of community resources. Among the many notable and worthy projects to which he has contributed vital energy and leadership were his efforts in designating the Midtown area of Columbus as a historic district. This vital rezoning measure provided a protective ordinance to the surrounding area, which prohibits development that would otherwise degrade the historic quality of the neighborhood. Nathan Suber is known as a devout Christian and is a faithful member of Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church, where he currently serves as Chairman of Trustees. His faith in God is shared with the younger generation through the Sunday school lessons he provides. His goodwill is further evident in his devotion to his family--his wife of twenty- nine years, Charlene B. Suber; two daughters, Kelly Suber Jones and Cynthia Suber; and one lovely grandchild, Morgan L. Jones. Mr. Suber currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the Metro Columbus Urban League, which further attests to his unwavering commitment to community. Today we honor Mr. Nathan Suber and thank him for all he has done for the benefit of Columbus, Georgia--as an elected official and as a private citizen driven by the compassion for others. His exemplary service to his community has set a standard of dedication and leadership that we are all compelled to emulate.