Corrine Brown

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chairman, to the Members of the House, let me be clear, I will not be voting for this bill. I will vote for no bill that cuts $20.5 billion from the SNAP program, but I will be voting for this amendment. We had a hideous bill on the floor a couple of days ago. And I want to be clear. I support all children, and it does not end at birth. It is ludicrous that we're here and the goody goody two shoes are now cutting the SNAP program and an attack on children. The families of three can earn no modern $24,000 per year in income. Seventy-six percent of the SNAP households include a child, an elderly person or a disabled person. Because of the insensitivity of this Congress, there was an announcement in my paper that Meals on Wheels for seniors are being cut. I am fighting for babies who need milk and families that cannot afford food for their children. Support this amendment and vote against this bad bill.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I was deeply saddened when I learned of the passing of Senator Frank Lautenberg. I am certain that anyone who had ever met Senator Lautenberg would agree, regardless of political party affiliation, that he was a remarkable statesman and hard working government servant. The longest-serving senator in New Jersey's history, he was gifted in interpersonal relations, and recognized for reaching across the aisle to benefit the people of his state, and the citizens of our nation as a whole. And as the last veteran to serve in World War II in the U.S. Senate, he represented a generation of leaders who left a legacy of service that continues to inspire all Americans. A proud son of hard-working immigrants, Senator Lautenberg rose from humble beginnings to attain success in business and public service. He was an incredibly efficient entrepreneur who turned a small business into one of the largest computing services companies in the world; a soldier who put his life on the line to protect our country; a Senator who helped ban smoking in airplanes and around children, who worked to ensure parents could take time off to care for sick family members, and the Senator who helped modernize the G.I. bill to ensure today's veterans could benefit from the same opportunities he did. Additionally, throughout his years in the U.S. Senate, he worked tirelessly to secure investments in infrastructure for the Northeast Corridor, and it was in the area of transportation that I personally worked with Senator Lautenberg as a close partner. Senator Lautenberg's staunch efforts to augment Amtrak and commuter rail parallel my own. And as the Chair of the House Transportation Subcommittee on Railroads under a House Democratic Majority, we worked closely to increase funding for Amtrak and passenger rail both in the Northeast Corridor and throughout the entire United States. Senator Lautenberg, who served on four Commerce, Science and Transportation subcommittees, including aviation operations and surface transportation, helped save Amtrak from budget hawks; supported tarmac delay protections for airline passengers; was instrumental in increasing transportation spending for mass transportation and other infrastructure improvements; succeeded in getting stricter limits on drinking and driving, and managed to get smoking banned from airplanes, among numerous other transportation-related accomplishments. In fact, Senator Lautenberg wrote the 2008 law to increase Amtrak funding and create the nation's high-speed rail grant program. And in 2011, he got the Northeast Corridor designated as a federally- recognized high-speed rail corridor, which allowed Amtrak to receive $450 million in federal funding for high-speed rail upgrades, and the Secaucus Junction train station in fact, is named after him. He fought New Jersey Governor Chris Christie over the ARC tunnel, a rail improvement Lautenberg saw as essential for allowing the continued flow of commuters between New Jersey and New York under the Hudson River. The Gateway tunnel project, a substitute for ARC, is under development and just received a promise of $185 million in federal funds. Lautenberg's dream of an intermodal freight policy is also on its way toward being realized, thanks to increased federal attention on creating a national freight strategic plan. Complete streets policies, which he consistently supported, are in place in nearly 500 communities around the country, and his zeal to create a National Infrastructure Bank as a way to invite more private investors to partner with the government on infrastructure is still struggling for wide acceptance. I join in expressing my prayers and condolences to his wife, Bonnie, and to his children, his grandchildren, his entire family, and to the people of New Jersey.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Bold City Chapter of Links Incorporated's 20 years of service to the Jacksonville community. As the representative of Florida's 5th Congressional District, I have followed this chapter's community service efforts for many years and am most impressed with their commitment to the City. On behalf of my Congressional office and my constituents of Florida's 5th congressional district, I thank the Bold City Chapter of Links for all they do to make Jacksonville a better place. Indeed, our city is extremely fortunate for the service and leadership the Bold City Chapter provided through the chapter's programs over the past 20 years. This chapter is a symbol of hope to numerous citizens that have been served through the chapter's many accomplishments, most recently the Links Leadership Academy. I am certain that this Academy will serve to develop our next generation of leaders, the future leaders of our City.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 671, Ruth Moore Act of 2013. This bill will right a wrong in our veterans' compensation process for those servicemembers suffering from military sexual trauma. One of the problems we have when trying to help veterans victimized by their superiors is lack of information about how often it happens and how many veterans are victims. This bill requires the VA to collect and report on many aspects of those who are suffering from MST, but are unable to get relief from the VA. The VA will be required to provide on a monthly basis its progress with regards to military sexual trauma of every veteran that has applied for benefits or has been treated at a VA facility. This update shall include: The three most common reasons for denial, the average time for completion of these claims, the average time for processing MST claims and how MST compares to other PTSD claims. We cannot know how to begin to treat and compensate victims of Military Sexual Trauma until we know more about this disability. I fully support this legislation and urge its passage by the House.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Chair, this is America, and I fully believe it's possible to build the Keystone pipeline in a way that improves our access to crude oil and puts thousands of people to work, while still protecting citizens from hazardous spills. But we have to hold the industry's feet to the fire and make sure they are taking every possible precaution in building this pipeline. There are members on both sides who support construction of the pipeline and we could work together to move this project forward, but the Keystone XL has become totally political, with people using it to score points rather than address some of the problems that could arise from its construction. Today's bill is dead on arrival, but here we are once again wasting the House's time on partisan bills the Senate will never take up. When I chaired the Railroad, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee we held five separate hearings concerning pipeline safety and found significant problems with reporting and inspections, as well as an unhealthy relationship between the pipeline industry and the agencies regulating them. We really need more scrutiny over the construction and operation of the Keystone Pipeline, not less. Deeming permits completed and suspending the Clean Water Act is a very dangerous precedent and will certainly make communities more vulnerable to the death and destruction that pipeline ruptures cause. With the high unemployment rate this country is currently facing, we should be hiring and training inspectors and putting contractors to work replacing this aging pipeline infrastructure in this country. Gas and oil companies have profited by over $1 trillion dollars over the last decade, while the infrastructure that brings their products to market becomes more unstable and more dangerous. Every day in America we see our infrastructure crumbling around us. The Association of Civil Engineers gave the nation's transportation infrastructure a grade of D. That is unacceptable, and the American people deserve better. Let's put people back to work on improving our entire nation's infrastructure. That's a win for the economy and a win for America's workers.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of the Fifth Congressional District of Florida and myself, I rise now to offer a tribute to the career and success of my friend, Dr. Stanley H. Stone, who served as the Vice President of Human Resources and Diversity for Valencia College in Orlando, FL for the past ten years. A visionary and scholar Dr. Stanley H. Stone is a true leader of the Central Florida Community and the great State of Florida. We exalt Dr. Stone for his accomplishments while the legacy honoring the man, husband, father, and a community leader who is beloved by many in the Central Florida area. A man dedicated to education and committed to achieving athletic excellence, Dr. Stone earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Political Science in 1974 from Howard University in Washington, District of Columbia while on a track athletic scholarship. During his tenure at Howard, he was acknowledged as a College All- American in Track and Field. This prestigious honor catapulted him toward his aspirations of representing the United States in the Olympics after winning several sprinting competitions. Continuing his pursuit of academic scholarship, Dr. Stone was awarded his Juris Doctorate degree in 1977 from Howard University. Upon relocating to the State of Florida, Dr. Stone began his professional career as a staff attorney for Central Florida Legal Services, Inc. In 1979, Dr. Stone's call to service lead him to the classrooms of Seminole Community College in Sanford, FL and Valencia Community in Orlando, FL as an adjunct professor, where he taught both business and law classes at each respective institution. Within the year, Dr. Stone became the Program Director of the Paralegal Program at Valencia. Progressing forward, he became the Dean of the Business and Public Services department and served in this capacity for 10 years. Because of his exceptional work ethic, management skills, and business savvy, Dr. Stone was promoted to Provost of Valencia College, East Campus in 1994 and remained in this position until 2003. It was during his tenure as Provost that the East Campus experienced extraordinary growth in student enrollment, increased number of grants awarded to faculty and staff, and the expansion of buildings and facilities. Subsequeetly, by the end of his term, the East Campus bolstered an enrollment of over 17,000 students per semester, greatly exceeding that of the other three respective Valencia Community College campuses. Also as campus Provost, Dr. Stone served as the Chair of the college-wide Equal Access/Equal Opportunity Committee, responsible for recommending college policies and procedures for contlucting employment discrimination investigations, sexual harassment complaints, and provided guidance to administrators on college recruiting and hiring practices. As a result of being an advocate for students, Dr. Stone was awarded an honorary membership into the Phi Theta Kappa Society. In recognition of exemplifying phenomenal leadership, Valencia's President, Dr. Sanford Shugart, promoted Dr. Stone to the position of Vice-President of Human Resources and Diversity division in 2003. Dr. Stone is the first to hold this position and was the only African American on the president's cabinet. He served as the president's liaison to the College's Black Advisory Committee. Dr. Stone holds memberships in the American Association of the Community Colleges, the Florida Association of Community Colleges and the College and University Public Administrators organization. As a community leader Dr. Stanley H. Stone efforts are unrivaled. He has served on numerous boards, commissions and panels throughout the Central Florida area. In September, 2006, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer appointed Dr. Stone as Chair of the Mayor's Safe Orlando Task Force his unprecedented recommendations to resolve law enforcement issues and reduce crime were unanimously accepted recommendations for implementation. In addition, Dr. Stone serves on the Board of Directors for the African American Chamber of Commerce, the Central Florida Urban League, 100 Black Men organization and Boys and Girls Club. Dr. Stone reached the pinnacle of his volunteerism and philanthropic efforts by being recognized by several organizations such as the Orange County Black History Committee who named Dr. Stone, Educator of the Year in 2006; The Links, Incorporated in 2009; and he was most recently recognized by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated as a Blue Indigo award recipient. Though Dr. Stone H. Stone is a celebrated educator and exemplary community leader, the title that suits him best that which he is most proud of is father. Dr. Stone enjoys leisure time with his son, Terrance, and his loving wife, Barbara. In memory of their most cherished and treasured daughter Shannon, who transitioned in 2007, Dr. and Mrs. Stone established a foundation through which several students have been granted scholarships and book awards. A devoted and active member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Oviedo, Florida, Dr. Stone is a man of great faith. Through his faith he has persevered from his childhood in the inner city to his stellar achievements as a community servant. Always remembering to reach back, Dr. Stone's commitment and dedication to our youth has provided young people with the opportunities that were not so easily afforded to him. We pay tribute to a man of God Dr. Stanley H. Stone, as a humanitarian, man, husband, father, educator, and community leader in Central Florida whose life work and achievements symbolize compassion, thoughtfulness, patience, wisdom, confidence and faith. He is a man who has remained the master of his fate, steadfast to being the captain of his soul and is truly a role model for us all.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Absolutely, sir, because absolutely, in coming from Florida, failure is not an option.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Will the gentlelady yield for a question?

Ms. BROWN of Florida. First of all, I want to thank the chairperson for conducting this discussion pertaining to the CBC's budget because I think it is the most compassionate budget that will be presented to the House. My question for you, Madam Chair, is that I just returned from Florida. Florida ranks first in the last 8 months with the number of people losing their homes because of foreclosure, Miami being first, Orlando being second, Jacksonville being eighth. People approach me about jobs. They're not talking to me about the deficit. They want to know what we are doing as far as putting the American people to work. Can you expound upon that for me, please?

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Thank you so much, and thank you for your leadership. I really do believe when you're born you get a birth certificate, and when you die you're going to get a death certificate; and that little dash in between is what you've done to make this a better place. And I really want to thank the Congressional Black Caucus for your leadership, for what you have done being the conscience of this House of Representatives, a House that has lost its conscience. Now, I come from Florida, and our State now ranks number one in foreclosure. Why is that? There's a direct correlation between if you don't have a job, you cannot pay your mortgage. And so the Congressional Black Caucus budget invests in jobs. I am so sick and tired of this House position--what I called when I was coming up--``reverse Robin Hood,'' robbing from the poor and working people to give tax breaks to the rich. The Congressional Black Caucus budget on the other hand invests in education, saving the jobs of teachers and first responders. What else good does it do? It makes investment toward rebuilding our neighborhoods; and we all know that for every billion dollars that we spend in infrastructure, it generates 44,000 permanent jobs. Now, I want to say something about the fact that you can tell something about an organization or a group or your church or your club as to how you spend the money. That's how you can tell. And you can tell whether you care about the children, the disabled, and the elderly. Coming from Florida, the home of Claude Pepper, I want to be very clear that I will not vote to cut Social Security, Medicaid, or Medicare. You know what? We did have an election, and I want you to know the people of Florida weighed in. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time. And the people of Florida have spoken. They want us to work together, and they want jobs now. They understand that 20 years from now we need to correct Social Security and other things; but today when I go home, the only question they ask me--whether I'm in the dollar store or the nail store or in church--is they want jobs and they want us to work together to bring those jobs to the community. I really do believe, to whom God has given much, much is expected, and we really need to expect more out of this House of Representatives, the people's House.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. I just want to add one other thing. I will never forget that Newt Gingrich said that he wanted Medicaid and Medicare to wither on the vine. That is the philosophy of these people who control this House--wither on the vine.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Here we go again. Our Nation is on the brink of disaster because Congress has created another manmade disaster. Let me repeat--not Congress. House Republicans have created another manmade disaster. I haven't talked with anyone--from business leaders, to children's advocates, to AARP and senior citizen groups--who think Congress is doing a good job. Just last year, the Republicans took $115 billion and handed it over to 6,000 of the wealthiest Americans in the form of tax cuts. At the same time, they cut health care funding for needy children and their families. I have a list of cuts and how they're going to affect children, senior citizens, and the FAA. Do you know what? You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. In closing, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 699, a balanced bill to replace this cutting and spending disaster.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Toby L. Footer (Meckler) who at the age of 70, passed away on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 after a lengthy illness. She is survived by her husband Ron Footer, son Lee Footer and daughter-in-law Brenda Footer, daughter Alyson Footer, Brother Bill Meckler and sister-in-law Jeanne Van Atta, sister-in-law Sandi Brecher, granddaughter Naomi Footer and many other family and friends. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 2, 1942 to Lou and Naomi Meckler, Toby graduated from Ohio State University and worked as a teacher, a dietician and later as a copy editor and writer at the Dayton Jewish Chronicle. She wrote a semi-regular column, ``Footnotes,'' that gave humorous accounts of family life and raising kids in the 1980s. For 12 years, she traveled with Ron to help with his business as a sales representative, a period of time both consider the happiest of their lives. Toby was a fantastic cook and a talented writer and craftswoman. She loved to laugh and her greatest joy was her family, to whom she devoted her life. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Toby's memory to the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation (PO Box 374, Birmingham, MI 48012 or www.clfoundation.org) or Foundation Fighting Blindness (P.O. Box 17279 Baltimore, MD 21297-0495 or www.blindness.org). The family wishes to thank M.D. Anderson, The Ohio State James Cancer Hospital and Gem City Home Care for their kindness and assistance. We are all saddened by the loss of her presence in this life, but joyful that she is no longer in pain and suffering. My thoughts and prayers go to her family in this time of grief.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Social Security has nothing to do with the debt problems that we are facing now, and seniors and the disabled should not be held hostage by the Republicans, whose only priority in this debate is to protect America's wealthiest citizens. Under former President Bush, our Nation financed two wars on our credit card, and senior citizens should not be collateral damage. We lost trillions of dollars through irresponsible tax cuts. So let's be clear that tax cuts are the same as spending when it comes to the deficit. Now the Republican Party's proposed solution is to make up the difference by taking money from seniors. That is unacceptable. I am from Florida, the home of Claude Pepper. If he were here today, he would be furious that a program developed to keep seniors out of poverty has been jeopardized by tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. I'm Corrine Brown from Florida, and I'm from the home of Claude Pepper. He was a House Member and a Senator, but he was Mr. Social Security. He was here during the time of Ronald Reagan, and he made sure that Social Security, which was enacted under the Democrats, and I will never forget, Newt Gingrich said that he wanted it to ``wither on the vine.'' That's been their philosophy. Now, I feel that Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security is the difference between us and many of the Third World countries. In fact, it has been the bedrock of American politics as far as helping to raise the standards. You know, many of my colleagues often talk about the Bible. Well, the Bible says--I've never heard them say let's help the rich--the Bible always talks about the poor and what we need to do to help raise the standards. That's what we're supposed to be doing in the people's House. During the campaign, they constantly confused the American people, talking about the $715 billion that was in both proposals that was savings, that we put back into the system that helped people that were receiving their prescription drugs. We were helping to lower the cost. In fact, we were plugging the doughnut hole. So that argument is over. And the fact is that it will be 434-1. I will never vote to do anything with Social Security as we speak. And when you talk about Medicaid and Medicare, many of those people are in nursing homes that cannot speak for themselves. They only have us as their voices. And as we negotiate and discuss, let's look at one group, African American men. Most of them don't live long enough to benefit, and everything is not equal. When we look at jobs and professions, many of you have these nice cushiony jobs, and so we don't even have to worry about raising the age. But when we look at people who actually work for a living, whether we're talking about bridges or whether we're talking about driving trains or trucks, you want to raise the limit for them? So there are many issues that need to be discussed as we move forward. But when President Clinton was in office, he left this country in the black. The people have weighed in. They've indicated that we want to move forward, put people to work; but we want to do it through a fair method of doing it, and that is not cutting programs that impact the working poor in this country.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I urge support for H.R. 6374, and I yield back the balance of my time. General Leave

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today to offer my support of H.R. 6374, a bill to name a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Carrollton, Georgia, as the Trinka Davis Veterans Village. Ms. Davis served with great distinction as a businesswoman, but one of her greatest contributions to our Nation can be seen in her commitment to the care and well-being of the servicemen and -women of our country. As a teenager, Ms. Davis paid a visit to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and was touched by the sacrifice of American servicemembers. Her brother, Poncet Davis, Jr., then went on to serve in the United States Army. Later, after her successful career in the textile and rubber industry, Ms. Davis continued her work helping wounded veterans and their families. In 2004, she founded the Trinka Davis Foundation to honor service veterans, particularly in the State of Georgia. I commend the foundation and the Atlanta VA for working closely together to build this facility, which will serve as a community living center and a medical office to provide primary health care and other important services to over 3,000 veterans. While Ms. Davis is no longer with us, her longstanding commitments to our Nation's heroes live on and make her a perfect candidate for the naming of the Veterans Village in Carrollton. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5954--To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 320 7th Street in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as the ``Sergeant Leslie H. Sabo, Jr. Post Office Building.'' On 10 May 1970, Sp4c. Leslie H. Sabo Jr. distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman against hostile forces in the Se San area during the Cambodian Operation west of Pleiku. Specialist Sabo was in the rear element of a reconnaissance patrol when it was ambushed by a large enemy force. While firing his automatic weapon from his defensive position, Sp4c. Sabo saw that his comrades were being assaulted by a flanking enemy force. He immediately turned his fire in the direction of the attacking enemy and with automatic weapons fire and grenades he was able to halt the insurgents from moving forward even though he was wounded while doing so. Then from his defensive position, Sp4c. Sabo saw a wounded comrade about 10 meters to his right and disregarding his own wound he rushed to help the fallen soldier. A grenade was thrown into the friendly area from a nearby enemy ditch and Sp4c. Sabo threw himself on top of the wounded soldier to protect him from the blast. He was again wounded in the back from the grenade. He then took one of his own grenades and assaulted the ditch, threw his grenade into the ditch and killed two enemy soldiers. Now seriously wounded, Sp4c Sabo retrieved three bandoleers of ammo and was able to make it back to his original defensive position. As he threw extra ammo to another comrade he was again shot in the leg area and fell behind a small tree. As two wounded soldiers were trying to get to a tree line to be evacuated out of the combat area, enemy fire was pointed in their direction preventing them from getting to the helicopter. Sp4c. Sabo with multiple wounds stood up from behind his only cover, a small tree, and opened fire on the enemy that was preventing the evacuation. While their fire was now diverted toward Sp4c. Sabo, the two wounded soldiers were able to get to the helicopter safe. Sp4c. Sabo was hit with automatic weapons fire multiple times and died from his wounds. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his own safety and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, he averted loss of life and injury to the members of his patrol. Leslie Sabo first came to my attention when a constituent, Alton Mabb, Jr. asked me to recommend his friend Leslie Sabo for the Medal of Honor. This was in 2002. After many years and the White House and Pentagon losing and finding the paperwork that I sent they finally were ready to recommend a yes to the medal, but the award was too late and we needed a special amendment in the Defense Authorization bill to allow this to happen. I worked with Chairman Ike Skelton to get it into the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008. I was pleased when President Obama finally awarded the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Sabo earlier this year, and believe that naming this Post Office after him is a fitting tribute. I want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for his leadership on this bill and thank all those men and women who defend this Nation every day.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life and work of Captain Ansil Saunders, a fifth generation native of Bimini, Bahamas, in recognition of his outstanding contributions in keeping Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy alive in the Bahamas. Captain Saunders first met Dr. King in 1964 when he traveled to Bimini in search of a peaceful and serene writing environment. Captain Saunders knew the perfect place and took Dr. King deep into the mangroves to a spot called ``Bonefish Hole'' where Dr. King wrote portions of his famous Nobel Prize acceptance speech. Dr. King returned to Bimini in 1968 where he wrote portions of his Sanitation Workers speech while on Captain Saunders' boat. Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968, just days after his visit to the Bahamas. Since Dr. King's death, Captain Saunders has shared his conversations with the civil rights leader with visitors to Bimini as well as with local and international media outlets, including National Public Radio. Plaques marking local sites visited by Dr. King are found throughout Alice Town, Bimini, including the location of a barbershop frequented by Dr. King and the cottage where he stayed during his visits. The local museum also has Dr. King's disembarkation card with his original signature proudly on display. Captain Saunders' acclaim extends beyond his connection to Dr. King. He is also a bone-fishing world record holder, a 2003 Cacique Award (Minister's Award) recipient and an artistic boat builder, creating custom-crafted vessels out of fiberglass, bronze, and wood indigenous to the Bahamas. Each of his made-to-order boats take about six months to complete and are used by top sports fishermen to ply the flats in search of the elusive ``gray ghost.'' It is clear that although Captain Saunders' hard work has led to success, his time in the mangroves with the civil rights leader left an indelible mark, which is why Captain Saunders has made it his life's work to honor Dr. King's legacy.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support and congratulations for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Bimini Plaque Project. The project is an effort to bring attention and awareness to the connection Dr. King had with The Bahamas, particularly Bimini. A special celebration and ceremony scheduled for October 5-7, 2012 will include the unveiling and placement of a commemorative plaque and bust of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the mangroves where Dr. King is said to have spent peaceful moments with boat maker and bone fisherman Captain Ansil Saunders in 1964 and 1968. The bust, in the image of Dr. King will be designed and sculpted by renowned sculptor Erik Blome. The activities will also incorporate the launching of a scholarship award program for deserving Bahamian students to attend the historic Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida. Ansil Saunders, the bonefish man, tells the story of how he took Dr. King out into the mangroves of Bimini to think and meditate. Dr. King wrote his acceptance speech in the mangroves for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He also wrote the notes for his speech to the Sanitation Workers in Memphis in those mangroves three days before his death. The project is supported by the Frisch family of Jacksonville, Florida, one of whom Ben, runs Bahamas Food Services in Nassau. The project will be unveiled in Bimini in honor of the 50th anniversary of the ``I Have A Dream'' speech delivered at the monument in Washington, D.C. I want to personally thank members of the Martin Luther King Jr. Bimini Plaque Project Committee, including Joyce Danford, Executive Director, Dr. Richard Danford, Esmin Shakespeare Master, Edward Waters College Scholarship Coordinator (who has Bahamian roots); and Nat Glover, President of Edward Waters College. I also want to thank Bahamian Prime Minister Perry G. Christie and Bahamian Minister of Tourism Leonard Stuart for their strong support of the project. Bimini, about 40 miles east of Miami, Florida, was also a retreat for noted American author and journalist Ernest Hemingway, and American Politician Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this long overdue legislation. Among many worthy projects included in this legislation, this bill authorizes the uncompleted construction on the operating rooms at the Miami VA Medical Center. Every month this construction is delayed, the VA has to pay an additional $500,000 for a portable operating room. Since this was first brought to our attention in May, that will be over $2.5 million as of the end of this month. That is $2,500,000 that could better be spent on the veterans of Florida for their care and comfort. This project is over 95 percent completed. This bill needs to be passed now. I want to thank the Chairman of the Veterans' Committee, Mr. Miller for his help in getting the issue included in a vehicle that could pass both the House and the Senate. There is a dire need for this Medical Center to be whole, with veterans from all over the State of Florida traveling there for treatment. The original plan for this project was to divide the operating room in half and renovate it in stages. When I visited the Medical Center in June, I heard directly from the administrators of the facility about the project. The planners on the ground realized soon after the construction began that patients could have been put at risk due to contamination of the operating room by the construction on the other side of the room. Veterans health was being put at risk, and rather than let that happen, it was decided, by those who know veterans health the best, those at the health facilities, to combine the projects into one and rent the portable operating rooms. It is time for Congress to pass this bill and finish the construction in Miami that our veterans deserve through their service protecting the freedoms this nation hold so dear.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise toddy to honor a great statesman, a great chairman, and a man who always put his district first. When Congressman Costello retires after a long and distinguished career of service, he will be missed not only be his colleagues, but by the institution of Congress itself. I am proud to have worked with Jerry Costello as we fought for critical transportation infrastructure funding to prepare our county for the future. His leadership as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittees made the world's aviation system more efficient and safer, while facing some of the most challenging times for the industry. I enjoyed traveling with Jerry and his lovely wife Georgia, who offered great support both personally and professionally for her husband. Together, we went on various congressional delegation fact finding missions to further our understanding of comparative transportation systems around the world, and to augment U.S. relations abroad, particularly with respect to cooperation in the transportation and infrastructure sector. During his many years of serving in the House, Congressman Costello has always been regarded as a Member who can get things done because of his results-oriented focus, and bipartisan approach to issues. As a senior Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the second ranking Democrat on the Science, Space and Technology Committee, he has played a major role in writing several major pieces of legislation while focusing on improving the nation's transportation- infrastructure system. Examples of his effectiveness include helping to write two national highway bills, securing $150 million for a new Mississippi River Bridge in the last highway bill--one of the largest single earmarks in the legislation--and the passage of the Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009. This legislation, the strongest aviation safety bill in over 50 years, enhances airline safety by significantly increasing the flight hours required for commercial first officers and strengthening pilot training. Additionally, Congressman Costello served four years as Chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee and now serves as the subcommittee's senior Democrat. In 2007, he wrote and helped pass a $68 billion bill in the House to reauthorize the programs of the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure that our aviation system remains the best and safest in the world. Two years later, he reintroduced the legislation and it passed the House once again. In closing, Congressman Costello will be missed in Washington not only for his legislative accomplishments but for his good natured way of interacting with his colleagues and staff. A beloved family man, and a Member who is very well liked on both sides of the political aisle, Jerry contributed a great deal both to the Committee on Transportation and to a general feeling of political collegiality on Capitol Hill.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on this day of remembrance of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Amtrak and its employees for its efforts in the minutes, days and weeks following the attacks. On this very day 11 years ago, Amtrak and its employees worked around the clock to provide one of the only travel options in many parts of this country. Within minutes of the incident, Amtrak jumped into action. It mobilized and established a command center; evacuated a number of stations for inspections of trains and infrastructure; and dispatched police officers and staff throughout Amtrak facilities to patrol and conduct ongoing inspections. On the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak added about 30 percent more seating capacity to fill the travel gap. Over 1,600 daily seats were added to long-distance trains and another 300 seats to West Coast trains. Amtrak also provided transportation to New York City for families and friends of victims, firefighters, police, medical teams, military and other public officials, and even airline crew members. In partnership with the American Red Cross, Amtrak transported thousands of emergency relief kits to New York City. In fact, with the airlines grounded, the U.S. Postal Service turned to Amtrak to carry mail. Mr. Speaker, on the anniversary of September 11, it is important we reflect on the important role of Amtrak and its employees and it is essential that we maintain our vigilance of the security of all modes of transportation.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. On behalf of the constituents of the Third Congressional District of Florida, I rise now to offer heartfelt condolences and pay tribute to the life of an extraordinary accomplished woman, Mrs. Mercerdese Clark, a humanitarian, healer, life activist, and friend. We are moved and encouraged when recalling the life achievements and service of Mrs. Clark as a nurse, community leader, and social activist. She has been an advocate for social service, health awareness and a role model and mentor to youth and entrepreneurs in the Central Florida community for many years. An Orlando native who received her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Hampton University in Virginia, Mrs. Clark served as a nurse at Orange Memorial Hospital and Winter Park Memorial Hospital. Shortly after, she became the first African-American female to be the Director of the Orange County Health Department in Orlando, Florida. At the time of her retirement, she worked as a Nursing Care Coordinator at Orlando Veteran Administration Outpatient Clinic. As a community activist, she gave of herself and her talents to benefit both the individuals and the many organizations she served. Mrs. Clark became chairwoman of the Parramore Heritage Renovation project which was responsible for assessing the needs and defining solutions for existing conditions within this historic neighborhood. She worked tirelessly to maintain the goal of the agency to preserve, develop and improve the economics of the area; improve the educational level of the residents; and preserve the cultural heritage of the community. She took special pride in the area because she had close ties to the community having grown up there as well as her own personal and historical connection her family had to the neighborhood. Mrs. Clark's parents, Leroy E. Richardson and Rosa James Richardson, her paternal grandmother, Adeline Richardson, and other family members were among Orlando's earliest residents in Central Florida. Mrs. Clark could recall the early days of the founding Orlando community where needs of families were often provided from the surplus of another. It was those memories that inspired and motivated her to become president of the Parramore Heritage Foundation, president of the Carter Street Neighborhood Association, and Board Director for the Orlando Neighborhood Improvement Corporation. She also became a business owner in the area to contribute to the economic development of the vicinity by opening a women's boutique, Clarks' Ladies Fashion. Mrs. Clark had a very successful career and received numerous awards through her continuous involvement of various community, social and civic groups in Central Florida including the Orlando Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated where she was recognized for 15 years of outstanding service and commitment. A virtuous woman and mother of two, we embrace her children and her family. She was a loving and caring mother who nurtured not only her children, but the community. We honor Mrs. Clark for the many contributions and the impact she had on the lives of many. She was truly an invaluable member of our community and an outstanding servant. The life of Mercerdese Clark was one of accomplishment, excellence and service. In her passing, we pay tribute to a consummate professional woman for her life of service and we pray that by her example each of us become the bearers of her spirit and humanitarian legacy of passion for service and excellence. We come now to join in prayer for, son, Kenneth Clark and daughter Kim G. Clark and a host of loving relatives, Sorority Sisters, and friends whose lives have been forever changed by this woman of God. We thank Our Heavenly Father for allowing us to be blessed with the time spent with Mrs. Mercerdese Clark.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and memory of my friend, actor Sherman Hemsley. This man was best known as the iconic and central figure, George Jefferson, in the sitcom, ``The Jeffersons'' who became one of the most enduring, beloved characters in television history. Much of that credit belongs to Mr. Hemsley, the gifted character actor who gave life to the blustering black Harlem businessman on ``The Jeffersons'', one of the longest-running sitcoms with a primarily black cast in television history. With the gospel-style theme song of ``Movin' On Up,'' the hit show depicted the wealthy former neighbors of Archie and Edith Bunker in Queens as they made their way on New York's Upper East Side. The show often dealt with contemporary issues of racism, but more frequently reveled in the sitcom archetype of a short-tempered, opinionated patriarch trying, often unsuccessfully, to control his family. Despite the character's many faults Hemsley managed to make the character endearing, part of the reason it stayed on the air for so long. Hemsley's Jefferson loved his family, his friends (even the ones he relentlessly teased) and had a good heart. His performance was Emmy and Golden Globe nominated. The show's producer Norman Lear said that when Hemsley read for the part ``the minute he opened his mouth he was George Jefferson.'' This man, the son of a printing press-working father and a factory- working mother, served in the Air Force and worked for eight years as a clerk for the Postal Service. Having studied acting as a teen at the Philadelphia Academy of Dramatic Arts, he began acting in New York workshops and theater companies, including the Negro Ensemble Company. For years, he kept his job at the post office while acting at night, before transitioning to acting full-time. Sherman embodied the American dream, to ``move on up''. He had many other production credits other than playing George Jefferson. He made his Broadway debut in 1970's ``Purlie,'' a musical adaptation of Ossie Davis' Jim Crow-era play ``Purlie Victorious.'' (He would later star in a 1981 made-for-TV version of ``Purlie,'' as well.) It was while touring the show that he was approached by Lear about playing a character on the sitcom that would become ``All in the Family.'' In an interview Hemsley said his show business career actually began in childhood. ``Making people laugh was automatic,'' he said. ``I was in a play in elementary school and had to jump up and run away. I was nervous and tripped and fell down and everyone laughed. Their laughter made me relax, so I pretended it was part of the show.'' When we visited with each other, I was truly impressed with his good- spirited personality and optimism that could brighten the mood of any room he entered. He was a fun man with a good heart. He once said, ``I always told my mother I wanted a job where I could have a lot of fun and have a lot of time off. She asked me where I was going to find that, and I said, 'I don't know, but it's out there.' '' Sherman Hemsley will forever be remembered as the loud and boisterous yet goodhearted family man whom he played for almost 10 years. The world is a little less funny today, and we should all celebrate the memory of Sherman Hemsley.