Jo Bonner

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of the Honorable Steve Chabot for his service to the people of Ohio and the United States House of Representatives. Congressman Chabot has represented the First Congressional District of the state of Ohio for the past 14 years. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Steve graduated from La Salle High School and worked his way through the College of William and Mary. He returned to Cincinnati after college to teach in a downtown elementary school during the day and attend the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at night. After completing his law degree, Steve opened his own neighborhood law practice, and his father worked as his assistant. Before he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Steve served as a Cincinnati City Council Member for five years, followed by a five-year term on the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners. When Steve was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994, he was named to the influential Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, and Small Business Committees. In 2007, Steve became the top Republican on the Small Business Committee, where he focused on permitting small businesses to band together to obtain affordable health insurance for their workers. On the Judiciary Committee, Steve served as chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution from 2001 to 2006, from which post he promoted proposals to amend the Constitution to ban flag desecration, outlaw same-sex marriage, require a balanced budget, protect the rights of crime victims, and allow prayer and religious symbols to be displayed on public property. Consistently rated as one of the most pro-taxpayer members of Congress, Steve was known as one of Congress's leading advocates for fiscal responsibility. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family, his wife, Donna; his two children; and his many friends and colleagues join me in honoring his accomplishments and extending thanks for his service over the years on behalf of the state of Ohio and the United States of America. Steve will surely enjoy the well deserved time he now has to spend with his family and loved ones. I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of the Honorable Robin Hayes for his service to the people of North Carolina and the United States House of Representatives. Congressman Hayes has represented the Eighth Congressional District of the State of North Carolina for the past 10 years. Born and raised in Concord, North Carolina, Robin graduated from Duke University with a degree in history. Throughout college, Robin worked at his family-run textile business, but after graduation, he ventured out on his own, eventually moving his family to Alaska to run a freight business. He later returned home and bought a small air charter business as well as a hosiery mill. Robin's start in politics came as a Concord alderman, a post he held for three years. He ran successfully for a seat in the state House and was later elected Republican Whip. Elected to Congress in 1998, Robin was named to the Transportation and Infrastructure, Armed Services, and Agriculture Committees, and is currently the top ranking Republican on the Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Subcommittee. From his seat on the House Agriculture Committee, Robin has earned a reputation as one of Congress's staunchest defenders of tobacco--an industry vital to North Carolina's economy. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family, his wife of 40 years, Barbara; his two children, Winslow and Bob; and his many friends and colleagues join me in honoring his accomplishments and extending thanks for his service over the years on behalf of the State of North Carolina and the United States of America. Robin will surely enjoy the well deserved time he now has to spend with his family and loved ones. I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Mobile and the state of Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor former Mayor Lambert C. Mims and pay tribute to his memory. With a public career spanning two decades, Mayor Mims's tenure in office marked a period of significant growth for the city of Mobile, including the completion of the George C. Wallace tunnels and the Interstate 10 Bayway, the opening of the restored Fort Conde, the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, and the first oil well in Mobile Bay. Born in the small farming town of Uriah in south Monroe County, Mayor Mims grew up on a cotton farm and was no stranger to hard work. He moved to Mobile at the age of 19 and had called the city home ever since. In 1965, he was elected to the Mobile City Commission, becoming the youngest commissioner in Mobile's history. When first elected, he served as Public Works Commissioner. The commission rotated the title of mayor every 16 months and, during his tenure as mayor and commissioner, he made public morality the foundation of his administration, including the passage of an anti-pornography regulation. After leaving office, then-Governor George C. Wallace appointed Mayor Mims as ambassador to the Alabama Waterways Development Agency. He later served as president of the American Public Works Association and the Alabama League of Municipalities. A long-time member and deacon at Riverside Baptist Church, Mayor Mims served as president of the Alabama Baptist Brotherhood, the Alabama Baptist State Convention, the Mobile Baptist Association, and the Masonic Breakfast Club. He was a member of the Azalea Masonic Lodge #898 F & AM, the Abba Temple Shrine, West Mobile Kiwanis Club, the CBMC and served as president of the Waterfront Rescue Mission Advisory Board. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout south Alabama. Lambert C. Mims will be dearly missed by his family--his wife, Reecie; his sons, Dale P. Mims and L. Daniel Mims; his grandchildren, Lindsay C. Mims and Katie E. Mims; and his brother, Bibb Graves Mims--as well as the countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during this difficult time.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the state of Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor James William McFarland and pay tribute to his memory. Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Bill graduated from Tuscaloosa High School and graduated with honors with a bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama in Commerce and Business Administration. He was named outstanding real estate graduate by the Alabama Association of Realtors. After graduation, Bill served as director of real estate for Winn Dixie Stores Incorporated in the Louisville, Kentucky division. In 1973, he returned to Tuscaloosa as vice president of Ward McFarland Incorporated, a real estate development and investment firm founded by his father, the Honorable Ward Wharton McFarland. In 1986, Bill was the Republican Nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives for the Seventh District of Alabama. The following year, former Governor Guy Hunt appointed Bill to his cabinet as commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Retardation. During his two years as commissioner, Bill was successful in pushing for the passage of a $1 million bond for mental health, the largest in state history. The bond issue enabled mental health facilities throughout Alabama to renovate their facilities and improve their quality of care. Bill was also a founding member of the Southern High-Speed Rail Commission, and he served numerous terms as chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary/treasurer of the Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi Rapid Rail Transit Commission. Bill played a key role in inaugurating the Gulf Coast Limited Amtrak Service, which provided service to Alabama. Bill was also active in state politics. He served as chairman for three terms of the Tuscaloosa County Republican Executive Committee. He served as a member of the Alabama State Republican Executive Committee, including one term as seventh district vice-chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. Bill was elected alternate delegate to the 1988 Republican National Convention and was elected statewide as delegate to the 1992 Republican National Convention, at which President George H.W. Bush appointed him as a floor leader for the Southern Caucus. Bill was an officer in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Alabama Governors George C. Wallace, Guy Hunt, and Jim Folsom Jr. each appointed Bill as Lieutenant Colonel Aide-de-Camp. He was also appointed by former U.S. Representative Jack Kemp as a member of the United States Congressional Advisory Board. Bill also worked with the Volunteers of America of Alabama, most recently serving as president. Bill served on the Shelton State Foundation, Friends of Bryce Hospital, as well as other leadership positions with various other community and civic organizations. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout south Alabama. James William McFarland will be dearly missed by his family--his son, J.W. ``Billy'' McFarland Jr. and his wife, Sarah; his daughter, Mimi McFarland Cawood and her husband, Joseph; his brother, Ward Morrow McFarland; and his nephew, Ward Weston McFarland--as well as the countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during this difficult time.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of the Honorable Joe Knollenberg for his service to the people of Michigan and the United States House of Representatives. Congressman Knollenberg has represented the Ninth Congressional District of the State of Michigan for the past 16 years. Born and raised in Mattoon, Illinois, Joe is a graduate of East Illinois University. After serving in the Army for 2 years, he moved to the Detroit area in 1959 to work as an Allstate Insurance agent and eventually opened his own branch office. Joe quickly became a familiar face in his community serving as PTA president, homeowner association president and parish leader. He also chaired the Oakland County GOP organization and directed the campaign of Republican Representative William S. Broomfield in 1992. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992, Joe has served as chairman of three House Appropriations subcommittees during his tenure. He currently serves as the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development. An ardent supporter of auto manufacturers, an integral part of Michigan's economy, Joe authored legislation that cracked down on counterfeiters who make fraudulent automotive parts that cost Americans thousands of jobs in the automotive industry. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family, his wife of 45 years, Sandie; his two sons, Marty and Steve; and his many friends and colleagues join me in honoring his accomplishments and extending thanks for his service over the years on behalf of the State of Michigan and the United States of America. Joe will surely enjoy the well deserved time he now has to spend with his family and loved ones. I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Mobile and the state of Alabama lost a dear friend this week, and I rise today to honor Joseph Henry Baker, Jr. and pay tribute to his memory. Known affectionately as ``Bobo,'' he was a native and lifelong resident of Mobile. Bobo graduated from Murphy High School and entered the U.S. Army at the height of World War II at the age of 17. He would ultimately retire from the U.S. Army Reserves with the rank of colonel. As part of his military service, he attended both North Carolina State University and Oregon State University and earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Following the war, Bobo earned an accounting degree from the University of Alabama. He was also named to the University of Alabama School of Commerce and Business Administration's All Time All Star Academic Team. After finishing at the University of Alabama, Bobo began his career in the Mobile banking industry. During this time, he attended the National Trust School at Northwestern University, the New York State Trust School and Rutgers Stonier Graduate School of Banking. In 1955, Bobo joined the auditing department of the First National Bank of Mobile, now AmSouth Bank. The following year he was promoted to assistant trust officer and then to trust officer in 1960. In 1965, Bobo was named assistant vice president. He was elected vice president in 1967, senior trust officer in 1969, senior vice president in 1974 and head of the trust department in 1975. He was active in a number of professional banking organizations. He served as chairman of the Southern Trust Conference Planning Committee, president of the trust division of the Alabama Bankers Association, and member of the American Bankers Association. Bobo was also active in a number of civic and community organizations. He was a former secretary and director of the Lion's Club of Mobile, former president of America's Junior Miss, former president of the Mobile Preschool for the Deaf, a founding member of both the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the Family Counseling Center, and a member of the Senior Bowl Committee, the M.W. Smith Foundation, Quarterback Club, Mobile Touchdown Club, Coastal Conservation Association, Alabama Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited and the Mobile County Wildlife Association. Bobo also gave much of his time to his beloved parish, St. Ignatius Catholic Church. He was a member of the Equestrian Society of the Holy Sepulchre, Legatus, the Serra Club of Mobile as well as Catholic Social Services. He has also served as treasurer and member of the board of directors of the McGill-Toolen Foundation. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout south Alabama. Joseph Henry Baker, Jr. will be dearly missed by his family--his wife of 48 years, Mary; his children, Laura Blakely Cooper, Leigh Eleanor Givhan, Joseph Henry Baker III, and Mary Lucille Green; his 12 grandchildren, James Lucien Hinton Ill, Laura Blakely Hinton, Russell Baker Hinton, Mary Virginia Givhan, William Bowman Givhan, Jr., Eleanor Frances Givhan, Mary Deas Baker, Elizabeth Frances Baker, Charles Lansing Green, Jr., Mary Eleanor Green, Julia Baker Green, and Henry Harmon Green; his sister, Frances Baker Lauten; and his brother, William Costello Baker--as well as the countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during this difficult time.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Mobile and the State of Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor Jamie Catlin Praytor and pay tribute to her memory. A realtor for four decades, Jamie was known to many throughout southwest Alabama as the founder and president of Praytor Realty; however, it was her longtime work with area charities and civic groups that gave her such a special place in so many of our hearts. Jamie served as chairwoman of the Homeless Coalition Task Force, and she was involved with the Salvation Army and in fundraising for the American Diabetes Association. She also served on numerous boards including: Forward Mobile, Art Patrons League, Allied Arts Council, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, Mobile United, Alabama School of Math and Science, Junior Achievement, USA Small Business Development Center, Mobile 2000, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Florence Crittendon Home, and Mobile Sunrise Rotary Club. Jamie was instrumental in helping to establish McKemie Place, a shelter for homeless women and children. Named Realtor of the Year in 1981, Jamie was an institution among Alabama realtors. In 1974, she opened Praytor Realty with an all-female sales staff, which was unique at the time. Labeled ``Praytor's Pretties'' by The Birmingham News, Jamie and her team quickly built a highly successful and respected company. Jamie gave much of her time to the realtor community as well. She was elected president of the local Board of Realtors and became president of the state association in 1992. This year, the Mobile Association of Realtors established the Jamie C. Praytor Humanitarian Award, honoring her service. In 2001, Jamie was chosen First Lady of Mobile. A native and lifelong resident of Mobile, Jamie was a member of All Saint's Episcopal Church. She had served as stewardship chairwoman, vestry member, Altar Guild group leader and president of the women of the church. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout south Alabama. Preceded in death by her beloved husband Tommy, Jamie Catlin Praytor will be dearly missed by her family--her daughter, Ellen Praytor Wingard; her sons, Hugh Thomas Praytor III and Wilson Wrath Praytor; four grandchildren, Hayley Catlin Praytor, Hugh Thomas Praytor IV, Charles Lee Wingard Jr. and Blake Dixon Wingard; her sisters, Anita Catlin Miller and Martha Catlin Willcox; her brothers, Paul W. Catlin, James G. Catlin, and Charles P. Catlin--as well as the countless friends she leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during this difficult time.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Mobile and indeed the entire nation recently lost a true American hero, and I rise today to honor the memory of Willie Herd Rushton and pay tribute to his memory. Many Americans came to know Mr. Rushton last year as his courageous story, along with those of other Mobilians, was told in the Ken Burns documentary series, ``The War.'' Born in Nadawah, Alabama, Mr. Rushton grew up on a saw mill farm in Atmore. After graduating from high school, he moved to Mobile to work at the Coca-Cola Bottling Plant. He was drafted in the spring of 1943, just a year after getting married. He signed on with the Marines and was shipped to the Pacific in July 1943. His son was born just one month later, a son he would not see for more than two years. Assigned to the 11th Depot Company, he served in the South Pacific from July 1943 until October 1944. He and his unit--a unit that sustained the highest casualty rate of any black Marine unit--took part in the invasion of Peleliu along with the 1st Marine Division. Mr. Rushton himself was wounded in the leg by shrapnel from a mortar round while on the island. Following his discharge in November of 1945, Mr. Rushton was awarded the Purple Heart as well as the Good Conduct Medal for his valor in service. He worked at Sears, Brookley Field and the United States Postal Service, where he stayed for 43 years. During his career with the Postal Service, his colleagues affectionately referred to Mr. Rushton as ``The Chief.'' Madam Speaker, I rise to ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a true American hero and friend to many throughout Alabama, as well as a wonderful husband and devoted father. Mr. Rushton will be deeply missed by his family--his wife, Evelyn Bush Rushton; his two sons, Willie Herd Rushton Jr. and Derrick Rushton; his daughter, Deborah Rushton Campbell; his brother, John Lee Jones; his six grandchildren; and his six great grandchildren--as well as the many countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to remember the life and courageous service of United States Navy Petty Officer Third Class Matthew J. O'Byrant. Petty Officer O'Byrant was killed in a terrorist attack at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, a cowardly act that claimed the lives of 53 people including two members of our country's armed forces. Matthew was serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from Islamabad. A native of Theodore, AL, Matthew O'Bryant excelled in the ROTC program at Theodore High School and was assigned to Navy Information Operations Command at Fort Meade, MD, as a cryptologic technician. As a cryptologic technician, Petty Officer O'Bryant was in charge of maintaining the advanced communications and technological equipment so vital to America's success in 21st century warfare. Petty Officer O'Bryant's brother, along with two of his cousins, had enlisted to serve in the Navy. Coming from a Navy family, Petty Officer O'Bryant was deployed to Pakistan for only 30 days before the blast that took his life. At his funeral, Matthew's brother, Lawrence, remembered him by saying, ``There were four of us in the Navy. Well, there's three of us now. I guess there will always be four of us because he will always be in the Navy.'' Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to take a moment to reflect upon the many things that have helped to make this the greatest country on the face of the planet. And to that end, we must acknowledge that soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines like Petty Officer O'Bryant deserve the highest praise for their unselfish service and, in this particular case, for their willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice. Madam Speaker, I hope you and my colleagues will join me in paying tribute to Petty Officer Matthew O'Bryant. We should also remember his wife, Bridgett O'Bryant; his parents, Barbara and Tommy O'Bryant; his two sisters, Janet O'Bryant and Nancy O'Bryant; his brother, Lawrence O'Bryant; and his other relatives and many friends. Our prayer is that God will give them all the strength and courage that only He can provide to sustain them during the difficult days ahead. May Matthew rest in peace. He was without question a true American hero.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I am proud to rise today to congratulate Dr. Regina Benjamin of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, for winning a 2008 John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Fellowship. As one of 25 recipients of this year's prestigious ``genius grant,'' Dr. Benjamin's star is rising on the national level even as she continues to work daily to improve the lives of the people of south Mobile County and the State of Alabama. Dr. Benjamin, a lifelong resident of Alabama, has dedicated herself to serving the underserved--providing high-quality medical care to shrimping communities of the Alabama bayou. When Bayou La Batre was devastated by Hurricane Georges in 1998 and again in 2005 by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Dr. Benjamin rode from house to house in a pickup truck, caring for her patients one by one until her clinic could be rebuilt. Her dedication to serving her community stands out as an example for us all, and I am so glad she has been recognized by one of the world's truly prestigious foundations. The MacArthur Fellowship is awarded annually to individuals recognized for ``extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction.'' Fellows are awarded $500,000 with absolutely no strings attached, a complement to the virtues of creativity and self-direction recognized by the foundation. Though Dr. Benjamin has not yet decided how she will use her grant, she is considering a program to help lower-income students pursue careers in medicine. It would be a worthy use of this award and truly a gift that would keep on giving. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the proud citizens of the First Congressional District and the entire State of Alabama, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Benjamin on her MacArthur Fellowship. I know I speak for all my colleagues in the House of Representatives when I say we can't wait to see what she does next.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor the long and distinguished career of the Rev. Gregory F. Lucey on the occasion of his retirement as president of Spring Hill College in Mobile. For the past 10 years, Father Lucey has been an integral part of the Mobile community. As Mobile's Press-Register wrote in a tribute, ``His remarkable accomplishments will set the standard for leadership at [Spring Hill College] for years to come.'' Father Lucey was a student at Campion Jesuit High School, a boarding school in Wisconsin, when he chose to follow in his brother's footsteps and become a Jesuit priest. Ordained in 1964, Father Lucey has said he knew then that God had a plan for his life. He went on to earn a master's degree in education as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees in philosophy from St. Louis University. He earned a master's degree in liturgy from the University of Notre Dame, and later, he earned a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Following his educational pursuits, Father Lucey served as a teacher at his former high school before being named the school's principal a short time later. Just one year later, he was named president of Campion Jesuit High School. From there, Father Lucey went on to Seattle University where he served as vice president for development. In 1988, Father Lucey returned to a spiritual role, serving as rector of the Jesuit community at Marquette University. He then went on to become president and chairman of the board of the National Jesuit Conference in Washington, D.C. In 1997, Father Lucey was named president of Spring Hill College, and over the past 11 years, he has earned an admirable record of accomplishment. Enrollment has increased by over 15 percent during his tenure, and he has helped grow the college's endowment by almost $20 million. The campus has also experienced tremendous growth--the construction of six new buildings and the renovation of eight others. Spring Hill College also consistently receives high marks in U.S. News & World Report's college rankings. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated spiritual and community leader as well as friend to many throughout south Alabama. I know his friends and colleagues join me in extending thanks for his service over the years. On behalf of a grateful community, I wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of the Honorable Charles ``Chip'' Willis Pickering, Jr. for his service to the people of Mississippi and United States House of Representatives. Congressman Pickering has represented the 3rd Congressional District of the state of Mississippi for the past 12 years. A native of Laurel, Mississippi, Chip received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Mississippi and a master's degree in business administration from Baylor University. Before joining Congress, Chip served as a Southern Baptist missionary in the communist region of Budapest, Hungary. Upon returning to the country, former President George H. W. Bush appointed him to the United States Department of Agriculture as a liaison to bring reform to the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Upon his return to the United States, Chip went to work for the people of Mississippi as a staffer of former Mississippi Senator Trent Lott, where he served for nearly four years. At the age of 33, he ran as the Republican candidate for Mississippi's 3rd District in 1996. Chip has taken the lead in passing FEMA and contracting reform legislation in the wake of 2005's Hurricane Katrina. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Chip has been an influential leader on issues such as telecommunications and technology concerning Mississippi's future. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family, his five sons, Will, Ross, Jackson, Asher, and Harper; his many friends and colleagues join me in praising his accomplishments and extending thanks for his service over the years on behalf of the state of Mississippi and the United States of America. Chip will surely enjoy the well deserved time he now has to spend with his family and loved ones. I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of the Honorable Ron Lewis for his service to the people of Kentucky and the United States House of Representatives. Congressman Lewis has represented the 2nd Congressional District of the state of Kentucky for the past 14 years. Ron was born and raised in South Shore, Kentucky. He graduated from McKell High School and worked his way through Morehead State University before transferring to the University of Kentucky, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science. Following graduation, he worked as a salesman and then taught at a business college in Louisiana. He returned to Morehead State and earned a Master of Arts in Higher Education and then attended Southern Baptist Seminary and became an ordained Baptist minister. Ron has long been an ardent supporter of our national defense. In 2005, he and the entire Kentucky delegation successfully fought the closing of Fort Knox, one of our nation's premier military installations employing nearly 9,000 personnel. Due in large part to Ron's leadership during this most recent round of base realignment, Fort Knox was designated to remain open and to keep the majority of our nation's gold reserves. From his post on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, Ron has been a champion for farmers in his heartland district. He sponsored the Rural Communities Investment Act, which provides tax incentives to make interest income on farm real estate and certain rural housing loans exempt from federal taxation. He has also worked to develop alternative fuels made from crops grown in his district, sponsoring legislation to promote increased use of ethanol and biodiesel, made from corn and soybeans. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family, his wife, Kayi; his two children, Ronald Brent and Allison Faye; and his many friends and colleagues join me in honoring his accomplishments and extending thanks for his service over the years on behalf of the commonwealth of Kentucky and the United States of America. Ron will surely enjoy the well deserved time he now has to spend with his family and loved ones. I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully request to include the accompanying articles in the Congressional Record to supplement my remarks which were entered during the Special Order in honor of two Members of the Alabama Delegation who are retiring. [From The Montgomery Advertiser, August 5, 2008] Congressman Garners Praise for Local Support (By Cosby Woodruff) Congressman Terry Everett's support for Maxwell Air Force Base during his 16 years in Washington is one reason the River Region benefits from the base's $1.6 billion annual impact, said the head of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Randy George said Everett's impact on the area goes far beyond Maxwell, but any discussion of the congressman's legacy must start with the military. ``You can't take that away from him,'' George said. ``He has been a major player on Maxwell.'' George said Maxwell is one of Montgomery's biggest economic engines, but the base contributes to the region in ways that can't be measured in dollars and cents. ``The societal impact to our area is at least as important,'' George said. ``It makes us cosmopolitan.'' Everett, who is retiring after eight terms in Congress, spoke to the chamber for the last time as a congressman Monday at its Eggs & Issues breakfast series. His speech focused more on national politics than on local economics, but he did say sectors of Alabama's economy are poised for growth--and he pointed to the space industry as one area that could have an impact in years to come. ``We have never had a national discussion about what space means to our economy,'' he said. ``Space is a $19 billion global industry growing at 22 percent a year.'' He suggested the industry's impact on Alabama is limited only by the workers the state can supply. ``We need more young people interested in space, engineering and math,'' he said. George pointed out Everett's contributions to the area that go beyond his commitment to the military. ``Downtown, he helped us get the money,'' George said, of the construction boom and renovations going on in Montgomery. ``Much of that money came from federal grants that he has been very supportive of. He has been an advocate for the expansion of the airport.'' Everett said he has supported the state's agriculture industry, what he called its biggest economic factor, in Congress. He said he made sure those interests were protected in the recent farm bill. George said the congressman has been a friend to the chamber and area businesses. ``Terry has been very responsive to the business community,'' he said. ``We think he has done a great job.''

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of the Honorable Thomas M. Davis for his service to the people of Virginia and the United States House of Representatives. Congressman Davis has represented the 11th Congressional District of the state of Virginia for the past 13 years. Born in Minot, North Dakota, Tom moved to Fairfax County, Virginia, at an early age. He graduated from the United States Capitol Page School as president of his class and went on to Amherst College where he graduated with a degree in political science. Tom earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia and attended Officer Candidate School, serving on active duty in the U.S. Army. He spent eight years serving in the Virginia National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. Before his election to Congress, Tom became the chief elected official of Fairfax County, Virginia, the nation's 11th most populous municipality with the second largest county budget in the United States. While serving as the chairman of the board of supervisors, Fairfax County was recognized as the best financially managed county in the Nation. Upon his election to the United States House of Representatives in 1995, Tom was put in control of the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee's Subcommittee on the District of Columbia, marking the first time a freshman had been appointed as a chairman in over 40 years. Tom is well known for his advocacy on behalf of federal employees and contractors as well as his support of students in the District of Columbia. He was the integral force behind the passage of the D.C. College Access Act, allowing high school graduates in the District to attend public colleges in Maryland and Virginia at in-state tuition rates. Tom is also known as a strong supporter of political and ethics reform in the House, while still fighting for issues most important to Virginia's 11th District. He was instrumental in gaining funding for the construction of the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge, designed to ease chronic gridlock in northern Virginia. He has also been an ardent supporter for advancements in information technology, which is critical to northern Virginia's high tech community. In addition to serving as the Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee from 1998 to 2002 and chairing the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee during the 108th Congress, Tom's crusade against government waste concentrated on monitoring federal contracts of large dollar amounts. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family, his wife, Jeannemarie Devolites; his three children; his four stepchildren; and his many friends and colleagues join me in praising his accomplishments and extending thanks for his service over the years on behalf of the commonwealth of Virginia and the United States of America. Tom will surely enjoy the well deserved time he now has to spend with his family and loved ones. I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of the Honorable Duncan Hunter for his service to the people of California and the United States House of Representatives. Congressman Hunter has represented the 52nd Congressional District of the state of California for the past 28 years. Congressman Hunter was born and raised in Riverside, California, and graduated from Rubidoux High School. He attended the University of Montana before transferring to the University of California, Santa Barbara. Feeling compelled to serve in Vietnam, he left college and joined the United States Army in 1969. Serving in South Vietnam, Duncan was a member of the 173rd Airborne and 75th Army Rangers during the Vietnam War. A decorated Vietnam War veteran, he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Air Medal as well as other service ribbons. Following his service in Vietnam, Duncan earned his Juris Doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, and upon graduation, he opened his own law practice. Elected to Congress at the age of 32, Congressman Hunter was named a member of the Armed Services Committee in just his first term. From his post on this powerful panel, he supported President Ronald Reagan's massive military buildup in the arms race with the Soviet Union in the 1980s, and he was an outspoken critic of President Bill Clinton's efforts to scale back the military in the 1990s. In the 109th Congress, Congressman Hunter was named chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and serves as ranking member in the 110th. Chairman Hunter is known as an ardent supporter of military modernization initiatives. With the nation's largest naval base located in the 52nd District, he has been a staunch supporter of military personnel and their families, ensuring they are well-compensated and well-equipped. Chairman Hunter has also been a leader in making our Nation's borders more secure. He was the guiding force behind legislation making the military the lead agency in illegal drug interdiction, using military units for building roads and fencing along the United States--Mexico border, and authorizing an additional 5,000 border patrol agents. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a devoted leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family, his wife, Lynne; their two children; four grandchildren; and his many colleagues and friends join me in commending his accomplishments and extending thanks for his service over the years on behalf of the state of California and the United States of America. Chairman Hunter will surely enjoy the well-deserved time he now has to spend with his family and loved ones. I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, Congressman Terry Everett, for his extraordinary service to the people of Alabama and the United States House of Representatives. Terry Everett has represented the 2nd Congressional District of the state of Alabama with distinction and honor for the past 16 years. Born in Dothan and raised in Midland City, Terry joined the U.S. Air Force following high school. He learned Russian and served as an intelligence analyst in Europe. After his military service, Terry returned to Dothan and entered the field of journalism. He worked as a sports reporter and covered the police beat for the Dothan Eagle. In his nearly 30 years in the newspaper business, Terry wore many hats-- from reporter, to editor and publisher, to eventual owner of five small papers in southwest Alabama. Terry sold his newspapers in the late 1980s and used the profits to start his own construction business, a business which also found great success. When Congressman Bill Dickinson announced his retirement in 1992 after 28 years of service, Terry, due in large part to his love for country, chose to run for Congress. Using the slogan, ``Send a message not a politician!'' the people of Alabama's 2nd Congressional District elected Terry to Congress. He has been their voice in this body for eight terms and become one of the most respected congressmen on Capitol Hill. Terry is perhaps best known as an ardent supporter of military modernization initiatives as well as his work to protect America's space-based technology. As the first chairman, and current ranking member, of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Terry has worked tirelessly to bring major defense industry to Alabama. This post has also enabled Terry to watch over the needs at Montgomery's Maxwell-Gunter Air Force base, home of Air University, and Fort Rucker, home of the Army's Aviation Warfighting Center. Terry has also led the debate on protecting our nation's valuable space assets-- assets on which our national defense depends. Mr. Speaker, agriculture remains Alabama's number one industry, and Terry, a former peanut farmer, has been a champion for farmers. As the second-ranking Republican on the House Agriculture Committee, Terry has sponsored a vast array of agricultural programs and legislation that has helped ensure the stability of Alabama farmers. Following the September 11th terrorists attacks on our nation, the central front in the war against terrorism became our ability to accurately gather, process, and understand intelligence. After careful consideration of many other qualified individuals, House Speaker Dennis J. Hastert appointed Terry to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in January 2002. Accurately describing his work in this capacity, Terry was once quoted as saying ``some of the most important work I've done I can't talk about because it was on the Intelligence Committee.'' Terry has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. While a local newspaper publisher, the Association of the U.S. Army at Fort Rucker twice nominated him for ``Army Civilian of the Year.'' Terry served as president and chairman of the board of the Alabama Press Association and chairman of the board of directors of the former Dothan Federal Savings Bank. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family-- his wife, Barbara--as well as his many friends and colleagues join me in praising his accomplishments and extending thanks for his service over the years on behalf of the state of Alabama and the United States of America. Terry will surely enjoy the well-deserved time he now has to spend with Barbara and his beloved constituents. I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of Congressman Ray LaHood for his service to the people of Illinois and the United States House of Representatives. Congressman LaHood has represented the 18th Congressional District of the state of Illinois for 14 years. Ray was elected to Congress in 1993 after having served as chief of staff to his predecessor, Republican Leader Bob Michel of Illinois. A native of Peoria, Illinois, Ray worked his way through school and taught in Catholic schools for six years. Following his service in the classroom, Ray became a staffer for Congressman Tom Ralisback. He was then elected to the Illinois State House of Representatives in 1982 where he served until joining Congressman Michel's staff. A master of parliamentary procedure, Ray quickly developed a reputation for bipartisanship and civility. He was the Member his leadership would often tap to preside in the chamber during contentious floor proceedings, including the impeachment proceedings of former President Bill Clinton. A member of the Appropriations Committee, Ray serves on both the Agriculture and Legislative Branch Subcommittees and as the top-ranking Republican on the Select Intelligence Oversight Panel. Throughout his career, Ray has received numerous awards, including three honorary doctorate degrees in political science, humane letters, and public service. In 2001, Ray was named the Ray A. Neumann Tri- County Citizen of the Year by the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Peoria, and in 1999, he received Peoria Notre Dame High School's Distinguished Alumnus Award. A hallmark of Ray's term in office has been his support for farmers in his Illinois district. As a member of the Agriculture Subcommittee, Ray has been a tireless supporter of Illinois ethanol production. The Illinois Farm Bureau recognized his leadership on agriculture issues by awarding him their highest honor in 2005, the Charles B. Shuman Distinguished Service Award. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family-- his wife, Kathy; their four children; Darin, Amy, Sam and Sara; and his seven grandchildren, Ella, McKay, Henry, Luke, Oliver, Theodore, and Brogan--as well as his many friends and colleagues join me in praising his accomplishments and extending thanks for his service over the years on behalf of the state of Illinois and the United States of America. Ray will surely enjoy the well-deserved time he now has to spend with his family and loved ones. I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of Congressman Tom Reynolds for his service to the people of New York and the United States House of Representatives. Congressman Reynolds has represented the 26th Congressional District of the State of New York for 10 years. Tom has dedicated his entire adult life to public service. He began in the New York Air National Guard where he served from 1970 until 1976 attaining the rank of sergeant. While in the Guard, Tom was elected to the Concord Town Council at the age of 23. He served on the town council for eight years before he was elected to the Erie County legislature. In 1988, Tom was elected to the New York State Assembly and became minority leader just seven years later. In 1998, Tom was elected to succeed his friend, Congressman Bill Paxon, in the U.S. House of Representatives. Known for his political acumen, Tom was chosen by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert to co-chair Battleground 2000, an unprecedented effort of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) to raise money for incumbents, challengers, and open-seat candidates. Due in large part to the overwhelming success of Battleground 2000, Tom was tapped by his Republican colleagues to serve two terms as chairman of the RNC where he raised substantially more money than his counterpart on the other side of aisle. In describing Tom, The Washington Post stated, ``Reynolds has quietly become one of the most influential Republicans in the House.'' He served on the influential Rules Committee before relinquishing his seat to become a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, where he has served for two terms. Tom has received a number of awards and honors throughout his career. He was named a ``Champion of the Dairy Farmers'' and ``Hero of the Taxpayer.'' He was awarded the U.S. Apple Association's ``Golden Apple Award,'' the ``Guardian Eagle'' award for his efforts on behalf of senior citizens, and the ``Silver Helmet'' for his support of veterans' issues. He was named to the New York State Farm Bureau's Circle of Friends. The New York State Sheriff's Association named Tom a ``Friend of Law Enforcement.'' He was named ``Legislator of the Year'' by the Shooters Committee of Political Education, and he was inducted into the Kids Escaping Drugs Hall of Fame. In 1996, Tom's hometown Chamber of Commerce awarded him its Lifetime Achievement Award. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family-- his wife, Donna and his four children--as well as his many friends and colleagues join me in praising his accomplishments and extending thanks for his service over the years on behalf of the State of New York and the United States of America. Tom will surely enjoy the well-deserved time he now has to spend with his family and loved ones. I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding career of Congresswoman Deborah Pryce for her service to the people of Ohio and the United States House of Representatives. Congresswoman Pryce has represented the 15th Congressional District of the State of Ohio for 16 years. Deborah was elected to Congress in 1993 after serving as a Franklin County Municipal Court Judge and city prosecutor. She quickly made history as she rose to leadership positions in the House. Her election to House Republican conference chairman, the number four position in leadership, made Deborah the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in the House Republican leadership. She also served as conference vice-chair in 2000 and was elected president of her freshman class. Deborah has also served as a deputy whip since 1996. A hallmark of Deborah's term in office has been her support for children and families. She has worked tirelessly to make adoption more affordable and has been a leader in reforming the welfare system. Deborah has also endured unimaginable loss. In 1999, her nine year old daughter, Caroline, died of cancer. In the wake of her daughter's death, she and her ex-husband founded Hope Street Kids, a program to support cancer research. In the 109th Congress, Deborah introduced legislation to provide grants to promote pain management and end-of-life care for children with life threatening conditions. She is also the co-founder of the House Cancer Caucus. Deborah's tireless work on behalf of children living with cancer has not gone unnoticed. In 2006, she was the recipient of the American Cancer Society's highest honor, the Distinguished Advocacy Award. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know her family, her daughter, Mia, and her many friends and colleagues join me in praising her accomplishments and extending thanks for her service over the years on behalf of the State of Ohio and the United States of America. Deborah will surely enjoy the well-deserved time she now has to spend with her family and loved ones. I wish her the best of luck in all her future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I submit the following: Project Name: Low Cost Multi-Channel Camera System. Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: RDT&E, U.S. NAVY, ASW Systems Development (R/1 Line: 29, PE: 0603254N). Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Radiance Technologies, Inc. Address of Requesting Entity: 775 North University Blvd, Suite 250, Mobile, AL, USA. Description of Request: $2,400,000 will be utilized to design, assemble and demonstrate a low cost multi-channel camera system to detect and track diesel submarines as well as provide the ability to detect, track and identify marine mammals. Diesel submarines, like the ones used by countries in the Middle East, Far East and South America, are quiet, air independent and are difficult to detect using current cold war era radar and acoustic system technology. Beyond the need for enhanced submarine detection, current Naval testing of active acoustic systems has been deemed to threaten certain marine mammals. As a result, the NAVY's ability to conduct certain types of testing and training has been curtailed. This restriction reduces the NAVY's ability to protect U.S. fleets from observations by foreign submarines and direct threats. This technology will provide capabilities to fly exercise areas prior to acoustic testing or training to ensure that adjacent waters are clear of marine mammals. Of the funds provided, $396,000 [or 16.5%] is for channel selection analysis, electronic and mechanical engineering and multi-channel sensor fabrication and integration; $720,000 [or 30.0%] for multi- channel sensor fabrication and integration, and design and implementation of automatic calibration and registration algorithms; $276,000 [or 11.5%] for purchase and integration of digital data recording system, and experimental data collection tests to support algorithm development; $808,800 [or 33.7%] for design, development, and implementation of automatic recognition algorithms and automatic reporting software for data dissemination to ASW assets; $199,200 [or 8.3%] for system demonstration and acceptance testing. Project Name: Fourteen Mile Bridge in Mobile, Alabama. Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner. Bill Number: H.R. 2638. Account: Coast Guard/Alteration of Bridges. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: United States Coast Guard. Address of Requesting Entity: 470 L'Enfant Plaza East, SW, Room 7110, Washington, DC, 20024-2135. Description of Request: Request is for funding for construction of a 14 mile railroad bridge replacement declared for alteration by the Commandant of the USCG. Fourteen Mile Bridge is a navigational hazard and bottleneck due to age and outdated design. It is an impediment to safe and efficient navigation for shippers on the Tombigbee Waterway and into the Nation's inland waterway system. Engineering and design is completed, but the construction account has only been partially funded. The Coast Guard estimates the total project cost to be $75.5 million ($69.8 million federal share); $48.4 million has been appropriated. Request is for additional funding of the construction account.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Brewton and the state of Alabama lost a dear friend last week, and I rise today to honor Reo Kirkland Jr. and pay tribute to his memory. A native and life-long resident of Brewton, Reo graduated from T.R. Miller High School and earned his bachelor's degree at Auburn University. He completed his education by earning his law degree from Jones School of Law. Reo went on to serve as assistant district attorney and founded the firm, Reo Kirkland Attorney at Law. He also served two terms as an Alabama state senator and was the longtime chairman of the Escambia County Democratic Executive Committee. An avid outdoorsman, Reo was a certified hunting guide in Maine and a delegator for the Alabama Wildlife Commission. The Brewton Standard remembered Reo Kirkland as one of the ``last great Southern lawyers.'' History, perhaps, will most remember Reo as the delegate who nominated his mother for president during Alabama's roll call vote at the 1984 Democratic National Convention. Friends and colleagues remembered him as a passionate prosecutor, and District Attorney Steve Billy said Reo was ``one of the finest prosecutors in the state.'' Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout south Alabama. Reo Kirkland Jr. will be dearly missed by his family--his son, Reo Kirkland III; his brother, Karl Kirkland; and his sister, Jean--as well as the countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during this difficult time.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of the Honorable Jim McCrery for his service to the people of Louisiana and the United States House of Representatives. Congressman McCrery has represented the 4th Congressional District of the state of Louisiana for the past 20 years. Born in Shreveport, Louisiana and raised in Leesville, Louisiana, Jim attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston and received degrees in English and history. In 1975, he earned his Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University and was admitted to the Louisiana Bar that same year. Jim then got his start in politics working as district manager for former Congressman Buddy Roemer and later as his legislative director in Washington, D.C. Since his election in 1988, Jim has fought hard for issues important to the state of Louisiana, including defense and national security policy. He has also concentrated much of his efforts toward reducing the cost of healthcare and producing fundamental tax reform. In 2001, Jim's dedication and hard work were recognized by the Louisiana chapter of the March of Dimes when he was named Citizen of the Year. He has also been recognized for his efforts in response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, which devastated his home state in 2005. In 2006, the New Orleans Times-Picayune praised his ability to work across party lines, noting ``That legislation ($8 billion in tax credits for Louisiana) is among the most significant tools for this region's recovery.'' Dubbed an ``economic guardian'' by Congressional Quarterly, Jim serves as ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee. As a member of this powerful committee, Jim has played key roles in writing legislation for a prescription-drug program for seniors and passing major tax bills. Jim is regarded by his colleagues as an expert on the issue of welfare reform and played a key role in the passage of historic welfare reform legislation. He was also co-author of the landmark legislation, the Medicare Preservation Act. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family, his wife, Johnette; their two children, Scott and Clark; and his many colleagues and friends join me in honoring his accomplishments and extending thanks for his service over the years on behalf of the state of Louisiana and the United States of America. Jim will surely enjoy the well-deserved time he now has to spend with his family and loved ones. I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding career of the Honorable Barbara Cubin for her service on behalf of the people of Wyoming and the United States House of Representatives. Congresswoman Cubin has represented the people of the state of Wyoming for the past 14 years. A fifth-generation Wyoming resident, Barbara was raised in Casper, Wyoming. She graduated from Natrona County High School in Casper and received a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She went on to work as a chemist, a social worker, a substitute teacher, and also managed her husband's medical practice office. During this time, she became involved in local party politics and civic groups, including the Wyoming State Choir, the PTA, a suicide prevention organization and a homeless shelter. Her community involvement led her to run for the Wyoming state house where she served for six years. She then ran successfully for a seat in the Wyoming senate, which she held for two years. In 1994, Barbara was elected to Congress representing one of the most visited and least populated states in the Nation. Barbara was elected conference secretary in the 107th Congress, the sixth ranking Republican leadership position in the House, and she currently serves as a deputy whip for the Republican Conference. Widely regarded as an expert in the field of energy and minerals, Barbara serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. From coal-bed methane to natural gas development, Wyoming's economy relies heavily on oil and gas production, and Barbara has used her seat on this influential committee to promote energy development. Since suffering a mild heart attack in 2005, Barbara has also become an ardent supporter of increased screening of women for heart disease. She is a champion of gun owners' rights and served a three-year term on the board of the National Rifle Association. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know her family, her husband, Frederick ``Fritz'' Cubin; their two sons, Bill and Eric; their two grandchildren; and her many friends and colleagues join me in honoring her accomplishments and extending thanks for her service over the years on behalf of the state of Wyoming and the United States of America. Barbara will surely enjoy the well-deserved time she now has to spend with her family and loved ones. I wish her the best of luck in all her future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. As this evening continues to unfold, we have heard from so many colleagues from all over the country who are paying homage tonight to Congressman Bud Cramer and Congressman Terry Everett. Congressman John Tanner, one of Bud's closest friends and colleague and one of the leaders in the Blue Dog Coalition asked me, because of a last minute conflict, to enter the following statement. ``Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join our colleagues tonight in paying tribute to my friend Congressman Bud Cramer, who, as you know, will retire later this year after representing Alabama in this body for 18 years. During this time, he has been an important leader in Congress and an excellent public servant for the American people. ``Several years ago, Bud and I, along with a handful of our other Democratic colleagues, formed a small group to fill what we saw as a void within the body at the time, a solution-oriented coalition of moderate Members who could help forge a bipartisan bridge between our colleagues on either side of the partisan aisle. That group was named the Blue Dog Coalition, to which we both still belong. ``I appreciate Bud's leadership on working on bipartisan solutions to the challenges facing our country. A military veteran, grandfather and children's advocate, Bud has dedicated much of his life to his country and helping others. ``Mr. Speaker, Bud Cramer's dedication and commitment have served our country well, and his presence in this Chamber will be sorely missed.'' That comment and so many others from our colleagues in Alabama, Congressman Artur Davis, Congressman Spencer Bachus, Congressman Mike Rogers. I have already mentioned Congressman Aderholt could not be here because of a last minute conflict, but asked his statement to be entered into the record. Friends of Terry Everett and Bud Cramer, Lincoln Davis of Tennessee, Bart Gordon, the distinguished chairman of the Science Committee, Gene Taylor, my neighbor along America's Gulf Coast, so many people from both sides of the aisle and all political stripes who are opening up their heart tonight saying thank you for the leadership that these two outstanding gentleman have provided. Mr. Speaker, without objection, I would like to enter an article on each of these two gentlemen in the Congressional Record. On July 27th, shortly after Congressman Cramer announced his intentions to resign at the end of this session of Congress, The Huntsville Times, Congressman Cramer's hometown newspaper, ran a series of articles about the outstanding, dedicated leadership and service that Bud Cramer has provided. So without objection, I would like to enter this into the Congressional Record. Likewise, on October 1, 2007, and then a few months later in the Dothan Magazine, the first being the Montgomery Advertiser, the capital city newspaper, there were editorials and articles alike praising Terry Everett for his solid performance as an outstanding leader of Congress and an outstanding leader for Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter both of these as well. [From the Montgomery Advertiser, Oct. 1, 2007] Everett Has Been Solid Performer Residents of Alabama's Second Congressional District--which includes all of Autauga and Elmore counties and a portion of Montgomery County--aren't prone to frequent changes in the representative they send to Washington. A new representative has been elected just twice in 44 years. Bill Dickinson won the seat in 1964, the year of the fabled ``Goldwater sweep'' that saw five Republicans elected to Congress from Alabama, something that would have been unimaginable only a few years before. He held the seat until 1992, usually with ease, fending off only a handful of significant challenges over the years. Dickinson retired from Congress that year and the Second District, to the surprise of many observers, turned to Terry Everett over two better-known candidates. Its voters have elected him every two years since and likely would continue doing so for some time to come. But they won't have the chance. Everett announced last week that he would not seek another term in the House in 2008. At 70, he said he was looking forward to returning to his farm in Rehobeth. The announcement set off a flurry of speculation and exploration. Chances to run for an open congressional seat are rare, so there surely will be no shortage of candidates next year in a district that covers the Wiregrass area of southeast Alabama, then curls upward to reach into Montgomery County. There will be ample opportunity to consider those candidacies in next year's campaigns. For now, Everett's tenure in office deserves some reflection by those he has represented since 1992. Everett, who previously owned a string of small newspapers, was not exactly a household name when he began his bid for the seat. Nor was he--nor did he ever become--a scintillating campaigner. For those looking for a candidate to ignite an audience or light up a room, Everett was never the guy. Yet Second District voters liked Everett from the start. Something in his low-key, receptive manner and steadfast common-sense conservatism resonated with them. He defeated state Sen. Larry Dixon of Montgomery, long considered a likely successor to Dickinson, in the Republican primary and state Treasurer George Wallace Jr., then a Democrat, in the general election. He would have opposition in future races, but never any opponent of similar stature. Everett understood well the concerns of his district, where military and agricultural issues are especially important. He was a consistent supporter of the major military installations in the district, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery and Fort Rucker near Ozark. Farmers had a reliable advocate in Washington as well. A subcommittee Everett chaired uncovered and addressed serious abuses in health care facilities for veterans. He served for years on the House Intelligence Committee and is now the ranking minority member. He observed wryly in an interview with The Associated Press that ``some of the most important work I've done I can't talk about because it was on the Intelligence Committee.'' Everett has served the district and the nation well. It should be noted that he's not leaving office right away. Indeed, he'll be there for more than a year. We are confident that he will continue his steady, conscientious representation during that time before entering an honorable and well-earned retirement from public life.