Jo Bonner

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the Lt. Joseph M. Wilcox Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) on the occasion of its 85th anniversary. The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized on August 9, 1890, in Washington, D.C. Thirty-three years later, on February 8, 1923, the DAR chapter in Camden, Alabama, was founded by my grandmother, Ezra Robins Bonner, with 19 charter members. The chapter will celebrate its 85th anniversary on April 3, 2008, at Camden Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. The DAR, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism and preserving American history through better education for children. The society's purpose remains much the same today as when it was chartered by an Act of Congress in 1895: ``To perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence; to promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge; to cherish, maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country.'' Nationally, DAR members volunteer more than 60,000 hours annually to veteran patients, award over $150,000 in scholarships and financial aid each year to students, and support schools for the underprivileged with annual donations in excess of one million dollars. Madam Speaker, the organizing and charter members of the Lt. Joseph M. Wilcox Chapter were: Ezra Robins Bonner, Regent; Ervin McWilliams Carr, Vice Regent; Madison McWilliams Ervin, Recording Secretary; Nannie Miller Turner, Corresponding Secretary; Charlotte Tait Beck, Treasurer; Lucy D. Jones Moore, Registrar; Mary Goode Berry, Chaplain; Sarah Ervin Henderson, Historian; Grace Pugh Goode; Anna Mary Robins Crain; Katie Lee Robins; Janie Margaret Robins Wood; Narcissa McDowell Harris; Maud McWilliams; Amelie Ervin Hixon; Henrietta Irby; Mary Bibb Irby; Miriam Perryman Primm; and Mabel Stokes. May all of these ladies--and their proud descendants--know that their work throughout the years has left a lasting mark on the people of Wilcox County, Alabama. It is indeed my sincere hope that the Lt. Joseph M. Wilcox Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will continue its vital service for another 85 years. I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the Camden chapter, along with all of the other DAR chapters around the country, for their patriotism and love of country, as well as for their dedication and hard work. We wish them all the best at this historic celebration.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor Mr. Ronnie Poiroux on the occasion of his retirement after a 37-year public service career with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT). After graduating with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of South Alabama, Ronnie joined ALDOT in 1971 as an engineering assistant. Six years later, he was named assistant division maintenance engineer, a position in which he supervised 32 employees. In this capacity, Ronnie was charged with bridge inspection and repair, resurfacing, paint striping, traffic signals, and truck weighing. Just months after this promotion, Ronnie was given the additional responsibilities of overseeing tunnels and lift span bridges, including the supervision of an additional 45 employees. In 1982, Ronnie was promoted to maintenance engineer for the Ninth Division. ALDOT's Ninth Division encompasses a large portion of the First Congressional District, including Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, and Conecuh counties. As maintenance engineer for the Ninth Division, Ronnie supervised and administered the railroad safety projects, division resurfacing projects and paved shoulder projects in southwest Alabama. Ronnie managed bridge inspections and helped establish priorities for bridge replacement projects. He also administered outdoor advertising as well as the interstate logo program. Ronnie was promoted to division engineer for the Ninth Division in 1994, a position he held until his retirement 14 years later. As division engineer, Ronnie supervised numerous projects in southwest Alabama, including: $900 million in construction and maintenance projects; $200 million in preliminary engineering, right of way acquisition and utility relocations; the opening of I-165; completion of the I-165 connector and Bay Bridge relocation to Cochrane Africatown Bridge; completion of replacement bridges over Fish River and Dog River; hurricane evacuation routes and emergency evacuations of south Alabama; preliminary design and planning of proposed Mobile Bay bridge; redesign and construction of the new I-10 interchange in Irvington as well as the connector to Bayou La Batre; the widening of Highway 98; design and construction of Alabama 113 from I-65 to Flomaton; completion of additional lanes and widening projects including Alabama 287 and Alabama 59 in Baldwin County, U.S. 31 in Escambia County and Schillinger Road/Alabama 158 in Mobile County; creation of the award winning Gopher Tortoise Preserve in Mobile County; the installation of osprey nesting platforms in Mobile and Baldwin counties; and construction of Mobile's Traffic Management Center and installation of a fog detection system for the I-10 Bayway Bridge. Madam Speaker, it is clear Ronnie Poiroux has left an indelible mark on southwest Alabama, and I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating a dedicated professional and friend to many throughout Alabama. I know Ronnie's colleagues, his family, and his many friends join with me in praising his accomplishments and extending thanks for his many efforts over the years on behalf of southwest Alabama and the entire state.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise today to honor Mr. Robert Edington on the occasion of his being named Mobilian of the Year for 2007 by the Mobile Civitan Club. The Mobilian of the Year is the city's most prestigious civic honor, and Robert is most deserving of this award in recognition of over 50 years of dedicated service to the city of Mobile. A native of Mobile, Robert Edington started his career in the Naval Reserves. He served as an Air Intelligence Officer for a Navy fighter squadron in the Korean War before retiring with the rank of commander. Robert is an attorney and has served as a legal counselor in the Mobile area for more than half a century. He currently serves as the director of the Mobile Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program, a program that provides legal services to the underprivileged. Robert served for 8 years in the Alabama House of Representatives and 4 years as a State senator representing Mobile County. During his service in the Alabama Legislature, he played a lead role in establishing the Alabama Historical Commission as well as other historic districts in the city of Mobile. One of his greatest contributions to the city of Mobile was his leadership in the creation of the USS Alabama Battleship Commission, which brought the World War II battleship to Mobile in the 1960s. In recognition of his legislative efforts, the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. presented Robert their national award. During his tenure in the Alabama Legislature, Robert was also instrumental in the creation of the University of South Alabama, the University of South Alabama College of Medicine as well as the development of Bishop State Community College in Mobile. Robert served two terms as chair of the USS Alabama Battleship Commission, during which time he oversaw the $7 million restoration project following Hurricane Katrina. He served as former chair of CSS Alabama Association, an organization responsible for underwater archeological expeditions at the wreck site of the CSS Alabama off the coast of France. The artifacts recovered by these missions are now on display at the Mobile Museum of History. Robert also loaned his voice to a History Channel documentary, ``Raise the Alabama.'' Robert was the Consul of Guatemala at Mobile for 20 years, and in this capacity, he organized the first local trade mission to Central America. In recognition of his efforts, he was awarded the U.S. Department of Commerce Achievement Award. He also served on the National Advisory Board for the U.S. Small Business Administration for four years. For 40 years, Robert has coordinated the U.S. Navy ships for Mobile's Mardi Gras festivities. He is an ardent supporter of Penelope House, a place of refuge for victims of domestic violence. Robert is a member of the Board of Directors of the Mobile Council of the Navy League, the Kiwanis Club of Mobile, and an active member of the National Democratic Party. He is an elder at Spring Hill Presbyterian Church and a charter member of Mobile United. Madam Speaker, I would like to offer my personal congratulations to Mr. Robert Edington for being named the Mobilian of the Year for 2007 and in so doing, recognize him for his many outstanding professional and philanthropic accomplishments. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating a dedicated professional and friend to many throughout south Alabama. I know Robert's family; his wife, Pat; his son, Sherard; his daughter, Virginia; and his many friends join me in praising his accomplishments and extending thanks for his many efforts over the years on behalf of southwest Alabama and the entire State.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to honor the memory of the late Congressman Tom Lantos and his devotion to battling genocide and aiding its victims. We have not only lost a wonderful friend but an individual who, during his lifetime, made countless contributions toward the betterment of our Nation, and indeed, the world. At the age of 16, Tom was taken by the Nazis as they stormed through Budapest in 1944. After two escapes from the Nazi work camps, he found refuge in a safe house and began working to help other Jews in hiding by gathering food and supplies. Upon moving to the United States in 1947, Tom Lantos served in various capacities as an educator, consultant and political advisor to several Senators. In 1983, only 2 years after being elected to Congress, Congressman Lantos helped to found the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. During his final year of service to the House of Representatives, he served as the distinguished chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Chairman Lantos represented California's 12th Congressional District for 27 years in the House of Representatives and will be remembered as a champion of human rights. We are privileged to have known and worked with such a passionate and loyal individual. Chairman Lantos will be greatly missed and always remembered. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated public servant. He will be deeply missed by his family--his wife, Annette, their two daughters, Annette and Katrina, 17 grandchildren and two great- grandchildren--as well as the countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to Corporal Chase Dindo of Mobile and his Alabama-based Marine Corps Reserve unit for helping save the life of a two-year old Iraqi girl, Amenah. In December of last year, one of the Marines of the Montgomery-based unit, Lima Company of the 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines discovered little Amenah was suffering from a rare life-threatening heart problem. Lima Company stepped into action making arrangements with Children's Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, for Amenah to have the life-saving surgery. The hospital and surgeons donated their facilities and surgical skills at no charge. The unit took Amenah and her mother to the Jordanian border where the two were flown to the United States. Amenah's three-hour operation was a success, and she will spend six to eight weeks in the United States recovering before returning with her mother to their home in Haditha, Iraq. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Cpl. Chase Dindo and the entire Lima Company for their selfless actions to save the life of a little girl. I know I join their families and friends in extending our heartfelt thanks for their outstanding service to the United States of America--they are true American heroes.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Atmore and the state of Alabama recently lost a dedicated community leader, and I rise today to honor Mr. John Watkins Jr. and pay tribute to his memory. After graduating from the Escambia County Training School, Mr. Watkins continued his studies at Faulkner State College in Bay Minette, Alabama, and received an associate's degree in applied science. A World War II veteran, John served in the United States Army on the Marianas Islands in Guam. Following his service in the Army, he spent 31 years at Monsanto/Solutia Textile and Chemical Plant in Pensacola where he served as a cook, cafeteria foreman and a main plant foreman. In 1992, John was elected to the Atmore City Council. As the councilman for District 3, he was influential in securing various grants for housing rehabilitation, paving streets and demolishing condemned houses throughout the community. He served as chairman of both the Atmore Planning Board and the Escambia County Quality Assurance Committee for 12 years. In 1996, he was named the mayor pro- tempore of Atmore. In addition to his work as an elected member of the Atmore City Council, John was a member of the Atmore Lions Club and served as its president from 2000-2001. He was also a member of Gaines Chapel AME Church in Atmore and served as a chairman of the trustee board for over eight years. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated community leader, a friend to many throughout Alabama, as well as a wonderful husband and devoted father. John Watkins will be dearly missed by his family--his wife of 55 years, Veola Watkins; their children, Brenda Jackson, John Watkins III, and Roderick Lynn Watkins; his sisters, Bessie Brock, Carrie Millender, Ella Quaker, Ethel Spaulding; his 10 grandchildren; and his one great-grandchild--as well as the many 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 indeed the entire nation recently lost a true American hero, and I rise today to honor Mr. Dwain Luce of Mobile, Alabama, and pay tribute to his memory. Many Americans came to know Mr. Luce last year as his courageous story, along with those of other Mobilians, was told in the Ken Burns' documentary series ``The War.'' Born in Mobile in 1916, Mr. Luce was educated at University Military School. Upon graduation from high school, he continued his studies and earned a degree in chemical engineering from Auburn University. Shortly following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dwain volunteered for military service and entered the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant in January 1942. As a lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne Division's 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, he participated in the invasions of Sicily and later Italy. Just prior to the U.S. invasion of Normandy, he was promoted to captain. He landed his glider at Normandy on D-Day and survived 33 days of fighting there. Several months later, his unit saw action again when they were dropped behind enemy lines into Holland as part of Operation Market Garden. They remained in Holland for six weeks battling both the Germans and the cold weather. He and his unit also participated in the Battle of the Bulge where they anchored the northern flank of the American lines. On May 1, 1945, the 82nd Airborne took 144,000 German prisoners as they surrendered to Americans. Following the war, Mr. Luce left the service as a major in 1945, and began a career in banking. He joined American National Bank, in Mobile, Alabama, and rose to senior vice president and director. He remained with American National Bank for 16 years before joining First National Bank of Mobile, where he served as executive vice president. Mr. Luce retired as president of First Bancgroup-Alabama and as vice-chairman of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Mobile. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated community leader, a true American and friend to many throughout Alabama, as well as a wonderful husband and devoted father. Mr. Luce will be missed by his family--his wife of 65 years, Margaret Wilson Luce; their children, Margaret Luce Brown and Dwain Gregory Luce Jr.; his brother, Jex Ransom Luce; his five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren--as well as the many countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during this difficult time.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, Baldwin County and indeed the entire state of Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor and pay tribute to the memory of Mr. Arthur Robert Wilson. Known to his many friends as ``Bobby,'' he was a devoted family man and a dear friend to his community. Bobby, the ``Unofficial Mayor'' of Spanish Fort, was the owner of Wilson's Service Center for roughly 50 years. Wilson's Service Center was much more than a typical service station; it was the heartbeat of Spanish Fort. As Mobile's Press- Register remembered Bobby, ``just about anyone who passed through Spanish Fort seemed to have encountered him.'' Known for his insatiable work ethic, Bobby ``rose with the chickens'' and was often at the service station before 5 a.m.--he never seemed to stop working. Bobby's service to Spanish Fort did not stop at the doors of Wilson's Service Center. For 26 years, he served as the volunteer fire chief, keeping a red phone and firefighter's gear in his shop for emergencies. Bobby also served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. He was a justice of the peace and a Mason; it's probably safe to say that everyone in Spanish Fort knew Bobby Wilson or at least knew who he was. In a fitting tribute, Bobby's casket was placed on the back of a tow truck for his final trip through Spanish Fort. His procession, which included about 12 other tow trucks, cars carrying his family, and a police escort, drove to Wilson's Service Center, passing through the parking lot and under the front awning. All along the route to Wilson's Cemetery, fellow residents stopped and got out of their cars to stand along the route with their hands on their hearts. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout south Alabama. Bobby Wilson will be deeply missed by his family--his wife, Jo Anne Wilson; his daughters, Tracey Goens and her husband Robert, Gina Lee and her husband Thomas, and Joelle Wilson; his brothers, Earl Wilson and Charles Wilson; his sister, Louise Dahlen; his grandchildren, Jeffrey Mosley, Jonathan Mosley, Jasmine Lee, and Zackary Lee; his great-grandchild, Lola Jo Anne Mosley--as well as the countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.

Mr. BONNER of Alabama

Mr. BONNER of Alabama. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor Leroy High School on their 2007 2A Alabama State Football Championship.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to Michael Patterson whose heroic actions helped save the life of Chad Hostnick, a first-grader at Elsanor School in Robertsdale, Alabama. On the morning of Monday, December 17, 2007, Michael decided to take the bus to school instead of driving his motorcycle as he often does. Michael just had a feeling that he should ride the bus that morning and what followed was simply miraculous. On the bus ride home from school that Monday afternoon, Michael noticed that 7-year-old Chad appeared to be having trouble breathing. Without hesitation, Michael put to use his first-aid training--training he learned as a part of his Navy Junior ROTC program at Robertsdale High School--and he initiated the Heimlich Maneuver. When Michael realized that his efforts were not dislodging the object, he quickly began to massage Chad's throat until he located the obstruction and pushed upward. He then attempted the Heimlich Maneuver again and a piece of butterscotch candy came out of Chad's mouth. In recognition of Michael's efforts, Master Chief Petty Officer Robert Dairy awarded him the Meritorious Service Ribbon, the highest honor available to Navy Junior ROTC members. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me recognizing Michael Patterson for his heroism and commending him on his quick actions to save the life of Chad Hostnick. The citizens of Robertsdale and the state of Alabama are forever thankful. Michael is a true hero.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, December 18, 2007, I was absent for two votes due to an important meeting regarding a significant economic development need in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall Nos. 1179 and 1180.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with tremendous pride and personal pleasure that I rise today to honor St. Paul's Episcopal School on their 2007 5A Alabama State Football Championship. In 1947, William S. Mann founded St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, Alabama. St. Paul's began with a class of 20 kindergartners and has grown to an enrollment of more than 1,600 students, making St. Paul's the largest Episcopal school in North America. While perhaps best known for their outstanding faculty and top-notch college- preparatory curriculum, St. Paul's is also fast becoming acknowledged around the State for having one of the best athletic programs as well. In fact, just last year St. Paul's was recognized by the Birmingham News as having the best overall sports program in the entire State of Alabama. First-year head coach Mike Bates led the 14-1 Saints to his school's first-ever football State championship. Even though St. Paul's has a rich and proud history of winning championship trophies in many other sports, this most recent honor on the gridiron brings the number of State championships won by St. Paul's teams to three this year. Madam Speaker, these three championships mark the school's 134th, 135th, and 136th respectively in St. Paul's storied history. Indeed, the St. Paul's Saints proved they are a team of champions in their victory on December 7, 2007, at Legion Field in Birmingham as they defeated Briarwood Christian in a thrilling 14-13 victory. The entire St. Paul's family is excited and proud of what these young men have accomplished. Whether on or off the field, the student athletes of St. Paul's continue to set positive examples for those who will follow them. Many of the young men who played on this year's team will become stars in their own right in college and perhaps, one day, in the pros. However, make no mistake, they are all champions in the game of life. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating St. Paul's Episcopal School on their extraordinary football season and State championship. This team and the entire school deserve public recognition for this tremendous accomplishment. I extend my congratulations to each member of the team and coaching staff: St. Paul's Roster Name, Grade, and Jersey Number Strickler Adams, 12th, 17; Glen Adams, 9th, 19; Tyler Andrews, 10th, 46; Mark Barron, 12th, 4; Deige Barry, 12th, 33; Ryne Baxter, 12th, 68; Matt Bowden, 11th, 31; Mic Brown, 12th, 75; Angelo Bruno, 11th, 42; and Scott Byrd, 12th, 50. Alan Carrol, 10th, 51; Davis Coker, 10th, 18; Joe Cotton, 11th, 58; Scott Crow, 11th, 81; Daniels Duhe, 11th, 21; Adam Dyas, 10th, 25; Chad Dyas, 11th, 40; Paul Elcan, 12th, 67; Dominic Francia, 11th, 11; and Gaines Gibson, 12th, 15. Joe Gilmore, 11th, 56; Brett Granger, 12th, 29; Carson Hale, 11th, 16; Destin Hood, 12th, 1; Zain Husain, 12th, 3; Trevor Jones, 12th, 74; Tyler Kennedy, 12th, 63; Zach King, 10th, 62; Josh Lancaster, 12th, 54; and Scott Martin, 12th, 14. Ivan Matchett, 12th, 5; AJ McCarron, 11th, 10; Corey McCarron, 9th, 43; Andrew McGee, 10th, 30; Clint McKinnon, 12th, 83; Bill McRae, 12th, 35; Andrew Miller, 12th, 8; Joseph Minus, 11th, 64; Williams Morrissette, 12th, 24; and Bishop Mostellar, 10th, 37. Harrison Myles, 12th, 22; Patrick Myles, 10th, 20; Hunter Nelson, 11th, 44; Dulan Nicholas, 10th, 55; William Oneal, 12th, 28; Luke Phillips, 12th, 23; Marcus Porter, 11th, 53; Marcus Powell, 10th, 41; Thomas Praytor, 12th, 72; and Gray Rentz, 12th, 26. Matt Rippy, 11th, 9; Grant Rogers, 12th, 12; Mason Thames, 10th, 78; Mike Thomas, 11th, 52; Walton Thompson, 11th, 61; David Turner, 10th, 80; Louis Watson, 12th, 2; Lee Wingard, 10th, 60; Billy Wyatt, 12th, 65; John Wyatt, 10th, 27; and Ryan Zarzour, 12th, 6. Coaching Staff Head Coach: Mike Bates. Assistant Coaches: Muskingum Barnes, Ron Danley, Tim Hardigree, Tyler Siskey, Thomas Smith, and Shane Sullivan.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a great leader, a great man, and a truly great American, the Honorable Henry Hyde. Known throughout Congress as a man of strong character and humility, Chairman Hyde served the people of the 6th District of Illinois with decency and grace. From his service in the Navy during World War II and throughout his career in the U.S. House of Representatives, Henry Hyde devoted his life to public service. In the House, he rose to the chairmanship of two committees, Judiciary and International Relations. To say that Chairman Hyde was an eloquent orator would be an understatement. He spoke with dignity, conviction, principle, and eloquence; he was a true statesman by any measure. As President George W. Bush said last month, ``the background noise would stop when Henry Hyde had the floor.'' In service to the people of Illinois for over 40 years, Chairman Hyde was a champion of the rights of the unborn. He will probably be most remembered for his amendment that prohibited the use of federal funds for abortions--a measure that became known as the ``Hyde amendment.'' Just last month, President Bush bestowed upon Representative Hyde the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. The medal is designed to recognize great contributions to national security, the cause of peace and freedom, science, the arts, literature, and many other fields; I can think of few individuals more deserving of this high honor. Madam Speaker, our country and this great institution have been blessed to share in the life of Chairman Henry Hyde. May we never forget the leadership he displayed or the lessons he taught us. May we continue to keep the entire Hyde family in our thoughts and prayers.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor the long and distinguished career of Dr. Harold Dodge, on the occasion of his retirement as superintendent of the Mobile County Public School System. With a career spanning over four decades, Dr. Dodge has dedicated his life to education, serving as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. Beginning his career as a teacher and a coach at Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, he went on to serve as principal at Oscar Smith High School, Indian River Junior High School, and E.W. Chittum Elementary School in Chesapeake, Virginia. Prior to coming to Mobile, Dr. Dodge served as superintendent of Cumberland County Schools in Cumberland, Virginia; Montgomery County Schools in Christianburg, Virginia; and University City School District in University City, Missouri. In August of 1998, Dr. Dodge took the reigns of the Mobile County Public School System, the State's largest school system with over 65,000 students and 8,000 employees. Under his leadership, the school system has implemented a nationally recognized strategic plan that encourages sustained parental and community involvement while focusing on making children proficient in learning. After 10 years of extraordinary work as superintendent of the Mobile County Public Schools, Dr. Dodge will turn his attention to college students as a professor at the University of South Alabama. He will be an associate professor in the Department of Leadership and Teacher Education, training principals and superintendents in the university's master degree program. There are few individuals more dedicated or more committed to students than Harold Dodge, and this commitment has not gone unnoticed. In 2006, Dr. Dodge was named Alabama's Superintendent of the Year. Earlier this month, he was named an Outstanding Civilian Service Member, the second highest public service honorary award given to civilians by the United States Army, and the Mobile Area Education Foundation named its Fund-a-S.T.A.R. grant program for classroom teachers after him. The city of Mobile named Thursday, December 6, 2007, both the Mobile Area Education Foundation Day and Harold Dodge Day. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout Alabama. Dr. Harold Dodge is an outstanding example of the quality of individuals who have devoted their lives to education. I know his colleagues; his wife, Jean; his family; and many friends join me in extending thanks for his many efforts over the years on behalf of the city of Mobile and the State of Alabama. I wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor the long and distinguished career of Dr. George Crozier on the occasion of his retirement from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. For the past 30 years, Dr. Crozier has served as the executive director of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Alabama's marine research facility. Serving Alabama's 21 four-year colleges and universities, the Sea Lab has provided Alabama students with the opportunity to study marine creatures and habitats. George has been with the Lab since its inception in the 1970s, helping to build the Sea Lab to national prominence. In addition to being the director of the Sea Lab, Dr. Crozier is also an associate professor of marine science at the University of South Alabama and an associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He serves as a member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Advisory Board and administers the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program. In recognition of his outstanding work in the field of marine science, George Crozier has received numerous awards, including the Walter B. Jones Award for ``Coastal Steward of the Year'' from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He was the recipient of the Alabama Academy of Science's Wright A. Gardner Award in 2000. In 2007, George was awarded Mobile United's ``Green'' Award, or Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1993, he was named ``Conservation Educator of the Year'' by the Alabama Wildlife Federation, and the Alabama Science Teachers Association named him the 1991 Friend of Science. Dr. Crozier is an acknowledged expert in the coastal management issues, and as a longtime steward of natural resources, he promoted the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild and currently serves as a board member. He helped to found the Alabama Coastal Area Management Plan, served as the initial director of Alabama Sea Grant, and served as a member of the board of directors of the Mississippi- Alabama Sea Grant Consortium. In addition, he serves on the board of the Alabama Coastal Foundation, grassroots, inc., Smart Coast, Inc., and Robinson Island Estuary Foundation. George also serves on the board of national advisers for Coastal States Stewardship Foundation, and he is a member of the Urban Land Institute. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout Alabama. I know his family, his friends, and the many students who have benefited from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab join me in extending thanks for his many years of distinguished service. On behalf of a grateful community and state, I wish him the best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay tribute to the memory of Admiral William H. Stewart, a devoted family man, model officer and dedicated community leader. A native of Gulf, Texas, Admiral Stewart graduated from Austin High School in 1943. He attended the University of Texas at Austin for two years before leaving to attend the Coast Guard Academy. He graduated from the Academy in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree in marine engineering and was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard. The Admiral's distinguished Coast Guard career spanned almost four decades. His first assignment was as a deck watch officer aboard the Coast Guard cutter Tampa based in Mobile. He then went on to serve as operations officer aboard the cutter Newell in Honolulu. In 1954, he was assigned to the Fifth Coast Guard District in Norfolk, Virginia, as chief of the Military Personnel Branch of the Personnel Division. Admiral Stewart returned to Mobile in 1957 as executive officer of the cutter Blackthorn. He was sent to Washington, D.C. in 1959 to attend George Washington University, where he received his master's degree in public administration. Following graduation, he was assigned as chief of the Material Management Branch of the Office of the Comptroller at Coast Guard Headquarters. In 1964, Admiral Stewart returned to the Gulf Coast as executive officer of the cutter Sebago based out of Pensacola, Florida. He was then assigned as chief of Personnel Division K of the Seventh Coast Guard District in Miami. In 1967, he was named commanding officer of the cutter, Androscoggin, a cutter he to took to Vietnam in December of 1967 to participate in Operation Market Time. The Androscoggin remained on station in Southeast Asia until August 1968. Following this tour of duty, then-Commander Stewart returned to Washington, D.C. and served as special assistant to the commandant of the Coast Guard before serving as administrative aide to the commandant. Then-Captain Stewart was transferred back to Honolulu to the Fourteenth Coast Guard District, where he served as chief of the operations division and then chief of staff. He once again returned to Washington, D.C. in 1976 as deputy chief of staff at Coast Guard Headquarters. He was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the rank of rear admiral and was named chief of the office of personnel, a position he held until 1981, when he was assigned commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District in New Orleans, Louisiana. As commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District, Admiral Stewart worked tirelessly to prevent illegal drug smuggling. In 1983, he testified before the House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control. During this time, he also served as an advisor to then-Vice President George H.W. Bush before his retirement on June 28, 1985. Admiral Stewart earned an impressive list of medals and awards over the course of his distinguished career, including: the Coast Guard Achievement Medal; the Combat Action Ribbon; the Bronze Star Medal (with Combat ``V'') and the Gold Star; the Meritorious Service Medal (with two Gold Stars); the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star; and the Legion of Merit. Admiral Stewart's retirement certainly was not the end of his service to his community, state or nation. Following his retirement from the Coast Guard, he served as a Kiwanian, a founding member of the board of trustees of the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico, a member of the board of governors of the Bienville Club, a past president and member of the Mobile Council for the Navy League of the United States, a member of the board of directors of the Veterans Day Commission, a past chairman and member of the Military Affairs Committee of the Mobile Chamber of Commerce, a past division chairman of the United Way, a past chairman of the Disaster Service Committee of the local Red Cross Chapter, and a member of the board of directors of the Alabama Military Hall of Honor at Marion Military Institute. As a homeowner on Alabama's Dauphin Island since the 1950s, the island was of great importance to him. Admiral Stewart served as a member of the board of directors of the Property Owners Association for eight years and president for five years. He was a member of a Task Force which brought together Islanders and the Auburn University Economic Development Institute in the late 1980s. He was also founding director as well as second and current chairman of the Dauphin Island Foundation. Admiral Stewart was married to Laura Hamilton Stewart for more than 40 years before her untimely death from cancer. Together they raised two children, Edward Wilson, who preceded his father in death, and Karla Stewart Bohn. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in remembering a dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout south Alabama. Admiral William H. Stewart loved life and lived it to the fullest, and his passing marks a tremendous loss for all of south Alabama. He will be deeply missed by many, most especially his wife, Paulette Gerhardt Stewart; his daughter and stepdaughters; his grandchildren; his extended family; as well as 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 to commend the city of Prichard, Alabama, its mayor, Ron Davis, and the city council for successfully eliminating the city's debt. On November 9, 2007, Mayor Davis signed two checks at a ceremony at the A.J. Cooper Municipal Complex, officially paying off the city's creditors a full year ahead of schedule. As Mayor Davis stated while signing these checks, the city of Prichard is now open for business-- business that includes the Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Alabama Motorsports Park and theme park, which will feature stock car racing, drag racing, and a road course. Founded as a settlement in the 1830s, Prichard was incorporated as a city in 1925. During World War II, it became home to many who worked for the shipbuilding companies in Mobile. The closing of Brookley Air Force Base in the late 1960s, followed by the closings of Scott and International Paper companies in the early 1990s, cost many Prichard residents their jobs and forced them to move away from the city. In 1999, the city filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection in federal court, revealing the city owed $5.3 million to creditors. Over the last eight years, the city has been paying this debt with quarterly payments--some as much as $1.5 million. Madam Speaker, the residents of Prichard, Alabama, have firmly rooted themselves in their proud history, but they also keep an optimistic and careful eye on the road ahead. I have no doubt that the consistent leadership and inspired vision of today's residents will lead to great success in the coming years. I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the city of Prichard as well as the leadership of Mayor Ron Davis and the city council. It is my hope that Prichard enjoys continued prosperity, and it is my distinct pleasure to represent this community in the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name as a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 183.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Mobile and indeed the entire Nation recently lost a special lady, and I rise today to honor Mrs. Jane Maury Denton and pay tribute to her memory. Born in Mobile, Alabama, on March 22, 1926, Jane Maury was educated at The Convent of Visitation School in Alabama and Mary Washington College in Virginia. She married Mobile native, Jeremiah Denton, on June 6, 1946, the day he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. Mrs. Denton and her husband reared seven children while living in many states and Europe during her husband's distinguished military career; unfortunately, for almost 8 years, she reared their children alone. On July 16, 1965, while serving in the Vietnam War, then-Captain Denton's plane was shot down over the city of Thanh Hoa. He was held as a prisoner-of-war for eight long years in Hanoi, Vietnam. During her husband's imprisonment, Mrs. Denton helped found the National League of Families of Prisoners of War and Missing in Action. Her tireless work on behalf of all American airmen held prisoner in North Vietnam is credited with obtaining a more humane treatment and ultimate release. Jerry Denton returned home a true American hero; obviously, he and Jane had so many years of their lives for which to catch up. In 1980, Admiral Denton successfully ran for the U.S. Senate from Alabama. As a senator's wife, Jane became a true champion for the improvement of America's mental health facilities. In recognition of her life-long support for her husband's naval career in addition to her work as an advocate for POWs, Mrs. Denton was given the honor of sponsoring and christening the USS Mobile Bay, a Ticonderoga Class Cruiser in 1985. The day she christened the ship, she said, ``The event will be a real highlight of my life. My pleasure at receiving this honor is multiplied by my love for the Navy, my concern for our national defense, and my pride in having a fine ship named for Mobile Bay.'' Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout Alabama, as well as a wonderful wife and devoted mother. Mrs. Denton will be missed by her family--her husband of 61 years, Senator Jeremiah Denton; their children, Jeremiah Denton III, Donald Denton, James Denton, William Denton, Madeleine Doak, Michael Denton, and Mary E. Denton; her sister, Madeleine McPhillips; her 14 grandchildren; and her three great- grandchildren--as well as the many countless friends she leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during this difficult time.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with both pride and pleasure that I rise today to honor one of the most beloved residents of Alabama, Miss Nelle Harper Lee, on the occasion of her receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her novel To Kill a Mockingbird. A native of Monroeville, Alabama, Miss Lee began her writing career at the University of Alabama where she wrote for student publications and served for one year as the editor of a campus humor magazine. She moved to New York City in 1950 where she worked as a reservations clerk with Eastern Air Lines and BOAC. In 1956, Miss Lee found an agent, and soon after, she began the draft of To Kill a Mockingbird. The novel was published on July 11, 1960, and became an immediate bestseller. She won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel, and in a 1999, poll run by the Library Journal, her novel was voted ``Best Novel of the Century.'' In 1966, Miss Lee was named to the National Council of Arts by President Johnson, and since that time, she has received many honorary doctorate degrees for her outstanding contributions to literature. Madam Speaker, Miss Lee's masterpiece To Kill a Mockingbird is a model of literary achievement that has become an American classic. Its pages spoke a strong message of honor and tolerance during our Nation's struggle for equality. So, from one native south Alabamian to another, please accept my heartfelt expression of pride--on behalf of all of us who, over the years, have been touched in some way by ``Mockingbird.'' It is only appropriate that I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating Miss Nelle Harper Lee on receiving this award. I know her sisters--Louise Lee Conner and Alice Lee--her family and her many friends join with me in praising her significant accomplishments. Today, Madam Speaker, I rise to ask that President George W. Bush's remarks in honor of Miss Lee made at the ceremony for the 2007 Medal of Freedom recipients be entered into the Congressional Record: President Bush Honors Medal of Freedom Recipients, East Room--November 5, 2007 The President. Good morning. Laura and I are thrilled to welcome you to the White House. We welcome the members of Congress, the members of the Cabinet, and other distinguished guests. It's an honor to be with the Medal of Freedom recipients, as well as their family members and friends. We're sure glad you're here. The Medal of Freedom is the highest civil honor that a President can bestow. By an executive order of John F. Kennedy, the medal is designed to recognize great contributions to national security, the cause of peace and freedom, science, the arts, literature, and many other fields. The eight men and women came to this distinction by very different paths. Each of them, by effort and by character, has earned the respect of the American people, and holds a unique place in the story of our time. The story of an old order, and the glimmers of humanity that would one day overtake it, was unforgettably told in a book by Miss Harper Lee. Soon after its publication a reviewer said this: ``A hundred pounds of sermons on tolerance, or an equal measure of invective deploring the lack of it, will weigh far less in the scale of enlightenment than a mere 18 ounces of a new fiction bearing the title To Kill a Mockingbird.'' Given her legendary stature as a novelist, you may be surprised to learn that Harper Lee, early in her career, was an airline reservation clerk. (Laughter.) Fortunately for all of us, she didn't stick to writing itineraries. (Laughter.) Her beautiful book, with its grateful prose and memorable characters, became one of the biggest-selling novels of the 20th century. Forty-six years after winning the Pulitzer Prize, To Kill a Mockingbird still touches and inspires every reader. We're moved by the story of a man falsely accused--with old prejudice massed against him, and an old sense of honor that rises to his defense. We learn that courage can be a solitary business. As the lawyer Atticus Finch tells his daughter, ``before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.'' Years after To Kill a Mockingbird was put to film, the character of Atticus Finch was voted the greatest movie hero of all time. It won Gregory Peck the Oscar. He was said to believe the role ``brought him closest to being the kind of man he aspired to be.'' The great actor counted Harper Lee among his good friends, and we're so pleased that Gregory Peck's wife, Veronique, is with us today. Thank you for coming. One reason To Kill a Mockingbird succeeded is the wise and kind heart of the author, which comes through on every page. This daughter of Monroeville, Alabama had something to say about honor, and tolerance, and, most of all, love--and it still resonates. Last year Harper Lee received an honorary doctorate at Notre Dame. As the degree was presented, the graduating class rose as one, held up copies of her book, and cheered for the author they love. To Kill a Mockingbird has influenced the character of our country for the better. It's been a gift to the entire world. As a model of good writing and humane sensibility, this book will be read and studied forever. And so all of us are filled with admiration for a great American and a lovely lady named Harper Lee. Now I call on the military aide to read the citations for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Military Aide. Harper Lee. Harper Lee's beautiful book is a meditation on family, human complexity, and some of the great themes of American life. At a critical moment in our history, To Kill a Mockingbird helped focus the nation on the turbulent struggle for equality. The novel became an instant American classic and earned her a Pulitzer Prize. Nearly half a century after its publication, her work continues to captivate new readers who encounter its compelling power for the first time. The United States honors Harper Lee for her outstanding contribution to the great literary tradition of America. The President. Thank you all for coming. Laura and I now invite you to a reception here in the State Dining Room. I hope you've enjoyed this ceremony as much as I have. May God bless you all. Thank you.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor the St. Paul's Episcopal School volleyball team on winning the 2007 5A state championship. In 1947, William S. Mann founded St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, Alabama. St. Paul's began with a class of 20 kindergartners, and has grown to an enrollment of 1,613 students, making St. Paul's the largest Episcopal school in North America. Coach Kelli Hillier led the top-ranked and defending 5A champion varsity volleyball team to their second consecutive state championship earlier this month bringing the total number of volleyball state championships to 10. Incredibly, this most recent honor brings the number of St. Paul's state championships won this year to 9. Like Coach Hillier, I am so proud of her players, and I know they worked hard for this great honor. The St. Paul's statement of philosophy regarding its athletes states, ``On the field and off, win or lose, they should be the example of honor, integrity, and respect,'' and these young women are certainly no exception. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the St. Paul's volleyball team on a great season and state championship. This school deserves public recognition for this great honor, and I extend my congratulations to each member of the team and coaching staff: St. Paul's 2007 Volleyball Team Roster Names: Katherine White; Grace Copeland; Annie Gonzales; Lenore Lahti; Jennifer Percy; Nancy Taylor; Neal Tisher; Courtenay Martindale; Catherine Rebarchak; Sarah Kitzmann; Johnnie Borries; Robin Jackson. Coaching Staff: Head Coach Kelli Hillier and Assistant Coaches Jill Campbell and Sharon Mosley.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor the Bayside Academy volleyball team on winning the 2007 2A State Volleyball Championship. Coach Ann Schilling along with Assistant Coach Brenda Allen led the Bayside Academy varsity volleyball team to the state championship earlier this month, making it the first team in Alabama history to win six consecutive titles. Incredibly, Bayside Academy has won nine of the last 10 state championships in 2A and 16 titles overall. Founded in 1970 by Baldwin County families, Bayside has an enrollment of 730 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12 and ranks as one of the state's premier independent schools. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Bayside Academy Volleyball Team on a great season and state championship. This school deserves public recognition for this great honor, and I extend my congratulations to each member of the team and coaching staff. Bayside Academy's 2007 Volleyball Team Roster Names: Maggie Niemeyer; Shelby Builta; Lizzie Williams; Reynolds Pittman; Emily Allen; Taylor Givens; Gigi Eyre; Caroline Todd; Sarah Mosteller; Lauren Reibe; Patricia Sirmon; Savannah Simmons. Coahing Staff: Head Coach Ann Schilling; Assistant Coach Brenda Allen.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, last week one of my constituents, Linda Dickens, submitted a letter to Mobile's Press-Register offering a heartfelt tribute to her father, P.H. Murray. As we pause this week to salute the men and women who have served in America's Armed Forces and honor the courage and sacrifice of those who continue to serve today, I found her letter especially poignant. Today, Madam Speaker, I rise to ask that this op-ed piece be entered into the Congressional Record in its entirety, for I found Ms. Dickens' letter an appropriate way to say thank you to the men and women who have done so much to protect this nation: Salute to a Special Veteran Veterans Day will not be the same this year because my special World War II veteran will not be here with me to celebrate. He was my father, P.H. Murray, who passed away Sept. 30, one day after his 84th birthday. He was a great American hero to our family. His American flag is still flying outside his home, as it did every day he lived. He went off to war as a boy at the age of 18 and came back a man. He brought back memories, good and bad, that would last a lifetime. He was proud to have served under Gen. George Patton in the Battle of the Bulge. He was quite a joker when he was young, and when he was awakened in the middle of the night to see his commanding officer, the first time he thought, ``What have I done?'' It was a good thing, because the officer had learned Daddy had been a burner at the shipyard before the war, and they needed men to help burn plows to put on the front of the tanks so they could go over the hedge rows, which made the tanks turn over and easy targets for Germans to shoot. This made him very proud that he had done something special for his country. For years as a child I never understood how Daddy could squat on the floor for hours at a time without moving. It was because for 19 months he didn't see a chair or a bed. He never talked to us much when we were little. If only I had known the nightmares my mom hid from us that he was having about the war. He had so many memories bottled up in him. He was a great father and provider and was always there for us five kids. He taught us to work hard, prepare for the future and always value what the men of WWII had done for our great country. He was proud that he had helped with our freedom and that we were all able to go to college. He was a very smart man, even though he didn't go to college because of his children. He was a quiet man until the last few years, when he opened up about the war. He began to tell us stories about the war. Some were funny, and others you could tell took a toll on his heart. This is when I really came to realize what the war had done for us. I had taken history courses about the war, but they were nothing like the personal stories Daddy told. He said we never learned the real history of the war in a history book. Many young people don't realize what veterans did to keep our country free. Daddy lost his two childhood friends in the war. One was killed and the other so shell-shocked that he could never come home to live. I remember the trips to see ``Mr. Jim'' at the Veterans Home in Biloxi. Daddy never forgot about him, even though he felt sad that he was not able to come home to his family. Daddy taught us love, how important family is and that it doesn't matter what you have, it is what you do with it. Never forget we are free, and never forget the men who fought and the ones who gave their lives so we could be free. He was proud of his WWII hat, which he wore proudly each day. He was buried with it. It made him feel proud and honored when someone asked him where he served. I give all the veterans of this great country a ``five-star salute,'' as my father would say when you did something good. Daddy, I give you a ``five-star salute'' for all you did for me and our country. I will miss you this Veterans Day and all the other days of my life. Thanks for a job well done. Linda Dickens, Grand Bay.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the State of Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor him and pay tribute to his memory. Mr. John Edward Grenier was a devoted family man and one of the most respected political strategists in modern Alabama politics. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1930, John Grenier attended Jesuit High School and lettered in track, baseball, and football. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from Tulane University. He entered the United States Marine Corps and rose to the rank of captain. He served with distinction in Korea as a pilot, flying over 100 patrols in squadron VMF 312, known as the Checkerboard Squadron. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, John Grenier attended New York University and received an LLM degree in taxation. He worked on Wall Street for a brief time before moving to Birmingham, Alabama, to work with Southern Natural Gas Company. He later joined the law firm of Bradley Arant Rose & White, where he became a partner. He then joined the firm formerly known as Lange, Simpson, Robinson & Somerville and was a partner for over 35 years before retiring in 2004. John Grenier's true passion was politics, a passion that changed the course of Alabama politics. He began his political career as chairman of the Jefferson County Young Republicans. In this capacity, he organized a political rally in Birmingham in 1960 for Richard Nixon. John Grenier organized the modern day Alabama Republican Party and served as the state chairman in 1962. He joined the Goldwater for President Campaign and organized the delegates to the Republican National Convention in San Francisco. John Grenier was the Southern Regional Director for the campaign when Senator Goldwater swept many of the southern states, including Alabama, in his bid for President. In 1966, Mr. Grenier was the Republican nominee against Democratic U.S. Senator John Sparkman. Even though he lost that race, John fared better than most previous Republicans in what was then a heavily Democratic state. In 1986, John served as the campaign manager for Guy Hunt's successful bid to become the first Republican governor of Alabama since Reconstruction. He served as Governor Hunt's chief of staff and later managed Governor Hunt's successful bid for reelection. Madam Speaker, John Grenier was a political leader, strategist and visionary. He loved life and lived it to the fullest, and his passing marks a tremendous loss for all of Alabama. He will be deeply missed by many, most especially his wife, Stella Kontos Grenier; his son, John Beaulieu Grenier; his daughter-in-law, Joy Grenier; his sister, Rosemary Grenier Rivet; his four grandchildren, John Beaulieu Grenier, Jr., Dorothy Monnish Grenier, Evans Barlow Grenier, and Carolyn Youmans Grenier; as well as countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult time.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, there are many unsung heroes throughout our great nation who give selflessly of their time in order to help others. Mr. Fred Kelley, of Monroeville, Alabama, is one of these individuals. Fred has dedicated his life to helping others by encouraging families to take up bicycling. His tireless efforts to promote healthy living have raised over $330,000 for the American Cancer Society. Founder of Monroe County's ``Peddlin' for a Cure,'' the largest fundraising event in the American Cancer Society's southeast division, Fred and his team raised an incredible $140,000 at this year's ride for cancer research. ``Peddlin' for a Cure'' began almost by accident. In 2004, Fred Kelley and Phill Allen, co-hosts of the Morning Show on Monroeville's WMCF 99.3, made a plea to their listeners to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Fred challenged his listeners saying, ``If we can raise $1,000 this morning, I'll ride my bicycle from the Monroeville Square to the Battleship Alabama.'' Within 20 minutes, $5,000 had been raised and numerous callers had volunteered to ride with Fred, and that morning, ``Peddlin' for a Cure'' was born. The first ride to the battleship exceeded everyone's expectations raising $36,000, and in just four years, ``Peddlin' for a Cure'' has raised $334,000 for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, in addition to other cancer fundraising events throughout the country. Fred's commitment to his community doesn't end there. He is also a volunteer with the Alabama Obesity Task Force in Montgomery and uses his skills as a commercial pilot to volunteer with Pilot's for Christ, an international organization that uses airplanes for missionary work. With Pilot's for Christ, Fred has flown numerous cancer patients for specialized treatments all of the United States. Earlier this week, President George W. Bush invited Fred Kelley to the White House to personally thank him for his selfless service to others. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you and my colleagues to join me in honoring Fred Kelley for his selfless commitment to helping his community and for inspiring others to do the same. Fred's story serves as an inspiration not only to those of us in southwest Alabama but also to people across the country. Without a doubt, we need more people like Fred Kelley in this world--a true hero.