Jo Bonner

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, Wilcox County and indeed the entire State of Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor him and pay tribute to his memory. Mr. Robert Miller Creswell, known to his many friends as ``Mr. Bob,'' was a devoted family man and a dear friend to his community. Born and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, Mr. Bob graduated from Massachusetts State College in Amherst, now known as the University of Massachusetts. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on February 11, 1941. Mr. Bob served with distinction as a combat trooper during World War II, dropping into the battlefields of the Netherlands under hostile Nazi fire. While stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, Mr. Bob met Grace Morgan, a teacher in Columbus, Georgia. The two married in 1954 and had four children: Barbara, John, Phil and Tom. Following his service in the U.S. Army, Mr. Bob served in the U.S. Army Reserve until retiring in 1977 as a lieutenant colonel. In 1964, he became reservoir ranger at Lake Allatoona, Georgia. Mr. Bob and Grace brought their family to Camden, Alabama in 1969, when he was promoted to reservoir manager for the Alabama River Lakes. Hollis Curl, publisher of the Wilcox Progressive Era and personal friend of Mr. Bob, wrote, ``I don't know just what Mr. Bob saw as his major achievement, but I believe it is safe to say that he looked with extreme pride on the family he and his wife, Grace, raised together.'' Hollis went on to write, ``Mr. Bob's tenure as the man in charge of the Corps of Engineers Alabama River Lakes was impressive. Unlike many in similar positions, Mr. Bob was a friend to the community and to the people he served. He knew the role of the Corps and he was a master at abiding by the rules while at the same time helping citizens conform to regulations they might not have understood.'' Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout south Alabama. Throughout his life, Mr. Bob Creswell set a standard of excellence second to none. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Grace, and his daughter, Barbara. He will be deeply missed by his family--his sons, Philip M. Creswell, John R. Creswell, and Thomas L. Creswell; two grandchildren, Joshua Morgan Creswell and Laura Grace Creswell; four step-grandchildren, Clayton R. Tartt, T. Hester Tartt, Jennifer R. Goggans, and N. Anne Goggans--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, the state of Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor him and pay tribute to his memory. Mr. Robert B. Ingram, Jr., known as Bob to his many friends and family, was one of the most influential and respected political writers in Alabama's history. Born in Centre, Alabama, in 1926, Bob and his 2 sisters were raised in Cherokee County by his widowed mother during the Great Depression. He graduated from Cherokee County High School and served with distinction in World War II as a radio operator and gunner aboard the USS Panamint. He graduated from Auburn University in 1949 and soon began working for the Cherokee County Herald. Soon thereafter, Bob joined the Montgomery Advertiser, where he worked as a reporter. He left the world of journalism for several years and served as state finance director for former Alabama Governor Albert Brewer. From 1979 until 1993, he was editorial director at WSFA-TV in Montgomery, and he ended his editorials with the words that became his trademark, ``And that's the way I see it . . .'' Bob Ingram also wrote 2 books, ``That's the Way I Saw It,'' and ``That's the Way I Saw It II,'' published a magazine, and spent 30 years as a political analyst for 3 Montgomery television stations. He received many awards throughout his storied career. He particularly cherished the honor bestowed on him by Auburn University Montgomery with the creation of the Robert Ingram Lecture Series. Four years ago, he was inducted into the communication hall of fame at the University of Alabama, and earlier this year, he received the Mass Media Achievement Award from the Auburn University Journalism Foundation. Bob Ingram reported on--and was witness to--many of the most pivotal events in Alabama's history, including the civil rights movement and the career of former Governor George C. Wallace. While known for his legendary objectivity, Bob was never afraid to speak his mind. Be it with praise or criticism, Mr. Ingram served as a watchdog for the people of Alabama his entire career. For nearly 50 years, his weekly column, ``The Alabama Scene,'' was a treasure trove of political tidbits, history, and news for Alabamians. Bob Ingram was also active with several charitable and civic endeavors. He was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club, and served as a deacon at Cloverdale Baptist Church in Montgomery, where he taught Sunday school for more than 35 years. Most recently, he volunteered his time with the Montgomery Ostomy Association. The Montgomery Advertiser's tribute to Bob Ingram was especially poignant, stating, ``Most of those who knew Ingram through his writings and television analyses never met him in person, but they felt he was their friend.'' Madam Speaker, Bob Ingram was a reporter, a publisher, an author, a commentator, and a speaker for the better part of a century. He was an outstanding example of the quality individuals who have devoted their lives to the field of journalism, and I ask my colleagues to join with me in remembering one of our State's most revered journalists and esteemed citizens. Bob Ingram 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 children, Robert B. Ingram III, Beth Ingram Lamberth, and Ragan Ingram; his sister, Rozanne I. Jones; his 8 grandchildren; his great-grandchild; 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, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise to honor the long and distinguished career of Raleigh Wilkerson, on the occasion of his retirement from the Alabama Farmers Federation. With a career spanning over 33 years, Raleigh served in almost every capacity at the Alabama Farmers Federation. Raleigh joined the Federation in May 1974 as a field representative for a nine-county region of the Black Belt. He was named director of the beef division 5 years later and has overseen the cotton; meat, goat and sheep; and hay and forage divisions. In his first year as director of the beef division, Raleigh initiated the annual Beef Tour, which continues to remain popular with Alabama's cattle producers. As beef director, he headed a beef marketing program--a highly successful program that in 1 year helped ship about $30 million worth of Alabama cattle to 19 different States. Even though the marketing program has been phased out, the relationships established with other States are still paying dividends today. As director of the cotton division, he helped bring the Boll Weevil Eradication Project to Alabama. Because he missed the personal interaction with farmers throughout the State, Raleigh surrendered his position with the Commodity Division in 2003 to return to the field as area organization director. Last year, Raleigh was named president of the newly formed Alabama Youth Agricultural Foundation, an organization that seeks to serve as a perennial source of funding for helping Alabama youth in agriculture. Raleigh has graciously agreed to continue to serve in this capacity until it is more established. 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 wife, Nancy; their daughters, Allison McCain and Avery Beatty; his many friends; Alabama farmers, and past and present Alabama Farmers Federation employees join me in praising his accomplishments and extending thanks for his service over the years on behalf of the city of Camden and the State of Alabama. Raleigh will surely enjoy the well deserved time he now has to spend with family and loved ones. On behalf of a grateful community, I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Mobile and indeed the entire state of Alabama recently lost a dear friend. I rise today to honor him and pay tribute to memory of Mr. Non Quincy Adams. A native and resident of Mobile, Mr. Adams graduated from Murphy High School and attended Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific theater of operation aboard the USS George Clymer and attained the rank of lieutenant junior grade. After the war, he received degrees in business and law from the University of Alabama. Starting his career as a teenager with First National Bank in 1940, he returned to Mobile after college to practice law. Over the years, he held positions in the trust and commercial areas. During the 1970s, Mr. Adams rose through the ranks to become a member of the board of directors. Later, he became president and in just 4 years, chief executive in 1982. After the bank merged with AmSouth Bank, he was named chairman of AmSouth's Southern region. In 1974, he was elected to the board of directors of Loyal American Life Insurance Co., and he later became the chairman and chief executive officer of the Modern Banking Association of Alabama. In 1988, Mr. Adams ran for a seat on the Mobile County school board and served a term as the District 2 commissioner. He also served as a director of both the Industrial Development Board of the city of Mobile and the Business Council of Alabama. Along with his business associations, Mr. Adams served as director of the Mobile Area Council of Boy Scouts and was a trustee of the YMCA. He also served as the director of the Exploreum and was chairman of the Keep Mobile Beautiful Commission. During the 1980s, he was significantly involved with the tree preservation, beautification and revitalization of Bienville Square. Mr. Adams was a deacon and lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Mobile. In 1990, he was bestowed the honor of Mobilian of the Year. There is no doubt--Mr. N. Q. Adams' contributions to Mobile and the state of Alabama will be long remembered. He 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 of 54 years, Eran Jobe Adams; his sister, Dora Lee Davidson; his son, Samuel Russell Adams; his daughter, Laura Aline Adams; his granddaughter; and his great-grandson; as well as countless friends he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers go with them all in this difficult time.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise today to honor Mrs. Carol Gordy as she completes a highly successful term as the 2007 chairman of the Business Council of Alabama (BCA). Carol has been a distinguished member of the Brewton, Alabama, business community for almost three decades. In 1990, she purchased Natural Decorations Inc., known as NDI, from its original founders. Since that time, Carol and her husband, Joe, have grown the company from 10 to 100 employees and increased sales from less than $1 million to more than $16 million a year. NDI is located in a small town in Alabama; nevertheless, it is a world-class leading manufacturer of high-end floral and botanical reproductions. Counted among its customers are Neiman-Marcus, Horchow, and interior designers worldwide, with ads appearing regularly in magazines such as Architectural Digest, Veranda, and Traditional Home. NDI also has exclusive licensing agreements with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the Versailles Foundation for Monet's Giverney Gardens. Under Carol Gordy's leadership as both chairman and chief executive officer, NDI has been nominated for 10 ARTS Awards, the premier awards program for the home decorative accessories industry, and received six. In 2001, NDI was inducted into the ARTS Hall of Fame. Additionally, NDI has been recognized for outstanding achievements in workplace safety. It is this commitment to excellence in her own business that has made Carol such a valuable asset to BCA. In 2005, BCA leaders recognized her dedication to the association and asked her to join other volunteer leaders to serve as the group's first vice-chairman, a position that put Carol in line to be the first woman in BCA's history to serve as chairman. A native of Dublin, Texas, Carol was raised in New Mexico. She started her first of three retail flower shops in Albuquerque and was the first person from New Mexico ever to be inducted into the American Institute of Floral Design in Washington, DC in 1980. Carol's commitment to her community is second to none. She currently serves on the boards of A+ Education Foundation, BankTrust, Alabama Technology Network, Rotary International, the Quality of Life Chair for Alabama Communities of Excellence, and the Accessory Division of International Home Furnishings Center, High Point, NC. Carol is a member of the Governor's Commission on Quality Teaching and has served on the Governor's Commission on Efficiency, Consolidation and Funding. She was a member of Leadership Alabama Class XXIII and served as a judge for the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. She is also a member of Voices for Alabama's Children. Madam Speaker, there are few individuals more dedicated or more committed to helping their communities than Carol Gordy, and I would like to offer my congratulations for her service as the first woman chairman of BCA and for her many personal and professional achievements. I know her husband, Joe, her family and many friends join me in praising her accomplishments and extending thanks for her many efforts on behalf of Brewton and the state of Alabama.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to offer congratulations to Loxley Elementary School for being named a State Champion school for 2006-2007 by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. With the motto, ``EveryBODY is a winner in activity and fitness,'' the President's Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards program offers presidential recognition and awards for physical activity and fitness participation to children ages 6 to 17. The State Champion award is presented annually to three schools in each State having the highest number of students scoring at or above the 85th percentile on the President's Challenge Physical Fitness Test. As a State Champion, Loxley Elementary School is a role model for other schools because of its dedication to helping students encourage physical activity and gain fitness skills along with an understanding of the health benefits of being regularly active. Encouraging adequate amounts of daily physical activity is an excellent way to instill healthy lifestyle habits at an early age. The five assessments of the President's Challenge Physical Fitness Test measure four components of physical fitness: a one-mile run/walk for heart and lung endurance; curl-ups for abdominal strength and endurance; a ``sit and reach'' stretch for muscular flexibility; pull- ups for upper body strength and endurance; and a shuttle run for agility. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Loxley Elementary School in Loxley, Alabama, for this honor. This school deserves public recognition and our appreciation for their concerted efforts to instill healthy lifestyle habits in the children of south Alabama.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Julius Goldstein & Son Inc. located in Mobile, Alabama, for being recognized by the Alabama Retail Association as an Alabama Centennial Retailer. The Alabama Retail Association, in conjunction with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, sponsors the Retailer of the Year program. Awarded in three categories based on annual sales volume, the awards are presented each year at the association's Retailing Day luncheon. The designation of Alabama Centennial Retailer by the Alabama Retail Association recognizes century-old retail businesses for their contributions to Alabama's past, present, and future. I am proud to recognize that two of the honorees are located in Alabama's First Congressional District. One of this year's honorees, Julius Goldstein & Son Inc., which does business as Goldstein's Jewelry, was founded in 1879 by Julius Goldstein. One of the South's leading fine jewelry stores, it is now owned by Richard Frank Jr., whose family purchased the business in the 1950s. Originally located on Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile, Goldstein's moved to Royal Street in 1905. Relocating to Bel Air Mall in 1967, Goldstein's was the first of Mobile's jewelry stores to ``move west.'' In 1974, Goldstein's built a second location in the mall, where it stayed until moving to its current location on Hillcrest Road in 2002. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Goldstein's Jewelry for being recognized as an Alabama Centennial Retailer by the Alabama Retail Association. I know Richard Frank Jr., along with the company employees, their friends, families, and members of the community also join with me in praising Goldstein's Jewelry for their many accomplishments and for extending thanks for their continued service to the Alabama business community and the First Congressional District.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and personal pleasure that I rise today to honor and congratulate Mr. Robert W. ``Bubba'' Lee for receiving the Business Council of Alabama (BCA) inaugural Chairman's Award for Leadership and Distinguished Service. Make no mistake, Mr. Lee is most deserving of this high honor; his dedication and service to the business community throughout Alabama has rightly earned him this prestigious award. Bubba, as he is affectionately known to his family and friends, was honored with this award at the 2007 BCA Governmental Affairs Conference held earlier this year at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama. A shining example of volunteer leadership, Bubba has always been known to go above and beyond in everything he does. He has devoted countless hours of his life to making Alabama a better place to live and work. In recognizing him for this very special award, the Business Council of Alabama chose Bubba because he not only has given unselfishly of his time and resources to the Business Council, but he has also been invaluable to the organization as a leader, visionary, and advisor. Early on, Bubba was one of the original architects of BCA's political structure and the results have been obvious. Thanks in no small part to RCA's leadership over the past 21 years, Alabama has truly become a great place to do business. Bubba served as chairman of the BCA board of directors from 1995-96 and as chairman of the board of directors of ProgressPAC, BCA's political action committee, from 1992-94. He remains a key member of BCA's Regional Advisory Committee 1. Madam Speaker, I recognize Bubba today for not only his dedication to BCA but for his leadership at Vulcan, Inc. Serving as president of Vulcan, Inc. since 1986 and as CEO since 1996, Bubba has been--and continues to be--a solid leader in his professional career. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, as well as a leader in his church, Bubba Lee is a friend upon which you can always depend. I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating Bubba Lee for both the great success he has enjoyed in his life and his outstanding service to the city of Foley and the state of Alabama. I know his wife, Cheryl; his daughters, Martha Ann and Beth; his two granddaughters; and his many friends and colleagues are also proud of him. I wish Bubba and his entire family much health and success in the years ahead.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is a personal pleasure and distinct privilege to rise today to recognize one of my state's most outstanding citizens, former Alabama State Senator Ann Bedsole, for being honored by the Alabama School of Math and Science (ASMS) with the recent dedication of the new Ann Smith Bedsole Library. For over three decades, Ann has been one of South Alabama's most trusted and respected leaders. In 1978, she became the first Republican woman to be elected to the Alabama House of Representatives. At the next state election, she became the first woman ever elected to the Alabama State Senate and, in 1994, she was a candidate for governor. To say she has been a political pioneer, as well as personal inspiration to many of us, would be a considerable understatement. During her career in the Alabama Legislature, Senator Bedsole was instrumental in the creation of the Alabama School of Math and Science in Mobile. Working closely with fellow legislators and members of various agencies in state government, she was able to secure support for the institution and has provided a great deal of assistance to the school since it opened in 1991. In recent years, Senator Bedsole has served as both vice president and president of the ASMS Foundation Board of Directors. A successful businesswoman, Ann is the owner and operator of Bedsole Farms and president and chairman of the Board of White Smith Land Co. She is also involved in many charitable organizations including serving on the boards of the Sybil Smith Charitable Trust and the J. L. Bedsole Foundation. She has also served on the board of trustees of Spring Hill College and Huntingdon College. Ann Bedsole's efforts in the fields of volunteerism and fundraising have also led to significant recognition in previous years, and she has been honored as First Lady of Mobile in 1972, Mobilian of the Year in 1993, and Philanthropist of the Year in 1998. She also served as president of Mobile's Tricentennial celebration. Ann has received the Meritorious Public Service Award from both the Montgomery Advertiser and the Alabama Journal. She also received Honorary Doctor of Law degrees from Mobile College and Huntingdon College. In 2002, Senator Bedsole was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor. Created in 1965, the Alabama Academy of Honor was established to recognize living Alabamians for their accomplishments and service that greatly benefit or reflect credit on the state of Alabama. Ten members may be elected annually by the Academy of Honor with no greater than 100 living members at a time. Madam Speaker, Ann Bedsole has spent practically her entire adult life giving to others, and I ask my colleagues to join with me in thanking her for her commitment to so many wonderful missions. I know her family and friends join with me in praising her accomplishments. On behalf of all who have benefited from her good heart and generous spirit, permit me to extend thanks for her many efforts over the past three decades in making Mobile and the state of Alabama a better place to live and work.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Standard Equipment Co. Inc., located in Mobile, Alabama, for being recognized by the Alabama Retail Association as an Alabama Centennial Retailer. The Alabama Retail Association, in conjunction with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, sponsors the Retailer of the Year program. Awarded in three categories based on annual sales volume, the awards are presented at the association's annual Retailing Day luncheon. The designation of Alabama Centennial Retailer by the Alabama Retail Association recognizes century-old retail businesses for their contributions to Alabama's past, present, and future. I am proud to recognize that two of the honorees are located in Alabama's First Congressional District. One of this year's honorees, Standard Equipment Co. Inc., was founded in 1906 by Richard A. Christian. A distributor of industrial, construction and marine supplies, Standard was originally located at Commerce and St. Anthony streets, but for almost 50 years, the company has operated at Beauregard and Water streets near the state docks. A major supplier of maintenance, repair, and operating products, the company is now owned by E. Burnley Davis Sr. and Robert D. Wilkins. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating Standard Equipment Co. Inc. for being recognized as an Alabama Centennial Retailer by the Alabama Retail Association. I know Burnley Davis, the company president, along with the company employees, their friends, families, and members of the community also join with me in praising Standard Equipment Co. Inc. for their many accomplishments and for extending thanks for their continued service to the Alabama business community and the First Congressional District.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, due to an error, I failed to cast a vote on rollcall 939. Had I cast a vote, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 989.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, earlier this week one of my constituents-- nationally-renowned author and historian, Winston Groom--wrote an op-ed piece for the Mobile Press-Register offering at least one theory as to why the reviews of Ken Burns' recent documentary series, ``The War,'' have been panned by several of America's leading and supposedly ``most respected'' national publications. As you may know, ``The War'' recently aired throughout the Nation on PBS. While admitting that the ``Second World War was fought in thousands of places, too many for any one accounting,'' Mr. Bums and his extraordinarily talented team tell the story of four American towns and how some of the citizens from those towns experienced and remember ``The War.'' The personal accounts of these men and women in their own unique dialects and accents tell an important and powerful story of World War II and the men and women that Tom Brokaw, among others, has deemed ``The Greatest Generation.'' This documentary shows the significant sacrifices made by the brave men and women of the American military, as well as the millions of American families whose loved ones were fighting the forces of evil during the Second World War. As Mr. Groom so eloquently explains in his article, the underlying complaint of ``The War,'' shared by many in the mainstream media who reviewed the film, is ``grounded in the new liberal fad of `moral relativism' '' and self-hatred. Unbelievably, some of these critics appear to believe that Mr. Burns' documentary was simply too ``pro- American'' and not sympathetic enough to the Germans and the Japanese. After watching this fascinating documentary with my wife and children, I, personally, could not be more proud to be an American. Moreover, I believe this film should be required watching in every school in America. Today, Madam Speaker, I rise to ask that this op-ed piece be entered into the Congressional Record in its entirety, for I believe Winston Groom may be on to something: Hatchet Job on ``The War'' (By Winston Groom) Many of you who enjoyed Ken Burns' ``The War'' may or may not be surprised that much of the mainstream media trashed the series. At the simplest level, their complaints illustrate the common literary fallacy in which the critic reviews not the film (or book) that was written, but the one that he wanted to see written. But this is merely one technique of doing a hatchet job. The underlying complaint against Burns' film by such revered organs as ``The New York Times'', ``The New Yorker'', ``Slate'' magazine, etc., is grounded in the new liberal fad of ``moral relativism'' or ``moral equivalency, ``a doctrine that seeks to have us believe that in the real world, there are in fact no ``good guys'' or ``bad guys.'' Instead, everything is ``relative'' (i.e. Oh, poor Adolf. He was simply misunderstood.). Thus, Alessandra Stanley of the Times felt compelled to inform her readers that, ``Examining a global war from the perspective of only one belligerent is rarely a good idea.'' I myself had a similar run-in with that kind of thinking when the Times trashed my history ``1942: the Year That Tried Men's Souls,'' so 1 know whereof I speak. In that instance, the Times for some reason assigned the hatchet job to its theater editor, who carped that I was ``cheerleading'' for America and ``conducting a pep rally for the Allies.'' It made me wonder just who she wanted me to cheer for--Hitler? Tojo? Or were we all of us--Japan, Germany, America, England, Russia--equally at fault for the war? In the online magazine ``Slate'', Beverly Gage was constrained to label ``The War'' ``manipulative, nostalgic and nationalistic, `` and lamented that it offered ``no commentary from the German or Japanese'' side. To be fair, she also complained that it offered no commentary from the British or Canadians, to which she might also have added that we didn't hear about the Norwegians or the Peruvians--or the Ugandans, for all it matters. The point is, that was not what the film was about. It was about America and Americans in World War II, as was plainly stated at the beginning of each episode. To be fair again, Ms. Gage acknowledges this, or, in her words, ``Burns admits this,'' but then she goes on to complain about it anyway. Ms. Gage also spears the film for offering ``fantastically sentimental stuff--Ken Burns at his most indulgent.'' I, for one, didn't see anything particularly sentimental about pictures of dead American Marines floating face down on the beaches of Tarawa or being carted off the battlefield. Ms. Gage also hints in her review that the story told by Mobile's Eugene Sledge about some Marines pulling gold teeth from dying Japanese soldiers smacks of American racism, since in the European Theater, the absence of that unpleasant custom presumably denied similarly situated Germans their experience of a lifetime. In The New Yorker, Nancy Franklin's objection, rather than moral relativism, is that ``The War'' is just plain bad film- making. ``They've taken a subject that is inexhaustible and made it merely exhausting,'' she writes, before going on to complain about the sound track and narration and that a lot of the footage Burns selected had been used before--as if Burns, being unable to conjure up some stash of unused footage, was somehow obligated to use old bad footage instead. She also found tedious Burns' style of using real participants in the war to describe their experiences rather than, one supposes, using analysts, historians and politicians. Myself, I rather enjoyed hearing from such contributors as Dwain Luce, Sid and Katherine Phillips, Maurice Bell, Willie Rushton and others who actually lived it. As Ms. Stanley writes in her review, `` `The War' gives generous voice to a wide variety of voices, but they are all American voices,'' which, she complains, ``is the only tale Burns wants to tell.'' The strange implication here is that surely Burns could have dug up a Hiroshima survivor or a fugitive Nazi SS man to tell his side of the story--or better yet, a Kamikaze pilot. What really underlies this ``moral relativism'' is the fetish of self-hatred that has become so pervasive in the mainstream media and the halls of academia. Whatever the issue, ``America is at least no better than the rest of them, and probably worse'' is their mantra, and anything that smacks of patriotism is automatically suspect. Heaven help us if this had been the bunch in Philadelphia on the Fourth of July, 1776, when they were trying to find people to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of Mobile and indeed the entire state of Alabama recently lost a dear friend. I rise today to honor him and pay tribute to the memory of Mr. Herman M. Maisel, a devoted family man and dedicated community leader. A native and lifelong resident of Mobile, Mr. Maisel was a standout athlete at Murphy High School in football, basketball, and baseball. After graduating in 1942, he enlisted in the Marines. He served in the Pacific theater until the end of WorId War II and was cited for his bravery. After returning home, he attended the University of Alabama using the G.I. Bill and received a degree in education. Once again, he was a standout athlete, named to the all-star teams in intramural football, basketball, and baseball. While in graduate school at the university, he coached both the freshman football and basketball teams. In 1952, Mr. Maisel was named assistant football coach and head basketball coach at his alma mater, Murphy High School. Under his leadership, the Murphy High School basketball team racked up 91 wins and only 12 losses, winning three city championships and tying for another. The team also won three district titles and the 1956 Alabama State Basketball Championship, a first for a Mobile school. He also coached the Murphy golf team, which won the state championship in 1956. With a desire to be a better provider for his family, Mr. Maisel entered the real estate business. In 1971, he acquired Staples, Pake & Griffin Real Estate in Mobile, changing the name to Herman Maisel & Company. This company became one of the top 100 shopping center developers in the United States, with holdings in 14 states. Additionally, he was a founding partner in Mobile Greyhound Park. Mr. Maisel was actively involved in his community, contributing to numerous civic and charitable endeavors. He was a member of the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame, serving on its board of directors, and a past president of the Ahavas Chesed Synagogue in Mobile. There is no doubt--Mr. Herman Maisel's contributions to Mobile and the state of Alabama will be long remembered. He 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 of 60 years, Freida Gutlow Maisel; his three children, Kathy M. Bronstein, Elliot B. Maisel, and Ivan B. Maisel; his ten grandchildren; 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, Baldwin County and indeed the state of Alabama recently lost a dear friend, and I rise today to honor him and pay tribute to the memory of James Jerry Boyington, Sr. Jerry Boyington, former State senator and Baldwin County commissioner, was a devoted family man and dedicated community leader throughout his life. A native of Bay Minette and a longtime resident of Fairhope, Jerry was a decorated major in the U.S. Army and veteran of the Vietnam War, and he served his country with honor and distinction. Jerry's legacy in Baldwin County and the State of Alabama will certainly be his hard work and dedication to the people of southwest Alabama. In addition to serving in the Alabama Senate and as chairman of the Baldwin County Commission, he also served as Baldwin County administrator and chief corrections officer for the Baldwin County sheriff's office. Jerry's political savvy, combined with his many friendships in the legislature, helped county officials pass zoning legislation, which has proven critical to the county's growth. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering a dedicated community leader and friend to many throughout southwest Alabama. James Jerry Boyington Sr., will be deeply missed by his family--his wife, Linda Boyington; their daughter, Shanna Boyington; their sons, Chris Boyington and Clay Boyington; his brother, Curtis Boyington, his sisters, Lucille Adams, Foy Kusion, and Jewell Boyington, and two grandchildren, James J. Boyington, III, and Anna Boyington--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 my distinct pleasure to rise today to recognize a true Southern lady who, over the course of the past few weeks, has become a familiar face and distinctive voice throughout America, Mrs. Katharine Phillips Singer of Mobile, AL. Her story, which is told in the Ken Burns' highly-acclaimed documentary, ``The War,'' represents the significant sacrifices--and obvious concerns--of millions of American families whose loved ones were fighting the forces of evil during the Second World War. Whether it was rationing food by cooking without essential ingredients, saving tin cans or purchasing war bonds, World War II was a time when all Americans were called upon to do their part to contribute to America's success. Young Katharine was just a sophomore at Auburn University when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and her 17-year-old brother, Sidney Phillips, signed up for the Marines. Upon graduating in 1944, she returned to Mobile and began working in a day care center for shipyard workers' children. She volunteered at the Red Cross canteen at the railroad station and served coffee and donuts to the troops aboard trains as they passed through town. She also volunteered with the Red Cross motor pool and regularly drove officers around town. At the end of the war, Katharine began working as a stewardess for Waterman Airlines. In 1947, she married Harvey Singer, a Waterman pilot and former WWII naval pilot. They lived in Ohio for many years and returned to Mobile in 1970. The mother of two daughters and the grandmother of four, Mrs. Singer runs her own antique linen business in Mobile. Madam Speaker, the recognition of Mrs. Katharine Phillips Singer in ``The War'' provides us all with an appropriate time to pause and thank her and all of the concerned families who shared their loved ones with the world during this trying time. Not only did she provide an intimate story of what it was like here at home during the war, but along the way she became a prominent storyteller for a documentary that I believe should be required watching in every school in America. I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pay tribute to Mrs. Katharine Phillips Singer for her love of family and love of country.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Mr. Lee Sentell and the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel for being named the best in the South by the Southeast Tourism Society. This is the third time in four years that Lee and his outstanding team of professionals have received this prestigious award. The department was nominated for its ``Year of Alabama'' Arts campaign. The award winning food campaign of 2005 featured a brochure of ``100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama before You Die,'' which was selected as the best promotion in the country by the National Council of State Tourism Directors. In 2004, the agency was recognized for its garden campaign. Alabama's tourism industry has continued to thrive under Lee Sentell's strong leadership. The industry's economic impact on the State's economy is expected to reach an all-time high of $9 billion in 2007. Last year, over 22.3 million people visited the State of Alabama, with my home area of Mobile and Baldwin counties among the 5 most visited counties. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating Mr. Sentell and all of those at the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel for being named the best in the South by the Southeast Tourism Society. For these and all their accomplishments, I extend my heartfelt thanks for their continued service to the First Congressional District and the entire State of Alabama.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to recognize Mr. Ray Pittman of Mobile, Alabama, for his courageous service during World War II. His heroic story, along with other Mobilians, is told in Ken Burns' documentary series ``The War.'' Mr. Pittman was working in Mobile for his father's carpentry business when he enlisted in the Marines. Trained to be a member of a demolition team that assaults enemy ``strong points'' in advance of the rifleman, he was assigned to the 4th Marine Division, 20th Marine Engineers. In February of 1944, he and his division were fighting in the Marshall Islands before landing on Saipan. After securing the island, they invaded Tinian. Pittman lost 50 pounds in the five months he spent on these two islands. By February of 1945, he was promoted to sergeant and put in charge of his own demolition team. On February 19, 1945, Sgt. Pittman and his squad landed on Iwo Jima. The squad of 16 was left with only three men by the end of the battle. Mr. Pittman's daughter, Beth Harrison, put it best in her article for the Hattiesburg American, ``Dad has always said he has lived 62 years more than he should have and has often wondered and marveled at why his life was spared. Now, at age 84, Ken Burns will tell his story.'' Madam Speaker, the recognition of Mr. Ray Pittman in ``The War'' documentary is an appropriate time for us to pause and thank him--and all of the soldiers who fought in World War II. They personify the very best America has to offer. I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pay tribute to Mr. Pittman and his selfless devotion to our country and the freedom we enjoy.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to recognize Judge Herndon Inge of Mobile, Alabama, for his courageous service during World War II. His heroic story, along with other Mobilians, is told in the Ken Burns' documentary series ``The War.'' Judge Inge attended the University of Alabama and then the Army's officer candidate school. He was commissioned January 7, 1944, and became a 2nd lieutenant in company D, 301st Regiment, 94th Infantry Division, in a heavy weapons unit. Arriving in France in September of 1944, he and his division contained 60,000 German troops along the French coast at St. Lazaire and Lorient. Following the sinking of the USS Leopoldville when hundreds of American soldiers were killed, Lt. Inge was sent into the Battle of the Bulge. He was captured by German troops on January 21, 1945. He was held at numerous POW camps, and he finally ended up in Oflag XIIIB near Hammelburg. He was liberated April 21, 1945. After the war, 1st Lt. Inge returned to Mobile. He attended law school and began his law practice in 1948. He was appointed Juvenile Court Judge and then appointed Circuit Judge of the Domestic Relations Division by then Alabama Governor Jim Folsom. At the time, he was the only judge in Mobile County to serve in both capacities at the same time. Madam Speaker, the recognition of Judge Herndon Inge in ``The War'' documentary is an appropriate time for us to pause and thank him--and all of the soldiers who fought in World War II. They personify the very best America has to offer. I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pay tribute to Judge Inge and his selfless devotion to our country and the freedom we enjoy.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to recognize the late Dr. Eugene Sledge of Mobile, Alabama, for his courageous service during World War II. After graduating from Mobile's Murphy High School, he entered Marion Military Institute to study to become an officer. However, as just a freshman, he signed on as a private in the Marines in order not to miss an opportunity at combat. Private First Class Sledge was assigned to the 1st Marine Division. He trained as a mortarman and fought on Peleliu in September of 1944 and on Okinawa in the spring of 1945. Throughout these months, he kept a journal of his impressions of the fighting, keeping the notes between the pages of his Bible. These notes later became his memoir, With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa, which he published in 1981. Ken Burns, who recently produced the PBS documentary series ``The War,'' relied heavily on this memoir. His memoir will also form the basis for the HBO series ``The Pacific,'' the successor to ``Band of Brothers.'' At the end of the war, Corporal Sledge returned to Alabama where he earned both a bachelor of science and a master of science from Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University. He earned his doctorate at the University of Florida and became assistant professor of biology at Alabama College, now the University of Montevallo. In 1970, Dr. Sledge was named a professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Montevallo, a position he held until his retirement in 1990. Dr. Sledge passed away in 2001 before his second memoir, China Marine: An Infantryman's Life after World War II, was published. Madam Speaker, the recognition of Dr. Eugene Sledge in ``The War'' documentary is an appropriate time for us to pause and thank him--and all of the soldiers who fought in World War II. His life and actions personified the very best America has to offer. I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pay tribute to the life of Dr. Sledge and his selfless devotion to our country and the freedom we enjoy. I also extend my thanks to his family for sharing the story of his courageous life with all of us.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Thomas Galloway of Mobile, Alabama, for his service in the United States Army during World War II. Serving as a lieutenant in the European Theater of Operations in the winter of 1944, Mr. Galloway fought bravely in some of the toughest and most brutal battles of the war, including the Battle of the Bulge and the Huertgen Forest. In his career as a soldier, Mr. Galloway was captured twice, and he escaped twice. Escaping as part of an attempted rescue of Gen. Patton's son-in-law, he was captured and returned to the prisoner-of-war camp in Hammelburg, Germany. Later that spring, Mr. Galloway escaped while on a march toward Austria, eventually making it back behind American lines. Upon returning home from the war, Mr. Galloway graduated from Auburn University and the University of Alabama School of Law and began a successful law career. He served as assistant attorney general for the state of Alabama and assistant district attorney for Alabama's thirteenth judicial circuit. He is now a member of Galloway, Wettermark, Everest, Rutens & Gaillard, LLP of Mobile. Madam Speaker, the recognition of Mr. Thomas Galloway in Ken Burns' documentary series ``The War'' is an appropriate time for us to pause and thank him--and all of the soldiers who fought in World War II. They personify the very best America has to offer. I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pay tribute to Mr. Galloway and his selfless devotion to our country and the freedom we enjoy.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to recognize Mr. Maurice Bell of Mobile, Alabama, for his courageous service as a sailor aboard the USS Indianapolis during World War II. Mr. Bell, along with 320 others, was pulled from the South Pacific following the sinking of the Indianapolis, a heavy cruiser brought down by torpedo attack on July 30, 1945. In what was later recognized as the worst single at-sea loss of life in the history of the Navy, Mr. Bell watched his fellow survivors succumb to shark attacks, exposure, and dementia while waiting five nights for rescue. It is estimated that 500-600 sailors died in the water while awaiting rescue. Mr. Bell, one of 80 remaining Indianapolis survivors, tells the story of the Indianapolis in Ken Burns' documentary series ``The War.'' The USS Indianapolis was no ordinary ship, and it was on no ordinary mission. The ship carried the first atomic bomb to the U.S. air base at Tinian Island. Having successfully delivered its precious cargo, the Indianapolis set out for home. Tragically, a pair of torpedo blasts from a Japanese submarine sunk the cruiser and left its crew to struggle for survival in the South Pacific. Madam Speaker, the recognition of Mr. Maurice Bell in Ken Burns' documentary series ``The War'' is an appropriate time for us to pause and thank him--and all of the soldiers who fought in World War II. They personify the very best America has to offer. I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pay tribute to Mr. Bell and his selfless devotion to our country and the freedom we enjoy.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to recognize Mr. Glenn Frazier of Mobile, AL, for his courageous service during World War II. At just 17 years of age, Mr. Frazier signed up to join the peacetime Army in the summer of 1941. Volunteering to serve in the Philippines, where he would be a world away from the battle raging in Europe, he was assigned to the 75th Ordinance Depot and Supply Company. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the Philippines, Corporal Frazier and thousands of American and Filipino troops were forced to retreat to the Bataan Peninsula. In April, 1942, he was one of 78,000 American and Filipino troops captured and forced to march to a prison camp more than 60 miles away without food or water. Thousands of the prisoners died during the week-long march that became known as the Bataan Death March. After surviving months of horrific conditions at Camp O'Donnell, Corporal Frazier was shipped to Japan and spent nearly 3 years in various prison camps. The army presumed him to be dead in the summer of 1944, and confirmed him to be dead in 1945. However, after the second atomic bomb was dropped, his prison camp was abandoned by the guards, and Corporal Frazier and his fellow POWs escaped to freedom. His story, along with other Mobilians, is told in the Ken Burns' documentary series ``The War.'' Madam Speaker, the recognition of Mr. Glenn Frazier in ``The War'' documentary is an appropriate time for us to pause and thank him--and all of the soldiers who fought in World War II. They personify the very best America has to offer. I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pay tribute to Mr. Frazier and his selfless devotion to our country and the freedom we enjoy.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to recognize Dr. Sidney Phillips of Mobile, Alabama, for his courageous service during World War II. At just 17 years of age when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, young Sidney Phillips signed up for the Marines. After training, Pvt. Phillips was assigned to H Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and taught to operate the 81 mm mortar. He went overseas in the spring of 1942 first to New Zealand, and then to the Solomon Islands that August where he participated in the landings on Guadalcanal. He survived four months of combat on the island and fought in many battles, including the Battle of the Tenaru. At the end of 1943, he was sent to New Guinea for training and participated in the invasion of Cape Gloucester, on the western tip of New Britain. In 1944, he was sent back to the United States for the V- 12 naval officer training program. He was still in training when the war ended, and was able to return to Mobile. His story is told in the Ken Burns' documentary series ``The War.'' He is now a retired physician living in Theodore. In 1997, Dr. Phillips penned his war memoir entitled, ``You'll Be Sor-ree!'' Madam Speaker, the recognition of Dr. Sidney Phillips in ``The War'' documentary is an appropriate time for us to pause and thank him--and all of the soldiers who fought in World War II. They personify the very best America has to offer. I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pay tribute to Dr. Phillips and his selfless devotion to our country and the freedom we enjoy.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to recognize Mr. Willie Rushton of Mobile, Alabama, for his courageous service during World War II. His heroic story, along with other Mobilians, is 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 1 month later, a son he would not see for more than 2 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. When he returned to Mobile following his discharge in November 1945, he was unable to return to his job at Coca- Cola. He worked at Sears, Brookley Field, and the United States Postal Service, where he stayed for 43 years. Madam Speaker, the recognition of Mr. Willie Rushton in ``The War'' documentary is an appropriate time for us to pause and thank him--and all of the soldiers who fought in World War II. They personify the very best America has to offer. I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pay tribute to Mr. Rushton and his selfless devotion to our country and the freedom we enjoy.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to recognize Mr. Dwain Luce of Mobile, AL, for his courageous service during World War II. His heroic story, along with other Mobilians, is told in the Ken Burns' documentary series ``The War.'' After graduating from Auburn University with a reserve commission in 1938, Mr. Luce went to Mississippi to work for his family's cannery business. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he was recalled to active duty and reported to duty on January 15, 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. He was promoted to captain, and he and his unit were sent to England to train for the invasion of France. He landed his glider at Normandy on June 6, 1944, 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 6 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. His story, along with other Mobilians, is told in the Ken Burns' documentary series ``The War.'' Madam Speaker, the recognition of Dwain Luce in ``The War'' documentary is an appropriate time for us to pause and thank him--and all of the soldiers who fought in World War II. They personify the very best America has to offer. I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pay tribute to Mr. Luce and his selfless devotion to our country and the freedom we enjoy.