Jo Bonner

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to give tribute to an Alabamian whose patriotism and devotion to country made him a leader early in life and carried him to prominence in business and public service in later years. I am speaking of former Montgomery Mayor Emory Folmar, who passed away on November 11 at the age of 81. Emory Folmar was born in Troy, AL, in 1930 and moved to Montgomery when he was fourteen. After graduating from Sidney Lanier High School in 1948, he attended The University of Alabama, receiving a BS in Business in just three years while serving as cadet colonel of the Army ROTC. After college, he received an Army commission and went to Ft. Benning, GA for parachute training and instructors' schools where he was assigned to the 11th Airborne Division attached to the 2nd Infantry Division. He married Anita Pierce in February 1952 and was deployed to Korea that summer. Wounded in action, he received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. At the rank of lieutenant, he received the French Croix de Guerre as a result of his actions with the 23rd Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division and French troops. Following his service in Korea, he was assigned to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, as an Airborne Jump Master until 1954. He then moved to Montgomery to join his brother James Folmar and Henry Flynn in home construction. The Folmar brothers' business later expanded to include large commercial shopping center construction throughout the Southeast. In 1975, he entered politics at the urging of his son David, first running for Montgomery city council. He was soon elected president of the city council and then became Mayor of Montgomery from 1977 till 1999. His time in office was marked by economic growth and an emphasis on law and order. Mayor Folmar ran as Republican for governor in 1982 against former Democrat Governor George C. Wallace. Although he did not win the election, Emory made the strongest showing of any Republican running for governor since reconstruction to that time. Very active in Republican politics on the state and national levels, he also served as campaign chairman for Ronald Reagan's finance committee in 1980; state chairman for President Reagan in 1984; and chairman for Bush-Quayle in 1988 and 1992. After retiring from politics, he was appointed Commissioner of the Alabama Beverage Control Board by then-Governor Bob Riley in 2003. During his time in that post, he streamlined and modernized the ABC to make it more efficient. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Alabama, I wish to send my heartfelt condolences to his wife, Anita; their children, Wilson Bibb and Margaret; and their grandchildren; as well as his sisters, Miriam and Anne, and many friends. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring to the attention of this House a very special historical event in my home state, the 200th Year of Celebration of the founding of Citronelle, Alabama. Located in northwest Mobile County, Citronelle may not be a household name nationwide, but over a hundred years ago the friendly and charming small town was a popular stop for Northern vacationers. To the residents of such bustling Midwestern cities as Cleveland and Chicago, the name Citronelle conjured images of healing springs and bucolic Southern vistas. In the early 20th century, Citronelle was known as the ``Land of Healing Waters,'' owing to its mineral springs which a 1903 publication compared to the famous Poland Springs of Maine. Located along the main line of the Mobile and Ohio Railway, for many years Citronelle was celebrated not only for its prized therapeutic waters, but also for its ``salubrious'' air which was reported to aid in the treatment of respiratory disorders. Indeed, the small town soon sported four very nice guest accommodations, including the Illinois Hotel, the Hygeia Hotel and the Hotel Citronelle. The Hygeia Hotel Cottage still stands today and is a local tourist attraction. It is not surprising that Citronelle would have gained a reputation as a haven for rest and good health. In the late 1700's, the area was already destined for fame because of its curative properties. Native Americans in Southwest Alabama told European settlers about a unique plant thought to cure malaria. The miracle plant--which was named ``Citronella''--was discovered growing in abundance along the hills that would eventually be known as Citronelle. Along Citronelle's historic journey, the community also found improbable ways to add to its remarkable resume. For example, we all learned in school that Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 8, 1865. What some may not have been told in class is that less than a month later, on May 4, Lt. Gen. Richard Taylor, son of President Zachary Taylor, surrendered his Confederate forces under the ``Surrender Oak'' in Citronelle, Alabama. Citronelle was, therefore, one of five Civil War surrender locations. The legendary oak tree was sadly lost to a hurricane many years ago, but the town's contribution to American history is undeniable. In addition to being a site of the official end of the Civil War, Citronelle has also occupied the spotlight as a potential rival to America's Western oil fields. In 1955, Citronelle was dubbed the Oil Capital of Alabama and home to the largest oil discovery east of the Mississippi River at that time. Over the years, the sometimes sleepy town has capitalized on its quaint atmosphere, touting its ``delightful walks through the woods (that) always charm the man or woman who seeks rest and recreation away from the busy city.'' Today, Citronelle remains a beautiful place to live filled with hard-working, dedicated people who love their God, their country and their families. I am proud to represent this lovely city in Congress. On December 10, 2011, I will join Mayor Loretta Presnell, and other city officials, along with the people of Citronelle, in celebrating the birthday of their historic city. Older than the State of Alabama, Citronelle occupies a special place in our culture and in our hearts. Congratulations to the City of Citronelle on this special occasion and a very Happy 200th birthday! May there be many more good years ahead in the next chapter of your rich history.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. I thank the chairman for yielding me time. Back home, the American people listen to Members of Congress talk about things that are historic, about things that are important. Today, we're talking about something that's very important. Tomorrow, we'll actually be talking about voting on something that truly is historic. But for the moment, let's focus on, as my friend from Ohio just mentioned, something that this Congress has not seen since 2009, which is a conference report. That's the American legislative system working. It's where Democrats and Republicans, Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, have come together--to produce a perfect document? Of course not. Conservatives would like to cut more. Liberals would like to spend more. The fact is that, in this conference report, we cut and terminate 20 programs, saving $456 million. It responsibly addresses disaster spending, and many States and even more counties and cities had been affected by disasters earlier this year. It also contains a CR that will run until December 16 at fiscal year 2011 levels to allow our committee to complete its work. It also represents an effort, I would argue, Mr. Speaker, that both House and Senate appropriators, Democrats and Republicans alike, are doing something that is responsible in order to avoid the plague of a government shutdown by reaching agreement that will put our Nation on a more fiscally sustainable path. Tomorrow, it will be more historic in nature. Yesterday, the debt clock ticked over $15 trillion. We cannot ignore that threat. Tomorrow, we will bring to the House floor an opportunity for something that Presidents Jefferson and Reagan both envisioned: a balanced budget amendment. Today's CR, today's minibus appropriations bill, is an important step for the future of this fiscal year and this country that we love and serve. Tomorrow will be an opportunity, for the legacy of future generations not yet born, to do something even more bold. I thank the chairman for giving me a chance to serve on the committee, and I urge my colleagues to support the report.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of an outstanding member of our community, former Mobile County Circuit Judge Ferrill David McRae, a longtime resident of Mobile, Alabama, who passed away October 20, 2011, at the age of 77. Judge McRae was known for his fairness and steadfast dedication to the principles of justice for all. He sat on the bench during historic times and always dedicated himself to upholding the law. Originally a native of Irvine, Kentucky, but reared in Mobile, Judge McRae graduated from Murphy High School in 1952. He later attended The University of Alabama, earning a B.S. in Accounting in 1959, and a Juris Doctorate from the University's law school in 1961. While at the University, Judge McRae earned part of his tuition money by tutoring football players during the tenure of legendary football coach Paul ``Bear'' Bryant. For many, earning two college degrees would dominate their time. However, Judge McRae also found time during his scholarly pursuits to honorably serve his country. He was called to active duty in the United States Army from 1957-59 during which time he achieved the rank of sergeant. He continued to serve as a member of the reserves until 1962. In 1961, with his studies and military service largely behind him, Judge McRae was admitted to practice law in the Trial and Appellate Courts of the state of Alabama, and was admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. After just four years of practicing law, Judge McRae had distinguished himself in the local bar such that he became a logical choice to be appointed to the Circuit Court bench by then-Governor George C. Wallace. Judge McRae served a total of five years as a Domestic Judge and seven terms as a Circuit Judge in the 13th Judicial Circuit. He returned to the classroom to teach Business Law at the University of South Alabama for many years. As an avid fan of his beloved Crimson Tide, Judge McRae was also a charter member of the Mobile Red Elephant Club. Judge McRae's four decades on the bench not only advanced our system of justice, but also the quality of Alabama's court system. He will be sorely missed by all who served with him and by those who benefitted from his fairness on the bench. Mr. Speaker, I would ask the House to join me in extending our deepest condolences to his wife, Brenda, as well as their surviving children, Corinne, Leslie, Ferrill Jr., Liz, Michelle, their grandchildren, their family and many friends. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to extend very special birthday greetings to an honored member of the South Alabama legal community. Next week, Nick Hare will celebrate his 100th birthday among the company of a proud family and many loyal friends in his hometown of Monroeville. Born on October 11, 1911, ``Mr. Nick'' graduated from Northwood School, Lake Placid, New York, in 1930. He received his college undergraduate degree with honors from Auburn University (Alabama Polytechnic Institute) in 1932, and three years later earned his law degree from the University of Alabama. After completing his education, Nick joined his cousin, Francis Hare, in the practice of law in Birmingham. Soon after, World War II intervened and his country called. Nick was inducted into the Army Air Corps where he honorably served America, including working on the famous Manhattan Project to produce the atomic bomb. After his distinguished military service, Nick returned to Alabama and opened his law office in Monroeville. He soon entered politics, being elected to the Alabama legislature in 1954. During his tenure in Montgomery, Nick served as chair of the Judiciary Advisory Council. He left office in 1959 assuming the role of Assistant Attorney General under Alabama Attorney General MacDonald Gallion. While on the Attorney General's staff, Nick worked with Governor John Patterson to combat loan sharks victimizing Alabamians. In 1960, Nick turned his gaze to Mobile after he was appointed chief legal counsel for the Alabama State Docks under director Earl McGowan. Later, during the Reagan administration, he served the federal government as an appointee to represent the United States in legal seminars with the People's Republic of China. Nick Hare has accomplished much in his 100 years. He's been an Army Air Corpsman, a legislator, a state official, federal appointee and a lifelong attorney representing the best interests of the people of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, it is not uncommon to laud someone you respect with the compliment ``they're a gentleman and a scholar''. In ``Mr. Nick's'' case, he truly is both. A nationally recognized legal mind, an inventor holding eight patents, and an active member of his community, Nicolas Stallworth Hare is a true gentleman and a scholar and a very dear friend to many, many people. On behalf of the people of Alabama and this House, I am pleased to offer Nick our very best wishes on his 100th birthday. May he continue to have a long, happy and healthy life for many years to come.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, while long-term unemployment is now worse than at any time since the Great Depression and while Americans in growing numbers are becoming more and more concerned about the direction their country is heading, the one thing that is uniting Americans is the realization that their Federal Government is unnecessarily getting in the way of job creators, of both small and large businesses alike, by tying the hands of employers with bureaucratic redtape and over-the-top, unnecessary and often duplicative regulation. A recent Tarrance Group survey found that three-quarters of the American people believe that businesses and consumers are overregulated. Another two-thirds believe that regulations have increased over the past few years. Americans, understandably so, are concerned that regulations will create a hindrance to job creation, and most believe that new regulation will either bring more job losses or increased prices. Madam Speaker, the American people have good reason to be concerned. From higher taxes on workers and businesses to the greater intrusion by the Federal Government into personal health care decisions, there has been plenty of evidence that this administration wants to grow the size and reach and scope of government in ways that we have never before seen in the history of America. At any time, the heavy hand of Big Government regulation is bad news for jobs, but during the middle of the worst recession since the Great Depression, it defies common sense for government to place even more roadblocks in front of struggling businesses. While largely unseen by the public and, more times than not, not even debated here on the floor of Congress, Federal regulations directly impact jobs and job creation. A Small Business Administration report released just last September, in September of 2010, noted that Federal regulations cost businesses $1.7 trillion each year and that small businesses, in particular, bear a disproportionate share of these costs, averaging over $10,000 for each employee. Along America's gulf coast, we have recently experienced the direct impact of Federal Government overreach in the oil production industry. The administration's de facto moratorium on new oil drilling has cost our region of the country tens of thousands of jobs--some say as few as 30,000, others as many as 70,000 jobs that have been lost--at a time when the gulf coast is still struggling to recover from the worst manmade disaster in American history. Just last week, I visited several large and small manufacturers in south Alabama, in Alabama's First Congressional District, that are doing their very best to turn a profit under the mantle of increased Federal regulation. In one case, a small manufacturer with 28 employees related how they cannot expand their production due to new Federal regulations. In fact, they are now being forced to downsize. Incredibly, when EPA visits companies to perform audits, oftentimes they take away whole file drawers or cabinets full of records. The small business owners pay taxes on company profits from their personal income taxes, and they have to keep a consultant on retainer just to stay in compliance with all of the regulations. A medium-sized manufacturer we visited last week told me--and they've got plants in other States as well, not just in Alabama--that the new proposed regulations that they are looking at would cost their company alone over $100 million in new regulation. During his jobs speech to Congress, in this very Chamber just last month, the President admitted that government regulations on businesses serve to dampen job creation. He even suggested that he would be willing to work with Congress to review such actions. But in the following weeks, there has been little evidence to suggest that the President is serious. Let me be clear: Federal regulations do have their place in ensuring the safety of both workers and consumers. Federal laws have contributed greatly to maintaining our clean air and water as well as the safety of our transportation system, our food and consumer products, to name but just a few. No one is saying we shouldn't have any regulation. But for all the good that a responsible government can provide with reasonable oversight, make no mistake that overzealous regulation can stifle our economy and contribute to a reduced quality of life for all Americans. That is why House Republicans are working to pass legislation to rein in out-of-control Federal regulations that strangle job creation. Last week, the House passed the TRAIN Act. If enacted into law, this one bill would prevent the administration from imposing some of the most controversial new EPA rules, which further threaten job creation and the economy. It would also force the administration to review the impact of new regulations before they're applied. Today, the House is considering two additional significant regulatory reform bills--the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act of 2011 and the EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011. I urge that Congress pass this and help put the government on the side of the American workers and job creators, not against them.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Committee on Ethics, and with and on behalf of my colleague, Representative Sanchez, the Ranking Member of the Committee, we rise today so that we may recognize the long and dedicated service of Peter Johnson to the House of Representatives. Peter is retiring this week from the Committee on Ethics, where he has performed two important functions for eight years. And well before he joined our Committee, Peter has been serving this community with pride and excellence since 1979. Unbeknownst to most of the community, Peter has been our connection to so many of you. As both the Systems Administrator of the Committee and the Financial Disclosure Administrator, Peter has kept our office running and your financial disclosures on track. An important part of our tradition of excellent customer service, Peter is the unseen trooper whom anyone with an extension has relied upon. And beyond financial disclosures, Peter has managed the significant amount of material we produce on-line to help you understand our processes, our rules, and our results. Prior to joining the Committee on Ethics, Peter climbed the ranks of the office of the Clerk of the House, serving the community in the vital function of public disclosure for a number of records trusted to the Clerk's care. Peter has supervised, managed, and administered most of the functions so crucial to the sunlight we welcome in this institution. In the Clerk's office, Peter was an institutional liaison to both the Federal Election Commission and the lobbyist community to ensure, in both arenas, that the House of Representatives served the public's interest in access to important information that the people have relied upon for many years. In short, Peter Johnson has been a model of professional non-partisan dedication to some of the most important functions of accountability and transparency for the House of Representatives for over 30 years now. On behalf of a grateful Committee and community, we thank him for his service and wish him all the best in his retirement from this journey and his transition to the next.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of a remarkable man, State Senator Harry Edward ``Hap'' Myers, Jr., a lifelong resident of Mobile, Alabama and friend to many who passed away on August 3, 2011, at the age of 72. During his lifetime, Hap was known for his unbending belief in others and in doing what was right. He was a husband, father, civil engineer, community leader and legislator. Growing up in Mobile he attended Mary B. Austin Elementary School, Barton Academy, and graduated from Murphy High School in 1957. He received a B.A. Degree in Business Administration and a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering from Auburn University in 1961. Returning to Mobile, he began on a path he would follow for much of his professional life, serving and then leading the J.B. Converse Company/BCM Engineers where he was president and CEO for two decades. Under his leadership, the company grew to become one of America's top 100 engineering firms. Never one to be content with sitting on the sidelines when his community needed him, Hap was determined to make a difference, greeting new challenges with enthusiasm and his trademark positive attitude. He led the local business community as Chairman of the Mobile Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the board at St. Paul's Episcopal School, and served on the Board of Regions Bank and the Mobile Area Water and Sewer Board, to name but a few of the many organizations where Hap left a lasting mark. Having succeeded in local business and in giving his time to improve his community, Hap took the next step in 1994, entering the political arena for the first time. For anyone who knew him, there was never any doubt that he would make a fine public servant. Hap went on to be elected a Republican in the Democrat-dominated Alabama State Senate for three consecutive terms. He retired from politics in 2006. Former Governor Bob Riley summed up his political career by noting he ``served for all the right reasons, and he did it with great integrity and class.'' Mr. Speaker, Senator Hap Myers never put himself first and never gave up believing in and doing what was right. He will be sorely missed but leaves behind a legacy of goodness and decency as well as an example for one and all of what a true servant leader is. I would like to ask the House to join me in extending our deepest condolences to his lovely wife, Toni, as well as his wonderful children, Hap III, Marty, and Sandy, his grandchildren, his family and many friends. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. I appreciate the gentleman from Kentucky yielding time. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I rise in support of the continuing resolution that is before us today. This CR continues government operations at an amount agreed to by the Congress and the White House in the Budget Control Act just a few weeks ago, as was noted by the distinguished Democrat whip. But make no mistake, the American people spoke loudly last November and the message was clear: We need to spend less. And both the House Budget Committee and the House Appropriations Committee have been at the vanguard of meeting that challenge. But the other message that many of us receive when we go back home to our districts from our constituents is they want this institution to function. They want their elected officials on both sides to put aside the partisan differences and to work to create an environment that fosters job creation and economic growth and that reduces spending and puts our Nation back on a path towards fiscal solvency. Naturally, I find it disappointing to now learn that some of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are opposing this bill for purely political reasons after signalling their support just last week. And to my friends in our own conference who believe we should make deeper cuts in this CR, I would say we agree. The House has voted to reduce spending further on multiple occasions, and this Appropriations Committee has reported many bills to do so as well. Sadly, in this hyperpartisan political environment with the Republican majority in the House, a Democrat majority in the Senate, and a Democrat White House, the will of the House alone cannot rule the day simply because we wish to do so. This is a reasonable bill which pays for the disaster funding it contains, and it holds the funding level at an agreed-upon amount and allows the committee the opportunity to do its work in the remaining days of this year before fiscal year 2012 kicks in. I urge my colleagues to support this passage.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize Honor Flight South Alabama and the World War II veterans this very special organization is bringing on its sixth flight to Washington, DC on September 21, 2011. Founded by the South Alabama Veterans Council, Honor Flight South Alabama is an organization whose mission is to fly heroes from southwest Alabama to see their national memorial. Over six decades have passed since the end of World War II and, regrettably, it took nearly this long to complete work on the memorial that honors the spirit and sacrifice of the 16 million who served in the U.S. armed forces and the more than 400,000 who died. Sadly, many veterans did not live long enough to hear their country say ``thank you,'' yet for those veterans still living, Honor Flight provides for many their first--and perhaps only--opportunity to see the National World War II Memorial, which honors their service and sacrifice. This Honor Flight begins at dawn when the veterans will gather at historic Fort Whiting in Mobile and travel to Mobile Regional Airport to board a chartered flight to Washington. During their time in their nation's capital, the veterans will visit the World War II Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and other memorials. The veterans will return to Mobile Regional Airport that evening, where some 1,000 people are expected to greet them. Mr. Speaker, the September 21, 2011, journey of heroes from South Alabama is an appropriate time for us to pause and thank them--and all of the soldiers who fought in World War II--for they collectively--and literally--saved the world. They personify the very best America has to offer, and I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pay tribute to their selfless devotion to our country and the freedoms we enjoy. I salute each of the veterans who made the trip to Washington. May we never forget their valiant deeds and tremendous sacrifices: Clinton Ames, Jr., Curtis Avinger, Robert Bagwell, Elwood Barden, Jack Bayuk, Sidney Biehl, Clarence Blocker, Byron Bower, James Boykin, Donald Brassfield, Robert Brown, James Butcher, John Butt, Leon Cain, Sr., Leo Cain, Sr., Arlee Carmichael, Alfred Chance, John Courtney, Jr., James Crocker, Joseph Croom, John Cunningham, Dr. George Dacovich, Sr., Robert Denniston, Glenn DePorter, Murray Driskell, James Dyess, Sr., James Edwards, Roy Eveland, Wilbur Ferguson, Vaughn Frederick, Dorothy Frost, Edward Gilbert, Jr., Sidney Gillikin, Bobby Graham, William Grimes, Joseph Hanson, George Harrison, Richard Howser, Gary Hunter, Morris Jackson, William Jenkins, Joseph Kress, Phillip Laden, Peter Leonardis, Roger Lewis, Harlan Mahan, Annie Mathews, Joseph Maury, James McArthur, Hezzie McCaughn, Joseph McCorquodale, Lee McCurley, Grover Mcllwain, Alney McLean, Alfred Meadows, Jr., Mary Moebius, George Moody, Leon Mote, Warren Nelson, Lionel Noonan, Charles Odom, William Olsen, Sr., Robert Ownby, Hurshel Paul, Walter Pawlak, Hilton Peyregne, Frank Phillips, Jim Rainer, Jefferson Ratcliffe, Sr., Willard Ready, J.C. Reed, William Ross, Wayne Roth, James Santa Cruz, Raymond Scott, James Smith, Jerry Stastka, John Taylor, Thomas Turk, Florian Turla, Clyde Ussery, Alfred Webb, George Weldon, James Wicks, Leroy Williams, James Wright, and Harvey Younce.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Lance Cpl. Travis Michael Nelson who recently lost his life in the service of his country. We will always be indebted to his sacrifice for our freedom and we join his family and many friends in mourning his loss. Lance Cpl. Nelson was assigned as a rifleman with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He lost his life during combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on August 18, 2011, one month after his unit's arrival. He was a dedicated Marine who loved his country and loved the Marine Corps. He always wanted to be a Marine and beginning at the age of 14 he devoted his youth to preparing for his eventual role as a defender of America. Prior to his active duty service, he was a member of the Young Marines of Pensacola, Florida and the Pace High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program. A native of Pace, and a resident of Bratt, Lance Cpl. Nelson, also had relatives in the nearby South Alabama towns of Atmore, Brewton, East Brewton and Daphne. On behalf of the people of Alabama, I wish to extend condolences to his parents, Scott and Beckie Nelson; his brother, Daniel Nelson; his half brother, Chandler Case; sisters, Jenna Nelson, and Anna Nelson; and grandmothers, Anna Sanspree and Louise Nelson; as well as his fiance, Madeline Cates. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Mr. Speaker, I would like to add to this tribute the words of Sherry Digmon, publisher of Atmore magazine made in honor of Lance Cpl. Nelson. ``In tragedy, we come together. Atmore and the surrounding area came together in August as we all mourned the death of Marine Lance Cpl. Travis Nelson who was killed while on duty in Afghanistan. He was 19. Most of us didn't know LCpl. Nelson, but we all knew him. His was the face of the young man who always wanted to be a Marine, who loved the flag and country, and who enlisted to preserve our freedoms. On Friday, August 26, as we waited for the funeral procession to make its way down Main Street from the First Baptist Church to Oak Hill Cemetery, we looked at the people around us, almost all holding flags-- the veterans lined up on the sidewalk in front of the American Legion building; the kids and the older folks; people who came out of their businesses and stood in the mid afternoon sun. The Patriot Guard Riders came to Atmore to accompany the body of LCpl. Nelson and his family from Petty Eastside Chapel Funeral Home to First Baptist Church, then from the church to Oak Hill Cemetery. My hat is off to this fine group of men and women on motorcycles who show their respect to the fallen soldier by honoring and protecting the sanctity of his funeral and burial. Someone in our group said, ``That's America.'' We agreed. And then I said, ``That's Atmore.'' This was one event I hope never to witness again--the funeral of a young soldier. I hope never again to think about how a mama feels when she sees the officers standing at her front door. How a fiancee feels when she finds out her intended has been killed. How the men in his unit felt when they heard he didn't make it.''

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life of a truly great American, Mr. R. Cater Lee, of Gulf Shores, Alabama, who passed away on August 13, 2011, at the age of 90. Mr. Lee was a veteran of World War II and a member of America's ``Greatest Generation'' who helped to liberate Europe from Nazi tyranny. He flew 31 missions with the 448th Bomb Group, Second Air Division, of the Eighth Air Force in the European Theatre. He proudly served as a bombardier and navigator aboard the B-24 Liberator. For his courage and service he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. Mr. Lee so loved his country that he continued to serve in the U.S. Air Force Reserves during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Major. After his service to his country, Mr. Lee came home to Alabama, eventually settling in Birmingham, where in 1966 he was one of the co- founders of Vulcan, Inc. He would serve as president of the company for twenty years. At the time of his death, he was chairman of the board of Vulcan Inc., in Foley. Not only a patriot and successful businessman, Mr. Lee was also a leader in his community. He was a past chairman of the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and of the Gulf Shores Water Board. He was a former member of the Gulf Shores City Council and recipient of the Free Enterprise Person of the Year Award. Mr. Lee's love of country was only rivaled by his love of family, community, and golf. He served as president of Gulf Shores Golf Club for many years. Mr. Lee cherished all four generations of his family. The loss of Mr. Lee is one that should be mourned throughout the state and nation, as he was the embodiment of American ideals of patriotism, hard work and giving back to one's community. On behalf of the people of South Alabama, I offer condolences to his daughter, Linda Lee Koniar and her husband, John, and his two sons, Bubba and his wife, Cheryl, and Tommy and his wife, Sandra. Mr. Lee had eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, all of whom he loved with all his heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to all his family.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of a truly wonderful man, Mr. Melvin E. Pierce, a longtime resident of Semmes, Alabama, who passed away August 19, 2011, at the age of 73. Mr. Pierce was a husband, father, friend, an entrepreneur and community leader. He wore many hats over his professional career, and is perhaps best known for his successful painting business. He began a career in painting as an apprentice and used his knowledge to later found and develop the Melvin Pierce Painting Company. He subsequently established Melvin Pierce Marine Coatings, Melvin Pierce Sandblasting, Highway Maintenance, Inc., and Dothan, Inc. of Semmes. His community involvement ranged from president and founding member of ``Friends of Semmes,'' which pioneered the incorporation of Semmes, to recipient of the 2005 Woodman of the World Outstanding Citizen Award. He was one of the founding members of the Dixie Youth Baseball Program in Semmes. And, in 2003, he was honored with the Award of Gratitude from the Semmes Community Park. Professionally, he was an active member of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) and the Associated Builders & Contractors. He was a board member of the Mobile Water and Sewer Board, the Abba Shrine Temple, Trade Builder's Association and Woodman of the World. His considerable involvement with contracting gave him the opportunity to play a major role in numerous construction and renovation projects like the Mobile Convention Center and Mobile Government Plaza, the restoration of the historic Alabama Capitol in Montgomery, and the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. Melvin Pierce was the epitome of a community-minded businessman and volunteer and his involvement in so many different aspects of South Alabama will be hard to replace. In addition to possessing a charitable heart and an unequalled love of community, he helped found the Christmas parade, Azalea Festival, Easter Egg Hunt and a food pantry in Semmes. On behalf of the people of South Alabama, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his wife of 50 years, Evelyn, as well as his surviving children, George, David, Deborah, Jay, Regina and Rebecca, as well as his grandchildren, and his family and friends. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join with all Alabamians in sending warm personal congratulations to a beloved member of our community, Miss Alice Finch Lee, who celebrates her 100th birthday on Sunday, September 11, 2011. ``Miss Alice's'' compassion for others is matched only by her determination for justice. Her life-long dedication to civility and fairness is a credit to our state. Monroeville, Alabama not only wears the crown of literary capital of our state with its ties to such giants of letters as Truman Capote and Nelle Harper Lee, among others, but it is also home to a one-of-a-kind legal lion. Miss Alice grew up in a tight-knit family accustomed to making a difference. Her father, the late A.C. Lee, was a respected businessman and attorney. He owned the local newspaper, The Monroe Journal, while also practicing law. His inscrutable reputation for fairness is believed to have inspired Miss Alice's younger sister, Nelle, in crafting the character Atticus Finch in her world famous novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Miss Alice was a quick study, joining her father at the age of 18 in running the newspaper. It wasn't long before she also acquired an interest in law. Her decision to attend law school, a move strongly supported by her father, was a bold one considering women were not often seen in the legal profession during the 1930's and 40's. Undeterred, she graduated from the Birmingham School of Law and passed Alabama Bar in 1943. It was Monroeville's good fortune that Miss Alice came back home and partnered with her father in practicing law in her hometown. Joining what is now considered to be one of the oldest law firms in Alabama, Barnett, Bugg, Lee & Carter, Miss Alice made a name for herself as a calm but reliable voice for equality and an advocate for the disadvantaged. Never seeking attention or accolade, she is best known for her uncommon generosity. A recent newspaper profile accordingly dubbed Miss Alice as ``Atticus Finch in a skirt.'' At the tender young age of 100, Miss Alice still works in her Monroeville law office attending to her clients' needs on a daily basis and giving each the full measure of her attention. When I personally looked in on her last week she was busy reviewing a contract and graciously gave me a few minutes to wish her a happy birthday. She has been called a trailblazer, a role model and an advocate for what is right. In South Alabama, we are also proud to call her our friend. Miss Alice, on your 100th birthday, we wish you much joy and happiness, with a heartfelt prayer for many more to come.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the work of Alabama State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Joe Morton, who has been a leader in education for 42 years and will officially retire on August 31, 2011. Dr. Morton grew up in Pleasant Grove and graduated from Hueytown High School. He then received his B.S. degree from Auburn University in 1969 and later his M.A. in 1973 and Ph.D. in 1974 from The University of Alabama. Upon graduation from Auburn, he began a life of dedicated service to the field of education. He worked his way up from a school teacher to the superintendent of the Sumter County Board of Education. He is presumed to be the youngest person in the history of the state to be a local superintendent of education at the age of 27. On July 13, 2004, he was selected by Governor Bob Riley to be the State Superintendent of Education. Along with a longstanding love of education, he has always held to the belief that Alabama students have the capability to compete with top students from around the world. In order to engage students' interest in reading, he created and co- founded the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI). The ARI has since become a national model and has helped the National Assessment of Educational Process in 2007 achieve the largest gains recorded in Grade 4 Reading. In 2010, AMSTI was recognized by the Center for Excellence in Education as the model of laboratory education in the United States. Other educational programs he helped create and co-found were the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) and the Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide (ACCESS). At the request of Governor Riley, Dr. Morton also chaired the Seat Belt Study Commission after a tragic 2006 school bus accident in Huntsville. The Commission's research into school bus safety and seatbelts is considered to be the most extensive in the country. In 2009, he also launched First Choice, a plan to combat high school dropout rates by doubling the number of graduates. First Choice has already helped deliver a greater number of well prepared high school graduates. As a result of Dr. Joe Morton's achievements in education, Alabama had the fourth largest increase in the number of students who graduated from high school in the nation. His achievements also paved the way for Alabama to lead the nation in student enrollment gains and Advanced Placement exam scores. Above all, under Dr. Morton's leadership as Alabama's Superintendent of Education, the state has achieved its greatest overall educational rating in its history. On behalf of the people of Alabama--especially the thousands of school children who will reap a lifetime of rewards because of his leadership--I wish to extend congratulations to Dr. Joe Morton for a job well done and for his many contributions to better the education and the futures of many Alabamians. My colleagues in the Alabama delegation join me in wishing him and his family the very best as they start a new chapter in their lives.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my profound sadness at the passing of longtime Washington County, Alabama resident and community leader, Mrs. Edith Mae Jordan Wilcox, who passed away on July 12 at the age of 95 after an extended illness. ``Miss Edith''--as she was affectionately known--was born May 23, 1916, in Spencer, Alabama. Her schooling began in the Yarbo one-room school house with her two older sisters. In 1932, she graduated from Murphy High School in Mobile. From there, she attended the University of Alabama where she received an A&S Degree in 1936 and an LLB Degree from the School of Law in 1939. Upon graduation from law school, she was admitted to the State Bar. Miss Edith and her husband, Roy, married on January 31, 1942. While he served in the Army Air Corps in New Guinea during World War II, Miss Edith became a very active community volunteer and a part of the family's land, timber, and mill business in Jordan. When Staff Sgt. Wilcox returned from service to his country, they established the Wilcox and Plemmons Sawmill Company. The company remained a vibrant part of the local economy until it closed in 1980. Throughout her life, Miss Edith was an avid volunteer. She was actively involved with the board of the Washington County Chapter of the American Red Cross, serving as chairman of the Red Cross Blood Program when it was first introduced in the county. She spent many years traveling throughout the state with the Bloodmobile. Miss Edith was a member of the committee that organized the Washington County Health Council and was appointed to the Washington County Hospital Board where she served for 10 years. She was elected State President of the Alabama Extension Homemaker's Council and was an active and founding member of the Washington County United Way. For all her volunteer service, Miss Edith was awarded with the Washington County Humanitarian of the Year Award in 1997. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 50 years and served as state officer of the Alabama Grand Chapter. She was also one of the founding members of the Washington County Public Library and served on its board for over 20 years. In 2002, in recognition for her lifetime of remarkable achievement and public service, Miss Edith was inducted into the Washington County Hall of Fame and a plaque was placed in the courthouse in her honor. Today, Jordan-Wilcox Stadium at Washington County High School bears her family name as a tribute to her vision and generosity. She donated the land for the building of the Chatom Community Center that is also named for her. During her long and active life, Miss Edith traveled to over 60 countries and throughout all fifty states. She established an art gallery in Chatom to showcase collectibles and memorabilia from her world travels. The Wilcox Gallery and Foundation will continue to educate and entertain the residents of Washington County for years to come. On behalf of the people of South Alabama, I extend my deepest condolences to Miss Edith's family, including her daughter, Susan Wilcox Turner and one granddaughter, Jordan Anne Garner. Miss Edith's memory will live on through her great legacy of service to our area.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the work of Alabama State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Joe Morton, who has been a leader in education for 42 years and will officially retire on August 31, 2011. Dr. Morton grew up in Pleasant Grove and graduated from Hueytown High School. He then received his B.S. degree from Auburn University in 1969 and later his M.A. in 1973 and Ph.D. in 1974 from The University of Alabama. Upon graduation from Auburn, he began a life of dedicated service to the field of education. He worked his way up from a school teacher to the superintendent of the Sumter County Board of Education. He is presumed to be the youngest person in the history of the State to be a local superintendent of education at the age of 27. On July 13, 2004, he was selected by Governor Bob Riley to be the State Superintendent of Education. Along with a longstanding love of education, he has always held to the belief that Alabama students have the capability to compete with top students from around the world. In order to engage students' interest in reading, he created and co- founded the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI). The ARI has since become a national model and has helped the National Assessment of Educational Process in 2007 achieve the largest gains recorded in Grade 4 Reading. In 2010, AMSTI was recognized by the Center for Excellence in Education as the model of laboratory education in the United States. Other educational programs he helped create and co-found were the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) and the Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide (ACCESS). At the request of Governor Riley, Dr. Morton also chaired the Seat Belt Study Commission after a tragic 2006 school bus accident in Huntsville. The Commission's research into school bus safety and seatbelts is considered to be the most extensive in the country. In 2009, he also launched First Choice, a plan to combat high school dropout rates by doubling the number of graduates. First Choice has already helped deliver a greater number of well prepared high school graduates. As a result of Dr. Joe Morton's achievements in education, Alabama had the fourth largest increase in the number of students who graduated from high school in the Nation. His achievements also paved the way for Alabama to lead the Nation in student enrollment gains and Advanced Placement exam scores. Above all, under Dr. Morton's leadership as Alabama's Superintendent of Education, the State has achieved its greatest overall educational rating in its history. On behalf of the people of Alabama--especially the thousands of school children who will reap a lifetime of rewards because of his leadership--I wish to extend congratulations to Dr. Joe Morton for a job well done and for his many contributions to better the education and the futures of many Alabamians. My colleagues in the Alabama delegation join me in wishing him and his family the very best as they start a new chapter in their lives.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise with sadness to note the recent passing of Mr. Fred Helmsing, a prominent Mobilian and a distinguished south Alabama attorney who was much respected in our community. Mr. Helmsing passed away on July 9 at the age of 70. A native of Mobile, Fred was a graduate of McGill Institute, Spring Hill College, the University of Alabama School of Law, and New York University. Upon completion of his education, he returned home to Mobile where he embarked upon a long and respected career as an attorney. Over more than four decades in the legal profession, Mr. Helmsing rose to become the senior partner of one of Mobile's leading law firms, Helmsing, Leach, Herlong, Newman and Rouse. He was also active in many local civic and charitable organizations. A noted jurist who specialized in complex civil and white-collar criminal litigation, Mr. Helmsing was a member of the Alabama Bar Association, the Florida Bar Association, the Mobile County Bar Association, the Litigation and Taxation Sections of the American Bar Association, and the Farrah Law Society. He was also a fellow in the America College of Trial Lawyers and the Alabama Law Foundation. Known to his family and close friends as ``Big Fred,'' Mr. Helmsing took great pleasure in the outdoors and conveyed his love of nature to others. He held a livelong passion for travel and hunting and fishing and was fond of fly-fishing in the American West and shooting pheasants in England. He also spent much time at his hunting lodge in Monroe County, Alabama. Mr. Speaker, Mobile's legal community and, indeed, all of south Alabama lost a dear friend with Fred Helmsing's passing. I wish to extend my deepest condolences to his lovely wife of 42 years, Susan; their sons, Frederick and Guy; their daughter, Margaret; his mother, Gertrude; and his two brothers, sister and five grandchildren, as well as a long list of close friends. You are all in our thoughts and prayers as, together, we honor the legacy of a truly good man and great friend.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of a truly wonderful man, Mr. Joseph B. (Joe) Salter, a longtime resident of Albany, Georgia, who passed away this spring after a series of serious health setbacks. Mr. Salter was 82 years old at the time of his passing. A native of Arlington, Georgia, Joe Salter graduated from Arlington High School in 1945 and served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. A few years later, in 1952, he graduated from Emory University and went on to spend most of his adult life as a well- respected, successful realtor in the Albany area where he was also an active member of a number of different civic groups such as the Albany Golden K Kiwanis Club, the Albany Jaycees and the Albany Chamber of Commerce. In work and at home, Joe Salter was first and foremost a man who loved his family, his country and his God and not necessarily in that order. In practically everything he undertook, Mr. Salter sought to expand personal freedom and individual liberties. He was a frequent author of columns and op-ed pieces in the local newspapers of Georgia and through his diverse list of contacts around the country, Mr. Salter soon became known for his heartfelt concerns about the direction of our beloved country. While Joe Salter was the epitome of a southern gentleman, always courteous to one and all, he was also a textbook example of an active and engaged citizen. Many a mayor, congressman, senator and governor knew when Joe Salter was concerned about a matter, especially the role of limited government. As a husband, father and grandfather, Joe Salter loved his family and worked tirelessly to leave behind a better community, state and country for them to inherit. In addition to being a dedicated family man, Mr. Salter was also a real patriot who loved the men and women of our nation's military as well as our veterans who, like Mr. Salter, had made a lifetime of sacrifices for a better America. Mr. Speaker, Joe B. Salter was not only a true friend to all who knew him but he was an inspiration to young and old alike and at this time, I would ask the House to join me in extending our deepest sympathies to his widow, Betty Ann, as well as their daughter, Florrie, her husband, Tracy, their son, John, as well as their three grandchildren, Raleigh Elizabeth, Callie Grace and Benjamin Avert.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, it is with heartfelt sadness that I rise to note the recent passing of a much-beloved member of the south Alabama community, Mr. Robert A. ``Bobby'' Guthans, who passed away at the age of 82 on June 5, 2011, after an extended illness. At the time of his death, Bobby was one of Mobile's most revered business and civic leaders. More importantly, he was the epitome of a family man and the dictionary definition of a true ``Southern Gentleman.'' A native of Mobile, Bobby graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1951 with a degree in Chemistry. He was commissioned as an Army officer and spent the next two years fighting for his country in the Korean conflict. Bobby later served on the board of VMI, as well as on the board of Spring Hill College in Mobile. In 1971, he became president of B-R Dredging Company, a worldwide dredging operation. Two years later, he was named president of Midstream Fuel Service, Inc., Petroleum Energy Products Company and Tenn-Tom Towing Company--a position he held until his retirement in 1999. Not only was Bobby Guthans an active supporter of Southeastern inland waterways but he was recognized around the country as one of its great leaders. Among his many roles, Bobby served as Chairman of the Board of American Waterways Operators; Chairman of the Southern Region of the AWO; Director of the Executive Committee of the Warrior-Tombigbee Development Association; Director of the World Dredging Association; and as a member of the National Waterways Conference. Even with such an extensive business and volunteer portfolio, Bobby also made it a priority to find the time to serve as Chairman of the Board of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce; as a member of the Mobile Economic Development Council; the Mobile Industrial Development Board; Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama; the Geological Survey of Alabama; and the Navy League of Mobile. In 1999, the U.S. Coast Guard bestowed upon Bobby one of its highest honors, the Meritorious Public Service Commendation. In addition, he received the Alfred F. Delchamps, Jr. Award and the National Rivers Hall of Fame Achievement Award. In 1990, the Propeller Club named him Maritime Man of the Year. While many would have been more than satisfied resting upon this exemplary record of accomplishment, Bobby Guthans--along with his loving wife, Barbara Ann--believed that real fulfillment in life came about by helping others. As a result, Bobby and Barbara Ann's generosity of spirit and goodness to one and all made them one of Mobile's most beloved couples. On a personal note, Mr. Speaker, I will always cherish the time I spent with Bobby--learning from him and watching as he used his wealth of contacts and his heart of gold to open doors and help others chase their own personal dreams. Not only was he generous with his time and talents, but Bobby was also a genuine and gentle man, someone Mobile will sorely miss. During this time of loss for his family and friends, I wish to extend my own condolences to his loving wife of more than 50 years, Barbara Ann, their two wonderful children, Robert A. Guthans, Jr. and Jean Guthans Wilkins; and their five grandchildren, C. Richard Wilkins, Jr., Christopher Wilkins, Michael Wilkins, Robert A. Guthans, III, and Taylor Lynn Guthans. You are all in our thoughts and prayers as you celebrate the life of a man we all loved and respected.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor an Alabamian who for more than four decades has stood watch over our communities and our homes, keeping us safe and risking his own life to protect many who were at the mercy of a fire, an accident or an unforeseen force of nature. On August 1, 2011, after forty-plus years on the job, Orange Beach Fire Chief Forney Howard will officially retire from public service. Chief Howard began his career in 1970 when he joined the City of Birmingham Fire Department. During his tenure in Alabama's largest city, Forney served in the Birmingham Fire Training Division for five years as Captain and as Chief of Training. During this period, over 500 firefighter recruits were trained and graduated from the Training Bureau. He had the privilege of being part of the first Paramedic Class in the State of Alabama during the summer of 1973. Chief Howard also served on the Birmingham's first Hazmat Unit. At his retirement from the Birmingham Fire Department, Chief Howard was Battalion Chief for the eastern district of that city. In April 2004, Forney Howard was appointed interim Fire Chief for the City of Orange Beach, and the following month the Mayor and City Council made the appointment permanent. His experience and abilities were put to the test early in his tenure when Hurricane Ivan made a direct hit on the Gulf Coast in September of that same year. Under his tenure with the City of Orange Beach, Chief Howard has lead the Fire Department and their Emergency Management services through several tropical occurrences, fires and the 2010 BP oil spill. Less than two months prior to his retirement, Chief Howard directed the Orange Beach Fire and Rescue response effort that successfully battled a significant wildfire at Gulf State Park. In 2003, Chief Howard was recognized as Firefighter of the Year in Orange Beach, Emergency Technician of the Year for Birmingham in 1975, and has been a past member and past President of the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs. Chief Howard served on the Board of Trustees for South Baldwin Medical Center and is currently on the Board of Trustees for Columbia Southern University, where he also obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science. A fighter who not only saved lives but is also a cancer survivor himself, Chief Howard recently told the Baldwin Register newspaper that he always enjoyed his work. ``People's worst days are our best days. That's when we get to do something and help people. We don't want anybody's house to burn, but we know what to do. We don't want anybody to get sick and have chest pains, but we know how to help you.'' On behalf of the people of South Alabama, I wish to extend heartfelt congratulations to Chief Howard for a job well done. As he prepares to pass the reins of leadership, I wish all the best to him, his lovely wife of 45 years, Joyce, and their two children and five grandchildren.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a distinguished citizen of South Alabama for his exemplary service to our region and his community. I am pleased to note that Phil Johnson was recently named Atmore, Alabama's 2010 Citizen of the Year. If a leader is someone who is willing to give of himself in order to benefit society, then Phil Johnson certainly fits the definition of a leader. His stamp on Atmore and surrounding Escambia County is his legacy of developing local arts programs and inspiring a passion for the arts among our young people. Ten years ago, Mr. Johnson played a leading role in founding the Greater Escambia Council for the Arts (GECA) and has been instrumental in raising awareness for the arts throughout his community. Mr. Johnson has also performed in, directed, and produced an exceptional number of performances, and helped secure a theater in downtown Atmore. Thanks to Mr. Johnson's vision and dedication, the residents of Atmore and Escambia County have enormous opportunities in the arts. From actors to playgoers to the young people who have become involved in the arts for the first time, many have benefited from Mr. Johnson's work and achievements. Mr. Speaker, as you know, the arts serve a vital role in our communities, and they can have an especially large impact in small towns like Atmore. I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Mr. Johnson for his remarkable service, and to join the people of Atmore in recognizing the great difference he has made in that community.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an outstanding citizen of South Alabama who has dedicated his life to the service of his community and his fellow man. I am proud to inform this House that John Garrard of Atmore, Alabama, was recently honored with the Atmore Chamber of Commerce's Lifetime Achievement Award. A resident of Atmore for over 60 years, Mr. Garrard has a long and distinguished record of public service. A World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy, Mr. Garrard graduated from Millsaps College with a degree in economics and business administration and a minor in secondary education. He soon put his education to good use back in his community. He began his career as a teacher at Escambia County High School. Afterwards, he joined the First National Bank of Atmore, where he rose to the position of president and where he continues to serve on the board of directors. Mr. Garrard has also served on the Atmore Public Library Board for 48 years, was a member of the Atmore Rotary Club for 30 years, and was a part of Fountain Prison Ministry for 15 years. Mr. Garrard was also named Atmore's Citizen of the Year in 1981. Today, even in retirement, Mr. Garrard continues to serve his community as a member of the Atmore City Council. The extent of Mr. Garrard's commitments is considerable. It is because of the work of people like John Garrard that small towns throughout south Alabama, and around the country, are able to thrive and maintain a vibrant sense of community. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Escambia County and South Alabama, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Mr. John Garrard for his service, and applauding the example of civic engagement that he has set. His presence is surely felt throughout his community which has benefitted from his many contributions of time and talent. Through his life of service and dedication, he has definitely earned this award, and I am proud to join his many friends and family in saluting him for this most deserving honor.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, I am saddened to inform the House that Alabama has lost one of its great writers and favorite citizens. Just a few days ago, our beloved Southern storyteller and gifted author, Kathryn Tucker Windham, passed away after a year-long illness at the age of 93. Life is a patchwork of trials, triumphs, joys, and sorrows, sown together through generations of experience. When it comes to colorfully interpreting the past, no one could artfully stitch the stories of our state and the Deep South like Kathryn Tucker Windham. Born in Selma in 1918 and raised in Thomasville, Kathryn Tucker Windham began her writing career early in life, penning movie reviews at the age of 12 for the Thomasville Times. A graduate of Huntington College, she took her first full-time reporting job in 1940, covering the police beat for the Alabama Journal in Montgomery--the first female reporter to earn that assignment for the paper. She soon gained a reputation in the Capital City as a solid reporter. By 1944, she was hired at the state's largest newspaper--The Birmingham News--where she met her husband to be, Amasa Benjamin Windham. After the death of her husband in 1956, Kathryn Tucker Windham began writing columns for the Selma Times Journal where she also gained attention as a skilled photographer. It wasn't until 1969, when she wrote 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey, that she began her more famous career as a prolific author and storyteller. From 1967 to 2009, she authored over 30 books on subjects ranging from southern cooking to legends of the supernatural. Her well-known ``Jeffrey'' series of true ghost stories went on to include tales from Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and other Southern states. My personal favorite is her charming 1975 book, Alabama: One Big Front Porch. While her writing helped establish her bona fides as a storyteller, she did not stop with print. She established the Alabama Tale Tellin' Festival in Selma and was a sought-after speaker at storytelling festivals and gatherings across the country. Her Southern charm also captured the attention of National Public Radio's All Things Considered, which featured her as a regular Southern storyteller. She also took to the stage as the star of a one-woman play she authored, They Call Me Julia, based on the life of another famous Alabamian, Julia S. Tutwiler. In 2003, Kathryn Tucker Windham was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor at the recommendation of her friend, fellow Alabama author, Nelle Harper Lee. Today, Alabama Southern Community College in Thomasville houses the Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum. Mr. Speaker, we mourn the loss of Kathryn Tucker Windham, and we will always be grateful for her devotion to telling the most beautiful and entertaining stories about Alabama and the South. There was only one Kathryn Tucker Windham and we will surely miss her greatly. The thoughts and prayers of our entire state are with her family at this difficult time.

Mr. BONNER

Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to acknowledge the loss of Wayne Greenhaw, a dedicated Alabama journalist and one of the finest writers to hail from our state. He passed away May 31, 2011, at the age of 71. A native of Sheffield and a graduate of the University of Alabama, Wayne Greenhaw was the author of 22 books, many of which were influenced by his southern upbringing and the historical events that shaped his early career as a reporter. His foray into journalism began in 1958 as a part-time sports reporter for the Tuscaloosa News, followed by a full time job with the Alabama Journal in Montgomery. During his reporting days, he chronicled the segregationist movement of the 1960's and frequently profiled state and national politics, which later led to stints as a stringer for the New York Times and Time magazine, among others. In 1976, Wayne Greenhaw briefly left journalism for politics, serving as Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign press secretary for Alabama. Nearly two decades later, he entered public service as the Director of the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel from 1993 to 1994. In 1995, President Bill Clinton appointed him as a representative to the White House Conference on Travel and Tourism. He was also awarded Travel Writer of the Year in 1995 by the Southeast Tourism Society. Above all things, Wayne was a truly decent man who had a moral compass and not only knew the difference between right and wrong, but was willing to express it in a powerful way. As one of our best writers--and we've produced some mighty talented men and women from Alabama in this field--Wayne was not limited to any one medium. From fiction to nonfiction, books to poetry, beat reporting to plays, Wayne Greenhaw put his stamp on Alabama literature like few others. His many books include King of Country, Ghosts On the Road: Poems of Alabama, Mexico and Beyond, The Thunder of Angels, The Spider's Web, Montgomery, The Long Journey, Beyond the Night, Alabama: A State of Mind, Tombigbee, Elephants in the Cottonfields, The Golfer and Watch out for George Wallace. He also authored two plays, Rose: A Southern lady, and The Spirit Tree. Given his prolific talents, it is, therefore, not surprising that he was the recipient of the 2005 Clarence Carson Award for nonfiction and the 2006 Harper Lee Award for Distinguished Writing. His most recent book, Fighting the Devil in Dixie, about civil rights activists confronting the Ku Klux Klan from the late 1950's to the mid 1980's, is considered ``the culmination of his career.'' Mr. Speaker, Wayne Greenhaw has been described by his peers as ``a storyteller'' and ``a part of our State's history.'' Wayne's works always reflected his affection and passion for the history of our state. It is hard to imagine where our state would be without the historical and cultural contributions of this great writer. On behalf of the people of Alabama, I would like to extend my condolences to Wayne's wonderful wife, Sally, and their family and many friends during this time of personal loss. Wayne's love for Alabama and our people will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace.