Michael Burgess

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, we are going to vote this week on an energy bill in the House. Energy independence should be a goal for this Congress. Worldwide demand for petroleum has increased during the last decade. The growth in production has been relatively flat. The inevitable result is higher prices at the gasoline pump. The reality is that it takes time to go from the oil patch to the gas station, and we have lost considerable time in that regard. In 1995, in the 104th Congress, H.R. 2491 would have allowed oil exploration in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. The Department of Energy has estimated that between 1- and 1.3 million barrels of oil a day could be derived from this source. Unfortunately, this legislation was vetoed by then-President Clinton. That was 10 years ago, and given a timeline of 7 to 14 years for building the pipeline structure, it is time that we could scarcely afford. Mr. Speaker, I have been to ANWR. The vast coastal plain is unsuitable for habitation during the summer months because of its marshy consistency. Any caribou unlikely enough to calve in this region would likely die from exsanguination at the hands of the mosquitoes there. The people in ANWR, the people of Kaktovik, Alaska, are counting on this Congress to do the right thing and allow them, the rightful owners, to begin developing the resources as was granted them upon statehood in 1959. As we say in Texas, ``time's a'wasting.''

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I received an announcement this morning from the Department of the Army. It is a casualty announcement that unfortunately we all receive from time to time, and it says: ``The United States Army announces the loss of Private Aaron M. Hudson, 20, of Highland Village, Texas, who died on April 16, 2005 in Taji, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. According to initial reports, Private Hudson died from injuries sustained on April 15, 2005, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol. Private Hudson was assigned to the 401st Military Police Company, the 720th Military Police Battalion out of Fort Hood, Texas. Private Hudson's family resides in Highland Village, Texas. The Army extends heartfelt sympathy and condolences to his family who have suffered this loss.'' Well, Mr. Speaker, I thought I should do something to perhaps fill in a little bit more about the life of Private Hudson; and although I did not know Private Hudson, we did reside in the same city for a while. Private Hudson was a 2002 graduate of Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas. He joined the Army a year ago and left for Iraq in January, and he was serving at the 401st Military Police Company. Mr. Speaker, the majority of the information that I am going to tell the House tonight came from a newspaper article in the Dallas Morning News from Monday, April 18, 2005; and I will insert that into the Record at the conclusion of my remarks. Private Hudson was traveling in a convoy between Baghdad and Camp Taji on Friday performing a routine patrol delivering mail, Mr. Hudson, his father, said. He was the gunner in his military police team and was charged with security at the rear of the convoy when a roadside bomb exploded. A large piece of shrapnel shot through his body armor and struck him in the chest. Private Hudson was born May 17, 1984, in Dallas. He played baseball, soccer, and basketball growing up; but his main high school sport was golf. Mr. Speaker, I received a phone call from a Highland Village policeman, Chuck Barr, who was a next-door neighbor of Private Hudson. Chuck being a policeman, you might imagine is somewhat circumspect about young men as they grow up. But he had no such reservations about Aaron Hudson. He told me that he trusted Aaron completely. He and his wife, Dawn, frequently used Aaron as a baby-sitter for their young children. And the photograph provided to me by Chuck Barr, the policeman in Highland Village, shows him and Mr. Barr's son sitting at their home in Highland Village. Officer Barr related that Aaron had fun, but he never got into trouble. He said he and his wife, Dawn, used to always know when Aaron arrived home at night because his truck was a little bit loud as it pulled into the driveway next door. Mr. Speaker, I cannot even imagine the pain that Mark Hudson and Angela Hudson, Aaron's parents, are going through this evening and this week. I called Mark Hudson today, and even though he was suffering enormously, he did take the time to talk to me a little bit about his son and his son's life. I told him that I would be speaking on the floor of the House tonight about his son. And he said, I want you to tell the other Members of Congress that his son, Aaron, was proud to be a soldier. He said, As a father, I could not ask for more than for my child to go and help people halfway across the world, people he had never met before, to go and help them, and to give his life in trying to extricate them from tyranny. Mr. Hudson wanted this body to know how much he supported the other young men and women over in Iraq this evening, how much he supported them in their effort to provide freedom for the Iraqi people. Mr. Hudson told me that Aaron loved to be called a soldier. Mr. Hudson reminded me that tonight in the Hudson household the casualty rate is at 100 percent, but still he wanted me to convey that he and his family harbored no ill will against the Iraqi people. It was clear in Mr. Hudson's mind his son had been murdered by criminals, by a criminal element in the country of Iraq and not the Iraqi people that his son had gone to help. Mr. Hudson also asked me to say a special note of thanks to a gentleman, and unfortunately Mr. Hudson did not know this gentleman's first name or his rank, but he was with Aaron in the 401st Military Police Division. The man's name is Robertson. He went through basic training with Aaron and they deployed together in Iraq, and it was Robertson who got young Aaron onto the medivac helicopter, and probably it was Mr. Robertson who heard Aaron's last words. Mr. Hudson said that the letters he got back from his son were always upbeat. He never complained about things like the food. He never complained about his life in Iraq. He loved the camaraderie and the structure of being around his fellow soldiers. Mr. Hudson said in the newspaper article, Let's face it, he would rather have been home, but he knew why he was there and he knew his being there was important. Well, Mark Hudson, Angela Hudson, I want you to know that just as we heard the gentlewoman from Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, say when she was speaking of her stepson that was going to be deployed, on behalf of a grateful Nation, we say, ``Thank you.'' As Aaron comes home this week, I again would say, Thank you. [From the Dallas Morning News, April 18, 2005] Highland Village Soldier Killed (By Christy A. Robinson) An Army private from Highland Village died in Iraq on Saturday, a day after he was struck by shrapnel from a roadside bomb. Pvt. Aaron Hudson, 20, was a 2002 graduate of Marcus High School in Flower Mound. He had joined the Army almost a year ago and left for Iraq in January. He was serving with the 401st Military Police Company. ``He liked being called a soldier,'' said his father, Mark Hudson. ``My son died doing what he wanted to do. As a father, you can ask no more for your children than to willingly help other people.'' Pvt. Hudson was traveling in a convoy between Baghdad and Camp Taji on Friday, performing a routine patrol and delivering mail, Mr. Hudson said. He was the gunner in his military police team and was charged with security at the rear of the convoy when a roadside bomb exploded. A large piece of shrapnel shot through his body armor and struck him in the chest. ``We knew in the back of our mind that this could happen,'' Mr. Hudson said. ``The people of Iraq, did not kill my son . . . the criminal element in Iraq killed my son. He was there to help the Iraqi people.'' Pvt. Hudson was born May 17, 1984, in Dallas. He played select-level baseball, soccer and basketball growing up, but his main high school sport was golf. He always felt at ease around people of any age, especially around his grandfather's golfing buddies. ``He loved to play golf with those men. Those men loved him, too,'' Mr. Hudson said. Pvt. Hudson conducted extensive research into which branch of the military he would join, his father said, before settling on being a military police officer in the Army. ``The thing that makes it odd is we aren't a military family,'' Mr. Hudson said. ``He sent us a letter the fourth week into basic [training]. Basic training is supposed to be tough. And he said, `Man, Dad. This is fun.' I knew then he made the right decision.'' Pvt. Hudson spoke to his family by telephone two or three times a week. The last time that he spoke with his parents was the Tuesday before he was killed to wish them a happy 25th wedding anniversary. Pvt. Hudson's phone calls and letters were never negative, his father said. ``The food was never terrible, the conditions were never terrible,'' he said. ``You would think the letters would start off with, `This sucks.' But they were never like that. It's made this a whole lot easier.'' Mr. Hudson said his son's best friends were fellow soldiers. ``He loved the camaraderie and the structure,'' Mr. Hudson said. ``Let's face it, he'd rather been home. But he knew why he was there, and he knew him being there was important.'' Pvt. Hudson's body was expected to arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware early this morning. His body will be returned to North Texas by the end of the week, Mr. Hudson said. Funeral arrangements are pending. Pvt. Hudson's battalion in Iraq will hold a memorial service for him Wednesday. In addition to his father, Pvt. Hudson is survived by his mother, Annette Hudson of Highland Village; a sister, Lezlie Hudson of Dallas; grandparents David and Fredrika Hudson of Mount Pleasant, Texas; and great-grandparents Ed and Loise Huddleston of Lewisville.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to read into the Congressional Record, a tribute to my father, Dr. Tim Burgess, from his close associate and friend, Arvin Short. Intelligent, competent, compassionate, loving, wise, fatherly, nurturing, clever, witty, emotionally kind and concerned. Harry Meredith Burgess was all of these and more. He was one of the finest people I have ever known and he was literally the best doctor I have ever met. I came to Denton in 1974 full of vinegar. After meeting and spending 10 minutes with Tim, I knew, without a doubt, that I wanted and had to work with this man. And at that very moment, although I had been to medical school for 4 years and spent 5 years in surgical residency, I began my training as a doctor. Tim Burgess did not demand, command, plead or suggest. He taught by example, quietly and competently. He, more than any other person in the field of medicine, made me a physician. Tim is, and always will be, the shining light of the medical profession.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the North Ridge Middle School Band of North Richland Hills, located in the 26th Congressional District of Texas, on winning the 2004 ``Sudler Silver Cup.'' This award was given by the John Philip Sousa Foundation to only two middle school bands in Canada and the United States in order to promote better international understanding. The John Philip Sousa Foundation is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the promotion of international understanding through the medium of band music. Through the administration of band related projects, the foundation seeks to uphold the standards and ideals of that icon of the American spirit, John Philip Sousa. The North Ridge Middle School Band won this prestigious honor for demonstrating excellence at the international level under the leadership of director Cynthia Lansford. Not only do bands competing for this award have to show superiority in their musical skills but they must also do so under the same director for a period of several years. I am proud of this fine band from North Richland Hills Middle School, and I applaud the students, band director and parents who made this achievement possible. I am honored to represent you in Congress.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, It is my great honor to recognize the outstanding achievements of the Keller High School Academic Decathlon team from Keller, Texas located in the 26th Congressional District of Texas. Keller High School won the state level Academic Decathlon competition out of a field of 40 teams. The Keller High School HS team brought home 22 team medals and 28 individual event medals from the large school division. In addition, Keller senior Xiaochu ``Chu'' Song earned the highest overall score at the competition. Having won the Texas State Academic Decathlon, team members Alex Dang-Tran, Tyler Gibson, Van Hoang, Jeff Marthers, Spencer Scherer, Brandon Simmons, Chu Song, Jennifer Swegler and Joey Wilkinson will represent the State of Texas at the National Academic Decathlon in Chicago. The team has been strongly competitive for the past 10 years, but this is the first time in its 20 years of existence that the Keller High School Academic Decathlon team has advanced to the national arena. These bright young students are coached by Vicki Whitaker and Kaye Blevins. I wish them the best of luck at they compete April 14-16 at the national level. I am proud to represent such gifted students and dedicated teachers.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the City of Denton, under the leadership of Mayor Euline Brock, for its commitment to renewable energy. The City of Denton has teamed up with Biodiesel Industries, Inc., to construct the world's first renewable biodiesel facility. This facility opened at the City of Denton Landfill on March 29, 2005. Biodiesel is a nontoxic, biodegradable alternative to petroleum diesel that substantially reduces air pollution. The Denton facility demonstrates a further commitment to clean energy by powering the facility by renewable biogas extracted from the adjacent City of Denton Landfill. The facility's expected initial production capacity will be approximately three million gallons of pure biodiesel per year. The fuel will be used by the City of Denton's entire diesel fleet and will also be sold through regional distribution channels to promote private participation. The City of Denton's use of a biodiesel fuel mix is expected to reduce emissions by twelve tons per year. The opening of this facility demonstrates Denton's dedication to cleaning up the air we breathe-- this is especially important in the North Texas region as we work to comply with Clean Air Act requirements. Additionally, this opening shows Denton's commitment to reducing air pollution, foreign oil dependency and generating local economic development. As a nation, we need to look for affordable renewable fuel sources for our future. The City of Denton has shown how partnerships between local governments and private firms can help to protect the environment in an economical feasible way. I would like to applaud the City of Denton for their leadership on this issue.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Erin Robnett, an eighth grader at Crownover Middle School of Cornith, located in the 26th Congressional District of Texas, for being one of the three winners of the Texas Values Arts Competition. This is truly an outstanding accomplishment for Erin. More than 250 students from Plano, Denton, Lewisville and surrounding communities entered the contest. Over Time is the name of Erin's piece which represents changes that have occurred during Texas' history. With Erin's win, she received a savings bond from Huffines Auto Dealerships. Erin's piece had the pecan tree, mocking bird and the bluebonnet. It also features the Alamo and a soldier standing where the head piece would be. The head piece is half complete representing Texas' past and present. Erin Robnett's talents are not only a testament to her artistic skill but also a stellar example of how parents and teachers efforts are rewarded when combining a core curriculum with study in the arts. I am proud of the education system in Texas, especially our students, and involved parents and teachers at Crownover Middle School, who commit their lives and time to fostering growth of our communities. And I wanted to extend a special thank you to Huffines Automotive for their generous contribution to these aspiring students.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, just like the gentlewoman from Texas, I returned from my district late last night. On the plane ride up here, I could not help but reflect on how grateful I am to my constituents for allowing me the opportunity to serve here in Congress; and, Mr. Speaker, I also reflected on the fact that I was grateful for the leadership we have in this House. I am grateful for the leadership we have in the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), our majority leader. The majority leader has his critics. None of us are without fault, but recently it seems we cannot pick up a paper without some half-truth or conjecture being put out there as fact. I guess the game plan is to heck with facts, just keep repeating it and eventually it will receive believability. Mr. Speaker, our majority leader is a target because he is so effective. They cannot beat him in the arena of public debate. Their policies do not sell in the marketplace of ideas. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to look back at 10 years of electoral defeats on the other side to prove the point. Well, if they cannot outwork him and outthink him, if people are not buying what they are selling, then the game plan apparently is to tarnish our majority leader, and maybe then they can change the equation. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for our majority leader, and I am grateful to be working with him. This rank-and-file Member will stand with him. I would rather be working with our leader than running with the pack.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Captain Butch Flanagan of the Lewisville Fire Department, located in the 26th Congressional District of Texas, for his long career serving the public. Captain Flanagan, who has spent the last 34 years with the Lewisville Fire Department, will retire April 5, 2005. He has been the city's longest current employee and was named ``Firefighter of the County'' in 2004 by the ``Heroes of Denton County.'' Captain Flanagan worked his way up through the ranks and has been highly dedicated throughout his career. He once said, ``I can't ever see myself doing anything different.'' Captain Flanagan was born and raised in Lewisville, graduated from Lewisville High School, and now lives in Graham. He was one of the first full-time Lewisville firefighters and rose through the ranks to become captain. Captain Flanagan has been described as role model in the department and at home. Both his peers and superiors think of Captain Flanagan as a mentor. One Lewisville fire chief said ``He'll getcha outta trouble in a hurry'' and ``you know no one's going to get hurt'' when Captain Flanagan is in charge. The Chief also said that the Lewisville Fire Department ``was blessed'' to have such a man serve with them. I am proud to represent Captain Butch Flanagan and the Lewisville Fire Department. Captain Flanagan has committed his life and time to protect and serve our community at any time, anywhere.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give remembrance to Specialist Francisco G. Martinez, from the 26th Congressional District of Texas, for serving our country during Iraqi Freedom. Spec. Martinez suffered a fatal wound to the hip when his unit made contact with small arms fire from the insurgents. Spec. Martinez was assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Hovey, Korea. He was 20 years old. I would like to recognize and celebrate Spec. Martinez's life today. SPC Martinez grew up with a military background. His father, Francisco Thomas Martinez, served in the United States military from 1981-1991. SPC Martinez swore off the military in high school believing he had enough during his up bringing, but his father later explained to SPC Martinez how the military could help him through college and reach his dream of becoming a graphics designer. Although SPC Martinez did not always agree with political philosophies surrounding Iraqi Freedom, he did believe that what he and his fellow soldiers were doing in Iraq was the right thing to do. SPC Martinez worked to keep in touch with his father as much as possible while stationed in Korea. Even though the e-mails became more sporadic after leaving for Iraq, SPC Martinez's father said that his son was clear on his sense of duty, wanted to protect his fellow soldiers and help rebuild Iraq. It was my honor to represent Specialist Francisco G. Martinez. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed and his service was greatly appreciated.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Flower Mound High School, located in the 26th Congressional District of Texas, for its recognition on the Gold List of Grammy Signature Schools. I congratulate Flower Mound High School's performing arts department, under the leadership of Danna Rothlisberger, Lewisville ISD director of performing arts, and Mark Rohwer, chair of the performing arts department, for their outstanding achievement. Flower Mound High School was only one of seven schools in the nation promoted to the Gold List from their original recognition as a Grammy Signature School. Flower Mound High School received $7,000 cash reward for its performing arts department as part of their promotion. Mr. Rohwer has promised to spend a portion of the money to hiring composers to write specific pieces for the band, orchestra and choir, and to buy new equipment. Flower Mound High School's performing arts department is a stellar example from which Texas schools should model their performing arts departments. Their commitment to educating students through the arts is to be admired and replicated. I am proud of the education system in Texas; especially our involved parents and teachers at Flower Mound High School who commit their lives and time to fostering growth in their students.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Deputy Greg Taylor and Investigator Shane Norie of the Cooke County Sheriffs Office, located in the 26th Congressional District of Texas, for their recognition from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of the United States Attorney's Office in Sherman. Deputy Greg Taylor and Investigator Shane Norie have been involved in numerous drug busts. Year after year they have been responsible for collecting information that would lead to keeping drugs out of our communities and schools. Now, Investigator Norie has been selected to go to the DEA School located in Virginia. Sheriff Mike Compton of the Cooke County Sheriffs Office says that officers like Taylor and Norie have made an impact on the war against drugs. Compton also praises the whole department's efforts to keep drugs off the streets and continuing to build and foster a strong relationship with the DEA. I am proud of Cooke County Sheriffs Office and leaders like Deputy Greg Taylor and Investigator Shane Norie who help keep our community safe and clean. Thanks to those who commit their lives and time to protect and serve our community at any time, any where. Through their efforts, we can all lead better lives.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Sandy Allmon Anderson, from Lewisville, located in the 26th Congressional District of Texas, for her contributions of women in the aviation field. I congratulate Sandy Anderson for this outstanding achievement. Anderson helped pave the way for women in aviation. She was the first female pilot to check-out in the left seat and the captain's seat, of both the Boeing 727 and 747, first Northwest Airlines Boeing 727 female instructor and check airman, first female Fleet Check Captain among the major U.S. airlines, and the first and only female chief pilot that Northwest Airlines has ever had. Ms. Anderson is the senior female on every flight she takes and one of five females on the Boeing 747-400. She was the second female hired to Northwest Airlines some twenty-two years ago. As a fellow pilot, I recognize the dedication and continual commitment to education that flying demands. Ms. Anderson was inducted into the Lewisville High School Hall of Fame in 2001 and honored as a Distinguished Alumni at Texas Woman's University in 1996. Sandy Anderson established and managed the first endowment fund as a founding board member representing the airline aviation industry for international organization. In the first seven years of the fund's existence, it has distributed more than $3 million in aviation scholarships. Today, Anderson speaks at conferences and schools to spread the message of reaching for your dreams. She has an especially close connection with the young girls who have dreams of being in traditionally male occupations. Anderson believes that these girls need support along the way if they too are to accomplish their dreams. I am proud of representing such a heroine. Sandy Anderson is an astonishing example of a determined person who would not settle and made her dreams a reality against the odds. She is a role model not only to women but also for everyone who has obstacles to overcome in reaching their goals.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give tribute to Dr. James O. McBride, from Fort Worth in the 26th Congressional District of Texas, for his lifelong contributions to his community and to medicine. Dr. McBride started the first open-heart surgery program in Fort Worth. Dr. Brooks died on March 11th at the age of 86. I would like to recognize and celebrate Dr. McBride's life today. Dr. McBride was a third generation Fort Worth resident. Dr. McBride graduated from Central High School before going on to college at Texas Christian University. He then went to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and received his PhD in 1942. When Dr. McBride finished his internship in Fort Worth, he went on active duty with the Navy as a surgeon in the Pacific Theater. There, he earned a Navy Unit Citation and nine battle stars. Upon completion of his active duty in 1946, Dr. McBride completed medical residencies at Bellevue Hospital and Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York. In 1951, Dr. McBride moved back to Fort Worth where he set up a thoracic surgery practice. He was known for visiting with patients' families after performing an operation, which was virtually unheard of then. While at Saint Joseph Hospital, Dr. McBride began the first open-heart surgery program in Fort Worth. He was later promoted to chief of surgery at Saint Joseph Hospital. Dr. McBride was also the chief of thoracic surgery at John Peter Smith Hospital. Dr. McBride was very active in several philanthropic organizations and served on the board or as a chairman for the Fort Worth Chapter of the American Lung Association, YMCA's Camp Carter, Joseph White Foundation, Carter Blood Center, and Country Day School and Union Bank. Dr. McBride's community realized his great services in 1989 when he was presented with the Gold-Headed Cane Award by Tarrant County Medical Society. Only a doctor who has been a society member for 20 or more years can receive the award. I respected him as a fellow doctor and was honored to represent him here in Congress. I extend my sympathies to his family and friends. Dr. McBride was described by one of his sons as a ``source of guidance for whoever sought his counsel.'' Such a man can never be replaced and will be dearly missed.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Tom Harpool, from Denton, Texas, in the heart of the 26th Congressional District of Texas, for his dedicated service to the community. Tom Harpool makes helping his community a high priority in his life. He has spent so much of his time dedicated to assisting others in throughout the community. From education to banking, Tom Harpool has made a difference in our lives. In 1954, Mr. Harpool began the first of six terms on the Denton Independent School District Board of Trustees serving as its board president from 1969 until 1973. Mr. Harpool has also been a part of the United Way of Denton County, Boy Scouts of America, 4-H Club and Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church for years. In addition, Mr. Harpool has served on the boards of a local bank and savings & loan before becoming a board member of the Upper Trinity River Authority. In his own, Mr. Harpool has become a ``Master Gardener'' and enjoys sharing this hobby with the community through a gardening organization. He has been an active member of the Kiwanis Club for over 50 years and dutifully served on their board. Mr. Harpool has even dabbled in politics by being an active supporter of many candidates in both local and national races. I am proud to represent Tom Harpool--a man who has given so much back to his community. Mr. Harpool's advice, council and support to the community, whether directly or indirectly, over the years, are certainly something for which to be thankful. I am grateful that can represent such wonderful citizens like Mr. Harpool.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I thank the Chair for allowing me to speak on this important bill tonight. I thank my colleague from Florida for bringing this issue before us tonight. Truly time is of a critical nature in this case. Madam Speaker, all I would offer at this point is we would not be here discussing this bill if this patient had written down advance directives prior to her illness, and that is an important point that is being lost in this debate. This bill does nothing to undo a living will or an advanced directive. An advance directive is available to any of us. A person does not need a lawyer to have one. They can go on the Internet, type in living will under their search engine and they will get a variety of options a person can complete themselves, leave with their family physician, their care giver, their hospital. I would urge people to consider filling out and filing an advance directive well in advance of any such illness and save families, spare families the difficulties that we have seen evidenced in this case.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, it is my sad duty to report to the House that we lost a pioneer in medicine this weekend down in Dallas: Dr. Charles Baxter, a surgeon whose research in clinical skills saved thousands of lives over the years. Dr. Baxter will be remembered for a lot of things back home, not the least of which was his treatment of a severely burned patient and his introduction of very aggressive fluid management in the initial hours after the burn had occurred, saving countless patients from going into acute renal failure, dealing with what was then one of the principal causes of death in the severely burned patient. It was reported in the newspaper this weekend that Dr. Baxter, in an effort one time to bring the spirits up of a young 8-year-old girl who had been burned over 92 percent of her body, brought an Airedale puppy into the burn unit at Parkland. He scrubbed it down with antibacterial cleanser and brought the girl a new reason to continue on in her struggle to recover from her burn. I remember Dr. Baxter when I was a resident down in the operating room. He had a heart attack a few days before, but was down there in the wheelchair in the surgery office barking out orders to his residents at the surgery board to keep them on schedule. And, of course, the country remembers Dr. Baxter. From that terrible day in November of 1963, Dr. Baxter was the head of the emergency room when John Kennedy was brought into the facility at Parkland Hospital. Mr. Speaker, all of us in Dallas and across the country mourn the passing of Dr. Baxter, and our thoughts and prayers will be with his family during this time.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Lewisville Television Channel 15, LVTV, broadcasting from the 26th Congressional District of Texas, for winning two Telly Awards. The Telly Awards ``honor outstanding local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions.'' For 26 years now, the Telly Awards have trying to do their part to support the visual arts in local communities. The Telly Awards encourage a very diverse field of applicants and try to distinguish themselves as an award of broad creativity. Each award was for a LVTV-produced program. The first award was presented for Lewisville North High School's re-enactment of a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) called ``Deadly Decisions: Controlled Substance.'' The second winning program was for a ``Community Comments'' episode on the West Nile Virus. ``Community Comments'' is an interview-styled program filmed by students from the LISD Dale Jackson Career Center, produced by Calvin Dorsey. LVTV has done a superb job of representing their community and involving students in promoting visual arts. I am proud of Lewisville and LVTV Channel 15 who continue to keep their public up-to-date on hometown news and to provide quality family entertainment.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend North Richland Hills, located in the 26th Congressional District of Texas, for its recognition as a ``StormReady'' community by the National Weather Service (NWS). North Richland Hills was recognized as a ``StormReady'' community because it met all of the criteria set forth by the NWS. For a community to be so honored, it must: establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; have more than one way to receive severe weather forecasts and warnings, and to alert the public; create a system that monitors local weather conditions; promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars; and develop a formal hazardous weather plan which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises. This is a noteworthy accomplishment because less than one percent of all cities and towns in the United States are categorized as ``StormReady.'' The City of North Richland Hills cares deeply about its citizens and their safety. Severe weather is extremely common in North Texas where storms and tornadoes are frequent and set in with little warning. ``StormReady'' communities bring extra peace of mind to citizens. North Richland Hills' ``StormReady'' status sets a wonderful model for other towns in Texas to improve their communication and safety skills which are needed to save lives and property. I am proud of North Richland Hills and its citizens who continued to better the community by doing the best in preparing for the worst.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Justin Lowe, a senior at Lewisville High School, located in the 26th Congressional District of Texas, for being one of the three winners of the Texas Values Arts Competition. This is truly an outstanding accomplishment for Justin. More than 250 students from PIano, Denton, Lewisville and surrounding communities entered the contest. Diversity, History and Indivisibility were the chosen Texas Values featured in the winning artworks from North Texas students. Justin earned a U.S. Savings Bond from Huffines Auto Dealership. Justin's art is now on a billboard going southbound on I-35E next to the Huffines dealership. Justin displayed his Texas pride with bluebonnets, the Alamo, and the Texas State flag in his painting. His piece will be up all through March for National Youth Art Month. The original was sold for $800 at the Lewisville Education Foundation gala in November of 2005. Justin Lowe's talents are not only a testament to his artistic skill but also a stellar example of how parents' and teachers' efforts are rewarded when combining a core curriculum with study in the arts. I am proud of the education system in Texas, especially our students, and involved parents and teachers at Lewisville High School, who commit their lives and time to fostering growth of our communities. And I wanted to extend a special thank you to Huffines Automotive for their generous contribution to these aspiring students.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Chairman. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Marchant) and state that this amendment does nothing of the sort as to what happened in California.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give tribute to Jimmy Riddle, from the 26th Congressional District of Texas, for his contributions to his community, country and other nations. Mr. Riddle was working for SOC-SMG, which disposes of munitions in Iraq, when an explosive was detonated within his convoy, which took his life and that of a co-worker. Mr. Riddle was 53 years old. I would like to recognize and celebrate Mr. Riddle's life today. Jimmy Riddle consistently served others throughout his life. He joined the Marine Corps while in college and was stationed in Japan shortly after the Vietnam War. After serving for our country, Mr. Riddle became an officer for both the Sulphur Springs and Carollton Police Departments in Texas. In addition to his career, he spent considerable time with his family and promoted the ideals of being a servant to his children. As a result, his son Chris joined the U.S. Navy. Recently, Mr. Riddle was working as a defense contractor in Bosnia during which time he was able to see his son Chris for the first time in two years. Shortly after this meeting, Chris was killed by a drunk driver. Always looking to serve others, Mr. Riddle joined the SOC-SMG and went to Iraq. Just as in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Qatar, the people in Iraq appreciated Mr. Riddle and respected him for his kindheartedness and devotion to helping others. It was my honor to represent Jimmy. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. He was best described by his fellow workers as an ``unsung hero.''