G.K. Butterfield

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, according to a study of recent U.S. Census Bureau figures, the National Academy of Science found that the level of American poverty is even worse than the government's official number. The official measure, created in 1955, failed to factor in rising costs of medical care, transportation or childcare. It also ignores geographical variations in the cost of living. Further, it also fails to consider non-cash government aid when calculating income. As a result, the poverty figures released by Census last month may overlook millions of people suffering in poverty, many of whom are 65 and older. The National Academy of Sciences' revised formula calculates that about 47.4 million Americans lived in poverty last year--7 million more than the Census figure. The National Academy of Sciences formula shows a poverty rate of 15.8 percent, which is nearly 1 in 6 Americans. This is far higher than the poverty rate of 13.2 percent, or 39.8 million, reported by the U.S. Census Bureau recently. The National Academy of Sciences found that about 18.7 percent of Americans 65 and older, or nearly 7.1 million, are suffering in poverty compared to 9.7 percent, or 3.7 million, under the traditional Census measure. This is largely due to out-of-pocket expenses from rising Medicare premiums, deductibles and a coverage gap in the prescription drug benefit. The National Academy of Sciences also found that 14.3 percent of people 18 to 64, or 27 million, are suffering in poverty, compared to 11.7 percent under the traditional Census measure. Many of the additional poor are low-income, working people facing growing transportation and childcare costs. It should also be noted that food stamp assistance, which is at an all-time high of about 36 million, likely softened these figures. These figures are especially troubling and could get worse. In 2008, U.S. median income fell to $50,303 from $52,163 in 2007. That 3.6% decline is the largest one-year drop since records began. And, the Economic Policy Institute projects that in the next two years, incomes could decline by another $3,000 and poverty could increase by 1.9 percentage points. These figures have special meaning for me because I represent one of the poorest Congressional districts in the country. In fact, a recent report in Forbes Magazine declared Rocky Mount, North Carolina as one of America's 10 most impoverished cities. Forbes used the new data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2008 American Community Survey, and also looked at per capita incomes for a region, the percentage of food stamp recipients, the percentage of people under age 65 receiving public health care and the unemployment rate. According to Forbes, nearly 8 percent of Rocky Mount area residents were among the nation's extreme poor in 2008, living at below 50 percent of the poverty line. And, about 17 percent of area residents received food stamps last year, and nearly 23 percent of residents under age of 65 received Medicaid. Also, Rocky Mount's unemployment rate at the time of the report was 8.7 percent and since has risen to 13.8 percent. While Forbes also ranked Rocky Mount as the 119th best small places for business and careers, largely because of the city's available workforce, this is a region that suffers with a great number of needs. This is a community with great pride and potential that continues to work hard to provide opportunities and improve the quality of life for its residents. As we look at ways to make sure our resources are going where they are needed most, we should look at the way poverty is measured. Unfortunately, the official U.S. poverty measure has changed very little since it was originally adopted in 1969, with the exception of annual adjustments for overall price changes in the economy, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers. Currently, the poverty threshold reflects a measure of the economic realities of the mid-1950's. The poverty line has not been adjusted to reflect changes in needs associated with improved standards of living that have occcurred over the decades since the measure was first developed. A congressionally commissioned study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences has recommended that the poverty level be reset to take into account economic changes that have occurred over the past four decades. The National Academy of Sciences recommended that non- cash benefits, taxes and tax credits be counted as income while expenses such as work-related child care, housing and out-of-pocket medical expenses be deducted from income in determining families' poverty status. As a result, comparatively more working families and elderly people would be counted as poor. The National Academy of Sciences also recommended that the poverty income levels be adjusted for regional cost of living differences. The current poverty income thresholds are uniform across the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Measuring American Poverty Act of 2009 introduced by Representative McDermott and a companion bill introduced by Senator Dodd would instruct the U.S. Census Bureau to adopt many of the modern poverty measurement recommendations made by the National Academy of Sciences. If adopted, the legislation would result in a new poverty measure that would coexist with the official poverty measure, and re- designate the current ``official'' measure as the ``traditional'' poverty measure. The new poverty measure would not affect programs that use poverty as criteria for either determining eligibility or allocating funds, but would stand as an additional statistical indicator to measure the effects of programs on poverty. This would be a helpful step toward ensuring that we have a system that is fair to people who need help as well as to the taxpayers providing that help. This economic crisis serves as a reminder to all Americans just how vulnerable we all are, and that reducing our existing poverty will require a great deal of effort and attention.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise to remind my colleagues about the rich history of Pea Island, North Carolina. On January 24, 1880, Captain Richard Etheridge became the first African-American to command a United States Life-Saving Service station after being appointed as keeper of the Pea Island Life-Saving Station. At the time, Captain Etheridge was one of only eight African Americans in the entire Life-Saving Service. Because of his skill and expertise, he was promoted from the lowest rank at the neighboring Bodie Island station to take over the incompetently run station at Pea Island. In order to avoid repeating the previous failures at the Pea Island station, Captain Etheridge developed and implemented rigorous lifesaving drills. Under his leadership and direction, the station earned a reputation as the best on the east coast. Captain Etheridge became renowned as one of the most able, prepared, innovative, courageous and resourceful lifesavers in the Service. On October 11, 1896, Captain Etheridge and his alert Life-Saving Service crew at Pea Island station were put to the test when the E.S. Newman ran aground nearby during a hurricane. Despite the raging storm and enormous waves, the surfmen succeeded in swimming to the ship and heaving a line aboard. Starting with the ship captain's three-year-old son, all nine people aboard the schooner were rescued one by one. On February 29, 1992, the Coast Guard Cutter Pea Island was commissioned at Norfolk, Virginia, in memory of the African American crews at Pea Island, including Captain Etheridge and his lifesavers. And in 1996, Coast Guard Rear Admiral Stephen W. Rochon successfully spearheaded the effort to award the Gold Lifesaving Medal in recognition of the daring 1896 rescue. Captain Etheridge served at Pea Island for twenty years. In January 1900, he fell ill and died at the station. Pea Island continued to be manned by all-black crews through the Second World War. The station was decommissioned in 1947, and, in 1949, turned over to the U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service to be used in connection with the Pea Island Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Today, Pea Island provides nesting habitat for loggerhead sea turtles, piping plover and other shorebirds. Despite its small size, the refuge receives over 2.5 million visitors annually. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and applauding the brave efforts of the life-saving crews on Pea Island.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend and constituent, Mr. Vernon J. Bryant, for nearly 30 years of public service to the people of the State of North Carolina in the Department of Correction. Since joining the North Carolina Division of Community Corrections in 1981, Mr. Bryant has steadily advanced in his responsibilities. He currently serves in the Probation/Parole division of the Department of Correction as District Manager of District 6A where he manages about 30 corrections staff. Vernon Bryant began his career as a Court Intake Officer and performed admirably over the next 19 years as Probation and Patrol Officer, Intensive Officer and as Chief Probation and Parole Officer. It was in these capacities that I became most acquainted with Mr. Bryant while I served as a Superior Court Judge presiding over the Courts of District 6A. Mr. Bryant interacted with me on a daily basis and I came to believe that he is one of the finest corrections officials in North Carolina. He is a true professional. Madam Speaker, the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives appointed Vernon Bryant to the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, which is responsible for the issuance, suspension, and revocation of law enforcement and criminal justice officers' certification. He has also served as a member of the North Carolina Probation and Parole Association and Criminal Justice Partnership Advisory Board for Halifax County. In addition to his work at the North Carolina Division of Community Corrections, Mr. Bryant provides community service through Church, boards, commissions and other activities. He is a member and Chairman of the Roanoke Rapids Board of Education. He was first appointed to the Board of Education 1997 and has served as Chairman of the board since 1999. Mr. Bryant also serves as a volunteer youth coach for basketball and soccer, serves on the Halifax Regional Medical Center Board of Directors as Vice Chairman, and is Board Chairman for the State Employee's Credit Union Advisory Board. Vernon Bryant is a devout Christian and demonstrates his values and beliefs in every aspect of his life. He serves as a member of the Roanoke Rapids Recreation Department Advisory Board and is president and co-founder of Exodus of Youth, Inc., a volunteer non-profit organization that mentors 75 at-risk youth in four northeastern North Carolina counties. Mr. Bryant continues to give countless hours to bettering his community and there is no doubt that he will continue his community service following his well deserved retirement. Vernon Bryant is married to Sandra W. Bryant and is the father of two adult children, Kendel and Kevin, who are also distinguishing themselves with their educational pursuits. Madam Speaker, on Monday, September 28, 2009, friends and colleagues will join together to celebrate Vernon Bryant's three decades of exemplary service to the people of Halifax County and the State of North Carolina. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Vernon Bryant much success in his retirement and thank him for all his years of outstanding public service.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice concern over the thousands of automobile dealers who have been forced to close their doors as the industry is now reshaping. While the national conversation has shifted from the auto industry to health care, we must remember that car dealerships continue to be shuttered and thousands of hardworking Americans continue to lose their jobs. In my State of North Carolina, 49 Chrysler and General Motors dealerships have closed, along with all of the Pontiac dealers. Thirty Cadillac dealers are slated to close and, unfortunately, the closures are continuing. One of the dealerships is J.C. Harris Pontiac and Cadillac. This dealership is in my hometown of Wilson, North Carolina. They have been serving the community for more than 40 years. Despite the fact that they lead Cadillac dealerships statewide in sales, service and customer satisfaction, J.C. Harris is being forced to close its doors. Customers from the region will be forced to drive 120 miles round trip for sales and service. With American taxpayers becoming investors in GM, they should expect better.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I want to thank Chairman Pallone for yielding me this time, and I really thank him for his leadership on our committee. Mr. Speaker, this is an important bill. Holding down the cost of Medicare premiums means so much to millions of Americans. We cannot ever lose sight of the plight of our senior citizens, who are struggling to make ends meet. I want to thank the various chairmen who have decided to move decisively on this measure this week. I would only hope that our Republican friends would work with us on this one. Let's not use this issue as a weapon in the health care reform debate. This is a separate issue. Not only does it affect my district, but it affects all of our districts. In my State of North Carolina, 1.392 million North Carolinians have Medicare, and they need this legislation this week. I ask my colleagues to join with me in voting for the Medicare Premium Fairness Act.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, this week we mark 10 years since the floodwaters of Hurricane Floyd devastated eastern North Carolina, killing 52 people, causing over $6 billion in damage, and leaving thousands homeless. In the eastern part of the state, it is known simply as ``The Flood.'' It remains the most devastating natural disaster in our state's history. On September 16th, 1999, Hurricane Floyd hit North Carolina as a strong Category 2 hurricane. Hurricane Floyd made landfall at Cape Fear and moved north along Interstate 95, hitting eastern North Carolina with 100-mph winds and up to two feet of rain. Of the two, the rain proved the more fatal element. Arriving on the heels of Hurricane Dennis, which had already soaked the ground and water table, Floyd's rains created massive flooding. Over a period of a month, nearly every river basin in eastern North Carolina exceeded 500-year flood levels. The cresting waters destroyed 7,000 homes, left 17,000 uninhabitable, and damaged 56,000. The brave men and women of the National Guard and the Coast Guard performed nearly 1,700 freshwater rescues of people trapped on the roofs of their homes due to the rapid rise of the water. In total, Floyd was responsible for 57 fatalities in the United States, mostly in North Carolina. Sixty-six counties in North Carolina were declared federal disaster areas. There were more than $6 billion in losses of property and agriculture. After the storm, over 88,500 North Carolinians registered state or federal disaster aid. Every community I represent was in some way affected by ``The Flood.'' From flooded towns of Greenville, Kinston, Tarboro, Snow Hill and Rocky Mount, where 30 percent of the city was underwater, to communities on higher ground that served as refuges for newly homeless neighbors, nearly every person in the eastern North Carolina experienced the Flood in a real way. But one of the hardest hit communities was Princeville, North Carolina. Princeville was completely submerged for more than a week--people's homes were underwater and the business community was virtually leveled. Princeville, originally called Freedom Hill, is the oldest town incorporated by African-Americans in the United States. It was settled in 1865 by newly freed slaves on low and soggy swampland across the Tar River from the town of Tarboro. It had survived smaller floods over the years, but The Flood of 1999 nearly killed this historic town. With water up to the rooftops, FEMA offered the people of Princeville a buyout to abandon the town. Though a difficult decision, the town rejected the offer 3-2. At the time, Mayor Delia Perkins said, ``Rebuilding is staying with your heritage. We plan to stay.'' The community's struggle to rebuild attracted the attention of many people, including then-President Bill Clinton. President Clinton issued Executive Order (EO) 13146, tasking an interagency President's Council with developing ``assessments and recommendations to repair and rebuild Princeville, and, to the extent practicable, protect Princeville from future floods.'' Hosts of other national figures visited and lent their support. Today, much of the town is rebuilt, though a handful of flooded homes still await demolition. Today we remember the devastation caused by the Hurricane Floyd flood of 1999. The scars are still seen on the sides of buildings and in the hearts of people, but these communities have overcome and continue to work toward full recovery after these 10 years.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, the vast majority of American workers have private health insurance. If you are among those with health insurance, do you really know what you have or what you will have in 5 years? Unfortunately, many people do not understand the limits of their insurance until they get sick. Without health care reform, insurance companies will continue to deny coverage or increase rates because of preexisting conditions. They will continue to drop people when they get sick or water down coverage when it's needed the most, and they will continue to set caps on the coverage in a given year or over a lifetime. If you watch your current policy very closely, read the fine print, the American people will see that they are paying more and more for less and less. For Americans with health insurance, these reforms provide stability, affordability, security and peace of mind. Americans should not have to wait for reform. Congress must get it done this year.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, during the August recess, not only did I conduct townhall meetings, but I toured medical facilities throughout my district. One of those visits has been etched vividly in my mind. In Elizabeth City, North Carolina, I met Derrick Williams at DaVita Dialysis Center. He tearfully explained to me that he had received a kidney transplant from his sister. The kidney worked well, but he was required to take a variety of antirejection medicines. He liked his insurance. His insurance company started reimbursing for the medicines, and he was very happy. But after just 2 years, the insurance company refused further reimbursement. Unable to afford the medicines, the kidney failed, he's back on dialysis, his sister is without a kidney, and Derrick is awaiting another kidney. What a tragedy. Health insurers should work with us and their policyholders. Instead, they continue to rake in huge profits by raising premiums $1,800 per year and cutting back on coverage. I urge the insurance industry to embrace health care reform, please.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Pastor Brenda Timberlake's deep commitment to improving the lives of others and the community. On September 18, 2009, friends, family and well wishers will gather in Cary, North Carolina to celebrate Pastor Timberlake's 60th birthday and her 30 years of ministry. Over the years, Pastor Timberlake and her late husband, Bishop Mack Timberlake, engaged in a great number of important efforts and projects that continue to help and serve the community. Among the many successful endeavors undertaken by Pastor Timberlake include: establishing the Christian Faith Center Academy to provide Christian-based education to students from kindergarten through 12th grade; constructing the Royal Pavilions of Creedmor, a 28-unit housing complex for the elderly and disadvantaged; collaborating with the North Carolina Department of Public Health to reduce infant death rates and provide assistance to single mothers through the Family First of Granville County program; and establishing the Raven's Nest Food Bank. Madam Speaker, these are but a few of Pastor Timberlake's many efforts. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing her accomplishments as her friends and family celebrate her birthday, ministry and achievements. Pastor Timberlake continues to serve as exceptional community leader. Please join me in expressing gratitude for her service to the community and in wishing her continued success as she celebrates her birthday.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I am disappointed that our Republican colleagues are refusing to work with us in crafting health care reform legislation. Yes, you are. Instead of working with us, you have cranked up your message machine. You have labeled our legislation with every label except ones that are accurate. Most disappointing, Republicans are frightening our seniors with false statements that they will experience a reduction in Medicare benefits. Wrong. The truth is this legislation would not only maintain important Medicare benefits, but it will enhance them. We cannot afford to continue to do nothing about health care reform. There are 45 million who are uninsured. There are 14,000 Americans who are losing their benefits every day. Employer-sponsored group plans are getting more expensive. They have high deductibles and high copays, and they simply don't provide the security that families need. The cost of family health insurance will continue to rise five times faster than wages. We must have reform and we must have it now. I urge my Republican colleagues to reconsider their strategy to block this legislation.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, one of our core Democratic principles in seeking health care reform is gaining control over health care costs. Contrary to my friend, the minority leader, what he said a few minutes ago, this is not government takeover of health care. It's about guaranteeing health care for all Americans and reducing the costs of health care which are just spiraling out of control. If we fail to control health care costs, families will continue to be burdened with higher premiums and unaffordable out-of-pocket expenses; businesses will be forced to drop coverage or lay off workers; and our national and State budgets will become unsustainable. Without reform, the costs of health care for the average family of four are projected to rise $1,800 annually for years to come. In my home district of North Carolina alone, there were 400 health care-related bankruptcies last year, caused primarily by health care costs not being covered by insurance. The reforms would cap out-of-pocket expenses at $10,000 per year, ensuring that no American will have to face financial ruin due to health care costs. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to work together to find solutions.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, last November the American voters demanded change, and one of the many changes that they demanded was health care reform. Now Democrats are responding with comprehensive health care reform, and we are hoping that our Republican friends will join us as we overhaul the broken health care delivery system. Health care reform will control spiraling costs. Without reform, the cost of health care for the average family of four is projected to rise $1,800 each year, and insurance companies will continue to control health care decisions. Under our legislation, families with health insurance will see lower costs; rate increases for preexisting conditions and gender or occupation would be eliminated; out-of-pocket expenses would be capped; children will be guaranteed affordable dental, hearing, and vision care; preexisting condition denials and insurance companies' lifetime payments limits would be eliminated. We must answer the call of the American people by enacting health care reform. Let's do it for the American people, and let's do it for the American economy.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I want to thank the chairman of the committee for giving me this very precious time this afternoon. Madam Speaker, the House of Representatives is ready today to pass this historic legislation that will literally save the planet. You can call it a cap-and-tax all you want. You can say that the science does not support this legislation. You can say that the scientists are wrong. But I say, Republicans are wrong on this issue. We cannot afford to wait any longer to enact this legislation that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Chairman Waxman and Chairman Markey should each be commended for their extraordinary work in reaching a good compromise that will now allow this legislation to advance to the other body. It saddens me that our Republican friends were not partners with us as we crafted this legislation, but Democrats understand the mandate of the American people, and we are moving forward. One of my roles as the vice chairman of the Energy subcommittee was to ensure that any increase in costs to consumers would be painless. So 15 percent of the allowances will be dedicated to providing a safety net for the lowest- income Americans. My district is one of the poorest districts in America. My constituents are low-income families, and they need the assurance that their goods and services will not dramatically increase. I am pleased with the report from the Congressional Budget Office that estimates that low-income households will actually see a net gain, not a loss, of $40 per year as a result of the legislation in 2020. The CBO also says that it is estimated that as a result of this legislation, the average cost per household will be, as the gentleman from the State of Washington said, 48 cents a day. I ask my colleagues to join with me in voting ``yes'' on this important legislation.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise to y to express great sadness about the untimely passing of Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Tony Stewart. Dr. Stewart has served as superintendent for the past nine years, and he had earned the respect of the community as a talented and dedicated educator who worked tirelessly to ensure every student received the best possible education. I will remember him for always stressing the responsibility and importance of working to make a difference in the lives of others. He started his career in 1963 as a teacher, assistant principal and athletic director at Spotsylvania High School in Virginia before serving as a principal for several other schools in Virginia. Dr. Stewart's first job as a superintendent was at Culpeper County Schools in Virginia, where he served for 13 years starting in 1981. He became superintendent of North Carolina's Burke County Schools in 1994, where he served until coming to Elizabeth City-Pasquotank in 2000. Dr. Stewart received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Appalachian State University and completed postgraduate work at the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech University. He received his doctorate in education from Nova Southeastern University in 1995 and also completed the Principal's Executive Program at the University of North Carolina that same year. Madam Speaker, I ask that everyone join me in offering our deepest condolences to his family, friends, loved ones, community and colleagues. Dr. Stewart has been a tremendous asset to the community and he will be greatly missed.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, on June 12, 2009 Nash County, North Carolina native and resident Mr. Rudolf Smith will be celebrating his 100th birthday. To mark this milestone, family and friends will be gathering for a party in his honor. Mr. Smith was born on June 12, 1909, to sharecroppers, Mr. Willis Smith II and Mrs. Willie M. Smith on Joe Ellison's farm near Dortches in Nash County, North Carolina. He was kept home from school after the fourth grade because he was needed to work the crops. Working six and a half days a week, Mr. Smith was barely tall enough to keep the plow in the field when he started farming. Mr. Smith was married to Patty Alston in 1933. Together, they had six children. Currently, he resides at Knight's Family Care Homes where he enjoys reminiscing about his past, walking, and eating anything he wants. He lives a healthy and fulfilled life. Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in wishing Mr. Smith a very happy 100th birthday.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, from the creation of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965 to the reauthorization of SCHIP earlier this year, we have come a long way toward ensuring that every American has access to affordable, quality health care. These programs, Mr. Speaker, ensure that our children and the disabled and the elderly have access to health care. Now it is time to get serious and to help those people in the middle who have been left out. Family health care costs are increasing. Families cannot afford the rising cost of health premiums, many employer-sponsored plans are providing less coverage and higher deductibles, and there are 45 million Americans with no insurance. We must seize this opportunity to enact reforms that reduce costs, protect existing plans, preserve our choices in doctors, hospitals and care, and ensure affordable quality health care for all. I support President Obama and the Democratic leadership. We must act now.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I want to thank the gentleman for his support of this amendment and thank him very much for his work here in this body. At this time, Mr. Chairman, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from California (Ms. Richardson), a hardworking member of this Homeland Security Committee.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the underlying bill, H.R. 2200, the Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act of 2009. This is a necessary bill that will help to safeguard the American people. I want to commend my friend and colleague Chairman Bennie Thompson from Mississippi for steering this legislation through this process. Mr. Thompson, your leadership does not go unnoticed by Members of this body and the American people, and we thank you. We also thank the ranking member of this committee, Mr. King of New York, for his leadership and for his work on homeland security as well as the other members of the committee. I particularly want to thank the hardworking staff of the Homeland Security Committee for all that they do and for the work that they've done in getting this legislation to the floor today. Mr. Chairman, I offer a very simple amendment to H.R. 2200. It authorizes a study on the feasibility of combining facial and iris recognition technologies for rapid and accurate identification in airport security checkpoint lines. The study would focus on merits of using the combined technologies and the potential for use. Researchers tell us, Mr. Chairman, that this new technology holds great promise for providing a highly reliable, efficient, unobstructed and accurate way to establish and verify identities. Unlike names and dates of birth, which can be changed from time to time, biometrics are unique and virtually impossible to duplicate. Biometric information is already being collected by DHS, the Department of Homeland Security, through its US-VISIT Program. This invaluable information helps prevent people from using fraudulent documents to attempt to enter our country illegally. Collecting biometrics also helps protect travelers' identities in the event travel documents are lost or stolen. One of my constituents had his passport stolen, and it was used fraudulently. He has been unable to travel overseas to visit his family now for more than 1 year. This technology would have made the issuance of new travel documents a less cumbersome process. Utilizing advanced technologies like special cameras or imaging systems with enhanced interoperability of 2-D and 3-D facial recognition technology and systems, TSA could collect and analyze the biometric data in a few short seconds. The collection, analysis and identification of an individual, Mr. Chairman, would only take as much time as it takes a person to go through that dreaded security line at the airport. In fact, the security process would be sped up and would significantly lessen the time an individual spends in line. By combining the facial and iris recognition data, TSA officials will get an accurate identification of an individual and will have the opportunity to investigate further, if necessary. The effective use of these databases to confirm or discover personal identities is critical in maintaining our national security. Travel is made safer and, again, the technology is nonintrusive. This study, Mr. Chairman, requested under this amendment will also help to identify any specific environmental and operational factors that might limit these biometric capabilities and provide insight and information for biometric acquisitions and procedures. It is my hope, therefore, that Members will support this amendment. It is a commonsense approach, using technology to increase the level of security at checkpoints. I want to remind my colleagues that this technology is totally nonintrusive and has the potential for improving accuracy and efficiency and safety for TSA personnel and travelers alike. At this time I am going to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I will yield those 45 seconds to the gentlelady from California (Ms. Richardson).

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of an announcement that Taiwan has been invite to participate as an observer at the annual meeting of the World Health Organization's governing body being held in Geneva next month. With the strong support of the United States, Taiwan has persistently campaigned, especially after the SARS outbreak in 2003, to rejoin the World Health Organization but China has consistently blocked efforts to join any international body as an independent political entity. So this marks a clear and important sign of improved relations between China and Taiwan, and I congratulate them on taking this important and meaningful step forward. Since Taiwanese President Ma took office on May 20, 2008, relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits have greatly improved, paving the way for the first direct flights between the straits in 60 years, Chinese pandas being sent to Taiwan, substantially improved financial and business contact, and direct postal service and shipping. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues will join me in applauding the efforts to improve relations and to encourage further cooperation.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, today we mourn the loss of Ernie Barnes, an athlete, artist and North Carolina native. As a child, Mr. Barnes would accompany his mother to work, where she oversaw a prominent attorney's household staff in a home where he was captivated by the extensive collection of art books available to him. It was the start of a lifelong love of art. As a junior high school student, Mr. Barnes was overweight and introverted. He spent his time drawing and hiding from the taunting bullies. A sympathetic teacher helped steer him into a weightlifting program, which enabled him to excel in both football and track and field once he got to high school. Because of segregation, he was unable to consider nearby University of North Carolina or Duke University, and instead attended my alma mater, North Carolina Central University--then known as North Carolina College--on a football scholarship and majored in art. Mr. Barnes was drafted in by the Washington Redskins, who, upon discovering he was Black, traded him to the then-world champion Baltimore Colts. He later played offensive lineman for the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. While on the playing field, Mr. Barnes said he was studying the human form and developing an eye for capturing the drama of sports. Each week he would sketch the defensive lineman who would be across from him in that Sunday's game. ``The drawings would help me understand the man I would be facing,'' he said in an interview. Mr. Barnes' work relied on elongation and distortion to create a sense of energy, power, grace, intensity, and fluidity. His art also features people with their closed eyes, reflecting his sense, as he once expressed it, ``we are blind to one another's humanity.'' He was commissioned by the Los Angeles Olympic Committee to provide paintings for the Games and by the National Basketball Association to commemorate its 50th anniversary. He was also commissioned to provide paintings by the owners of the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Saints, Oakland Raiders, and the Boston Patriots. Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, a teammate with the Baltimore Colts, commissioned Mr. Barnes to create the painting, ``Victory in Overtime,'' that permanently hangs at the Charlotte football stadium. Mr. Barnes' ability to capture the powerful energy and movement of sports earned him ``America's Best Painter of Sports'' by the American Sports Art Museum in 2004. In 2007, in a New York tribute exhibition sponsored by the National Football League and Time Warner, Time Warner Chairman and CEO Richard D. Parsons said, ``Imagine the courage and determination it took for a working class child from the segregated south in the 1940s to ignore all the naysayers and dare dream of becoming a successful artist.'' Mr. Barnes's work embodied his strong personal beliefs and spirit, crossing political, racial, and geographic boundaries. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in observing the passing of a great American and one of the Nation's foremost African American artists. We are blessed that Mr. Barnes helped raise our collective consciousness and encouraged everyone to see the gifts and strengths in one another. We mourn his loss, celebrate his achievements, and send our deepest condolences to his family.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate and recognize a young man from my hometown who was selected in last weekend's National Football League draft. The Carolina Panthers selected Everette Brown, a graduate of Wilson, North Carolina's Beddingfield High School and Florida State University. Mr. Brown was the Seminoles starter at the right defensive end position in each of the 13 games during the 2008 regular season, and he was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award as the Nation's top defensive end. And, after leading the Nation in tackles for a loss, Mr. Brown was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference football first- team and runner-up as the ACC Player of the Year. In addition to his tremendous play on the field, Mr. Brown has been a leader when it comes to community service. He has donated his time freely, volunteering at schools, The Able Trust, MDA Summer Camp, Tallahassee Seminole Club, Dick Howser Center for Childhood Services, Life Skills Center and Read Across America, among many others. Madam Speaker, my community is extremely proud of this young man and I ask you to join me in congratulating him on his accomplishments. We must also recognize Mr. Brown's parents, Odell and Jenai, on raising this fine young man. I know they must be so proud and pleased that he will be playing his games so close to home.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, it is with deep sadness that I report to the House of Representatives that Cote d'Ivoire's roving Ambassador Sarata Ottra Zirignon-Toure suddenly passed away on April 9, 2009. I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Ambassador Zirignon- Toure on the establishing the Congressional Caucus on Cote d'Ivoire. She proved instrumental in the establishment of the Caucus, which focuses on issues in West Africa, specifically the pending elections and peace efforts in Cote d'Ivoire. For decades Ambassador Zirignon-Toure has been at the forefront of Cote d'Ivoire's political landscape--as a freedom fighter, advocate for democracy and leader in the women's movement. Her commitment landed her in jail in 1970 with a group of fellow activists who are now key members of government, including President Laurent Gbagbo. When their party, the Ivorian Popular Front, was recognized as the official opposition in 1990, she was named to the shadow cabinet, eventually receiving the foreign affairs portfolio. A linguist, teacher and child psychologist by training, Ambassador Zirignon-Toure served President Gbagbo as deputy chief of staff since his election in 2000. She served as a roving envoy and troubleshooter with a special focus on relations with the United States. Her academic credentials include degrees and diplomas earned in the United Kingdom and Cote d'Ivoire. She worked for several years as a translator in New York and for the U.S. Foreign Broadcasting Information Service at the embassy in Abidjan. Her intellect and leadership is most certainly a loss to Cote d'Ivoire and the United States. She will be remembered for her powerful advocacy in the United States on behalf of all Ivorian people. On behalf of the Congressional Caucus on Cote d'Ivoire, I offer my sincere condolences to Ambassador Zirignon-Toure's family, President Gbagbo and the people of Cote d'Ivoire.