G.K. Butterfield

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2601) to extend the authority of the Federal Trade Commission to collect fees to administer and enforce the provisions relating to the ``Do-not-call'' registry of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, as amended.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this legislation, which we refer to as H.R. 2601, was introduced by the distinguished ranking member of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, my good friend Mr. Stearns from the State of Florida. This bill is to extend the authority of the Federal Trade Commission to collect the fees that administer and enforce the provisions relating to the national do-not-call registry. In 2003, Mr. Speaker, Congress passed the Do-Not-Call Implementation Act, which authorized the FTC to establish fees sufficient to implement the national do-not-call registry as originally authorized by the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act of 1994. I don't think it's hyperbole, Mr. Speaker, to say that this may quite possibly be one of the most popular laws and government initiatives in our Nation's history. Consumers have registered more than 146 million telephone numbers since the registry became operational in 2003. The FTC's authority to annually establish the appropriate level of fees to charge telemarketers for access to the registry expires, yes, it expires in 2007, and Mr. Stearns's bill, as amended, in the Energy and Commerce Committee renders that authority permanent. If Members of Congress wish to avoid the wrath of millions of angry constituents who are being called by telemarketers during dinner time, it is in our best interest to facilitate the continuing operation of the do-not-call registry and vote for this bill. As is the case with the vast majority of the legislation passed out of the subcommittee of which I am a member, this is a bipartisan bill. I'm proud to say that, Mr. Speaker. We worked on this measure together. This is a bipartisan bill that was crafted in consultation with the appropriate agency of expertise, in this case the Federal Trade Commission. The bill passed my subcommittee by a voice vote on October 23; and a week later, on October 30, it was unanimously approved by the full Energy and Commerce Committee. It is fully deserving of quick passage on the floor of the House today. As usual, Mr. Speaker, the staff on both sides of the aisle worked together on this bill, and with Ranking Member Stearns as well as Ranking Member Barton of the full committee, they should all be commended for their ongoing cooperation with the chairman, the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), and the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush), who chairs the subcommittee. So, Mr. Speaker, with that said, I am going to urge a ``yes'' vote. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3541) to amend the ``Do-not-call'' Implementation Act to eliminate the automatic removal of telephone numbers registered on the Federal ``do-not-call'' registry, as amended.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield myself such time as I may consume. The bill that we now consider on the floor is related to the previous bill that we just adopted. H.R. 3541, the Do-not-call Improvement Act of 2007, ensures that Americans who signed up to be on the do-not-call list remain on the do-not-call list. As the law currently stands, consumers are automatically purged from the registry after a 5-year period and they are forced to re-register their phone numbers with the FTC. Consequently, if we do nothing, of the 132 million telephone numbers that are currently listed on the do-not-call registry, almost 52 million of those numbers will expire and once again be fair game for telemarketers. I guarantee you, Mr. Speaker, that the vast majority of these consumers are unaware that they must relist their phone numbers. As was the case with the previous bill, I don't think Members of Congress want to incur the wrath of millions of angry constituents and family members who thought they were safe from the nuisance of telemarketers, but are once again getting their pestering phone calls every evening. I might also add that September 28, the date in which 52 million numbers will expire, is right before election day. Need I say more? The authors of the bill, my good friend Mr. Doyle, who will speak in just a few moments, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, and my friend Mr. Pickering from Mississippi, are both valued members of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and they are to be commended for their bipartisan cooperation. On October 30 the bill was amended at the full committee markup to require the FTC to periodically scrub the do-not-call registry to remove phone numbers that have been disconnected or reassigned and further requires the commission to report to Congress on the accuracy of the registry. As such, H.R. 3541 ensures that the do- not-call list is fair and accurate and that only those American consumers who do not wish to be called by telemarketers are on the registry. This is a thoughtful, bipartisan piece of legislation, and I urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise today and ask my Colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in paying tribute to Professor Billy C. Hines, one of Elizabeth City State University's most accomplished Professors. Madam Speaker, Mr. Hines is now in his 33rd year as Professor of Voice, Director of Choral Activities and Artist-In-Residence at Elizabeth City State University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Stillman College and a Masters of Arts and Masters of Education degree in Music and Music Education from Teacher's College at Columbia University. Further, he holds a Certificate in Managing the Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Professor Hines has propelled the Elizabeth City State University Choir to a world renowned status. The University Choir, acclaimed as an ``incredible group of voices,'' performs annually on tour throughout the United States, Europe and Africa and on campus. In May, 2005 Professor Hines arranged for the choir to travel to Nigeria, West Africa for a 15-day tour of seven cities. Its eclectic musical taste and resplendent audience appeal thrilled the standing-room only audiences everywhere they performed. Madam Speaker, also in 2005, I am proud to announce that the University Choir was featured at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference Gospel Extravaganza under the inspiring directorship of Professor Hines. The performance was amazingly captivating. In 1985, Professor Hines took advantage of an opportunity for his Choir to tour the Grand Bahamas Islands. Enthusiastic audiences received them everywhere they sang. In 1980, Governor James B. Hunt invited the University Choir to perform for his historic second consecutive inauguration as Governor of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, although Professor Hines is a native of Alabama, North Carolina has adopted him as their own. He is an accomplished baritone soloist, a skilled adjudicator, clinician, and conductor. In past years he has conducted the Wayne County North Carolina School Spring Music Festival, the Junior High Honors Chorus as well as the Senior High Women's Chorus at the Summer Music Camp of the University of Wisconsin. Professor Hines has left lasting impressions with his outstanding performances with the North Carolina Junior High All-State Chorus, and with his contribution to the Edgecombe County Choral Festival. Locally, Professor Hines has directed the Evelyn A. Johnson Community Singers for the past 25 years. The Singers are especially known for their annual rendering of Handel's Messiah, a free performance held for the public at various sites. For over 10 years Professor Hines has been invited to conduct a week-long workshop and concert of the Interstate Church Musicians and Choir Guild. Over 80 church musicians from throughout the Roanoke-Chowan area participate each year. Madam Speaker, Professor Hines' accomplishments are limitless and I value this rare opportunity to share this abbreviated account with my Colleagues. On behalf of my Colleagues and the great state of North Carolina, I wish Professor Hines God's blessings as he continues to share his extraordinary talents with our great Nation.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, this Democratic Congress was elected to take our Nation in a new direction. We have worked to make meaningful changes for American families by passing fiscally responsible appropriations bills that fund priorities here at home, priorities neglected by the President and the previous Congresses. But every step of the way, President Bush has stood as a roadblock to the progress Americans demanded. For example, House Democrats worked in a bipartisan way to pass legislation authorizing the popular Children's Health Insurance Program, but the President used his veto pen to say ``no'' to providing health care to 10 million children. We passed the vital infrastructure bill, known as WRDA, which authorizes critical projects to protect communities across the country from natural disasters. The President again said ``no.'' But, fortunately, our Republican colleagues joined us in overriding the veto. Mr. Speaker, now President ``No'' has vetoed yet another important bill that invests in labor, health, and education priorities for our country. It is again time for House Republicans to stand with us in supporting this bipartisan legislation opposing yet another veto.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3461) to establish a public awareness campaign regarding Internet safety, as amended.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I don't have any further speakers on this side. I am ready to close this out and to yield back my time. Before doing so, I again want to thank Ms. Bean for this legislation and thank Mr. Upton for his advocacy and his passion for this issue. These legislators work very hard to bring this issue to the forefront, and they have done a magnificent job in doing this today.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3461, the Safeguarding America's Families by Enhancing and Reorganizing New and Efficient Technologies Act of 2007, or the SAFER NET Act as we refer to it, was introduced by Congresswoman Melissa Bean from Illinois. The bill, Mr. Speaker, has 41 cosponsors, and it was reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee with unanimous, bipartisan support just 2 weeks ago, I believe it was, on October 30. As a member of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, I want to thank the gentlelady for her ongoing and tireless efforts to protect children from the lurking dangers on the Internet. Earlier this year, the distinguished gentlewoman (Ms. Bean) introduced H. Res. 455, which was a resolution supporting the goals of National Internet Safety Month, which passed the House on June 12. As such, the bill on the floor today is a quality legislative extension of her previous work on Internet safety. H.R. 3461, the SAFER NET Act, directs the Federal Trade Commission to carry out a nationwide public awareness campaign about Internet safety and directs the Commission to annually report to Congress on its activity to promote Internet safety. The bill, as amended, authorizes $5 million for 1 year to carry out this public awareness campaign. Currently, Mr. Speaker, the Federal Trade Commission is engaged in numerous activities to promote awareness and on-line safety habits. The Commission has established a toll-free number which serves as a help line where consumers can file their complaints. Moreover, the FTC has set up a very special Web site, www.OnGuardOnline.gov, that is all one word, to provide tips to consumers in protecting themselves and their children from Internet fraud. Lastly, the Federal Trade Commission is engaged in a public awareness campaign to promote Internet safety through a child friendly mascot named Dewie the Turtle, much the same way that Smokey the Bear successfully promoted the prevention of forest fires many years ago. The office responsible for managing these initiatives is the Division of Consumer and Business Education. And Congresswoman Bean's bill will aid the FTC in its laudable efforts to protect children from inappropriate content and from the predators that would do them harm. Mr. Speaker, the Internet is one of the most significant technological developments in the history of humankind, and my friend, Mr. Markey, who spoke just moments before me, made that point in a profound way. The way people obtain information and communicate with each other has been completely revolutionized in a manner unthinkable just 20 years ago. However, with this great revolution comes a price. Our children are now more vulnerable to the despicable creatures that would prey on them by exploiting the powers of the Internet. It is, therefore, imperative that we in Congress do everything we can to fulfill our duties to promote healthy and safe environments for our children. The SAFER NET Act is a quality step in the right direction. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation and pass the bill. Mr. Speaker, I retain the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, it is with great admiration and respect that I take this time to recognize a dear family friend and one of this Nation's most distinguished citizens, Reverend Randolph Thompson. On October 28, 2007, the Thompson Family will gather at Sammy's Shrimp Box Restaurant in the Bronx, New York for a very fitting occasion--to celebrate Reverend Thompson's 80th Birthday. Madam, Speaker, I am honored to rise today to share with my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives the accomplishments of this remarkable man. Reverend Thompson was born in Cat Island, Bahamas on October 28, 1927. He received his early education in the Bahamas. In 1948 Reverend Thompson was licensed to preach at Bethel Baptist Church in Nassau, Bahamas. He was ordained in 1953 at Oak City Baptist Church in Method, North Carolina. In 1954 Reverend Thompson received his B.A. Degree from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and in 1957 he received his M.Div Degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, New York. As Reverend Thompson traveled about from state to state he remained true to his commitment to be active, productive and dedicated to every facet of his community. He served as Interim Pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church in St. Paul, Minnesota; Pastor of Victory Baptist Church in the Bronx, New York for 27 years; Director of Baptist Education Center in New York; President of the Nassau Bahamas Association; Chairman of the Committee of the United Missionary Baptist Association in New York; Assistant Dean of Empire State Congress of Christian Education in New York; Instructor of Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention in New York; Pastor of Jackson Chapel First Baptist Church in Wilson, North Carolina; President of NAACP in Wilson, North Carolina; Vice Chairman of the Housing Committee for the Baptist World Alliance in Miami Florida; Parliamentarian for the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Miami; Dean of J.T. Brown Seminar School for Ministers and Missionary Workers in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He also served as Extension School Instructor at Florida Memorial College in Miami, Florida and Bible Expositor with the Baptist Council of Greater Miami. Madam Speaker, I first met Reverend Thompson during my teen years when he accepted the call to become Pastor of my home church in Wilson, North Carolina, Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church. Reverend Thompson brought a new vision and perspective to our Church and made a tremendous difference in our community. My father was the Chairman of our Deacon Board and the two men shared a strong bond of love and friendship. When my father many years later became sick while visiting New York City, it was Reverend and Mrs. Thompson who were there during this time of need. Reverend Thompson has received countless awards for exemplary service to his community. As a testament, the Victory Baptist Church in the Bronx, New York presented Reverend Thompson with a plaque in recognition of 50 years of outstanding service in the ordained ministry and 27 years of service as pastor. He was also presented with a plaque from the Governor General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for outstanding service to the community in the tri-state areas of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Madam Speaker, for 51 years Reverend Thompson has been married to the former Bernice Coleman of New York City. Mrs. Thompson is a retired New York City Counselor. Reverend and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of five children: Evania Thompson, Esquire is a Law Librarian who currently teaches at the College of the Bahamas; she and her spouse, Robert Frazier have one son, Khalil Frazier; Danita Thompson, MBA, is a High School Math Teacher in the Bronx, New York and is a graduate of Hampton and Atlanta Universities; Danita is the Co-founder and CEO of Onyx Vizion Production Company; Randolph C. Thompson, Esquire, is a Private Attorney at Law in Washington, DC and New York and is a graduate of Hampton University and Catholic University Law School; Stephen Thompson who is a recent M.A. recipient in the Faculty of Social Sciences is a graduate of Connecticut's Wesleyan College, Hebrew University and is also an aspiring writer; and Ranice Adegbile, a Graduate of Brown and New York Universities is a homemaker; she and her spouse, Oluwole Adegbile have two children, Ayoka and Ayomiku. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Reverend Randolph Thompson.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding this time to me and also thank him for his leadership as the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. I also want to thank the Democratic leadership for bringing this bold and visionary legislation to the House floor today. I also want to thank my Republican friends who are willing to vote with us on this important measure. Madam Speaker, I represent the 15th poorest district in the United States of America. Thirty percent of the children in my congressional district live below the poverty level. So this is not an academic discussion; that is real serious business for the people of my district in North Carolina. So I ask my friends and colleagues today to listen to this debate. Don't let it just go over your head. But if you would please listen to this debate, listen to the plea of the children of America, and please consider voting for this very important legislation. The children of my district, the children of America need you.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to pay tribute to Mrs. Sallie Baldwin Howard, a native and resident of Wilson, North Carolina. For many years, Mrs. Howard dedicated her life to educating and serving the people of Northeastern North Carolina. She was recently honored as the Wilson Human Relations Commission 2007 Paul Lee Stevens Humanitarian for outstanding service to her community. Madam Speaker, Mrs. Howard, who is affectionately known as ``Bibi,'' dedicated much of her life as a teacher in the New York City Public School System during her early years, but for the past 15 years she has donated all of her time and energy to rallying youth in Wilson, challenging them to be exemplary citizens and great achievers. Madam Speaker, high praise is due to Mrs. Howard for her success in overcoming the racial and gender prejudices of her time. Mrs. Bibi Howard was born in Wilson, North Carolina, to Narcissus and Marcellus Sims on March 23, 1916. She overcame countless challenges growing up in the Jim Crow South as the daughter of sharecroppers. Nevertheless, she was driven and focused and graduated as valedictorian from Charles H. Darden High School in 1938. Mrs. Howard attended Hunter College in New York City where she earned both her bachelor and masters degree in education. She taught for nearly 30 years as a first grade teacher in New York. While there, she worked in the New York City American Negro Theater, which helped start the careers of Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee and Esther Rolle. There she honed her acting, directing and writing talent, finding a voice through her art. Her Off Broadway play The Passing of a Dinosaur is still performed today in local schools. Upon her retirement, Mrs. Howard returned to Wilson to lead the Christian Education Department of the St. John AME Zion Church. Her enthusiasm for education and the church inspired many of the youth of the community. Along with many other projects, Mrs. Howard founded the Youth Enrichment Program with Dr. JoAnne Woodard in 1989, and focused the program on lasting scholarship, a commitment to the cultural heritage of African Americans, and promoting the arts. Bibi Howard's tireless work to enrich the community inspired Dr. JoAnne Howard to create the one of the first public charter schools in the state, and the only public charter school in Wilson, the Sallie B. Howard School for the Arts & Education. The school, along with the Youth Enrichment Program, has been an invaluable asset to our community. Madam Speaker, in honor and recognition of Mrs. Sallie Baldwin Howard's diligent service as an educator and leader, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this great woman.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Etheridge, are you beginning to hear from our farmers across North Carolina? Are they calling your office like they are calling my office?

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I discern a sense of desperation among our farmers. They are looking to their Federal Government for a response. Is that what you are finding?

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. If we don't do it, it won't happen.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I want to thank my friend, Congressman Etheridge, for yielding me this time. This is a very important issue for North Carolina, and I want to thank him for allowing me to come to this floor tonight to add my comments to this subject. Also I want to thank my good friend Mike McIntyre. He spoke just a few minutes ago. Mike and Congressman Etheridge both are dynamic leaders of the Agriculture Committee. They both serve as chairmen of subcommittees on the Committee on Agriculture, and they are leading the way. I want to thank them publicly for their extraordinary leadership. But, Mr. Speaker, I have come to the floor tonight to, again, talk about this serious drought. My colleagues are absolutely correct. North Carolina is experiencing its worst drought in 50 long years. In fact, nearly three-quarters of North Carolina's 100 counties, that is 75 or more counties, are experiencing an exceptional drought, the most severe category listed by the Drought Management Advisory Council. The council also lists the remaining counties as experiencing extreme drought or severe drought conditions. This is very serious for North Carolina. The conditions have been so severe that several of our communities have as little as 3 months of water left remaining. If North Carolina does not see significant rain, some areas face prospects of water rationing. Yes, water rationing, or potentially running out of water entirely. The climate data shows that this spring and summer was the area's driest period since 1948. North Carolina, Mr. Speaker, is taking this problem seriously. Currently, 106 public water systems have already adopted mandatory water restrictions, while 118 have enacted voluntary restrictions. I was on a program a few nights ago with the Speaker of our House of Representatives in North Carolina, Speaker Joe Hackney, and I told Speaker Hackney that I would be on the House floor tonight with our friend Bob Etheridge and we will be talking about the drought. The Speaker of my House told me, ``Congressman, with all due respect, you need to talk about more than the drought. You need to provide resources for the farmers and others who are affected by the drought.'' This is very serious. As anyone can imagine, the effects on agriculture have been brutal. Congressman Etheridge talked about it a few minutes ago and Congressman McIntyre and my friend Congressman Spratt, they all talked about it. The effects have been absolutely brutal. It is estimated that peanut production is down about 20 percent from this time last year. Hay production has been cut nearly in half, and soybean production is down by more than a third. My colleagues, that is serious. In many parts of my district, and Congressman Etheridge has the map there with him in the well of the Chamber, these conditions are so dry that the soil at the bottom of drainage ditches has started to crack, and water in streams and creeks has ceased to even move. For many, the water table has also dropped to the point where there is virtually no water in the ground. The drought also means that there is less water available for our cattle and horses and other uses. At this point, some farmers will likely have to abandon their crops, particularly our peanut farmers. The consequences will be even more serious if there is no significant rainfall between now and February. Our U.S. Department of Agriculture declared 85 North Carolina counties disaster areas last month, making farmers eligible for low- interest emergency loans. And we are certainly thankful for that. But our farmers still need more help, and that is what Congressman Etheridge was talking about a few minutes ago. We are facing the kind of disaster that could push many of our farmers out of business and off of their farms. Congress must move quickly to avoid worsening this natural disaster. So, I am confident, I am extremely confident that the Democratic majority will rise to the occasion. We will certainly encourage the leadership to do that. We will make the resources available for our citizens. And I pray, Mr. Speaker, that the President of the United States would not veto that legislation, that he will sign it into law. Thank you, Mr. Etheridge, for your extraordinary leadership, and thank you for what you mean to North Carolina.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing and congratulating Alice Eason Ballance of Winsor, North Carolina. Mrs. Ballance was recently named as this year's Experience Works Prime Time Award recipient for North Carolina. This national award program honors individuals over the age of 65 who continue to make meaningful contributions in the workplace, and who best reflect the characteristics of leadership, learning, mentoring and contributing to the nation and their local communities. Mrs. Ballance is highly deserving of this honor after a lifetime centered on helping others, particularly those who need assistance the most. She continues to work hard each day to help the poor and disadvantaged in eastern North Carolina and has realized many successes along the way. Mrs. Ballance understood the power of voting and mounted a highly successful voter registration drive where she personally taught people to read to enable them to overcome literacy tests. Among her many accomplishments, she has helped displaced sharecroppers find housing, worked to open the welfare system to anyone who needed assistance, and developed poverty and jobs programs. She has been recognized many times for her selfless efforts, with honors including the Long Leaf Pine Award from former North Carolina Governor James Hunt, a Community Service Award from former President Bill Clinton and the Nancy Susan Reynolds Award for Extraordinary Leadership. Today, the 88-year-old Mrs. Ballance still works 9 hours each day as the director of Kiddie World--Mary Alice Day Center overseeing the delivery of daycare services to 150 children and 25 adults. She is an energetic inspiration to all who know her. Mrs. Ballance embodies the true spirit of commitment and compassion; she has given all that she can to her community. The communities in eastern North Carolina are better for Mrs. Ballance's efforts, so it is a great honor for me to recognize the success and achievements of this outstanding resident of the First Congressional District of North Carolina.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, it is with tremendous pride that I rise today to pay a sincere tribute to the Search and Rescue Team of Lieutenant Marc Tunstall, Ensign Jason Evans, Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike Ackermann and Petty Officer 3rd Class Steven Acuna. These men of Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City rescued a downed Navy fighter pilot from the Atlantic Ocean this past Thursday. At 6 p.m. on October 11, 2007, Lt. Marc Tunstall and Ensign Jason Evans, pilot and co-pilot of a Coast Guard HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter found the downed F/A-18 Hornet nearly 80 miles off Cape Henry, Virginia. Rescue swimmer Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike Ackermann was dispatched to retrieve the pilot from the ocean, whereupon the rescued pilot was hoisted in the helicopter by flight mechanic Petty Officer 3rd Class Steven Acuna. The rescued pilot was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where he is in stable condition, with only minor injuries from the crash. Madam Speaker, this successful rescue is one of nearly 360 search and rescue missions executed every year by the men and women of Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City. In the last 60 years, the Air Station has rescued or assisted over 10,000 people. I am proud that Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City is located in my district, and more proud of the exemplary work and bravery exhibited by the men and women who save hundreds of lives each year. I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the commendable work of Lt. Tunstall, Ensign Evans, Petty Officer 2nd Class Ackermann and Petty Officer 3rd Class Acuna.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, on the occasion of Taiwan's National Day, I would like to join my colleagues in wishing Taiwan and its people many happy returns and especially an early return to the United Nations. In recent decades, Taiwan has impressed the world with its economic development and progress in the areas of human rights and political freedom. Taiwan has also been a partner with the United States in our global war against terror. Best wishes to Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian and Taiwan Representative in Washington, Dr. Joseph Wu. Representative Wu has impressed everyone on the Hill with his knowledge, industry and professional demeanor.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1506.