Jim Clyburn

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a group of South Carolina workers who are dedicated to serving all of their customers, even in times of crisis. The 67 employees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative serve 17,000 customers in six counties in rural South Carolina, most of which are in the Sixth Congressional District which I am proud to serve in this body. These committed workers were the true heroes of a crushing ice storm that devastated a number of rural areas in January of this year. The worst ice storm to hit South Carolina in three decades swept through the Midlands area January 26-30, causing enough destruction for the President to declare 17 counties a major disaster area. At the heart of this devastation were an estimated 15,000 Tri-County Co-op customers, who lost power in the midst of freezing temperatures and impassible roads. Within a few days the co-op, under the leadership of Robert G. Wannamaker, had mobilized a massive team effort to repair 250 broken poles and 200 cross arms restoring power to all but ten houses in their service area. They diligently worked in those remote areas to have full service restored to all their customers within a week. This achievement of the Tri-County Co-op employees is indicative of their willingness to go beyond the call of duty to provide and maintain a better quality of life for rural communities in South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I invite you and my colleagues to join me in thanking the brave and dedicated employees of Tri-County Co-op who jeopardized their own safety to insure their customers made it safely through the terrors of this year's winter storm. Their perseverance and dedication are greatly appreciated.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to South Carolina's golfing ``phenom'' Erica Battle, a young lady who seems to be poised to make a big splash in the golf world in the not-to-distant future. Just last week, this 19-year-old Irmo, South Carolina native, won the Sonic Women's City of Columbia Championship held at the Forrest Lake Country Club. She stayed focused through a rainy second day at the tournament to break the course record with a score of 4-under par 68. After the 3 day tournament, she emerged with a 2-over-par 218, and bested the second place finisher by five strokes. Attaining such an accomplishment as a college junior is not unusual for this golf stand-out. As a high school player, Erica was named South Carolina's Female Athlete of the Year by The State newspaper and won the Beth Daniel Player of the Year award from the South Carolina Junior Golf Association. She qualified for the United States Amateur in 2002, won the 4A State Girl individual title in 2000, and led her Irmo High School golf team to three state championships. She is also dedicated to help with charitable causes. Last August, Erica participated in the 13th annual Rudolph Canzater Memorial Classic that I host annually in Santee, South Carolina. Last year's tournament contributed $21,000 in college scholarships for 22 needy students, and $25,000 to an Endowment I have established at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. I played in the foursome with Erica on the first day of that two-day event, and got to see first hand the poise and maturity she has developed in the few years since she was my primary source for Girl Scout cookies. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and your colleagues to join me in celebrating the most recent success of Erica Battle, and in encouraging her to continue setting goals and records. Her success is a shining example to those who will follow in her footsteps.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of South Carolina's leading executives, Robert G. Wannamaker, General Manager of Tri-County Electric Cooperative. Mr. Wannamaker, who will be retiring at the end of this month, has spent his entire career insuring that rural areas in South Carolina's Sixth Congressional District have access to reliable, affordable electricity. Throughout his 23 years with the Cooperative, Mr. Wannamaker has led his team to many profound successes, especially in times of crisis. This past January he impressively managed the effects of a natural disaster when one of the most violent ice storms in South Carolina's history tore through the state's Midlands leaving roughly 15,000 Co-op customers without power. Mr. Wannamaker directed a recovery process that had total restoration of power within a week despite extensive damage to more than 250 poles and 200 cross arms. Mr. Wannamaker began his career with McCall-Thomas Engineering Company of Orangeburg as an Engineering Assistant. He was hired at Tri- County in January of 1972 by the late Dewey Kemmerlin, Jr. as a field designer and staking engineer. He was later promoted to the position of manager of member services, which he held until he left Tri-County Co- op to become the district manager of the Johns Island District of Berkeley Electric Co-op near Charleston. He is a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and the University of South Carolina and serves as a member of community development committees and organizations. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating Mr. Wannamaker on a distinguished career of insuring a better quality of life for rural citizens of South Carolina. His work has given thousands of customers the reliability and convenience of having efficient energy services through even the most challenging conditions. And he will be sorely missed.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mrs. Evelyn Alethia Bonaparte Haynes, a native South Carolinian whose dedication to the education of all children--regardless of economic background or racial identity--shines as an example to all who love children. On June 23, 2004, would have celebrated her 91st birthday, and in commemorating her legacy, I believe it is important to highlight a few of the contributions that she made. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Mrs. Haynes attended Wallingford and Buist Elementary Schools and Charleston's Avery Institute. She later graduated from South Carolina State College--now South Carolina State University--where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. In 1958, she received a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education, Supervision, and Administration from Teachers College at Columbia University in New York. Mrs. Haynes made significant contributions to the education of children through her dedicated service in a number of positions. She began her teaching career in Beaufort, South Carolina. In 1936, she was employed by the Charleston County Department of Education, now the Charleston County School District. She served as teacher and principal at Miley Hill Elementary School in Ravenel, South Carolina for 14 years. In 1964, she was appointed the Jeanes Supervisor for the Charleston County Department of Education where she served until 1967. It was during these years that I met and for three years worked in consultation with her. After desegregation of the public schools in 1967, she was the first African-American appointed to an administrative position in the Charleston County public school system. She became Assistant Personnel Director for the Charleston County Public School District and remained in that position until her retirement in 1974. Retirement, however, did not quell her passion for service. In 1974, Mrs. Haynes was elected to the City of Charleston's Constituent School District #20 Board of Trustees and served in that position until 1978. She advocated for high academic standards, high-quality learning materials, smaller classes, competitive salaries, trained administrators, and parental involvement. Mrs. Haynes received numerous awards, citations, and honors for her active membership in her church, her public service contributions, and her distinguished career in education. She has been recognized by the Charleston Branch of the National Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), by Shaw University, and by Miley Hill Elementary School for her achievements. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life and legacy of this venerable woman on what would have been her 91st birthday. She blazed a trail in her community through education and service that continues to influence future generations. This committed teacher from South Carolina has demonstrated with great fervor, her commitment to excellence and to the highest of standards for the educational well-being of the children of South Carolina.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Henry Nehemiah Tisdale, the 8th President of Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. A native South Carolinian, Dr. Tisdale's commitment to higher education has enabled scores of students to achieve their dreams of a college degree. This year marks his 10th year as President of this esteemed institution, and I believe a good time to highlight some of his outstanding contributions to South Carolina's higher education community. Born in Kingstree, South Carolina, Dr. Tisdale received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Claflin University in 1964. In 1967, he was awarded a Master of Education degree from Temple University, and in 1975, received a Master of Arts in Mathematics from Dartmouth College. He later obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mathematics from Dartmouth College in 1978. Dr. Tisdale's professional experiences include a twenty-four-year tenure as Senior Vice-President and Chief Academic Officer at Delaware State University, where he also served for a year as Assistant Academic Dean for Administration, Planning, and Information Management. His vision and zeal to position his alma mater Claflin University as a premier institution in the Southeast is nothing short of extraordinary. Under his tutelage, the University has earned ``Top Tier'' and ``Top Ten'' ranking among comprehensive baccalaureate granting institutions in the South with U.S. News and World Report's ``America's Best Colleges 2003. `` He has increased enrollment by 60 percent, achieved national accreditation for Business Administration and Teacher Education, restored many of the campus buildings, and transformed the campus with the new Living and Learning Center and Legacy Plaza. Dr. Tisdale has also been the recipient of numerous honors and awards including the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) Distinguished Alumni Award, Who's Who Among Black Americans, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Educator of the Year Award. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in commemorating Dr. Tisdale's ten years at Claflin University. He has blazed a trail in his community through education and service that continues to influence future generations and enhance the national reputation of South Carolina in the field of higher education. Not only are Claflin's students and faculty, friends and alumni fortunate to have a person of Dr. Tisdale's caliber at the helm of their institution, but South Carolina is also a grateful beneficiary of Dr. Tisdale's passion for public service, and I am personally proud to have him as a personal friend.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding public servant from the State of South Carolina, a dear friend, and former colleague, Philip G. Grose, Jr. Phil is officially retiring from State Government as Director of the South Carolina Executive Institute after serving in various state government capacities for 36 years. His extraordinary leadership and service deserve recognition. Phil is a native of Greenville, South Carolina, but he left his home state to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in English at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. His first professional job was as a staff writer and sports reporter for the Charlotte Observer in 1960. He went on to hone his writing and investigative skills as a reporter for Broadcasting magazine in New York, but returned to his native state to accept a position at The State newspaper in Columbia. There he served as Sports Writer and Business Editor, before finding his niche as Government Affairs Editor. That assignment helped Phil marry his love of politics to his skill of writing, and would unwittingly launch his second career in government. In 1967, Governor Robert E. McNair recognized Phil's expertise and invited him to join the Governor's staff as News Secretary and Research Assistant. His adeptness and understanding both government and the media insured Phil's success in this role. In 1967, John Carl West succeeded Bob McNair as Governor and invited Phil to serve in the new administration as Executive Assistant for Public Affairs. It was while Phil was preparing to serve in this capacity that he and I first met, when after some cajoling from him I accepted an invitation from Governor West to join his staff and was placed under Phil's tutelage. Phil shared his enormous talents and his enthusiasm was infectious. He merged efficiency and effectiveness in a manner I had not seen before, and made government work fun and productive. I learned a great deal from him and developed a great deal of admiration and respect for him. Because of his tremendous abilities, Phil was elevated through a number of increasingly important positions in state government after Governor West tenure as Governor ended in 1975. Phil served as Executive Assistant to the President of the University of South Carolina, Chief Deputy Commissioner for the South Carolina Department of Social Services, Director of the South Carolina State Reorganization Commission, and Assistant Executive Director of the State Budget and Control Board. In 1989, Phil was tapped to serve as the Director of the Executive Institute, where he leads statewide executive education programs for public sector leaders. He also manages the South Carolina Center for Excellence and the Budget and Control Board's training center. Phil Grose is married to the former Virginia Maxwell. They have a daughter, Patricia Grose Williams, a son-in-law John D. Williams, and two grandsons, Harrison Philip Williams and David McCully Williams, all of Starnberg, Germany. Phil and his wife have both had very distinguished careers, and my wife Emily have enjoyed being a part of their professional and personal lives. Although Phil has decided it is time to retire from his official role as a public servant, I know he will never relinquish his role of serving the public. Mr. Speaker, I invite you and the members of this august body to join me in commending Phil Grose on his compassion, his intelligence, his unflagging sense of humor, and his uncompromising dedication to his home state. His name may not be well known, but his words and phrases broadly read and widely quoted. His work is evident throughout South Carolina state government, and serves as an inspiration to many of us who currently serve. The impact of his service will be felt by future generations of public servants, and I am proud to have him as a friend and to honor him today.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend SCANA Corporation, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in my State, on being selected as the recipient of the United States Department of Labor's Opportunity Award. Each year, the Secretary of Labor selects one Federal contractor as the recipient of this high honor. It is given to the company which has most clearly exemplified that they have established and instituted comprehensive workforce strategies to ensure equal employment opportunity. On February 19, the Secretary of Labor presented this award to SCANA officials in what was a very impressive ceremony. The nominees for the Opportunity Award must be Federal contractors covered by Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act, and must have a spotless record of compliance with Federal law. All of them must demonstrate that they have developed and are implementing a multi- faceted equal employment opportunity program directed towards the changing demographics of the labor force. I spent a lot of time, in my life before Congress, counseling Federal contractors in my State on the virtues of Executive Order 11246, and SCANA was often used by me as an example of how and why it could and should be done. I am proud that my constituent, the SCANA Corporation, has continued to demonstrate a commitment to equal employment opportunity, and has achieved measurable results that have significantly enhanced equal employment opportunities for employees, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. To win this high honor, a company must have strong core values to serve as the foundation for successful implementation of its equal employment opportunity policies in every facet of the employment relationship and throughout the company. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the Department of Labor has bestowed this high honor on the SCANA Corporation, and ask that you and my colleagues join me in commending SCANA for its ongoing efforts to institute comprehensive workforce strategies to ensure equal employment opportunities.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert into the Record, two tributes to Mr. Aubrey Boozer, Jr., of Austin, Texas, who passed on December 23, 2003. While I did not personally know Mr. Boozer, his son, Lyndon K. Boozer, has been a great friend since I arrived in Washington almost twelve years ago. Lyndon often spoke of his father and the profound impact that he had on his life. Two tributes follow, which I believe capture the true essence of a life well lived. The first is the eulogy which Lyndon delivered at the memorial service for his dad, and, the second is the obituary which appeared in the Austin American Statesman. My Dad (By Lynden K. Boozer, December 30, 2003.) ``As you know, my Dad recently moved to DC. About a month ago, he was over for Thanksgiving Dinner. After getting everyone's attention--he commanded it--he told this story he had heard from LBJ Ranch foreman Dale Malechek about a preacher at a Bar B Que. Now I won't tell this story as well as Dad because he was a master storyteller--one of the best. But it seems the Reverand was thanking the Lord for the Blessings and went on and on and on. Finally, after about 10 minutes, Dale turns over to Dad and says: ``You reckon the Bar B Que ain't done yet?'' That was the last story I remember him tell, and I remember it like yesterday. Dad liked to keep things simple. And short. So we won't keep you from your Bar B Que today, but I just wanted to share a few of my favorite things about Dad because he had 78 full years of life. He liked Westerns, Cowboys and old War movies, maybe because it reminded him of his days in the Navy. WW II he used to call it, the only ``good'' war. He loved to cook--and he was a master in the kitchen. Laura and I used to wake up on Sunday mornings to the wafting aroma of bacon and eggs, biscuits and cream gravy. For most of his adult life, we remember him as a big, authoritative man. He was strong willed and stubborn which meant it was ``his way or the hightiway.'' His way was usually right. Even though his body gave out this year, his mind and spirit were still tough as nails. He organized his move to Washington like he did everything else, with precision and fortitude. He didn't look back. His goodbyes were short. I suspect it was because he knew he'd be back soon. Beneath his tough exterior and grumpy ways was a kind heart that overshadowed his modest outward appearance. He didn't care about much except his family and his close friends whom he tested on a regular basis. He loved his dogs whom he entrusted to Laura. They are alive and well. He loved my Mother deeply, and she was his axis of life. A close relative said, ``Well, you know why he died before Christmas? He wanted to spend it with your Mom.'' There's some truth to that... They were so different but were there for each other through it all--Houston where they met, New York City where they loved, Washington, DC where they grew, Mexico City where they enjoyed and finally Austin, Texas where they settled down and raised a family. And after Mom died in 1998, he visited this very grave site almost every week until his health was too poor. Our friends here at Cook Walden remember, especially Evelyn Williams. He never stopped wanting the best for Laura and me. And he was proud of us I'm told. He wouldn't say so to us but we knew it because everyone always said so. He was truly a Classic, a stand up guy, funny and honest and a straight shooter. Independent, And a proud Democrat. He didn't mince words and in this day of political correctness, he was a refreshing opinion. His values were ones to live by, and we will. We miss you Dad, and will think of you every day. While we cannot cheat father time, the past lives within us and is eternal in our hearts and minds. You will always be remembered. We love you, Pops. [From the Austin American Statesman, December 28, 2004, Obituary.] Aubrey Boozer, Jr. Aubrey Boozer, Jr. was born in Clint, Texas. He was reared in Houston, Texas, having attended John Reagan High School, graduating in 1942. He immediately volunteered for military service. After serving his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he enrolled at Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas, in 1946 where he was President of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and a varsity basketball player. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree and graduated in 1951. Aubrey held various positions in government service, including a post at the United Nations in New York City, with the Civil Service Commission, then with the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C., and the Office of Economic Opportunity with the Johnson Administration. He and his wife, Yolanda, who was on the staff of President Lyndon B. Johnson, lived in Washington, D.C. during the 60s. He subsequently served in the U.S. Foreign Service at posts in the U.S. Embassy, Mexico City, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and wartime Saigon, South Vietnam, where he was Special Assistant to the Ambassador. He was awarded a commendation from the U.S. Army for ``Outstanding Work and Cooperation with All Government Agencies and the Vietnamese Government for Community Relations in the City of Saigon.'' After service to his country for the second time in Vietnam, he operated restaurants in Austin, Waco, Temple and College Station, Texas, for the Monterey House Mexican Foods, Inc. He was also Vice President of Operations for the company in Houston, Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Yolanda Boozer; and by his Mother and Father. He had no brothers or sisters. Survivors are Lyndon, a son who resides in Washington, D.C.; a daughter, Laura of San Francisco, California; and two grandchildren, Jordan and Kyle. He is also survived by cousins, JoAnn Harris, Charles Hale, Alec Hale Reid, and Amy; and nieces, Diane VanHootegem, Christine Rayburn and Rosalind Johansson, all of whom he cared for very much. Mr. Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to honor the life of Mr. Aubrey Boozer. I ask that my colleagues join me in expressing condolences to this fine family.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I failed last evening to make this statement, which I thought was very important to me during Black History Month, because of a little appointment I had with the dentist. So I am pleased that the gentleman yielded to me today. Mr. Speaker, when I first came to Congress 11 years ago, the very first piece of legislation I introduced was to name the Federal courthouse proposed for Columbia, South Carolina, in honor of Judge Matthew J. Perry, Jr. Some of my friends and colleagues cautioned me that the time was not quite right for such a bold initiative, and others counseled me that the thought bordered on naivete. But I had read and taken to heart Martin Luther King, Jr.'s letter from the Birmingham city jail. In that timeless document, Dr. King addressed the rightness of time. King wrote that ``time is neutral. Time is never right and time is never wrong.'' He opined in that letter that ``the people of ill will in our society seem to make much better use of time than the people of goodwill.'' And he went on to write that ``we are going to be made to repent in this generation not just for the vitriolic words and deeds of bad people, but for the appalling silence of good people.'' I felt, therefore, that even if it were not time for such to be done, it was certainly time for silence on the subject to be broken. It has been a long time coming, but I am proud to say that the Matthew J. Perry, Jr. United States Courthouse will be officially dedicated on April 23, 2004. Today, like every day for the past 25 years, Judge Matthew J. Perry walked into his office in the Federal courthouse in Columbia, South Carolina, to adjudicate cases according to Federal law. Today, he sits as a defender of the very Constitution that was once used to deny him and his forebears the right to attend his home State's law school or vote for those who made the laws. Today, Judge Perry is a stoic defender of ``liberty and justice for all'' that led him and all of South Carolina to this glorious time in our history. Born in a segregated society just a few miles from the building that now bears his name, Judge Perry's youth prepared him for a lifetime commitment to challenging injustice. Judge Perry was raised by a grandfather after his father died when he was 12 years old, and his mother left home to find work in New York as a seamstress. Despite his challenging childhood, he was determined to make a better life for himself and worked odd jobs to put himself through South Carolina State College. A defining moment in Matthew Perry's life came when he was drafted to serve in World War II. After finishing basic training in Alabama, he went to the train station to proudly return home as an American soldier. But he was turned away from the station's restaurant and forced to order food through a window as he watched foreign prisoners of war eating inside. Such injustice fueled the fire within this gentle man to return to South Carolina after the war and attend South Carolina State College's law school, which was established to avoid integrating the law school at the University of South Carolina. Upon graduation, he passed the State's newly implemented bar exam, which was adopted, in part, to impede blacks' membership in the South Carolina Bar. As a young black attorney, he took cases based on principle, not on payment. He became well known for his commitment to fighting for justice regardless of the personal costs and soon became the chief counsel of the South Carolina Conference of Branches of the NAACP. Judge Perry argued many notable cases. He served as lead attorney in the successful litigation to integrate Clemson University in 1963. In 1972, he won a tough reapportionment case which resulted in the creation of single member districts in South Carolina. He had a hand in almost every case that integrated South Carolina's public schools, hospitals, golf courses, restaurants, parks, playgrounds and beaches. He individually tried over 6,000 cases, and his work led to the release of some 7,000 people arrested for protesting various forms of segregation. I was one of those protestors that Matthew Perry so eloquently defended, after I was arrested with nearly 300 other students on a bitterly cold day in 1961. Matthew Perry chose me as his chief witness at the trial of Fields against South Carolina. He lost that case, as he did all of his cases at the magistrate level, and, with one exception, all were overturned on appeal. His perseverance was unmatched and his dedication undaunted. Judge Perry went on to become the first black lawyer from the Deep South to be appointed to a Federal bench when in 1976 he became a judge on the United States Military Court of Appeals here in Washington, D.C. Three years later, he returned home to become a United States District Judge for South Carolina, where he continues to serve today in senior status. Throughout the death threats and lean times that marked his early career, to today's achievements and accolades, Matthew's devoted wife Hallie has remained steadfastly by his side. The couple has one son Michael, a banker in Charlotte, North Carolina. The dedication of a United States courthouse in his honor in the shadow of his birthplace that was once cloaked in the scourge of segregation signals a new era in South Carolina, brought about in large measure by the dogged determination of Matthew Perry and his unbending faith that justice will prevail. His vision and veracity led him to challenge the Jim Crow laws of his time and succeeded in providing faith and hope to an entire generation of South Carolinians. Mr. Speaker, the motto of the State of South Carolina is, ``While I Breathe, I Hope.'' Our State's motto and our Nation's promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are reflected in the life experiences and work of Judge Matthew J. Perry, Jr., and I am pleased to be here today to enter into the record just a little synopsis of the life of this great South Carolinian and outstanding American.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time, and I thank her for her leadership on this and other issues in this great body. Mr. Speaker, I was elected 11 years ago. Today I represent a congressional district of 668,000 people. It is an interesting congressional district, about half and half urban and rural. There are people who run the gamut. I represent the poor precincts and census tracts in the congressional district, and I also represent some of the wealthiest. Last week when I went back home after our Medicare prescription drug vote, and I was asked questions by my constituents, they were asking me things like is it true that in this prescription drug bill the Secretary of HHS is prevented from negotiating on my behalf for lower drug costs? And, of course, I answered them, That is my understanding of the bill. And they have been asking, Is it true that I cannot use my Medigap insurance to cover any shortfalls that may come as a result of prescription drug costs? And, of course, I answered them, It is my understanding that that is true. And then they want to know from me, Why is it that I did not hear from you about the possibility of these issues before you cast a vote? You are there to represent my interests, and I would like to hear from you about these kinds of things before they come to a vote. Then I was obliged to tell them that the bill was completed around 1:30 a.m. in the morning, and I was given less than a day to take a look at it, and we finally voted on this after they had gone to bed the next night around 3 a.m. in the morning. Then they want to know the ultimate: If this bill is not to be effective until 2006, what was the rush? What was the rush? There is no good answer for many of us to that question. I just want to say to my friends on the other side of the aisle, I am the eldest son of a fundamentalist minister who taught me that it is important to maintain balance in one's life, as well as one's efforts. He taught me to be conservative. He said to me very often, if you make a dollar, you ought to be able to save a nickel. He taught me when you leave a room, you turn out the light, you conserve energy. But he also taught me from those Sunday mornings when he stood before his congregation and asked for an offering, he asked them to give liberally. And so I learned that we must balance our liberalism with conservatism, and our conservatism with liberalism, and with proper balance and proper discussions, with proper input from all sides, we will yield much better legislation and much better results. We did not have that opportunity with this bill to have input from all sides to try to get a better and more balanced result. Mr. Speaker, I believe that the failure on the part of this body to do that sets us up, as the gentlewoman has said, for a very interesting election year, and I am hopeful that this legislation will become the centerpiece of our discussions next year because then we will have a better result.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Georgia Loretta Jones Elam, a resident of the Sixth Congressional District, and a longtime friend of mine and my family. Born and raised in Hartsville, South Carolina, Mrs. Elam finished her elementary education in record time and entered my alma mater, South Carolina State College, now University, at the tender age of 14. After her dreams of becoming a Chemist were thwarted because of gender stereotypes of the 1920's, she entered the field of Home Economics. Upon graduating with her Bachelors degree, Mrs. Elam taught at South Carolina State College where most of her students were older than she. She went on to Columbia University in 1949 where she earned her Master's. Throughout her career, Mrs. Elam taught at seven institutions in the State of South Carolina. Most notably, she taught for 31 years at C.A. Johnson High School in Columbia, South Carolina. She also participated in workshops to further her education at University of Georgia, Winthrop College, and the University of South Carolina. It was during her tenure at C.A. Johnson High School that Mrs. Elam started the first day care center in a public school in South Carolina. It was her innovative idea to give her Child Care and Development students the opportunity to have them care for real children instead of dolls that led her to start the day care center. Also while at C.A. Johnson, Mrs. Elam served as Head of the Home Economics Department, advisor to the New Homemakers of America--the predecessor of Future Homemakers of America--the cheerleads, the pep squad and the modern dance club. Always a leader, be it in her professional life or that of her community, Mrs. Elam was given the Teacher of the Year award by the South Carolina Home Economics Association in 1975. She was also honored with a Distinguished Service Award by the Association of Vocational Home Economics Teachers in 1978. And, giving further credence to her merits as a leader, Mrs. Elam was named Boss of the Year in 1979 by the Midlands Chapter of the American Business Women's Association. While this lively 90-year-old worked in the field of Home Economics for over half a Century, her dedication goes far beyond the parameters of her job requirements. Mrs. Elam has been an ardent community leader and continues to be very active in her church, Bethel A.M.E. She has been involved in numerous political campaigns over the years, and never turns down an opportunity to volunteer with church programs that have anything to do with youth or her congregation. Mrs. Elam has served as Director of Christian Education, which meant leading vacation bible school for many years, and also served as leader of the scouting program, and sponsor of the Young People's Gospel choir which she founded. For many years, she presented ``Golgatha,'' a religious pageant which she wrote and directed. In 1995, Rev. Ronnie Brailsford made her a Steward at Bethel A.M.E. Her actions of devotion to others, particularly the young people in her community, should be an inspiration to us all. Mrs. Elam is the widow of Leon M. Elam. She has one daughter, Loretta E. Taylor who is married to John B. Taylor of Wilmington, Delaware; three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Mrs. Elam also has two siblings, Elise Martin and Gottleib Harvest, both of Columbia, South Carolina, where Mrs. Elam herself now resides. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in honoring Georgia Loretta Jones Elam for her selfless dedication to citizens, particularly young people, across the State of South Carolina. She is a pillar of the community, and I wish her good luck and Godspeed.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Mrs. Leler Virginia Scarborough George, who celebrated her 100th Birthday on November 16, 2003. Mrs. George, whose life has reflected not only her exemplary character, courage and commitment to family, but also a dedication to the education of her children, her faith and an untiring work ethic. Mrs. George was born on November 16, 1903, to Samuel and Lydia Scarborough of Lee County in Bishopville, S.C. Later, Mrs. George married Jimmy George from Wysacky, SC. They purchased their first home on 75 acres of land, which Mrs. George still owns today. Mr. and Mrs. George placed great importance on educating their children and found the resources to send them to Mayesville Institute, a private, boarding school attended by the incomparable civil and human rights pioneer Mary McLeod Bethune. Despite grave challenges, the Georges successfully balanced the financial demands of schooling their children and running a farming operation. At the young age of 45, Mr. Jimmy George suddenly passed away, leaving Mrs. George with eight children to raise and a ninth child on the way. With undaunted courage, Mrs. George resolved to hold on to their home and farm, and continue pursuing their shared dreams. Mrs. George demonstrated her business acumen and success as a farmer by converting the horse and plow operations she inherited to a completely mechanized farm. In 1983, she was named by the Smithsonian Museum as head of one of the eight outstanding farm families in America. Mrs. George's greatest legacy and contribution to society are the self discipline and burning desire for education that she instilled in each of her children. All nine of whom went to college and received graduate degrees. Their achievements against remarkable odds attest to the determination and sacrifices of Mrs. George. Her oldest son, James, now deceased, attended Morris College, owned several businesses, and served as director of Training and Rehabilitation for the City of Sumter; Rosella G. Toney, now retired, was an Assistant Principal at Bishopville High School; Mary G. Hopkins, served as a college librarian at Virginia State University and retired as head librarian for Franklin County Middle School in Rocky Mount, VA; Dr. Ruth G. Kennedy retired from North Carolina Central University as an Associate Professor of English and served for a year as Executive Assistant to the Interim Chancellor; Ivorie Lowe retired as Dean of Girls at Bloom Township High School in Chicago, IL; Arthur L. George, formerly an educator with both local schools and the University of South Carolina at Spartanburg, retired as a sales manager with Prudential Insurance Company and presently serves as Senior Chaplain for the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center in Virginia; Kershaw George, a former University of South Carolina Administrator in Admissions, has become an entrepreneur; Dr. Eugene George, formerly an Assistant Professor of Education at the University of South Carolina and Associate Superintendent of Richland School District #1, is presently a school principal in Columbia; Doris Baskette, a former school principal, is now a principal leader and mentor with the South Carolina Department of Education. A dedicated and lifelong member of St. Mark Baptist Church, Mrs. George received St. Mark's ``Mother of the Church'' honor this year. An active member, she has served as president of the Missionary Society and Floral Club, Treasurer of the Sunday School, and member of the Usher Board. She maintains her political activism through her membership with the National Council of Negro Women. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. George's 100th birthday marks a life of stellar achievements, and she is still going strong. There is no question that Mrs. Leler Virginia Scarborough George is a role model for all of us, and ask you and my colleagues to join me in wishing her Godspeed.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who has served as a mentor in South Carolina's public schools and as a member and pastor of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Orangeburg, South Carolina, for more than 30 years. Reverend Francis G.S. Everett, Jr., spent 23 years at Elloree High School as a teacher and principal and later worked in Orangeburg School District Five. His efforts at community improvement were widely recognized and remain commendable to this day. The parishioners of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church have strongly supported Reverend Everett as he has lifted up its many ministries and represented the church well in the Mount Pisgah Union, the Orthodox Baptist Association, the Cooperative Baptist Convention of South Carolina, and the Orangeburg Ministerial Alliance. He has also served as a co-chaplain at South Carolina State University, and as a member of the Orangeburg Calhoun Regional Medical Center Chaplain Corp. An activist for educational advancement, Reverend Everett has served with the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Foundation and South Carolina Board of Directors of the State Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Orangeburg Calhoun Retired Education Association, the South Carolina Education Association, the National Education Association, and as a trustee of Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina. Reverend Everett earned his A.B. and M.S. degrees from South Carolina State University and was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Union Baptist Seminary of Birmingham, Alabama. Reverend Everett is married to Mrs. Althea Hilton Everett of Alcolu, South Carolina. The couple has two children, Ralph and Gwendolyn. Mr. Speaker, I invite you to join me in paying tribute to this role model to educational and spiritual leaders in our nation. Reverend Everett has developed a life of unwavering commitment to his students, his parishioners and his family and friends. He serves as an inspiration to so many, and I am proud to honor him today.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Indiana for yielding me this time and the gentlewoman from Illinois for her assistance with this effort. I also want to thank Speaker Hastert and Leader Pelosi for their assistance in expediting this very important piece of legislation. I am also thankful to Chairman Oxley and Ranking Member Frank for their leadership in this matter. It is very difficult to find proper words to convey to the 298 cosponsors of this bill my appreciation of the bipartisan support and genuine courtesies extended to me throughout this effort. Mr. Speaker, I am also grateful to Senator Fritz Hollings for his sponsorship of similar legislation in the other body and his 99 colleagues who gave his bill a unanimous vote. I am hopeful this body will do likewise. Mr. Speaker, as we approach the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, it is indeed an honor to stand in the Halls of the United States House of Representatives to commemorate the dedication and courage of four South Carolinians who initiated the effort to desegregate public school education in South Carolina and the Nation. Reverend Joseph Armstrong DeLaine organized the original 106 petitioners, 18 of whom and two others made up the original 20 plaintiffs in Briggs v. Elliott, the first of the five cases that were merged and became Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. I now submit the names of all of those petitioners into the Record of these proceedings this evening. Briggs v. Elliot South Carolinians who signed a petition to the Board of Trustees for Clarendon County School District #22 demanding equal educational opportunities for African-Americans. The petition was submitted on November 11, 1949. 1. Harry Briggs* 2. Eliza Briggs 3. Harry Briggs, Jr. 4. Thomas Lee Briggs 5. Katherine Briggs 6. Thomas Gamble 7. Henry Brown 8. Thelma Brown 9. Vera Brown 10. Beatrice Brown 11. Willie Brown 12. Marian Brown 13. Ethel Mae Brown 14. Howard Brown 15. James Brown 16. Theola Brown 17. Thomas Brown 18. Euralia Brown 19. Joe Morris Brown 20. Onetha Bennett* 21. Hercules Bennett 22. Hilton Bennett 23. William Gibson 24. Annie Gibson* 25. William Gibson Jr. 26. Maxine Gibson 27. Harold Gibson 28. Robert Georgia* 29. Carrie Georgia 30. Charlie Georgia 31. Jervine Georgia 32. Gladys Hilton 33. Joseph Hilton 34. Lila Mae Huggins 35. Celestine Huggins 36. Juanita Huggins 37. Gussie Hilton 38. Roosevelt Hilton 39. Thomas Johnson 40. Blanche E. Johnson 41. Lillie Eva Johnson 42. Rubie Lee Johnson 43. Betty J. Johnson 44. Bobby M. Johnson 45. Preston Johnson Jr. 46. Susan Lawson* 47. Raymond Lawson 48. Eddie Lee Lawson 49. Susan Ann Lawson 50. Frederick Oliver* 51. Willie Oliver 52. Mary Oliver* 53. Mose Oliver* 54. Leroy Oliver 55. Mitchel Oliver 56. Bennie Parson Jr.* 57. Plummie Parson 58. Celestine Parson 59. Edward Ragin* 60. Sarah Ragin 61. Shirley Ragin 62. Deloris Ragin 63. Hazel Ragin* 64. Zelia Ragin 65. Sarah Ellen Ragin 66. Rebecca Ragin 67. Mable Ragin 68. William Ragin* 69. Glen Ragin 70. Luchrisher Richardson* 71. Elane Richardson 72. Emanuel Richardson 73. Rebecca Richburg* 74. Rebecca I. Richburg 75. E.E. Richburg 76. Albert Richburg 77. Lee Johnson 78. Bessie Johnson 79. Morgan Johnson 80. Samuel Gary Johnson 81. Lee Richardson* 82. James Richardson 83. Charles Richardson 84. Annie L. Richardson 85. Dorothy Richardson 86. Jackson Richardson 87. Mary O. Lawson 88. Francis Lawson 89. Bennie Lee Lawson 90. Mary Oliver 91. Daisy Oliver 92. Louis Oliver Jr. 93. Esther F. Singleton 94. Janie Fludde 95. Henry Scott* 96. Mary Scott 97. Irene Scott 98. Willie M. Stukes* 99. Gardenia Stukes 100. Willie M. Stukes Jr. 101. Gardenia Stukes 102. Louis W. Stukes 103. Gabriel Tyndal* 104. Annie Tyndal 105. Mary L. Bennett 106. Lillian Bennett *Indicates those who served as named plaintiffs in the case of Briggs v. Elliott. Plaintiff's also included James H. Bennett and G. H. Henry. At the time of their petition, black children in Clarendon County were walking 9 miles each way to school, and all they petitioned for was a school bus. When their request for a bus was denied, they sought relief in the courts. Reverend DeLaine was harassed by the Ku Klux Klan and several attempts were made on his life. His church was burned and when he responded in kind to gunshots that were fired into his home in 1955, law enforcement officials issued a warrant for Reverend DeLaine's arrest. Fearing the consequences, he and his family fled the State. In 1971, Governor John C. West received a letter from Reverend DeLaine advising that his health was failing and requesting that he be allowed to return to South Carolina where he wished to be buried. Governor West tasked me with the responsibility of getting it done. We failed, because one of the men who signed the arrest warrant refused the Governor's and law enforcement officials' requests that he drop the charges. In 2000, the South Carolina legislature cleared Reverend DeLaine's record, but much too late to honor his request. Reverend DeLaine died in 1974 and is buried in Charlotte, North Carolina. Levi Pearson was a small Clarendon County farmer. He responded to Reverend DeLaine's request and sued the school district on behalf of his three children who were walking those 9 miles to school each day. His decision was met with dire consequences. The local bank refused to provide him credit to purchase farming equipment and other farmers refused to lend him any equipment. Shots were fired into his home and he was ostracized by his neighbors. Despite these actions, Pearson continued with his suit. But in 1948, the United States District Court dismissed Pearson's suit, finding that although his farm was partially in Clarendon School District 1, his house was situated in Clarendon School District 2; and therefore he had no standing. Although his legal case was dismissed, Pearson continued to fight against segregation and later became president of the local NAACP chapter. In spite of extreme hardships, he never left his land. Harry Briggs, a service station attendant, and his wife, Eliza, a maid at a local motel, took up the cause. As did Levi Pearson and Reverend DeLaine, they suffered inhumane consequences for their actions. They were fired from their jobs but they persevered, and as is often said, the rest is history. Because he was blackballed in South Carolina and could not find employment, Harry moved to Florida where he lived out his productive life. Unlike Reverend DeLaine, he returned to South Carolina and is buried in his native soil. Every year on the Friday evening nearest May 17, the South Carolina conference of branches of the NAACP holds its annual Freedom Fund dinner in honor of the Briggs petitioners. And ever since I have been a Member of this body, pictures of Mrs. DeLaine and other principals in the case have been prominently displayed on a wall of my office. Mr. Speaker, if not for the personal sacrifices of those like Reverend DeLaine, Mr. Pearson, the Briggses and many others known and unknown, I and others like me may have never experienced membership in this body. This bill reminds us that it is the actions of a preacher and educator, a farmer, a gas station attendant, and a motel maid that initiated the efforts that changed American society forever. I hope that our actions here tonight remind all Americans that it is not our station in life that makes us worthy of honor and recognition, but our commitment to the principles and pursuit of the promise that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Frank M. Hart for his longtime commitment and outstanding service to the educational advancement of South Carolinians both as a teacher and community leader. Mr. Hart began his career teaching in the Landrum and Woodruff public schools. He later served as a principal of Chapman, Rivers and Pickens high schools. He went on to serve as Director of Instruction for Charleston School District 20, where he coordinated the Title I and Title II programs. That is where I first met Mr. Hart when I was a History Teacher in the Charleston County Public Schools. We developed a friendship which continues today. His tenure in Charleston was followed by service as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction for the Pickens County Schools. In 1970 he was named Superintendent of Marion School District One where he served until 1988 when he retired. It was during this time that Mr. Hart reentered my public life when he invited me in 1971 to address his Rotary Club's weekly lunch. At that time this simple act was groundbreaking. Mr. Hart's work as a consultant to the State as a member of advisory committees on curriculum, educational television and secondary schools has been integral to promoting innovative new approaches to teaching. He served on an evaluating committee for the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges and on an executive committee of the South Carolina Superintendents Association. He is also the past president of the Atlantic AA Conference of the High School League. But Mr. Hart's instructions reach far beyond being a role model for public school students. They are just as evident in his personal life. He has performed extensive stewardship duties, including teaching adult Sunday school classes at his church, First United Methodist Church of Marion, South Carolina. He remains an active member of his Rotary Club and is a past president of the Marion Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Hart earned both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree from Clemson University. He has also studied in post-master's work at both the University of South Carolina and Columbia University. In addition, he served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1944 to 1946. He and his late wife, the former Betty Stevens of Cross Keys, South Carolina, are the parents of three daughters and two sons. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me today in honoring a long time friend and mentor, Frank M. Hart for his contributions to South Carolina and especially Marion County. His career in education has been profound, and his personal life has paralleled the kind of work he dedicated himself to in the classroom. I am personally grateful to him and wish him Godspeed and the best of luck in the future.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Florence G. Foxworth of Marion, South Carolina, for her contributions to our State as a public school teacher for more than five decades, her numerous civic and community activities and her particular dedication to fulfilling special education needs of challenged public school students. Ms. Foxworth has been teaching in public schools since 1951 and has earned the Teacher of the Year Award at Mullins High School. Earlier this year she was named Marion County NAACP's Woman of the Year, and was named second runner up for the South Carolina NAACP's Woman of the Year Award. She is also a Golden Apple Award recipient for her work with special needs children. In addition to inspiring thousands of students of all races, backgrounds, and beliefs to exceed and enhance the quality of life for all in our society, Ms. Foxworth also recognizes that children with special needs not only accords us some of our greatest educational challenges, but also some of our most rewarding experiences. As a former public school teacher, I appreciate her perseverance in insuring that every student leaves the classroom at the end of the day with a positive self-image, a commitment to always putting forth the best effort possible and a broader level of intelligence. Ms. Foxworth's commitment to serving others extends well beyond the classroom. She volunteers with the ALS Association, serves on the Board of Disabilities and Special Needs, and reads for nursing home patients. Her political contributions include volunteering as a voter registration volunteer for Marion County and as a member of the South Carolina Democratic Women's Council, National Council of Negro Women and the Palmetto Black Caucus. She also generously volunteered for my 1992 campaign for the seat I now hold in this august body, U.S. House of Representatives, and I am grateful to her for the time and effort she expended. Ms. Foxworth earned a degree in Elementary Education from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, and subsequently earned a Master's degree in Special Education from North Central University in Durham, North Carolina. She is a member of the NAACP and is actively involved in her church's activities. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me today in honoring Ms. Florence G. Foxworth for her many years of service to South Carolina. She is an invaluable asset to Mullins High School and one of the finest mentors our State has to offer. I am proud of her many achievements and look forward to her many future ventures. I wish her good luck and Godspeed.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lt. Col. Stephen Twitty, who led the only infantry battalion--1,000 soldiers strong--in the initial attack on Baghdad, Iraq, this past April. His 15th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Battalion was fearless in the face of the heaviest fighting of the campaign and successfully completed their mission. Lt. Col. Twitty witnessed casualties among his troops, and continued to lead his soldiers through the perils of suicide bombers, snipers, rocket-propelled grenades and a variety of other dangerous assaults. Later he had to keep his troops focused on their mission after the death of NBC reporter David Bloom, who was embedded with his regiment. He faced many potentially fatal situations by being on the frontline of American servicemen. As a result of his gallantry, he received the U.S. Army's third highest medal, the Silver Star, and is most likely on his way to becoming a colonel. Lt. Col. Twitty is a native of Chesnee, SC, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, my alma mater, where he will serve as a grand marshal of this year's Homecoming Parade. He is in good company among the military ranks of SCSU graduates. The University currently has four alumni who are generals on active duty, one of whom was just named Commanding Officer of Fort Jackson. Lt. Col. Twitty later received a master's in public administration from Central Michigan University. He has been stationed in both Belgium and Germany but now resides in Fort Stewart, GA. This tour of duty isn't Lt. Col. Twitty's first time in combat. He is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, in which he was a member of the first infantry division to cross the Kuwait-Iraq border into enemy territory. He has also received decorations like the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star for his service to his nation in the most trying of situations. His interests in the military date back to his experiences in South Carolina State's Reserve Officer Training Corps. He now has aspirations to attend the Army War College next year. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in commending Lt. Col. Stephen Twitty for his extraordinary dedication and his exemplary military service. He is an inspiration to the soldiers he commands and the next generation of soldiers to follow.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I want to thank the chairman for the tremendous leadership he has given to the Congressional Black Caucus on this and other issues. Earlier today, I joined the House Democratic leadership in sending a letter to the gentleman from Illinois (Speaker Hastert) requesting a detailed accounting of the money being spent on the Iraq War effort. The public disclosure that we are requesting must include shining the light on closed-door lucrative contracts being awarded to Halliburton, Bechtel and other friends of this administration. In today's Washington Post, there is an article that says that $1.7 billion has already been awarded to Bechtel, and they stand to receive millions more in no-bid contracts. Mr. Speaker, I think that this is outrageous. Outrageous not just because of the issue itself but because there are two underlying issues that I think that this administration must confront before we send any additional money to conduct this effort in Iraq. And I want to share with the public those two concerns of mine. First of all, I do not know if the public realizes it or not, but a law that we authorized last April provides for imminent danger pay of $75 a month and $150 a month in family separation allowances for our soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. That law expires on September 30. I do not believe that we ought to give one moment of consideration to any additional funding to conduct this war in Iraq until we extend this law so that those men and women who are putting their lives on the line, who are in imminent danger, who have been separated from their families receive compensation for doing so. The Defense Department is saying that we cannot afford to continue this pay. I believe that the troops serving overseas ought to be our top priority, and we ought not talk about any additional expenditures until we make sure that they are taken care of. The second thing I want us to consider before we start discussing any additional funds for Iraq is this issue involving disability pay for our veterans. Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to me that if you were to look at a 20-year veteran who may have served 1 year in Iraq or Afghanistan and comes home unharmed, that veteran will receive retirement benefits. But the 20-year veteran who serves for 20 years and gets injured in Iraq, comes home with a missing limb and becomes eligible for disability pay, that disability pay is deducted from his or her retirement pay; and, therefore, he or she stands in the same light as a person who never got injured in the first place, though that person's ability to make a living for himself or herself and his or her family diminishes greatly because of that injury. We in this Congress need to correct that issue before we send one additional soldier to fight in Iraq or Afghanistan, and this Congress is refusing to deal with that. Yet we hear that those of us who disapprove spending additional expenditures until we do this do not support our troops. This is not supporting our troops, when we put them in harm's way and we bring them back home and do not adequately support their life's existence. Something about this is bad wrong. I get the phone calls in my office. I have a young lady spending almost full time dealing with this issue. We believe that until it is resolved, we ought not be talking about any additional funds for Iraq. So until this administration faces up to these three issues, gives us a light shining on these contracts, does something about extending eminent pay allowances and family separation for our men and women, and does something about this disabled American veterans tax that we are putting on these people returning home with their injuries, I am not going to support any additional expenditures in Iraq.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Michael Allen, a dedicated public servant and valued friend. Michael is an Education Specialist for the National Park Service's Fort Sumter Group in Charleston, South Carolina, and was recently named a recipient of the William C. Everhart Award for 2003. The William C. Everhart Award is given for sustained achievements in interpretations that have illuminated, created insights to, and fostered appreciation of cultural and natural heritage. The award will be presented to Michael on October 2, 2003 at Clemson University. The Fort Sumter Group consists of Fort Sumter National Monument, Fort Moultrie and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site and Michael has served as their Education Specialist for three years. He was nominated for the award, in large measure, because of work in developing the educational curriculum and programs for the sites, and his leading role in the National Park Service's Gullah-Geechee Special Resource Study. The Gullah-Geechee project is one in which I take particular pride and am very proud of the role I played in securing its authorization. The final report on this unique cultural treasure is expected to be presented to the Congress in December of this year. Michael is also a great resource and advocate in interpreting the whole and complete story of the American Civil War in the Southeast Region of the National Park Service. Michael grew up in Kingstree, South Carolina, and is a 1982 graduate of South Carolina State University with a degree in History Education. He began his public career with the National Park Service in 1980, and has been married for 15 years to the former LaTanya Prather of James Island, South Carolina. Michael and LaTanya currently live in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and are the parents of three children; Brandon, Shaelyn, and Isaiah. Mr. Speaker, I commend Michael for the recognition given him for his tireless and exemplary public service, and ask that you and my colleagues join me in this tribute to his tireless and selfless service.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a man of character and grace, Bishop Joseph Johnson. Bishop Johnson serves as the Presiding Bishop of the South Atlantic District of the A.M.E. Zion Church, which is comprised of five conferences, and as President of the Board of Bishops. Bishop Johnson's record of service is impeccable. He served in the U.S. Army with 15 years experience in the Airborne Division. He has served as pastor of A.M.E. Zion Churches in three different North Carolina conferences, including seven years as pastor of Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church in Southern Pines, North Carolina. After serving as pastor of Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church in Greensboro, North Carolina he spent four years presiding as Southwestern Delta Episcopal District, which is comprised of six conferences. But his reputable service extends well outside of the church walls. In 1993, Bishop Johnson delivered the Gardner C. Taylor Lecture & Preaching Series at Duke University Divinity School. He has published ``A Manual for Ministerial Studies'' for the A.M.E. Zion Church, in addition to several scholarly essays on Christian stewardship requisites for ministerial practice. He passed his skills and experiences to aspiring ministers when he served for ten years as professor of practical ministry at Hood Theological Seminary of Livingstone College in North Carolina. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Bishop Johnson grew up in Tampa and earned a degree from North Carolina State University. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School of Duke University. Bishop Johnson is married to Dorothy Sharpe Johnson, who now serves as missionary supervisor and Episcopal secretary of the South Atlantic District of the A.M.E. Zion church. The couple has two sons. Mr. Speaker, Bishop Johnson has led an exceptional career dedicated to teaching and preaching the virtue of kindness. This year will be the last Palmetto Annual Conference where he would preside. He will be retiring next year, and deservedly so, as he has already contributed more to the betterment of our society than most people could hope for in one lifetime. I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to this humanitarian.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of a courageous young man, Private First Class Vorn James Mack of Orangeburg, South Carolina who recently passed away while valiantly serving his country in Iraq. Vorn Mack was a 2002 graduate of Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School in Orangeburg, South Carolina. While at Orangeburg- Wilkinson, Mack, an honor student, was taught by one of my staffers who remembers him as being a very intelligent, well mannered and driven young man. While in high school Vorn had a particular interest in computers, mathematics, and serving in the military. His high school guidance counselor said ``he always had an interest in the military, because he wanted to see the world and because his father and sister had careers in the Army.'' Vorn belonged to a family known for its military service and patriotism. Six of his aunts and uncles are military retirees, and five members of his family currently serve, including his older sister Aquanette who is currently stationed in the Middle East. After his graduation from high school, Vorn enlisted in the United States Army and underwent basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. After successfully completing basic training, Vorn was sent to Fort Gordon, Georgia where he received advanced infantry training in information systems management. After this training, Vorn was assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado where he served in Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Three months after his arrival in Colorado, Vorn and his regiment were deployed to Iraq. While in Iraq, Vorn belonged to a force assigned to guard the Hadithah Dam, west of Ar Ramadi, Iraq. This dam was crucial to the United States operation because it provided electricity to a large portion of Iraq and was viewed as a possible target for terrorist acts. In his obituary, Vorn's family stated ``He had no fear, never afraid to accept a challenge, whether it was work, school, or even in the United States Army, Vorn excelled in every aspect of his short life.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in this tribute to Vorn Mack for the outstanding service and contribution he provided the Nation, the State of South Carolina and his beloved community of Orangeburg. Vorn will always be remembered for his dedication and commitment to freedom.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time and for bringing this amendment forward. I want to say something about this issue that has to do with the broader impact that it has on the people of my State of South Carolina. If you were to look at the fact that according to GAO about 3 percent of the estimated total taxes that go uncollected for noncompliance compares with the fact that the underreporting of business income for taxes in fraud are over $40 billion a year, which is around $10 billion a year more than the EITC program is all together. I think the program is around $31 billion. Now, if we were to look at this and take into account what kind of fraud is taking place, one of the things we are going to see is what was just talked about, and that is about $70 billion a year going to offshore companies. I have a real problem with that because in my State one of the industries that the people who are eligible for the earned income tax credits, one of the categories of work that they have relied on for years, working in the textile and apparel industry, has gone offshore to the tune of 50 percent in South Carolina. Ten years ago we had 126,000 textile jobs in our State. Today, 63,000 textile jobs are going offshore. So not only do we see the money going offshore, we also see the jobs that these people have to rely upon going offshore. So I think this is a very good amendment because it will work to help us focus protection.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a woman who is an exceptional scholar, a renowned literary commentator and a distinguished leader at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Joan Hinde Stewart, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the USC, is leaving in July to accept a position as the 19th president and first- ever female president of Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, and I ask you to join me in commending her for a job well done. Dr. Stewart's accomplishments during her tenure at USC have been astonishing. She has led the university's largest and most academically diverse college, and served as a member of the Provost's Strategic Directives and Initiatives Committee that financially restructured the university last year. Dr. Stewart's leadership helped the college boast the highest increase this year in funds attained through research grants at a time when the university is shifting its focus toward technological and biomedical research. Dr. Stewart's merit not only benefits the university at-large but also touches individual students. As a professor of French, she is known for her extensive historical perspectives on French literature and for bringing her latest analysis of some long neglected writers into her classroom. Before coming to USC, Dr. Stewart headed the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures for 12 years at North Carolina State University. She has lectured on French literature and culture at numerous universities, including Oxford, Columbia, and Yale, which is where she earned her Ph.D. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Stewart is an extraordinary example of leadership in higher education. She has excelled in academia and administration at the University of South Carolina, and her unique talents will be missed. I ask you and my colleagues to join me in applauding Dr. Joan Stewart's contributions to USC and wishing her the best of luck in her new position at Hamilton College.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank my pastor, the Reverend Joseph Darby of Morris Brown A.M.E. Church, for gracing us with his presence here today and for leading this august body in the invocation. I said to Reverend Darby just before he came in, I think he may have lucked out today because this is the day the former Members will be meeting, and he will have the opportunity to send the invocation to some warm bodies on the floor. And so I wanted to thank him for being here, thank him for his leadership. Reverend Darby is more than the pastor of Morris Brown A.M.E. Church. He is the first vice president of the South Carolina branch of the NAACP. He has a leadership style that endears him to those of us who find ourselves in public service. It is one thing to go to church on Sunday and to be a part of a congregation; it is something else to be able to turn to your pastor for the kind of strength that David and Daniel showed as they carried out their good works. So, Mr. Speaker, I want to welcome not just my pastor, but my good friend, Reverend Darby, here today and thank him for gracing us with his presence and thank him for the leadership he gives to his church, to his State, to his Nation.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and privilege to have had my minister and good friend, Reverend Joseph Darby, deliver this morning's opening prayer. I invited Reverend Darby to join us this morning from Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, because I knew from personal experience that he would provide an inspirational blessing that will be very relevant to the times in which we live. I told him, as we were about to enter the Chamber, that he had lucked out this morning. That because of the subsequent meeting of the former members, he would get to pray to and be greeted by a number of warm bodies, which is not always the case with the guest chaplain. A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Reverend Darby is a fourth- generation minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church with twenty-five years of pastoral experience. His career has been marked by selfless service to others that comes not only from his dedication to the ministry, but his innate passion and compassion. Reverend Darby has been a vocal advocate for so many who do not have a voice in our society. He has stood up for his beliefs in the face of great obstacles. My father, a minister himself, taught me the strength of David as he faced Goliath and Daniel as he entered the lions' den. Reverend Darby has demonstrated that same strength drawn from his faith in his daily life, and as a result, his accomplishments are great. He is presently a Board Member for the Reid House of Christian Service and the Family Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit's Drug Court Program, a member of the State Superintendent of Education's African- American Achievement Committee, the Racial/Cultural Advisory Council of the South Carolina School Boards Association, The Long Range Planning Subcommittee of the South Carolina Educational Oversight Committee; South Carolina Educational Television's Advisory Committee for African- American Programming; The Board of Directors of the Daniel J. Jenkins Institute for Children, and is First Vice-President of the South Carolina Conference of Branches of the NAACP. Reverend Darby is First Vice-President of the Charleston A.M.E. and Interdenominational Ministerial Alliances, Chairman of the P.A.S.T.O.R.S. Housing Initiative, and Chairman of the South Carolina Coalition of Black Church Leaders, an Affiliate of the Congress of National Black Churches. Reverend Darby's honors and awards include South Carolina Business Vision magazine' 1997 South Carolina's 25 most influential African- Americans award, the 1999 South Carolina Christian Action Council's Howard G. McClain Christian Action in Public Policy Award, the 1999 NAACP Southeast Region Medgar W. Evers Leadership Award, the 2001 MOJA Festival Religious Achievement Award, and the 2001 Excellence in Religion award from the S.C. Mechanism of the National Council of Negro Women. He was inducted into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame in July 2002. Reverend Darby is married to the former Mary M. Bright of Walterboro, South Carolina, a career educator. They have two sons--Jason Christopher, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Allen University, and Jeremy Christian who attends West Ashley High School. Reverend Darby is a true leader in South Carolina both within and outside the church community, and I wanted to share his extraordinary talents with you. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in welcoming Reverend Joseph Darby to the U.S House of Representatives.