Bud Cramer

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who has served Madison County for many years, Probate Judge Frank Riddick. I would like to recognize the outstanding contributions of Judge Riddick to our community and to the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit of Alabama. Judge Riddick has made the Huntsville-Madison County Courthouse a better place with his service to the families and the mentally ill across the county. He has preserved important legal records for our county. His commitment to justice and efficiency is unparalleled. For his hard work, vision and dedication to the people of Madison County, I feel this is an apt honor. Over his long career both in the courthouse and in the Alabama legislature, he has become a role model for his work ethic. Now as he retires, I wish to thank Judge Riddick for his extraordinary service to his community and this nation. On behalf of the U.S. Congress, I pay tribute to Judge Riddick and thank him for a job well done. I join his family, friends and colleagues in congratulating him on his retirement. I wish him a well- deserved rest.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who has set the standard for public service serving as a role model for Alabama and the greater housing community. Charles C. DeRamus has been responsible for housing almost 25,000 low and moderate income Alabamians helping them to achieve the American Dream. As he retires from his almost 40 year career with the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development, Charles leaves a legacy of good works and responsible governing. Charles began his career with USDA when it was known as the Farmers Home Administration. He has been directly involved in the supervision of the Administration in several Alabama counties including Etowah, Choctaw, Randolph, and Dallas. He knows Alabama well and has become an expert in rural housing serving as the Rural Housing Chief for the state office from 1983 to 1994. Most recently, he has served as the Single Family Housing Program Director for Alabama overseeing thousands of loans and grants. Charles' hard work has made a real difference for families trying to get on their feet and become self-sufficient. I wish to take this opportunity to thank him for his exemplary role as a leader in our community. As he retires though, I do want to warn the wildlife of Alabama that DeRamus is a free man, since I know he will spend a great deal of time enjoying hunting and fishing. I join USDA in commending him for making Alabama a better place to live and raise a family. I share their pride in and gratitude for the accomplishments of Charles C. DeRamus. On behalf of the U.S. Congress, I thank him for a job well done and wish him a well-deserved rest.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who has served Madison County for 30 years, Mr. Billy Harbin. I would like to recognize the outstanding contributions of Mr. Harbin to our community and to the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit of Alabama. Mr. Harbin's roots are deep within North Alabama. After growing up in Huntsville and graduating from Hazel Green High School, Mr. Harbin played basketball and baseball on scholarship at the University of North Alabama in Florence. After serving the Army on active duty between 1956-58, Mr. Harbin went to work with them at Redstone Arsenal as an instructor with the Ordnance Guided Missile School and Missile Munitions Center and School. Mr. Harbin's love for his country found a different path when he first ran for Circuit Clerk in 1970. His commitment to justice and efficiency were recognized by the people he served. He ran for re-election four times, each time without opposition. His colleagues appreciated his service as well selecting him to receive the first ``Outstanding Circuit Clerk'' State of Alabama award. He is also the recipient of the Huntsville/Madison County Jaycee's ``Good Government Award'' and the Huntsville/Madison County Bar Association's ``Liberty Bell Award''. His dedication to his community extends beyond his professional duties. He has given of his time and talents to several civic boards of directors including the Salvation Army, Community Bank of North Alabama and Huntsville Hospital. Former Chief Justices of the Alabama Supreme Court including the Hon. Howell Heflin and the Hon. C.C. ``Bo'' Torbert, Jr. have nominated him to several state commissions and to the Board of Directors of the Alabama Judicial College. For his hard work, vision and dedication to the people of Madison County, I feel this is an apt honor. Now as he retires, I wish to thank Mr. Harbin for his extraordinary service for his community and this nation. On behalf of the U.S. Congress, I pay tribute to Mr. Harbin and thank him for a job well done. I join his wife Joyce, his two children Danny and Sandy, and his three granddaughters in congratulating him on his retirement. I wish him a well-deserved rest.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a fallen soldier from my district, Maj. Ben W. Stutts. Major Stutts is a true hero of our district and I am pleased that his family will receive the Purple Heart in his honor today for his extraordinary acts of bravery and his lifetime commitment to our armed services. Born in Cherokee, Alabama, Major Stutts first entered the Army Reserves after finishing Florence State College and the ROTC program. He served as a military police officer before traveling to Ft. Hood, Ft. Devens, Korea and finally Redstone Arsenal as an infantry officer. Major Stutts' bravery was put to the test in May of 1963 when his helicopter on a routine mission along the Korean Demilitarized Zone inadvertently landed in North Korea. Held captive for a year in North Korea, Major (then Captain) Stutts courageously endured his situation and held onto his faith, his patriotism and his love of his family. While his family met with the Army and their representatives in Congress and his fate was uncertain, Major Stutts' perseverance served as inspiration for his family and friends anxiously awaiting his home- coming. Stutts' widow Mary and his sons Gregory, Michael and Bruce deserve our recognition for the sacrifices they have endured these many years. As his family accepts this Purple Heart today in honor of their beloved husband and father, I would like to express my appreciation for Major Stutts' actions to keep this country the home of the free. On behalf of the Congress of the United States, I would like to pay tribute to Major Stutts and his loving family. We can never afford to forget the victories and sacrifices of our veterans like Major Stutts lest we take for granted the precious freedoms we enjoy every minute of every day.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Mr. J. Keys Wright of Trinity, Alabama. He has captured so poignantly the troubles we face today with explosions of ethnic cleansing and civil warfare across the globe. Mr. Wright, an established poet in my district, wrote this poem ``Sons'' in January of 1995. It is especially appropriate to be heard now as we begin this new millennium and we are still plagued with daily new reports tallying the murders and assaults caused by hatred and misunderstanding. I would like for his words of wisdom to be printed, therefore, I submit the following into the Congressional Record for others to see and learn. ``Sons'' Sons of Mother Russia, Loyal Chechens, Brothers of Israel, Muslim, Christian, Irishman, Briton, Children of One God. Run Don't Walk Away from There, Leave these Fields of Death, Murder No One Else. Kill no Other Mother's Child Born of Love and Passion, Killed by Hate and Greed, To Satisfy an Ambitious Lie. Fight No More My Brothers, Our Children, Brothers of My Soul, Leave Their Killing to Them. Their Hearts have Drawn and Withered, Their Minds are Dark And God, These Ones without A Soul. Sons of Mother Russia, Loyal Chechens, Brothers of Israel, Muslims, Christian, Irishman, Briton, Children of One God.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of Alabama's true heroes, Specialist Four Don Leslie Michael. Michael's life was one of service to his country and brave sacrifice. I honor him today on the occasion of his induction into the Alabama Military Hall of Honor. Michael's family recently attended the induction ceremony at the Hall of Honor located in Marion, Alabama. Michael, 1 of 13 members asked to join this elite Hall, was born in Florence and soon moved to Lexington where he grew up with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy O. Michael, now deceased. The Alabama Military Hall of Honor is described as ``a permanent and visible tribute to Alabamians who have distinguished themselves in the Armed Services of their country. It serves as a constant testimony to present and future generations that patriotism and heroism are not forgotten, but ever serve as challenges for those who are yet to come.'' Michael's distinction with the Alabama Military Hall of Honor brings additional honor to his memory. In May of 1969, President Nixon handed the Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to Michael to his family at a White House ceremony. While in the Army 173rd Airborne Brigade, Michael sacrificed his life in service of this nation. During a conflict in Vietnam on April 8, 1967, Michael put himself on the line to throw six grenades. He was successful in destroying the enemy positions, yet he was mortally wounded in the effort. Michael's award citation reads ``His inspiring display of determination and courage saved the lives of many of his comrades and successfully eliminated a destructive enemy force. Specialist four Michael's actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect the utmost credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.'' Michael, the only Congressional Medal of Honor winner in northwest Alabama, has gone unrecognized long enough. I am pleased that his induction into the Alabama Military Hall of Honor will ensure that the example of his life and his unceasing dedication to the United States and its democracy can be an inspiration for our state for years to come. On behalf of the United States Congress and the people of North Alabama. I want to express my outstanding respect and admiration for Specialist Four Michael. I know that his family is deeply proud of his legacy and I share my joy with them that his life and memory are being properly recognized.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man respected for his fairness and his dignity all over the country, U.S. District Judge Seybourn Lynne. On September 10th, 2000, Judge Lynne, this nation's longest-serving federal judge, passed on after living 93 full and productive years. Since first trying on judges' robes on September 1st, 1934, in a Morgan County courtroom, Lynne brought respectability and honor to the profession. Lynne saw this country and the Northern District of Alabama through some rocky years. When this country entered World War II, Lynne resigned as a circuit judge to serve in the armed services. He presided over some 50 court-martial cases before serving in the Pacific as Staff Judge Advocate in the Air Force. It was there in Hawaii where he received a call from President Harry Truman asking him to accept the nomination for a federal judgeship. In his home state of Alabama, Lynne served through the conflicted civil rights era. In 1963, Lynne issued an order halting Alabama Governor George Wallace from blocking black students, Vivian Malone Jones and James Hood, from attending the University of Alabama. After threatening Wallace with contempt of court and possible jail time, Lynne presided over the negotiations between Wallace and President Kennedy's administration that led to the students' entrance into the university. Hard working until the day he died, Judge Lynne, even in his 90's, traveled weekly from his home to the Hugo Black Courthouse in downtown Birmingham. Judge Lynne was a son of Decatur growing up a few blocks away from where a federal courthouse is now named in his honor. Lynne was a religious man serving as a trustee and Life Deacon of Southside Baptist Church in Birmingham. He stayed involved in his community as a trustee for the Crippled Childrens Clinic and the Eye Foundation Hospital. There is a Seybourn H. Lynne scholarship fund set up at the University of Alabama School of Law and his alma mater recently honored him by presenting him the Pipes Award by Farrah Law Society in February of this year. Justice in Alabama has lost a true friend. Judge Lynne has set the standard for lawyers and judges across this country. He loved the law and he loved our court system. I send my condolences to his family, his colleagues and his friends.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Ms. Laura J. Clark and her mother for sharing their extraordinary talent with the Children's Advocacy Centers. These ladies have gone to great lengths to fight child abuse. They have turned the misery and shame of child abuse into a beautiful song. Through music, they are reaching out to abused children and adults who were abused as children. Ms. Clark and her mother are donating the profits of the compact disc and tape sales to the Southeast Alabama Child Advocacy Center. Mr. Speaker, I enter into the Congressional Record the lyrics to ``For the Children'' so that others might have the opportunity read these words and find comfort in the song's message. For the Children (Music and Lyrics by Jo Johnson, Arranged by Buddy Skipper) I need a safety blanket, I need a secret place to hide I need someone to listen to me when I tell them I hurt inside I have nightmares in the daytime then I cry myself to sleep Where's an angle to watch over me when I pray ``my soul to keep''? I know you can't believe it, our stories break your heart in two I know you can never see it but it's happening yes it's happening believe us it's true We've got to make it right for the children Got to give them hope and heal their broken hearts We've got to make it right for the children Let them learn of love instead of hate and ask them to forgive us because we're so late We've got to take despair from the children Got to let them know how much we care We've got to make it right for the children And with God's help we'll do the right thing we'll open up our arms Yes with God's help we'll do the right thing and make sure that the children will come to no more harm We've got to make it right for the children Got to give them hope and heal their broken hearts We've got to make it right for the children For the children We will make it right.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a very brave and fortunate young man from Madison, Alabama, Mr. Jason Hayes. Last Thursday while in a Yemen port, the U.S.S. Cole was attacked with a bomb that blew open a 40 by 40 ft. hole in the midsection of the ship. The attack destroyed an engine room and nearby mess hall. Hayes was on the mess deck at the time and is currently recovering from cuts, bruises, smoke inhalation and a chemical burn on his foot. Hayes, a third class petty officer on the Navy destroyer, is a hero. The word ``hero'' is not a word to be flippantly uttered--but Hayes and the other surviving sailors aboard the U.S.S. Cole that day are heroes. Their quick and brave actions saved lives as well as the ship. Today, people from all across North Alabama and especially his friends in the Madison area are gathering at the Huntsville International Airport to welcome their hero and his family home. I cannot be there today but I wish I could to join his friends in telling Jason how proud we are of him and how thrilled we are that he is home safe. Hayes is a 1995 graduate of Bob Jones High School and his parents, Jean and Stephen, still live in the Madison community. Our community has come together in this crisis after receiving word of Jason's injuries and it is right that we gather to celebrate his homecoming. Jason and the Hayes family including Jason's wife, Roxanne, in Norfolk have been in our prayers. What happened last Thursday was an intolerable act of terrorism. Across the country, 17 families are having much different and much more solemn ceremonies than the Hayes today as they bury their sons and daughters who did not survive the attack. My thoughts and prayers are with those families today. I urge our federal agents to exhaust all conceivable avenues to capture those responsible and bring them to justice for this horrific crime. On behalf of the Congress of the United States, I want to express my gratitude for Jason's bravery and his service. I know today is an emotional and special day for the Hayes family and the Madison community. I hope that this time is a time for them to relish being together and celebrate the bonds of family.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a fallen soldier from my home state of Alabama. It is a most unusual day for my district, today they are welcoming home Sgt. Maj. Laney 33 years after they sent him off to serve his country in the Vietnam War. Laney's widow, Charline and his three grown children, Wanda, Billy Ray Jr. and Vicky deserve our recognition for the sacrifices they have endured these many years. As their husband and father is laid to rest in the soil he fought and died to protect, I would like to offer my condolences to the family and express my utmost gratitude for Sgt. Maj. Laney's brave actions. Sgt. Maj. Laney was only in Vietnam for one month. He was a member of the 5th Special Forces Group of the 1st Airborne Division and was listed as missing in action June 3, 1967 in Laos. Although the Department of Defense declared him deceased eleven years ago, his family has had no physical evidence of his death until two months ago. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Veterans Groups of my district: Vietnam Veterans of America, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart and Disabled American Veterans for going to extraordinary efforts to ensure that Sgt. Maj. Laney's life and death and his families' sacrifices will not be forgotten. Today as Sgt. Maj. Laney's remains are returned home, though tardy, he will be honored properly. Governor Don Siegelman, the Honor Guard and the Alabama State Patrol are traveling to join the procession and to pay their respects to this brave soldier and his family. Sgt. Maj. Billy Ray Laney's retrieval sheds light on the POW/MIAs still unaccounted for across the country. There are two soldiers from Alabama listed as missing, Prentice Wayne Hicks and Edward Upner. I would like to take this opportunity to say that my thoughts are with their families and let them know that there is still hope that we will uncover their fate. On behalf of the Congress of the United States, I would like to pay tribute to Sgt. Maj. Billy Ray Laney and his loving family. We can never afford to forget the victories and sacrifices of our veterans like Sgt. Maj. Laney lest we take for granted the precious freedoms we enjoy every minute of every day. My thoughts and prayers are with them today as they welcome their husband and father home to rest.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express very serious concerns about this legislation that we are considering on the floor today. Section 205 of this conference report prematurely directs NASA--and I stress the word ``directs''--to establish a nongovernmental organization to manage microgravity research and commercialization activities aboard the International Space Station. Mr. Speaker, in this Body the International Space Station does not have a stronger supporter than myself. While I sat on the Science Committee, I fought to fence-off microgravity research funds from hardware cost overruns and preserve the benefits of the Station for our taxpayers. Year after year, I'm on this Floor defending the Space Station against various wounding and killing amendments. But I'm concerned that unless we're careful, this language in Section 205 may move the taxpayer investments in Space Station backwards, rather than forwards. This language was not considered during the normal House subcommittee or full committee markup process, but was added into the bill in conference. The House hasn't held any hearings on this matter. It's not even clear to me where NASA will get the funding for this initiative. What will happen to the government resources like the Station's new Payload Operations and Integration Facility at the Marshall Space Flight Center? Will there be a duplication of facilities at the taxpayer's expense? It is just not obvious to myself and others how handing this work to the private sector would benefit the taxpayers or NASA. In fact, it could be detrimental. We've found that to be the case when NASA management was too far removed from two recently failed missions to Mars. By NASA Administrator Dan Goldin's own admission, NASA moved too far away from the actual work taking place on its programs. We must be careful to avoid making a similar mistake with the science operations aboard the Space Station. NASA civil servants look after the nation's interests and report to the NASA Administrator Dan Goldin, who answers to us--Congress. There are no guarantees that a non-governmental organization will look after the nation's interests or have any direct responsibility to this Body. Mr. Speaker, where is the accountability in this plan? Some people argue that a non-governmental organization managing the Hubble Space Telescope at the Space Telescope Science Institute is working well. But its mission is mostly one of science management while the mission of this proposed organization would be one of commercialization--two very different animals. Common sense tells me that the introduction of commercialization into any process also introduces an entirely new set of unique and complex issues that need to be thoughtfully considered. Mr. Speaker, I'm also concerned that the civil servants currently managing the NASA microgravity program have had little or no meaningful opportunity to comment on this plan. These are our Nation's experts on this issue, tasked to look out for the taxpayer's interests, and they've not even been given an opportunity to voice their thoughts on this action. Mr. Speaker, I honestly don't know if this is a good or bad idea, but why is it being pushed through in such a hasty manner? Why are we prematurely directing NASA to implement this NGO, rather than coming back to us with a plan that can be examined in the light of day before we give them a green light? Mr. Speaker, if this really is good for our Nation, then nobody should object to holding hearings and giving this the thought that it truly deserves. I will vote for this conference report today, because there are a number of provisions in it that will be good for our space program, but I am going to continue to try to work with my Colleagues to take a closer look at this plan to transfer Space Station responsibilities to a non-government organization.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize tomorrow's 40th anniversary of the dedication by president Dwight Eisenhower of the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center. Since the Marshall Center opened its doors for business under the direction of Dr. Wernher von Braun on July 1, 1960, it has played a pivotal role in our Nation's space program. Led by the von Braun Rocket Team, the Marshall Center developed the Mercury-Redstone vehicle that put America's first astronaut, Alan B. Shepard, into sub-orbital space in 1961. Building upon this firm foundation, Marshall and its partners boldly responded to President Kennedy's challenge to land a man on the Moon by pioneering the development of the colossal Saturn V rocket. The Marshall Center also designed and developed the Lunar Roving Vehicle, used to carry our Apollo astronauts on their journey around the then- unknown surface of our Moon. These and other pioneering accomplishments make up a strong heritage that has made Marshall world-renowned for transportation to, from, and in space. At a time, Mr. Speaker, when the International Space Station is being constructed 250 miles overhead, it is proper to remember that the first American manned space station, Skylab, was managed at the Marshall Center. Lessons learned from Skylab about long-term human presence in space prove today to be invaluable as we enter an era of unprecedented discovery onboard the ISS. Continuing this tradition of excellence, Marshall and its industry partners have successfully designed, developed, assembled, integrated, tested, and delivered a number of critical U.S. pressurized ISS elements such as Unity, Destiny, and the Habitation and Node 2 modules. In 1972, following the announcement by President Nixon of plans to develop America's reusable space shuttle, Marshall again accepted its Nation's challenge by designing the shuttle's main engines, solid rocket boosters and external tank. Today, Marshall is responsible for the management of these critical shuttle systems, and is committed to continually improving their reliability, safety, and performance. Before becoming a reality, Marshall was visualized as ``the only self-contained organization in the nation, which was capable of conducting the development of a space vehicle from the conception of the idea, through production of hardware, testing and launching operations.'' They have exceeded these expectations by not only seeing vehicles through all stages of development, but also by broadening their activities through the scientific success of the Hubble Space Telescope, the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory, and the Chandra X-ray Observatory three of NASA's great space observatories. The landmark discoveries made by their state-of-the-art scientific instruments have rewritten the science text-books that our children will use for years to come. In addition to the many world-class facilities at Marshall that contribute to its dynamic engineering test environment, the Marshall Space Flight Center has the distinction of hosting five National Historic Landmarks as designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior. These Historic Landmarks serve as monuments to our cornerstone role in America's space program, and include the Redstone Test Stand, the Propulsion and Structural Test Facility, the Saturn V Dynamic Test Stand, the Neutral Buoyancy Simulator, and one of one three surviving Saturn V rockets. Mr. Speaker, while I stand here today to commemorate the legacy of Marshall's historic past, I also stand to celebrate the promise of its bright future. As NASA's Center of Excellence for Space Propulsion, Marshall serves as a national resource for research and development of advanced, revolutionary propulsion technologies. Marshall has been tasked to develop propulsion systems that will lower the costs of access to space, opening the doors of space to our entire Nation. The Marshall Center's future vision includes propulsion technologies that will lead to rapid travel throughout and even beyond our solar system. And as NASA's lead center for the development of our nation's future space transportation systems, Marshall will vigorously pursue the research, technological innovations, design and integration of tomorrow's space transportation systems necessary to maintain the United States as a space, military, and economic superpower for generations to come. Mr. Speaker, it is important to recognize the source of Marshall's success. It is the talented and highly motivated Marshall workforce, and its industry and academic partners spread across this nation, who have taken us down this path of exceptional achievement. And I believe that our nation's space program will enjoy many more successful missions of discovery while guided by the dedication, creativity, and professionalism of the Marshall's employees and partners. So today, with enormous pride, I extend my sincerest congratulations to the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, its employees, and its partners on an exceptional 40-year legacy that occupies a unique position in the history of our space program--a program that has profoundly positioned America first among nations as we begin this 21st century, and promises to enhance the quality of life for ourselves and those who follow us.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a wonderful woman in my district, Ms. Kathrine ``Kate'' Smith. Today Ms. Smith celebrates her 94th birthday. For almost a century, she has graced North Alabama with her dignified presence and has shared her talents and gifts with her community. Ms. Smith's community service accomplishments would fill many a page, so it will suffice to say that she gives back to her community tenfold. Ms. Smith has been recognized for her service with many awards, plaques and certificates and thus it is fitting that the United States Congress join the many others in honoring her for her full and selfless life. In addition to her outstanding community service, she is also a member of First Missionary Baptist Church, she sings in the church choir and is a member of the Missionary Society, OES (Eastern Star) and The Good Neighbor's Club. I join Ms. Smith's friends and family who love her dearly in wishing her a happy and healthy 94th year. I thank her for her extraordinary contributions to our community and wish her a well-deserved happy birthday.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Clyde Foster, a resident of my district and the former Mayor of Triana, Alabama. The City of Triana has designated today as ``Clyde Foster Day'' and I want to join the City in recognizing their unsung hero. Mr. Foster has dedicated many years of outstanding public service to his community and to the entire state of Alabama. He has accumulated over fifty years of community service including the twenty he spent as Mayor of the lovely city of Triana. In the position of Mayor, Mr. Foster held the city together improving the lives of its citizens and making Triana a better place to work and raise a family. I wish to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Foster for his exemplary role as a leader in our community. I join the Governor of Alabama and the State Senate in commending Mr. Foster for his selfless lifetime commitment to improving his city. As his friends, neighbors and family join today to honor him, I share their pride in and gratitude for the life and accomplishments of their beloved Mr. Foster. On behalf of the United States Congress, I thank him for a job well done.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to pay tribute to a resident of my district and a dear friend, Mrs. Helen Ellis Johnston. Mrs. Johnston's accomplishments and service to her community would fill many a page. She is greatly loved and respected throughout the community and will be honored by the local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation with their annual Humanitarian award. A native Kentuckian, Mrs. Johnston is married to Mr. William Hooper Johnston. She has three daughters: Mrs. Patricia Vidler, Ms. Christy Catts, and Mrs. Cathy Nickelson. Mrs. Johnston moved to Alabama in 1952. Shortly thereafter she began the years of nonprofit and volunteer service that have been the lifeblood of so many organizations. After arriving in Huntsville, Mrs. Johnston soon found her niche in working to improve this community's public health safety. She served for 12 years as Executive Director for the North District of the Alabama Lung Association of Alabama. In this position, she took a proactive approach to public health awareness helping to write and implement the first Alabama Health Curriculum Guide for schools across the State. Receiving a grant from the EPA, she conducted the first workshop in North Alabama to create citizen awareness on the need for adoption of the Clean Air Amendment and later served on Alabama's Environmental Quality Control Board. Among her numerous community service ventures, she shared her talents and gifts with the Symphony Guild originating and chairing both the first Symphony Ball in 1964 and the first Silver Tea in 1967 for the Youth Symphony. Mrs. Johnston inaugurated several of our community's premier charity social functions including the Von Braun Center's Beaux Arts Ball, the Library's ``Vive Le Livre'' and Huntsville Hospital Foundation's Celebrity Golf Classic. I believe this is a fitting tribute for one who has dedicated many years to serving the nation and the citizens of North Alabama. I send my congratulations to Mrs. Johnston and her family as she accepts the well-deserved Humanitarian Award from the Arthritis Foundation of North Alabama. On behalf of the people of Alabama's 5th Congressional District, I join them in celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments of a wonderful lady, Mrs. Helen Ellis Johnston.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an intellectual treasure of my district, Dr. Larry McCoy of Northwest- Shoals Community College. Dr. McCoy has excelled in all facets of academia. As a student, he cultivated a love of learning through his time at the University of Alabama, Athens College and Nova University. His almost 40 year career in education includes positions all across the state of Alabama as a teacher, coach, athletic director, Dean of Admissions and President of a college. He served as Dean of Admissions before becoming Dean of Student Development at Athens State from 1983 to 1987. Dr. McCoy began his time in the Shoals at Muscle Shoals Technical College but under his leadership and with his keen vision and by adding programs and consolidating campuses, the Technical College grew to become today's thriving Northwest-Shoals Community College with campuses in Muscle Shoals and Phil Campbell. His distinguished reputation as an academian is supported by the numerous presentations he has made to groups such as the National Managers Association and the National Conference on Teaching Excellence and his position as co-editor of the Alabama College System Professional Development News. Dr. McCoy has served as a role model for his students for nearly forty years. He has always upheld the position of the scholar athlete coaching 9 All-American and 17 All-State football players. He has been named Alabama AAA State Coach of the Year and was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. In additional to his exceptional professional contributions to our area, Dr. McCoy has given of himself and his talents serving as President of the Rotary Club of Sheffield and President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Shoals. He has also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Medical Center Shoals and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Shoals Economic Development Authority among many others. Throughout his life, Dr. McCoy has set a great example of how one person can make a huge difference in his community. I want to congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement. I understand his family and friends are gathering tonight to celebrate his service to the school at a dinner in his honor and I join them in wishing him the best. On behalf of the people of Alabama's 5th Congressional District, I commend him for his tireless efforts for the students of Northwest Alabama.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor a friend and first-rate doctor, Dr. Frank Haws. As the friends, colleagues and family of Dr. Haws are gathering tonight to honor him, I fee that it is fitting that the United States Congress join them in paying homage to a man who has lent his knowledge, talents and skill to the medical community of North Alabama for over 36 years. Originally from Washington County, Tennessee and educated at his birth state's institutions of East Tennessee State and the University of Tennessee at Memphis, Dr. Haws began his neurosurgery practice in Huntsville in 1964. He has spent the past 36 years dedicating himself to improving medical care for Huntsville and the surrounding areas. A superior surgeon, Dr. Haws shares his expertise with young doctors teaching at the medical schools of the University of Alabama at Huntsville, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Tennessee. He has also channeled his experience and skill into premier academic publications including the Southern Medical Journal. In 1995, Huntsville Hospital recognized Dr. Haws with the naming of the Neurosurgery Progressive Care Unit in his honor. As both the Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery at that hospital, he was instrumental in the expansion and improvement of its facilities especially the Neurosurgery Division which he helped create. On active staff at three local hospitals and on consulting staff at eight, Dr. Haws' proven excellence has been very much in demand. To me, he symbolizes the model doctor: brilliant, talented, caring and dedicated. In addition to his demanding professional life, Dr. Haws has found time to get involved in his community and lends his leadership to the Boys and Girls Club of Huntsville and the Boy's Ranch of Alabama. As he prepares to leave the North Alabama Neurological, P.A., I sincerely hope he will take the time to enjoy farming and fishing, two of his favorite hobbies. This is a richly deserved rest and I join his wife, Patsy, and his six children in congratulating him on a job well done. I wish him the best in his future years. Having personally known Dr. Haws for many years, I am thankful for this opportunity to recognize his tremendous medical service and academic accomplishments as well as express my appreciation for his extraordinary contributions to the larger community of North Alabama.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that Lieutenant General James M. Link is retiring after 33 years of exemplary service in the United States Army. He has served his country with dignity, honor, and integrity. General Link was born in Columbus, Ohio, but grew up in North Carolina. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps in 1967 after completing undergraduate work at Methodist College and graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also has a master's degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee. His military education includes the Army Command and General Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He holds honorary doctorate degrees from Methodist College and the University of Alabama, Huntsville A veteran of Vietnam and Desert Storm, General Link has held numerous command and staff positions leading to his current assignment as Deputy Commanding General, Army Materiel Command. Most recently, he was Chief of Staff of U.S. Army Materiel Command. Prior to that, he served as Commander, U.S. Army Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL. (now Aviation and Missile Command) from June 1994 to July 1997 and Deputy Commander, 21st Theater Army Area Command, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army, from July 1993 to June 1994. From January 1992 to June 1993, he served as the MICOM Deputy Commanding General. He also served at MICOM from 1986 to 1989 as Director of Materiel Management Directorate in what is now the Integrated Materiel Management Center, and served as the Acting Director of this organization for eight months. He has held various logistical and staff assignments. While Commander, 16th Corps Support Group, V Corps, Hanau, Germany, he deployed to Southwest Asia in support of VII Corps during Operations Desert Shield and Storm. He was Deputy for Training Developments, U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command; Chief, Ordnance Assignment Branch, MILPERCEN; Commander, 194th Maintenance Battalion, Camp Humphreys, Korea; and Department of the Army Staff Officer, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics. In Vietnam, he served as Company Commander and Technical Supply Officer, 173rd Airborne Brigade. General Link's awards and decorations include: the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Bronze Star Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal, the Senior Army Parachute Badge, and the Army General Staff Identification Badge. Mr. Speaker, Lieutenant General Link deserves the thanks and praise of the nation that he has faithfully served for so long. I know the members of the House will join me in wishing him, his wife of 30 years, Judy and his daughter, Carey, all the best in the years ahead.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, on July 15th, a wonderful couple, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Burke will celebrate their 50th, wedding anniversary. In 1950, Mrs. Frances McAllister Burke and Mr. Richard E. Burke exchanged wedding vows to spend a lifetime together. Now 50 years later, they shine as pillars of matrimony. The Burkes are a loving man and woman who have come together to share their lives, raise a family and prove that family values and selfless commitment still have a place in this world whose fleeting values can be confusing and inpermanent. Their son Waymon, daughter-in-law Jan and grandson Jason look up to this remarkable couple as role models on how to live and love successfully. This tribute is a fitting honor for the Burkes who have shown us that commitments can be honored through five decades of the trials and tribulations of life. The Burkes have spent a good portion of their lives working hard with their landscaping company and with GTE. Now they are enjoying their well-deserved retirement together in the Big Cove community where they have lived since their marriage. I commend Mr. and Mrs. Burke on their happy and strong marriage and I join their family and friends in wishing them a joyous and special celebration at the Bevill Center on July 15th.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Mr. Richard Kowallik of Madison County, Alabama for his many years of outstanding service to the U.S. military and his community. On the occasion of his retirement from the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command, I stand today to applaud his 34 years of loyal service. Mr. Kowallik has risen through the ranks of the SMDC currently serving as Division Chief for the Acquisition Management Division of the Contracting and Acquisition Management Office. He has achieved distinction in his field as he is a member and a fellow of the National Contract Management Association and a certified professional contract manager of the National Contract Management Association. A native of Indiana, Mr. Kowallik has made Alabama his home and will remain there after his retirement. He has taken an active role in his community serving on the Board of Directors for the Optimist Club and Ducks Unlimited and I imagine during his well-deserved ``rest'' he will continue to be a leader in civic organizations. I join his family, his wife Dee, his daughter Tammy, his son-in-law Steve and grandsons Tyler and Cameron, friends and co-workers in congratulating him on a job well done. On behalf of the people of Alabama's 5th Congressional district, I want to express my gratitude to Richard for his extraordinary service to our community and our nation.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. I thank the chairman of the subcommittee for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, 9 years we have been at this. The gentleman from West Virginia, the ranking member, referred to the number of votes that we have had before. When we add in the authorizing committee battles that we have had over the Space Station issue and now this battle as well, it seems like we have voted hundreds of times on this amendment. We need to give our support to the good NASA employees that have given their careers to building the Space Station program. This is not the time to pull the rug out from under this program. As we speak, the prime contractor is 90 percent through developing the hardware. As we speak, there are 12 International Space Station payloads already at the Kennedy launch site. Just last month, the shuttle dropped off 2,000 pounds of supplies for the first crew. We have got numerous experiments and other scientific projects that will be carried aboard the Space Station project as well. It is up there. We need to give our support to this program. If there ever was a time to discuss this issue, it was years and years ago. The gentleman from Indiana is wrong now. He was wrong then. We have been at this for 9 years. Give it a rest.

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague from New York (Mr. Walsh) for yielding me the time, and I want to say that I have enjoyed working with the gentleman for years on NASA's issues. I represent the Marshal Space Flight Center back there in Alabama. When I came to the Congress in 1991, the gentleman was among the first people that we began working with to plan for a future for NASA that was beyond the space station. Also in coming to this subcommittee, I want to pay tribute to the chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) during my now two terms on the subcommittee, the gentleman has struggled vainly and against a lot of odds with allocations that made it very, very difficult for us to have the kind of NASA budget that some felt like we needed to have. However, at the end of the process, we made sure that NASA did receive the support of the committee, and I thank the gentleman from New York for that and for enduring with those of us that want to make sure that the particular line item programs are heard and have a voice there. Mr. Chairman, I want to speak more specifically to the Space Launch Initiative, because the ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan) is attempting through this amendment to restore funding that would help a number of NASA's programs, and he has spoken about those programs. But the Space Launch Initiative is a very important initiative that really defines NASA's future. It is designed to enable the aerospace industry and NASA to come together to look at a new version of space transportation. The Space Launch Initiative envisions NASA eventually purchasing launches from commercial launch vendors allowing NASA to then concentrate its resources on the science missions and space exploration as well. In Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, I know the ranking member, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) is here, and he will spend time discussing over this particular amendment the initiatives that the Committee on Science has undertaken here. We have given a mandate to NASA to come up with alternative means of transportation, working with the aerospace industry to make sure that they come up with these alternate means of transportation. Unless we restore this funding to NASA's budget, they will not be able to do that. I hope that the committee will hear this amendment, and especially as the process winds its way through, as we continue the rest of the summer, that we will be able to restore this important funding to NASA to make sure that the Space Launch Initiative is indeed a reality.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the veterans of the Korean War who now reside in North Alabama. These brave men and women who boldly served their country across the ocean 50 years ago deserve our recognition and our gratitude. This coming Saturday in Huntsville, Alabama, our area veterans, their families and the Korean- American community will be honored at a Huntsville Stars baseball game. As this nation at large begins its three-year remembrance of the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, the Redstone-Huntsville AUSA Chapter 3103 has been designated by Secretary Cohen as a Commemorative Community. I believe this distinction reflects the patriotic history of North Alabama and Redstone Arsenal and acknowledges the sacrifices this community has made in the defense of the United States and its freedoms. Many people refer to the Korean War as ``The Forgotten War'', but I would like to take this opportunity to thank those in my community who are going to extraordinary efforts to ensure that the Korean War and its veterans are not forgotten. I would like to extend my appreciation to Jim Rountree, the chairman of the commemoration committee, Robert Mixon, Jr. and Ed Banville. I also want to recognize the Grand Marshal of the anniversary festivities, Major General Grayson Tate, a Purple Heart veteran who nearly lost his leg in the battles for democracy and peace that took place 50 years ago in Korea. On behalf of the Congress of the United States, I thank the veterans and families of the Korean War and those in my community who are working hard to see them properly honored. We can never afford to forget their victories and their sacrifices lest we take for granted the precious freedoms we enjoy every minute of every day. I would like to extend my best wishes to them for a memorable Saturday baseball game.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Joan A. Goree of Calhoun Community College. Dr. Goree, known throughout my home state of Alabama as ``the lady with the golden voice'', is retiring after thirty years of dedicated instruction. I wish to join her many grateful students, faculty colleagues, family and friends in honoring her for sharing her talents and skills with our community. Dr. Goree also graces Decatur and the entire state with her frequent performances as a soloist, recitalist and numerous musical theatre performances. Dr. Goree's love of music is evident as she spreads her love of melody and harmony to her students. Several of them have achieved fame crediting their knowledge and skills to their beloved teacher. At Calhoun Community College, Dr. Goree wore many hats including professor of voice, theory, piano, Director of the College Chorus, Assistant Director of The Madrigal Singers and the Chorale and Editor of the first newsletter for Alabama Junior and Community College Association. But her talents have traveled beyond Alabama. She has toured Central America three times as a concert artist and has established schools of music there as well. She authored the book ``Basic Theory'' in Spanish and English and then set up a corresponding video course also. For her extraordinary service to the musical students of Calhoun and the arts community in Alabama at large, I feel that this is an apt honor. Her love of learning is infectious, a scholarship has been established in her honor. On behalf of the United States Congress, I pay homage to Dr. Goree and thank her for a job well done. I congratulate her on her retirement and wish her happiness in her future endeavors.

Mr. CRAMER

Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8, the Death Tax Elimination Act. I strenuously oppose this unfair and unreasonable tax. This tax, one imposed on earnings and assets that have already been subject to income, social security, and other taxes at the federal and state level, is simply unconscionable. To begin with, the rates for this ridiculous tax, which range from 37 percent to 55 percent, are even higher than the highest income tax rate of 39.6 percent. This tax is making an already difficult situation unnecessarily worse for our small, family-owned businesses and family farms. Even the most modest farm or business can easily exceed the current death tax exemption because of their investment in capital assets like land and equipment. Mr. Speaker, it is outrageous that today it makes more sense to sell a family-owned business before death rather than pass the business to one's heirs. These businesses are the backbone of America's economy-- creating more jobs than any other facet of our economy. We must work to nurture and protect these businesses, not destroy them through unnecessary and unfair taxes. Mr. Speaker, if we can't eliminate this tax--which only accounts for less than 1% of our overall revenue--in these times of tremendous budget surpluses, when can we? This tax cost jobs, it prevents families from passing on their businesses or farms to their children, and ultimately it does nothing to our bottom line. In short, Mr. Speaker, to put it simply, the federal government just should not be in the business of taking 55 percent of a family's business and destroying their livelihood. This tax should be eliminated, and it should be eliminated today, not next week or next month or next year. I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the elimination of this onerous and damaging tax. I urge the adoption of H.R. 8.