Travis Childers

Mr. CHILDERS

Mr. CHILDERS. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay respect to the life and accomplishments of a fellow Mississippian who was tragically taken from us Wednesday, July 9th, 2008. Dr. James Robert ``Bob'' Woolsey, Jr., 72, was a man of great accomplishment. He is survived by his wife, five sons, two daughters, and his four grandchildren. Dr. Woolsey was involved in community and civic activity throughout his life. He was a member of the United States Navy as well as an Eagle Scout, a Mason, and a member Oxford University United Methodist Church. He was dedicated to his chosen field and went on to become the Director of the Center for Marine Resources and Environmental Technology and the Seabed Technology Research Center at The University of Mississippi. Throughout his life, Dr. Woolsey served his country, his state, and even the international community during his tenure with the United Nations as a consulting geologist. I thank my colleagues for remembering Dr. Woolsey and his family at this time.

Mr. CHILDERS

Mr. CHILDERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the recipients of the Jefferson Award for Public Service from the great state of Mississippi. Nancy Collins of Tupelo, Mississippi, one of only 5 national honorees, and the 4 local winners Robert Davison of Steens, Mississippi, Claire Crawford, Armondo de la Cruz, and Cooper Kennard all of Starkville, Mississippi. The Jefferson Award for Public Service is presented to the most dedicated and hard working of our nation's volunteers. Last week, I had the tremendous honor of attending the 2008 National Jefferson Awards Ceremony in Washington, where Nancy Collins was awarded one of only 5 national awards. Ms. Collins was instrumental in getting funding for Sanctuary Hospice House and was also a co-founder, realizing her goal of providing physical and spiritual care to the terminally ill. She was inspired by a visit to a similar hospice she visited in Mexico. To date the Sanctuary Hospice House, located in Tupelo, has served more than 600 people and has been an invaluable resource for the families and patients in its care. Ms. Collins and her fellow honorees are the embodiment of public service. I am honored for Ms. Collins to represent North Mississippi with her dedication to the community. Please join me today in congratulating Ms. Collins for this prestigious recognition of her contributions to the greater good.

Mr. CHILDERS

Mr. CHILDERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the recipients of the 2008 Congressional Award Gold Medal from the state of Mississippi. I had the honor of meeting them at this morning's ceremony and it is with tremendous pride that I announce that so many young Americans from the great state of Mississippi have achieved such a distinction. Countless hours of community service by these dedicated young adults has left a tremendous impact on local communities across the state. It is my pleasure to recognize Michelle Jade Gourley of Mathiston, Mississippi, Laura Kay Owen of Saltillo, Mississippi, Brittany Simpson of New Albany, Mississippi, Iver O'Neal Vandiver II of Corinth, Mississippi, Nolan Webb of Water Valley, Mississippi, Jonathan Paul Whitlock of Iuka, Mississippi, Bradley Ragan Young of Corinth, Mississippi, Lynice Michelle Higgins of Hazlehurst, Mississippi, Thomas Chadwick Kazery of Jackson, Mississippi, Tiffany Holder of Starkville, Mississippi, Amanda Layton of Magee, Mississippi, Holly Webb of Forrest, Mississippi, and Kaylee Keith of Laurel, Mississippi as recipients of the 2008 Congressional Award Gold Medal. On behalf of the state of Mississippi, I am honored to offer our deepest appreciation to these young men and women for their selfless acts of service and self-discipline.

Mr. CHILDERS

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6276, the Public Housing Disaster Relief Act of 2008. I'm honored to join my colleagues in supporting this bill, specifically Chairman Frank and Congressman Cazayoux from Louisiana, Mrs. Capito from West Virginia and Mr. Neugebauer from Texas. The Public Housing Disaster Relief Act is a commonsense approach to reducing ambiguity between the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Emergency Management Agency by striking section 9(k) of the United States Housing Act which was implemented in 1998. While certainly well-intended to encourage the Department of Housing and Urban Development to set aside funds in the event of a natural disaster, section 9(k) has proven to become an overburdensome authorization that has stalled Federal dollars from being disbursed to public housing authorities following a presidentially-declared natural disaster. Since 2000, the Appropriations Committee has allocated zero dollars toward section 9(k), and, instead, separately appropriated a specified amount within HUD's capital fund to be used for emergencies and natural disasters. We are all reminded of the devastating impact Hurricanes Katrina and Rita had on the gulf coast in 2005, specifically, in the Fourth Congressional District of Mississippi, represented by my friend and colleague, Congressman Gene Taylor. I would also like to acknowledge Chairman Bennie Thompson for his hard work in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. To date, the confusion associated with section 9(k) of the Housing Act has blocked FEMA from disbursing any Federal disaster related funds to multiple public housing authorities in Mississippi due to an internal government disagreement on whether HUD or FEMA is responsible for providing natural disaster relief to public housing authorities across the gulf coast. The State of Mississippi was forced to allocate $100 million of its Federal Community Development Block Grant allocation to rebuild various public housing units, and the State is still in the process of receiving final approval to actually use the Federal grant dollars which were approved almost 2 years ago. Recently, the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Development held a hearing in conjunction with the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response on this matter where Jeffrey Riddel, Director of the Office of Capital Improvements, Public and Indian Housing at HUD noted, ``One potential approach to disaster funding shortfalls for public housing authorities would be the permanent repeal or amendment of section 9(k).'' The physical revitalization of communities following a natural disaster is critical to strengthening economic development. As a local county official for over 16 years prior to coming to Congress, I have witnessed the benefits and resources local public housing authorities offer to communities across the United States, even communities that are routinely impacted by natural disasters. I believe that H.R. 6276 removes unnecessary bureaucratic red tape between HUD and FEMA in order to provide tangible Federal support dollars for rebuilding affordable housing to communities struck by overwhelming natural disasters. Additionally, I would note the Congressional Budget Office has scored this legislation as budget neutral over 5 years. In conclusion, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 6276. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHILDERS. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank).

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my colleague from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson).

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar) 3 minutes.

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Jefferson) 2 minutes.

Mr. CHILDERS. I actually have one more speaker.

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time, 2\1/2\ minutes, to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).

Mr. CHILDERS. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to thank those who spoke on behalf of this today. And in conclusion, I simply, again, urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 6276.

Mr. CHILDERS

Mr. CHILDERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Arvern Moore for his 41 years of outstanding service as executive director of the Institute of Community Services Head Start Program in Mississippi's First District. Arvern Moore began his work in 1967 with the ICS Head Start Program and had the vision to build a successful program to prepare children and families for the future. He served terms as president of the National Head Start Association and is known to many as ``Mr. Head Start.'' Arvern has established vital Head Start partnerships with businesses and stakeholders but has always remained focused on the families of Mississippi. Today, the ICS Head Start Program, headquartered in Holly Springs, Mississippi, serves more than 3,600 Head Start children. It is my honor to recognize Arvern Moore for his 41 years of service to Mississippi's children and families. Please join me on the occasion of his retirement in wishing him a rewarding life in the community he has worked so hard to support. We offer heartfelt congratulations to Arvern for a life of service as we wish him and his family a joyous celebration of this milestone.

Mr. CHILDERS

Mr. CHILDERS. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise to welcome a group of World War II veterans from Mississippi's First District to Washington, DC. I am honored to welcome these members of the greatest generation to Washington to visit the National World War II Memorial. Built to honor the 16 million Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Merchant Mariners who served our Nation during World War II, the National World War II Memorial serves as a reminder of their sacrifice and service to millions of visitors. The members of this special group are some of the few remaining survivors of the Battle of Iwo Jima. This battle was strategic to American success in the Pacific Theater and marked the first attack by U.S. troops on the Japanese home islands. Iwo Jima saw some of the fiercest fighting and lasted more than a month as American service members bravely fought against the heavily fortified positions of the Japanese Imperial Army. After landing on the third day of pitched battle, Private Thurman McMillen fought courageously for thirty three days. Private First Class J.B. Burks stayed on Iwo Jima for twenty nine days after his arrival on the first day of battle. Corporal Leland Whitehorn arrived on the islands on the first day of the fight and was wounded on his third day. Private First Class James Knighton also served honorably during the Battle of Iwo Jima. On behalf of Mississippi's First District, I am honored to offer our deepest appreciation to these brave men. During the current time of war it is most appropriate to recognize both today's troops and their forefathers. Our community is proud to be home to veterans who have defended our freedom in the past and to our soldiers who continue to fight for freedom today. I know that my colleagues will join me in welcoming these courageous warriors to our Nation's capital and thanking them, these soldiers of the greatest generation, for their invaluable service to our country.

Mr. CHILDERS

Mr. CHILDERS. This month marks the 75th anniversary of the Tennessee Valley Authority. On May 18, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into the law the TVA Act as part of his New Deal to help lift this Nation out of the Great Depression. Soon thereafter, the city of Tupelo, Mississippi, which is part of the First Congressional District that I now am proud to represent, became the first city to receive power service under the initial TVA wholesale power contract. Furthermore, Tupelo, Mississippi also serves as the home of the Honorable Glen McCullough, the only TVA chairman ever from Mississippi. In 1933, the Tennessee River Valley faced many challenges and lagged behind this country in almost every indicator, including schools, health and jobs. From the beginning, TVA addressed problems in the valley through providing necessary employment and aspirations of hope to the citizens of Mississippi. TVA has a long and proud history of serving north Mississippi, providing reliable, affordable electricity, supporting a thriving river system, and stimulating economic growth. I am proud to be the newest serving Member of Congress to represent the First District of Mississippi and our fellow members of the Tennessee Valley.

Mr. CHILDERS

Mr. CHILDERS. Madam Speaker, my fellow colleagues, thank you for your warm welcome today. It has seemed like a long time in 63 days. I want to especially thank Congressman Taylor, Congressman Thompson for your great help in my campaign. Congressman Pickering, I'm sad that you're leaving us. You all have been so, so very kind to me. First I want to thank God today that I'm standing here. I thank my community in North Mississippi and the people of the First Congressional District of Mississippi who are some of the finest people in the world. I am humbled by the trust that they've placed in me. I am grateful for their support, and I am forever committed to working for the people of North Mississippi every single day. I thank my wife of 27 years for standing beside me and again, being a great part of the reason that we are standing in this wonderful place today. And then our two fine children, Dustin and Lauren, for standing by me and their mother. I want to thank my mother, who's in the gallery today, who always believed in me. I want to thank every person who had a part of my life, and there have been so many and I wish I could introduce you to them, but that's not possible. I wish my wonderful grandparents and my father and my sister could be here. I want to let everyone here know that I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work. The campaign is one thing, but I'm ready to work, Congressmen. As a local official, I worked hard and I worked with both parties. I focused on balancing budgets and creating jobs. This will still be my approach, and these will be my priorities in Congress. I pledge to work as hard as I can to mend our failing economy and help bring down the skyrocketing cost of gas, groceries and health care. I look forward to meeting and working with every single one of you. I look forward to standing up for the values of the people who I have the honor of serving. And I pledge to work every day for the people of the First District of the great State of Mississippi.