Sam Graves

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Christopher Muiller, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 397, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Christopher has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Christopher has been involved in Scouting, he has earned 32 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, serving as Troop Librarian, Patrol Leader, and Troop Guide. Christopher has earned numerous awards such as the Top Gun Award for being the best shooter in the Explorer Post and the H. Roe Bartle Heritage Award. Christopher is currently a Brave in the tribe of Mic-O- Say. His tribal name is ``He Who Walks Like Thunder.'' For his Eagle Scout project, Christopher painted fire hydrants for the city of Kearney, Missouri. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Christopher Muiller for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Dmitry Brown, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 397, and by earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Dmitry has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the years Dmitry has been involved in scouting, he has earned 41 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, serving as Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Scribe, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Dmitry is a brotherhood member in the Order of the Arrow and a Brave in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Dmitry has earned numerous awards such as the Leave No Trace Award, World Conservation Award, God and Life Award, and the Bartle Heritage Award. For his Eagle Scout project, Dmitry constructed a sandbox and bench for the students of Dogwood Elementary School. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Dmitry Brown for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Travis Weaver, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America Troop 249 and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Travis has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Travis has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Travis's dedication to his school work at West Platte High School has been excellent. Travis has also contributed significantly to the community, through his planning and organization of a project for the Platte City Parks and Recreation department, which included the addition of a brand new picnic and playground area. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Travis Weaver for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Tyler Ruoff, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 60, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Tyler has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Tyler has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Tyler R. Ruoff for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in addition to what the gentleman from Iowa pointed out, Judge Duberstein's tremendous contributions in law, I might also add to that, Judge Duberstein served in the United States Army. We have actually named a few courthouses over the last couple of months after individuals who are World War II veterans, and they are all just outstanding individuals. Judge Duberstein did serve in the Army during World War II, and he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantry Badge. After the war he engaged in the private practice of law, where, again, his prominence as a bankruptcy attorney grew large. The gentleman from Iowa pointed out his many contributions to law and obviously to the State of New York. This is another bill, Mr. Speaker, where I think it is a fitting tribute, to say the least, and I wholeheartedly support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 429 does designate the United States courthouse which is located at 225 Cadman Plaza East in Brooklyn, New York as the ``Hugh L. Carey United States Courthouse.'' As the gentleman from Iowa pointed out, the Governor served in the United States Army during World War II and then received his law degree from St. John's University School of Law. In 1960 he was elected to represent the 12th Congressional District of New York in the 87th Congress and served until his resignation in 1974, when he was elected Governor of New York, and he served two terms as Governor. I might also point out that in 1993, Governor Carey was appointed to the American Battle Monuments Commission to represent the United States at various ceremonies commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. Governor Carey is currently practicing law in New York City, as I understand. Mr. Speaker, I think this is a fitting tribute to Governor Carey's commitment to public service, and I wholeheartedly support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is great that I got the opportunity today to work with the gentleman from Iowa. We have worked on several things, and I think this is a very fitting bill. H.R. 478 designates the Federal building and the United States courthouse located at 101 Barr Street in Lexington, Kentucky as the Scott Reed Federal Building and United States Courthouse. The bill recognizes Judge Reed's service to the legal profession. Judge Scott Reed graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law where he received many honors. Judge Reed's career as a jurist began in 1964, when he became Fayette Circuit Court judge. Five years later, he was elected to the Kentucky Court of Appeals, where he sat for over 7 years. During the mid 1970s, Judge Reed played an instrumental role in the recognition of Kentucky's judicial system, which created the Kentucky Supreme Court. Judge Reed was elected to serve as the first Chief Justice of Kentucky in 1976. His opinions from the Supreme Court of Kentucky have received national acclaim for their content. In 1979 he was named U.S. district judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and he served as U.S. district judge until he retired in 1990. Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. This is a very fitting individual and a fitting tribute to him. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I do thank the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell) for the kind words that he said. Again, this gentleman was a pilot, and you can't get any better than that. I would wholeheartedly support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I don't think I could really add much to Mr. Smith's accomplishments and what he has done, other than what Mr. Boswell has pointed out. He did mention he was a bomber pilot, and I looked up his service record. He was awarded the Purple Heart, nine Battle Stars and the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters for his service, which is obviously a sign of a very outstanding individual. This obviously marks a long and very distinguished career. Obviously, he was one of us, a Member of Congress from Iowa; and I wholeheartedly support this. Mr. Speaker, could I inquire of the gentleman from Iowa what Mr. Smith flew during the war.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to another gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul).

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, H.R. 584 designates the Department of Education Building as the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building. Lyndon Baines Johnson was born in Stonewall, Texas, on August 27, 1908, and his connection to education began very early in life when at the age of 4 his mother persuaded the teacher at the nearby one-room junction school to take him as a student. Lyndon Baines Johnson enrolled in the Southwest Texas State Teachers College in 1927. He graduated in 1930 and embarked on a teaching career that would eventually lead him to the White House. As was pointed out by the gentlelady, in 1937 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election. He was subsequently re-elected to the House in each succeeding Congress until 1948 when he was elected to the United States Senate. In 1961, he resigned from the Senate to become the 37th Vice President; and on November 22, 1963, a day we all remember, Lyndon Baines Johnson became the 36th President of the United States. This teacher who would become President pursued numerous education initiatives, as was pointed out. He signed into law education legislation such as the Higher Education Facilities Act, the Library Services Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and the Higher Education Act, just to name a few. After leaving office, President Johnson continued to have an impact on education, as he taught students while he was writing his memoirs, and subsequently passed away on January 22, 1973. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES. I have none. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES. I don't. Madam Speaker, I would be more than happy to yield 5 minutes to Chairman Norton.

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I wish to yield 6 minutes to the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton).

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I would like to state for the record my position on the following votes I missed due to reasons beyond my control. On Monday, March 5, 2007, I had to tend to some family matters and thus missed rollcall votes 119 and 120. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all votes.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I would yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 544, introduced by Representative Udall of New Mexico, designates the United States courthouse at South Federal Place in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as the Santiago E. Campos United States Courthouse. The bill honors Judge Campos, who was the first Hispanic to be appointed to the U.S. District Court of New Mexico. Judge Campos served in the United States Navy during World War II and graduated first in his law class at the University of New Mexico. His career in public service included serving as the assistant and first assistant attorney general in New Mexico, and serving as a district court judge in New Mexico's First Judicial District, and culminated in his appointment to the Federal bench. Judge Campos was appointed by President Carter in 1978 to the District Court of New Mexico. He served as chief judge from 1987 to 1989 and became a senior judge on December 26, 1992. He served with distinction on the bench, and on January 20, 2001, Judge Campos passed away. I support this legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 399 designates the United States courthouse, which is to be constructed in Jackson, Mississippi, as the R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse. This bill honors R. Jess Brown's work as an attorney and civil rights leader. As was so eloquently pointed out, and I think Chairman Norton went through it very well, Mr. Brown was the associate counsel for the Legal Defense and Education Fund for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, where his work was well documented. He worked alongside Thurgood Marshall, who would later become Associate Justice to the United States Supreme Court. And as Mr. Brown was working for the NAACP in that capacity, he filed the very first civil rights suit in Mississippi in the 1950s. Mr. Brown died in Jackson, Mississippi, on January 2, 1990. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Mike Kemna, Superintendent of Crossroads Correctional Center, in Cameron Missouri. On March 30, 2007, Crossroads Correctional Center will reach its 10 year anniversary of the opening of the institution. Crossroads Correctional Center (CRCC) is a maximum security (C-5) male facility located adjacent to the Western Missouri Correctional Center in Cameron. Since its opening Mike has provided leadership and stability to all employees while overseeing 1,500 inmates. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Mike Kemna, an exceptional leader of Crossroads Correctional Center, as we honor his dedication, strength and devotion to the Department of Corrections throughout his long career.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Brian Patrick Wessling, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 395, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Brian has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Brian has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Brian Patrick Wessling for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jarrett Muck, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 376, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Jarrett has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Jarrett has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Jarrett Muck for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Christopher Blake, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 395, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Christopher has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Christopher has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community, Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Christopher Blake for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Will David Morris, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 374, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Will has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Will has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Will's dedication to his school work and church are outstanding. Will works hard in school, while being an active member of the Liberty United Methodist Church, where he plays guitar in ``Decided,'' the youth praise band, sings in the JAM youth choir and participates in Sunday school and the evening youth group. Will has also contributed significantly to the community, by leading a group of Scouts, friends, and adults in landscaping the Outdoor Worship Center at Liberty United Methodist Church. Will and his crew planted more than a dozen low- maintenance bushes and shrubs. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Will David Morris for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Shaun Andrew Robinson, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 374, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Shaun has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the years Shaun has been involved with Scouting, he has earned 30 merit badges and held numerous leadership positions, serving as patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, chaplain's aid, and den chief. He is a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Shaun's dedication to his school work and church are outstanding. Shaun works hard in school, while being an active member of the Liberty United Methodist Church. He has also contributed significantly to the community by using his leadership skills to lead a group of boys and adults in completing a landscaping project at the Liberty United Methodist Church. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Shaun Andrew Robinson for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.