Robin Hayes

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for yielding me time and then to thank the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner) for bringing forth this very effective effort to help create jobs and grow our economy. Every day I work to create jobs in the Eighth District of North Carolina. This is another in a long list of aggressive actions taken by this majority to work with people on both sides of the aisle for national security and economic security, which go hand in hand. The Workforce Investment Act and the Personal Reemployment Accounts again are an effort in a long list of efforts by our majority to put people back to work, to create jobs, and to match job seekers with good employment opportunities. Personal Reemployment Accounts will allow flexibility. They will create opportunities for people to get transportation, counseling, child care, relocation assets, whatever they need to become employed gainfully with good jobs paying good wages as quickly as possible. These are several of the reasons that I strongly rise in support of this rule and the underlying legislation. Unemployment benefits are important, and I support them; but there is far more to our effort to create jobs and put people back to work than simply unemployment benefits. This is a step in the right direction. It gives us additional opportunities to help people get good jobs, to grow this economy, and to continue to fight and win the war on terrorism. As we look every day at things that we are doing, this is one of the best and most effective ways that we can create jobs, strengthen our economy and help our people create the careers that they need to support their families. Again, Mr. Speaker, I thank the leadership for bringing this forward, and I ask for strong support for the rule and the bill.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, we have tonight the subject of lifelong learning and education, making sure that our friends, our families, and working people in America have careers, opportunities, and chances to have the financial rewards that come with being American. But, first, I would like to yield to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Tiahrt), who I think would like to help with the rewriting of history and set the record straight on some comments made by our colleagues across the aisle.

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his efforts, and I thank him for bringing these issues to the forefront. At this time, I will yield to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his efforts and his leadership. This majority is making a difference as we aggressively pursue education goals that create careers and opportunities for families all across America. I might also point out, and I appreciate my colleague pointing out the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson), the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey), the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Burns). And just today we passed a fine piece of legislation that expands on unemployment benefits by allowing people an additional $3,000 to help with finding a new job. We passed that today, House bill 444. We are in the very near future going to deal with the family marriage amendment. We will protect America's families because education without families does not get us anywhere. Faith-based initiatives. This majority is making a difference. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield to one of my good friends here from Georgia tonight, the gentleman from Georgia (Dr. Gingrey), for such time as he may consume.

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his leadership. I thank him for his commitment to education, his commitment to the State and to his district. I am wondering if the good doctor would yield for a question.

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. Those patients not only appreciate but they demand accountability. It sounds like no Child Left Behind, so we are on the right track. Mr. Speaker, a good friend from Georgia and a leader in education, agriculture, defense, it is hard to think of what he is not a leader in, but I appreciate him being with us tonight. I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Burns).

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, as we stand here tonight talking about the importance of lifelong learning, my colleague is a doctor, like me he is not as young as he used to be, medicine and the way it is practiced has changed somewhat since he graduated from medical school and completed his internship. If my colleague would just speak for a few moments, if you will, about the importance of continuing education, upgrading one's skills so that one can use the newest technology, the equipment, the techniques, the procedures that have allowed us to maintain the number one health care system, no thanks to the liberals who want to give it all to the government, but speak to us about a lifetime learning and his experience as a doctor and how that not only relates to medical skills but scientific skills, government skills, and others.

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I am sure that the gentleman's patients are particularly appreciative of the transparency and the accountability that you bring to the operating table and to your doctor's office by presenting those credentials and letting you know of how you have increased your skills and kept up with the latest technique.

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman again for pointing out the many intricacies and the many pieces that this Republican majority is helping to bring together so that lifelong learning and competitive young people coming out of our school system is a reality. Just as a matter of interest, I do not know if the gentleman from Georgia knows this, but my wife and I lived in Alaska for a year. Sometimes we think of home schooling as a choice of Republican schooling. Well, in Alaska, it is an alternative. If you live more than two miles from a bus stop, they will furnish you at no question, no cost, the materials for home schooling. One of the things that we learned from home schooling and why it is so important is, and I give my wife the credit because she did most of it, but I helped sometimes, if you home school your children, you really appreciate the teachers in the public school because you get a feel for what they go through. One of the beauties here, again, is small class size, concentrated, strong family involvement and participation. So, again, I thank the gentleman.

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his participation. At this time, I would like to yield to my colleague, the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Tiahrt). (Mr. TIAHRT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Tiahrt), for his wonderful leadership and pointing out how important these issues of education are. He talked about bureaucratic red tape. Just last week, if my memory serves me correctly, we passed the Paperwork Reduction Act, which puts over $800 billion potentially back into our economy for American jobs and helping people with their career. Mr. Speaker, in closing, there are two things that I have stressed in my time in Congress, and they are national security and economic security. My friend pointed out that on September 11 incredibly insane people flew three airliners, used them as missiles, flew them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. National security is critically important to our future. Fighting and winning the war on terrorism, which our brave young men and women are doing every day, is happening because of the commitment of America, the patriotism of these fine young men and women; and our commitment and our support of them is crucial for the future of our young people. Economic security comes from education, childhood, families, middle school, high school, secondary, postgraduate. Economic security allows us to maintain the financial integrity of this Nation. Financial integrity and the things that go with it enable us to equip our military which liberates countries like Iraq and Afghanistan from terrorists, thugs and murderers. So those are the two important issues. To give you some firsthand information and experience from my district, we have seen how important this is. In August of this year, we had the largest single layoff in North Carolina's history. As this tragedy occurred and many people were dramatically, drastically and terrifyingly affected, retraining, education through the community colleges, through high schools, through other means, has been pointed out how important it is, and this majority and this administration has stepped in to provide the help and the guidance in every possible way that we can so these folks could be retrained so that they could be skilled for new careers. A wonderful example is a lady named Barbara Price who worked at Pillowtech. She went back to school and I remember meeting with her at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and hearing her describe how all of a sudden she is a 57-year-old mom who was having her high school students, who were extremely proud of her ambition, her willingness to go back to school, but they were helping her with her homework. They were encouraging her to adapt, to learn and to get these new skills. So that is just one of many, many examples where lifetime learning continues. We are retraining for next generation, highly skilled jobs. The question becomes, what are those jobs going to look like? Well, my answer is simply that America, with the ingenuity, the resources and the talented people we have, we can create those 40 percent of new jobs which have not yet been created, and that is what this majority is working to do with incentives, with tax cuts, with letting people keep more of their own money. Just a few of the ways that we can help do this. In education, we are working with all of our schools, trying to find out how do we keep young people in school today. Because manufacturing jobs are not available when people drop out of school early. We have a program with the Dell Computer Company called Dell Techno, targeting at-risk and other young people in middle school, giving them the encouragement and also the excitement they need to see the connection between education, learning and earning. It has been very successful. They come to school after hours. They learn how to take a computer apart, put that computer back together with the latest technology. After completing the course, they own that computer; and they can take it home and increase their skills. BizWorld, teaching entrepreneurship and financial accountability. Teaches youngsters how to strive for making jobs, creating jobs, not just taking a job, teaching them the basic skills of creating a product, marketing that product, selling it and taking the profits, which not only are not a bad word but that is an imperative, taking the profits and expanding and making jobs, not taking jobs. Congressional scholars bringing the remarkable assets of the Library of Congress into their high or middle school or college. Giving teachers additional tools. Because the way to show appreciation to these hard working teachers is, again, to give them the flexibility, the tools, the assets and resources they need. Technology is not the only answer. We need stronger families. We need discipline in schools. We need the kinds of things and the cooperation that we have talked about tonight. This is the kind of America that we envision for our children and our grandchildren, an America that is learning, that is earning, that is taking the greatest that we have and expanding it, creating, maintaining and expanding freedom, opportunity and chances for others to enjoy the blessings that we have. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Tiahrt) and all who have participated tonight, and I thank all of my colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, believe it or not, this House works together on a bipartisan basis on a number of things. This past Monday my colleague and cochair of the Sportsmen's Caucus, the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), and I got together and enjoyed a wonderful day afield. The Sportsmen's Caucus is the largest group of a bipartisan nature on the Hill for anyone who enjoys the out- of-doors. In this particular instance, it was the Great Congressional Shootout. Fortunately, the Republicans won, but our Democratic friends, including the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Peterson) who was top gun for the Democrats and the gentleman from California (Mr. Cunningham), top gun for our side, did a great job. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my colleague and cochairman the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson).

Mr. HAYES. I thank my colleague and I thank everyone who participated. Our cochairs, also, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell) for the Democrats and the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) on our side.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, across this great Nation, Americans designate the last Monday in May to honor those who have fallen in battle protecting our freedom. Memorial Day this year is especially important as we are reminded almost daily of the great sacrifices that the men and women of the Armed Services make to defend our way of life. Those who served, and those who continue to serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard took an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, and we can never forget the importance of their commitment to our Nation. North Carolina, particularly the 8th District, has long played a key role in our Nation's military forces. Troops from Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base are nobly answering the call of duty, separated from their families, friends, and loved ones. Currently serving alongside the active component in Iraq is the North Carolina National Guard. These individuals who put their lives on hold to answer the call of duty are the pinnacle of American patriotism. To prosecute the war on terrorism, the State of North Carolina has deployed 3,500 guardsmen, the largest deployment in the State's history. While putting themselves in harms' way, the men and women in uniform, whether part of the active or reserve component, seek to root out the evil that seeks America's destruction. Their mission is clear and they will succeed. I cannot express how proud I am of them and the entire military for their service, selfless attitude and sacrifice. Of all the recent publicity the war on terrorism has garnered, sometimes overlooked is the support of our troops by their valiant spouses and families. The support they provide and the hardship that they are enduring are to be recognized and commended. Without such support in place, our troops would not be as ready or prepared to fight the battle. While we continue to pray for those who are deployed and their families, we must hold a special place in our hearts for their fallen comrades. The men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice safeguarding our great Nation must be honored and remembered. Freedom is not free, and many have given all they have--their lives--for its and our defense. May we as a Nation be eternally grateful for their sacrifice and remember their families in our prayers. May God bless the families of our fallen heroes, watch over their families, and may He bless and protect those who continue to serve. May God bless our U.S. Armed Forces and the United States of America.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, I want to recognize my good friend, the soldiers' chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) for everything he has done to bring this bill together that supports our troops. I rise today in support of H.R. 4200, legislation we have crafted in the Committee on Armed Services that focuses on force protection and personnel benefits, designating 2005 as the Year of the Troops. For the soldiers and airmen in my district at Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base, the ability to adequately execute the mission for which they are called and care for their families are the two issues that are second to none. I believe this legislation makes significant progress in these areas and will enable our men and women in uniform to continue successfully prosecuting the war on terrorism. A trip to Iraq this past March, the second I have made, did nothing but reinforce my pride in our Nation's warfighters. These brave men and women served with honor and distinction as they liberated a nation. Troops from the 8th district of North Carolina have been at the very tip of the spear that ended the dark reign of Saddam Hussein and continued to lead the way in postconflict resolution in Iraq and Afghanistan. This legislation, first and foremost, takes care of our most vital asset, our military, our people. It provides every service member an across-the-board 3.5 percent pay raise and increases the force structure of the Army and Marine Corps. It also boosts the maximum amount of hardship duty pay and eliminates out-of-pocket housing expenses. Furthermore, it closes the gap that some deployed Reservists and members of the National Guard face when their military pay is less than their civilian pay. It is the first time in history that steps have been taken to replace income loss while Reservists are away from their civilian jobs. Currently, about 3,500 members of the North Carolina Guard are deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the largest deployment in our State's history. It is vital that we take every measure to care for their families while they are away. I am also happy the committee is urging the Department of Defense to consider programs being proposed at the University of North Carolina and others to help ease the hardship of these families and what they face. Additionally, I would like to mention the direct effect this legislation will have for men and women at Fort Bragg and Pope. There is almost $200 million for infrastructure and housing improvements at these two installations. It includes $10 million more than was in the President's request for a barracks complex at Fort Bragg. I worked hard to secure this funding, along with others, because it will help improve the living conditions of the 16th MP brigade, the unit that spent many months in Iraq. The National Defense Authorization Act addresses other critical issues, fortifying the defense industrial base, ensuring the Department of Defense purchases products that are made in America. My top two priorities are national security and economic security. There is seldom, if ever, a reason that these two goals should be considered mutually exclusive. I have vowed to always work to protect and promote the U.S. manufacturing industry, and we must develop transparency within the DOD procurement process. Providing visibility on the Berry amendment, which stipulates domestic sourcing requirements, is crucial and is in this bill. This is vital to protect our workers and our soldiers and our national security, and it is just as important to protect our economic security here at home. The gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter) has worked so hard to provide this, and I thank him again. Mr. Chairman, this is a great bill. It supports our wonderful men and women in uniform. I urge our most enthusiastic support.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) for this vital legislation, and I rise in support of the gentleman's effort to reduce the paperwork and the regulatory costs that do not provide health, protection and safety for people in America today. There is $843 billion that could be used to grow this economy, to create jobs, to do the things that our workers need. We have to get this study out of the way so we can do the right thing and make sure that the regulations we have are transparent, they can be seen by the people that write them, that are impacted by them, and make sure that these regulations do what they are intended to do, not sap the economy, not cut jobs. I support the bill.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) and my friend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for helping participate today. I rise today urging my colleagues to support H.R. 4176, legislation that would name the main post office in Raeford, North Carolina, in honor of their long-time mayor and my good friend, Bobby Marshall Gentry. Many qualities Bobby Marshall Gentry had. The old saying is ``They also serve who only stand and wait.'' Let me tell my colleagues for sure, Bobby Marshall Gentry never stood and never waited. He moved forward for his town, for his church, for his family, for his children. Mr. Gentry was elected to the Raeford City Council in February of 1977 and proceeded to serve the city of Raeford, North Carolina, faithfully for 26 years. In March of 1990, Bob was appointed to the post of mayor after the death of then current mayor, J.K. McNeill. Bob was elected in his own right as Raeford's mayor in 1993 and reelected in 1997 and 2001. He served until his untimely death on October 29 of 2003. He served his country also as an Army veteran of the Korean War. It is interesting to look at all the things that Mayor Gentry did, but one of his most proud accomplishments in those 26 years, only one time was there a tax increase. There were numerous tax decreases for which we all admired him. Like most folks in Hoke County, I was shocked and saddened when I heard the news that Bob had died. Today I urge my colleagues to join me in remembering a great man who I am proud to have called my friend. Mr. Speaker, Bob Gentry was a popular mayor. Folks in the community appreciated, admired and really liked him a lot. In fact, I do not think it is too much of a stretch to say that the Raeford community loved Mayor Gentry. Once, when asked why he ran for office, Bob replied as if it were just simple common sense, ``I enjoyed it so much that I could not resist running again and again.'' Bob was known for his ability to not only accomplish good things for Raeford, but he was able to genuinely have a good time serving and accomplishing these many ends. Raeford, North Carolina, is a small town in my district, but this small-town mayor was a big-time leader who was constantly looking out for the town and the people. He passionately pursued economic development opportunities. Under his leadership, Raeford was put on track for the largest downtown development in Raeford's history. As a long-time and loyal employee of Burlington Mills for 17 years, he also owned his own small business. He was a contributor. He was a giver. Mayor Gentry was appointed to the Lumber River Council of Governments board of directors in February of 1990. He served as chairman of this group for several terms and was known by his fellow board members as a leader who believed in starting on time, getting your work done and adjourning on time. Bob greatly admired another great North Carolinian, former United States Senator Jesse Helms. He once said of Senator Helms, ``His integrity is beyond reproach. When he thinks he is right, he will not compromise his position for political acceptance or gain. His morals are of the highest standards.'' We were members of different political parties, but his admiration for Senator Helms and his befriending of me and shepherding me through the process showed clearly his focus was always people and not politics. Mayor Gentry was a hardworking mayor. He left a legacy with his community. His vision for the future and his determination made Raeford a better place to live and work. Mr. Speaker, in a small city like Raeford, you often see your friends and neighbors at the post office. It is the kind of place where people say hello and get caught up on what is happening around town. It is very fitting then that today the Raeford community joins me in support of naming the Raeford Post Office, a building at the center of the community, in honor of our former mayor Bob Gentry. To his wife Eleanor, I had the privilege, Mr. Speaker, of attending the celebration of his life, the funeral service for him, and to Eleanor, there is a passage of scripture, ``In my Father's House, there are many mansions. I have gone to prepare a place for you.'' Well, Bob Gentry is in heaven right now making sure that water and sewer are taken care of, that the lights are on, and preparing a place for Eleanor and his family and others. To Marsha, Gary and Mark, his children; to his five grandchildren, Marshall, Lucas, Katie, Kelly and Liam, their grandfather was a wonderful man. He leaves many memories of a life well-lived, a good and faithful servant who has gone on before, who served in many, many ways. Honesty, integrity, intense commitment, these are the qualities, among many, that signified our friend, Bobby Marshall Gentry. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and honor my friend, a fine public servant.

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding. Not everyone knows my friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), did not spend his life in Chicago. He grew up in the rural south, and I bet he knew people like Bobby Gentry, the kind of folks you are glad to see on the streets. It particularly pleases me and the people in my community for the gentleman to stand in honoring the memory and life of a man who grew up in a rural farming community, but did many great things from that platform. I thank the gentleman for his help and support.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. We come today together as a unified body, 435 Members of the people's House, without any question about condemning totally unacceptable behavior, and I support this rule very strongly because it is most appropriate that we come to the floor and say today our unanimous condemnation of behavior we do not accept under any circumstances. We need to maintain a focus that says to the American people and even more importantly the rest of the world that in a free society, where men and women can come to the well of the House and express their opinion on any subject, there are many countries around the world where freedom does not exist, but in our free society, the home of the free and the land of the brave, we have the right to stand up and speak out when something goes wrong. In the land of freedom, we have responsibility. People are accountable for their actions, and the perpetrators of these deeds will be punished. This is the issue today. So now is the time to stand up and express our joint outrage for what has happened. We also need to make sure, and ironically, as I waited to speak, I received a message from Daniel Metzdorf, an 82nd Airborne trooper who lost a leg fighting for the freedom that we all want for Iraq, got a message, wanted to know how I am doing. He is the one that lost a leg. We cannot lose the focus today, as we speak out against this contemptible behavior that 99.9 percent plus are wonderful men and women in uniform who are seeking to bring freedom to Iraq, to give them the opportunity to express their opinion. Yes, the rest of the world, we have made a mistake here and we all agree but we will not accept it. Whatever steps are necessary to follow up our condemnation today of these despicable acts, we will, as Republican, Democrats, in a bipartisan manner, we will get to the bottom of it. The perpetrators will be punished. We will see that it does not happen again. Justice will be served. Freedom will be protected. We are here to do the right thing. That is what America is about, but please do not lose sight of what is being done for us, for Iraq, the rest of the world by these men and women in uniform who are seeking to provide freedom and justice for all the world. Mr. Speaker, again I thank the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings) for the time.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from California and chairman for yielding the time. Let me thank my friend, my colleague, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) with whom I completely identify and thoroughly agree with the remarks he made in setting the stage for the purpose of this resolution. As I hold this picture here, it is reference that what our troops are about in Iraq. When I spoke earlier supporting the resolution and the rule, I referred to a call that I had just received from an 82nd Airborne trooper, who had lost a leg in Iraq for these children, for these men and women. I called Daniel Metzdorf back on the phone at Walter Reed Hospital, where he is back because of additional infection. I said, Daniel, what do you all think about what is going on? He said, it is wrong. Those people will be punished, and, oh, by the way, the people who put the pictures on the television to undermine our troops, they ought to be in jail, too. God bless our troops and protect them.

Mr. HAYES

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 598) recognizing the valuable contributions of military impacted schools, teachers, administration, and staff for their ongoing contributions to the education of military children.

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, does my colleague have additional speakers and do I have the right to close?

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 598.