Hank Johnson

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of consumer protection and privacy on mobile devices. Every day, millions of Americans use mobile applications to help us get through the day, but many consumers do not know that their data is being collected. This privacy breach is just not ones and zeros. It's personal information, including our location at any given moment, our photos, messages, and many of the things meant only for our friends and loved ones; yet we lack basic rights to control how and how much of our data is collected on our phones, iPads, and tablets. Data has become the oil of the 21st century and, like any other resource, there must be commonsense rules of the road for this emerging challenge. Today I'm introducing the APPS Act, a commonsense approach to this urgent challenge. The APPS Act will protect consumers without disrupting functionality or innovation. Privacy is an issue that should unite us, not drive us apart. I ask that my colleagues come together and support this bill, creating transparency and trust in the mobile marketplace.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, today I introduce H.R. 1844, the Arbitration Fairness Act. Forced arbitration agreements stack the deck against working people and have been of concern to me ever since I've come to Congress. These agreements are pervasive and they adversely affect countless Americans every year. Too many Americans are forced to give up their rights to have a trial by jury when it comes to these consumer agreements that they sign with these megabusinesses. My bill would remedy this by prohibiting any predispute agreement that requires arbitration for claims involving employees, consumers, civil rights, and antitrust. We must protect our constitutional right to a fair trial by a jury of one's peers. I will continue to champion this bill until it is signed into law, and I urge my colleagues to support the Arbitration Fairness Act.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Chairman, like a kid at a carnival, I rise in full support of H.R. 527, the Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act of 2013. Mr. Chairman, I'm relieved, and I'm sure that the American people are relieved as well, that Congress is finally going to do something about one of the most pressing issues of the day, that is, we've got to ensure access to helium for all. Surely, those harmed by sequestration and those harmed by the Republican failure to appoint budget conferees appreciate the House spending 2 full legislative days on this most critical issue. The American people certainly understand the fact that 48 hours of this House's precious time was necessary to pass such a noncontroversial bill. I'm pleased to support this bill, which shows that this Tea Party Congress will make the tough choice to keep children's birthday parties on schedule and give industries that rely on helium the lift that they deserve. Imagine, Mr. Chairman, a world without balloons. How can we make sure that there is not the injustice of there being no helium for comedians to get that high-pitched voice that we all hold near and dear to our hearts? Imagine a world without balloons. To date, the House has chosen to just simply float above it all. Finally, we are going to do something for the American people, and we should all pat ourselves on the back for that. Too often lately, this body has sat deflated, not for a lack of hot air, mind you, but seriously, ladies and gentlemen, unlike a noble element, this House has failed to act on Americans' real concerns. There are serious reasons to support this bill, and I do look forward to supporting it. The substance of this bill is not the focus of my sarcasm today, Mr. Chairman. My point is that America would be much better off if this Tea Party Republican Congress brought to the floor issues that mean the most to Americans, like appointing a conference committee to work out a budget with the Senate.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Sadly, Republicans are just blowing in the wind and can't seem to tether themselves down to take on such an important task. They float off in different directions unable to appoint conferees to negotiate with the Senate. Yesterday, despite the gravity of the matter, the Tea Party Republicans couldn't even agree on their own health care bill, which was named the Helping Sick Americans Now Act. With a title like that, I'm helium flabbergasted that they could not pass that bill. Yesterday we spent all day debating that bill, and today after their failure to pass it, they've pretty much decided that sick Americans can wait. We need laughing gas because of the inability of the Republican House to deal with the difficult issues. It's real sad; we need some laughing gas. The sequestration is delaying flights and harming our economy.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. With sequestration delaying flights and harming our economy, our Nation needs a little gas. Say what you will, but this is just the best thing that we can do here. So I'd like to float a simple idea: stop wasting our time. Let's get to the business that is meaningful for Americans. I support this bill.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I have introduced two bills to help small businesses. We all like to talk about how small businesses are the engine of our economy, and that's because that is true. That's why I have introduced the Help Entrepreneurs Create American Jobs Act, which is a bipartisan bill, to double the deduction for startup expenses to encourage entrepreneurs to start a business and create jobs. I'll also introduce the Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act to ensure that only small businesses, actual small businesses, receive Federal small business contracts. Mr. Speaker, these bills are the least that we can do to give our economy a shot in the arm.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Today, I rise to cite the fact that the American people and Democrats and scientists agree that climate change is a danger to us all, but where are the Republicans? A week ago, I joined my colleagues in the Safe Climate Caucus to challenge the Republican members of the Energy and Commerce Committee to debate the Nation's response to climate change on the House floor. We received no response. It is time for a real debate on the House floor about the dangers of climate change. We are already seeing the powerful forces and effects of nature. We are witnessing the predictions of our premier scientists come true, and they are alarming. We've seen catastrophic storms, record heat waves, droughts, and wildfires. Top scientists in the U.S. and around the world tell us that impacts like these will get even worse as climate change continues. There is no debate about the science of climate change. Madam Speaker, it's time for a debate on how to solve climate change.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Chair, I rise in support of this amendment. I would also argue that, in addition to it being vague, it's also overbroad in that it includes investigations for child pornography and child abductions and computer crimes. This means that under CISPA, the NSA could share data with law enforcement to investigate computer crimes, which is so broad and includes even lying about your age on your Facebook page. Are these really cyber threats that this bill claims to fix? We must defend against cyber attacks while protecting the liberties and privacy of Americans.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I oppose H.R. 1120. This is just a naked attempt to neuter the National Labor Relations Board. This is done in concert with the United States Senate, which refuses to confirm any nominees by the President to the NLRB, and in concert also with the right-wing ideologues on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, who have gone against 150 years of practice by Democratic and Republican Presidents alike in appointing through the recess appointment constitutional process. Now we have the U.S. Congress, the House of Representatives, with this H.R. 1120, Preventing Greater Uncertainty in Labor-Management Relations Act. This would straitjacket workplace fairness and hurt middle class workers. It would also create uncertainty, interfere with judicial proceedings still on appeal, and undermine the NLRB's core functions. This is a bill that's anti-worker, it's obstructionist, and it represents the machinations of a Republican Party more interested in impeding the NLRB and blindly attacking this administration at every opportunity than finding solutions to unemployment. This bill represents a party that has lost touch with middle class values, and I urge my colleagues to vote against it.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, most Americans watching these proceedings today are watching them on C-SPAN. C-SPAN is a public service that was created by the cable industry in 1979 to carry our House proceedings and other public affairs programming. It's carried in my district by DirecTV, Comcast, and the DISH Network. I won't bore you with all of the content that appears on C-SPAN. Some is very interesting and some is not. Nevertheless, every year C-SPAN holds a student documentary contest for middle school and high school students. Today, I am proud to announce that one of my constituents, a young man named Samuel Gladden, a 10th grade student at Miller Grove High School in Lithonia, received $250 for his honorable mention documentary: ``Education: The Greatest Common Factor,'' about how education is related to the economy. I also want to congratulate Mr. Zach Cohen, a seventh grade student at the Alfred & Adele Davis Academy in Sandy Springs, Georgia, who received $1,500 for the second prize, a documentary entitled: ``Education: Take a Spin,'' which is about education in the United States of America. He interviewed me for this piece, and I want to thank him for doing that. I want to congratulate both Zach and Samuel for winning these prizes out of nearly 2,000 entries. You can see these and other winning videos at studentcam.org. I would encourage everybody, once you finish watching C-SPAN, to go to studentcam.org. It will captivate you to see what these young students have done and to listen to their views on education and on how our future will be affected by either our investment in education or in our desire not to do that.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address wage equality in our Nation, or the lack thereof. I was raised by a mother, a schoolteacher. She worked hard. She worked harder than any male that I know of on her job, and then when she came home, she worked hard in the home, harder than any male that I've ever known. And she turned me over to my wife. My wife works harder than I ever thought about working, both outside the home and in the home. So I believe that it is definitely a great tragedy that either one of those women would make less than a man doing the same thing on the job. I think it's terrible. Seventy-seven cents for every dollar earned by a man is what women make in my home State of Georgia. I'm particularly alarmed by the wage gap for minority women, who often earn less than 64 cents for every dollar earned by a non-minority man. Without equal pay, women working twice as hard only go half as far. We must continue to strive for income equality and support women in the workplace.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Thank you, Mr. Ranking Member. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the so-called Ryan budget Path to Prosperity, which really should be called the Ryan budget ``Mainline to Misery for the Middle Class.'' Budgets are a reflection of our Nation's values, and it is clear that the House Republicans chose to favor the ultrawealthy over the weak, the sick, the poor, and the elderly. Mr. Chairman, this is just more of the same old, same old: more tax breaks for the wealthy, an end to Medicare as we know it--they don't care anything about Medicare--broken promises to our seniors, and higher taxes on the middle class. For the middle class, this Ryan budget is a road to ruin. For the middle class, this Ryan budget is a shortcut to suffering. Issuing vouchers for health care and gutting programs for low- and middle- income Americans at the expense of budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy is not the best way forward for our Nation. I look forward to supporting the Democratic budget, which reduces the deficit in a balanced way while strengthening the economy, bolstering the middle class, and investing in our future.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, ``Ryanomics,'' the House Republican budget, the so-called path to prosperity, is based upon a fanciful theory of trickle-down economics. This is a well-worn idea that belies the facts that we've seen proven time and time again. That truth is that giving tax breaks and hollowing out the Tax Code with loopholes for the wealthy, while cutting spending for the social safety net and the poor, while cutting everything else that makes America great, that somehow this is going to create prosperity for all. Indeed, the Republicans have played from this same playbook before, and it has failed. It has failed again, and it continues to fail. This was an economic theory first proposed by the American hero, Ronald Reagan. They called it Reaganomics. Trickle-down economics is what they liked to say: it would trickle down to the poor. George Herbert Walker Bush called it ``voodoo economics.'' I think he was right on with that because in practicing voodoo, they just ask you to believe. And that's what Ryanomics is proposing for us to do. The numbers just don't add up. Today, we only have to look at Europe to see the terrible effects of severe austerity. The Republican prescription of cut, cut, cut has been tried, tried, tried repeatedly across Europe and has only exacerbated the problems over there. Now, under the guise of balancing the budget in 10 years, we've got Ryanomics II, or Turbo Ryanomics. They're going to take $15 trillion and balance the budget in 10 years, doubling down on a theory that Americans rejected just last year. Four or 5 months ago, we rejected Ryanomics; but here we have Ryanomics II, or Turbo Ryanomics. Mr. Speaker, I'm not here to solely criticize the path that Republicans have charted for this House with their budget priorities. In fact, I agree with them that Congress must make difficult choices about future spending. The problem is that all too often this body asks very little of the rich and the powerful, handing out tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires like candy, doing this at the expense of the middle class and the poor. You have seen the income disparity between the top 2 percent and the middle class. The gap continues to widen. Shared sacrifice should truly be that. It should be something that all Americans share in. Why does Congress continue to give tax breaks to big corporations that outsource jobs but fail to invest in education and scientific research that would help the American economy by creating jobs and reducing unemployment? Why would they continue to give tax breaks to those who don't need them, rather than educating the next generation of workers so that this country can continue to compete and be at the top of the global economy? Despite the fact that trickle-down economics has been roundly criticized and discredited, my colleagues across the aisle choose to double down on what hasn't worked, and they want to continue to relentlessly cut, cut, cut the programs and the services that Americans depend on every day and which help drive our economy. I believe we must reduce our debt--and we must do that in a responsible and sensible way that slows spending over time. We can no longer leave working Americans behind while we allow the wealthy to walk away with the largest share of national prosperity. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the CPC, the CBC, and the Democratic budgets that keep our promises and invest in what works to grow the middle class.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a member of the Safe Climate Caucus to demand that this Tea Party Congress take action to stop climate change. Scientists agree that climate change is dangerous, and for those of you who only care about money, it's also costly. Republican skepticism of science has delayed action for far too long, but it's not too late to stop the worst of the effects. The victims of Superstorm Sandy know that we must act now. I call on my Republican friends to reject the extreme right-wing and to also repudiate your pollution-spewing buddies and suitors. Listen to the facts, the science, and the demands of the American people. We must take action now, not during the last term, by the way, when these two measures to avoid sequestration were passed--they're not in effect now. We need to take action right now.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Today, Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this hyperpartisan and inhumane House substitute version of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. This version is inhumane and cynical because it removes certain classes of individuals from the protections of the act as guaranteed by the Senate version. This inhumane House version removes all references to gender identity and sexual orientation, ignoring evidence that domestic and sexual violence also affects LGBT victims at equal or greater levels than the rest of the population. It also limits protections for Native American women and omits some protections for immigrant women. Why would we want to exclude these populations from coverage? Vote ``no'' on the House substitute.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, sequestration is a self- inflicted wound that really does not have to happen. I hate to make my Tea Party friends uncomfortable by using a dirty word, but with a little compromise we can get this thing passed. If Tea Party Republicans choose not to compromise, sequestration will arbitrarily take $85 billion out of our economy, lowering our GDP and harming our economic recovery. We shouldn't sacrifice our economic well-being because Republicans are unwilling to vote for one penny in new contributions from their billionaire friends. Republicans continue to stand up for the billionaires. They continue to stand up for the oil companies and all of the other powerful interests out there that are making money hand over foot while middle class Americans are asked to shoulder the burden of the Tea Party obsession of cutting government. Now, there is a big difference, ladies and gentlemen, between cutting government and cutting services that people need and depend on. There is a big difference between having a less costly government versus not having a government to do the things that people need to be done. Let's take, for instance, the Defense budget. Last week, at a constituents' meeting, Senator John McCain said that these sequester cuts could significantly undermine military programs. ``We are facing a situation where our national security is at risk,'' Senator McCain said, adding that furloughs could affect as many as 49,000 military and defense jobs in Arizona. I'll tell you, in Georgia, what's going to happen is that 37,000 civilian Department of Defense employees will be furloughed, reducing gross pay by $190 million. Army base funding would be cut by $233 million, and funding for Air Force operations would be cut by $5 million. This is in the State of Georgia. This is for this current fiscal year. Can you imagine that much money coming out of the economy and its not having an impact on the overall economy? It certainly will. Let's take all of those who travel. You go to the airport. You rely on the air traffic controllers to make sure that the planes are situated and are flying safely so that nobody is going to bump into each other up there in the sky. You're dependent on your TSA personnel to check and make sure that nobody is armed when one gets on the plane. All of those services that you take for granted will be cut if we continue to embark upon this self-inflicted wound of sequestration. A balanced approach to deficit reduction will help support the American people through job creation, economic growth, and a strong middle class while responsibly reducing our Nation's debt. House Democrats have proposed balanced solutions that reflect what the American people voted for in November. Instead of considering these or any other proposals, the Tea Party Republicans continue their strategy to obstruct the President so that they can blame him and the Democrats when the economy goes bad. They continue to play politics with this Nation's economy so that they can be well positioned in the upcoming midterm elections in 2014. This is very reckless behavior. We have 3 more days before sequestration takes effect. Instead of dealing with the sequestration, instead of dealing with gun control, instead of dealing with immigration, instead of dealing with a budget resolution for next year, today, this House of Representatives is dealing with a resolution. So this do-nothing Congress continues, and the American people will suffer.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, had I been present on Thursday, February 14, 2013, I would have voted ``no'' on the motion on ordering the previous question on the rule and ``no'' on H. Res. 66, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 273.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today is the two year anniversary of the day when the Arab Spring came to Bahrain. On February 14, 2011, the people of Bahrain took to the streets in spontaneous, peaceful protests calling for an end to oppression. Bahrainis were emboldened by the Arab Spring, which was sweeping across the Middle East and they were fired up by decades of human rights abuses by their government. Unfortunately, the Government of Bahrain brought in foreign troops and responded with violence, killing protesters and unleashing a systematic program of torture and unlawful detention that continues today. It is disappointing that Bahrain, a close ally of the U.S. in the Persian Gulf, is engaging in torture, intimidation, and repression against peaceful protesters. Two years later, the judicial system is used to punish dissenters, freedom of expression is punished--Bahrainis are imprisoned for tweeting--and those responsible for even the most egregious violations are seldom brought to justice. The people of Bahrain deserve better, and I stand with them in their quest for basic human rights. As an American ally, we must insist upon their compliance with the most basic of human rights for all of its citizens. This should be an especially concerning situation for everyone in this body. Bahrain is the host of the U.S. Fifth Fleet and an important ally in the Gulf Region. The Government's outrageous treatment of its own citizens is creating deep divisions in Bahrain and sowing instability. We need a strong naval presence in the Gulf to keep our own country safe and we have put many of our eggs in one basket, Bahrain. However, the fact that an important ally to our great democracy is violating the very principles for which we have placed the Fifth Fleet therein is highly unacceptable. It is unacceptable to me, as it should be to the rest of this body. It is absolutely essential that Bahrain set itself on a course that promotes stability and reconciliation and that will only happen when the Government moves to meet the people's legitimate calls for respect for human rights and enhanced democracy occurs. It appears that political dialogue may be starting in Bahrain. I call on the Government of Bahrain to engage fully in this dialogue--not as a moderator, but as a negotiating partner.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, eighty years ago a virtuous woman of God was born in Gwinnett County, Georgia on October 29, 1932; and Whereas, Mrs. Erma Mabry was born Erma Lyons to Mr. Willie Golden and Mrs. Bessie Ragsdale Lyons, she was educated in the local school system in Georgia, married Mr. German William Mabry and through their union was blessed with three children, one daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and one great grandchild; and Whereas, this Phenomenal Proverbs 31 woman has shared her time and talents as a Wife, Mother and Motivator, giving the citizens of Georgia a person of great worth, a fearless leader and a servant to all who wants to advance the lives of others; and Whereas, Mrs. Mabry has been blessed with a long, happy life, devoted to God and credits it all to the Will of God; and Whereas, Mrs. Mabry along with her family and friends are celebrating this day a remarkable milestone, her 80th birthday, we pause to acknowledge a woman who is a cornerstone in our community in DeKalb County, Georgia; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Mrs. Mabry on her birthday and to wish her well and recognize her for an exemplary life which is an inspiration to all; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim October 29th, 2012 as Mrs. Erma Mabry Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 29th day of October, 2012.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following. One of God's greatest gifts is to know your mother For she loves you, guides you and molds you like no other Her wisdom that she bestows on you is that from Heaven above The serenity you have by being in her presence is that of a dove Our mother has that joy that touches everyone she meets Her kindness is so precious and her love is oh so sweet To hear her voice in a time of need seems to make everything alright It's nice to know that she has your best interest by sending up prayers at night Being a mother, grandmother and a great grandmother Our family was blessed to receive a love like no other A Proverbs 31 woman best describes our mother to us Always so giving, always cheerful and never making a fuss The quality times that she shared with us are priceless moments in time She will always be in our hearts, near us in spirit and in our thoughts when we reminisce in our mind The bond that she has with her family is that like no other We pray for God to comfort us in understanding and peace during the home going of our dear Mother For the Family of Mrs. Barbara Jean Levett. For Mrs. Barbara Jean Levett. Sunrise: January 1, 1933-Sunset: November 3, 2012. Penned November 4, 2012 by Eric Charles.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I present the following U.S. Citizen of Distinction. Whereas, our nation is blessed to have this innovator and pioneer touch the lives of thousands through his leadership and service; and Whereas, Mr. John Oscar Boone, Sr.'s legacy is present throughout the nation and the world for all to see, being the first African American appointed to head a major state prison in the United States, serving many roles in the American Correctional System: Commissioner, Superintendent and Director; he valiantly served our country in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II; and Whereas, this giant of a man transformed the American Correctional System, he was instrumental in the implementation of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1965 and he represented our nation on an international level, he inspired elected officials, motivated the young and the old, as he accomplished so much during his time on this earth; and Whereas, this remarkable man gave of himself, his time, his talent and his life; Mr. Boone inspired others to do the same by witnessing him walk the walk and talk the talk, he opened doors for others to enter; and Whereas, Mr. Boone led by doing behind the scenes and on the front lines for many; Mr. Boone was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother and a friend; he was our warrior, our patriarch, a man of great integrity who remained true to the uplifting of the community until his end; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to bestow an honorable distinction and recognition on Mr. John Oscar Boone, Sr., for his leadership, friendship and service to all of the citizens of Georgia and throughout the Nation; as a citizen of great worth and so noted distinction; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby attest to the 112th Congress that Mr. John Oscar Boone, Sr., of Georgia is deemed worthy and deserving of this ``Congressional Honorable Distinction''-- Mr. John Oscar Boone, Sr., U.S. Citizen of Distinction, in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 8th day of December, 2012.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following proclamation. Whereas, a tenacious man from Nashville, Tennessee utilizes his gifts, talents and wisdom everyday to ensure that citizens are provided helpful resources in the state of Georgia; and Whereas, Mr. John Evans is a renowned leader not only for the DeKalb County branch of the NAACP, but as a father and community leader in DeKalb County, Georgia; and Whereas, Mr. John Evans has served in many different roles throughout his life being a former DeKalb County Commissioner, a former Marta Board of Directors, a former player in the Negro Baseball League with the Indianapolis Clowns; he has worked in Corporate America as well as Main Street America being a strong advocate of justice, education, equality and family; and Whereas, he has shared his time and talents for the betterment of his community and his nation through his tireless works, words of encouragement and inspiration that have and continues to be a beacon of light to those in need; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize John Evans for his outstanding leadership and service to the citizens in the state of Georgia, his community temperament is to be acknowledged and his commitment to the citizens throughout the state continues to touch the lives of citizens in our District; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim October 27, 2012 as John Evans Day in the 4th Congressional District. Proclaimed, this 27th day of October, 2012.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, Eighty years ago on October 31, 1932 a tenacious man of God was born in Monticello, Georgia; and Whereas, P/Sgt. William P. Tuggle was trained as a Combat/Recon Military Engineer, he served in the United States Army, received numerous Military Citations such as the Combat Service Award, the Bronze Star, the Combat Service Award, the Army Commendation Award and an Appreciation Certificate from President Richard Nixon; and Whereas, P/Sgt. Tuggle has shared his time and talents as a family man, serviceman and mentor, giving the citizens of the United States a person of great worth, a fearless leader and a servant to all advancing the lives of others, through service to our country in the U.S. Army and being the ideal husband, father, church member and grandfather; and Whereas, P/Sgt. Tuggle has been blessed with a long, happy life, devoted to God and credits it all to the Will of God; and Whereas, P/Sgt. Tuggle along with his family and friends are celebrating this day a remarkable milestone, his 80th Birthday, we pause to acknowledge a man who is a cornerstone in our community; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside these days to honor and recognize P/Sgt. Tuggle on his birthday and to wish him well and recognize him for an exemplary life which is an inspiration to all; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim October 31, 2012 as P/Sgt. William P. Tuggle Day in Georgia's 4th Congressional District. Proclaimed, this 31st day of October, 2012.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church has been and continues to be a beacon of light to our county for the past twenty years; and Whereas, Pastor Christopher C. Alikah and the members of the Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church family today continues to uplift and inspire those in our county; and Whereas, the Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church family has been and continues to be a place where citizens are touched spiritually, mentally and physically through outreach ministries and community partnership to aid in building up our District; and Whereas, this remarkable and tenacious Church of God has given hope to the hopeless, fed the needy and empowered our community for the past twenty (20) years; and Whereas, this Church has produced many spiritual warriors, people of compassion, people of great courage, fearless leaders and servants to all, but most of all visionaries who have shared not only with their Church, but with DeKalb County their passion to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize the Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church family for their leadership and service to our District on this the 20th Anniversary of their founding; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim November 11, 2012 as Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 11th day of November, 2012.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, Ninety years ago a virtuous woman of God was born in rural Georgia on October 24, 1922; and Whereas, Mrs. Dannie G. Hollis was born to inspire and motivate, she was educated in the local school system in Georgia, obtained secondary educational degrees from West Georgia College, Georgia State University, Piedmont Hospital/Emory University and the University of Georgia; and Whereas, this Phenomenal Proverbs 31 woman has shared her time and talents as a Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Medical Technologist, giving the citizens of Georgia a person of great worth, a fearless leader and a servant to all who wants to advance the lives of others; and Whereas, Mrs. Hollis has been blessed with a long, happy life, devoted to helping others through her service in her community and profession; and Whereas, Mrs. Hollis along with her family and friends are celebrating this day a remarkable milestone, her 90th Birthday, we pause to acknowledge a woman who is a cornerstone in our community in DeKalb County, Georgia; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Mrs. Hollis on her birthday and to wish her well and recognize her for an exemplary life which is an inspiration to all; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim October 24th, 2012 as Mrs. Dannie G. Hollis Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 24th day of October, 2012.