Billy Long

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Carthage, Missouri. The western plains of Missouri would not likely have been the scene of an important battle in the early months of the Civil War. Yet as the Missouri State Guard, under Major General Sterling Price, moved south toward Confederate reinforcements in Arkansas, with the Union Army under Brigadier General Nathanial Lyon in hot pursuit, the engagement at Carthage, on July 5, 1861, would become the largest battle of the Civil War thus far. The Federal pursuit of the secessionist militia was not a single column chase. Lyon's forces split with the intention of cutting off the Missouri State Guardsmen and preventing their reinforcements from arriving from Arkansas. They intended, too, to blunt the wave of pro- militia public sentiment stemming from the humiliation of the Camp Jackson Affair. With a three pronged attack, Lyon hoped to nip their recruitment and burgeoning morale in the bud. Union Colonel Franz Sigel arrived in Sarcoxie on June 29, and discovered that not only were Price and his men camped south of Neosho, but deposed Missouri Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson, with his thousands of Missouri State Guardsmen, was waiting in Lamar for Brigadier General John S. Rains, commanding a state force out of Lexington. Sigel decided to move southwest to take out Price, then head north to take on Jackson and Rains. When Sigel reached Neosho on July 3, he was surprised to learn that Price had already reached Arkansas, and was camped near Maysville. That same day Rains reached Jackson's camp, while Lyon moved south out of Boonville, in hopes of buttressing his forces with reinforcements out of Kansas. His goal was Springfield. Sigel modified his plan, leaving a garrison of 94 men under Captain Joseph Conrad at Neosho. He continued on toward Carthage on July 4, and while camping for the night east of town, his outposts on the northern edge of town discovered that Jackson, and his 4000 men, were camped within 15 miles of Carthage. Colonel Sigel had 1100 men and eight six-pounder guns. None of the men were cavalry. He couldn't have known that half of Jackson's men were unarmed, and most were untrained, unorganized, and similarly afoot. Though Sigel's men were three month volunteers, they were well trained for the military maneuvers the former German soldier would order. They were well rested, well fed, and well organized under their disciplined leader. The same could not be said of the Missouri State Guard. They seemed to run on pure adrenaline and excitement--never mind that those that had shoes might not have guns, or those that had guns might not have ammunition. They wore the clothes they enlisted in, thus there were no uniforms to distinguish them from one another, let alone from the opposing side or civilians. Jackson was a civilian, and as a commander in the Missouri State Guard, issued orders in his capacity as commander in chief, albeit a deposed one. Their organization, their discipline, and their capacity to serve as a cohesive military unit operating toward a common goal, was vastly limited before they even met their enemy. Rains had joined up with Jackson north of Carthage, and the excitement in the camp at the oncoming hostilities created such a stir that most of the men heading out before dawn to battle the Federals had not eaten or adequately rested for the battle. Sigel's men, on the other hand, were fully prepared to endure the long day ahead of them, despite the enormous numbers and seeming advantages of the enemy. At 8:30 a.m., Sigel's advance guard skirmished briefly with Captain Joseph ``Jo'' Shelby's cavalry company. Sigel then sent in two companies of infantry in support, and the bulk of his own troops to take on Jackson's main force gathering on a nearby hill. One company and one piece of artillery remained with the wagon train to protect the rear. The Missouri State Guard forces gathering on the high ground between North Fork and Dry Fork, north of Carthage, were representative of Jackson's forces in whole. There was no reserve, unless the unarmed mass of men at the rear could be considered as such. Jackson seemed to operate on the notion that sheer numbers would intimidate, and thus force the retreat, of Sigel. The Union forces began firing, their German sharpshooters and competent artillery an excellent asset. The shots reverberated through the Ozark hills, and word of the battle reached the small Union garrison at Neosho. Captain Conrad received orders from Sigel to retreat to Sarcoxie, if necessary. Knowing his commander was hotly engaged and greatly outnumbered, Conrad commenced to a southward retreat. It was too late. Confederate forces out of Arkansas, alongside Missourians under Sterling Price, were already on a northward march to assist Jackson and Rains. Conrad and his men became prisoners of war. The Union battery continued to pummel the scattered Missourians, eventually ceasing fire for lack of ammunition. Sigel assumed the Guardsmen guns were running low, as well. He had ordered the advance of his troops when he noticed the mass of Rebel cavalry on his perimeter. He likely believed that the enemy reserve would be armed, but little did he know that there what he saw was not a reserve to speak of, nor were any of them armed. His advance quickly became a retreat, a maneuver for which the German leader would be notorious. It was a slippery spot from which to escape, and he barely achieved it. He concealed one of his batteries in an advantageous hilly spot, and briefly held the ford. Upon the advance of a State Guard cavalry to the east, which wrapped around the rear of his forces and secured Buck Branch to the south, Sigel realized his strength was in jeopardy. His men blasted their way south through Buck Branch in a furious move, fortuitously through inadequately armed State Guardsmen. His military skill checked the advancing Rebels at Spring River, and again south of Carthage in a desperate move to save the Union supply line. Reaching the previous night's camp south of James Spring, Sigel ordered his rear guard to keep Confederates out of Carthage proper. The pursuing Guardsmen were met with Union gunfire, and the sun set on a continued barrage of bullets. Sigel moved his forces east, along the Sarcoxie road, and continued to give as good as he got from the Rebels. He marched through the night, rested at Sarcoxie, and moved on to the relative safety of Mount Vernon thereafter. Both sides claimed Carthage as a victory. At the time, the prevention of further Union encroachment into southwestern Missouri gave the Confederates their sense of victory. Sigel's vastly outnumbered army may have failed to achieve the Union mission of checking the Southern troops, but his precarious escape with relatively low casualties gave his day at Carthage a higher regard in historical interpretation. The Union reported 44 casualties, not counting the 94 men captured at Neosho. The Confederate tally is estimated at between 74-200. The State Guard united with their Confederate brethren out of Texas and Arkansas, and was reinvigorated by the success at Carthage. The scattered but passionate men received a heavy dose of training, consideration from the leaders in Richmond for their persistence, and a much needed boost to their enthusiasm after their defeat at Boonville. Hoping to parlay the passion into a campaign to recapture the state, Jackson, Price and their men would continue their struggle against the Union at Wilson's Creek, and beyond.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, May 23, Tuesday, May 24, Wednesday, May 25, Thursday, May 26 and Friday, May 27, I was in Joplin, Missouri, assisting my constituents as they work to recover from one of the deadliest tornados in United States history. I was able to interact directly with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials, including Administrator William Fugate, in trying to assist my constituents as best I could. Due to this tragedy, I was unable to vote on any legislative measure this week. On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass as Amended the Honoring American Veterans Act of 2011, Rollcall Vote No. 330, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass as Amended the Restoring GI Bill Fairness Act of 2011, Rollcall Vote No. 331, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 1657, Rollcall Vote No. 332, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On Ordering the Previous Question, Rollcall Vote No. 333, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On Agreeing to the Resolution H. Res. 269, Rollcall Vote No. 334, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On Motion that the Committee Rise for H.R. 1216, Rollcall Vote No. 335, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Tonko of New York, Amendment No. 2 to H.R. 1216, Rollcall Vote No. 336, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Cardoza of California, Amendment No. 9 to H.R. 1216, Rollcall Vote No. 337, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Ms. Foxx of North Carolina, Amendment No. 7 to H.R. 1216, Rollcall Vote No. 338, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On Motion to Recommit with Instructions H.R. 1216, Rollcall Vote No. 339, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On Passage of H.R. 1216, to amend the Public Health Service Act to convert funding for graduate medical education in qualified teaching health centers from direct appropriations to an authorization of appropriations, Rollcall Vote No. 340, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On Ordering the Previous Question for H. Res. 276, Providing for further consideration of H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 341, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On Agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 276, Providing for further consideration of H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 342, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On the amendment of Ms. Woolsey of California, Amendment No. 2 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 343, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Hunter of California, Amendment. No. 12 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 344, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Sarbanes of Maryland, Amendment No. 24 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 345, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Murphy of Connecticut, Amendment No. 25 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 346, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Cole of Oklahoma, Amendment No. 27 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 347, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On the amendment of Mr. Garamendi of California, Amendment No. 28 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 348, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Ms. Maloney of New York, Amendment No. 26 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 349, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Himes of Connecticut, Amendment No. 30 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 350, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Ms. Jackson Lee of Texas, Amendment No. 31 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 351, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Andrews of New Jersey, Amendment No. 32 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 352, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Richmond of Louisiana, Amendment No. 37 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 353, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Mica of Florida, Amendment No. 38 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 354, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On the amendment of Mr. Flake of Arizona, Amendment No. 40 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 355, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On the amendment of Mr. Smith of Washington, Amendment No. 42 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 356, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Buchanan of Florida, Amendment No. 43 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 357, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On the amendment of Ms. Maloney of New York, Amendment No. 47 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 358, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Mack of Florida, Amendment No. 48 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 359, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On the amendment of Mr. Langevin of Rhode Island, Amendment No. 49 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 360, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Amash of Michigan, Amendment No. 50 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 361, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Campbell of California, Amendment No. 53 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 362, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Campbell of California, Amendment No. 54 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 363, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Chaffetz of Utah, Amendment No. 56 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 364, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Polis of Colorado, Amendment No. 60 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 365, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Conyers of Michigan, Amendment No. 61 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 366, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On the amendment of Mr. Flake of Arizona, Amendment No. 62 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 367, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Mr. Ellison of Minnesota, Amendment No. 63 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 368, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Ms. Loretta Sanchez of California, Amendment No. 64 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 369, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On the amendment of Ms. Jackson Lee of Texas, Amendment No. 111 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 370, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On the amendment of Mr. Turner of Ohio, Amendment No. 148 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 371, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On the amendment of Mr. Cravaack of Minnesota, Amendment No. 152 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 372, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On the amendment of Mr. McGovern of Massachusetts, Amendment No. 55 to H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 373, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On Motion to Recommit with Instructions H.R. 1540, Rollcall Vote No. 374, had I been present I would have voted ``no.'' On Passage of H.R. 1540, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes, Rollcall Vote No. 375, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.'' On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to the House Amendment, S. 990, the Small Business Additional Temporary Extension Act of 2011, Rollcall Vote No. 376, had I been present I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Chairman, I ask that the House observe a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the tornado which hit Joplin, Missouri, on May 22. As the Congressman representing Missouri's Seventh District, which includes Joplin, I ask that we observe a moment of silence for those effected by the EF-5 tornado that struck this town of 50,000 people on the 22nd of May. This horrific event led to a loss of life of 153 individuals, from babies to folks in their nineties. Also, they lost 54 percent of their school capacity, 8,000 homes, and 500 businesses.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of the cornerstones of American capitalism and my profession for over 30 years, that being auctioneering. Auctioneers sell approximately $250 billion in assets each year in the United States, and this figure does not include the millions of transactions that occur online with online auctions. It's estimated that there are 20,000 auctioneers in the Nation, the vast majority of which are small business owners. Auto auctions make up the largest volume of auctions, with over $80 billion in vehicles being sold by auctioneers annually in the United States. If you drive a used car, chances are very good it's been across the auction block. Auctions and auctioneers have existed for over 2,000 years. Auctioneering was fundamental in the creation of commerce here in the United States. Auctioneers first arrived in the United States when the Pilgrims arrived. You go to an auction in Kalamazoo, Michigan; Branson, Missouri; Tucson, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; Miami, Florida--anywhere you go to an auction in this country, we all go by one handle, and that handle is ``colonel.'' You can walk up to an auctioneer in any auction in the United States, you don't know that auctioneer's name, you say, ``Hey, Colonel,'' they'll turn around and answer you. Why ``colonel''? That dates back to the Civil War in this country. After the Civil War, they needed a way to get rid of the mules and tack and things they had left over, supplies; so they did that by a matter of public auction. They nominated the Army colonels to serve as the auctioneers. Now, they didn't have any professional training as auctioneers; however, they would just say, ``I'm at a dollar for this saddle, a dollar-fifty. Anyone give two dollars? Sold at a dollar- fifty.'' So when you hear the term ``colonel,'' that's where it originated, back in the Civil War. Auctioneers were instrumental in the formation of early commerce by selling crops, imports, livestock, tools, tobacco, fur, and farms. Even President George Washington was a big auction fan and an avid buyer at public auction. For over 30 years, I had the honor of selling real estate at public auction. Did I sell depressed, distressed real estate? Once in a very great while. But I sold real estate as people's first option, not their last resort. So keep in mind, auctions could be a way to achieve the highest value in the shortest amount of time. If you've got a hot property, instead of having it listed and sold in 1 day or 2 days, put it up at public auction and see what happens. Every day auctioneers work with banks, attorneys, accountants, businesses, individuals, and government agencies to liquidate property seized and surplus property. Auctioneers create a competitive marketplace and connect buyers with sellers every day. The National Auctioneers Association and its members strive to advance the auction methods of marketing and upholding the highest standards of professionalism to the national public. For over 20 years, National Auctioneers Day has been observed by State and local governments. For those reasons and more, Jeff Duncan, another freshman auctioneer Member of Congress here, and I want to make this, the third Saturday in April, National Auctioneers Day. We will be dropping a bill to that effect. This would heighten the awareness of people in the United States of the contributions made by auctions and auctioneers to the history of the Nation and its economy. Auctions are the last stronghold of the competitive free market enterprise system and continue to be the most effective means of establishing a fair market value. Also, one other thing. Being an auctioneer in Congress, the way our debt is running out of control, they find it very handy to have Jeff Duncan and me here in Washington. We are two of the few people that can actually keep up with the national debt: I'm at a trillion now 2, 2 trillion dollars now 3 woodygive 3 trillion, 3 trillion bid and now 4, 4 trillion, now 5, 5 trillion dollars now six are ye able to buy 'em at 6, 6 trillion now 7, woodygive 7 trillion, 7 trillion dollars bid now 8, 8 trillion dollars now 9, 9 trillion now 10 woodygive 10 trillion dollars, 10 trillion dollars now 11, 11 trillion now 12, do I hear 12 trillion dollars, 11 trillion bid now 12, 11 trillion bid now 12 now 12 woodygive 12 trillion dollars, 12 now 13, 12 trillion bid now 13, 13 trillion now 14 woodygive 14, 14 trillion dollars now 15 woodygive 15 trillion. Sold, 14 trillion dollars. Thankfully, Mr. Speaker, we also can say those numbers backwards; so when we get the spending under control here, I'll be back.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about National Golf Day. Earlier today, I attended an event and heard the story of one of our Wounded Warriors and how the sport of golf has helped him to overcome his traumatic brain injury, and learn the sport of golf even with prostheses, and how much that's helped him. The first small business I owned happened to be a miniature golf course. I also went to high school with the late great Payne Stewart. And no, none of his golf abilities rubbed off on me, unfortunately. Golf is a $76 billion industry, which provides 2 million jobs in the United States. Golf courses are generally small business owner-owned golf courses. And I know the challenges small businesses face today. The estimated economic impact of the golf industry is over $200 billion. Golf course superintendents are excellent environmental stewards of the land, and among the best in the world at knowing how to care for the Earth. Being outdoors always improves one's quality of life. Walking just a nine-hole course can give you a 2.5-mile workout, or in my case 7 miles. It is a sport that can be played by all ages, and we should take time today to recognize National Golf Day.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 229, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of one of Missouri's finest leaders and my personal friend, John Twitty. John is an icon in the 7th District. He's provided Springfield, Missouri with affordable electricity, inexpensive natural gas, and clean drinking water for almost a decade as the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of City Utilities. You would be hard-pressed to find a better leader with more integrity, which is evidenced by the high regard in which he is held throughout the city of Springfield, the State of Missouri, and across the country. Whether he is dealing with employees, the general public, or community leaders, John maintains his professionalism and character. He sincerely cares for each one of the employees at City Utilities and for the entire Springfield community. I am just one of many in the community that recognizes John as an outstanding leader. For his national leadership, he received the American Public Power Association's Alex Radin Distinguished Service Award--its top honor. He has also served as their Chairman. For his statewide leadership, he received the Missouri Association of Municipal Utilities Distinguished Service Award. For his contribution to Missouri and the nation, he received the Missourian Award and the Outstanding Missourian Award from the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate. John has also been very active in the Springfield community. Although he would be the last to say so himself, John has given much to Springfield through his outreach and involvement in community organizations. He has worked with the United Way of the Ozarks, the Springfield Business and Development Corporation, the Partnership Industrial Center West Administrative Council, St. John's Health System, Empire Bank, the Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast, the Boys & Girls Town of Missouri, and other local organizations. John will retire this June. No doubt, he will enjoy spending more time playing golf and with his family. John's family includes his wife, Jean, a retired Greene Country Assessor and current member of the Springfield Public Schools Board of Education, and his daughter, Dr. Anne S. Twitty, an Assistant Professor of History at the University of Mississippi. Although John is about to embark on a much-deserved leave of absence, his legacy will live on whenever a family cooks dinner using low-cost electricity or when children drink clean water from a school water fountain. He has faithfully performed the duty shared by all public servants; he left the institutions in his care stronger and better for the next generation. Let us all draw humility and purpose from his example.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Neosho High School Wrestling Team for winning the Missouri Class 3 State Championship. One might not think of a team when you think of wrestling, but wrestling is a team sport. These young champions, River Buttram, Tanner Schaack, Nate Rodriguez, Trevor Hughes, Paxon Fowler, Rimo Elwise, Carter Boatright, Ethan Pogue, Payne Hatter, Chase Espinosa, Blake Stauffer, Dallas Smith, Matt Millard, and Riley Plew are a team. They trained as one, they competed as one, and together though their hard work and dedication they won the Missouri Class 3 State Championship. Of course, the wrestlers aren't the only champions; they had an outstanding team of talented coaches supporting them and guiding them along the way. I commend Head Coach Jeremy Phillips and assistant coaches Cody Crocker, Josh Sonis, Dane Espinosa, and Trey Jackson on an amazing accomplishment and a job well done. The Neosho wrestling team had an unfair advantage against their opponents: their friends, family, and fans attended the tournaments, cheered them on throughout the wrestling season, and followed them to Columbia for the state championships. The Neosho community is justifiably proud of their team, and the team is fortunate to have such strong support from their community. As if winning a state championship isn't enough of an accomplishment, the Neosho High School Wrestling Team has the distinct honor of winning it two years in a row. This shows that our athletes and coaches in Neosho are among the best in America and can stand proud in their accomplishments. But even more important than that, the Neosho wrestling team will have memories to last a lifetime. They've had that extraordinarily opportunity to live the dream of anyone who has ever dreamed of competing with the best and achieving victory. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Neosho High School Wrestling Team, the Missouri Class 3 State Champions.

Mr. LONG

Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2. In this country, we have the finest doctors, the finest nurses, the finest protocols, the finest facilities in the world. That's not a government-run system. I swore to uphold the Constitution 2 weeks ago today in this, the people's House. The people have spoken, and they don't want Washington bureaucrats coming between them and their doctors. They would like to make their own decisions. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, but that's exactly what the majority tried to do last year by using 10 years of taxes to pay for a 6-year program, increasing spending by $2.6 trillion. Now, that's not what I would call affordable when it's one-sixth of this Nation's economy. When I think of the 2,000-page bill, I think of a big block of cheese out there, pretty tempting looking. Well, the Americans I hear from, they don't want that cheese. They want out of the trap of government- run health care.