Mike McIntyre

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, today I want to extend my warmest thanks and my most sincere best wishes to Mayor Joan P. Altman who will be leaving southeastern North Carolina after many years of service to the citizens of Oak Island, Brunswick County, and the State of North Carolina. Currently serving her fifth term as Mayor of Oak Island, Joan has been an instrumental leader and good steward of the public's interest in a variety of capacities. Mayor Altman currently serves as Chairman of the North Carolina League of Municipalities Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee. She is a member of the N.C. General Assembly Legislative Research Commission Committee on Beach Issues and was a member of the N.C. Estuarine Water Quality Stakeholder Group. In addition to her public service, Joan serves her community in a variety of other ways, including being a member of the Brunswick Community College Board of Trustees, Cape Fear Area United Way Board of Directors, and Cape Fear Council Boy Scouts Board of Directors. When I think of Joan's commitment to the public good, the words ``spirit, sacrifice, and service'' come to mind. Joan's positive spirit has always been to do the task at hand--a spirit that inspires others to achieve. Joan's sacrifice in time and commitment has been to make southeastern North Carolina a better place to live and work--a sacrifice that meant doing the right thing and not being concerned with who gets the credit. Pearl S. Buck once said, ``To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart and free mind.'' Joan, there is no question that your years of service have been the epitome of this statement. Service to others has been the embodiment of your life-- service that sets a path for others to follow and that we all should emulate. As you enter this next stage of your life, I am confident that your talents and energy will continue to be of benefit to many. Through your commitment to your family, and your community, a shining jewel you will continue to be. Bart Giamatti, the former President of Yale University, said it well in 1987, ``Be mindful of what we share and must share; not the least of which is that each of our hopes for a full and decent life depends upon others hoping the same and all of us sustaining each other's hopes * * * If there is no striving for the good life for any of us, there cannot be a good life for any of us.'' Joan, on behalf of the citizens of the Seventh Congressional District of North Carolina, thank you so much for the good life you have given to so many. Now, you enjoy the same, and may God's strength, peace and joy be with you always.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Fayetteville State University women's basketball team for their tremendous accomplishment this week. Their spirit and determination throughout the season has been an inspiration to us all. On Saturday, March 3, the FSU Broncos defeated North Carolina Central University 63-59 to win the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament for the first time in twenty-two years. This is truly an amazing achievement for Coach Eric Tucker and the entire Bronco team. The Broncos will now embark on a new journey, playing in the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time since 1997. Throughout the year, the women Broncos have represented the students and faculty of FSU well by sticking together and demonstrating good sportsmanship. Coach Tucker has instilled in his players the ethic of dedication, sacrifice, and teamwork in the pursuit of excellence, and instilled in the rest of us a renewed appreciation of what it means to win with dignity and integrity. I am sure that the Broncos will demonstrate these important characteristics on the national stage during the NCAA tournament. My fellow colleagues, please join me in congratulating this extraordinary group of women and their coaches, parents and classmates who cheered them on and made this year's CIAA tournament one to remember. Congratulations, Broncos! We will be watching you in the NCAA tournament, and we wish you the very best.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, each year during the month of February, we as a nation come together to honor the history of African Americans. We do so by celebrating this nation's greatest legacy: the legacy of liberation. Dr. Martin Luther King, one of this nation's greatest liberators, once said, ``Let's make America what it ought to be . . . Let's make America a better nation.'' Dr. King fought tirelessly to fulfill the legacy of liberation and make America a better nation--a nation of liberty and justice for all. Dr. King knew, as Frederick Douglass once said, ``Liberty given is never so precious as liberty sought for and fought for.'' Thanks to the efforts of freedom fighters such as Dr. King and Frederick Douglass, we have come a long way toward fulfilling the legacy of liberation. However, we still have a long way to go before all citizens-no matter their skin color--will be able to share in this legacy and truly know what it is to be free. Today, I want to share with you the three ingredients necessary to fulfill the legacy of liberation: listening, learning, and leading. We must listen to the voices of the past who fought for freedom for all African Americans. We must learn from the accomplishments and achievements of African Americans who helped build this nation. And we must lead the way to liberty by following in the footsteps of our greatest African-American leaders. First, we must begin by listening to the voices of liberty. We must listen to these pioneers of freedom and equality who had the vision to see through the injustice of slavery and recognize the value of respect of all individuals no matter what the color of their skin. If we listen closely, we will hear the voices of those who articulated the hope and promise of our nation. These are the voices of those who spoke up, stood up, and fought for the true significance of ``one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.'' And whose voices do we hear? We hear the voices of Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Carter Woodson, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Their voices are the voices of liberation. And while many have listened, some have not heard their message. But we cannot give up--we must keep listening until each and every voice of liberty is heard! In addition to listening to the voices of liberty, we must also learn from their legacy. This legacy of liberation includes the great contributions that African Americans have made to society. These are achievements that build upon the foundation of liberty and strengthen our nation's freedom. John F. Kennedy, one of this nation's greatest Presidents, once said, ``In a time of turbulence and change, it is more true than ever that knowledge is power.'' The turbulence of the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement brought about some of the greatest changes that we have ever seen in the history of this nation. We, as a nation, were forced to address and acknowledge our total history. In doing so, we finally began to recognize the accomplishments of all our citizens. This knowledge of our past has served to strengthen the legacy of liberation and bring hope to the future. Indeed there is so much we can learn from our African-American brothers and sisters if we will only take the time to do so. The list of accomplishments is long and distinguished. I would like to share just a few with you today. For example, a black slave by the name of Onesius experimented with smallpox vaccines in the 1720s. Elijah McCoy's perfection of the locomotive engine led people to say they wanted his product, not some cheap imitation. They wanted the real McCoy! George Washington Carver, an agricultural revolutionary, concentrated his research on industrial uses of cotton, peanuts, pecans, and sweet potatoes. Dr. Charles Dew is responsible for engineering blood transfusions. Langston Hughes, who was known as the ``Poet Laureate of Black America,'' helped bring vision and scope to African-American literature through his poetry. Duke Ellington brought jazz to the forefront of the global music scene. It is without a doubt that America would not be the same without the contributions of these pioneers. They helped to make America what it is today and further the legacy of liberation. If Dr. King were here today, he would be pleased with the progress that has been made in recognizing African Americans for their contributions to society. But he would also tell us to roll up our sleeves because the cause is not vet finished. Much remains to be done! Much remains to be learned! We must not only listen and learn from liberty's legacy, but we must also lead the way toward greater freedom for all. We can do so by following in the footsteps of some of this nation's greatest leaders-- the leaders of liberation. When jailed in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., composed a letter in the margins of a newspaper and continued writing on scraps of paper some of the most powerful words ever written. He eloquently described many injustices suffered by so many African Americans. Near the end of that letter, he noted that, ``One day the South will recognize its real heroes.'' Those heroes are the leaders of liberation--leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and the Little Rock Nine. These leaders stood up and sat down for what they believed in: equality and freedom for all. Their actions changed our nation forever, and for that we are grateful. I had the distinct privilege to recognize the efforts of Rosa Parks and the Little Rock Nine when we in Congress presented them with the Congressional Gold Medal for their efforts to break down racial barriers and fulfill the legacy of liberation. I am also pleased to have supported legislation to construct the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in our nation's capital. This memorial, which is to be built along the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC., will honor Dr. King's dream of freedom and equality for all. I also ask you to consider the impact African Americans have had in politics and civil rights right here in southeastern North Carolina. We should call attention to the African-American leaders who served our nation and our communities in ways unimaginable 100 years ago or even 50 years ago. African Americans now serve in unprecedented numbers in elected and appointed positions at all levels of government. These advances would not have been possible without those pioneers who opened doors of opportunity for all. I'm speaking of local leaders from southeastern North Carolina, such as Hiram Rhoades Revels, the first African-American member of Congress; Minnie Evans, an artist from this area whose work hangs in the White House; Meadowlark Lemon, the clown prince of basketball who led the Harlem Globetrotters to world prominence; and Michael Jordan, the greatest athlete in the history of basketball. By listening to and learning from these African-American leaders of the past and present, we can honor their legacies and strengthen our own liberty. On the night before his assassination, Dr. King prophetically said, ``Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And he's allowed me to go to the mountain. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the Promised Land.'' Together, we will fulfill the legacy of liberation through listening, learning, and leading, so that we might one day reach the Promised Land that Dr. King dreamed of for all Americans--a land of equality, freedom and justice for all. It begins now. It begins with us. We have listened! We have learned! We must lead!

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, as cochairman of the Rural Health Care Coalition, I want to thank my good friend and the former cochairman, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle), for all of his hard work on behalf of rural health care. His leadership will be missed, but I am sure my colleagues will join me in representing the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) as cochairman of our Rural Health Care Coalition. Just 2 days ago, I had the opportunity to visit Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina, along with Senator John Edwards from North Carolina, to talk about the impact that the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 has had on the quality of care. While I am pleased that those of us in Congress have taken significant steps over the last 2 years to stop cuts in Medicare, we have much more to do to ensure that all citizens, no matter where they live in America, have access to quality health care. The voice of rural America needs to be heard and to be heard loudly in these halls of Congress. I encourage all of my colleagues here in the Congress to join our efforts to make sure that, as we talk about and work to improve health care, that we are improving it for all Americans everywhere, so that no one is left behind.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Major Michael L. Murphy of the United States Marine Corps for his distinguished service and courageous leadership on behalf of the citizens of this great nation. Major Murphy gave his life in the line of duty on the evening of December 11, 2000. By risking his life to ensure the safety of others, he made the ultimate sacrifice that any citizen of this nation can make. He left behind not only a loving family, but also a community and a country who will forever be grateful for his heroism. As an aviator in the Marine Corps, Major Murphy had dedicated his career to defending the values this nation holds dear. With over 16 years of experience in the military, he had received the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a gold star for his integrity and courage. Major Murphy's valiant actions and his outstanding service to this nation serve to remind us of the gratitude we all feel toward this brave individual, along with all other servicemen and women who have lost their lives serving as guardians of this great country. President John F. Kennedy once said, ``For those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date when history judges us, recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state, our success or failure, in whatever office we hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions: First, were we truly men of courage . . . Second, were we truly men of judgment . . . Third, were we truly men of integrity . . . Finally, were we truly men of dedication?'' Major Michael L. Murphy would truthfully have been able to answer each of these questions in the affirmative. He was indeed a man of courage, judgment, integrity, and dedication. May the memory of this brave individual live on in our hearts, and may God's strength and peace always be with his family and friends.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, on October 28 through October 30, 2000, I was in North Carolina and was unavoidably absent for rollcall votes 570 through 581. Had I been present I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall votes 570 through 578, ``no'' on rollcall vote 579, and ``yes'' on rollcall votes 580 and 581.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Superintendent Barry Harding of Robeson County in the great state of North Carolina. Dr. Harding was recently named National Indian Educator of the Year by the National Indian Education Association. Dr. Harding, a former teacher, coach, principal, associate superintendent, and special assistant to the superintendent, is the second Lumbee Indian in the association's history to receive this award. This high honor was bestowed upon him in recognition of his major contributions to improving educational opportunity and quality for the children of Robeson County. When I think of Dr. Harding's commitment to education, the words ``spirit, sacrifice, and service'' come to mind. Dr. Harding's positive spirit has always been to do the task at hand--a spirit that inspires students to achieve. His sacrifice in time and commitment has been to make Robeson County a better place for children to learn and live. Pearl S. Buck once said, ``To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart and free mind.'' There is no question that Dr. Harding's twenty-six years of service have been the epitome of this statement. Service to our children, the citizens of tomorrow, has been the embodiment of his life. Nearly half of the 24,000 students in the Robeson County school district are American Indian, and Dr. Harding represents one of the voices that have spoken out to help improve the education of Native Americans--an education that recognizes, not denies, heritage and culture. Like Dr. Dean Chavers, the Lumbee educator born and reared in Pembroke, North Carolina, who went on to receive his Ph.D. from Stanford University and raise money for Native American scholarship funds, Dr. Harding has fought to make Indian education part of the national education agenda. John F. Kennedy once said, ``Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.'' Dr. Harding has chosen to dedicate his life to inspiring and educating America's children. He has helped our children and our youth develop their greatest abilities, and in doing so, he serves as a reservoir of strength for our community, state, and nation. Dr. Harding, may God's strength, joy, and peace be with you and your family as you continue your service and commitment to our children.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and extend my most sincere best wishes to Mr. Ramon L. Yarborough, President of Fayetteville Publishing Company and publisher of The Fayetteville Observer, who will be retiring at the end of September after 35 years of service to the citizens of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Mr. Yarborough, a native Fayetteville, began working at Fayetteville Publishing in September 1965 as its Vice President. Under his leadership, the company has expanded greatly and experienced large growth. Today, Fayetteville Publishing's properties include The Fayetteville Observer, the Fayetteville Online website, and the Carolina Trader. It also prints various other publications, including the Carolina Flyer at Pope Air Force Base and the Paraglide at Fort Bragg. Throughout his entire career, Mr. Yarborough not only has worked hard to achieve enormous success within his company, but he also has generously shared his many talents to make this community a better place to live for all. As an active participant in civic and community affairs, Mr. Yarborough serves on various boards and foundations, including the Methodist College Board of Trustees, North Carolina Community College Foundation, Cumberland Community Foundation, the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, and the North Carolina Press Association. He is also a member of St. John's Episcopal Church and the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club. Jim Rohn once said, ``whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for greatness . . . great return, great satisfaction, great reputation, and great joy.'' The life of Mr. Yarborough has indeed been one exemplified by greatness--a greatness defined by his service to others. As he enters this next stage of his life, I am confident that Mr. Yarborough's talents and energies will continue to be of benefit to many. Through his commitment to his family, community, and church, Mr. Yarborough will forever be remembered and appreciated for his distinguished career and service. Now, it is his turn to enjoy the good life he has given to so many. May God's strength, peace, and joy be with Mr. Yarborough always.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to State Highway Patrolman Edward Lowry and Deputy Sheriff David Hathcock for their distinguished service and courageous leadership on behalf of the citizens of Cumberland County, North Carolina. These two veteran law enforcement officers gave their lives in the line of duty during a traffic stop along interstate 95 on September 23, 1997. By risking their lives to protect the lives of others, they made the ultimate sacrifice that any citizen of this nation can make. They left behind not only their loving families, but also a community and a state who will forever be grateful for their heroism. As lifelong residents of Cumberland County, both Sergeant Lowry and Deputy Hathcock dedicated their entire careers to protecting the rights and freedoms of others. Together they had over forty years of experience in law enforcement and were recognized for their integrity and strength in promoting and defending the laws of justice. In order to acknowledge and honor Officers Lowry and Hathcock for the valiant actions they displayed on that fateful day and their outstanding service to the communities they fought to protect, I am pleased that the North Carolina 59 bridge over 1-95 near Hope Mills, Cumberland County will be named in their memory. This will serve as a constant reminder of the gratitude we all feel toward these two brave individuals, along with all other law enforcement personnel who have lost their lives serving as guardians of our communities. President John F. Kennedy once said, ``For those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date when history judges us, recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state, our success or failure, in whatever office we hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions: First, were we truly men of courage . . . Second, were we truly men of judgment . . . Third, were we truly men of integrity . . . Finally, were we truly men of dedication?'' Deputy Sheriff David Hathcock and Sergeant Edward Lowry would truthfully have been able to answer each of these questions in the affirmative! They were indeed men of courage, judgment, integrity, and dedication. May the memories of these two brave individuals live on in our hearts and may God's strength and peace always be with their families and friends.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sheriff Ronald E. Hewett of Brunswick County in the great state of North Carolina. Sheriff Hewett was recently named Sheriff of the Year for eastern North Carolina. This award was given to him in recognition of his outstanding service to the North Carolina Sheriff's Association on behalf of the citizens of Brunswick County. Beginning on his twentieth birthday in 1983 when he became the youngest certified Law Enforcement Officer in North Carolina, Sheriff Hewett has dedicated his entire career to protecting and promoting the rights of others. While continuing to work full-time as a law enforcement officer in Brunswick County, Sheriff Hewett completed his education at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and graduated in 1985 with a degree in criminal justice. Not long afterwards, he was promoted to uniform Patrol Sergeant in 1987 and rose in the ranks to become a lieutenant in 1990. He was then placed in charge of establishing the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program for Brunswick County and was named United States DARE officer of the Year in 1993 for his outstanding leadership. Since his election as Sheriff in 1994, Sheriff Hewett has fought hard to make Brunswick County a safer place to live and work for those who call it home. He has made combating illegal drugs and domestic violence two of his top priorities. Under his leadership, the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office has arrested over twelve hundred individuals for 2,300 narcotics charges and established the county's first Domestic Violence Unit. In addition, Sheriff Hewett has also been recognized for his selfless service to the community with the establishment of a volunteer Buddy Program at the Bolivia Elementary School. As a result, the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office was named by Governor Hunt as one of the most outstanding volunteer agencies in the state in 1998. President John F. Kennedy once said, ``For those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date when history judges us, recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state, our success or failure, in whatever office we hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions: First, were we truly men of courage . . . Second, were we truly men of judgment . . . Third, were we truly men of integrity . . . Finally, were we truly men of dedication?'' Brunswick County Sheriff Ronald Hewett will truthfully be able to answer each of these questions in the affirmative! He is indeed a man of courage, judgment, integrity, and dedication. Sheriff Hewett, may God's strength, joy, and peace be with you and your family as you continue your service and commitment to your fellow citizens.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I recognize the gentleman who is today's guest chaplain, the Reverend C.F. McDowell, III, who just offered our prayer. A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Reverend McDowell currently serves as executive vice president of Special Ministries for the Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina. He is immensely involved in community, civic and church-related activities, and he has served the citizens of North Carolina through his decision, dedication, and determination. He is a man of decision who has provided support and guidance to many, including myself, and many others in many communities throughout North Carolina. He is a man of dedication who has provided a positive example for all to follow and whose hope he shares with many, especially young people and children, now in his current position. Finally, he is a man of determination who understands that we face challenges every day, not only as families, but also as a Nation, challenges that will define our future. Reverend McDowell is one of those special folks that provides advice and guidance to those seeking answers to life's most difficult questions and problems. Mr. Speaker, Reverend McDowell has spent his entire life serving people. So it was very appropriate today that he came from North Carolina to join us here in the people's House to provide us with keen insight, a man of decision and dedication and determination who is, indeed, I am sure my colleagues will agree, his words in his prayer offered up to God have blessed us and will bless us in this day of decision and dedication and determination for all of us and for America.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), and the ranking member, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), for the help of their committee and for allowing us to bring this to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4658, which is legislation to rename the U.S. post office building in Fayetteville, North Carolina as the J.L. Dawkins Post Office Building. I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes), for all of the untiring efforts the gentleman has given and in helping us put this together to bring it to the floor today. I want to thank all the Members, both Republican and Democrat, from our delegation in North Carolina for their support in this manner as well. Born in 1935, J.L. Dawkins moved to Fayetteville 2 years later and lived there until his untimely death last month. In 1957, J.L. entered public service winning the first of six terms on the city council. He was elected mayor in 1987. J.L. served seven consecutive terms and became affectionately known as ``mayor for life'' in the City of Fayetteville. Mr. Speaker, Mayor Dawkins earned this distinction because his public service was exemplified by three attributes that I think we all would do well to follow, inspiration and imagination and innovation. J.L.'s decision to serve first of all was inspired by his firm belief in doing his best to make life better for others. His was an inspiration that was contagious to those who served with him and those who benefitted from his tireless leadership. Second, Mayor Dawkins' imagination propelled him to convey an attitude of home and optimism for a better Fayetteville. His was an imagination which led to growth and prosperity for this wonderful city. Third, Mayor Dawkins' innovation to build a city for all the people will be his lasting legacy. His was an innovative attitude that those of us in public service should all aspire to emulate. Truly he was a man of inspiration, of imagination, and of innovation. If we all will recall for a moment. During the writing of the U.S. Constitution, Benjamin Franklin looked at the back of the chair in which George Washington had been sitting and sought to determine if that half sun painted on the back of the chair was a rising or a setting sun. And, indeed, he stood up, of course, and in his famous remarks said that, sir, at long last he had arrived at the conclusion that it was indeed a rising sun for our Nation whose rays of influence now literally touch every corner of the world. Mr. Speaker, much like Ben Franklin, Mayor Dawkins was full of optimism and always could see a rising sun on the City of Fayetteville and the nearby Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base that so many of us are proud of, and as a member of the Committee on Armed Services and as the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hayes) is, we are proud to represent this area of Cumberland County. Mr. Dawkins was always looking to expand the vision and the horizons for Fayetteville, and may God grant that all of us will be inspired by his inspiration and imagination and innovation that Mayor Dawkins brought to his job every day. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4658 and honor the life, the service and the legacy of this fine Christian gentleman, this distinguished public servant, a true giant of a man, a leader among leaders, J.L. Dawkins.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today I pay tribute to Deputy Sheriff James Hunt of my home county--Robeson County--in the great state of North Carolina. Deputy Hunt was recently named National Deputy Sheriff of the Year. Deputy Hunt is the first North Carolinian to receive this award and was chosen from among thousands of applicants. He proudly serves under the outstanding leadership of my friend and my sheriff, Sheriff Glenn Maynor. On September 23, 1998, Hunt was monitoring traffic on Interstate 95 with two other officers. After clocking a car at excessive speed, Deputy Hunt and others chased the vehicle several miles until it stopped. Upon this, one of the officers proceeded to get in the vehicle and a scuffle ensued. Deputy Hunt then ran to the car and pulled the suspect out of the car. At that time, the suspect proceeded to stick a .357 Magnum into Deputy Hunt's chest and pulled the trigger. This bullet proceeded through Hunt and struck one of his colleagues in the thigh. Seconds later, another shot went into Deputy Hunt's chest. At that time, Hunt fell to the ground and crawled to cover his colleague who had been wounded. The suspect was then apprehended. Fighting for his life every second of the way, Deputy Hunt was taken to the local hospital where he underwent surgery for four hours. After staying in the hospital for three weeks and losing half of his colon and six feet of his small intestines, Deputy Hunt returned home to be with his wife, Lisa. Mr. Speaker, after such an ordeal, most folks in this situation would probably look for another career or desk job. But not Deputy Sheriff James Hunt. He now works the same beat as he did on that night of September 23, 1998. President John F. Kennedy once said, ``For those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date when history judges us, recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state, our success or failure, in whatever office we hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions: First, were we truly men of courage . . . Second, were we truly men of judgment . . . Third, were we truly men of integrity . . . Finally, were we truly men of dedication?'' Robeson County Sheriff Deputy James Hunt will truthfully be able to answer each of these questions in the affirmative! He is indeed a man of courage, judgment, integrity, and dedication. Deputy Hunt, may God's strength, joy, and peace be with you and your family as you continue your service and commitment to your fellow citizens.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Lorna McNeill who was recently crowned Miss North Carolina 2000. A native of Saddletree Township which is near Lumberton, in my home county of Robeson, Lorna's recent accomplishment is a source of immense pride throughout our county and all of southeastern North Carolina. She is also the first Lumbee Indian to win the title of Miss North Carolina. The American historian, James Truslow Adams, once said, ``Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, `This is the real me,' and when you have found that attitude, follow it.'' With decision, dedication, and determination, Lorna has followed her heart and mind and become Miss North Carolina 2000. Lorna is a woman of decision who trusts in her instincts, her deeply- rooted religious beliefs, and the guidance of her wonderful parents in setting her goals. She is a woman of decision who is always looking for ways to help others. She is a woman of decision who always asks, ``How can I best serve my community?'' Lorna is a woman of dedication who does not rest on her laurels. A winner of the first pageant she entered at the age of 15--Miss St. Pauls--and subsequent crowns of Miss Lumbee in 1994, Miss Fayetteville in 1998, and Miss Topsail Island in 2000, Loma has kept the fire and energy alive to reach her dream of Miss North Carolina. She is a woman of dedication who provides a positive example for all to follow. A woman of dedication who has served as a substance abuse counselor with the Palmer Drug Prevention Program in Lumberton, Lorna will now inform young people all across North Carolina of the danger of drugs and alcohol. Finally, Lorna is a woman of determination: a woman determined to make a difference, a woman of determination who understands that we face challenges that will define our future, a woman of determination who knows that we must address these challenges, a woman of determination motivated by the hope of making life better for all. Personally, my family and I have come to know and love Lorna over the last few years. She sang when I first announced I was running for Congress on September 25, 1995, in Lumberton's Downtown Plaza, and she also sang during my announcement for re-election on October 2, 1997. More recently, my wife, Dee, and Lorna have been ``working out'' together at a local fitness center for the last six months, leading up to her recent coronation. Lorna and Dee have even been taking boxing together under the same instructor, Staff Sgt. Andrew Baker, who is retired from the U.S. Army. Mr. Speaker, Lorna often uses the words of Pastor Robert Schuller when speaking before young people on the importance of achieving their dreams--``If it's gonna be, it's up to me.'' Lorna, thank you for fulfilling those words through your decision, your dedication, and your determination. We wish you continued success, and may God's strength, peace and joy be with you as you begin your reign as Miss North Carolina 2000 and as you compete for the title of Miss America!

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, June 16, 2000, I was unavoidably absent for rollcall votes 285 through 291. Had I been present I would have voted ``present'' on rollcall vote 285, ``yes'' on rollcall vote 286, ``yes'' on rollcall vote 287, ``no'' on rollcall 288, ``yes'' on rollcall 289, ``yes'' on rollcall 290, and `'no'' on rollcall 291.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my thoughts on an issue that has been brought to my attention by a constituent of mine in southeastern North Carolina. My constituent and his colleagues were Senior Foreign Service Reserve Officers, until they were involuntarily converted out of the Foreign Service by the Foreign Service Act of 1980. These officers were, in general, specialists in professional fields other than those commonly associated with overseas assignments. When Congress wrote the law that was to become known as the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (``FSA''), Members of Congress spent many hours debating the question of providing safeguards for the careers of the Foreign Service Reserve Officers whose personnel status would be most affected by the newly drafted legislation. Therefore, the FSA guaranteed the permanent preservation of the grade and benefits of the employees. Please allow me to read an excerpt from the Report of the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, regarding the Foreign Service Act of 1980: Converting employees from their present positions to new pay schedules and different personnel systems, including the Senior Service, cannot be accomplished without some difficulties. The policy governing this chapter is to minimize the disruption to the individual employees and to preserve the rights and benefits of employees subject to conversion. The Committee recognizes that minimizing disruption and saving rights and benefits entail cost to the Government. These costs are justified in view of the fact that by forcing conversions the Government, as the employer, is altering the legitimate expectations of the employees. Fairness requires that the Government cushion these employees against the hardships which will come in wake of forced conversion . . . Employees converted are provided with permanent saved grade and tenure rights comparable to what they had. The Department of State did fulfill their obligation to protect the earned rights of these senior officers from the date of the Act until early 1990. Executive Order 12698 increased the salary of the Senior Foreign Service Officers (``SFS''). However, the Department of State did not adjust the salary of my constituent and his fellow SFS-4 officers. No explanation was given to the affected officers for this arbitrary action of the Department of State. At about the same time, the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act (``FEPBA'') became law. This law eliminated all Civil Service grades above GS-15, substituting the designation of Senior Level (``SL''), and authorized the agencies to pay SL's a salary as high as SFS-6. Initially the Department of State proposed to designate these former SFS-4 officers as Senior Level 8, at a salary equal to that of SFS-4. Without explanation and contradictory to the intent of Congress in the Foreign Service Act, the Department of State issued personnel actions designating these long-time, professional and dedicated officers as SL- 00, at a salary $13,000 below that of SFS-4. This was, and is in my opinion, a distorted interpretation of the Foreign Service Act as passed by Congress and signed into law. These officers then followed prescribed procedures to effect an administrative correction. The ruling of the Agency's Foreign Service Grievance Board stated that it lacked jurisdiction to interpret Section 2106 of the law, but they then denied the officer's claim, without a hearing. These officers, frustrated by the Department of State's refusal to uphold the law that protected what they had earned as senior officers of the Department of State, filed an action in the Federal Court for the District of Columbia. The Department of State attorneys with the assistance of lawyers from the Department of Justice resisted to a de novo hearing of the facts. After months of delays, the presiding judge dismissed the case without granting a hearing. I am equally concerned that the Department of State did not provide a copy of a June 25, 1991, Memorandum from the Office of the Legal Advisor of the Office of the Director General when responding to a request for production of documents by the attorney representing these officers. That document had a direct and dire effect on the status of these officers. The document was kept secret from these officers, and an attempt was made to suppress the document in court. The document, contrary to the clear intent of the law, stated, ``Owing to their conversion to the Civil Service, their rights are governed by the Civil Service statutes and regulations.'' This appears to be the authority used to justify the improper personnel actions that deprived these former Senior Foreign Service officers their guarantees as stated in the Foreign Service Act of 1980. I seek the support of my follow colleagues, especially those who also have former Foreign Service Reserve Officers living in their districts, to assist me in putting forth an effort to bring about the restoration of the rank and benefits to which officers are entitled. I hope that Secretary Albright, in keeping with her May 21, 1996 Department Notice to All Under Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Ambassadors, Principal Officers dealing with long term employees disputes, will take a direct interest in resolving this matter and avoid the necessity of remedial legislation.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, May 2, 2000, I was in North Carolina participating in my state's primary election and was unavoidably absent for rollcall votes 131 and 132. Had I been present I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote 131, and ``yes'' on rollcall vote 132.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Col. Joseph D. Hughes, Jr., who is retiring from the North Carolina National Guard after 37 years of service to the Tar Heel State. As superintendent of the Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site at Fort Bragg, NC for the past 11 years, Colonel Hughes has been responsible for a variety of tasks, including supervision of essential personnel and maintenance of defense equipment. Through each of these duties, Colonel Hughes has performed admirably and thoroughly. In addition, Colonel Hughes has worked with my Fayetteville district office on a variety of issues to assist the citizens of the seventh congressional district. For his service to our region, our State, and our Nation, I am thankful, and we all should be grateful. President John F. Kennedy once said, ``For those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date when history judges us, recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state, our success or failure, in whatever office we hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions: First, were we truly men of courage . . . Second, were we truly men of judgment . . . Third, were we truly men of integrity . . . Finally, were we truly men of dedication?'' Colonel Hughes will truthfully be able to answer each of these questions in the affirmative. He is indeed a man of courage, judgment, integrity, and dedication. Colonel, as you enter this next stage of your life, may the time with your family and loved ones be blessed and plentiful. May your memories be proud and positive, and may your life continue to be enriched with peace, joy and heartfelt thanks from your neighbors, friends, and loved ones.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, each of us are expected to balance our own checkbooks. We all go through that ritual usually at least once a month when we pay our personal and family bills and our business bills back home. So why should we ever expect any less from the Federal Government? Right now, with our debt being about $5.6 trillion, this is approximately $21,000 for every man, woman, and child in this Nation. That is outrageous. And as my colleague from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) spoke a minute ago when he was talking about the military, and I, too, serve on the Committee on Armed Services, we are spending more on the interest on the national debt than on our entire national defense budget. Now, when people do say why are we in 30-year-old fighter planes and 40-year-old bombers and 30-year-old ships, we know the answer. Now is the time. Now is that window of opportunity to reverse this terrible trend and to restore financial integrity to our financial Government. As the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) was saying, we do want to have moral integrity in Government. We also need to have financial integrity. And that is part of what it means to offer the moral type of leadership in this Nation is to be honest with people and to quit running up debt. Because, after all, as we all will too well realize come April 15 next month, it is not the Government's money, anyway; it is the people's money. And this is the people's House. And as stewards of that money, we ought to be paying down debt. I had a phone-caller the other day on a radio show back home in North Carolina who said, why is the term ``surplus'' even being used? Personally, I think he made a good point. When we look at our budgets, if we owe money, I do not consider myself having a surplus if I owe money. And our Nation owes money. We owe a lot of money when we talk about $21,000 per man, woman, and child. So, under the Blue Dog budget, we have got a great opportunity now to pay off that debt; and by doing that we are giving the best tax break of all. We do have some targeted tax cuts, as the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm) was saying. But we also get the across-the-board tax cut that everybody will feel who has a credit card or who has a home mortgage or has a car loan. That is most of all of us in America, whatever our socioeconomic status may be or whatever part of the country we may live in by reducing interest rates. Everyone will feel that type of tax cut by having lower interest rates on their credit cards and their home mortgage payments and their car loans. And by paying down the national debt, that puts us in a position of strength, strength to help us shore up Social Security, strength to help us shore up Medicare, and to allow families who do have debt ahead of them, such as for college education, to be able to better afford that for their children.

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, that is the best of all because everyone benefits from it. The saying is that the time you fix a leaky roof is while the sun is shining. Well, thank the good Lord the sun is shining on our Nation. Some areas are not prospering as much as others. My home county and Robison County, North Carolina, and the adjoining county of Columbus County have more than twice the unemployment rate of our State. We are suffering. We need to find a way to help pay down the debt that we can then let people invest in their jobs and have job opportunity for economic growth in the underserved rural areas of our Nation, as well. This is the time, while the sun is shining, to fix the leaky roof that all Americans can share in the prosperity; and the best way to do that is to pay down the debt that we all, as Americans, owe. This, indeed, is our golden opportunity. As I said, it is not the Government's money. It is our money. Let us do the responsible thing and let us pay down the debt. With that, I look forward now to going from coast to coast with the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez), as I know she is getting ready to speak, from North Carolina to California.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, today I want to extend my warmest thanks and my most sincere best wishes to my District Director, Judith Kirchman, who will be retiring in June after 20 years of service to the citizens of the Seventh Congressional District of North Carolina. Judith, a native of Fayetteville, NC, began work in June 1980, for my predecessor, the Honorable Charlie Rose. During the past 20 years, Judith has performed superbly in various positions and tasks. From assisting citizens in their dealings with Federal agencies to being that ``point person'' on natural disasters to strategic advice and counsel, Judith has been both resourceful and thoughtful. When I think of Judith's commitment to the public good, the words ``spirit, sacrifice, and service'' come to mind. Judith's positive spirit has always been to do the task at hand--a spirit that inspires others to achieve. Judith's sacrifice in time and commitment has been to make southeastern North Carolina a better place to live and work--a sacrifice that meant doing the right thing and not being concerned with who gets the credit. Pearl S. Buck once said, ``To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart and free mind.'' Judith, there is no question that your 20 years of service have been the epitome of this statement. Service to others has been the embodiment of your life-- service that sets a path for others to follow and that we all should emulate. As you enter this next stage of your life, I am confident that your talents and energy will continue to be of benefit to many. Through your commitment to your church, your family, and your community, a shining jewel you will continue to be. Bart Giamatti, the former president of Yale University, said it well in 1987, Be mindful of what we share and must share; not the least of which is that each of our hopes for a full and decent life depends upon others hoping the same and all of us sustaining each other's hopes . . . If there is no striving for the good life for any of us, there cannot be a good life for any of us. Judith, on behalf of the citizens of the Seventh Congressional District of North Carolina, thank you so much for the good life you have given to so many. Now, you enjoy the same, and may God's strength, peace and joy be with you always.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the University of North Carolina at Wilmington men's basketball team for their tremendous accomplishment this week. Their spirit and determination throughout the entire season has been an inspiration to all of us and especially the young people everywhere. This past Monday, the UNCW Seahawks defeated the University of Richmond 57-47 to win the Colonial Athletic Conference Tournament for the first time in school history. This is truly an amazing achievement for coach Jerry Wainright and the entire Seahawk team. UNCW was the number four seed in the CAA tournament and had to defeat the number one ranked team just to make it to the finals. The Seahawks will now embark on a new journey, playing in the NCAA tournament for the first time ever. Throughout the year, the Seahawks have represented the students and faculty of UNCW well by sticking together and demonstrating good sportsmanship. Jerry Wainright, the coach, has instilled in his players the ethic of dedication, sacrifice, and teamwork in the pursuit of excellence, following the rules, and instilled in the rest of us in this Nation a sincere and renewed appreciation of what it means to win with dignity and integrity. I am sure that the Seahawks will demonstrate these important characteristics on the national stage as we all get ready for the March madness of the NCAA basketball tournament. I hope my fellow colleagues will join me in congratulating this extraordinary group of young men and their coaches, parents, and classmates and others who support and cheered them on and made this year a special year to them and their example to others. Congratulations to the Seahawks.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me to be with you today. As we gather here on this special occasion, we owe thanks for the opportunity to celebrate Black History Month, and most importantly, for the study of Black History, to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Born to parents who were former slaves, Dr. Woodson spent his childhood working in the Kentucky coal mines and enrolled in high school at the age of 20. He graduated within two years and later went on to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard. Woodson, always one to act on his actions, decided to take on the challenge of ensuring the story of Black Americans was told in our nation's history. He established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915, and later founded the widely respected Journal of Negro History. In 1926, he launched Negro History Week as an initiative to bring national attention to the contributions of black people throughout American history. Understanding and appreciating the African-American experience not only enriches our national life, but it also reminds all Americans of their ethnic roots and the uniqueness of the great American experience: the nurturing of mutual respect for different traditions and backgrounds. Woodson choose the second week of February for Negro History Week because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly impacted the American Black population, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. It was Douglass who said, ``We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other; if we are to succeed.'' And it was Lincoln who said at that famous address at Gettysburg, ``we are highly resolved that these dead shall not have died in vain-- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. The theme of this year's Black History Month is ``Heritage and Horizons: The African-American Legacy and the Challenges of the 21st Century.'' Through the triumph of many obstacles and perseverance of the human spirit, African-Americans have and will continue to make valuable contributions to our everyday life. As we move forward in this new century, let's ensure that we honor those who have stood for equal justice and better human relations, and that we look to make the future brighter. We can do this by remembering our heritage, recognizing our heroes, and reaching toward our future horizons. First, it's about remembering our heritage Each of us is here today because we want to build a heritage that makes us proud to be Americans. That heritage must ensure that we are united. As many of you so well know, unity has not always been the case. If we are ever to be united in the true sense of the word, we must ensure that all individuals, regardless of race, share the same rights and are granted equal protection under the law. Our religious heritage requires us to love God and our neighbor as ourselves. This is the heritage that we want to provide for all! As I mentioned earlier, Dr. Woodson chose February for Black History Month because of the birthdays of Douglass and Lincoln. However, February has much more than this to show for its significance in Black history heritage. For example: On February 1, 1960, four courageous young men--freshmen at North On February 12, 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) formed by a group of concerned black and white citizens in New York City. On February 22, 1956, the black community of Montgomery, Alabama launched a bus boycott, which would last for more than a year, until the buses were desegregated. On February 25, 1870, the first black U.S. Senator took his oath of office. My very first job while in college was as a delivery boy for a black- owned business, Wesley's Florist, in Lumberton. Not only did I need that job, but also I found that being the only white employee required a special partnership between his family and me--a partnership that had pre-existed my employment because my father and the owner had worked together as young men for another florist! When I was a president of the student body at Lumberton Senior High School, I worked in partnership to help the first female be elected as president of the student body as my successor. I have had the honor to coach black boys and girls on local youth sports teams and to work with children of all races as a volunteer in the schools for the last 18 years. The first person I hired on my congressional staff was an African- American woman. Why? Because she was the most experienced caseworker on Capitol Hill that I knew, and she deserved it! Each of these important actions and events reminds us of our heritage, and inspires us to continue moving forward. Second, it's about recognizing our heroes Behind each action of Black heritage is a true American hero. These are heroes that inspire us, heroes that put others first, heroes that risked their lives so we would all be united! Sidney Hook once said, ``The hero finds a fork in the historical road, but he also helps to create it. He increases the odds of success for the alternative he chooses by virtue of the extraordinary qualities he brings to bear to realize it.'' Those four freshmen at NC A&T--Ezell Blair, Jr., Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeill, and David Richmond--galvanized the conscience of America. Their extraordinary bravery set in motion a series of student sit-ins at more than fifty cities and nine states. Faced with physical violence, arrest, and taunting, thousands of white and black students set out to end segregation peacefully in movie theaters, restaurants, and public transportation. These were ordinary Americans that are heroes. On the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, sixty prominent black and white citizens issued a call for a national conference in New York City to renew the struggle for civil and political liberty. Principal among those were W.E.B. Dubois, Ida Wells- Barnett, Henry Moscowitz, Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Willard, and William English Walling. These were people who were committed to the abolition of forced segregation, promotion of equal education and civil rights under the protection of the law, and an end to race violence. Ordinary Americans that are heroes! When jailed in Birmingham, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. composed a letter in the margins of a newspaper and continued writing on scraps of paper some of the most powerful words ever written. In responding to criticism from fellow clergymen, he eloquently described many injustices suffered by so many African Americans. Near the end of that letter, he noted that, ``one day the South will recognize its real heroes.'' One of those heroes was a 72-year-old black woman who with quiet dignity refused to give up her seat on the bus in Birmingham, Alabama. This single brave act reverberated The first African-American Senator, Hiram Rhoades Revels, is especially significant to us today. First, he committed his life to God and proclaiming the truth of the Christian Gospel. Second, he was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina. It is remarkable that his adult life spanned the Civil War, Reconstruction, and ended in 1901 during the Progressive Era. He was a true pioneer of American political life. Ordinary Americans that are heroes. Among the other African-American heroes that we should also remember are: Lillian Fishburne--the first African-American woman to be promoted to the rank of Admiral in the U.S. Navy. Dr. Meredith Charles Gourdine--a man who pioneered research and inventions so that energy can be converted to practical applications. Roger Arliner Young--the first African-American woman to earn a doctorate degree in zoology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1940. A native of southern Virginia, she later taught at NC College for Negroes and Shaw University. Josh Gibson--playing for the Pittsburgh Crawfords in the Negro Baseball League, Josh hit 85 home runs in one season and is the only player--black or white--ever to hit a fair ball over the triple deck stands and out of the old Yankee Stadium. Little Rock Nine--I was pleased that they were recently awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their efforts in breaking down the color barriers in our nation's school system, and I enjoyed meeting them in Washington this past year. Wilma Rudolph--a woman who overcame scarlet fever, polio, and pnuemonia to become the first person to win 3 Gold Medals in a single Olympiad. I support efforts to award her the Congressional Gold Medal. These are ordinary Americans that are heroes.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, November 16, 1999, I was with my father, who had open-heart surgery in the hospital, and therefore was unavoidably absent for rollcall votes 587 through 595. Had I been present I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote 587, ``yes'' on rollcall vote 588, ``yes'' on rollcall vote 589, ``no'' on rollcall vote 590, ``yes'' on rollcall vote 591, ``yes'' on rollcall vote 592, ``yes'' on rollcall vote 593, ``yes'' on rollcall vote 594, and ``no'' on rollcall vote 595.

Mr. McINTYRE

Mr. McINTYRE. Mr. Speaker, for the record, this is to clarify that the ``no'' vote I cast today against H.R. 3194, the District of Columbia Appropriations Conference Report for FY 2000, is by no means an indication that I am opposed to the Medicare Balanced Budget Act (BBA) refinement provisions included in this legislation. Indeed, I voted for the Medicare relief package when it came before the U.S. House of Representatives on November 5, 1999, and passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 388 to 25. As Co-Chairman of the Rural Health Care Coalition, I supported this legislation because it clearly represents a step in the right direction toward allaying the current health care crisis facing our nation and mitigating the impact of Medicare cuts mandated by the BBA on health care providers. Unfortunately, my colleagues and I in the House were not given the opportunity to vote on the revised language as free-standing legislation. Rather, it was attached to the D.C. Appropriations Conference Report with various other unrelated measures, including hurricane relief funding. The reason I voted against H.R. 3194 is because we, as a nation, have an obligation to provide the citizens of eastern North Carolina with the necessary emergency aid to recover from three major hurricanes. However, this measure does not go far enough in providing adequate relief to those individuals who need it the most.