Sue Myrick

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to recognize this morning's guest chaplain, Reverend Anthony Marciano. Reverend Marciano is the Executive Director of the Charlotte Rescue Mission in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Rescue Mission ministers to people in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area who struggle with poverty, homelessness, and drug addiction. The Mission's five fold strategy aims to meet the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational needs of these folks, in a way that demonstrates God's love. Under Reverend Marciano's direction, the Mission has seen truly inspiring success rates among its clients, and I'm proud to represent people like Tony in Congress. Rev. Marciano is a graduate of The Salvation Army's seminary. Before moving to Charlotte, he founded a shelter in New Jersey to address homelessness and addiction. Tony and his wife Dorothy have three kids, and they live in Charlotte, North Carolina with their dog, Rocky. Founded in 1938, the Charlotte Rescue Mission continues to make a positive impact on our city. I applaud Rev. Marciano for his dedication and Christian witness--and I'm honored to welcome him to the House Floor this morning.

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall vote 476, on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended H.R. 3761--the Flexibility for Displaced Workers Act, I would have voted ``yes.'' Rollcall vote 477, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 441--congratulating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Discovery Crew, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor tonight to honor the memory of a great American, my father-in-law, Wilbur Myrick. He saw a lot of change during his 95 years on this Earth. He lived during the time when indoor plumbing replaced outhouses and water wells, when wooden stoves were replaced by electric stoves, and when food no longer needed to be cooked fresh, but could be refrigerated and cooked in a microwave. He saw transportation change from a wheel and wagon to cars, buses, and then airplanes. And he even saw a man walk on the Moon. He saw great medical advances like the eradication of smallpox and the treatment of life-threatening diseases with advanced medicine and surgery. He saw communications change from mail to telephones to faxes and to e-mail. He lived through World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the gulf war, and the war on terror. He saw America rise to a world superpower, and he saw the Iron Curtain spread across Europe only to see it crumble years later. He saw the tragedy at Pearl Harbor and the tragedy on 9/ 11. He saw leaders like Churchill and Roosevelt. In his later years, Wilbur still kept up with current events. He would sit and watch C-SPAN and call me about specific bills. He could quote the bill number and tell me what it was and what it would do, and then he would ask what were we going to do about it. It taught me a lot about him and how much he loved America. If only we had more Americans like Wilbur Myrick. At a time when most Americans are filled with apathy, he stood out as an example of who we should all strive to be. He was filled with hope, hope for a better tomorrow and for a better America. Perhaps the best words to be said about him are from his granddaughter, Mia Myrick Alderman: ``My grandfather died last night. ``Granddaddy was old, very old. His 96th birthday is just over a month away. He is no longer languishing in a convalescent home, his body giving out more every day. He is free again and with the others, the others who have gone before him. My grandmother, his wife, who called him `Myrick.' His large family, including a sister who died during the 1918 flu epidemic when my grandfather was 9 years old. He did not get sick and all by himself he cared for his family and their farm. A strong 9-year-old, my grandfather grew to be a strong man. ``He was not a complicated man. I do not know much about his life before me. I am the oldest of his five grandchildren, seven great- grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, but I know all about my granddaddy, who was just 51 when I was born. ``My grandfather is just another old man to die in a small North Carolina town called Weldon. One of many who die every day, but to me he was a magical, special person. He was not in any way unique compared to all the other old men in Weldon, but when I went to visit my grandfather as a child he was very unique to me: His North Carolina- Virginia border accent; those southern sayings; the way he hugged me and laughed; the way his house and even the earth around his house smelled; the things he knew, secrets I thought only granddaddy knew, like how to thump a watermelon to see if it is ripe. I find myself doing that any time I buy one. I am not sure how it works, but I believe in magic. I loved my grandfather. ``I remember sitting on his lap as a very small child touching the black hair on his arm and I loved him. The last time I saw my grandfather in the hospital, I held his hand and looked at the hair on his arm, now barely there and I knew he would soon be free. ``When my grandfather died I lost forever a person and a culture that was magical and unique. Fascinating to me as a child and with me always in my child heart. My grandfather was a very unique and important man to me and I wanted to do this one last thing for him. ``As another old man from a little town called Weldon dies, so does my granddaddy, a very important man.''

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, America is heartbroken by the loss of life and property Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have experienced due to Hurricane Katrina. It is the largest natural disaster in the history of our country. As the people in the effected areas are suffering and have called for help, citizens across the country have heard their cries and have responded. All across America citizens are organizing drives to help people in the Gulf States. They are giving money, gathering supplies, and working to make sure people displaced from these areas find shelter. I would like to recognize one such effort in my hometown of Charlotte, NC. Charlotte has 2 very popular radio disc jockey's--Ace and TJ. They are two of Louisiana's favorite sons, and in the wake of disaster that has effected their home State, and areas around it, they organized one of the Nation's fastest and largest private responses to the disaster in the Gulf. Ace and TJ decided they would do a donation drive for victims of Hurricane Katrina, asked their listeners to ``give to the Gulf.'' They asked listeners to donate money and supplies such as water, canned goods, generators, diapers, and baby wipes for the victims. Their radio listener family responded to their call in large numbers. Ace, TJ, Madden, Yankee Pete, Ryan, and the local radio station Kiss 95.1 FM began their donation drive on Monday, August 29, 2005, at noon. The response was so overwhelming that they continued to air their efforts until midnight that night. Ace and TJ, over local 400 volunteers, and local businesses all pulled together and worked for more than 4 straight days for hurricane victims. They took in the supplies and loaded them onto tractor trailer trucks. Local restaurants even chipped in by contributing food for the volunteers, and businesses contributed supplies and expertise on how to properly load the supplies. The whole Charlotte community pulled together for this effort. I would also like to point out that their listeners in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Beckley and Bluefield, West Virginia, and Birmingham, Alabama, also contributed money and supplies to their effort. When Ace and TJ first started this drive they thought they would try to load up one tractor trailer, and get about $50,000 to contribute to hurricane victims. I am happy to say that Ace and TJ's radio listeners went above and beyond their first estimates. The listeners poured our their hearts and have contributed almost $500,000, and filled up 26 18- wheeler tractor trailers trucks full of supplies. Then, if getting the money and supplies weren't enough, they personally ensured that the supplies were driven down to Cenla, Louisiana, so they could be used immediately by the evacuees from the Gulf area. Mr. Speaker, we should not forget the efforts of people like Ace and TJ and their volunteers, because in times like these we need to recognize them to remind us of what it is to love thy neighbor. I am proud of the compassion and generosity of the people I represent in the Charlotte area. I am also very proud and grateful to Ace and TJ and their radio team for pulling the community together and giving to those in need. And as we continue to help those in need, let us not forget the people who are really helping our fellow citizens. It is not the governments, it is the good people across our country like Ace and TJ.

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes on July 22, 2005. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall vote 415, on agreeing to the Velazquez of New York amendment No.4 to H.R. 3070--the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, I would have voted ``no.'' Rollcall vote 416, on passage of H.R. 3070--the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following votes. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: On July 11, 2005--rollcall vote 363, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H. Con. Res. 168, condemning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for the abductions and continued captivity of citizens of the Republic of Korea and Japan as acts of terrorism and gross violations of human rights, I would have voted ``yes'' and rollcall vote 364, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H. Res. 333, supporting the goals and ideals of a National Weekend of Prayer and Reflection for Darfur, Sudan, I would have voted ``yes.'' On July 12, 2005--rollcall vote 365, on Ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 351, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 739, H.R. 740, H.R. 741, and H.R. 742, I would have voted ``yes''; rollcall vote 366, on Agreeing to the Resolution H. Res. 351, the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 739, H.R. 740, H.R. 741, and H.R. 742, I would have voted ``yes''; rollcall vote 367, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H. Res. 352, providing that the House of Representatives will focus on removing barriers to competitiveness of the United States economy, I would have voted ``yes''; rollcall vote 368, on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H. Res. 343, commending the State of Kuwait for granting women certain important political rights, I would have voted ``yes''; rollcall vote 369, on Passage of H.R. 739, the Occupational Safety and Health Small Business Day in Court Act, I would have voted ``yes''; rollcall vote 370, on Passage of H.R. 740, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Efficiency Act, I would have voted ``yes''; rollcall vote 371, on Passage of H.R. 740, the Occupational Safety and Health Independent Review of OSHA Citations Act, I would have voted ``yes'' and rollcall vote 372, on Passage of H.R. 740, the Occupational Safety and Health Small Employer Access to Justice Act of 2005, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Charlotte Latin School, a 3A private school in Charlotte, North Carolina, for being awarded the Wachovia Cup for the 2004-2005 athletic year. The Wachovia Cup is awarded to the school that boasts the best overall year in varsity athletics. The Charlotte Latin ``Hawks'' won the state championship in soccer (the school's second straight state championship), volleyball, wrestling (the school's third consecutive championship), and lacrosse (the school's first state championship). Again, I congratulate them on this fabulous achievement, and look forward to their continued success in the 2005-2006 athletic year.

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 810. I believe in the transforming and the lifesaving power of research and science, and I have seen firsthand how cutting-edge research can make a big difference in the lives of Americans who suffer with all sorts of diseases, and, I understand the value of federally funded research. I also support stem cell research. However, this debate is not about the merits of scientific discovery. There is no ban on research for the limited number of IVF embryos on which such research would even be possible. This debate is about Federal tax dollars and whether these dollars should be spent on the destruction of embryos, which I do not support. Supporters of this bill say we have nothing to lose by destroying existing embryos with Federal money because, after all, some of them will probably be discarded anyway. I would ask my colleagues to recall the reason why we do not conduct scientific research on Federal death row inmates. Aren't they going to die anyway? By all accounts, death row inmates are not innocent lives--but we don't conduct destructive experiments on them because it would be ethically reprehensible. We certainly don't dedicate taxpayer funds for that purpose. Those who've studied the implications of an embryonic stem cell research expansion know full well that Federal funding for the destruction of existing IVF embryos is no silver bullet for disease treatment. But that's how the bill will be sold on the floor today. H.R. 810 is merely the first step in an effort to spend federal money-- not only on the destruction, but on the creation of cloned embryos for research. I ask my colleagues to join me in opposing this bill.

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following vote. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall vote 182, on May 18, 2005, on Agreeing to the Resolution H. Res. 283, Providing for the consideration of H.R. 1817, Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, I would have voted ``yes.''

Ms. MYRICK

Ms. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to participate in the following vote on April 27, 2005. If I had been present, I would have voted as follows: Rollcall vote 140, on Motion to Recommit H. Res. 22, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that American small businesses are entitled to a Small Business Bill of Rights, I would have voted ``no.''

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, on April 11, 2005, Miss North Carolina, Chelsea Cooley, won the Miss USA pageant. I congratulate her on this momentous accomplishment and want her to know that everyone in her hometown of Charlotte, NC, is very proud of her. The Miss USA pageant is a competition where America's best and the brightest young women compete for the crown of Miss USA. It is truly a great accomplishment for Chelsea to have been crowned as the winner of this tough competition. Currently, Chelsea is studying fashion marketing at the Art Institute of Charlotte. She listed that her dream job would be working as a buyer for Ralph Lauren. I have no doubt that she can achieve this, and many other, dreams. Chelsea will now go on to represent the U.S. this May in the Miss Universe competition in Bangkok, Thailand. Chelsea's hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, will again be cheering her on as will the whole country. We know she will represent us well and will do our country proud.

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Chairman, we are all grateful to our troops and those serving in Iraq. We are grateful for what we are seeing happening there, and we want to do what we can to support those efforts and make sure that our troops have what they need. But every time when I go home, no matter what the subject is that we are talking about in any meeting, the thing that always comes up is the deficit. Somebody always says, ``But what are you doing about the deficit?'' My concern with the embassy being in the supplemental is exactly that, it is over and above the regular process. I have no problem with building an embassy in Iraq. We need an embassy in Iraq, but we have also known we need an embassy in Iraq, and why did it not come through earlier if it is that much of an emergency. Yes, it is a huge amount of money and I understand it is not just a building, it is a compound, but it is three times what we have spent in Afghanistan already. If we do not start getting some discipline in this body in what we are doing, we are never going to get back to where we all want to be, and that is what we did in 1997 was start to balance the budget, and we were well on the way. Sure, we have had a lot of problems. We had the war, the recession, other problems which have interfered with that, but we have to have some fiscal discipline and just putting things that are not actual emergencies in a supplemental spending bill in my opinion is not to be done. A supplemental is for emergencies and I do not consider an embassy to be an emergency. My constituents at home agree with this. As I said before, whenever I am anywhere they always say what are you doing about cutting spending, what are you doing about the deficit? I hope we can bring this embassy back through regular order and make it happen because we want to be sure the people are protected, and then pass the supplemental today. The other things in the supplemental are needed. There is no question about that. Our chairman has done a very, very good job with this bill, but I have a problem with funding the embassy in a supplemental.

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the memory of a dear colleague. I first met Tillie Fowler when I came to Congress in 1995. Tillie always stood out as someone Members could admire. The more we worked together, the more I grew to admire her. She always took time to give advice--no matter how busy she was. Tillie would stick to her convictions regardless of who disagreed with her. Yet, at the same time, she was also very warm and friendly. Due to these characteristics Tillie earned the nickname ``Steel Magnolia,'' which I thought really suited her. Tillie was a staunch supporter of strengthening the defense of our country. She was also a strong conservative who wanted government to stop interfering in people's lives. Due to her strong stances and warm personality, Tillie was chosen as one of our top Republican Leaders; a position she filled with grace and wisdom. To those of us who knew Tillie, simple words or speeches cannot describe her. Nor can they speak enough about the woman she was. I will always remember Tillie as more than just a colleague during my years here. I will remember her as a good friend. May God bless Tillie and her family, and may we not forget the contributions she has made to our country.

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the birth of Madalyn Elizabeth Priest. My Legislative Director, Matt Priest, and his wife Lisa welcomed little Madalyn into the world on January 31, 2005. Weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces, Madalyn has already become the pride and joy of her happy parents. With each new birth we are reminded of just how precious life is and how amazing a design God has created in us all. We also have an opportunity to reflect on the role this body can play in protecting human life at its most innocent and vulnerable stage.

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 831 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. Speaker, last night the Committee on Rules met and passed this resolution waiving clause 6(a) of rule XIII requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Committee on Rules against certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules. The waiver authorized by this resolution applies to any special rule reported on the legislative day of Friday, October 8, 2004, providing for the consideration or disposition of a conference report to accompany the bill H.R. 4200, the Defense authorization conference report for fiscal year 2005. I would advise my colleagues that adoption of this resolution is made necessary because the work of the conferees on the Defense authorization conference report has taken longer than anticipated. I believe it is imperative that the House considers the proposed conference report on Defense authorization as soon as possible. The last thing we would ever want would be for the necessary armor and weaponry needed by our Armed Forces to be held up or delayed in any way. My friend from Texas has always been a strong supporter of our military. I trust he, too, would prefer to rapidly approve the Defense authorization conference report; and to that end, I urge my colleagues to support this rule. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 843 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. Speaker, today the Committee on Rules met and granted a normal conference report rule for H.R. 4200, the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. The rule waives all points of order against the conference report and against its consideration. In addition, it provides for 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled between the chairman and ranking minority member of the House Committee on Armed Services. This should not be a controversial rule; it is the type of rule we grant for every conference report that comes through the House. This legislation firmly shows our commitment to restoring the strength of our Nation's military. The conferees authorized $447.2 billion in budget authority for the Department of Defense, DOD, and the national security programs of the Department of Energy, DOE. I want to thank the gentleman from California (Chairman Hunter) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the ranking member, for all of the work they have done in their tireless support for our brave sons and daughters in uniform. The safety and security of our troops and our Nation can be attributed to the contributions they have made. This legislation authorizes the funding necessary to defend the Nation and our interests around the globe. More than 200,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have served in the global war on terrorism. We owe them our gratitude for defending our freedom. Their success in Iraq and Afghanistan is a testament to their bravery, training and equipment, and their commitment to defend our freedom. On the battlefield, we provide critical force protection resources, including countermeasures for improvised explosive devices, improved surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and the latest infantry equipment. H.R. 4200 adds more than $2 billion for force protection measures, including armor, munitions, communications and surveillance programs. The legislation contains provisions to eliminate procurement obstacles and field commercially available technology on an expedited basis, something that is much needed. At home, this legislation meets the needs of our military personnel with numerous quality-of-life improvements. Among the many initiatives are a 3.5 percent across-the-board pay raise, special pay and bonuses, and improved housing, as well as the complete phaseout of out-of-pocket housing expenses. This conference report makes great strides in addressing the disparity by which disabled military retirees have their pension benefits reduced, dollar by dollar, by the amount of disability benefits they receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The fiscal year 2004 act authorized full concurrent receipt to be phased in over 10 years. The conference report continues to build on this improvement by removing disabled retirees who are rated 100 percent disabled from the 10-year phase-in period. These retirees are authorized for full, concurrent receipt effective January 2005. Our veterans have given deeply and heroically, and it is only fair that we recognize their service. So let us pass the rule and pass the underlying Defense Authorization Conference Report. At the end of the day, we are going to make our homeland safer and we will be supporting our sons and daughters serving in the military. We will be preparing for war, thereby ensuring victory. At this crucial time in our history, this bill is most important. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), the distinguished chairman of this committee.

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mrs. MYRICK

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 832 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Mr. Speaker, last night the Committee on Rules met and passed this resolution, waiving clause 6(a) of rule XIII (requiring a two-thirds vote to consider a rule on the same day it is reported from the Rules Committee) against certain resolutions reported from the Rules Committee. The waiver authorized by this resolution applies to any special rule reported on the legislative day of Friday, October 8, 2004, providing for the consideration or disposition of a conference report to accompany the bill, H.R. 4837, making appropriations for military construction, family housing and base realignment and closure for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, and for other purposes. Mr. Speaker, I would advise my colleagues that adoption of this resolution is made necessary because the work of the conferees has taken longer than anticipated. To that end, I urge my colleagues to support the rule. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution. The previous question was ordered.