Mike Ross

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, in America we have 44 million people today without health insurance. We are the only industrialized nation in the world where people go without health insurance. And who are they? It is the folks that are trying to do the right thing and work. Unfortunately, they are working jobs with no benefits. Nearly 80 percent of the uninsured are the working poor and often work in small businesses. They have jobs and are trying to do the right thing, but cannot afford a policy, an insurance policy, for themselves or for their families. Each weekend as I go back home to Arkansas, I meet more and more small business owners, and I understand this because my wife and I are small business owners. We provide health insurance for our employees back home. And just as it is for us, I learn it is for so many small business owners across this Nation. They are struggling to be able to continue to afford the premiums, not only for their employees but for themselves as well. Association Health Plans, quite frankly, are not the answer. It would do little to help the 44 million uninsured Americans. In fact, Mercer Consulting analyzed the Association Health Plans proposal and found that the number of the uninsured would increase by over 1 million as a result of coverage losses among workers in small firms and their dependents. I support the Kind substitute that truly addresses the problem of the uninsured in this country. It is fully paid for. It will not preempt State law, and it offers meaningful and immediate help to small businesses. The substitute legislation would create a Small Employer Health Benefits Plan similar to the Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan and would offer coverage to all small businesses with fewer than 100 workers. This legislation works with existing State laws and does not preempt State laws regarding health care coverage. Also, this legislation goes far beyond vague words and empty promises and actually commits Federal funds to aid small businesses in offering insurance to its employees by offering to help subsidize the cost of insurance for small businesses to the tune of 50 percent of the cost of the premiums. I urge my colleagues to support the Kind substitute and oppose H.R. 4281.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, as the Congress and the country mark Cover the Uninsured Week, I add my voice to those who are ready to do something meaningful about the problem of the uninsured. Nearly 80 percent of the uninsured are the working poor, and often work in small businesses. They have jobs and are trying to do the right thing, but they cannot afford an insurance policy for themselves or for their families. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle claim that association health plans are the answer, but more than 500 organizations representing millions of people oppose these plans, association health plans, because they know that they will compound the problem by creating an unlevel playing field that will likely lead to cherry- picking, adverse selection, and yes, increased costs for sicker individuals. I urge my colleagues to support the Kind substitute, which will provide a tax credit to businesses that will pay for 50 percent of the premium for health insurance for their employees.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Arthur L. Felder of Lewisville, AR, who died on April 24, 2004, fighting for his country in Taji, Iraq. Arthur ``Bo'' Felder, just 36 years old, was one of four soldiers killed during an attack on the base camp of the Arkansas's 39th Infantry Brigade. I wish to recognize his life and achievements. Bo spent nearly two decades serving the Army and National Guard. During that time, he served in peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Honduras. While not serving our country, children were Bo's passion, and he spent much of life involved with youth. He worked at Step One Alternative school in Little Rock, a school for kids with legal troubles, and served as a youth director at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in North Little Rock. I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of soldiers from Arkansas's 39th Brigade, who died while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. These brave Americans lost their lives while making the ultimate sacrifice to serve our country, and I will be forever grateful to them for their courageous spirit. Bo gave his life to serve our country and will forever be remembered as a hero, a son, and a father. My deepest condolences go out to his son Jaelun, eight years old, his daughter Amari, four years old, his mother, Dr. Cheryl Stuart, his brothers, Robert Stuart and Littrelle Felder, and two sisters, Gwendolyn Gingery and Kelana Greer. I know Bo was proud of his service to the U.S. Army and to our country. He will be missed by his family, fellow soldiers, and all those who knew him and counted him as a friend. I will continue to keep Bo and his family in my thoughts and prayers.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, as the proud son of public school educators and a father of two children attending public school, I am concerned about the state of education in America. Education is one of America's most fundamental building blocks. A solid education system is what drives our Nation's prosperity and paves the way to a brighter future for our great country. Yet, our President, for the third year in a row, wants to cut funding for our public education system. Though the President promised to support our teachers, he tried to cut teacher quality programs by $268 million in the 2004 budget. Our President has repeatedly slashed funding for the Pell grants, which allows thousands of deserving students the opportunity to go to college. And his proposed budget for 2005 slashes funding for the No Child Left Behind program which the President has repeatedly identified as one of his top priorities by $8 billion. Our children deserve a real education system that provides them with a solid, quality education.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, Monday, May 10, marks the first observance of World Lupus Day. Coordinated by the Lupus Foundation of America, this event will focus on accurate lupus diagnosis, improved patient healthcare services, and increased research into the treatment and cure of lupus. I am pleased the Arkansas chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America will host World Lupus Day activities. The chapter has scheduled a public open house on May 10 in its main office located in Hot Springs that will feature a live radio broadcast on KLAZ-105.3, videos of lupus patients sharing their experiences, and dissemination of educational materials. Started in October 1993, in the guestroom of the founder's home, the Arkansas chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America has grown to 200 members and serves the entire State of Arkansas. Mrs. Jamesetta Smith saw the importance of starting the chapter when she and her husband moved to Arkansas in 1992. As a lupus patient herself, Jamesetta knows about the importance of education and support for those directly and indirectly impacted by the devastating disease. Lupus patients need someone to talk to who understands and knows firsthand about the physical and emotional challenges that lie ahead. To help these individuals, the chapter's Hot Springs and Ft. Smith offices host monthly support groups, free of charge. To support the Arkansas chapter's many efforts and awareness activities, patients, family members, and supporters come together regularly to raise funding. It is estimated that nationally 1 out of every 185 persons has lupus. According to the Lupus Foundation, about 1.5 million Americans have a form of the chronic, incurable disease that can result in severe joint pain and swelling, fevers, fatigue, and other health effects, including organ failure and death. Needless to say, lupus is a widespread disease that touches the lives of millions of Americans. I am glad Mrs. Jamesetta Smith, Founder of the Arkansas Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America, took on the challenge of developing and implementing a chapter and based it in my Congressional District. She and the chapter's volunteers are to be commended for their hard work in informing Arkansans about the symptoms and health effects of lupus and providing important facts to help the public better understand the impact of the disease.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, over the past 3\1/2\ years our country has seen a loss of 2.8 million manufacturing jobs. Manufacturing jobs today are at a 53-year low. In fact, Arkansas, the State I represent, has lost one out of every seven manufacturing jobs since 2000. Losing these jobs has had a devastating effect on America's working families. Manufacturing jobs have long been a solid source of strength for our Nation's economy, guaranteeing good jobs and a high standard of living for America's working families. But now millions of these manufacturing jobs that were once the backbone of our economy are being exported abroad to other countries. In fact, we lost 1 million jobs alone to China. We have got to do more to keep our jobs here at home. This should not be a political issue. It should not be a partisan issue. We in Congress must work together and pass commonsense tax incentives that encourage rather than discourage U.S.-based companies to encourage job creation right here at home. The livelihood of America's working families depends on it.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedicated service of an individual from my district who has devoted her professional life to enhancing the educational development of students in our great State of Arkansas. Patrica Ann Johnson has given 36 years of service in education to primary and community college students. On April 30th, Ms. Johnson will retire from teaching, but her legacy will continue in the schools and community where she taught. Ms. Johnson served Mena for 31 years, teaching the first, second, third, and fourth grades at Louise Durham Elementary School where she was a continued source of inspiration for hundreds of school children while working for their educational and social advancement. In addition to her elementary school teaching, Ms. Johnson taught physical and health education at Rich Mountain Community College to students enrolled in those programs. Ms. Johnson is an outstanding example of the lifetime dedication to service of Arkansas educators. I urge all citizens of Mena and the staff and students of Louise Durham Elementary School and Rich Mountain Community College to join me in honoring the career of a truly gifted, caring, and committed woman on the celebration of her retirement.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate The Greater Texarkana Peoples' Clinic on its grand opening. The clinic, whose motto is Good Health for All, was established to provide free, quality health care to qualifying residents in the greater Texarkana area, which includes Miller (Arkansas) and Bowie (Texas) Counties, who do not have access to basic medical services. The First United Methodist Church at 401 N. Stateline, Texarkana, Texas has offered its facilities as a site for the clinic. Statistics from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicate that sixteen percent of Arkansans are uninsured and twenty-five percent of Texans are uninsured. In The Greater Texarkana Peoples' Clinic's medical service area, forty-one percent of their service area population is uninsured. Instead of waiting for a government fix, the people saw a need and set about solving that need. Thanks in part to Chaplain Jim Rowland, president of the Greater Texarkana Ministerial Alliance, Dr. Tim Reynolds, medical director, and Dr. D. Jack Smith, clinic board member, a non-judgmental, compassionate environment in which to serve those individuals and families largely rejected by mainstream society has been created. The Greater Texarkana Peoples' Clinic is truly the result of a collaborative community effort. Medical professionals throughout the Texarkana area along with numerous volunteers are generously giving their expertise, time and financial support to make this initiative an overwhelming success. I join with the leadership of Texarkana, Arkansas and Texarkana, Texas in thanking and congratulating all that were involved in bringing The Greater Texarkana Peoples' Clinic to a reality. The clinic and its services will prove to be an asset for years to come.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson), my colleague on the Committee on Financial Services and someone who has worked tirelessly on this piece of bipartisan commonsense legislation.

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to join my colleagues, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley), the chairman, and the ranking member, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), and the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) as a cosponsor of this legislation. Mr. Chairman, I live in a small rural town, I am a small business owner, and I recognize the limited resources that exist for small businesses. H.R. 1375, the Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act will assist financial institutions in my congressional district, and all across America for that matter, by easing some of the regulatory demands they have, which will allow them to focus more on service to their customers. The Committee on Financial Services held a hearing on this bill with representatives of each of the regulatory agencies responsible for oversight of these institutions. Each presented their perspectives on the legislation and the need for implementation. I appreciate the efforts of my colleagues and the committee staff who have worked together since the full committee markup to make further improvements to ensure the final bill reflects a true bipartisan product; and, indeed, it does. It is what I call a piece of commonsense legislation. This legislation is well balanced for all financial institutions, both large and small; both rural and urban. I believe it is imperative that Congress continues to work to help strengthen our struggling economy by making sure that our financial institutions have the necessary tools they need to operate more effectively and more efficiently. They are an integral part of our community's economic development and need legislation like H.R. 1375 to alleviate some of the burdens that impede their services to the public. Again, I thank my colleagues, Chairman Oxley, Ranking Member Frank, and the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) for all of their hard work on this, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, H.R. 1375.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I regret that my vote on the Scott/Watt Amendment (#6) to H.R. 339, the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act was recorded as ``no.'' I would like the record to reflect that my vote should have been ``yes.'' I recognize and appreciate the important work states have done to prevent and reduce chronic health diseases and obesity-related health conditions. As a former member of the Arkansas State Senate's Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, I worked diligently with state agencies and health providers to promote positive statewide health strategies. According to the underlying bill, a person is defined in section 4(3) of the bill to include governmental entities. Consequently, states could be limited in bringing legal complaints against violators of state consumer protection statutes. The Scott/Watt Amendment would have protected a state's attorney general's option to protect consumers in accordance to consumer protection laws.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to rise in honor of the life and lasting memory of Lucille Westbrook. Lucille, a fifth-generation Arkansan, was born in the small town of Nathan, attended Nashville public schools, and spent her life as an involved citizen, advancing issues dearest to her and worked to preserve the heritage of her community and state. She passed away Saturday, January 31, 2004, at the age of 86. Described by those who knew her well as ``brilliant'' and ``beloved'', Lucille was a well known face and name to the citizens of Howard County. Early in her life, she worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and later for Senator William J. Fulbright. Lucille remained active in Democratic politics, serving as an election official in Democratic primaries and general elections in Howard County. She remained an active and influential member of the community through her volunteer service and civic activities. She was a charter member of the Mine Creek Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a Board member of the Nashville Cemetery Association, and a Board member and President of the Howard County Library System. Lucille's thirst for knowledge led her to become the area's unofficial historian. In this capacity, she co-founded the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives in Washington, Arkansas where she volunteered for 24 years, serving as Director of the Archives from 1990-2002. Other projects important to her included working to restore and preserve buildings in nearby Washington and completing a book about the Corinth area in Howard County. I know the impact which individuals like Lucille can have on a small community. She continually made a priority of helping others learn more about their neighborhoods, communities and family heritages. In 1979, the Arkansas Historical Association recognized her work in preserving the role of history in our lives by establishing an annual $500 award, named in her honor, to the author of the best report on a topic in Arkansas history. I extend my warmest sympathies to her brother Parker Westbrook of Nashville, her extended family, and the countless friends and individuals who knew and loved Lucille.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to rise in honor of the life and legacy of Thomas McRae III. He was a loving father and husband, a statesman, a leader, a public servant, and a tireless advocate of helping the less fortunate. He recently passed away at the age of 65 at his family's home in Arkadelphia. Tom McRae, who was deeply rooted in an affluent Arkansas political family, graduated from El Dorado High School in 1956, and went on to earn a History degree from the University of Arkansas and a law degree from the University of Arkansas Law School. Upon graduation, he volunteered to go to Nepal with the Peace Corps in 1964, a 2-year experience that would give him a new perspective on society and allow him to perform extensive social work on behalf of Nepalese villagers and farmers. Tom became a household name in 1990 when he ran in the Democratic primaries against Governor Bill Clinton in the face of overwhelming odds. He finished a strong second in a field of six, proving that odds are no detriment to a steadfast spirit and determination to fight for the causes and ideals in which you believe. It was a fight he would continue years later by directing nonprofit programs in Mississippi and Kentucky, helping the rural poor get loans and find jobs. Throughout his life, Tom distinguished himself through a sustained commitment to his ideals and his community. He devoted himself to uplifting society by helping those less fortunate. His character is an example of the values we, as parents, teachers, community members, and legislators, hope to instill in our next generation. Bill Clinton spoke for many of us when he said, ``I respected, admired and liked Tom McRae, and I will be forever grateful for the lifetime of service he gave to Arkansas.'' I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife, Christine, his children, Catherine and Thomas, as well as all of those who knew and loved him. Although he may no longer be with us, his spirit and his legacy live on in the examples he set and the many lives he touched.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to honor the life of Dr. Donald L. Miller. He lived a life devoted to the love, care and education of others and leaves a legacy carried on by the many lives he touched; either directly through personal relations or indirectly through his efforts to improve the quality of health care now available to Arkansans. Dr. Miller was born in Little Rock, received his doctorate of medicine from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and spent nearly his entire life devoting energy and vision to the improvement of health care in Arkansas. Dr. Miller was a member of numerous community, university, and professional committees and organizations including the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, and the First United Methodist Church. However, it was his work with Area Health Education Center programs that gained him the greatest notoriety. Dr. Miller served as an influential force in getting the program under way in the state and became Director of the Pine Bluff Area Health Education Center. As Director, he earned the esteem of his fellow members of the American College of Physicians, who would write that ``his greatest achievement has been the development of the most productive AHEC program in Arkansas.'' In 1995, they presented Dr. Miller with the Robert Shields Abernathy Award for Excellence in Internal Medicine in recognition of his achievements and sustained commitment to the program. Under the vision and leadership of Dr. Miller, countless students as well as residents of internal medicine and family practice are more adequately trained in the various technical aspects of health care through the work of the Pine Bluff AHEC. As a result, many quality physicians have been attracted to the area where they now provide quality health care to the citizens of Southeast Arkansas. It is yet another indication of the broad impact Dr. Miller has had on his state, his community, and his fellow citizens. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Peggy, and his daughters, Mollie, Sheila, and Karen. I extend my sincerest sympathies to them and can only hope that we find some solace in the lasting legacy of Donald Miller as his spirit lives on in each of us.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1385, the reauthorization of the Breast Cancer Awareness Stamp. As a co-sponsor of H.R. 1835, I believe this bill is critical to continue to fund research for a disease that affects 2 million women in the United States alone. The Breast Cancer Research stamp was introduced in July 1998 and has raised $35 million in five years for the Department of Defense and the National Cancer Institute for research in treating breast cancer. Of those funds raised, $279,000 has gone to the University of Arkansas for research. Breast Cancer is the leading cancer afflicting American women, and this year nearly 40,110 women will die of breast cancer, and over 215,000 new cases will be diagnosed. Unfortunately, many of these cases will not be diagnosed, and deaths will occur, in communities where access to advanced medicine is limited. Congress's commitment to increasing the funding for cancer prevention and early detection is helping us battle this disease. Today we can be proud of the advancements we have made. But we must continue our commitment to defeating breast cancer by continuing to fund the research necessary to fight breast cancer.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor SGT Marquette Whiteside, a 24-year-old resident of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. SGT Whiteside was active in the Red Cross and the 4-H Club. Upon graduation from Watson Chapel High School, he took a job while he waited to hear from the military. Once accepted, SGT Whiteside trained in Germany where he specialized in weapons artillery. Time Magazine's honoree for 2003 Person of the Year is the American Soldier, and SGT Whiteside was chosen to be profiled. SGT Whiteside is a member of Survey Platoon, Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion in the 1st Armored's 3rd Field Artillery Regiment. There is no soldier more deserving of this honor than SGT Whitefield. Scheduled to be relieved of duty in early 2004, SGT Whiteside signed on for an additional 3 years with the Army, with just a 6-month break between tours. My sincere gratitude and deep appreciation go to SGT Marquette Whiteside, a man who has dedicated himself to protecting his country in the noblest sense. I am honored to represent this fine soldier in the U.S. House of Representatives. Not just a soldier, SGT Whiteside is also a son, a brother, and a father. My thoughts and prayers are with Marquette's mother, Catherine; his two brothers, and his 6-year-old, daughter, Brashawn, who all anxiously await his permanent and safe return home.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to rise in honor of the life and legacy of Louis L. Ramsay, Jr. who passed away at the age of 85. Louis Ramsay, Jr. was born in 1918 in Fordyce, Arkansas, in rural Dallas County. Through his lifetime, Louis distinguished himself as a husband, father, businessman, and church and community leader. He was a truly selfless public servant and a leader in law and banking who sought to improve the lives of those in the community and state he called home. Louis led a remarkable life of both energy and dedication and it was readily apparent to those around him. From his days on the playing fields as a University of Arkansas quarterback to his distinguished air combat service over the battlegrounds of World War II, Louis developed a steadfastness, discipline and vision well beyond his years. He carried those traits on to law school and eventually the Arkansas Business Hall of fame. Whether Louis was working as a lawyer or bank president, or serving his Governor or alma mater, the scope of his involvement is apparent as he holds the distinction of the only individual in state history to serve as president of both the Arkansas Bar Association and the Arkansas Bankers Association. Although his professional achievements speak volumes, his influence transcends the business community as he continually made a priority of helping others through volunteer service and civic activities. As a member of a small community, I know what men like Louis mean to their neighbors. For Louis, the citizens of Pine Bluff showed their appreciation by naming him the ``City's Most Influential Citizen'' in 1989. This honor recognized both the significant economic impact he provided the communities of Pine Bluff and Southeast Arkansas as well as the tireless devotion and strength of character he displayed. He was truly an example for us all. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Joy; his son, Richard; and his daughter, Joy. I extend my sincerest sympathies to them and hope we can all find some solace in the realization that the spirit and legacy of Louis Ramsay lives on in each of us.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, on the afternoon of December 13, 2003, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, the Junction City High School Dragons team made history by capping off a perfect 15-0 season and winning its first Class AA state football championship. It was celebrated by a community, which braved the winter conditions to see the culmination of a record-setting season. This team personifies the spirit of determination and hard work that has always distinguished Arkansans. As a parent, I understand the demands that our young people face. As members of the community, we are all aware that education is as important as any other issue we face. Each day, our children learn lessons in the classroom that will prepare them for the days and years ahead, and we work hard to see they are given the tools they need to compete and succeed in life. The success of the Junction City High School football program exemplifies how the lessons learned on the field of competitive athletics can often supplement the education learned in our classrooms. I have long been an advocate of athletics and extracurricular activities as those activities broaden academic excellence by instilling leadership, character, and teamwork in its participants. At a time when our country needs youth leadership more than ever, this team has answered the challenge and set a course that can serve as an example for us all. Along with the school's first-ever championship, the records compiled by this team are truly impressive: An all-time state scoring record, the longest winning streak in school history, and the most wins in school history. It's about more than records or trophies. Championships are won in the heart as much as on the field. The will to overcome adversity, the daily drive to succeed, and the mental toughness to perform under pressure carried these young men during their championship season, and will provide them with a well to draw from throughout their entire lives. It brings me a great deal of pleasure to again congratulate the Junction City High School football program on their tremendous season and first-ever Class AA High School Football Championship. We all take pride in you and all you have accomplished.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to recognize Sheriff Ken Jones of Union County for his continued dedication and service to the community. I congratulate him on the 2003 Director's Award from the Federal Bureau of Investigation for his exemplary job in drug and violence prevention. To the people of Union County and the rest of our state, Sheriff Jones is known as a truly selfless public servant. His experience in law enforcement spans more than 20 years as a deputy sheriff, Arkansas Highway Patrolman, Director of the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force, and now sheriff. His energy and dedication have earned him numerous accolades and honors in the past and ensure his continued success in the noble fight against crime. Throughout his career, he has truly personified the mission of the Union County Sheriff's Department to ``protect the lives and property of all Union County citizens and serve in the most courteous and professional manner possible.'' In doing so, he has continued to develop and implement many new changes in the sheriff's office, including the modernization of the Sheriff's Office. These efforts have allowed him to better serve the people of Union County and to keep his commitment to keep our communities, schools and families safer for us and our loved ones. Sheriff Jones has distinguished himself through a sustained commitment to his community. His character is an example of the values we, as parents, teachers, community members, and legislators, hope to instill in our next generation. Mr. Speaker, I again extend my sincerest congratulations to Sheriff Jones on this distinguished award. I am honored to serve as his Representative in the United States Congress.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Judge Larry Kinnaird, who died on November 24, 2003 at the age of 63. Judge Kinnaird, born in Ashley County, was a close personal friend, and I am deeply saddened by his tragic death. I wish to recognize his life and achievements. Judge Kinnaird spent his entire life in Ashley County. Graduating from Hamburg High School in 1958, Judge Kinnaird worked for Georgia Pacific Corporation for 26 years. In the 1960s, he served as Justice of the Peace for six years. In his free time, Judge Kinnaird enjoyed both hunting and fishing. Most recently, Judge Kinnaird was elected to the post of Ashley County Judge, and served as County Judge for nearly five years. During this time, he was a member of the Arkansas Judges Association and served on the Southeast Arkansas Judges Association Executive Committee. Judge Kinnaird was also actively involved in the SEARK Economic Development District. My heart goes out to his wife of 44 years, Emmie Crenshaw Kinnaird, their daughters, Donna Shields and Tammy Streeter, and three grandchildren, Drew Shields, and Shelby and Sky Streeter.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of E.W. Johnson, Jr., who passed away at the age of 72 on November 21, 2003. E.W. was born in Lafayette County where he spent his entire life. I am saddened to learn of his death and wish to recognize his life and achievements. Born in Stamps in 1931, E.W. worked at Arkansas Power and Light Company. E.W. was no stranger to public service; those who knew him well say he was very active in all aspects of the Stamps Community. E.W. was chairman of Deacons at First Baptist Church, a member of the Lafayette County Quorum Court, and involved with the Stamps Rotary. E.W. was also a veteran of the United States Air Force. At the time of his passing, he was serving as Mayor of Stamps, a position he held for eight years. I know E.W.'s death was especially difficult for his wife, Virginia Johnson, his sister, Martha Sue Robinson, and his great nieces and nephews, Diane Pennington, Lori Pennington, Josh Pennington, Laura Hill, Conner Hill, and Taylor Hill. I have kept them in my thoughts and in my prayers. While E.W. Johnson, Jr. may no longer be with us, his spirit and his legacy live on in the examples he set and the many lives he touched.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Army Pfc. Jonathan Cheatham, of Camden, AR, who died on July 26, 2003, fighting for his country in Iraq. I am saddened by this tragedy. I wish to recognize his life and achievements. Jonathan attended Camden Fairview High School where he played soccer and the trumpet in the band. Upon graduation in 2002, Jonathan immediately entered the military. Jonathan served in the 489th Engineer Battalion of U.S. Army Reserve. Jonathan gave his life to serve our country and will forever be remembered as a hero, a terrific son, and a courageous brother. My deepest condolences go out to his mother, Barbara Porchia, his sister, Portia Cheatham, family, friends, and those in his hometown of Camden whose lives he touched. I am sure Jonathan was proud of his service to the U. S. Army and to our country. I know he will be missed by his fellow soldiers, and all those who knew him and counted him as a friend. Furthermore, his fellow soldiers also know how much he contributed to the accomplishment of his unit's mission and to the U.S. Army. I will continue to keep Jonathan and his family in my thoughts and prayers.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter). And to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce), let me assure you that AARP no longer speaks for America's seniors. The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare is the Nation's second largest senior advocacy group. Unlike AARP, they are not in the pharmacy business, and they are not in the discount prescription card business. And Max Richmond, their executive director said what? He said, ``You ever heard of Medicare fraud? This Republican prescription drug bill is Medicare fraud.'' And let me tell you why: It is obscene that the Republicans in Congress would lock the door and refuse to allow the Democratic conferees in the room while this bill was being finalized. If that is not enough, now they are trying to use a parliamentary procedure to immediately bring this bill up for a vote, a bill that is 681 pages. It was received in my office just a few hours ago. I have not read it all. It is 681 pages, and I just got it. If there is any Republican here who has already read it, then they have been through some kind of speed reading course that I have not been through. But I have gotten through a few pages. Page 54 is a good place to start. Surely to goodness, no one here has read page 54, because if they have, they would not be asking for this bill to be brought up immediately. They would want time to read it, because page 54 says what? It says the Federal Government shall be prohibited from negotiating with the big drug manufacturers to bring down the high cost of medicine. And they call this a seniors bill? Give me a break. And if that is not enough, my colleagues can turn to page 18 of the bill. Page 18 of the bill tells us what seniors are going to get, or, really, what seniors are not going to get. This is clearly a bill written by the big drug manufacturers and the big insurance companies, not to benefit our seniors, not to bring down the high cost of medicine, but to benefit the big drug manufacturers and the big insurance companies. Make no mistake about it, seniors, it is important the Members here understand, understand what the seniors get in this bill. There is a $420 yearly premium, $35 a month. There is a $250 deductible, and then, from $250 to $2,250, Medicare pays 75 percent of the bill leaving the senior to pay 25 percent. That part sounds pretty good. But then from $2,250 all the way up to $5,100, guess what? The senior is back stuck paying the full price for the prescription drug while still being required, under this bill, to pay a $35-a-month premium. This legislation boils down to this: Of the first $5,100 worth of medicine, seniors are going to still be stuck paying $4,020 while Members of Congress, who wrote and approved this bill, only pay $1,275.

Mr. ROSS

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, in 2001, the Republican Congresswoman, the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Emerson), and I offered up a bipartisan plan that would truly modernize Medicare to include medicine for our seniors, that recovered 80 percent of the cost of prescription drugs for our seniors, while taking on the big drug manufacturers, and the Republicans told us that we could not afford it. They said we could not afford $750 billion over 10 years. But what has happened since then? They passed a $350 billion tax cut for the wealthy, and now they are proposing a $400 billion major prescription drug plan. I was not real good in math in high school, but I think I can figure that one out. That totals $750 billion. Two years later, we are getting a plan that does not even kick in until 2006. Our plan would be in effect today. Seniors get $1,080 worth of help on the first $5,100 worth of medicine they need every year, and the Republicans even had the nerve at the urging of the big drug manufacturers to put language in the bill that says the Federal Government shall be prohibited from negotiating with the big drug manufacturers to bring down the high cost of prescription drugs. This is a bad bill. This is a bill that does not even fit our seniors, only the big drug manufacturers.

Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, as the owner of a small town family pharmacy and a wife who is a pharmacist, I see seniors who cannot afford their medicine. So I came here to help our seniors with the high cost of prescription drugs. This bill does not do that. This morning we must decide whether to decide with the big drug manufacturers or side with America's seniors. In 2001, the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Emerson) and I sponsored a bipartisan bill that would truly modernize Medicare to include medicine for our seniors, and the Republican leadership refused to give us a hearing or a vote on that issue, and now 2 years later the Republicans offer us a bill that does what? That says the Federal Government shall be prohibited from negotiating with the big drug manufacturers to bring down the high cost of medicine and provide seniors $1,080 worth of help on a $5,100 drug bill. Have my colleagues ever heard of Medicare fraud? This is Medicare fraud.