Mike Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry), chairman of the full committee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn), the vice chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the distinguished vice chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee for this amendment and for yielding time. Mr. Chairman, the New START treaty is the only bilateral arms control treaty I am aware of that only requires one party to reduce its nuclear weapons, and that is the United States, while the other party, Russia, increases its stockpile. I have a prediction here for you today. If this truly is fully implemented by the United States prior to the 2018 deadline, we will see Russia cheating on the treaty immediately thereafter. Mark my words, unless there is a U.S. President in office at the time Putin respects, he will cheat on this treaty as soon as he gets a chance. The Russians have no respect for the agreements they make. They have no respect for international law or sovereignty. They respect one thing and one thing alone: strength. I urge support of this prudent amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. I thank the gentlewoman for her amendment, and I urge its passage. As chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, I understand the responsiveness of our ICBMs as their most critical feature and their most significant contribution to our nuclear triad. The U.S. has had ICBMs on alert since the early 1960s. This amendment ensures that there is no change to the longstanding, bipartisan U.S. defense posture that ICBMs are kept on high alert levels. In recent weeks, the usual groups who want to disarm the United States have been calling on the U.S. to de-alert ICBMs. We should continue to pay no attention to these tired, repetitive voices who long for the nuclear freeze days of the cold war when they were relevant. Instead, Admiral Haney, the current commander of U.S. Strategic Command, said just last week he ``fundamentally disagrees'' with these calls to de-alert U.S. ICBMs. Finally, this amendment ensures the administration follows its own stated policy. In an April 2015 hearing before my subcommittee, the DOD witnesses told us that the administration explicitly examined and rejected de-alerting our ICBMs. Those who are arguing against the amendment are even further to the left on nuclear weapons than our global zero President. This is not just a missile state issue--this is a profound national security issue. De-alerting our ICBMs is a terrible idea. I urge a ``yes'' vote on my colleague's amendment.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1735, the fiscal year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, the 54th consecutive Defense Authorization Act, which recently passed out of the Armed Services Committee by a vote of 60-2. I want to thank Chairman Thornberry for his leadership in getting us here today. Without his guidance, we might have been here with a bill that failed to provide the $612 billion requested by the President for national defense. I wouldn't have been able to have supported that bill. Instead, we do have one that does meet the minimum needs as outlined by Chairman Martin Dempsey. I am also particularly proud of the provisions of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee's jurisdiction: We authorize $475 million for the Israeli missile defense, including the U.S.-based coproduction; We direct development of U.S. military capabilities to counter Russia's violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Putin must recognize that his illegal actions will have real consequences; We require the adaptation of the Aegis Ashore missile defense sites the U.S. is deploying in Romania and Poland so that they are capable of self-defense against airborne threats. It is simply immoral to deploy U.S. personnel to these sites and then remove an intrinsic self-defense capability; We strengthen our decision made last year to end U.S. reliance on Russian rocket engines by putting real money behind a new rocket engine program; We set priorities in NNSA by controlling the size of the bureaucracy, ending ineffective nonproliferation programs, and seriously tackling the $3.6 billion deferred maintenance backlog that we suffer at our nuclear weapons complexes. We can no longer ask the best and the brightest we have to work in decrepit infrastructure. I am also pleased that language was included to prohibit furloughs at Working Capital Fund facilities, like the Anniston Army Depot, provided there is funded workload. Also included was my amendment with Congressman Rob Bishop that would exempt civilian jobs funded by the working capital fund, like those jobs at the depot, from the planned 20 percent reduction at headquarters. The Anniston Army Depot is one of the largest employers in east Alabama and is the most efficient production and maintenance facility the Army has.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask for the House's attention to recognize Colonel Brent Bolander who will have a change of command from Anniston Army Depot at the end of July. Colonel Bolander was commissioned as an Ordnance Officer upon graduation from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. His later education includes the Ordnance Officer Advanced Course; Logistics Executive Development Course; the Florida Institute of Technology, where he earned his Master's Degree in Logistics Management; the Command and General Staff College; and the National War College, where he earned his Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. His previous assignments include Platoon Leader, Shop Officer, Battalion S4 and Headquarters Company Commander, 3rd Armored Division, 122nd Main Support Battalion, in Germany, deploying with the division to Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Provide Comfort; Battalion S4 of the 42nd Medical Field Hospital, Deputy Brigade S4, Commander of 156th Maintenance Company, Brigade Inspector General, and later as Chief Assistance Branch, United States Army Armor Center and Fort Knox Inspector General, Fort Knox, KY; Support Operations Officer, 13th Corps Support Command, Fort Hood, Texas; Brigade S4, 101st Forward Support Battalion Support Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer, 1st Infantry Division, 1st Brigade Combat Team (Mechanized), Fort Riley, KS; Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commanding General and as the Secretary to the General Staff, United States Army Materiel Command, Fort Belvoir, VA; Commander, 302d Brigade Support Battalion; Operational Readiness Officer, Department of the Army G4 to include a three month deployment to Haiti; Support Operations Officer, Operation Unified Response. His most recent assignment was Senior Logistics Advisor and Director for Strategic Operations for the Deputy Commander Support Operations, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command- Afghanistan. Included in his awards and decorations are the Bronze Star Medal, six awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, five awards of the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon with 2 device, NATO Training Mission Afghanistan Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Army Meritorious Unit Commendation and Department of the Army Staff Identification Badge. Colonel Bolander is married to the former Donna McDonald. They have three children, Jessie, Katherine, and Austin. He led and commanded Anniston Army Depot from August 2012 to July 2015. The Depot has 4,000 military, civilian and contractor employees with an annual budget of approximately $750 million. While at Anniston Army Depot, he safely helped execute millions of direct labor hours while helping overhaul and maintain our nation's critical combat equipment. His hands-on leadership for the workforce helped ensure our nation's military was provided the best possible equipment available to keep them as safe as possible while allowing them to accomplish their vital mission. Mr. Speaker, we will miss Colonel Bolander in Anniston, but wish him the very best.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize Mrs. Annie Pearl Wall Godfrey, a 1945 graduate of East Highland High School which was located in Sylacauga, Alabama. Mrs. Godfrey was born to Celophus and Annie Marzel Wall in Nixburg, Alabama, on May 18, 1924. She was a part of the first graduating class of East Highland High School. She has been married to Rev. Eratus Godfrey for the past 56 years and is a member of New Beginning Ministries where her husband serves as the pastor. She is the mother of 10 children, three of which are deceased (Donald, Virgil and Gwendolyn) and three of whom are ordained ministers (Kenneth, DeForest, and Mary). She also helped raise the children of her late daughter. Mrs. Godfrey currently resides in Sylacuaga. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Mrs. Annie Pearl Wall Godfrey as she celebrates her 70th anniversary of graduating from East Highland High School.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize Mrs. Mary Alyce Traylor Harris, a member of the first graduating class (1945) of East Highland High School which was located in Sylacauga, Alabama. Mrs. Harris was the third child of John and Ruby Traylor born on April 4, 1926, in Sylacauga, Alabama. After graduating from East Highland High School, she moved to Birmingham and attended Miles College. She also attended nursing school at Western Olin High School (Now Jackson Olin) and graduated in the top 10 percent of her class. In 1965, she started working at University Hospital and served as an LPN retiring in 1985. She married Thomas Harris and had four children. Her husband passed away in 2003. She currently resides in Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Mrs. Mary Alyce Traylor Harris as she celebrates her 70th anniversary of graduating from East Highland High School.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask for the House's attention to recognize Colonel Brett Bolander who will have a change of command from Anniston Army Depot at the end of July. Colonel Bolander was commissioned as an Ordnance Officer upon graduation from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. His later education includes the Ordnance Officer Advanced Course; Logistics Executive Development Course; the Florida Institute of Technology, where he earned his Master's Degree in Logistics Management; the Command and General Staff College; and the National War College, where he earned his Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. His previous assignments include Platoon Leader, Shop Officer, Battalion S4 and Headquarters Company Commander, 3rd Armored Division, 122nd Main Support Battalion, in Germany, deploying with the division to Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Provide Comfort; Battalion S4 of the 42nd Medical Field Hospital, Deputy Brigade S4, Commander of 156th Maintenance Company, Brigade Inspector General, and later as Chief Assistance Branch, United States Army Armor Center and Fort Knox Inspector General, Fort Knox, KY; Support Operations Officer, 13th Corps Support Command, Fort Hood, Texas; Brigade S4, 101st Forward Support Battalion Support Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer, 1st Infantry Division, 1st Brigade Combat Team (Mechanized), Fort Riley, KS; Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commanding General and as the Secretary to the General Staff, United States Army Materiel Command, Fort Belvoir, VA; Commander, 302d Brigade Support Battalion; Operational Readiness Officer, Department of the Army G4 to include a three month deployment to Haiti; Support Operations Officer, Operation Unified Response. His most recent assignment was Senior Logistics Advisor and Director for Strategic Operations for the Deputy Commander Support Operations, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command- Afghanistan. Included in his awards and decorations are the Bronze Star Medal, six awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, five awards of the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hour glass, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon with 2 device, NATO Training Mission Afghanistan Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Army Meritorious Unit Commendation and Department of the Army Staff Identification Badge. Colonel Bolander is married to the former Donna McDonald. They have three children, Jessie, Katherine, and Austin. He led and commanded Anniston Army Depot from August 2012 to July 2015. The Depot has 4,000 military, civilian and contractor employees with an annual budget of approximately $750 million. While at Anniston Army Depot, he safely helped execute millions of direct labor hours while helping overhaul and maintain our nation's critical combat equipment. His hands-on leadership for the workforce helped ensure our nation's military was provided the best possible equipment available to keep them as safe as possible while allowing them to accomplish their vital mission. Mr. Speaker, we will miss Colonel Bolander in Anniston, but wish him the very best.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize Reverend Shederick Abner. Rev. Abner has been a dedicated minister and on March 1st, a Pastoral Installation Service will be held for him. Rev. Abner was born December 10th, 1962, and is a native of Montgomery, Alabama. He attended Montgomery Public Schools and completed his undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Ministries and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Selma University in 2007 and 2009 with an Associate and Bachelor of Arts Degree respectively. He earned his Master's of Arts Degree in 2011. Rev. Abner served in the U.S. Army from 1981-88 as an Army Bandsman. He was employed by the Alabama Department of Corrections from 1988-95 and Albany International Industry from 1995 until his medical retirement in 2001. Rev. Abner was called into the ministry in 1994 and joined the North Montgomery Baptist Church. In 1999, he joined the First Baptist Church Greater Washington Park where he has served the congregation faithfully. He also served as pastor of First Baptist Church Pike Road. Rev. Abner is a member of several civic organizations, including: the Montgomery Metro Ministers' Conference, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Westside Restoration, Inc., Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention, Inc. and the Ministers' Division of the National Baptist Congress. He is married to Valarie Abner and has two daughters, Torquoria and Jasmine and one granddaughter, Kyleigh. On Sunday, March 1st, a Pastoral Installation Service will be held at Mary Magdalene Missionary Baptist Church in Shorter, Alabama. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Reverend Shederick Abner for his Service.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend, Dr. William A. Meehan, who has gone above and beyond in his service to my alma mater, Jacksonville State University. Dr. Meehan is retiring from his post as the president of JSU on June 30th, 2015, where his leadership and support will be sorely missed. Dr. Meehan first enrolled at JSU as a freshman in 1968, completed his Bachelor of Science in biology in 1972 and in the same year began a career in education. In 1976, he earned his Master's of Science degree in biology at Jacksonville State University and the following year returned as an instructor in the Department of Biology. He received a Doctorate of Education in the field of higher education administration from the University of Alabama. Among the positions Dr. Meehan held at JSU prior to becoming president were: Coordinator of Medical Technology Program, Director of Academic Advisement, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Associate Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Acting Vice President for Institutional Advancement. He assumed the position of president on July 1st, 1999. Dr. Meehan's expansive vision for JSU included looking to the future while drawing on the strengths of the past. One of his primary goals has been to extend classrooms and remove barriers to a college degree. Through the use of Internet, the University is able to make classes and learning more accessible to those who work, or for other reasons may not be able to reside on or near the main campus. Under Meehan's leadership, JSU is working to move forward to allow education to be an opportunity to those who were previously excluded. President Meehan has strived to ensure JSU's bright future; through partnerships with K-12 and community colleges, he has turned JSU into a campus in which education can be seen as a seamless process flowing from kindergarten through graduate school. While overseeing the development of the University's first strategic plan, Dr. Meehan said that JSU more accurately accomplished the institution's mission through integrating traditional academic programs with career-oriented programs for students. His initiative for the future was founded upon the principle that education spurs economic development. Dr. Meehan is also highly involved in the community. He has served as an executive committee member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of East Central Alabama, and is active in the area Chambers of Commerce of both Calhoun and Etowah Counties. Meehan is married to the former Elizabeth Stevens, and father to twin boys Drew and Will, and daughter Carol Grace. President Meehan is a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Alabama. On April 3rd, 2015, there will be a community-wide event to honor Dr. Meehan and his family. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Dr. William Meehan for his tireless dedication to Jacksonville State University and the surrounding community. His exemplary service in education is an inspiration. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend, Major General (Ret.) Gerald G. Watson, in honor of his 80th birthday. Watson graduated from Trinity University with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He was designated a distinguished military graduate and received a regular Army commission in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps. He went on to earn a Master of Science in logistics systems analysis from the Air Force Institute of Technology. His military education included the Artillery Officers Basic Course, the Chemical Officers Advanced Course, the Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College. During Watson's extensive military career, he served as the first chemical operations officer in the Military Assistance Command in Vietnam, where he directed the U.S. Air Force ``Ranch Hand'' operations, involving the chemical defoliation program. Most of his missions were flown in a craft nicknamed ``Patches,'' due to the vessel having endured more than 500 direct hits from enemy ground fire. Under his leadership, the defoliation program successfully resulted in over a 90 percent reduction in ambushes from Vietcong forces in South Vietnam. Watson directed the construction and operation of the first two large scale chemical weapons demilitarization facilities while serving as Commander of Rocky Mountain Arsenal. During this time, 7,000 tons of chemical warfare agents were successfully destroyed. He oversaw the development of the Army's plan for the destruction of its biological weapons stockpile. Later, he served as Program Manager to see the plans be carried out and the biological weapons sufficiently eliminated. In the office of the Army's deputy Chief-of-Staff for Operations, Watson spearheaded the re-establishment of the U.S. Army Chemical Corps while acting as Director of the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Operations Division. He also served as the Deputy Inspector General for the U.S. Army, where he contributed greatly to the Army's world-wide readiness. Following that assignment, Watson was promoted to Brigadier General, and assigned as the Commandant, U.S. Army Chemical School where he was responsible for the development of the U.S. Army Chemical Corps' operational doctrine and material requirements. As Commanding General, he was responsible for the officer and enlisted personnel training activities to include the approval of the first chemical live agent training facility in the free world. During this time, he was responsible for conducting officer and enlisted basic and advanced training for approximately 3,000 officers, 25,000 NCOs and enlisted personnel per year. Selected to be the Director of the Defense Nuclear Agency in 1989, Watson was responsible for conducting underground nuclear weapons tests to determine the equipment and personnel's survivability and vulnerability to withstand the environment created by nuclear weapons. Watson served as General Manager and President of Teledyne-Commodore LLC after retiring from active duty. From 1998-2009, he acted as senior advisor to the Vice President for Research at Auburn University. He has served on the Board of Directors of Science Engineering Services, Inc., as well as the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Calhoun County. General Watson has also completed his third term as a member of the Vestry of St. Michael's and All Angels in Anniston, Alabama. Currently, he continues to serve as a senior consultant in a range of issues including domestic preparedness, fuel cell technology, chemical and biological sensors, automotive manufacturing technology and canine olfactory technology. Watson is engaged in support of areas relating to the domestic preparedness of first responders and to acts of terrorism involving weapons of mass destruction. Although his birthday is on February 19th, a surprise celebration will be held on February 21st at Classic on Noble in Anniston, Alabama. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating Major General (Ret.) Gerald Watson on this milestone, and thanking him for his outstanding service to our country.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Chair, on rollcall No. 32 I was unable to get to the well before the 2 minute vote closed. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a very special occasion--the 40th wedding anniversary of Kenneth Wesley Jones and Susan Diane Young Jones. Ken was born on September 6th and Susan was born on November 15th both in 1955. The two met while attending Oxford High School. Mr. Jones was 18 years old and Mrs. Jones was 17 years old when they started dating. After eight months together, they got engaged on April 4th, 1974 and were married eight months later at Coldwater United Methodist Church at three o'clock in the afternoon on December 7th, 1974. Ken was an athlete in high school and played basketball, baseball, football and was a member of the wrestling team. He even earned a scholarship to play baseball. Susan was involved in fashion and design and was Miss Oxford. She also earned a scholarship for fashion design. Susan owned a clothing boutique and made clothes. Instead of going to college, the couple decided to stay in Oxford, Alabama, so they could begin their love story. The Jones are blessed with two children and four grandchildren: John Wesley (Wes) Jones who was born on April 4th, 1980 and Kasi Louise Jones who was born on March 16th, 1982. Wes is married to Amanda Mullinax Jones and they have twin daughters Kayleigh and Kensley. Kasi is married to Samuel Duke Brown and they also have twins, Talon and Sophia. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating this lovely couple on 40 years together.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I would like take a brief moment to recognize the life, service and dedication of Mr. Bret Knapp. After a life of public service in our national laboratories, Bret passed away a few weeks ago at the too-early age of 56. This exceptional man spent 33 years working within our nuclear weapons laboratories, and leaves a lasting legacy of exceptional leadership, technical depth and--most notably--open, honest and straightforward communication. An engineer by training, Bret thrived at the two ``physics'' labs often dominated by physicists and scientists. During 26 years at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Bret led programs in all manner of defense and nuclear technologies and contributed to efforts that dealt with all phases of nuclear weapons research, development, sustainment, certification, and dismantlement. Bret's broad experience and technical horsepower enabled him to dig into the details of any program and his direct and straightforward manner was always seeking solutions. Bret received multiple awards for excellence from the National Nuclear Security Administration during the course of his career, and in 2006 was asked to move to LLNL's sister laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), to help lead its nuclear weapons program. In November 2013, Bret was selected to serve as the Acting Director of Lawrence Livermore. Under his leadership, both LANL and LLNL carried out their critical but often-unheralded nuclear security missions for the nation. My condolences, and that of the nation, go to his family as well as his professional family at the national labs. Bret will be missed, but his contributions to our country will endure.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of FY15 NDAA, and I urge all of my colleagues to do the same. I want to say congratulations to Chairman Buck McKeon on delivering the 53rd consecutive NDAA to our men and women and this institution. This institution will be much worse off for you not being here after you leave. We thank you and your family for your service to our country and to this institution. This bill is replete with important policies that have been clear and undeniable in their impact on the security of the American people: It funds the development of a new rocket engine to be available by 2019, which will allow us to responsibly break our dependency on the Russian engines; It reduces red tape and bureaucracy at the National Nuclear Security Administration, which is a critical organization with men and women who do important work to provide the American people with its only true security guarantee: its nuclear deterrent; It introduces commonsense reforms, using public-private partnerships, to procure commercial satellite services for the military in a more cost-efficient manner; It funds critical missile defense cooperation with Israel, and includes continued direction of coproduction of these capabilities in the United States with its American workers; It ensures the administration can not overlook Russia's destabilizing and provocative arms control cheating, as in the case of the INF treaty, and it will not allow the administration to continue to cave to Russian demands on the Open Skies Treaty that pose a direct threat to our national security. I urge my colleagues to support this very important piece of legislation.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 541, I was off the floor in a meeting and missed this second vote in the series. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to honor Mr. William B. Wilkins on the occasion of his 95th birthday. Mr. Wilkins was born October 31, 1919 in Anniston, Alabama and was married to Ms. Eunice B. Wilkins for 72 years. He served in the United States Air Force for two years spending 18 months in Europe during World War II. Mr. Wilkins resides at Col. Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home and enjoys spending time with his fellow Veterans Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Mr. Wilkins for his selfless service to our country and celebrating his 95th birthday today.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend an outstanding young leader who attends Auburn University, which is a leading research and educational institution in my district in Alabama. Auburn's political science department each year recognizes a student leader who excels in both the classroom and the community. It is my honor to announce that Ms. Carol Linde is this year's winner of Auburn's Political Science Leadership Award. A faculty committee selected Carole after careful consideration of her outstanding credentials. Carol grew up in Delaware. She is a senior pursuing a dual degree in Political Science and Psychology, with minors in English and Women's Studies. With a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average, Carol has been rightfully recognized for her academic abilities as the recipient of many awards, including the Sloan Y. Bashinsky, Sr. and Sam Long Hutchinson endowed scholarships. She is on the Dean's List, and is a member of Auburn's Honors Congress, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and several other honor societies. Carol has demonstrated her leadership in multiple ways. At Auburn, she has worked as a peer instructor for first year students in the Honors College, tutored student athletes and provided writing assistance for students through Auburn's Miller Writing Center. Beyond campus, she has helped spearhead recycling efforts on football gamedays, assisted with the East Alabama Food Bank and assisted local preschools' Head Start programs. Carol has also involved herself in the policymaking process as an intern. She interned in the state office of our colleague in the other chamber, Senator Tom Carper, as well as in my district office in Opelika, Alabama. As with everything else in which she has participated, Carol did an outstanding job working on behalf of the citizens of my district, and I am sincerely grateful for her efforts. I am convinced her record of service and success will continue after she graduates in May 2015, and I look forward to hearing of her future accomplishments. Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to Carol, and express my appreciation to her parents, Eric and Melinda Linde, and to Auburn University for producing such an outstanding student and citizen.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to honor Nancy Stephens Campbell on occasion of her 100th birthday. Ms. Campbell was born September 16th, 1914 in Borden Springs in Cleburne County, Alabama. She went to school in Chulafinnee through 7th grade, moving to Ranburne schools in 9th grade. She graduated from high school in Selma in 1933. After graduating, Nancy returned to Cleburne County to teach. She married Hugh Campbell, of Heflin, and together they had four children. Between their children Hugh Jr., Jim, Linda and Ann, Ms. Campbell has 10 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Nancy Campbell taught preschool at Heflin First United Methodist Church for many years, and the children there began to call her ``Nannie.'' She has been a member of Chulafinnee United Methodist Church her entire adult life. Ms. Campbell has resided at Autumn Cove Retirement Community in Anniston for the past three years. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating Ms. Campbell's 100th birthday today.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Jim Dykes who have been married 59 years and serve as clergy in Lee County, Alabama. Jim and Eva met while Jim was still serving his country in the U.S. Army. They were married in Mannheim, Germany in 1955. When Jim's tour of duty ended, the Dykes moved to Denver, Colorado. In 1970, they moved back to Lee County, Alabama where Jim served as a pastor. The Dykes raised four children and are the proud grandparents of seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Their children include: Jimmy Dykes, Helene Sykes, Ernest Byron Dykes and Maryanne Pillgreen. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Mr. and Mrs. Dykes for their tireless service in the Lee County community.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Carey McCain who have been married 57 years and serve as clergy in Lee County, Alabama. Carey and Betty met at Hank's Drive-In in Alexander City, Alabama, in 1956 after Carey's return from serving in the Air Force. They were married in Jackson, Mississippi on July 22, 1957. The McCains moved to Iowa, Texas, New York and Pennsylvania before moving back in Alabama in 1969. In 1970, Betty and Carey began spreading the gospel throughout Alabama and Georgia. Betty began her evangelistic ministry in 1977 serving for 22 years and then became a pastor for eight years. Carey and Betty raised three children and are the proud grandparents of six grandchildren. Children include: Lisa McCain, Linda Lollar who passed away on May 5, 2012 and Susanne Boyd. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Mr. and Mrs. McCain for their tireless service in the Lee County community.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Ivey who have been married 50 years and serve as clergy in Lee County, Alabama. Jean of Manchester, Georgia and Wayne of Columbus, Georgia met while attending a surprise birthday party. They were married in Manchester on August 23, 1964. In 1966, Wayne joined the Air Force and he and Jean joined a Baptist church in Tampa, Florida. Soon after, Wayne began to feel the call of God to full-time ministry. Since he had a problem with stuttering, he did not see how God could use him as a pastor, but Wayne soon found when he spoke on subjects related to God he did not stutter. After completing his education, Wayne served as pastor in two full- time churches, Pleasant Grove in Abbeville and Midway in Smiths Station, both in Alabama. For almost a decade, he has served as part- time pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Opelika, Alabama. Jean currently works part-time as administrative assistant for the Tuskegee Lee Baptist Association. They have two children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Wayne and Jean Ivey for their tireless service in the Lee County community.