Mike Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, this is the fourth year in a row this amendment or something similar to it has been offered. Once again, I am going to ask that this be rejected. The DOD has asked for the authority to transfer funds to NNSA's nuclear weapons activities and Naval Reactors. It has not asked to move limited resources to pay for NNSA nonproliferation activities. The Navy may need to utilize authority in FY 2015 to support Naval Reactors, which has taken major funding cuts in recent years, including 23 percent in FY 2014. As Admiral Richardson, director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programs at NNSA said at our hearing on April 8: A 23 percent shortfall in my operations and infrastructure requirements resulted in insufficient funds to do required maintenance on one of my land-based prototypes, and without relief, I will have no choice but to shut down that reactor, resulting in 450 nuclear-trained operators not reporting to the fleet, putting a greater burden on sailors and families that are already sustaining 9- to 10-month deployments. Keeping the underlying language sends a clear message to NNSA that nuclear weapons activities and Naval Reactors are the NNSA's primary mission and that it must prioritize those missions and deliver what the military needs. Any defense funds transferred out of DOD should only be used for activities in line with DOD priorities, so I urge opposition to the gentlelady's amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

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

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I would like to yield 15 seconds to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner) to respond.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner), my friend and colleague.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is part of a long running effort to reduce funding for an already chronically underfunded nuclear deterrent. Advocates of unilateral U.S. disarmament try unsuccessfully each year to cut nuclear weapons funding. We see it on the NDAA, we see it on the appropriations bills, and we see it in stand-alone bills. For instance, in February, the gentleman from Oregon introduced H.R. 4107, the REIN-IN Act. The bill would devastate our nuclear deterrent by mandating the following: reducing the number of ICBMs from 450 to 150 and delay development of follow-on systems, cutting the number of ballistic missile submarines from 12 to eight, delaying development of the nuclear-capable, long-range bomber, prohibiting the F-35 from being nuclear capable, and terminating several nuclear infrastructure modernization construction projects. The amendment we are considering today is part of the broader effort that you will see reflected in that bill. It is part of the Disarm- America agenda that is so dangerous to U.S. nuclear security and our international stability. Let's call this amendment what it is: a sly attempt to undercut and undermine our nuclear deterrent by pitting us against the Air National Guard. It is a unilateral disarmament, and I stand here in firm opposition. The offset of this amendment is also bad policy. Over the last 3 years, the Department of Energy's nuclear weapons program is already a total of $2 billion short of the funding the administration committed in 2010. The administration committed to this funding to win ratification of the New START treaty. Now that it is a treaty, it is unwilling to request the money the nuclear deterrent needs. We must hold the administration to its commitment, provide the money, and oppose this amendment. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015. This is an important annual bill, not just because, as you have heard, it is the 53rd in a row; it is what is in the bill for our men and women in uniform and our national security that counts. For example, we fully support the Israeli Cooperative programs, including Iron Dome, while also continuing to make progress on U.S.- based coproduction to strengthen our ally, Israel. We include increased resources for our GMD system, which is our only homeland missile defense capability. We support critical nuclear weapons capabilities, including programs the President promised to support as a part of the deal to ratify the New START treaty, which are $2 billion short of what was promised with several key programs years behind schedule. We have initiated in this bill the development of a competitively sourced next-generation rocket engine. We will not permit the kleptocrats in charge of Russia to hold our national security space programs hostage. It is past time that we reinvigorate our rocket motor industrial base. I am pleased that we also are able to begin a pilot program for a new and more commonsense public-private partnership acquisition approach for the procurement of commercial satellite communication services. We also begin the same public-private partnership process to deal with the scores of obsolete, decrepit, nonnuclear facilities in the NNSA. Mr. Chairman, in taking a look at the amendments that were filed with the Rules Committee, it is clear to me that plenty of our colleagues are not happy with the tough choices made by the 2-year budget deal reached last year, and I join them. As we debate these amendments over the next couple of days, I think Members will see what those of us on the Armed Services Committee have been warning for about a year. There are no more easy choices. We are not just cutting into the muscle and bone; we are amputating vital limbs. I have a warning for every Member of this body. If you think the choices that we made were tough this year, wait till next year, when sequestration returns. I wish to thank the ranking member, the gentleman, and my friend from Tennessee, for his outstanding leadership on this subcommittee. I wish to thank Chairman McKeon for all he has done over his long career for the men and women of our armed services. They may never know all he has done for them, but I know. If he had to do it here again, he would. Mr. Chairman, I thank you for your service, and I look forward to working with you to see that the Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act is signed into law later this year.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Chair, I respect my friend from California. She is very knowledgeable on the subject, but she is wrong on this amendment, and I urge a ``no'' vote. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to honor Mrs. Eula Mae Brewer Prophitt on the occasion of her 110th birthday. Mrs. Prophitt was born in Our Town, Alabama. When she was nine, she went to live with her brother, James William Brewer, and at 11, she began working at Avondale Mills in Alexander City. In fact, Mrs. Eula Mae Prophitt worked in textile mills including Avondale Mills, Mr. Vernon Mills, M. Snower Mill, Pepperell Manufacturing Company, Swift Spinning Mills, and Opelika Manufacturing, until she retired at the age of 66. Eula Mae married Mr. Willis Guary Prophitt on March 10, 1923. They were blessed with four daughters, Ruby Frances, Mary Elisabeth, Willard Carolyn, and Dorothy Jeanette. Mrs. Prophitt has many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Prophitt served with her husband, a Church of God pastor, teaching young people in Sunday School for 37 years. She continued to independently maintain her home until age ninety, and now lives with her eldest daughter, Ruby. Mrs. Prophitt enjoys a little gardening and her beautiful flowers. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating Mrs. Prophitt's 110th birthday. She is a blessing to her family and friends, and they plan to celebrate her birthday this Saturday, May 10th.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a very special occasion today--the 50th wedding anniversary of Lynn and Glenda Martin. Glenda Jean Dalton was born in Gainesville, Georgia, and Horace Lynn Martin was born in Anniston, Alabama. They met at First Baptist Church of Saks over 50 years ago. They were married at First Baptist Church of Saks on May 22nd, 1954, and they are still very active members today. Lynn also serves as a deacon and as the Church Administrator. Both Lynn and Glenda attended college at Jacksonville State University. While there, Glenda got her Master's Degree in Education, and Lynn got a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Math. Glenda taught at Wellborn High School until her retirement, and Lynn owns his own business in Anniston, Green's Art and Framing. He has also worked for several accounting firms over the years. Mr. Martin is also very involved with the Saks High School football team where he has carried the chains for the team for about 48 years. The Calhoun County School Board just voted to name the old high school gym after Mr. Martin. It is now known as the Lynn Martin gym. Together, Lynn and Glenda have two daughters: Sheilah Brady and Dawne Vaughn. They have 7 grandchildren: Cory Wooten, Cassidy Wooten, Trey Brady, Jessica Vaughn, Aaron Vaughn, Peyton Vaughn, and Grayson Vaughn. Please join me in congratulating this lovely couple on 50 years together. Mrs. Martin, a cancer survivor, and Mr. Martin set an example of love and service for the people of the Third District. The celebration will take place on May 10th at a reception with their friends and family members.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask for the House's attention today to recognize Florence Bellamy who is retiring from the Phenix City School Board after 25 years of service. Mrs. Bellamy has served on the Phenix City School Board since 1989, including terms as vice president and president. Mrs. Bellamy has also served as the Immediate Past President of the Alabama Association of School Boards, having previously served as President, President-Elect, Vice President, and District 4 Director. She has remained active within AASB, including leading or serving on the Academy Advisory Committee, Budget and Finance Committee, and the Executive/Legislative Committee. In 2001, Florence was named an All-State School Member, the association's highest honor. She has also achieved AASB's highest recognition in training, the Master's Honor Roll. In January of 2008, Mrs. Bellamy was honored with a ``lifetime Achievement'' award from her local Board of Education. In addition to her dedication to education, Mrs. Bellamy has a passion for serving her community. Since 2000, she has worked as a Supervisor with the Russell County Department of Human Resources in the area of Adult Protective Services. She and her husband, Michael, have four children and three grandchildren. Mrs. Bellamy and her husband, Judge Michael Bellamy, are also active in their church. Mr. Speaker, we join his family and friends in celebrating Mrs. Bellamy's retirement and wish her the very best.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today ask for the House's attention to honor the Cleburne County 911 for their outstanding service to the citizens of Cleburne County. The second week of April is designated as National Public Safety Communicator Week. This is a time to honor the telecommunications personnel in the public safety community. The Cleburne County 911's mission states that they strive to provide effective public safety services through the appropriate dispatch of fire, police, medical, and rescue units with the least possible delay. They live up to this mission each and every day. Like all of East Alabama's 911 public safety personnel, Cleburne County's Public Safety Communicators provide local citizens with an invaluable service. They offer peace of mind, and they provide the highest level of emergency communications service possible. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking the Public Safety Communicators at the Cleburne 911 for their dedication to protecting the citizens of Cleburne County.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I reflect on the recent passing of a great American servant and defender, Mr. James Schlesinger. While I am sure that I don't need to enumerate each of his many accomplishments in the service of his nation--Chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Director of Central Intelligence, Secretary of Defense, and Secretary of Energy--I would like to spend a moment reflecting on his remarkable service to the national security of the American people. When I took over at the beginning of this Congress as the Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, which oversees, among other vital national programs, the nation's nuclear forces, I knew that I needed to find the best of this nation's leaders to seek their advice and counsel. Of course, Dr. Schlesinger was at the top of this list. I was grateful that despite struggles with his health, he took the time to come and conduct a seminar for my colleagues on the subcommittee and me. We are able to better do our important work because of the ground he tread in his lifetime of service and because of the counsel he lent us selflessly. As the former Secretary told us, ``[n]uclear weapons are used every day . . . to deter our potential foes and provide reassurance to the allies to whom we offer protection.'' These are true words from the man the Wall Street Journal referred to as the ``Yoda'' of nuclear deterrence. Mr. Speaker, we've lost a great advocate for this country's security. But, we are fortunate that we have his example and his work to guide us. Never more than today do we realize the value in what James Schlesinger stood for across his 85 years. We thank God that we live in a nation led and protected by such men as Dr. Schlesinger. I take the liberty of speaking for the whole House when I say to his family, thank you for allowing him to spend his life in service to his country. I submit a Wall Street Journal op-ed (``Why We Don't Want a Nuclear- Free World'', July 13, 2009) and an obituary that appeared on the same page on March 28th. [From the Wall Street Journal, July 13, 2009] Why We Don't Want a Nuclear-Free World (By Melanie Kirkpatrick) ``Nuclear weapons are used every day.'' So says former Defense Secretary James Schlesinger, speaking last month at his office in a wooded enclave of Maclean, Va. It's a serene setting for Doomsday talk, and Mr. Schlesinger's matter-of- fact tone belies the enormity of the concepts he's explaining--concepts that were seemingly ignored in this week's Moscow summit between Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev. We use nuclear weapons every day, Mr. Schlesinger goes on to explain, ``to deter our potential foes and provide reassurance to the allies to whom we offer protection.'' Mr. Obama likes to talk about his vision of a nuclear-free world, and in Moscow he and Mr. Medvedev signed an agreement setting targets for sweeping reductions in the world's largest nuclear arsenals. Reflecting on the hour I spent with Mr. Schlesinger, I can't help but think: Do we really want to do this? For nuclear strategists, Mr. Schlesinger is Yoda, the master of their universe. In addition to being a former defense secretary (Nixon and Ford), he is a former energy secretary (Carter) and former director of central intelligence (Nixon). He has been studying the U.S. nuclear posture since the early 1960s, when he was at the RAND Corporation, a California think tank that often does research for the U.S. government. He's the expert whom Defense Secretary Robert Gates called on last year to lead an investigation into the Air Force's mishandling of nuclear weapons after nuclear-armed cruise missiles were mistakenly flown across the country on a B-52 and nuclear fuses were accidently shipped to Taiwan. Most recently, he's vice chairman of a bipartisan congressional commission that in May issued an urgent warning about the need to maintain a strong U.S. deterrent. But above all, Mr. Schlesinger is a nuclear realist. Are we heading toward a nuclear-free world anytime soon? He shoots back a one-word answer: ``No.'' I keep silent, hoping he will go on. ``We will need a strong deterrent,'' he finally says, ``and that is measured at least in decades--in my judgment, in fact, more or less in perpetuity. The notion that we can abolish nuclear weapons reflects on a combination of American utopianism and American parochialism. . . . It's like the [1929] Kellogg-Briand Pact renouncing war as an instrument of national policy. . . . It's not based upon an understanding of reality.'' In other words: Go ahead and wish for a nuclear-free world, but pray that you don't get what you wish for. A world without nukes would be even more dangerous than a world with them, Mr. Schlesinger argues. ``If, by some miracle, we were able to eliminate nuclear weapons,'' he says, ``what we would have is a number of countries sitting around with breakout capabilities or rumors of breakout capabilities--for intimidation purposes . . . and finally, probably, a number of small clandestine stockpiles.'' This would make the U.S. more vulnerable. Mr. Schlesinger makes the case for a strong U.S. deterrent. Yes, the Cold War has ended and, yes, while ``we worry about Russia's nuclear posture to some degree, it is not just as prominent as it once was.'' The U.S. still needs to deter Russia, which has the largest nuclear capability of any potential adversary, and the Chinese, who have a modest (and growing) capability. The U.S. nuclear deterrent has no influence on North Korea or Iran, he says, or on nonstate actors. ``They're not going to be deterred by the possibility of a nuclear response to actions that they might take,'' he says. Mr. Schlesinger refers to the unanimous conclusion of the bipartisan Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States, which he co-led with Chairman William Perry. The commission ``strongly'' recommended that further discussions with the Russians on arms control are ``desirable,'' he says, and that ``we should proceed with negotiations on an extension of the START Treaty.'' That's what Mr. Obama set in motion in Moscow this week. The pact-- whose full name is the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty-- expires in December. But what's the hurry? Mr. Schlesinger warns about rushing to agree on cuts. ``The treaty . . . can be extended for five years. And, if need be, I would extend it for five years.'' There's another compelling reason for a strong U.S. deterrent: the U.S. nuclear umbrella, which protects more than 30 allies worldwide. ``If we were only protecting the North American continent,'' he says, ``we could do so with far fewer weapons than we have at present in the stockpile.'' But a principal aim of the U.S. nuclear deterrent is ``to provide the necessary reassurance to our allies, both in Asia and in Europe.'' That includes ``our new NATO allies such as Poland and the Baltic States,'' which, he notes dryly, continue to be concerned about their Russian neighbor. ``Indeed, they inform us regularly that they understand the Russians far better than do we.'' The congressional commission warned of a coming ``tipping point'' in proliferation, when more nations might decide to go nuclear if they were to lose confidence in the U.S. deterrent, or in Washington's will to use it. If U.S. allies lose confidence in Washington's ability to protect them, they'll kick off a new nuclear arms race. That's a reason Mr. Schlesinger wants to bring Japan into the nuclear conversation. ``One of the recommendations of the commission is that we start to have a dialogue with the Japanese about strategic capabilities in order both to help enlighten them and to provide reassurance that they will be protected by the U.S. nuclear umbrella. In the past, that has not been the case. Japan never was seriously threatened by Soviet capabilities and that the Soviets looked westward largely is a threat against Western Europe. But now that the Chinese forces have been growing into the many hundreds of weapons, we think that it's necessary to talk to the Japanese in the same way that we have talked to the Europeans over the years.'' He reminds me of the comment of Japanese political leader Ichiro Ozawa, who said in 2002 that it would be ``easy'' for Japan to make nuclear warheads and that it had enough plutonium to make several thousand weapons. 'When one contemplates a number like that,'' Mr. Schlesinger says, ``one sees that a substantial role in nonproliferation has been the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Without that, some and perhaps a fair number of our allies would feel the necessity of having their own nuclear capabilities.'' He worries about ``contagion'' in the Middle East, whereby countries will decide to go nuclear if Iran does. ``We've long talked about Iran as a tipping point,'' he says, ``in that it might induce Turkey, which has long been protected under NATO, Egypt [and] Saudi Arabia to respond in kind There has been talk about extending the nuclear umbrella to the Middle East in the event that the Iranians are successful in developing that capacity.'' Mr. Schlesinger expresses concerns, too, about the safety and reliability of U.S. nuclear weapons, all of which are more than 20 years old. ``I am worried about the reliability of the weapons . . . as time passes. Not this year, not next year, but as time passes and the stockpile ages.'' There is a worry, too, about the ``intellectual infrastructure,'' he says, as Americans who know how to make nuclear weapons either retire or die. And he notes that the ``physical infrastructure'' is now ``well over 60 years'' old. Some of it ``comes out of the Manhattan Project.'' The U.S. is the only major nuclear power that is not modernizing its weapons. ``The Russians have a shelf life for their weapons of about 10 years so they are continually replacing'' them. The British and the French ``stay up to date.'' And the Chinese and the Indians ``continue to add to their stockpiles.'' But in the U.S., Congress won't even so much as fund R&D for the Reliable Replacement Warhead. ``The RRW has become a toxic term on Capitol Hill,'' Mr. Schlesinger says. Give it a new name, he seems to be suggesting, and try again to get Congress to fund it. ``We need to be much more vigorous about life-extension programs'' for the weapons. Finally, we chat about Mr. Schlesinger's nearly half- century as a nuclear strategist. Are we living in a world where the use of nuclear weapons is more likely than it was back then? ``The likelihood of a nuclear exchange has substantially gone away,'' he says. That's the good news. ``However, the likelihood of a nuclear terrorist attack on the United States'' is greater. During his RAND years, in the 1960s, Mr. Schlesinger recalls that ``we were working on mitigating the possible effects [of a nuclear attack] through civil defense, which, may I say parenthetically, we should be working on now with respect, certainly, to the possibility of a terrorist weapon used against the United States. . . . We should have a much more rapid response capability. . . . We're not as well organized as we should be to respond.'' Mr. Schlesinger sees another difference between now and when he started in this business: ``Public interest in our strategic posture has faded over the decades,'' he says. ``In the Cold War, it was a most prominent subject. Now, much of the public is barely interested in it. And that has been true of the Congress as well,'' creating what he delicately refers to as ``something of a stalemate in expenditures.'' He's raising the alarm. Congress, the administration and Americans ignore it at their peril.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Washington, Mr. Denny Heck, be removed as a cosponsor from H. Con. Res. 94.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to pay special tribute to a group of young people in my Congressional district from Heflin, Alabama. These boys and girls, the Heflin Taekwondo Tiger Pride Demo Team, recently traveled to Jackson, Mississippi to compete in a National Taekwondo competition. They were awarded with the 2014 Taekwondo United Demo Team National Championship, the highest honor. The Tiger Pride team consists of 14 kids that range in age from 8 to 15. These students have shown tremendous dedication as they have practiced over the past 10 months to perfect a six-minute routine they performed at the competition. The Tiger Pride team competed against four other teams from California, Texas, Louisiana and North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating this team for their extraordinary efforts that led to their National Championship title.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize Horseshoe Bend National Military Park on the bicentennial of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. The Battle of Horseshoe Bend took place during the War of 1812 in what is now known as Daviston, Alabama. On March 27, 1814, General Andrew Jackson led American troops into a day-long battle against a faction of the Creek Indians. Although the battle was trying, General Jackson and his troops defeated the Red Sticks. March 27, 2014, will mark the bicentennial of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. The area where the battle took place is now known as Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. From March 27th-29th, a celebration of the bicentennial of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend will be held. This event aims to recreate frontier life in the year 1814 and seeks to emphasize the importance of the battle in United States history. The Alabama Tourism Department named the event one of its Top Ten Events for 2014. Mr. Speaker, please join me and the community of Daviston, Alabama, in celebrating the bicentennial of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, with my Alabama delegation colleagues Robert Aderholt, Spencer Bachus, Mo Brooks, Bradley Byrne, Martha Roby, and Terri Sewell, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize Charles D. McCrary. Mr. McCrary is retiring March 2014 from Alabama Power as the president and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. McCrary has served since October 25, 2001, as the 10th president and CEO of Alabama Power, which provides electricity to 1.4 million customers in Alabama. He joined Alabama Power during the summer of 1970 following his freshman year at Auburn University and has held various positions of increasing responsibility within Southern Company, including vice president for Southern Nuclear Operating Company, and later held the positions of president of Southern Company Generation, chief production officer of Southern Company and president of Southern Power Company. Mr. McCrary was born in Birmingham in 1951. He graduated from Shades Valley High School and earned his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Auburn University, followed by a Juris Doctor from Birmingham School of Law and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1979. Mr. McCrary is married to the former Phyllis Brantley of Birmingham and the father of two sons, Doug and Alex. Mr. McCrary has been an active leader in the community and state of Alabama while serving as chairman of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and on the boards of Regions Financial Corporation, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc., Protective Life Corporation, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Southern Research Institute and the Auburn University Board of Trustees. Mr. McCrary has been a coalition builder and a leader in economic development for the region and state through his vision and commitment calling for greater cooperation between cities, counties and business leaders. He was instrumental in bringing several large industries,, to Alabama, including automotive, aerospace and steel manufacturers. He implemented Target Zero, a safety program to ensure employees are properly trained and equipped to do their jobs safely, and the program has become a model for the utility industry. Mr. McCrary led the company and its customers through some of its greatest natural-disaster challenges, including Hurricane Ivan in 2004, which caused the largest number of outages in company history (825,701); Hurricane Katrina in 2005 with 636,891 outages; and the tornado disaster on April 27, 2011 with 412,000 outages. He made the decision to publicly announce restoration commitments after storms, a move that allowed the company to communicate to customers when they could expect to have power restored, making that practice standard today. Mr. McCrary worked closely with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and managers to strengthen the relationship between the IBEW and management. He helped change the culture so management and labor have a mutual respect, creating a united front on behalf of all employees for various initiatives, including safety, employee morale and customer satisfaction and providing a business model throughout the industry. Mr. Speaker, please join me and the entire Alabama Delegation in thanking Charles McCrary for his tireless dedication to Alabama Power. His service to our state 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 ask for the House's attention today to recognize Master Sergeant Shawn Edwards, a constituent of mine from Opelika, Alabama. MSgt Edwards is retiring June 1st from the United States Air Force after over 20 years of service. MSgt Edwards began his career as a Security Forces member. He was responsible for guarding our nation's highest priority weapons. He spent ten years in this position with assignments in Grand Forks Air Force Base, Izmir Air Station in Turkey; and Kirtland Air Force Base. In 2003, he re-trained into the contracting career field. He has been responsible for the purchase and acquisition of supplies, services and construction to support the needs of the installation at which he is serving. As a contractor, he has served at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ramstein Air Base and Hurlburt Field. MSgt Edwards has also served his country in deployments to Camp Victory, Iraq, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan and Thumrait, Oman. MSgt Edwards has served his country with honors for over 20 years. Some of these awards include: the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with four devices, the Air Force Achievement Medal with two devices, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal with one device, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one device, the Iraq Campaign Medal with one device, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal with one device and the NATO Medal. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Master Sergeant Shawn Edwards for his tireless dedication to serving America. His service to our state and country is an inspiration. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize a dear friend and former colleague of mine in the Alabama State House, DuWayne Bridges, for being named the 2013 Legislator of the Year by the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. DuWayne Bridges is a resident of Valley, Alabama. He served our country as a member of the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam. He and his wife, Pat, have two children, DuWayne Jr. and Karen. They are the proud grandparents of nine children. DuWayne received his Bachelor's Degree from Faulkner University and his Master's Degree from Troy University. He is the owner of Bridges Travel Plaza in Cusseta, Alabama. DuWayne is a past Vice Chairman for the Alabama State Department of Mental Health and was elected as Chambers County's 1996 Gentleman of the Year. In 2000, DuWayne was elected to represent Alabama's 38th District, which encompasses Lee and Chambers counties. He serves as the Chairman of the Military and Veterans' Committee in the State House, and also serves as a member of my Third District Veterans' Advisory Board. On January 10th, DuWayne was recognized as the 2013 Legislator of the Year by the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. He was recognized for his support of several bills that will benefit Alabama's Veterans. Among those bills was the ``Heroes for Hire Act'' which provides a tax credit to employers who hire recently deployed Veterans. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating DuWayne for his dedication to Alabama's Veterans. His tireless service to our state and country is an inspiration to legislators everywhere. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors outside of the State House as he retires this year.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to recognize Horseshoe Bend National Military Park on the bicentennial of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. The Battle of Horseshoe Bend took place during the War of 1812 in what is now known as Daviston, Alabama. On March 27, 1814, General Andrew Jackson led American troops into a day-long battle against a faction of the Creek Indians. Although the battle was trying, General Jackson and his troops defeated the Red Sticks. March 27, 2014, will mark the bicentennial of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. The area where the battle took place is now known as Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. From March 27th-29th, a celebration of the bicentennial of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend will be held. This event aims to recreate frontier life in the year 1814 and seeks to emphasize the importance of the battle in United States history. The Alabama Tourism Department named the event one of its Top Ten Events for 2014. Mr. Speaker, please join me and the community of Daviston, Alabama, in celebrating the bicentennial of the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask for the House's attention today to honor Mr. James Richardson on the occasion of his 110th birthday. Mr. Richardson was born January 2, 1904, in Eufaula, Alabama. He is the oldest of 11 siblings. Mr. Richardson spent his early years behind a plow on his father's farm. As he got older, he learned to drive a tractor to plow the fields. Mr. Richardson has two sons. He currently lives at Parkwood Health Care Facility in Phenix City, where he remains happy and healthy. He takes no medications, and he even has a daily exercise regimen. He states attitude is everything, and he tells everyone around him to treat everybody right. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating Mr. James Richardson's 110th birthday. 110 years of life is something we all can aspire to, and I am so honored to have Mr. Richardson residing in Alabama's Third Congressional District.