Mike Rogers

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to pay recognition to Emma Frances Pitts Rhodes who celebrated her 97th birthday November 3rd. Ms. Rhodes was born in Anniston, Alabama, to the late Frank and Margaret Pitts. She attended Ohatchee School and was a charter member of Saks Baptist Church. She was married to the late S.E. Rhodes and had four children: Earl, Judy, Elaine and Brenda. She also has six grandchildren, 13 great- grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. I wish Ms. Rhodes a very happy birthday and many more.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a very special occasion today, the 50th wedding anniversary of Harris and Josephine Smith. Harris was born July 12, 1941, and Josephine was born March 14, 1943, both in Ohatchee, Alabama. They first met at Ohatchee High School when he was in the 8th grade and she was in 6th grade. On December 9, 1960, they were married in Ohatchee. The couple raised one son, Robert Smith. Mr. Smith worked as an engineer with the Alabama Department of Transportation for 37 years. Mrs. Smith was a Business Education Teacher in the Calhoun County Schools for 30 years. Both are active in their church with Harris serving as a Deacon and Josephine playing the piano. The Smiths are proud grandparents of Courtney Smith and Cassidy Smith. On December 3rd, an anniversary celebration and dinner party will be held at Hill Crest Baptist Church in Anniston, Alabama with over 100 friends and family members. I salute this lovely couple on their 50th year of their life together and join their family in honoring them on this special occasion.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today as an original cosponsor of House Resolution 1618. This bipartisan resolution recognizes the month of September as National Preparedness Month, during which government officials, the private sector, and individual citizens are urged to become better prepared for terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other emergencies. Earlier this month, we commemorated the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and honored those who were lost that day. Weeks earlier we marked the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and we were reminded of the lasting devastation caused by the storm. These solemn anniversaries are powerful reminders of the threats we face and the importance of being prepared. Having an emergency kit, which includes basic supplies such as water, nonperishable foods, flashlights, batteries and other items, developing an emergency evacuation plan for your family, and staying informed about what's going on in your local area, are all steps that can be taken to become more prepared. In addition to promoting these steps, House Resolution 1618 commends the employees of the Department of Homeland Security; other Federal agencies; State, local, and tribal government officials; as well as emergency responders and law enforcement officers who defend our Nation against terrorism. Their dedication to protecting our homeland against threats is one that we cannot and must not take for granted. For this reason I have been a strong advocate of the Federal grant programs such as the FIRE and SAFER programs, which provide direct and much-needed support to our Nation's firefighters for equipment, staffing, and many other needs. The Center for Domestic Preparedness in my home district of Anniston, Alabama, is another prime example of the Federal Government's commitment to first responders, providing premier hands-on training in disaster preparedness and response at no cost to the State, local, and tribal emergency responders. These types of Federal initiatives help ensure that we do our part in providing the men and women on the front lines with the resources necessary to carry out their vital missions. I hope that we will continue to enhance funding for these programs, which also have the tremendous benefit of promoting a higher level of coordination and planning across all levels of government. I want to thank Chairman Thompson and Subcommittee Chairwoman Richardson for their work on this resolution. As a House co-chair of National Preparedness Month, I urge all of my colleagues to support the measure. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may assume. I rise in support of H.R. 1517, to grant special 2-year authority to the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, CBP, to correct a mistake in the hiring appointment for certain CBP employees stationed overseas at the pre-inspection posts. This corrective action will ensure CBP is able to keep trained officers stationed in key overseas positions. This bill provides authority to CBP to noncompetitively convert employees mistakenly hired under an overseas limited appointment to permanent status. This action will correct the employment category and protect their Federal benefits and retirement. There are approximately 35 employees in Ireland, Aruba, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Canada affected by this hiring error. Without legislative authority, the employees will be required to convert to locally hired staff or return to the U.S. and compete for domestic CBP jobs. These employees have been working between 6 and 15 years in their overseas posts to ensure that travelers coming to the U.S. do not pose a threat. The CBP officers in these posts work in the pre-clearance program which deploys CBP officers at select overseas airports to conduct entry-level inspections before planes depart foreign soil for the U.S. Through no fault of their own, these employees are now facing problems with their employment status due to a mistake made years ago when they were initially hired. With the passage of this legislation, we can fix this error and ensure that the employees continue their work and maintain their level of pay and benefits. The development and consideration of this legislation was bipartisan from the beginning, and I would like to thank the bill's sponsors, Congressman Engel and Ranking Member King, for introducing the bill, and Chairman Thompson for his support in moving the bill out of the committee. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and send it to the President in a timely manner. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to pay recognition to Ms. Elizabeth ``Liz'' Ware Sims who will be honored by The Historic Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Ms. Sims was born in Notasulga, Alabama, to the late Tommie and Emma Ware. She was their sixth child out of eight. She attended Shiloh Rosenwald School, Tuskegee Institute High School and after graduation, attended a business college in Montgomery, Alabama. She worked for thirty-three years at Tuskegee University and then ten more at Auburn University. In 2006, she began working for The Shiloh Community Restoration Foundation. Later, on August 5, 2010, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and The Shiloh Rosenwald School were listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Ms. Sims has two daughters, Charlene and Catrina, and three grandsons, Trey, Phillip and Caleb. The celebration honoring her will be held on October 3, 2010, at The Historic Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. I congratulate Ms. Sims for her good works in the community.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. I urge Members to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3116, the Berry Amendment Extension Act. This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from procuring certain items--including textiles such as clothing, tents, canvas and cotton--unless they are grown, reprocessed, reused, or produced in the United States. By requiring the Secretary to procure certain items from within the U.S., this bill takes an important step in promoting U.S. job growth and supporting large and small businesses alike. The Department of Homeland Security employs over 150,000 uniformed men and women who are dedicated to the Department's vital mission of protecting the homeland against a range of threats. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, for example, employs over 21,000 officers and 20,000 Border Patrol agents, and these numbers continue to grow. The Transportation Security Administration has 48,000 officers. The U.S. Coast Guard has over 50,000 uniformed personnel. These growing numbers represent an opportunity to produce uniforms and other materials in the U.S. to support their mission, rather than overseas. This, in turn, will help create American jobs in this troubled economy. The bill provides for exceptions in certain situations, including procurements by vessels in foreign waters, emergency procurements, low- cost procurements, and if items of sufficient quantity or quality are not available when needed. The bill also includes language requiring its provisions to be applied in a manner consistent with U.S. obligations under international agreements. H.R. 3116 is a commonsense piece of legislation. I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress who grew up in a family that depended on a textile plant check to put food on the table, I am proud to yield 3 minutes to a real champion of the textile industry, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble).

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of final passage of H.R. 3978, the First Responder Anti-Terrorism Training Resources Act. Thanks to strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, we are here today with legislation that provides the CDP with authority to accept donations of items such as railcars, subway cars, emergency response equipment, and other property and services that would help bolster training. I introduced this bill last November to ensure that first responders who train at East Alabama's Center For Domestic Preparedness have access to all available resources that will strengthen their training activities. This bill was passed by the House on December 15, 2009 by a vote of 413-1. On August 5, the bill passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous consent. I would like to thank Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member King as well as Senators Lieberman and Collins for their support of the bill in moving it forward in both chambers. The CDP, located in my district in Anniston, Alabama, delivers one- of-a-kind, hands-on training to America's emergency responders. Training at the CDP is fully funded by the Department of Homeland Security. State and local responders from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories have trained at this center. Like other training centers, the CDP often receives offers of donations to assist their training courses. However, the CDP does not have the legal authority to accept those donations, and has been forced to turn them down in the past. My bill fixes this problem. As amended by the Senate, the bill ensures that CDP may accept donations in support of its entire all-hazards missions. The bill also includes language to ensure that no gifts are accepted if they are determined to compromise the integrity or the appearance of integrity of a program of the department or an individual associated with the department, and the annual report to Congress on donations accepted must be made available to the public. The bill would also authorize the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to accept gifts under the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as it has been doing under the 2004 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. Simply put, this legislation is a win-win for our first responders, the American taxpayer and the Center for Domestic Preparedness; and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to pay recognition to the congregation of Gold Ridge Baptist Church, which celebrated its 175th anniversary this year. Gold Ridge Baptist church, originating as New Hope Baptist Church, was the first Baptist church organized in Randolph County, Alabama. The first church was located at Graham near the old Shiloh Cemetery. The church was moved because there was no bridge across the river, and when it rained people on the west side could not attend the church service. The celebration will be held on July 25, 2010 under their current pastor, T.J. Morgan. All of us across Randolph County and East Alabama are deeply proud of this congregation at this important milestone. We congratulate them on their 175th anniversary and wish them all the best in their next many years of ministry in their community.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I want to talk to you about jobs. I come into this Chamber often and hear my Democrat colleagues talk about how bad things were under the past administration, how much better off we are under this President. Well, I'll tell you one thing President Bush gave us that this President can't give us, and that's jobs. In 2003 we passed the second largest tax cuts in American history, and we had 55 consecutive months of job growth in this country, the longest period of job growth in American history. This President came into office, said, if you'll give me nearly $1 trillion in a stimulus bill, I'll make sure unemployment doesn't go over 8 percent. Well, we're at 10, we've been here for most of his Presidency, and we see no end in sight. Well, now we're talking about the unemployed. We've got 10 percent of the people hurting. They're in pain. They need our help. They need unemployment benefits, and we want to give them to them. The President says, and Speaker Pelosi says, well, the Republicans are standing in the way. They're cold-hearted. No, the problem is, they can't get the Democrats to vote for it because they want to borrow the money. We've said we want to vote for unemployment benefits, we just want to pay for them. We've told the President, just reach into your stimulus bill, unfunded stimulus funds, and pay for them there. He doesn't want to do that because that's a political trust fund. He's using the unemployed as a political football, and if that doesn't make you mad, it ought to.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a very special occasion today, the 60th wedding anniversary of Troy and Patsy Kilgore. In April of 1948, Troy Kilgore and Patsy Morrison met while attending Anniston High School. Troy and Patsy married 2 years later on April 9, 1950. The couple resided in Anniston and raised three children, Dana K. Lloyd, Debbie K. Owen, and Patrick ``Sparky'' Kilgore. Mr. Kilgore worked at The Anniston Star newspaper retiring after 50 years of employment. The Kilgores attend Alexandria Baptist Church, and are proud grandparents of Jamey Lloyd Robertson, Robert Owen, Rachel Owen Dietrich, Randa Owen Cash and Morrison Kilgore. They have two great grandchildren, Anna Kate and Parker Robertson. I salute this lovely couple on their 60th year of their life together and join their family in honoring them on this special occasion.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to pay recognition to the Robinson Westbrooks family who will be celebrating their 100th family reunion on August 12- 15, 2010. The Robinson Westbrook family is the oldest ongoing registered family reunion in the United States. It all started with Mr. John Bolin Robinson, Mrs. Dora Anne Westbrooks Robinson and their youngest child, Leonard Wilbert Robinson, who all share a birthday of August 16. The coinciding birthdays led to a tradition of getting the family together every third Sunday in August. The first official Robinson Westbrooks Family Reunion was held in August 1910, making this year the 100th celebration. The Robinson Westbrooks family makes the most out of their annual family gatherings. They are registered at the United States Library of Congress and are a non-profit foundation that raises money for the Robinson Westbrooks' Educational Scholarship Funds. All of us east Alabamans are deeply proud of the family's legacy and hope the tradition continues for another 100 years and beyond.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to pay recognition to Colonel Sherry B. Keller's service in the United States Army. Colonel Keller is a Virginia native who began her service by enlisting in the United States Army Reserve. She received her commission through the Reserves Officers Training Corps at Hampton University. Her career in the U.S. Army has taken her across the world from Fort Stewart, Georgia to Germany, and to Korea. Currently, Colonel Keller serves as Commander of the Anniston Army Depot. The Anniston Army Depot is the designated Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for combat vehicles, artillery, bridging systems, and small caliber weapons. Its over 4,000 employees provide critical maintenance support at the Depot and serve in direct support overseas. Her leadership continues to allow the Depot to be proudly known as the Pit Crew for the American War Fighter. I greatly appreciate Colonel Keller for her service to our Nation, the Anniston Army Depot and our community. Her loyalty to duty, honor, and selfless service are in the highest traditions of the Army. I wish her all the best in her next endeavors.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I would like to pay tribute today to the professional teaching career of Dr. Frances K. Kochan. Dr. Kochan received a degree in elementary education from the State University of New York at Fredonia in June 1962, and began teaching English as a second language on the Island of Yap in September of 1963. After returning to the United States, she served as an adult teacher at the Retarded Citizens Center in Medina, New York, then as an elementary school teacher in the Mannford County School District in Oklahoma. In the summer of 1970, Dr. Kochan resumed her international teaching career in Guam, where she taught for four years. While overseas, Dr. Kochan received a master's degree in reading education from the University of Guam in 1974. After returning from Guam, Dr. Kochan began her career with Wakulla County Schools in Crawfordville, Florida, where she served as a reading specialist, reading and language arts projects director, principal and finally as assistant superintendent and curriculum director. In 1985, Dr. Kochan began her work in higher education at Florida State University, and received her Ph.D. in Adult Education and Policy Studies in 1994. She served there nine years before beginning at Auburn University. In 1994, Dr. Kochan began at Auburn University serving as an associate professor, and then later becoming the Director of the Truman Pierce Institute. She began working as a full professor in November of 1999, served as Associate Dean of Administration and Research and finally became Dean of the School of Education in July of 2005, where she will serve until stepping down this summer. Dr. Kochan has a received a number of awards throughout her career, including the 2002 Distinguished Educator Award from Florida State University and the Wayne T. Smith Distinguished Professor Award from Auburn University. A celebration of her teaching career will be held July 22 at Auburn University. I congratulate Dr. Frances Kochan for her 47 years of service as an educator and join her friends and family in honoring her on this special occasion.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a very special occasion today--the 50th wedding anniversary of Bud and Sherry Grinstead. Bud Grinstead of Gary, IN, and Sherry Ryzenga of Holland, MI, met at Bryan University in Dayton, TN. In September of 1959, the couple transferred to Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee. On June 4, 1960, Bud and Sherry were married at Rose Park Baptist Church in Sherry's hometown by Revs. Garland Cofield and James Gurley. After college graduation in June of 1962, the couple moved to Jacksonville, Florida to serve at Victory Baptist Church where their first two children were born. On May 26, 1965, Bud was ordained as a Baptist minister. The family relocated to Oxford, Alabama in 1969 where Bud served as minister of music and taught the young adult class at Trinity Baptist Church. Their third child was born in 1970. That same year, Bud started Trinity Christian Academy (TCA). The school added a grade each year until their first graduating class graduated in 1979. Bud also started a radio broadcast in 1979. During their time at Trinity, Sherry taught piano lessons and a music class. In 1975, the family joined the Tom Williams Evangelistic Team and traveled from church to church ministering to all. In 1978, they moved back to Oxford to serve at Trinity Baptist Church and in 1980, Bud accepted the position of pastor. The radio station, WTBJ, aired for the first time in 1994. Bud has ministered in every continent of the world except Antarctica and Sherry has taught full time at TCA for 28 years and is retiring this year. Bud and Sherry have three children: Debbie, Darryl and Dawn and nine grandchildren. A reception in their honor will be held on June 26th at Trinity Baptist Church. I salute my friends, Bud and Sherry, on the 50th year of their life together and join their family in honoring them on this special occasion.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about debt and spending. This Nation today is $13 trillion in debt, and the Democrat majority intends to spend another $1 trillion to add to that debt limit by the end of this year; $14 trillion of debt, that's unconscionable. You look at the budget that's coming from this administration that was proposed this year, $3.8 trillion, and we only have $2.2 trillion in revenue. That's $1.6 trillion in deficit spending, all of it on the credit card, and the credit card is maxed out. People back home ask me, why do you keep spending? Why does the Congress keep spending like this when you don't have the money? I think there's two reasons. I think one is this Democrat majority wants to grow government as much as it can while it still has the super- majorities to do so. I think the second reason is they really want to overhaul our tax system, and they want to do that by creating an economic crisis to justify implementing a VAT tax and reaching back to the high rates of taxation that we had back in the Carter administration. This is unconscionable behavior, and if it doesn't make you mad, it ought to.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor, and to mourn the death of a brilliant American hero, from my great state of Alabama, Ranger Captain Kyle A. Comfort. On May 8, 2010, Kyle gave that last full measure for God and country in Afghanistan. Our prayers are with him, his lovely wife Brooke Catherine, and their new daughter Kinleigh Ann. May our Lord hold them in his arms, I ask that this poem penned in honor of him, by Albert Caswell be placed in the Record. Take Comfort Take Comfort! As you lay your head down to sleep . . . All in your hearts of love, so very deep . . . Of all of those most precious memories, so to keep! Of all of those Magnificent Ones, who have so brought us peace . . . But, with their fine lives . . . as it's but for them we now so weep! Take Comfort! In such hearts of honor and love . . . so very deep! Who to all of ours so brilliantly do so speak! As a gentle rain, rolls across Alabama this night . . . All in our sleep . . . Are but our Lord's tears, coming down from Heaven from his heart so very deep . . . All because of you Kyle, and your most selfless sacrifice so very sweet . . . And all of this pain, your family must now so ever keep! Take Comfort! In hearts, now so very deep . . . As this you must, believe! That a new Angel, our Lord God . . . up in Heaven, has so received! To watch over us, indeed! To fight the darkness, you see! And on this day, as you hold your family so very tight! And all, seems so very right! All because of a Hero, who for us has so died this night! Because, Freedom is not Free! But, bought and paid for . . . by all of these, most selfless souls . . . so indeed! By men like Kyle, our Most Brilliant of All Lights! And the families, who now so cry . . . all in their tears of heartache, this night! So, hush little baby Kinleigh Ann . . . don't you cry! For one day, up in Heaven you will look into your fine Father's eyes! And you, Brooke . . . his lovely wife . . . Your Hero Kyle, but wants you to have a happy life! For there will be an eternity together, up in Heaven so very bright! So this night, as you lay your head down to rest . . . but remember, all of our very best! Take Comfort, all in how . . . our world they bless! My Lord, Take Comfort . . . he's yours . . . as we lay his body down to rest! Amen!

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to pay recognition to a special day in the life of Mr. Marvin C. Hardy of Sylacauga, Alabama. Mr. Hardy was born on May 2, 1920 in Coosa County. He attended schools in Coosa County and graduated from American High School in Chicago, Illinois. He spent his early years working on the family farm and later worked two years at Alabama Dry Docks in Mobile as a Navy- certified welder before joining the Army in 1943. Mr. Hardy is an American hero. He served in the 2nd Infantry Division during World War II, landing at Omaha Beach and fighting through the European Theater. He has been awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry badge, Unit Citation and Good Conduct medal. After returning home from the war, he began working in construction. Later in his career, he took early retirement to pursue his dreams of owning his own building and construction firm. In his personal life, Mr. Hardy has been married to his wife, Florence, for 64 years. The Hardy's are blessed with two daughters, Susan Wilson and Sherry Starovasnik, and are the proud grandparents of 4 grandsons. Mr. Hardy is a member of First Baptist Church in Sylacauga and has served in many ministries including Deacon, Building and Grounds committee, Carpenters for Christ, and Brotherhood. He is an avid deer and turkey hunter as well as a fisherman. In addition to working with wood, he likes to garden and spend time with his family. I wish Mr. Hardy a very happy 90th birthday.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and in mourning of a brilliant American Hero from my State of Alabama, Capt. Kyle A. Comfort. On May 8th 2010, Kyle gave That Last Full Measure for God and Country; Our prayers are with his lovely wife Catherine and new daughter Kinleigh. May our Lord hold them in his hands. I ask that this poem penned by Albert Caswell be placed in the Record in honor of him. Take Comfort Take Comfort! As you lay your head down to sleep . . . All in your hearts of love, so very deep . . . Of all of those memories, so to keep! Of all of those Magnificent Ones, who have so brought us peace . . . But, with their fine lives . . . as it's but for them we now so weep! Take Comfort! In such hearts of honor and love . . . so very deep! Who to all of ours, so brilliantly do so speak! As a gentle rain, rolls across Alabama this night . . . all in our sleep . . . Are but our Lords tears, coming down from Heaven from his heart so very deep . . . All because of you Kyle, and your most selfless sacrifice so very sweet . . . And all of this pain, your family must now so keep! Take Comfort . . . In hearts now so very deep . . . As this you must, believe! That a new Angel, our Lord God . . . up in Heaven has so received! To watch over us, indeed! To fight the darkness, you see! And on this day, as you hold your family so very tight . . . And all seems so very right! All because a Hero, for us all has so died this night! Because, Freedom is not free! But, bought and paid for . . . by all of these most selfless souls indeed! By men like Kyle, our most brilliant of all lights! And families who now so cry, in tears of heartache tonight! So, hush little baby Kinleigh Ann . . . don't you cry! For one day, up in Heaven you will look into your Father's eyes! And you, Katherine . . . his lovely wife! Your Hero Kyle, but wants you to have a happy life! For there will be an eternity together, up in Heaven so very bright! So this night as you lay your head down to rest, but remember all of our best! Take Comfort, all in how our world they bless! Amen!

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to pay recognition to William Gower, a constituent of mine who has been overcoming his disabilities and gaining his freedom by participating in races for the past four years with Tim Thomas, Pastor of Munford Baptist Church in Munford, Alabama. William Gower is a 37 year-old man with cerebral palsy who tirelessly works to prevail over his challenges and lives a fulfilling life that many individuals without disabilities can only dream of. Together, Tim and William formed ``Team Gower'' and have participated as one in over 30 races. On Saturday, April 17, 2010, ``Team Gower'' participated in a 15-mile race to raise money to help purchase a new special needs van for William. William has worked hard all his life, and this new van will help ensure he has the independence he wants. All of us across East Alabama are deeply proud of William Gower and his outstanding strength. He is a role model for us all.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to recognize the life of a proud American hero, Captain Kyle A. Comfort. Captain Comfort, of Jacksonville, Alabama, died in Afghanistan on May 8, 2010, in service to our Nation. He is survived by his wife Katherine Brooke Comfort, their daughter Kinleigh Ann and his mother Ellen Comfort. Like all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in this conflict, words cannot express the sense of sadness we have for his family, and the gratitude our country feels for his service. Captain Comfort died serving the United States and the entire cause of liberty, on a mission to bring stability to a troubled region and liberty to a formerly oppressed people. He was a true patriot for serving our Nation, and he will be missed. We will forever hold him closely in our hearts, and remember his sacrifice and that of his family as a remembrance of his bravery and willingness to serve. Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the House's remembrance on this mournful day.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I would like to request the House's attention today to pay recognition to the distinguished career of Dr. Benjamin Franklin Payton, who will be retiring this year from his position as the 5th president of Tuskegee University, a position he has held for the past 29 years. It goes without saying that Dr. Payton has led a highly successful career serving the students, faculty and community of Tuskegee University. As President, his many accomplishments at the University will certainly be remembered long after his departure. Among his many milestones include the launching of Tuskegee University's first Ph.D. programs in Materials Science and Engineering and Integrated Biosciences; his involvement in the reconstruction and renovation of the entire campus; and his success in leading and exceeding a $150 million Capital Campaign. Dr. Payton's work at Tuskegee University, coupled with his previous accomplishments, has earned him many honors and awards including First Place winner of the Harvard Billings Prize, 1957; South Carolinian of the Year, 1972; an appointment by President Ronald Reagan to the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development; and under President George W. Bush, he was appointed to lead the Task Force on Agricultural and Economic Development to Zaire. All of us across Macon County and East Alabama have been touched by the visionary leadership of Dr. Benjamin Franklin Payton. He will be missed in the community and at the University he has led for so long. On behalf of us all, I congratulate him for his distinguished service.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my serious concern about the way the administration is dealing with Israel and how destructive I think their behavior is to our relationship. I would like to remind the administration that the overwhelming majority of the Members of Congress, Democrat and Republican, but more importantly the overwhelming majority of Americans, fiercely support our friend Israel and expect the administration to reflect that in their behavior. We have had this President go to Saudi Arabia and to Egypt to reemphasize how important it is to improve relations with the Muslim nations. He didn't visit Israel while he was over there to emphasize how important it was to keep and maintain support for our relationship with that Jewish State. We have had Vice President Biden go there and condemn the construction of apartments in Jerusalem. Secretary Clinton did the same thing. Vice President Biden was an hour and a half late for a dinner with the Prime Minister. How disrespectful. When President Obama met with Netanyahu in the White House and had dinner with him, he walked out on that dinner. How disrespectful. We expect more from our President when it comes to dealing with Israel than just disrespect. We expect a reemphasis of our support for Israel.

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a very special occasion. On April 23, 2010, Bob and Kay Lord will celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. On April 23, 1960, Bobby Ray and Francis Kay Lord were united in holy matrimony in Beaumont, Texas. Bob and Kay have one daughter, Anieca, the joy of their lives. As they have worked and traveled throughout the world, their house was always open. Whether you were a young person needing the love and structure of a solid home, or just a place to gather for good food and music, you were always welcomed. All were blessed to witness their faith, love and generosity. To celebrate their anniversary, family and friends will gather in their honor in Colmesneil, Texas at Lake Amanda, to recognize Bob and Kay's life together and share the great memories over the years. I salute this lovely couple on the 50th year of their life together and join their family and friends in honoring them on this special occasion.